New Virgin HD+ broken in 3 days - help please

alanrowell

The_Mighty_Gusset wrote: »

There is No Such Thing as an aerial upgrade for Freeview - it's a con to make you spend money.
If you aren't getting the ITV channels it's probably down to atmospherics, try again later.

I would say that "atmospherics" is about the last reason why you wouldn't be able to pick up channels in a given multiplex.

The simplest reason why OP is having problems with their Freeview signal is that there's a problem with the connector on the TV end of the aerial cable. Sometime stripping it down and ensuring that the cable isn't shorted fixes the problem.

However there are many reasons why you would need an aerial upgrade - or at the very least an aerial amplifier which can work sometimes

1) one Mux is outside the bandwidth of your aerial so any signal you receive is weaker than with a broadband aerial. If too weak then you won't get a signal.
2) The ITV Mux is transmitting with lower power than the others so the signal strength at the receiver is too low
3) The house may in a location where they receive a weak signal anyway - that they get poor analogue signals suggests this is the case
4) The combination of where the property is and surrounding buildings may result in a weak signal strength for a particular Mux
5) The aerial might be on it's last legs, pointing the wrong way, the cable has water in it... - all mechanical problems which normally need a new aerial - this could also account for the weak analogue signal

So check the aerial cable, then try a cheap amplifier (lower the amplification the better), otherwise wait for the man from Virgin

penrhyn

The_Mighty_Gusset wrote: »

Firstly - regarding Freeview - there is No Such Thing as an aerial upgrade for Freeview - it's a con to make you spend money.
If you aren't getting the ITV channels it's probably down to atmospherics, try again later.

Regarding your Virgin box, take the card out, make sure it's clean, unplug the box, leave it for approx 5 minutes, then plug it in and wait for it to reboot.
If that doesn't work, then either you're doing it wrong, or it's broken.

If Virgin can't send someone out to fix it straight away, tell them to come and remove the whole lot - Tell them that if it's bust after 3 days, then it's obviously a pile of junk and you're switching to Sky instead - that ought to kick them into action !

You are incorrect in your assumptions.
Whilst there is no such thing as a 'Digital Aerial', it can be that an upgrade is required.
This is needed in areas where the frequencies of the 6 freeview multiplexes are spread requiring a wide band aerial.
In pre switch over areas the digital signal is on low power requiring a higher gain aerial.

spike7451

cherub1965 wrote: »

my parents had this problem,3 different engineers tried to sort it,changed the boxes etc etc.third one said the box was a reconditioned one and they were having loads of problems with them.he put a new box in and it was fine.before it didnt even look like HD on telly.am getting it in on wed and am going to stamp my feet til they give me a new box not a silver recon one.the new ones are smaller,black with a blue circle of light round the on/off switch.:D

The chances of you getting a 'brand new box' are slim to none.Unlike Sky who buy hundreds of new boxes per month,VM buy a set amount when & if the stock level demands it.This is because as they reuse recoverd boxes it makes financial sense.You'll get whatever box the Service Tech has on his van at the time.
Most problems are down to signal levels being too low/high,Return path issues (especially with On Demand) & badly fitted connections.Things that should be checked on every install by the installers but,considering VM mostly use contractors this is'nt done in many cases,which results in faults.

Spike (ex NTL/VM Service Tech)

shellsuit

We had a new box for 2 weeks before it died. Samsung one the same as you.

Engineer came out, fitted a new box and it's been fine upto now, touch wood!!

spike7451

Dustykitten wrote: »

Thanks Splot

phone and broadband are fine (broadband a bit dodgy but it often is)

I've checked and rechecked the cables.

Also tried leaving it overnight (this happened yesterday) and no joy. I'll try rebooting from the button again - it did nothing yesterday.

What is the tiny button next to the on/off switch?

Would suggest to me a signal/return path issue which has caused the box to fail.

Spike (Ex NTL/VM Service Tech)

Dustykitten

Spike thanks - you are correct it was a contractor who fitted the 'new' box.

We are awaiting a 'new cable pull' due to the number of connection in our line causing noise back to the green box in the street - allegedly.

The box is definitely dead and it feels quite warm - it has nothing on top and is not enclosed in anyway.

At least the digital tv is now turned into ITV.

I am seriously considering ditching the cable tv, I personally only use the on demand and that works less than 40% of the time. Kids watch a load of rubbish/repeats so would be no bad thing in my view. DH is obsessed with the idea of HD but views most things on his pc anyhow.

spike7451

Dustykitten wrote: »

Spike thanks - you are correct it was a contractor who fitted the 'new' box.

We are awaiting a 'new cable pull' due to the number of connection in our line causing noise back to the green box in the street - allegedly.

The box is definitely dead and it feels quite warm - it has nothing on top and is not enclosed in anyway.

At least the digital tv is now turned into ITV.

I am seriously considering ditching the cable tv, I personally only use the on demand and that works less than 40% of the time. Kids watch a load of rubbish/repeats so would be no bad thing in my view. DH is obsessed with the idea of HD but views most things on his pc anyhow.

The noise problem suggests to me that the cable has been cut or damaged in some way & the connections used to repair it are'nt all that good.It mostly happens when the contractors dont put flexi duct up the whole of the cable running thru the garden.All it takes is a keen gardener with a fork to nick the cableWhen it's re-pulled,ensure they flexi duct the whole length!
Noise can alsobe caused,apart from bad fitting connections,by unterminated connection ports (they should have a screw on 'nipple' fitted,a 75ohm cap)
It can also be caused by illigal chipped cable tv boxesconnected to the same tap & port bank in the cabinet.

As to the box getting hot,this is often an indication of the signal levels being too low/high ect so the box has to work harder so it overheats.The was a big problem with the old Pace boxes with this.The heat sink was stupidly fitted below the card reader & used to melt the cards!!

The_Mighty_Gusset

penrhyn wrote: »

You are incorrect in your assumptions.
Whilst there is no such thing as a 'Digital Aerial', it can be that an upgrade is required.
This is needed in areas where the frequencies of the 6 freeview multiplexes are spread requiring a wide band aerial.
In pre switch over areas the digital signal is on low power requiring a higher gain aerial.

In both cases a cheap aerial booster will do the job, and be a shedload cheaper than have someone clamber around on your roof.

I live in an area where the digital signal is supposed to be 'poor' but get all the available channels via a very cheap 'loop' aerial originally fitted to an ancient portable TV dangled out of my bedroom window.
I have no booster amp, and the only time I lose signal is when it's cloudy or overcast - and yes, it is mainly the ITV channels that go first.
'Dave' tends to be a bit glitchy at all times - but 'Dave ja vu' is always perfect, which I find odd.

Regards.

devon_scouse

Had something similar other day when Stop appeared in window on box.
Phoned Virgin and asked them to send rebooting signal not much happened.

So did press on/off button on box at the front of box and hold till stop appears in window. When this appears go to the rear of box and flick the on/off switch a couple of times.
Do not switch on and off at the mains but use the box.
Hopefully you will see various number flicking in the window so you should be re booting.

If it does not work at first attempt try again as it took a couple of attempts for mine to re boot.



I have the samsung box.

Dustykitten

I've tried that five times DS and nothing. When I flick the switch at the back the screen stays blank until I press the button on the front and then it just says stop.