Freeview help needed...please!

VendorEmptor

Our nearest main digital transmitter is only seven miles away but we can't pick up the signal because of the hills in between. Instead, we had an expensive digital aerial and booster installed. They had to be pointed across the Bristol Channel to a main transmitter in Wales! The aerial contractor measured the signal (strong) and it works most of the time. We don't get the correct regional news and much of the Welsh language content is not what we would choose, but that can't be helped.
Just like other members, we lost all channels earlier this week, but good old analogue still chugs along fine. Rumour has it that the authorities continuously reduce the power of the signal so they can squeeze more channels into each multiplex until they start to receive complaints.
Has anyone else heard of this practice?
This "leading edge" technology is great when it works, but rubbish when it doesn't. Does anyone know to whom we should all be complaining?

Midi

Hi. Got interested in this thread, so have registered at last.
I think what you may be referring to, VendorEmptor, is the use of the different format (64 QAM) on two of the Freeview multiplexes. This enables them to cram in more channels but at the expense of signal to noise ratio.
I am interested because I lost one of these (Multiplex 2 which carries ITV and Channel 4 programmes) about the same time as Osyprey. It has always been the most marginal and prone to interference. Yes my aerial does look straight at a big tree and Mux 2 is at the bottom of the aerial band (channel 22), but the sudden complete loss did make me wonder if they have done something else to the signal.
Incidentally, I would say don't rescan when you have a weak signal or subject to intereference. You will probably lose it completely.

blondie7

Help needed please

have got a pacific freeview box from asda and when plugged in says no signal I bought an ariel from argos especially for freeview indoor use.

So when I plugged it into another tv which has a phillips freeview box working perfect also says no signal. Please can anyone advise

espresso

blondie7 wrote: »

Help needed please

have got a pacific freeview box from asda and when plugged in says no signal I bought an ariel from argos especially for freeview indoor use.

How near are you to your nearest transmitter? Unless you can see it from your window, indoor aerials are simply not good enough! Enter your details into this site and see what type of aerial is recommended.

blondie7

Hi espresso

I am 4miles away from the nearest it says amplified extra high gain
the other is 9 miles away and says standard

Do you know why it wont work when plugged into the other tv which has an ariel in the roof and works fine with the other freeview box?

espresso

blondie7 wrote: »

Do you know why it wont work when plugged into the other tv which has an ariel in the roof and works fine with the other freeview box?

Did you unplug the roof aerial lead from the other TV and connect it to your new Freeview box when you tried it?

blondie7

Yes unplugged everything from the phillips box and put everything into the one from asda and nothing blue screen and a box saying no signal

Moneymaker

Might be worth reading the Freeview Problems page.

espresso

The box may be faulty then. Others have reported that the box sold by ASDA works very well, so try swapping it for another if you are sure that you have connected it up correctly.

blondie7

I have connected properly and I will change it thanks for your help