ChatterBank1 min ago
Problems with Freeview this evening.
11 Answers
God, this modern technology is getting me down. remember when you could give the telly a good thump and the picture would come back?
Anyway, today's problem is this. Earlier this evening we lost the signal on ITV1, Ch4 and Ch5. We have 3 tellys and they were all the same. After about half an hour the signal came back on 2 of the tellys and has been fine but the 3rd telly is still playing up. We get a sort of signal then the screen pixelates and breaks up and goes again.
All other channels are fine.
Can anyone help AT ALL. Pleasey please please.
Anyway, today's problem is this. Earlier this evening we lost the signal on ITV1, Ch4 and Ch5. We have 3 tellys and they were all the same. After about half an hour the signal came back on 2 of the tellys and has been fine but the 3rd telly is still playing up. We get a sort of signal then the screen pixelates and breaks up and goes again.
All other channels are fine.
Can anyone help AT ALL. Pleasey please please.
Answers
1 to 11 of 11
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You need a better aerial (or, at least, a signal booster).
In an ideal world the lengths of the elements of a TV aerial should be exactly matched to the frequency of the incoming signal. Since every channel is on a different frequency you theoretically need a different aerial for every channel you watch. (Imagine that lot on your roof!). Clearly that's not possible, so we use aerials which only provide a 'rough match' to each of the frequencies used by broadcasters. That inevitably means that the 'match' will be better with some channels than with others. (Your aerial is weakest at 'pulling in' ITV1, C4 and Five).
Signal strengths at your aerial don't remain constant. They're affected by atmospheric pressure, weather conditions, the time of day (because the reflective layer of the Earth's ionosphere varies with the amount of sunlight), the 11-year sunspot cycle and individual flares on the surface of the sun. Your aerial can 'pull in' all of the different frequencies for most of the time but when signal strengths drop it can't do the job with those frequencies which it's poorly matched to.
A simple signal booster might well fix the problem. If not, you'll need an aerial like this one:
http://www.maplin.co.....aspx?ModuleNo=221124
Chris
In an ideal world the lengths of the elements of a TV aerial should be exactly matched to the frequency of the incoming signal. Since every channel is on a different frequency you theoretically need a different aerial for every channel you watch. (Imagine that lot on your roof!). Clearly that's not possible, so we use aerials which only provide a 'rough match' to each of the frequencies used by broadcasters. That inevitably means that the 'match' will be better with some channels than with others. (Your aerial is weakest at 'pulling in' ITV1, C4 and Five).
Signal strengths at your aerial don't remain constant. They're affected by atmospheric pressure, weather conditions, the time of day (because the reflective layer of the Earth's ionosphere varies with the amount of sunlight), the 11-year sunspot cycle and individual flares on the surface of the sun. Your aerial can 'pull in' all of the different frequencies for most of the time but when signal strengths drop it can't do the job with those frequencies which it's poorly matched to.
A simple signal booster might well fix the problem. If not, you'll need an aerial like this one:
http://www.maplin.co.....aspx?ModuleNo=221124
Chris
As I stated, solar flares can affect the reception of radio and TV signals, so your problems might be caused by something 93 million miles away.
Equally it's possible that someone was using some form of electrical equipment in your area, causing interference, at the relevant time. All electrical appliances produce rf (radio frequency) energy. If your next door neighbour has just positioned his PC on the opposite side of the wall to where your TV is, the interference could be sufficient to block weak signals arriving down your aerial lead. So you still need to increase the signal strength, by improving your aerial.
The vast majority of aerial installers know next to nothing about the propagation of radio and TV signals. Most will simply install a 'bog standard' aerial (and frequently forget to replace the cabling, which is just as important). As long as you get a decent picture when he's finished the job, he's satisfied. That completely ignores the fact that signal strengths vary greatly under different conditions, so it's not unusual to experience problems later. (Any decent installer should fit an aerial which doesn't require a booster, so I've certainly got doubts about the expertise of the guy you used).
I stand by my assertion that your aerial isn't good enough for the job.
Chris
Equally it's possible that someone was using some form of electrical equipment in your area, causing interference, at the relevant time. All electrical appliances produce rf (radio frequency) energy. If your next door neighbour has just positioned his PC on the opposite side of the wall to where your TV is, the interference could be sufficient to block weak signals arriving down your aerial lead. So you still need to increase the signal strength, by improving your aerial.
The vast majority of aerial installers know next to nothing about the propagation of radio and TV signals. Most will simply install a 'bog standard' aerial (and frequently forget to replace the cabling, which is just as important). As long as you get a decent picture when he's finished the job, he's satisfied. That completely ignores the fact that signal strengths vary greatly under different conditions, so it's not unusual to experience problems later. (Any decent installer should fit an aerial which doesn't require a booster, so I've certainly got doubts about the expertise of the guy you used).
I stand by my assertion that your aerial isn't good enough for the job.
Chris
Are you in the process of Analogue to Digital switchover in the Area where you live ?
A full Rescan will be necessary if you are.
Freeview Digital signals follow the curvature of the Earths surface, therefore just about anything can affect the reception as Buenchico says in his Answers.
The Aerial Engineers who installed my Sky Dish and Freeview Aerial told me about a strange anomaly which occured to a Lady who lived close to the shore and who had a new Aerial fitted in readiness for the Digital switchover. Her reception was good but each time the Tide went out she lost her Freeview signal completely and only got it back when the Tide came back in. Strange but true and it took the Engineers a while to figure out what was the cause of her problems.
TV/Radio signals are strange beasts. I should know as I was a Radio Officer aboard foreign going Merchant Vessels and in charge of Ship/Shore Communications.
If your Aerial Engineer is any good he should Test your signal strength with a signal Meter and advise accordingly.
I wish you luck !
A full Rescan will be necessary if you are.
Freeview Digital signals follow the curvature of the Earths surface, therefore just about anything can affect the reception as Buenchico says in his Answers.
The Aerial Engineers who installed my Sky Dish and Freeview Aerial told me about a strange anomaly which occured to a Lady who lived close to the shore and who had a new Aerial fitted in readiness for the Digital switchover. Her reception was good but each time the Tide went out she lost her Freeview signal completely and only got it back when the Tide came back in. Strange but true and it took the Engineers a while to figure out what was the cause of her problems.
TV/Radio signals are strange beasts. I should know as I was a Radio Officer aboard foreign going Merchant Vessels and in charge of Ship/Shore Communications.
If your Aerial Engineer is any good he should Test your signal strength with a signal Meter and advise accordingly.
I wish you luck !
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