My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound o
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV To deal with the problem you must clear the channel list completely and then rescan - if your box has it in the menus, please the 'installation menu' to do an initial scan or a reset to factory settings or First Time Installation. You MUST delete the entire existing list of channels. On most boxes this technique can be also be used:
Try this:
1) unplug your Freeview box (or idTV) from the mains;
2) unplug the aerial from the Freeview box by disconnecting the cable from the 'RF in' socket;
3) wait 30 seconds;
4) plug Freeview box (or idTV) mains back in;
5) do a complete scan for channels - it will fail without the aerial. (This may be in the installation or initialization menu, and is distinct from any 'add channels option'). Once this is done your channel line up should be empty;
6) reinsert aerial by reconnecting to the 'RF in' connection;
7) do a complete scan for channels again.
The Freeview channel line-up provided by six "multiplexes" - each of which carry five or more TV channels, radio channels, text services and EPG data. In this diagram each ROW represents a multiplex. If you are still missing a whole multiplex (ie everything on the row) you may need to replace your aerial with a wideband type, purchase a larger aerial or you may have interference from a VCR, games console, Sky Digibox or similar.
All questions
In this section
Thursday, 11 August 2011
J
jb388:53 PM
Robert: Speaking from the viewpoint of an engineer I can tell you that a booster "is" very necessary in lots of locations, maybe even more so than in pure analogue days.
This is basically because analogue can be received / viewed right down to where the picture disappears into the speckles, whereas with digital unless the signal is kept at a reasonable level above the cut off threshold, known as the "digital cliff", the picture will be prone to constant glitches, or disappear altogether!
The only time boosters should be used with caution is in higher signal strength areas where some of the multiplexes are transmitting on lower power than the rest, as striking a happy balance between boosting the lower signal but not overdoing the already powerful one is a bit hit and miss, as signals can constantly vary in strength.
In other words, the advisability of using one is totally dependant on the circumstances of each particular situation!
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Friday, 12 August 2011
R
Robert7:18 AM
jb38, thank you for that, I note you are an engineer, could you therefore perhaps offer your view of the possible cause of the way that MUX 2 stations seem to randomly disappear from the Oxford transmitter.
We are constantly told it is anything but the transmitter, and yet the mux reappears without any alteration of my systems and I suspect it is the same with others.
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MRB7:25 AM
Lowestoft
I have a new tv with freeview, however, so I can use a video recorder I am using a freeview box. On my old tv the reception through the box was generally ok with occasional losses. With the new tv (purchased May 11) it was similar until a few weeks ago when the Sudbuty transmitter was changed. Since then I am unable to receive freeview without a buaaing noise, (occasionally get it ok, but very rarely). The picture mostly is fine with very little breaking up, and all channels are loading ok.The past few days there has been no sound at all. I have tried retuning on several occasions, but it does not resolve the porblem. On retuning there is a buzzing noise whilst searching for channels which was not there before. I have a internal booster, and an external roof aerial. The is a second TV, the main is also a new set with freeview, but is mainly used with sky. The freeview reception on that is perfect. It is plugged into the main aerial socket. The problem tv is in another room using an extension areial lead. The tv functions ok on analogue and the box works ok (we have used it at another location to test). IS the signal strength likely to increase after switchover in november? I am located in Lowestoft NR33 8RR
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MRB's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb388:10 AM
Robert: Well the cause of this really touches on what I mentioned about reception threshold levels, as anytime the Mux station referred to drops out and you carry out a signal check on the Mux channel concerned (Ch68) you will no doubt see that the signal is actually still there, but at a level obviously below your receiving devices capability of resolving a picture, these levels being something which can vary between different brands of sets, insomuch that one "sensitive" device might well show a picture where another lesser sensitivity type wont, this being where a booster can sometimes help by lifting the signal.
Radio frequency signals (for any purpose) can vary throughout a 24 hour period for numerous reasons including atmospheric conditions, this natural variation being the reason why analogue pictures could at times show slightly more speckles on the picture as normal, this purely because of the TV receiving a lower strength signal, however digital TV pictures aren't affected by varying signal levels so long as this level is always above the cut off threshold, as when it drops under, that is when you do witness the difference!
This said based on the Mux 2 picture just dropping out, and not that any signal check has indicated zero signal.
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Purchased a freeview box but we dont seem to be able to get any channels on it. I know Little Walsingham, North Norfolk has signal problems but assumed that freeview would sort this out - I dont really understand there seems to be some things saying that freeview wont work until November!?!
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jb389:00 PM
Belinda: As you will probably already know you, according to Digital UK's trade predictor, are in a no-go area for Freeview from anywhere, this using "The Pilgrims Rest" in the High street as a marker as you haven't given your exact location.
The reason you will have to wait until the 23rd of November (restricted service starting on 9th) is because the new Freeview service will be using the same frequencies that are presently used by analogue.
By the way, the Freeview starting on the 23rd of November is classed as a "light" service, meaning only three Mux transmitter channels compared to a full services six, the three providing the main BBC & ITV programmes only, that is as well as the HD service.
However there is the possibility that on the 23rd of November that dependant on your particular location, you "might" be able to pick up all six Mux transmitters from Tacolneston, as that would then provide a full Freeview programme service.
Reception predictors, even trade ones, are not by any means 100% accurate in what they show as being possible, and this is why I say "might" when referring to Tacolneston.
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Saturday, 13 August 2011
J
jb388:02 AM
MRB: Reception indications for your location indicate that of being variable on three of the Mux channels but with the other three being reasonably OK, albeit Mux Ch63 (BBC1 etc) being by far the best.
The problem you are experiencing with your new TV could simply possibly be caused by the normal variations in sensitivity between different brands of equipment, however the buzzing noise that has developed during tuning is a bit suspicious of there being a problem within the set itself, especially when looked at along with the other audio peculiarity you mentioned, you should try another tune whilst the aerial is removed to see if it still does it.
Your reception by the way, doesn't really show any signs of improvement until November 23rd, as then good reception of all six Mux transmitters are shown as possible, although Mux1 (BBC1) changes to 8k operation prior to this date on the 9th November at the same time as it moves to Mux Ch55.
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jb388:09 AM
MRB: A clarification point, when I mentioned "see if it still does it" I am of course referring to the buzzing noise heard whilst tuning, as after you have done that check you will obviously require to carry out another scan once the aerial is re connected, as your test will have blanked the memory.
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Muriel Fuller1:46 PM
Ely
1A CB6 2SP
Since the change over from analoque to digital TV we have lost all category D channels.
Can you tell us please how proceed with how to recover them.
Many thanks M Fuller
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Muriel's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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jb383:17 PM
Muriel Fuller: If you are referring to Mux D (ArqB) you should try carrying out a manual scan on Mux channel 67 and see what comes up as far as signal strength / quality is concerned, storing the results if satisfactory, as although the trade reception predictor gives glowing reports on that channel (as well as the others) I am aware that some people around the Ely area can experience local problems, as these channels are still operating on low power compared to the main BBC / ITV1 Mux transmitters.
Just purely for a test, you could also compare the above with the signal conditions received from Mux C on Ch40, as that transmitter is also operating on the same power as Mux D, this being 20Kw compared to the main transmitters on 180Kw.
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