Sky+ Flickering on TV

Sarfaraz

Hi

I had Sky + installed just under 2 months ago, but recently I have noticed that the screen starts to flicker quite a lot when watching Sky (especially on the movie channels) I have checked to see if it was the TV but all other the devices (DVD, video) connected to it work free of any flickering.

Is anyone else enountering this problem and moreover can anyone offer a solution?

FYI: I have a 32inch Sony IDTV. I am using a standard silver scart connector

Thanks to anyone who can help :-)

leosayer39

Hi all,

I have had a similar problem recently and the following is how I found out what the problem was.

If I make the assumption that the whole system is wired together correctly, (using normal aerial ('RF') connections as well as the scart connections) then, when you first turn on your telly from the 'off' position (not standby), the first channel that comes into view is an AV channel.
The picture will show the channel that the sky+ box is looking at.

This is what I mean,
1) Make sure that you are viewing a sky channel.
2) Turn off your telly. (Don't put it into standby)
3) Turn on your telly.

If your telly comes on and shows a picture, it should be showing the sky channel that you were last viewing. If it is not showing the last sky channel that you were viewing, then it would seem to me that the system is not wired together correctly.

If your telly comes on but does not show a picture, then using your television remote, select what would be your normal BBC1 channel. (Do not select the sky channel at this stage).
If BBC1 comes into view then I would think that the system is not correctly connected
If the last sky channel that you were viewing comes into view then the system looks as though it is wired correctly.

I would stress that for the system to work correctly it should be connected correctly. The normal aerial (RF) connections should be made, AS WELL AS the appropriate scart connections.

From what you have said regarding the connection of the system then I don't think that it is wired correctly. I appologise if I am wrong.

Hope I have helped

Leo

Sarfaraz

Thanks Leo

I'll look into it and see if I have any luck :-)

Cheers again!

leosayer39

Hi all

Hi Sarfaraz,

No problem.

If you want I can post a detailed explanation regarding the RF and scart connections. (Not tonight though cos I’m up early in the morning).

Leo

Lopo

Try this..!

Take off the RF cable connection to the Sony tv coming from the sky to basically rule it out as part of the problem.

Now, ensure that the SKY box is set to output a RGB signal, its under the menu:

SERVICES - SYSTEM SETUP - PICTURE SETTINGS - VIDEO OUTPUT section and the options are either PAL - RGB.

You then need to make sure that the scart lead is connected to a RGB enabled scart socket on the actual TV. Sometimes if you are lucky, it will be labelled on the back of the tv as RGB or similar, if not, check the manual documentation under the specs if need be to see which sockets are RGB enabled. Alternatively, some tv's will display what type of signal it is receiving on-screen by saying - RGB momentarily as it is switched to the device...you could try them all.

Basically, what your doing is telling the sky to send the picture signal using RGB, and also telling your tv to recive the signal in RGB form. RGB is a better signal than PAL signal which a scart lead can also carry. Sometimes you may need to set the TV to always receive that scart socket as RGB, depends on your tv, so look into the manual!! !

Also a better scart cable will really make a difference. Gold for example is a better conductor that the tin made silver looking scarts. Also the construct of the cable is important. As long as its decent it should be okay.

This may well solve your problem. Give it a go! If its okay, reconnect the RF aerial lead.

Let us know how you get on!

Lopo

Sarfaraz

Hi Lopo

Many thanks for your suggestions.

The lead is currently hooked up to an RGB enabled scart socket on the TV and the Sky box is set to an RGB output.

I think the problem may lie in the scart leads. I am using the one supplied by Sky (i.e. a very cheap tin silver one!). I have ordered an IXOS and Profigold gold scart lead which I hope will solve the problem.

Will let you know if I have any success.

Once again, many thanks!

Saf

Lopo

Seek out a "Monster Cable" if possible, thats the company name. I have seen them in first in the US, as it is an American company. Comet and Currys I believe sell them and also a few specialist dealers as Monster have broken into the UK market.

Check out https://www.monstercable.com also ! Its shocking to think what a cable can do for you!

I find they tend to be better than the IXOS types, but thats just my personal preference as I am into allo this techy stuff....

3 types of quality exist if I remember correctly so you really do have a good range to choose from. The more you pay, the better the construct and shielding the cable will have.

All your digital devices should have decent cables for optimal performance, DVD,SKY,PS2,DVC,CABLE etc. Things like Video players you can use basic cables as you wont get much more out of them...

Cheers....!