Goodman Freebox - Always freezing on BBC channels

OneADay

For a few months now, freebox keeps freezing on BBC channels.

Tried different cables and antenna - same issue.
Product replaced by manufacturer and still same issue.

Anyone got any ideas?

I was thinking maybe BBC channels are broadcasting in HD or something?

agrinnall

Because you refer to antenna I assume you mean it's a Freeview box. While I would normally hesitate to quote from a Knowhow.com page it does seem likely that this might be the cause of the problem and its resolution:

One of the most common reasons for your picture to freeze or crash is if the Freeview device has been left on for a long period of time. We recommend you turn off the device, unplug it from the mains and then plug it back in.

http://knowhow.com/article.dhtml?articleReference=4595&country=uk

OneADay

I have used different antenna, the device is never on for long. Its off for most of the week, maybe turn it on for a hour on weekend.

Its only happening with BBC channels - just don't get it.

debitcardmayhem

Check here
http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability
http://www.freeview.co.uk/articles/faq/living-with-freeview/aerials-and-reception/why-is-my-tv-picture-freezing-or-blocking.html

Bollotom

Some BBC channels have moved. Wouldn't have anything to do with that? Possible retune the box? :cool:

MatyMoo

My sister had problems with 4 and 5 doing that. Turned out to be her internet/phone box thingy was too close to it.

Once moved away the tv has been fine.

Jaffster

OneADay wrote: »

For a few months now, freebox keeps freezing on BBC channels.

Tried different cables and antenna - same issue.
Product replaced by manufacturer and still same issue.

Anyone got any ideas?

I was thinking maybe BBC channels are broadcasting in HD or something?

Hi, I had a similar issue some time back with a Freeview box when viewing any HD channel. It was an issue with signal, infact it was actually one of the terminations on the connector on the end of the cable for the antenna, if you unscrew the connector make sure that the copper part of the antenna cable has plenty of length and is touching the connector properly.

Have you noticed that the problem is made worse when the weather is poor? That is usually a good indication that it is a signal problem.

marlbrook

I had the same issue. All BBC transponder signals froze the TV. It was intermittent, but usually occurred within a very short time. Resetting/Re-Tuning did not cure it. The only way to access the TV's functions again was to power off and on.
I initially assumed it was too much signal, but it was not that either.
It was as if something was causing the TV to have an internal mental breakdown but only on the BBC transponder channels.
I was about to give up, and send the TV to the tip, when I found the solution by chance.
I had started to use a TV card in my PC, because of the problem, but there were often occasional wavy lines, and buzzing on the sound. I knew from experience this was due to a mobile phone doing its periodic background 'check in', and of course when it was transmitting during a conversation.
So I bought a TV aerial filter designed to limit mobile phone frequencies, and fitted it between the aerial and the aerial amplifier I use to distribute the TV signal, including the feed to the 'poorly TV'.
These filters are described as being designed to limit 4G interference, but they actually limit 3G frequencies as well.
THAT WAS IT.
The TV started working with no problems.
I checked several times. Remove the filter, and the problem returned immediately. Connect it, cured.
So, strange as it sounds, some Digital TV's must have a control chip that reacts to 3G and 4G nearby interference, which causes that one frequency band to 'freeze' the normal operation when the mobile transmits. As you may be aware a mobile phone transmits in the background often, not just when you are making a call.
A VERY peculiar, and almost insolvable problem with a very EASY cure.
There is a distinct possibility that fitting a filter may cure a lot of problems people are experiencing with the BBC channels, not just the one above. Fitting could not be simpler, TV aerial plug at one end, a socket for your present aerial cable on the other. The filter requires no power. For the best result, fit the filter directly to the TV's aerial input socket.

Nilrem

Re the 3g/4g thing, from memory that was known to be a possible issue when OFCOM sold off some of the older frequencies that used to be used for TV broadcasts to the mobile phone operators (who were able to pay more to let people tweet, and ignore the road whilst driving than the TV companies), especially I think if we were in a weak TV signal area but near a mast using the new mobile frequencies.
I've got a feeling that one of the big arguments against the sale of the frequencies to mobile operators was basically that fault finding for this issue was going to go well beyond what most people could do easily and it's affect could be intermittent (IE depending on weather conditions you might be fine one day and have it the next).

Basically the mobile phone signals are close enough (as they're on the old analogue TV frequencies) to utterly confuse the decoder chips on the TV/STB's under some conditions.
I suspect it's affecting BBC channels most because they're all on the same mux (frequency setup) and commonly watched so people notice it (unlike if they were on cashcowcallinphonesale TV).

I believe there was meant to be a scheme/fund to provide and fit the filters to anyone affected, which I think (and my memory may be failing) was meant to be pro-active in some areas where the issue was most likely to occur.