Freeview

[craft1948]

If you have problems with your freeview box who do you contact? Mine is 3 months out of warranty and I seem to have lost some of the channels. I have auto tuned it but when I go into the programme list there are no radio listings, BBC3 is missing as is Film 4. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[Buenchico]

First, try tuning the box again. If there's an choice of options between 'add new channels' and 'replace existing channels', select the latter.

That might fix the problem but, even so, it's likely that it reappear. Missing channels (with an otherwise fully functioning digibox) are invariably a symptom of insufficient signal strength. Each channel is on a slightly different frequency. Theoretically you need a separate TV aerial for every single channel which you watch (because the aerial elements should ideally be exactly the right length to 'resonate' with the relevant frequency). Obviously that's not possible, so any aerial can only offer a 'compromise solution', with the lengths of the aerial's elements being better matched to some channels than to others.

The strengths of the signals received at your aerial don't remain constant. They're affected by path obstructions (such as a tree growing in front of your aerial), sunspots and solar flares on the surface of the sun, the time of day and the seasons of the year (because the reflective layers of the earth's ionosphere move up and down depending on the amount of sunlight) and lots of other factors.

Additionally, the effectiveness of aerial installations can deteriorate over time because of things like water ingress into the connections or the aerial being knocked out of alignment by storms.

So you need to think about increasing the strength of the incoming signal. Take a look at your aerial and check that it's still pointing in the same direction as others in your street. If so, try using a cheap signal amplifier. If that doesn't work, it's probably time to get a better aerial.

Chris

[craft1948]

Thanks for this - I did have a new super aerial installed after I bought the box so if I cannot resolve this problem through auto tuning should I contact the aerial installer?

[Rollo]

If you can , take the box to a friends house and see how it performs there. That way you can probably tell whether it is the box that is faulty, or whether it is the ariel/your reception.

[craft1948]

good thinking Rollo - will try out at my sisters as she has freeview with no problems so aerial must be okay - many thanks..

[redman41]

On 3.11.08 bbc watchdog dealt with the problems of freeview boxes.
the following makes of freeview boxes manufactured before 2005 with inbuilt chip by Setpal could not cope with the amount of channels available when tuning, and just gave up the ghost as they say.
Daewoo
Labgear
Triax
Portland
Bush
If your freeview box is one of these, your best bet is to go out and buy a new one, but make sure that there is a digital logo tick on the equipment. Buy cheap buy twice comes to mind.

[redman41]

BBC Watchdog 3.11.08 dealt with freeview boxes.
Daewoo
Labgear
Triax
Portland
Bush
Manufactured before 2005 and incorporating a tuning chip manufactured by Setpal could not cope with the amount of freeview channels available when re-tuning and just gave up the ghost.
Go out and buy a new one if your existing box is one of the above.Buy a reputable make!