SKY Picture Freeze- What's The Cure?

Bayblue

Can I pick the brains of some of the experts here?

I have SKY, have had it for some years and I'm generally fairly happy with it. I'm finding now though that on a few of the channels the picture freezes intermittently. They are not the main channels, I'd describe them as some of the more obscure ones, but it's still annoying when you want to watch something.

My receiver is a few years old and I have been thinking if updating it, do you think that doing this will solve the problem? And if so where is the best place to buy a new one?
Thanks

jd87

Could it be weather related?

Bayblue

jd87 wrote: »

Could it be weather related?

No, I don't think so. Although yes, you are correct in that it does freeze when it rains heavily, always has done. I think that this is because of where the dish is fitted. When that happens all of the channels freeze until the the rain eases up. forunately that's not very often.

This problem if more random, it only affects some channels, it affects them all of the time and the picture (and sound) sort of... stutters, if that makes sense.

Perhaps it's some higher authority telling me off for watching carp TV!

serios

Hi my step dad and me are having the same problem, Sky are sending new cards to update your system which will fix the problem. I have the plus so i notice pausing the tv for 5 seconds then playing works for me, I know with the normal box that will not help you.

Please do wait for the new card it will save you some money

Another thing is the ariel might be loose, but im sure its just the update thats needed.

Also can i recomend the plus box, I got mine for free and I am so glad i got it, when you stay in alot to save money its great having shows and films saved on your hard drive for later use and ofcourse you get the 12 months waranty.

dmg24

serios wrote: »

Hi my step dad and me are having the same problem, Sky are sending new cards to update your system which will fix the problem. I have the plus so i notice pausing the tv for 5 seconds then playing works for me, I know with the normal box that will not help you.

Please do wait for the new card it will save you some money

Another thing is the ariel might be loose, but im sure its just the update thats needed.

Also can i recomend the plus box, I got mine for free and I am so glad i got it, when you stay in alot to save money its great having shows and films saved on your hard drive for later use and ofcourse you get the 12 months waranty.

The new cards have nothing to do with remedying freezing pics! :rolleyes:

OP, from what you are describing, it is possible that it is a transmission problem. The only way to verify this is to get someone else to check the same channel at the same time, or ring Sky at that time (the friend option is probably cheaper ).

The problem with faults such as freezing pics is that there are so many possible causes. If it is causing a problem for you, it is worth getting a Sky engineer out to have a look, as with this kind of fault it is the only way that you will get a definitive answer.

(I used to work in fault management for ntl, so am used to freezing pics!)

eljmayes

It does this with my Sky as well- only a couple of times a week so it's not too much of an issue. Maybe a software update of the boxes may rectify the problem.

serios

Ah sorry I thought with the letter saying

"We are sending everyone a card so that there are no further or future problems Viewing your sky tv"

That, thats what it ment.

samba

There are several reasons why the picture is breaking up on some channels and not others:

1. The satellite dish is slightly misaligned.

2. The cable is damaged and needs replacing.

3. The lnb needs replacing.

I would ring Sky and tell them your want to cancel because of this problem. Be insistent and eventually they will offer to send an engineer for free.

alanwjones

Any cordless phone base stations in vicinity of box?

aliballi

I've got a basic Sky package & this used to happen a couple of times a week or so with my old Sony box, which is actually a very sought after box. When I bought a new TV cabinet which the old Sony box wouldn't fit into, I bought a used new type smaller Thomson box & it has never happened since & I changed box well over a year ago.

A friend now has my old Sony box & she doesn't seem to have the same problem although she does switch plug switches off, when not in use. While I don't.

Changing resciever did solve this problem for me, although not sure why.

Beaker99

any trees growing in the way? - remember the dish needs 'line of sight' to the satellites.