Digital switch-over problems
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV The Sutton Coldfield transmitter that serves Birmingham is having all the current analogue and digital services moved to a second temporary mast. This work was due to be completed last month, but the bad weather has not allowed the "air work" to be completed quickly.
With the power level reported to be about an eighth of normal, this has caused many people reception problems in second largest city in England.
Despite being close to the first digital switch-over in Whitehaven, it seems that people using the Bleach Green transmitter are unable to scan for Freeview services. However, they do work if the viewer manually tunes their box toC53, C57 and C60. "Digital UK says they are now working with Ofcom and the broadcasters to fix the problem".
Down in Cornwall, the Redruth transmitter is stuck in limbo. Cornish people can now watch digital TV from the transmitter and relays, but the commerical multiplexes are on the old power levels and old frequencies until 30 September 2009.
It would appear that the 30 September Freeview retune will be an important date nationwide.
Help with Freeview, aerials?
In this section
Monday, 23 April 2012
T
TimJ1:48 PM
Hi brsinkvn. I'm no expert but found that my PVR needed an "over air" software update. This link told when/how to get that: DTG :: DTT Receiver Downloads
Hope it helps (BN412BD)
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Wednesday, 25 April 2012
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brslnkvn3:46 PM
Borehamwood
Thanks TimJ for your suggestion. In looking into this a bit more it could be that the problem is caused by the manufacturer updating software overnight via the freeview signal and this could have been timed to coincide with the switchover. When this has happened in the past there have been reports that the download of the updated software has damaged the existing software. A suggested solution is to manually download the updated software from a PC which is where I think your link TimJ leads. Just wondering if anyone out there with a similar Wharfedale receiver has had the same problem coinciding with the switchover and any solution other than dowloading from a PC as it seems that involves quite complicated setup?
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brslnkvn's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 30 April 2012
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klb1079:35 PM
Isleworth
Hi, Since switchover for TW7 6QD, my Hitachi HDR082 recorder is intermittently jumping on playback on all channels and getting worse. From the research I've already done, I'm aware that these models have a problem and I checked and I have the latest firmware update and that obviously hasn't helped. I'm at the point where I think I just have to cut my losses and buy a new recorder - would you agree? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks
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klb107's: mapK's Freeview map terrainK's terrain plot wavesK's frequency data K's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb3811:13 PM
klb107: I feel that your suggestion regarding purchasing a new PVR is the only effective way out of this problem, as this stuttering, skipping and jumping on playback problem is as you have probably discovered a well known about problem, and with the software updates that were released only having a very limited success, and to be quite frank about it not worth the sheer inconvenience of having to download them into the PC and then transferring into the PVR via an RS232 lead.
Its unfortunate as the menu system used in these chassis is about the most user friendly of any PVR and even puts the technically superior Humax to shame, thankfully though an updated version of the menu system used in them has been retained and is used in the much later Vestel chassis Hitachi 325 model (320gb) as sold by Argos, two of my relatives having purchased these a while back and which have so far proved to be faultless in operation so, something which I am rather pleased about having recommended these models to them.
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klb10711:28 PM
Isleworth
Thank you for your speedy response - helpful to have that confirmed.
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klb107's: mapK's Freeview map terrainK's terrain plot wavesK's frequency data K's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Thursday, 10 May 2012
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Jan Robins6:13 PM
Enfield
We have 4 televisions in our house running from a rooftop arial. All was fine before switchover including all freeview channels, but now only 2 work on all channels (both new 19" TVs) The third is also new(22") and can receive stations 1-6 well and freeview of very poor quality, and the 4th which is a 42" LG in the lounge has totally intermittent reception, coming and going with 'no signal' message, pixelation, freezing + loss of picture after 30 mins of viewing and no freeview whatsoever. How can there be this variance in reception off the same arial when all channels have been programmed?
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Jan's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb389:01 PM
Jan Robins: You are indicated as being roughly 16 miles away from Crystal Palace and as such an outdoor aerial could be receiving an excessively strong signal from the now high powered multiplexes, the symptoms of an over the top signal being very similar to that described.
If you use any type of booster then this must be by-passed, if though you do not have one then purely for an initial test try using a set top aerial on the lounge TV, and if you get reception of sorts then that indicates that you are indeed in an exceptionally strong signal area and so an attenuator will require to be placed in line with the aerial downlead.
Apart from reasons mentioned, another possible reason could be, albeit its less likely, that your TV's have tuned to an alternative transmitter during the re-tune.
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Friday, 11 May 2012
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Jan Robins7:53 AM
Enfield
Thanks for your help - never thought that the signal could be too strong - just assumed the stronger the better!!
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Jan's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb383:57 PM
Jan Robins: Far from it! as digital reception has to be within two levels of high and low or it will cut out, the problem for viewers being that the symptoms displayed are nearly identical to each other in both cases even to the extent that an excessively high signal can indicate the exact opposite, and being caused by the circuitry that measures the strength only being able to sample the part of the signal that isn't unstable, the part that is being immeasurable.
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Sunday, 13 May 2012
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Jan Robins9:55 AM
Enfield
Did what you suggested - removed 6 way splitter with booster from set up, and fitted plain 6 way splitter to reduce signal strength. Hallelujah!! All TVs working perfectly and only cost £7.71!! Can't thank you enough!! :o)
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Jan's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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