menuMENU    UK Free TV logo News

 

 

Click to see updates

All posts by Briantist

Below are all of Briantist's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


keef: The Crystal Palace transmitter was off from midnight to 6am for testing of the post-DSO services. It's listed on the Freeview on Crystal Palace TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page. The same will happen tonight.

link to this comment
GB flag

Tony Barter: If you please provide a full postcode?

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:20PM

ian from notts: Actually, Sky Televison Ltd and British Satellite Broadcasting MERGED into one company, Sky didn't "take over". British Sky Broadcasting always had the original BSB investors on board and they divested themselves only when BSkyB became a PLC.

The squarial was not a dish, it was an active surface of receivers that acted as the LNB, a normal "dish" is a concave reflective surface that reflects signals into the LNB.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:21PM

John Bryan: You are very kind, I am pleased to hear you find the DAB maps useful.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:24PM

Mazbar: There's a page about the device here - Squarial - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - they were a good idea, but the traditional dish and LNB proved to be a cheaper option in the long run.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:25PM

If you want more details about the Sky vs
BSB days, the best book is this one - Amazon.co.uk: Used and New: Dished!: Rise and Fall of British Satellite Broadcasting .

link to this comment
GB flag
Channel 5 HD will launch on Freeview | Blogs
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:30PM

Iain Davies: Basically, not a chance.

As I covered in ITV1+1, ITV1HD, BBC One HD regional services on Freeview | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice the HD services do not have regions.

BBC One HD is a "national" service, not the 15 regions in SD. Which BBC regions are on satellite? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

BBC TWO HD will be the "England" service, not the 4 nations in SD.

ITV1 HD has four regions at the moment in HD, not even all the advertister regions, and not all the "classic" news regions.

Channel 4 HD doesn't have it's six ad regions - Macro Map | Interactive Map of Our Regions with Data .

Channel 5 HD would need it's four ad regions too - Macro Map | Interactive Map of Our Regions with Data .

link to this comment
GB flag
Channel 5 HD will launch on Freeview | Blogs
Thursday 3 November 2011 7:31PM

Iain Davies: Isn't that what the UKTV channels are for?

link to this comment
GB flag

John: You have to wait until 14 Mar 12, you don't have to wait for Heathfield to close because the frequencies change at Midhurt in March there will be no clash.

link to this comment
GB flag

jb38: The chart is from Multi-Channel Development 1992-2011 (Homes 000's) .

I don't really mind when people point out things in a polite way, it's just when there are people who make one really offensive post because something a tiny bit wrong.

But I do have to keep an eye on a huge heap of external information that is published in many formats. Some of it I have automated, such as the radio transmitter maps, which are imported directly from a .CSV file from Ofcom's site.

Ofcom generally rather annoyingly publish huge heaps of information in Acrobat files that I can't even import from, and this requires me to sit with the PDF on one monitor and my database on the other screen checking things manually!

Some thing I have script that check other databases such as DMOL and Lungsat and supply me with lists of changes so I can do manual checks and updates at my end.

The BARB graphs are automatic from their data, some data such the the "radiation patterns" for the transmitters requires "Freedom of Information" requests to get at it.

I agree it is confusing when you have a "Dave" and another "dave" on the same page. I'll see what I can do to help differentiate these.

link to this comment
GB flag

Steve P: Again, the problem for the BBC is the many regions on BBC One and BBC Two.

It does seem odd that the BBC has never even tried it.

link to this comment
GB flag

Ian: It is probably more worth it for a channel with a large number of viewers (like Channel 5) than for the smaller channels like Dave or PICKTV.

link to this comment
GB flag

JBC: please provide a full (not partial) postcode.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 3 November 2011 11:45PM

Adrian Jones: There were overnight test at Crystal Palace and there will be the same again tonight. When the services resumed they were back exactly as they were before.

In any case reducing power would not make the " picture less clear in definition and clarity". Please see How digital television works | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

andyboy: This would occur if you were using the Tacolneston transmitter.

link to this comment
GB flag

Raymond Baxter: There are no reported problems with the transmitter - can you please have a look at Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?

link to this comment
GB flag

mst: The point of calling a "cliff edge" is because that is what it is - there is no area where any degradation happens.

The difference in power levels does mean that PSB coverage will be more than COM and the COM operators do not mind this.

Here's a graph:



However, there is not a "fringe area" where there is NO COM. "Marginal" reception means you get is sometimes and not at others, not that those places receive a degraded constant service.

link to this comment
GB flag

Tony Banks: Did you do as I advised?

link to this comment
GB flag
Humax FOXSAT-HD freesat HD | Freesat
Friday 4 November 2011 9:47AM

Brian Fawbert: Can you provide some more information about the problem?

link to this comment
GB flag

Neil Marriott: Given that it says "TV (digital) working normally" I would suggest that if you have no digital TV signal I would see - Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

fab: It is true that people can easily create their own +1 channel, but when it comes down to it most of the +1 channels pick up about 10% of the original audience, and for the larger channels this is worth it from the advertisers point of view.

link to this comment
GB flag

andyboy: I wouldn't worry about it.

link to this comment
GB flag
Tiny Pop
Friday 4 November 2011 1:02PM

Kylee: Are you missing any other channels?

link to this comment
GB flag

Steve P: (No). As I say, it odd that the BBC run whole satellites full of "red button" streams, and yet don't run +1 channels.

I guess it might just be too costly on the rights front?

link to this comment
GB flag
Really to replace Dave Ja Vu on Freeview
Friday 4 November 2011 1:07PM

Mike Robinson: All channels are provided on the transmitter and are operating normally. Please can you see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?

link to this comment
GB flag

SMcG: Choose a region you want for the primary channel number allocations, the "extra" channels will be placed in the 800-899 channel range.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mark A.: ITV1+1=ITV2
ITV2+1=ITV3
ITV3+4=ITV4
Channel 4+1=Channel 5
Film4+1=Film5
More4+1=More5
E4+1=E5...

link to this comment
GB flag

Carrie: You must tune the TV set in "analogue" mode, the output from the Sky RF socket is not digital.

link to this comment
GB flag

Glenn Anstey: The usual reason for rain problems with Freeview is that water is getting into your aerial cable.

Malvern's PSB3 is perfectly reliable.

To access the page, press the red button (or "text" button) on your remote and enter 101.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mike Dimmick: Good point about the multiplex.

It is of note that the BBC and Arqvia went to a lot of trouble to get permission to sell the MuxB-ArqA/B combined offer, and yet there has been space on MuxB going spare all this time.

I understand that Arqiva/BBC were still making this offer available to people in the last few months.

At some point in the dim and distant past, the fourth multiplex was 50% allocated to S4C and 50% to Channel 5, so I guess it is possible that TUTV's lease for G.O.L.D and Home will expire and Channel 5 will have access.

Channel 5 has less regulatory problems with it's regions (which are "Scotland", "Northern England", "London" and "Everywhere else") and they never bothered about them on Freeview when Channel 5 was on Multiplex A. Given that A/SDN is split into Wales and non-Wales version they could do it of course, but seems a lot of trouble for a +1 and everyone on Freesat gets Channel 5 (London) anyway.

Channel 5 was going to move to the BBCA multiplex at switchover, but when BBCB was allocated to Freeview HD, as part of this deal, Channel 5 got a D3&4 slot, and ITV got compensated for their loss by getting a BBCB slot for ITV1 HD.

Teletext's services cannot be removed from D3&4 by Ofcom. The provision for the "national teletext provider" getting 5% of the multiplex is in primary legislation. Mr Hunt would have to change this, and if the 5% was taken away then Mr Hunt would decide who it was allocated to. It was never the Channel 3 licence holders in the first place, it cannot "revert" to them.

Broadcasting Act 1996

I note that it also says the teletext service should ensure "that the service includes a sufficient amount of news items which are of high quality and deal with both national and international matters" and "that (taken as whole) the service includes a sufficient amount of information (other than news) which is calculated to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests".

Not sure if Rabbit counts, really...

link to this comment
GB flag
Mobile site version - m.ukfree.tv | Blogs
Friday 4 November 2011 10:17PM

Mark Aberfan Aerials: I'm pleased to hear that.

link to this comment
GB flag

omar: It was possible on VHF (405-line analogue), but was poor and thus BBC had VHF 405-line services on Oxford. The UHF television signals (used for 625-line analogue and Freeview) will not reach Oxford from London or Birmingham.

The BBC covered the whole of the UK using transmitters at:

Abergavenny, Aldeburgh, Ayr South, Ballachulish, Ballycastle, Barnstaple, Bath, Belmont, Betws-y-Coed, BlaenPlwyf, Bressay, Brougher Mountain, Campbeltown, Churchdown Hill, Crystal Palace, Divis, Dolgellau, Douglas (IoM), Eastbourne, Ffestiniog, Folkestone, Girvan, Grantown Link, Hastings, Haverfordwest, Hereford, Isles of Scilly, Kendal, Kilkeel, Kilvey Hill, Kingussie, Kinlochleven, Larne, Llanddona, Llandrindod Wells, Llanelli, Llangollen, Llanidloes, Londonderry, Machynlleth, Madingley (Cambridge), Marlborough, Millburn Muir, Moel-Y-Parc, Newhaven, Newry South, North Hessary Tor, Oban, Okehampton, Oxford, Penifiler, Perth, Pitlochry, Pontop Pike, Port Ellen, Redruth, Rosemarkie, Rosneath, Rowridge, Rye, Sandale, Sheffield, Sidmouth, Skriaig (Skye), Sutton Coldfield, Tacolneston, Ventnor, Weardale, Wenvoe, Weymouth, Whitby, Whitehawk Hill and Winter Hill.

Te ITV companies had services on:

Abergavenny, Angus, Arfon, Aviemore, Bala, Ballycastle, Bath, Belmont, Black Hill, Black Mountain, Brecon, Burnhope, Caldbeck, Caradon Hill, Croydon, Dover, Durris, Emley Moor, Ffestiniog, Fremont Point, Huntshaw Cross, Lethanhill, Lichfield, Llandrindod Wells, Moel-Y-Parc, Mounteagle, Newhaven, Preseli, Ridge Hill, Rosneath, Rothesay, Rumster Forest, Sandy Heath, Selkirk, Sheffield, Stockland Hill, Strabane, Whitehaven, and Winter Hill.

link to this comment
GB flag
How to get Sky News on a Freesat box | Freesat
Saturday 5 November 2011 10:53AM

Leigh Brown: Sky News is on 12207 V 27500, you can't get it by using any other parameters.

link to this comment
GB flag

Jan: The Sky box's output will continue to be analogue as long as you continue to use it.

link to this comment
GB flag

paul: I would use a Freesat HD box, you get a better programme guide and you will be able to record on a Freesat+HD box. The services you can get are dependant in the size dish you can use.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mike Smith: Old mux names: numbers given to public service broadcasters allocated by the 1996 Act (1 and 2), commercial ones auctioned off to the highest bidders - letters (A, B, C and D).

New multiplex names: public service broadcasters: "PSB1" "PSB2" and "PSB3" and commercial "COM4" "COM5" and "COM6" most of the time, or "BBC A", "Digital 3 and 4", "BBC B", "S4C Digital Networks", "Arqiva A" and "Arqiva B" when referring to the multiplex owner.

link to this comment
GB flag

John Mclaughlin: There was, as it says about, a fault from 07:16 on 03 Nov to 13:20 on 03 Nov.

link to this comment
GB flag

Heinz: That transponder does appear to be showing a test service. If it one that will finally be allocated to the Channel 4 corporation is unknown.

It is usual that when a "bird" reaches the correct orbital position, the whole device will undergo a period of testing.

This is largely because the users will expect a flawless service over the coming years. Al though each satellite contains redundant systems to allow parts of the system to fail, given the impossibility of repair, it is vital that testing it carried out before being used for public service.

Given the noises from Channel 5 about the launch of Channel 5+1, I think you may start seeing service up and running in three to four weeks.

link to this comment
GB flag

paul: Most of the things you want to watch are on Astra 2D. You should probably ask a local installer to assist as they will have experience in the required dish sizes.

link to this comment
GB flag

mike: I'm glad to hear you found the problem. Yes, I agree it was strange, but with digital reception it is all-or-nothing on each multiplex and something a cable fault can reduce just one multiplex - as you have found.

link to this comment
GB flag
Tiny Pop
Saturday 5 November 2011 4:12PM

Kylee: Very odd. If you were missing "half of your total channels" it would be obvious, or whole satellites full, but a single transponder is odd.

link to this comment
GB flag

Julian: Yes, the channels will be free-to-air.

link to this comment
GB flag

Ian: You will receive PICK TV, 5* and 5USA.

However, 5* and 5USA will be going free to air very shortly.

See All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Saturday 5 November 2011 4:35PM

bev: You would not expect the landlord to install an aerial for you, but you do have the right to have one installed at your own expense.

link to this comment
GB flag

Colin: You will have to change your aerial to one pointing at the Caldbeck transmitter if you want to use those services.

link to this comment
GB flag

Chris Perkins: C55 (746.0MHz) is multiplex A, not multiplex 1.

1 BBC One South, 2 BBC Two England, 7 BBC Three, 70 CBBC Channel, 80 BBC News, 105 BBC Red Button, 301 301 as a digital multiplex is transmitted on frequency C66 (834.0MHz).

I am using a TV in Hove right now at multiplex 1 is broadcasting normally.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Monday 7 November 2011 1:11PM

teresa: Don't spend any money, the £25 card will be identical to the one you already have.

link to this comment
GB flag
ITV 3
Monday 7 November 2011 1:12PM

marenid: ITV do not broadcast ITV3+1 on Freeview. There isn't any room for it.

link to this comment
GB flag
Press TV
Monday 7 November 2011 1:12PM

jim bates: No, the channel is not broadcast on Freeview.

link to this comment
GB flag

Ian: Have you tried the RF1 output?

link to this comment
GB flag
Hannington (Hampshire, England) transmitter
Monday 7 November 2011 1:17PM

Norman: It could be, if you please supply a full postcode I can confirm this.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Monday 7 November 2011 1:25PM

NottsUK: It not showing up yet in the "official" list at DMOL Post-DSO Logical Channel Numbers or on my box. So, it's not Zone Reality if it's "shop and play"...

link to this comment
GB flag

Jordy: That is very good news. Hopefully the information will make it to the Ofcom database that I use...

link to this comment
GB flag
Body in Balance
Monday 7 November 2011 2:35PM

Andrew: As the channel is free-to-air on 12560 V 27500-2/3, there is no reason why the channel can't be on Freesat, other than they have not asked for a channel number.

link to this comment
GB flag
Diagnostics - old version
Monday 7 November 2011 2:44PM

Jacek: I would remove and refit the SCART cable connecting the Freeview box to the TV set.

link to this comment
GB flag

Oliver: OK, if you can't find anything obvious you might have to get someone in to look at it for you.

link to this comment
GB flag
Tiny Pop
Monday 7 November 2011 2:46PM

Kylee: If I knew I would have posted it.

link to this comment
GB flag

NottsUK: Thanks for that.

link to this comment
GB flag

Iain Davies: I can't help thinking that UKTV could really do with launching a 70s channel, that would be a great idea. They could call it "Ziggy" perhaps?

link to this comment
GB flag
Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter
Monday 7 November 2011 6:46PM

roy cahill: Ceefax is the service the BBC provide, the teletext service on other channels will be provided by the channel in question.

link to this comment
GB flag
Movies4Men
Monday 7 November 2011 6:49PM

Tom: I think the best thing to look at is Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Monday 7 November 2011 6:56PM

Clare C: If you stop subscribing your card *becomes* a Free to view card, you need do nothing at all.

link to this comment
GB flag

mrs m.strick: Please can you provide a full postcode? You might find Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice a useful page to check.

link to this comment
GB flag

Vic Newy: Can you please provide a full postcode?

link to this comment
GB flag
Connecting it all up | Installing
Monday 7 November 2011 7:39PM

Richard Johns: Yes, that is correct. You can view everything that is in the fSfS list on All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

seanw: I would, with the box off, remove about 2cm from the end of the satellite input, and then carefully remake the end.

When you reconnect, ensure that all of the outer strands are touching the screw connector and none of them the inner.

link to this comment
GB flag
Connecting it all up | Installing
Monday 7 November 2011 7:44PM

Andy: Actually, you can sometimes connect the "composite" pins of a SCART to a PC-type card but often only on high-end cards.

link to this comment
GB flag
Connecting it all up | Installing
Monday 7 November 2011 7:46PM

Elizabeth Davis: 1) Neither, BT Vision doesn't work with satellite.

2) No cabling, BT Vision works only with a rooftop aerial.

link to this comment
GB flag
Connecting it all up | Installing
Monday 7 November 2011 7:48PM

Jilly: This happens quite a lot, it does it on my satellite box. This is usually when using "Dolby Digital" sound. I suspect you will have to use the TV remote control (or amplifier if you have the sound plugged into your stereo).

link to this comment
GB flag

jb38: I have changed the code to provide 16 different coloured pictures for people who have not yet provided a picture.

This should make it easier to track different people in the same conversation.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Monday 7 November 2011 9:01PM

Des Collier: Not long to go now...

link to this comment
GB flag

Josh: Well, apart from having your IP address, of course...

link to this comment
GB flag
Connecting it all up | Installing
Monday 7 November 2011 9:04PM

Wendy: Attach the VCR to the SCART marked "VCR" or "SCART2" on the Sky+ box.

To watch videos, put the Sky+ box into stand-by mode.

You don't need anything else.

link to this comment
GB flag

Alan Fumagalli: Interestingly the official predictor shows you the improvement on 18th November 2011...

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Monday 7 November 2011 9:22PM

jb38: Yes, Sky don't want the hassle of sending out new cards when people re-subscribe. Sometimes you have to power off with the card out and re-insert it, but otherwise there is no difference between an ex-subscription card and a "free to view" card.

Cards are only cancelled for two reasons - a new one has been sent out, or it has been "detected" in use abroad.

link to this comment
GB flag

Dave: It could indicate the cable is faulty, quite a lot of Freeview problems can be solved by using new "fly leads".

link to this comment
GB flag

Jordy: If you post them on Facebook I can copy them here.

link to this comment
GB flag

Josh: Of course, it's not the BBC that does it. The Licence Fee is collected by a separate agency, who have subcontracted collections to a private company, Capita.

BBC TV Licensing

.

So, yes, they *do* have the resources ("detection" is part of the £93.8m "collection
costs") to "track people down", and they are contractually obliged to do so. - TV Licensing - FOI: About TV Licensing .

link to this comment
GB flag
Arqiva statement on Belmont and Olivers Mount
Tuesday 8 November 2011 2:20PM

R Schofield: That sounds much better. It might be worth checking all your cables and connectors as you should have perfect reception of all services.

link to this comment
GB flag

DaveP: Yes, the signals will improve on 27th June 2012. You do not need to do anything to your aerial.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Tuesday 8 November 2011 2:52PM

Taccy Fan: Yes, as it says the "Tacolneston trasmitter area".

link to this comment
GB flag
Channel 5 HD will launch on Freeview | Blogs
Tuesday 8 November 2011 2:56PM

Iain Davies: BBC3 serves the audience that it is desgined for, and as a group that have to pay their TV Licence like everyone else, that is fair enough. Just because you don't want to watch it doesn't render the channel "trash".

The BBC has a joint-venture UKTV which puts out archive programmes on pay and free-to-air television.

Here is a list of Z-Cars episodes that survice: missing episodes .

And for Softly, Softly: BBC Online - Cult - Treasure Hunt - The Missing Episodes - Softly, Softly .

The Changes can be got on DVD - The Changes (TV Series 1975) - IMDb .

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat
Tuesday 8 November 2011 3:00PM

Pete: There is no point buying a card, your expired subscription card will give you the same.

The current free-to-air HD channels are: BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1/STV/UTV HD, Channel 4 HD and NHK World TV. Channel 5 HD will join them soon.

Please see the above article for further details.

link to this comment
GB flag
Channel 5 HD will launch on Freeview | Blogs
Tuesday 8 November 2011 3:00PM

Jeff Eastmond: Another problem is that channels that show programmes in black and white just don't get watched.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mike Dimmick: Yes, it's still not quite the same as publishing data in, say, Excel format.

link to this comment
GB flag

Tom: All main transmitters have been switched to their post-switchover configuration for a total of two nights about six months before their switchover date.

It is necessary to test that the new equipment will work correctly when switchover happens.

If you think that you will get a "better service" from cable or satellite - well, wait until it breaks down (which cables does quite a lot) or rains heavily!

You have one transmitter you should use which is Crystal Palace. You should, with the correct equipment, get a perfect signal from it now and after switchover.

There is no one to complain to, the work was scheduled as part of the project plan.

link to this comment
GB flag

jb38: I was trying to provide a subtle collection of symbols... they are allocated to each entered email address so they are the same over each page.

I also fixed a bug on the "all post by" pages which should help - All posts by jb38 | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

desmond: I don't know where you get that idea from, switchover in London is Wednesday 18th April 2012. Nothing changes before then.

If you could please provide a full postcode.

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Wednesday 9 November 2011 8:54AM

jb38: I was explained to me that Sky would like any of their ex-subscription customers to easily rejoin the subscription service.

Having to send out another card in the post is a "barrier" to getting someone back on-board - the option to "get your channels back immediately" is an "easy win" for Sky.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mike Dimmick: I had a look at that, but I think I will stick with the two methods, either set your picture from the "MY SETTINGS" box or specify a Twitter account name.

link to this comment
GB flag

Dave Lindsay: -7dB provide full digital coverage at highly stable levels for the same as the analogue coverage area.

link to this comment
GB flag

Mark: You would normally expect there to be one for each required frequency.

link to this comment
GB flag

polly: Is the wireless up particularly near the Sky box?

link to this comment
GB flag

Bill: I just posted the correct name as it turns into a link...

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Wednesday 9 November 2011 9:42PM

gerard: Only if it has HDMI connections. HDMI is digital connection and can be used with non-HD content, but does not provide an analogue connection like SCART. See Connecting it all up | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

John L: You didn't provide a model number - there are a lot of Sony sets on the "won't work" list - TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

Dick Rudd: As above, the BBCA multiplex is on C49- .

link to this comment
GB flag
This week's commercial multiplex changes
Wednesday 9 November 2011 9:55PM

Madge McArthur: I think you will find that you are unaware of what constitutes "prostitution", which being a physical transaction cannot be performed over a telephone line.

link to this comment
GB flag

Steven Oliver: Interestingly most of the relays that had different BBC and ITV regions have now been eliminated as part of the switchover process.

link to this comment
GB flag

Rick: Yes, Freeview and satellite operate independently of each other.

link to this comment
GB flag

J.F.Taylor: Use two SCART cables.

Connect the recorder device to the Sky box's SCART marked "VCR" or "SCART2".

Then connect the Sky box's SCART marked "TV" or "SCART1" to the TV.

To view the recorder device, put the Sky box into "standby" mode.

link to this comment
GB flag

heidi: Please can you provide a full postcode?

Have you followed the instructions at the top of the page?

link to this comment
GB flag

Brian Springthorpe: I would guess it is Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice given the strength of TV signals in Wolverhampton.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 6:42AM

Richard Baguley: There were no chances to multiplex C, you should not have lost them.

link to this comment
GB flag

Malcolm Springett: The BBC report that Freeview HD is operating normallly from Crystal Palace. Some people have a problem as C31 is also used for SDN on Sandy Heath, but that should not effect you.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Thursday 10 November 2011 9:42AM

NottsUK: Yeah, I get redirected to Home cinema | News | TechRadar .

link to this comment
GB flag
Freeview HD London details | High definition
Thursday 10 November 2011 10:02AM

Andy: Some people had problems when Sandy Heath started using C31 for the SDN multiplex, but you should not really have a problem with that.

There have been no changes at Crystal Palace, I would have a look at Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 1:12PM

Jim: It sounds very much like your "new" Sky HD box is not working. Can you try it on your other satellite connection downstairs?

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 1:14PM

Chris Dunlop: Please see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

I think you will find that the levels of power increase will create no additional heat that you will be able to detect.

link to this comment
GB flag

Martin Andrews: Please see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice - the channels will return when you discover what the problem is...

link to this comment
GB flag
Freeview HD London details | High definition
Thursday 10 November 2011 1:19PM

Andy: The BBC say that there is no problem with the transmitter. Given the millions of homes served by the transmitter, it is much more likely that you have a localised reception issue.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 2:20PM

Chris Dunlop: Yes, the power measurement at the actual aerial is minute it usually calucalted in dBuA which are decibels, relative to 1 microampere, where

dBuA = 20 * log10( I ) + 120

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 2:21PM

Jim: The box will should work perfectly well without any card in it.

link to this comment
GB flag

Malcolm Springett: I would say that as the Crystal Palace transmitter is providing Freeview HD services to millions of homes in the London area, if the four HD channels were missing from everyone then people would notice.

Given that the headquaters of the BBC, ITV plc and Channel 4 are all within the reception area, I am sure they would notice if their HD service was off within a matter of seconds.

Also Arqiva, who run the network have extensive automatic monitoring systems that are able to detect and correct faults within microseconds.

This doesn't mean you don't have a reception issue, but it could still not be one caused by a transmitter faults.

One common cause of this kind of problem in the past, when it was not down to an in-home problem, has been faulty street lighting or security lighting.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 2:38PM

Richard Baguley: C22 could be any of these - Find a Freeview transmitter by frequency | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice but is actually BBCA from Belmont.

As Belmont also uses C25, C28, C30-, C53, C60- I think you can probably guess.

During switchover, BBC FOUR (and also the radio services) in on BBCA C55- and MuxB C66.


link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 2:42PM

Richard Baguley: I would just wait until 23rd November 2011 and the final power levels will probably render your services back to normal...

link to this comment
GB flag

Polly: It is not really advisable to put a wireless router device near another source of RF, even if the frequency used are totally different.

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 2:44PM

Martin bindon: The connections to the dish should not effect each other, they are all separate, and the length of the cable should have no effect (unless it is very, very long).

link to this comment
GB flag

john hewlett: If you could provide a postcode it would be possible to give you the information you need.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 5:49PM

Che Bramley: You have not provided a postcode, but for general advice see the Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page.

link to this comment
GB flag

Colin Wray: You might expect this, the signal levels at Crystal Palace, as a "preview" service are very low.

link to this comment
GB flag

GEORGE FAIRHURST: There are no transmission problems, please can you see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice and Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for help.

The Licence Fee pays for the BBC to make and broadcast their content, it does not pay for them to fix your reception problems, that is your responsibility.

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 6:19PM

Jim: Usually "no signal" means just that... You get a different message if there is no card in the box.

Sometimes the end of satellite cables can get damaged, it can be useful to cut off an inch from the end and remake the connection.

link to this comment
GB flag

Steven Oliver: Here's the list from the official documents:

Haden Hill re-attributed to Sutton Coldfield.

Hazler Hill and Ludlow re-attributed to Ridge Hill.

Dunure will be reattributed from Girvan to Kirkoswald HP/VP remaining in the Darvel transmitter group. West
Kilbride and its dependant relays (Millport, Rothesay, Rothesay Town, Tighnabruaich and Largs) Kirkconnel and its dependant relay New Cumnock have been reattributed to parent Black Hill from Darvel. Note that the Knockewart (West Kilbride Link) relay as closed down and the Channel 5 only service from Milburn Muir will close down at DSO2.

Lincoln Central - BBC has been re-attributed from Waltham (Central) to Belmont. Hunmanby BBC & Channel 4 have been re-attributed from Belmont to Olivers Mount.

Darley Dale has been re-attributed to Stanton Moor, which is
part of the Waltham transmitter group.
NOTE: Lincoln Central - BBC was re-attributed from Waltham (Central) to Belmont (Yorkshire). Thus the BBC Regional service changed from BBC East Midlands to BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Haden Hill will be reattributed from The Wrekin to Brierley Hill which is part of the Sutton Coldfield transmitter group. Oakeley Mynd was re-attributed to Ridge Hill. Guiting Power, Over Norton and Icomb Hill have been re-attributed to Oxford.

Calver Peak has been re-attributed from Tideswell Moor to Emley Moor. Todmorden has been re-attributed from Winter Hill to Cornholme. Cornholme - BBC has been reattributed from Todmorden to Emley Moor.

Over Norton and Icomb Hill were re-attributed from Sutton Coldfield to Oxford. Guiting Power has been re-attributed from Oxford to Icomb Hill and thus remains within the Oxford transmitter group.

Fishguard and Ystumtuen previously took feeds from Blaenplywf and have already been re-attributed to Preseli.

Chepstow was re-attributed from the Mendip transmitter group. Pennorth will be re-attributed from Clyro to Brecon at or just prior to switchover. Dowlais will be re-attributed from Wenvoe to Merthyr Tydfil at or just prior to switchover.

Chepstow has been reattributed from Mendip to Wenvoe.

Baltasound will be re-attributed from Bressay to Fetlar and Collafirth will be re-attributed from Bressay to Swinister. However, they still remain in the Bressay Transmitter Group.

Perth, Dunkeld and Dunkeld Town have changed TV region, moving from STV Central

Grantown will be re-attributed to Knockmore, and the Grantown Link relay will close at DSO.

The Brushford and Chagford relays are now part of the Stockland Hill transmitter group; being reassigned from the Huntshaw Cross transmitter group in October 2008.

The Bincombe Hill relay will be reassigned from Stockland Hill at DSO1 to Weymouth, remaining within the Stockland Hill transmitter group.

The Brushford and Chagford relays were reassigned to the Stockland Hill transmitter group in October 2008. Tedburn St. Mary joins the Huntshaw Cross transmitter group. Woolacombe, Hartland and Ilfracombe with its feeds for Berrynarbour, Combe Martin, Chambercombe have moved from the Caradon Hill transmitter group to the Huntshaw Cross group, At switchover Berrynarbour will be re-attributed to Combe Martin (from Ilfracombe), while remaining in the Huntshaw Cross transmitter group

The Mevagissey relay has been reattributed from Redruth to the Caradon Hill transmitter group. Truro, St Austell and Penryn relays were reassigned from Caradon Hill to the Redruth transmitter group.

Mevagissey has been reassigned from Redruth to the Caradon Hill group.

St Austell, Penryn, Truro have been re-attributed from Caradon Hill to the Redruth group and Hartland, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Berrynarbour, Chambercombe and Woolacombe have been re-attributed from Caradon Hill to the Huntshaw Cross group.

Mynydd Emroch was re-attributed from the Carmel transmitter group into the Kilvey Hill group in February 2009.

Fishguard and Ystumtuen were re-attributed from the Blaenplwyf transmitter group into the Preseli group.

Mynydd Emroch has been re-attributed from the Carmel group into the Kilvey Hill group.

At DSO, Conway will be fully attributed to Llanddona. Currently, Conway takes analogue BBC One and S4C from Llanddona, and analogue BBC Two and ITV from Cefn Du which is a link relay from Moel y Parc. At DSO Stage One for Llanddona, Conway BBC One analogue will be re-attributed to Cefn Du when BBC Two analogue is switched off. Cefn Dus only purpose is to feed Conway which is being fully re-assigned to Llanddona at DSO. Consequently, Cefn Du will be switched off permanently at Llanddona DSO Stage Two and does not switch to digital.

link to this comment
GB flag

Alex/Mike Dimmick: Chaper 23 of the "Blue book" says:

This Engineering Channel specification defines the method to be used to broadcast software updates to receivers using capacity made available to manufacturers in the UK DTT multiplexes. Terms and conditions for the use of the Engineering Channel may be obtained from DTG Testing Ltd,

Note that this specification defines a generic method for implementation of the Engineering Channel. The extent of the implementation will be set out in the Operations Manual

The key features of the scheme apply to both the current object-carousel based system and the data-carousel based DVB-SSU system ... the system uses standard MPEG data structures and should be able to pass through the UK network without problem

The ability to use the methods contained in the DVB-SSU specification for receiver firmware updates is added in this version of the D-Book specification, initially for receivers designed for the DVB-T2 services but it is intended that this will ultimately be used for all UK DTT receivers.

link to this comment
GB flag

kaz edwards: Yes, you need to use Sandy Heath, yes you need to point the aerial at the transmitter to get services from it.

link to this comment
GB flag

andyboy: I suspect your aerial is not pointing at Sudbury, but another transmitter. If you want Freeview HD today, you need to ensure you are using the correct trasmitter.

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 6:52PM

Martin bindon: I am wondering why you needed the "extender arm". Can you explain please?

link to this comment
GB flag

Des Collier: Thanks. I actually enjoy the reading...

link to this comment
GB flag

Jane Hore: This is odd as only the BBC multiplex had been replaced, everything else is operating exactly as it was earlier in this week.

link to this comment
GB flag

Steve P: That would not be allowed...

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky to Freesat | Freesat
Thursday 10 November 2011 10:20PM

Nelson: If you could provide a full postcode it might be possible to provide some specific information.

link to this comment
GB flag

Polly: I would say "as far as possible", but a least a few meters will probably be enough.

link to this comment
GB flag

PeteG: Yes, Freeview signals can be carried on the same cable as the analogue output from a Sky box.

link to this comment
GB flag

Keith B: Can you provide a full postcode, as this is required for Freeview prediction.

You can use you satellite dish to record, but you will need a Freesat+HD box - see Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
GB flag

Graham Clarke: Please see the article at the top of the page.

link to this comment
GB flag
All DAB transmitters
Thursday 10 November 2011 10:30PM

Keith Dean: Sorry for not replying sooner.

It could be possible that your aerial, being direcitonal, is being selective about the transmitter.

The different DAB multiplexes are coming from different transmitters - you might be able to alter the direction a bit so you pick up all the signals.

link to this comment
GB flag
Hannington (Hampshire, England) transmitter
Thursday 10 November 2011 10:32PM

Norman: The predictions say that you should be using Mendip as an alternative transmitter. You will not get strong enough signals from Hannington.

link to this comment
GB flag
Switchover starts in Norfolk
Thursday 10 November 2011 11:14PM

Richard Baguley: I hope everything is OK then.

link to this comment
GB flag

N THOMPSON: You have a prediction for "marginal reception" of multiplex 2 until switchover on 18th April 2012. Please see Two frequency interference
| ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
.

The TV Licence only pays for BBC services.

link to this comment
GB flag

Freddie: I would also advise against writing to your MP to complain, as they are unable to do anything about the laws of physics, in this case the inverse power law - Power law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

link to this comment
GB flag
Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat
Friday 11 November 2011 8:39AM

Jim: I am very pleased to hear that. I am sure it will be OK now.

link to this comment
GB flag
Feedback | Feedback
Friday 11 November 2011 8:55AM

John Fogarty: Some UK broadcasters add a pre-delay to their VHF output, so that they can align the various packetized digital systems.

However, the BBC do not do this, so the FM/AM signals are "in sync" and the DAB is not.

From memory, the BBC do not do this because the delay is not wholly caused by the digital transmission, but is partly down to the speed of decoding on the receiver and the amount of "buffering" that it uses.

If you have several different types of DAB receiver they will often be slightly out of sync.

Also the BBC provide digital radio via satellite, which has a (slight) delay due to the 78,000 km round trip; Freeview which has a slight encoding delay; WMA online stream which due to buffering is usually behind DAB, AAC (for Flash) which is usually in front of DAB.

Of course, if you want an accurate time signal, the best you can use is GPS as this takes into account Einstein's time dilation effect.

link to this comment
GB flag

Brian Springthorpe: What units is your "simple signal finder" calibrated in? From memory the minimum signal level is -80dBm.

As a general rule, the external USB DVB-T receivers usually perform very well. This could be due to being distant from the electrical noise of the inside of a television set or set top box.

link to this comment
GB flag