Picture breaking up.

[Wynmaxwell55]

Please, can any of you genned up Tv experts help with this one. Bought new Sony 36" digital in March 2007. No probs all year but last 3/4/weeks picture has started breaking up..only for about 10/20 secs and more in daytime than evening. Can't think what's gone wrong or what to do ?? Had new aerial fitted in March. Appreciate any help.

[pug100]

Hi,
I assume you are watching on Freeview at the moment. Can I ask is the breakup on all channels equally, some more than others or some but not others. BBC1,2 ITV1 CH4 should be the better channels (less compression on the codecs)
Try looking at this site to see if there is any transmitter work going on in your area.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/

[Wynmaxwell55]

Hello pug thanks for a very quick reply..I feel better already. My husband & I agree it is equal on all channels but there is very little in the evening in fact sometimes none at all. Seems strange for things just suddenly to behave like this in the past month or so. We can live with it but again nice to get it fixed. Grateful for your help will try your posted address for maintenance work. thanks again from Wyn

[Wynmaxwell55]

Hi Pug, just been through to BBC help, what a great site it is. Thing is am not sure which transmitter wer'e now hooked up to..used to be Wrekin but when put new aerial in think its pointing to Sutton Coldfield but not really sure. There is work at S/C..do I read it that faults could be between 1200- 1300 ?

[pug100]

Yes, that is the time when most problems will occur. Trouble with digital tv is that it is designed to mask errors all the time and only shows errors when there are too many for the reciever to correct. Hence you will get a good picture for a while then it breaks up, whereas on analogue you'd notice a noisy picture all the time the signal was poor. Most set top boxes and tvs will have a menu with signal quality / strength meter and will also tell you which transmitter the signal if from.

[Wynmaxwell55]

Pug that does not account for the early morning or afternoon breakups..how can i find out which transmitter wer'e attached too ? Many thanks again for all your wonderful help.

[pug100]

Try to find the menu on the tv that displays info on the broadcast signal, can't say more as I don't know the exact workings of your particular Sony tv.
On my set top box it is in the menu / system / signal detection this displays signal strength, signal quality, transmitter, channel number & channel frequency. All STBs and TVs are different so have a delve in the user manual, might tell you what you need to know.

[pug100]

If you're still having problems, try this page at Radio and Telly, loads of info and things for you to check out.

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/reception.html