loss of bbc freeview

[shantra]

Hi does anyody else lose bbc channels when it rains. Sounds silly i know, but annoying us now. Perfect reception at other times so it definately the rain, but why??

Thanks

Tra

[Ice.Maiden]

Yes, bad weather affects it. We have the same probs.

[VHG]

Currently we have both analougue AND digital signals being transmitted at the same time.

To reduce interference between the analogue and digital signals the digital signal is kept low.

When analgoue is switched off (which will happen over the next couple of years) the digital signal power will be increased.

Hopefully this will reduce the problem.

[VHG]

Also note that the digital signal by its defintion is a series of binary bits (zeroes and ones), like are used in a computer.

These zeroes and ones are then converted by your freeview box into the TV pictures.

If for any reason these zeros and ones are corrupt (signal lost due to bad weather) then the freeview box has nothing to work with and you lose the picture.

Analouge on the other hand consists of waves and in bad weather these waves can reduce in quality, but generally the waves get through, even if the wave signal is low and the wave is slightly corrupt.

So with analogue you get SOME picture, even in bad weather, but with digital it is pretty much all or nothing.

[VHG]

I wrote a fairly long answer earlier this year explaining about the difference between analogue and digital if you are interested (it is very easy to understand).

I used the name vehelpfulguy and the answer is in four sections (appends 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Here it is

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Elec tronics/Question558813.html

[Ice.Maiden]

You're right VHG, but we've found time and time again that weather can interfere with the reception as well.