Digital Switch Over

[maggie]

Telly's just gone off. Switchover should be complete by six am. Hope that solves all the wee glitches over the past couple of weeks. Time will tell.

[goldenguernsey]

arrrrrgh just lost ch 5 NCIS

[Tilly Teckel]

Guess it's time for bed... :o

[Moonboots]

Quite a few people will still have problems after the switchover.

The next update is the 29th September. This is for a frequency change and power increases.

The set-top boxes will need another re-tune then.

[Green_not_greed]

Quite a few people will still have problems after the switchover.

The next update is the 29th September. This is for a frequency change and power increases.

The set-top boxes will need another re-tune then.

Thanks Moonboots didn't know about that one.

I'm reposting the link to the Rumster Forest tramsmitter page here for info

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=ND197385

3 of the 5 channels are now on full power (20,000 watts) and the remaining 2 are on half power (10,000 watts). I was certainly seeing a good quality signal on ITV and CH4 this morning - not checked the rest.

GNG

[achingale]

Why can they not do the switchover in one move rather than doing it twice? It is just an inconvenience having to retune again later in the year, especially for older folk.

[maggie]

Did a reinstall this morning but all the BBC channels on the digirecorder are blank on the usual numbers. They have turned up, though, at the end of the programme list with 800 numbers. What's happened there?

[dortmunder]

Just try again, Maggie. Or do a manual tune of channels 24,25, 27, 59 and 62.

All my tellys are now getting all the channels with great signal strengh. Nice..

[rockyrider]

i thought we was getting freeview HD channels BBC1 channel4 today ??

[Green_not_greed]

i thought we was getting freeview HD channels BBC1 channel4 today ??

According to the link I posted above they should be getting broadcast now at full strength on PSB3. I can't check as I'm not at home.

[Moonboots]

If your box is showing the channels in the 800's then just do a first time install / reset.

Regarding Freeview HD, Yes they are available however you need a freeview HD box to receive them.
Example.
If you have a freeview TV that is HD ready... You cannot get HD channels through freeview!!!

You would need another HD box to view them.... Standard freeview TV's/Boxes are not able to read HD content. (decoding side of things)

Hope this helps

[Liz]

Quite a few people will still have problems after the switchover.

The next update is the 29th September. This is for a frequency change and power increases.

The set-top boxes will need another re-tune then.

Crikey didn't know about this one Moonboots!:confused

I thought all digital channels were operating on full power now?

Thankfully, my switchover went without a hitch but could the changes in September still cause problems?

[Moonboots]

Most of them are on full power however on the 29th Sept. One of the frequencies is changing and then the power increase is happening to that mux.

Once this happens just retune the box as some channels will be lost again...

Mainly these channels:

TeleG
ITV 3
QVC
Virgin 1
Bid TV
FIVER
FIVE USA
Quest
SuperCasino
CITV
Teachers' TV
Teletext Holidays
Teletext Casino
1-2-1 Dating
MOBILIZER
TOPUP 1, 2, 3
Smash Hits! Radio

All Power levels should be fine as of the end of the day apart from these channels. They will not be on full power.

[Liz]

Cheers for that Moonboots.:D

I am considering getting an HD Humax PVR but will probably wait until any niggles are sorted out and, hopefully, prices come down.

Not sure whether there is a huge difference in pic quality between SD and HD? I have to say I don't notice an awful lot of difference between SD DVDs and BluRay and not sure whether this is down to the quality of the film or that my DVD and telly upscale so well?

[kmahon2001]

Personally, I'm not impressed about being forced to change to digital. Whenever there are signal strength problems or interference such as weather conditions, the picture and sound break up and the channel becomes completely unwatchable. At least with analogue, if the signal strength drops all you get is a bit of snow on the picture, or a bit of ghosting, but at least you can still watch the programme. I've had a lot of problems recently with the digital signal breaking up and cutting out but I've at least been able to tune in to the analogue channels in order to keep watching - now I've no longer got that choice. [disgust]

[silverlady]

Well, we retuned our Freeview Box last night and it was not too bad, but today we have lost some channels, some are "no signal" (does this mean they are lost) and a few are mixed up, ie Channel 11 is showing what channel 16 should be showing etc. Should we just keep retuning, or is it time to call in the experts? Assuming they have not got a huge waiting list!! :confused

[Cattach]

Crikey didn't know about this one Moonboots!:confused

I thought all digital channels were operating on full power now?

Thankfully, my switchover went without a hitch but could the changes in September still cause problems?

Yes much more power now. I could not get Freeview in my area now I have a great picture on all channels. Power must be much stronger.

[maggie]

Silverlady, like mine they may be at the end of your channel list with different numbers. I think I'll give the re-tuning a few more goes before I go down the manual route. I have really bad memories of trying to do the old video recorder manually. Automatic is more my style :Razz

[Liz]

Yes much more power now. I could not get Freeview in my area now I have a great picture on all channels. Power must be much stronger.


Glad you are getting all the channels now.:D

Most of my channels are on 80% signal strength now apart from the Mux which Moonboots kindly told us will have the power increased in September.

This should mean that break ups etc should be greatly reduced.

I am very happy with the picture quality via Freeview but this does of course depend on the equipment you are using.

[Cape Crusader]

IT savvy son did the changeover to Freeview digibox without additional antenna for me today, in Durness. Took about a minute and a half, and I now have more channels than I know what to do with including, evidently, some interactive Highlands Gay chatline.

Ain't technology wonderful?

**********************
Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards. (Aldous Huxley)

[Liz]

Well, we retuned our Freeview Box last night and it was not too bad, but today we have lost some channels, some are "no signal" (does this mean they are lost) and a few are mixed up, ie Channel 11 is showing what channel 16 should be showing etc. Should we just keep retuning, or is it time to call in the experts? Assuming they have not got a huge waiting list!! :confused

You will need to do it again as the switchover didn't happen until 6am this morning.

[badger]

Well that's it - lost everything on my old TV again just like last time. Normal Freeview Digibox and TV fine but doing what they suggest "don't throw away your old tv, just get a box with an RF-modulator" - disaster.

Lost the screen and contact with the box before so had to take to Colin Chessor for complete re-tune of box and got the impression I had done something wrong. So this time phoned the makers first and made them talk me through it - same thing happened. Snow on the screen and dead box. Digital helpline can't understand it but there's nothing on their website about RF modulators. Tried to phone CC today but no chance.

Since we're told we are going to have to retune on a regular basis now I'm not a happy badger as apparently the only cure is to take the box to a TV with a scart socket, retune it, and then retune the TV again. Can't do that every time. :~(

[Liz]

Aw sorry to hear that Badger and know how frustrated you must be.:confused

Hopefully, Moonboots will be able to help you.

No consolation I know but I think after September we shouldn't need to retune again.

Doesn't sound like it's as straightforward as we were led to believe unless you have up to date equipment.

[badger]

Thanks Liz. Still hoping CC can help me so will try again in the morning.

[Moonboots]

Sorry guys, I havnt been around...

Here goes.

Liz - The picture quality of HD is alot better a picture than SD however it all depends on the TV as you have already said.

Silverlady - as what Liz has said. The switchover happened today. The analogue got switched off for good just after midnight and the digital signal got switched on at 6am.

This means that your box will have to be re-tuned. However i would suggest a full reset instead.

kmahon2001 - Alot of people are not impressed in being pushed to change to digital. This was a government decision and is therefor out of all our hands. If you are still having problems with picture breakup now then it looks like its a fault in your setup. (Aerial not aligned correctly or cable fault) Since you are showing as in Halkirk then you should have a great line of sight to the Transmitter.

Maggie - Re-tuning the probably not fix the situation however a full system reset will.

Badger - RF Modulator!!! Well mainly the problem with them is down to the frequencies of the modulation to your existing TV. The freeview box will have to get the RF output frequency changed and your TV retuned into the new frequency.

For instance - The freeview box's RF output number could be 68 so your TV would need to be either set for 68 or change the freeview box's RF number.

Hope this helps you all further.
I will try and be around if anyone needs anymore help.

[badger]

Thanks for all your help Moonboots. I'm afraid I'm completely lost with this as I don't understand how to retune it and it seems the makers (Labgear) don't either. When I first got the box it came on straightaway with the current time and all we did (my son helped with this) was tune the TV to the box so I put the TV on it's channel 9 and that's it. First re-tune I took the box back into Colin Chessor, he spent ages re-tuning it on another TV and when I got it home it was fine again apart from having to re-tune the TV itself once more. All Labgear would suggest is re-tuning it on a TV with a scart socket. Each time I retune it loses the time and reverts to 4 zeros, won't respond to the remote at all.

Must admit I'm pretty cross that there's nothing on the Digital UK site warning about RF modulators. Is this what they do or is it just this particular model - FV400? I can't believe everyone is having this problem. Do you know if I should have done something different to retune it? I did exactly what Labgear told me :(

[Green_not_greed]

Thanks Moonboots didn't know about that one.

GNG

The HD channels are I believe broadcasting but there wasn't much info on the need for an HD box and that an HD-ready telly wouldn't work.

Does anyone know when Dave will arrive on Freeview?

Thanks

GNG

[silverlady]

"Silverlady - as what Liz has said. The switchover happened today. The analogue got switched off for good just after midnight and the digital signal got switched on at 6am.

This means that your box will have to be re-tuned. However i would suggest a full reset instead."

Thanks Moonboots, but how do I do a full reset? - neither me nor hubby know how to do this, still trying retuning but most of our channels say no signal. Great, that's "progress" eh? NOT!!!!!

[lynne duncan]

having difficulties with this today, if i do an auto retune hen i lose the iv channels if i try again i get itv but lose the bbc channels, canna get them both to tune in at the same time

[Moonboots]

Badger - Its a problem with the First Time Installation option... This resets the box to the manufacturers setting. This will change the RF modulation to the default setting.

The best way to goto MENU and then Channel Search. This will seach all available channels and place them in the correct order.

BEFORE - Your TV will be tuned already to a frequency which your box used to work send the signal on.

NOW - The freeview box frequency will be set defaulted as 471.25 - This is channel 21... Our transmitter uses this frequency for HD. However your TV will be still set as the old frequency.

The box will have to get the frequency changed to another slot which is not being used or to be used in the future then the TV would need to get re-tuned to the new frequency for it to work.

Your box will need to be connected to a scart on a tv to get the frequency changed though....

Hope im trying to make things more clearer.

[Moonboots]

Silverlady - Most boxes/TV menus are somehow different however they are mostly the same sort of wording. You need to go into the Settings Menu "MENU" - "SETTINGS" then "INSTALLATION" and then "FIRST TIME INSTALLATION"

If you are unable to find this then could you please provide me with your make and model and i will do my best to provide you with more detailed info.

[Liz]

Silverlady - Most boxes/TV menus are somehow different however they are mostly the same sort of wording. You need to go into the Settings Menu "MENU" - "SETTINGS" then "INSTALLATION" and then "FIRST TIME INSTALLATION"

If you are unable to find this then could you please provide me with your make and model and i will do my best to provide you with more detailed info.

Mine shows default setting which could be the wording on some boxes.:D I believe another way of doing it is to delete all the channels and then perform an automatic search.

You are busy keeping us all right Moonboots!:lol:

[Moonboots]

Lynne - The easiest way to get around this is to Manual search for channels. This will sort this problem out however its a more complex route... You will need to know the frequencies which are Ch 21, 22, 25*30, 27, 59, 62. *29th Sept....

Let me know how you get on...

[Liz]

Moonboots I forgot to say thanks for the advice re HD v SD.

I will definitely be getting an Humax HD PVR as I've been very happy with their SD PVRs.
Will wait until the price comes down though.:D

[Moonboots]

Mine shows default setting which could be the wording on some boxes.:D I believe another way of doing it is to delete all the channels and then perform an automatic search.

You are busy keeping us all right Moonboots!:lol:

Its no problem... Mind you off to bed soon lol

Default setting will be the option... And yes deleting all channels would be another way to do it.

[Moonboots]

Sorry guys. I forgot to say that if you are in need of any help on the switchover goto http://www.pr-electrical.com/switchover_faqs.htm and you will find all the help you need.

If you are still stuck then just post here and i will get back to you asap.

[badger]

Thanks again Moonboots. I don't really understand any of this and since it took CC so long to retune it for me in the shop I guess mine's going to have to go back again. It takes ages to remove my other digibox from my main TV as it involves emptying the whole cupboard it sits on so I can get round the back. Having just done it for the new digibox I bought for that (as my old digibox was too old but not listed as such on the Digital website - they're hopeless!) I can't face doing it again.

What annoys me is that I was following the maker's instructions - if their techie guys don't know how to work, how are poor old things like me supposed to? I'll have to get fresh instructions for September.

Just been trying to find something online and there are pages and pages of forums with switchover queries. Was it ever meant to be this complicated?

[huh]

We always had freeview fine through the roof aerial so that was no problem. Quite impressed that in the spare room through a rubbishy set top aerial we got quite a lot of channels now, not all but compared to the poor analogue reception it had I'm right impressed. It's only the spare room anyway. Might play about with the aerial actually and see if I can get a better reception on those poor channels.

[maggie]

Thanks a million Moonboots - the default reset did the trick.
Now working on all cylinders. Will know what to do if the channels get mixed up again.
Maggie

[dx100uk]

Thanks again Moonboots. I don't really understand any of this and since it took CC so long to retune it for me in the shop I guess mine's going to have to go back again. It takes ages to remove my other digibox from my main TV as it involves emptying the whole cupboard it sits on so I can get round the back. Having just done it for the new digibox I bought for that (as my old digibox was too old but not listed as such on the Digital website - they're hopeless!) I can't face doing it again.

What annoys me is that I was following the maker's instructions - if their techie guys don't know how to work, how are poor old things like me supposed to? I'll have to get fresh instructions for September.

Just been trying to find something online and there are pages and pages of forums with switchover queries. Was it ever meant to be this complicated?

can l suggest something with these RF modulator boxes for people that dont have a TV with a scart socket, so are having issues.............

turn off at the wall switches the electric for the tv & the freeview box.

remove your aerial feed to the freeview box. [i'e that cable from your aerial where it goes onto the box].

but LEAVE your aerial lead between the TV and the freeview box connected.

turn on the mains for the freeview box & hit the ON button on its remote control like you would normally do if it were ok. give it a minute or two.

turn on the mains to your tv & again get it to the state where you before used to see 'something' on the screen even if its static.

now if you dont see the freeview box screen, hit tune on your TV and see if you can find the freeview box display 'something'. i'e you've found the freeview box but with no tv channel picture.

if that don't work , p'haps hit the menu menu button on the freeview remote. [ the idea here is to make it display some text/graphics of its own like a menu scree]

then try tuning the tv again.

you should eventually find the output from the box.

once you have done this & can see the menu screen of the box

find the setting that changes the freeview box modulation channel.

change that to say 67, and do whatever you have to tell it to go ahead.

you'll lose the picture on your tv.

retune your tv and find the freeview box again.

once you have done that.

give the freeview box back your aerial connection and do an autotune or whatever on the freeview box, but dont do a reset or a first installation.


might work....

dx

[sadam]

Mine went through ok, the only problem I have is i cant seem to get the DVD/video recorder tuned in to pick up any channel, is this something anyone can help me with. I've got a TV with freeveiw built in and a new aerial.

[dx100uk]

well i dont think analogue is being broadcast anymore so it won't?

dx

[Moonboots]

Dx - Your way should work also..

Badger - Nothing ever is meant to be easy...lol. Mainly if you feel upto it then DX's way would solve this too.

Sadam - It depends on how the system is setup. If your looking for an RF channel from your freeview box then this wont happen unless you have an RF modulated box. On the other hand if you have a freeview box using the scart lead then you would have to run a scart from the freeview box to the DVD player/video recorder.

Check out my connection wizard for more info.. http://www.pr-electrical.com/connection_wizard.htm

[dx100uk]

look out badgers fixed it!!


...with a tiny bit of help:lol::lol::lol:

dx

[badger]

No no no, badger didn't fix it. dx did it with great patience and humour, putting up with me being extremely stupid at times (like it helps if you point the digibox remote at the box not the tv [disgust] ). He spent hours talking me through it but we got there in the end :lol: . I'm sure anyone else would have given up on me long since.

[dx100uk]

ok to tie-up the fix for others with the same issue as badger.......

there is only one [long-winded] way to do it on THIS type of box without using a tv with a scart socket or by using another external scart<>rf modulator adapter box because the onboard modulator channel reverts to ch.21. and causes lockup when reset is hit to scan for new channels. you cannot scan for a complete channel change manually.

if people need help, PM me.

scart method

connect it up as normal using scart
scan for new channels via factory reset,
when its happy
reset the modulator channel to 56.

disconnect it
move it to your other TV that has no scart.
connect it all up
power everything on.
tune the TV to ch.56.

dx

[Fran]

I have 3 televisions in the house and not one of them will work. I think it is the areil but no one can come aqnd see to it as they are so busy and i have no television. I am lost without the tv!!!

[sintra307]

mine dont work it needs you to come round and sort me out thanks im in anytime dx xx

[Moonboots]

I do have slots available for next week.

Also im not being funny however thats what i said dx. The way to solve it is through a scart as the default RF setting is channel 21. This is a frequency used.

[badger]

Now that I've got box retuned I would like to know how to tune my old TV, at least I can tune it but don't know how to lock it to that channel so have to retune every time I turn it on. Could wait for son's next visit but would like to learn and I don't have a manual. This is what remote looks like

[Liz]

I have 3 televisions in the house and not one of them will work. I think it is the areil but no one can come aqnd see to it as they are so busy and i have no television. I am lost without the tv!!!

Sorry to hear that Fran and,like you, I am lost without my telly. What was your signal like pre switchover?

Why not give Moonboots a call?:D

[ex-fifer]

Since the switch-over I have lost
12 Yesterday
15 Film 4
25 Dave+1

Will I have to wait until the next retune?

(I have rescanned and have done a first-time installation)

[Moonboots]

Since the switch-over I have lost
12 Yesterday
15 Film 4
25 Dave+1

Will I have to wait until the next retune?

(I have rescanned and have done a first-time installation)

The channels you have missing are on the frequency which is on low power at present.
RF Channel 25. again yes this will change on the 29th sept.

You might want to try the a manual search on the RF channel 25. You might get these channels then. If not then you will need your aerial re-aligned to get these channels until the next re-tune.

[Moonboots]

Now that I've got box retuned I would like to know how to tune my old TV, at least I can tune it but don't know how to lock it to that channel so have to retune every time I turn it on. Could wait for son's next visit but would like to learn and I don't have a manual. This is what remote looks like

Badger try these methods below... I would of given you the correct details if you have a model number of the TV.

TV Tuning Method 1
Suitable for model numbers B14CWII, B14R, B39F, B51F, B51NX, B59F, C14C, C39F, C49F, C51F, C51N, C51ND, 59SL2, 68SL2

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset. The TV Tuning menu will appear on the screen.

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset to move the cursor.

press + or - to start searching up or down, or enter the UHF channel number if known.

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset to move the cursor to PROGRAM

using the numeric buttons, input the program position to store the channel, the cursor and + will flash

press +, the program position is now stored

press TV to exit

TV Tuning Method 2
Suitable for model numbers T14T, T51F, T51N, T59F, T59N, T68N

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset. The main menu will appear on the screen.

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) repeatedly to highlight PROGRAM, and press +, the program menu will appear

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) to highlight *line, select U using PROG + or - on the front panel of the TV if necessary.

press + or - on the remote control handset to start searching up or down

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) to highlight FINE TV Tuning if required, tune using + or -

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) to highlight PROGRAM, use + or - to input program position to be stored

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) twice to highlight MEMO

press + to store

press TV to exit

TV Tuning Method 3
Suitable for model numbers A51N, A59F, A59N, A68N

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset. The TV Tuning menu will appear on the screen with CH highlighted.

with CH highlighted, use the numeric buttons to enter the UHF channel number if known. If not know, press TV Tuning (YELLOW) repeatedly until * is highlighted then press + or - on the remote control handset to start searching up or down. The search will stop when a signal is found.

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset to move the cursor.

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset to move the cursor to PROGRAM

using the numeric buttons, input the program position to store the channel, the cursor and + will flash

press +> to store

press TV to exit


TV Tuning Method 4
Suitable for model numbers A36F, A41F, A51F

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) on the remote control handset. The tuner menu will appear on the screen.

press + three times

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) repeatedly to highlight SEARCH if the UHF channel numbers are not known, then press + or - to search up or down for a signal.

if the UHF channel numbers are known, press TV Tuning (YELLOW) repeatedly to highlight CHANNEL, then using the numeric buttons, enter the two digit UHF channel number

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) to highlight PROGRAM, then using the numeric buttons input the program position to be stored

press TV Tuning (YELLOW) twice to highlight STORE

press + to store

press TV to exit


Hope this helps

[badger]

Thanks so much Moonboots - I'll print all that out and keep for next time as my son has now done it but so quickly I think I've already forgotten and there was lots of other stuff going on. I can cope when I have a manual but not otherwise. My TV is an A10R.

Just in case anyone's interested I got so fed up with Digital UK that I guessed their CEO's email address and sent a stroppy message. Had a very nice man on the phone who is investigating my various complaints (like bits of the website not working). I do this with BT as well when things go badly wrong, only thing to do is go to the top :) .

[Fran]

I have no tv to watch, my tv's say "no signal" so it must be the outside aeriel.
Can anyone recommend someone who does aeriels? Grham Beggs and Colin chessor too busy.

[Liz]

Did you contact Moonboots as I suggested Fran?

[cuddlepop]

Has any applied for and used the scheme that the BBC were reporting for people over 75 and certain disabled groups?.
We were offered it but as its not free have declined the offer,
Think £40 was mentioned.

OH is sure he can manage to keep us connected but from the carry on you lot have had I.m not so sure.:confused

Come the 15th of next month Moonboots you'll be required for Skye connections .:lol:

[Moonboots]

Fran im going to be in wick tomorrow if you want me to come round and have a look.
Just pm me or give me a ring

Cuddlepop - [lol] Nice wee Isle of Skye... quite a distance haha... mind you, where theres a will theres a way [lol]

The Swithover Help Scheme is a good scheme for the over 75 and disabled.
Im a current sub-contractor with firstline digital for this service.

The price depends on what kind of service/product you need and what type of benefits you receive.

More info at www.helpscheme.co.uk

[poppett]

Moonboots, if you play your cards right you could take the family to Skye for a "working holiday". I could sell you a caravan if Cuddlepop isn`t willing to do B&B for you all!

Do hope Fran has got in touch with you and been sorted out.

Badger, I am impressed with your dogged determination to get things done right, and am a great believer with heading for the top of the tree whenever there is a problem with products and services. My granny taught me well, she was forever threatening a "letter on cardboard to yon high heid yin".

[Doreen]

The only channel i cant get on freeveiw is the Dave channel does anybody else have this problem.:~(

[cuddlepop]

Moonboots, if you play your cards right you could take the family to Skye for a "working holiday". I could sell you a caravan if Cuddlepop isn`t willing to do B&B for you all!

Do hope Fran has got in touch with you and been sorted out.

Badger, I am impressed with your dogged determination to get things done right, and am a great believer with heading for the top of the tree whenever there is a problem with products and services. My granny taught me well, she was forever threatening a "letter on cardboard to yon high heid yin".

Poppet,I've a caravan in the drive so Moonboots is sorted.Even got a view of the sea thrown in.:D

I thought it was a blanket £40 as that what it said in my daughters letter so have been slightly misinforming other people.:eek:

[Invisible]

The only channel i cant get on freeveiw is the Dave channel does anybody else have this problem.:~(

Yes I have the same problem, sometimes VIVA aswell (not that im that bothered about the later).

[bonami]

Up untill a couple of days ago I was getting digital perfect. I then noticed a lot of channels were missing this is on my tele downstairs. The small set in the bedroom still gets them all. My big set has an old loft aierl that we have had for at least 20yrs I was getting all channels on this. Bedroom set has a new aierl costing £24 from Argos also in the loft. Anyone got any ideas?

[Moonboots]

Has anyone been in the loft that might have shifted the aerial.
If not then it could be a fault in the cable.

[Moonboots]

Dave is on the lower powered mux however this will be on full power in September.
If your in need of this channel and some others then your aerial would need to be re-aligned.

[Walter Ego]

Before everyone starts dragging ariels around try this:

I lost Ch's 12, 18 &21 on changover - reloading the stations on autoscan wasn't working. But this is what I was told to do:

Switch the set off, unplug the ariel co-ax lead that goes into the back of the telly.

Switch on the telly and set up a scan to oad available stations - it won't find any - but let it run its course.

Switch telly off - reconnect ariel co-ax and switch back on. The telly now has no memory of what was stored before and will reload all the stations properly when prompted.

Worked for me.

[Moonboots]

This can sort it out if the problem is with the box itself not recognising the channels which are missing. The same as a first time install. This does the same as what you suggest.

[gillsbay]

Up untill a couple of days ago I was getting digital perfect. I then noticed a lot of channels were missing this is on my tele downstairs. The small set in the bedroom still gets them all. My big set has an old loft aierl that we have had for at least 20yrs I was getting all channels on this. Bedroom set has a new aierl costing £24 from Argos also in the loft. Anyone got any ideas?

I am surprised that you have just 'lost' some channels as if your aerial is that old it will not be a wide band one and will not be able to recieve a number of the channels unless you are in a very strong signal area

[badger]

I really hate this digital switchover and am beginning to see why the digi website is so keen to get you buying lots of new equipment. I kept my old vcr as it worked fine with my old digibox (which was too old so now replaced) but had never got around to trying it with my new one and have only just re-set the time. I tuned it to make sure I could still watch tv with it on, as it needs to be on the right channel to record, and now I seem to have untuned my tv - or something. Can't get anything. Digibox won't respond.

It was all fine until now. Also discovered that neither digibox I bought is approved, i.e. with tick. Didn't think it matter for the boxes but according to digital.uk it does.

[George Brims]

OK I'm pretty technically savvy but have been out of the UK since Caithness only had three or four TV channels. NOw on my next visit to Inversnecky, I am supposed to get my mum-in-law set up for the changeover. She used to have a Freeview box in one room but hasn't been using it. In the lounge she has a fairly old (tube type) TV, receiving analogue channels from an aerial in the attic.

So my first question is, will a Freeview box purchased about 5 years ago work now and through the switchover to digital, or is that a previous generation of device that won't be any use?

Second question (depending on the answer to the first) is what would be needed instead if it's no use? And how much would that cost?

Third question - will she need to get a new aerial?

[dx100uk]

OK I'm pretty technically savvy but have been out of the UK since Caithness only had three or four TV channels. NOw on my next visit to Inversnecky, I am supposed to get my mum-in-law set up for the changeover. She used to have a Freeview box in one room but hasn't been using it. In the lounge she has a fairly old (tube type) TV, receiving analogue channels from an aerial in the attic.

So my first question is, will a Freeview box purchased about 5 years ago work now and through the switchover to digital, or is that a previous generation of device that won't be any use?

possibly, yes, you will need to get it on the aerial and do a factory reset and see what happens. there are lists on the interweb, just type in the name and model in a search engine.


Second question (depending on the answer to the first) is what would be needed instead if it's no use? And how much would that cost?

approx £15-£30 tescos do RF modulator ones

Third question - will she need to get a new aerial?

there is a lot of myth and downright rip-offs going on surrounding people supposedly needing a 'digital' aerial, there is no such thing as a digital aerial!

what 'might' be required is a wideband aerial depending upon your distance from the TV transmitter.

the best advice is suck it and see if the one you have works.
if you got things like sky news 'before' this change around, then there is no reason why you should not now.

the 'block' which carries sky news [and a few others] is high up the TV band away from all the other 'blocks', that is why 'some' people will now need a wideband tv aerial.

dx

[jimbews]

So my first question is, will a Freeview box purchased about 5 years ago work now and through the switchover to digital, or is that a previous generation of device that won't be any use?

Strangely enough yesterday I was playing with an old Grundig Freeview settop box that I had stored away after it became redundant.
It sort of works, but only wants to store channels in random order at channels from 800 up.

So, it's worth a try but be prepared for disappointment.
If it has to be replaced it might be worth considering one of the Freeview recorders and kill two birds with one stone.

Or, if the whole system needs replacing there's now Freeview HD :)

I can't remember the source, but recently there was a list of boxes that don't work properly now. There was a suggestion that under "fit for use" rules you could approach the box's retailer and ask for a refund for the remaining time of the 6 years the box would be expected to be fit for use.

BUT - that would assume you could prove where and when purchased.
Also I'm not sure if the 6 years applies in Scotland as I think we may be 5 years.

[dx100uk]

dunno where you got the 6yrs from
you're getting confused with SOGA and these euro rules, which don't actually apply anyhow.

good on the other bits though,,,nice idea.

dx

[EDDIE]

OK I'm pretty technically savvy but have been out of the UK since Caithness only had three or four TV channels. NOw on my next visit to Inversnecky, I am supposed to get my mum-in-law set up for the changeover. She used to have a Freeview box in one room but hasn't been using it. In the lounge she has a fairly old (tube type) TV, receiving analogue channels from an aerial in the attic.

So my first question is, will a Freeview box purchased about 5 years ago work now and through the switchover to digital, or is that a previous generation of device that won't be any use?

Second question (depending on the answer to the first) is what would be needed instead if it's no use? And how much would that cost?

Third question - will she need to get a new aerial?

If your going digital shortly be carefull what u buy because there is a little bit of confuson the freeview box will still work when the swithover takes place might need a digital area depending were she lives but in the next 2 to 3 months there is going to be hd channels becomming available on freeview so if you have an old freeview box you wont get these new channels you have to buy a new freeview box or tv that has "freeview hd tuner"and to get the latest freeview hd box that would be about £130 or if its the bog standard freeview box that doesnt recieve hd channels about £20 to £30.
But if she is keeping the old tube style tv then there is no benefit in getting a new freeview box which accepts hd channels if its not hd ready tv
But with freeview you need good reception i was £85 to get a digital ariel and get it fitted to the roof that was about 2 years ago well worth the money i used to have an inside ariel and if someone went past the house talking on there mobile phone the channels used to play up used to drive me mad there is nothing more annoying than tolerating bad reception on a daily basis
If i was you i would just tune the box in if it doesnt work u need a new ariel and it would probably be easier just to get someone in to fit a new ariel then that way u know the reception will be good when your not there.

[fraz]

[evil] Since thursday night all my bbc channels are now not working on freeview worked fine before?

[Moonboots]

Could you advise on where abouts in the country you are.
There are no problems on any transmitters in the Caithness or Orkney area.

[fraz]

Thurso .Signal strength on bbc channels was constant before now bounces between 0 n 60% all stv channels working fine just this problem with bbc channels since thursday.

[Geo]

Since the switch over my freeview recorder has lost it's EPG. All it shows is the current program and the next one rather than for 14 days. Looks like it wasn't fully compatible with the changeover.

[Moonboots]

All channels are fine. Just done a check... Looks like it could be water that maybe has got into your cable. This would cause this. Im on the Rumster Forest transmitter. You could be getting served from the Keelylang Hill (Orkney) transmitter or Thurso Relay.

Maybe other people on .Org could post saying if they have got any problems on the relay or Keelylang Hill.

But i have already checked. There are no reported problems from the BBC

[Moonboots]

Since the switch over my freeview recorder has lost it's EPG. All it shows is the current program and the next one rather than for 14 days. Looks like it wasn't fully compatible with the changeover.

The EPG Data is sent from a new mux (Frequency) in a different format so it looks like your box might not be able to get it the data correctly. However a full system reset might fix it if its a problem with the box or reception (make sure you have no recordings as they will be lost).

[badger]

My signal is from Rumster I think (Castletown ?) and it's been a nightmare since switchover. Had no problems before but now picture breaks up, sound goes completely for seconds at a time and sometimes the whole thing disappears and takes a while to come back (that last on my RF modulator).

I thought switchover was meant to make things better, not worse [disgust]

[dx100uk]

badger i'm up 3rd to 13th p'haps i can pop around

dx

[Moonboots]

My signal is from Rumster I think (Castletown ?) and it's been a nightmare since switchover. Had no problems before but now picture breaks up, sound goes completely for seconds at a time and sometimes the whole thing disappears and takes a while to come back (that last on my RF modulator).

I thought switchover was meant to make things better, not worse [disgust]

If your Aerial is pointing more south then its Rumster transmitter, If its pointing northernly then its Keelylang (Orkney). By the way you are talking that its since switchover you have had problems would mean your on the Rumster transmitter as the Orkney transmitter switched over before then.

Your problem could be a few things. I have installed quite a few aerials in castletown without problems. To me it sounds like your aerial is just out of alignment.

[badger]

badger i'm up 3rd to 13th p'haps i can pop around

dx

Many thanks to dx (and wife) for taking time out of his short visit north to visit me and sort out all the problems with my TVs. In the end quite simple solutions but it's having the knowledge that is so important. Lovely people and all they wanted was a cuppa :) .

Can't help wondering how many people manage who don't have a friendly forum to contact.

[kwbrown111]

Hi
My wife is blind so she needs audio description. She cannot get AD on BBC1 or ITV1(for soaps) but can get it on omnibuses on ITV 4 and most other channels. It is a Freesat Box we have got. Any ideas why this should be.

[Moonboots]

Hi
My wife is blind so she needs audio description. She cannot get AD on BBC1 or ITV1(for soaps) but can get it on omnibuses on ITV 4 and most other channels. It is a Freesat Box we have got. Any ideas why this should be.

Only some channels broadcast AD for certain programmes.

Goto here - http://www.tvhelp.org.uk/audes/freesatad.php

This will give you a list of programmes for today and the rest of the week if you require.

To make sure you are getting them on BBC 1 and ITV then please goto the London region on your Freesat box to get AD. BBC 1 - 974, BBC 2 - 989, ITV 1 - 993, Ch4 - 994.

Hope this helps

[kwbrown111]

Many thanks for that Moonboots i will try that for her tomorrow. I was getting knowhere with the help scheme or the Freesat helpline

[Moonboots]

I thought the Helpscheme would have known about that. Mind you they are really just about freeview... they are not really interested in any other products.

[oldmarine]

Telly's just gone off. Switchover should be complete by six am. Hope that solves all the wee glitches over the past couple of weeks. Time will tell.

Don't understand your problems there in Caithness, but I am in a construction zone here in Tucson, Arizona. We often lose power due to persons cutting through power source here in our neighborhood. I just lost power to my computer and had to start over again. FRUSTRATING!!!

[Liz]

Well I've carried out the final stage of the switchover and some of my channels signal strength eg ITV and Channel 5 have gone DOWN in signal strength from 80% to 67% whilst others which were on lower strength have gone up to 80%.

Not happy!

Has this happened to anyone else?

[badger]

Well I've carried out the final stage of the switchover and some of my channels signal strength eg ITV and Channel 5 have gone DOWN in signal strength from 80% to 67% whilst others which were on lower strength have gone up to 80%.

Not happy!

Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi Liz

Don't know about my signal strength but have lost my bedroom tv again. It's an old one so I got a digibox with an RF modulator. Nightmare! So it will be going back to Colin Chessor once more. Have complained yet again to the Digital UK that they tell us we can use old TVs without scart sockets but there are absolutely no instructions on the website.

Like you, I'm not happy [disgust]

[Liz]

Hi Liz

Don't know about my signal strength but have lost my bedroom tv again. It's an old one so I got a digibox with an RF modulator. Nightmare! So it will be going back to Colin Chessor once more. Have complained yet again to the Digital UK that they tell us we can use old TVs without scart sockets but there are absolutely no instructions on the website.

Like you, I'm not happy [disgust]

So sorry that you are having problems again and hope you get it sorted out really soon.

I'm glad to say I got mine sorted. For some reason,when I carried out the default setting the Mux for ITV and Channel 5 tuned into Channel 23 when it should have been 24. I carried out an automatic search and delighted to say all channels are now at full strength.:D

[neepnipper]

Re-tuned my tv in June as required for digital switchover, but over the last few days have been getting the message coming up on my screen to re-tune, as we seem to of lost the signal on a few channels like ITV3 I re-tuned again today and now have lost those channels altogther, ITV3 was on channel 10 but now we don't have a number 10 and no ITV3 (annoying as have been watching the repeats of Monarch of the Glen).

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Moonboots]

Do a retune/rescan once again and this should sort out your problem.

[neepnipper]

I did do it a second time and it was still the same.

[davem]

There was an ad I saw we'd have to do it again today so you are probably retuning b4 they've finished rearranging it all. Good luck with your next try.

[Moonboots]

Like what Davem has said. The retuning had to be done today, The transmitter work was being done today and if you do it now.. everything should be fine.

[Liz]

Neepnipper when I carried out a default setting this afternoon the ITV channels were tuned into the wrong channel (ie 23 instead of 24) so the signal strength was lower.

I carried out an automatic search early evening and they are now back on the correct channel and full power so,hopefully, yours will be okay now?

When did you re-tune last?

[neepnipper]

Just done another automatic tune and it's still the same, don't have ITV3 on channel 10 and lots of other gaps as well.:confused

[Liz]

Just done another automatic tune and it's still the same, don't have ITV3 on channel 10 and lots of other gaps as well.:confused

Although there is a 10 showing in front of ITV3 it is actually on Channel 30 Mux.
If yours isn't on this you could try carrying out a Manual search.

[Geo]

I lost Channel 1 yesterday, previously Virgin 1. It said no signal but everything else was ok. Just did a complete search for all channels and it's working fine again. However almost immediately there was a popup saying something about having to complete both parts of the changeover or risk losing channels! How many times do we have to retune? I thought it was twice and that was it. I've had to do it about four times now.

[Liz]

Just ignore the pop up Geo. I think it will just keep appearing to remind those who haven't re-tuned to do so.

Glad you got all your channels back.:D

[Geo]

Cheers Liz. Can't do without my StarTrek fix! :)

[Moonboots]

neepnipper - I would suggest you do a Full Reset / First Time Installation this should correct the problem you are having...

The pop-up is just an information banner advising people to do a retune, This will keep doing it even if you have done a retune already. As what Liz said.. Ignore it....

[dx100uk]

Hi Liz

Don't know about my signal strength but have lost my bedroom tv again. It's an old one so I got a digibox with an RF modulator. Nightmare! So it will be going back to Colin Chessor once more. Have complained yet again to the Digital UK that they tell us we can use old TVs without scart sockets but there are absolutely no instructions on the website.

Like you, I'm not happy [disgust]

got the ole' biddy sorted by the phone tonight....

when you have to take the box to a tv with a scart socket to retune it

it helps to give it an aerial connection.......

oppss

moonboots

i need a job upnorth, wanna partner.....

dx

[badger]

got the ole' biddy sorted by the phone tonight....

when you have to take the box to a tv with a scart socket to retune it

it helps to give it an aerial connection.......

oppss

moonboots

i need a job upnorth, wanna partner.....

dx

ole biddy indeed - you shouldn't be offending potential customers before you even get here [disgust] . Might remind you I knew it need an aerial connection but I'd been given wrong advice by the makers - as I told you !!

Anyway can't re-tune the old tv now. After a bit of experimenting I remembered how I'd done it last time but it's just not finding any channel. Got better things to do with my life than all this messing about.

[dx100uk]

did your son sort it sunday badger
or shall i call you............

dx:D

[badger]

did your son sort it sunday badger
or shall i call you............

dx:D

Didn't look in the end. It just doesn't seem to be connecting with the box. We could give it one more try if you have the patience (and stop calling me names :eek: ) but I'm on the point of giving up and looking for a second hand small tv with scart sockets. All my TVs keep breaking up, losing synch etc. and this one was still losing pic. completely before this last re-tuning. Seems to me switchover is a nightmare, never had any problems before.

[dx100uk]

i'm up on the 23rd for 10days

i'll try and give you a ring tomorrow eve

now, so's your frontroom one is playing up too?
that should be the most stable as its got the masthead feed from it.

dx