MY TV`s FREEVIEW CHANNELS HAVE WORSE PICTURE QUALITY AFTER SWITCHOVER !

[chris murphy]

"Hello All",

I have had Freeview on all of the TV`s in My Home since Freeview became available - all with a Great Picture.

I live in London as We have just had the `Switchover` on 4th and 18th April - Since then the TV Pictures have been NOT Great and have been adversely affected by the recent `Bad Weather` / Rain etc.

I am sure that I read often in the run up to the Switchover that the Signals would be `Better` and that Bad Weather would NOT affect the Signals ?

I have never seen the Weather affect the Picture / Signals before the Switchover.


I am near the Transmitter Tower for My Area and have had Great Pictures / Signals for over 25 Years - UNTIL NOW !

I cannot imagine that this means I would need to change My Aerials - Why would I have been receiving Great Pictures in the YEARS preceding the `Switchover` BUT Worse Pictures / Signals since then - when it had been stated that the Switchover would Improve the Signals ?


I have tried having the Aerial positions adjusted slightly - but they needed to be returned to the original positions to receive the now Inferior Signals / Pictures.

I cannot Try / use Signal Boosters as I have Sky wired to and connected to the Aerial Sockets of 2 of the TV`s - a Signal Booster interferes with the Signal from the 2nd Output from the Sky Digibox - I think via the small voltage supply to the Magic Eye for the Remote Controls [?] - causing NO Sky Signal - Remove Signal Booster = Sky Signal Works again.


I am hoping for comments from Members regarding the points about My Freeview Signals being Worse since the Switchover AND the Signals / Pictures being BADLY Affected by Bad Weather / Heavy Rain - as most Areas have had the Switchover quite a long time ago do any Members remember these Problems in their Area ?


Regards,


Chris

 

[chris murphy]

I used to suffer from channel drop out during wind and/or rain. So I fitted a new aerial and hey presto, perfect all the time now. As your aerial is 25+ years old, I'd say you've had a fair life out of it and it's time for a new one.

"Hello PC Electrics",


Thanks for your reply - My Aerials are not 25 Years old - I take it that You thought this from My comment:

`I am near the Transmitter Tower for My Area and have had Great Pictures / Signals for over 25 Years - UNTIL NOW !`

That was just a statement about NEVER having any Signal Problems from the Crystal Palace Transmitter in the 25 Years that I have lived in My Home.

My Aerials and the High Quality Screened Co-Ax cables are still in a fairly `New` Condition - they were looked at only a Week ago when with help I tried repositioning them to see if that would solve the problems - it did not and We returned them to the original positions which were Identified with a Signal Strength Meter.

If I did have 25 Year old Aerials I definitely would have replaced them.

I do appreciate Your reply - "Thanks"


Regards,


Chris

 

[ian.settle1]

I have read some where that when recieving the digital dignal the aerial has to be pointing directly towards the transmitter to get a clear signal unlike the old analogue signal which could have the aerial slightly off

 

[chris murphy]

I have read some where that when recieving the digital dignal the aerial has to be pointing directly towards the transmitter to get a clear signal unlike the old analogue signal which could have the aerial slightly off

"Hello ian.settle1",


Please don`t be offended by this - would that not mean that a VAST number of Homes in the Country would have had problems after the Switchover ? - as their Aerials would NOT have been perfectly aligned.

I did use an Aerial Signal Finder when I Installed My Aerials but how many People do that or have it done when Aerials are fitted - ?

I would guess that ALL Aerial Fitters use Signal Finders as they are a very inexpensive item [Approx. £15.00] - But what proportion of Aerials in the U.K. have been fitted by Aerial Installers ?


Regards,


Chris

 

[Dan the spark]

Just a quick one to think about, what's the cable like coming down from the aerial? Had one before that had been rubbing around on the roof tiles for a few years in the wind and had worn through and when it rained the water got into the cable and the tv kept cutting out and going rubbish, this only happened with the new signals

 

[chris murphy]

Just a quick one to think about, what's the cable like coming down from the aerial? Had one before that had been rubbing around on the roof tiles for a few years in the wind and had worn through and when it rained the water got into the cable and the tv kept cutting out and going rubbish, this only happened with the new signals

"Hello Dan",

Thanks for mentioning the Cable - as You stated this could cause problems - but not in my case.

I had the Aerial Cables looked at only about a Week ago when with the help of a couple of Friends / Ladders / Roof Ladders I had the Aerial Positions checked.

The Insulation / Cable Covering was not damaged or degraded as far as could be seen.

When I Installed the Aerials I bought and used the `Best` Aerial / Co-Ax Cable that I could find - it was `Double Screened` [If I remember the term correctly] and had the `Best Quality` Covering for External Use - I remember it being VERY Expensive.


The Problems that I have experienced started EXACTLY on Wednesday 18th April - Immediately upon Retuning the TV`s / TV / Freeview Boxes.

The Weather at that time [and often since !] was Heavy Rain and the problems were evident on ALL My TV`s - Both where Freeview is built into the TV`s and where there is a TV with a Freeview Box connected.

The Pictures were Freezing - `Pixalating` - and the Sound was broken up - Completely Unwatchable.


I am intending to Buy and Experiment with a Variable Strength Adjustment Attenuator to see If I can Lower the Signal Strength and therefore increase the Quality of the Signal [?]

I don`t know if seems Contradictory ? - Before corresponding about this on here and receiving some Very Interesting Replies I would have thought that the Stronger the Signal the `Better` - But I will Try with the Attenuator.

I will Post the Results - I cannot get the Attenuator until next Sunday - 6th May - I will then have to hope for a Day / Evening with Heavy Rain to replicate the Signal Problems



Please excuse Me not writing a Full explanation about the Problems again - I have described them in My other Posts.


Thanks again for your suggestion - I am sure that this may be helpful to someone else.


Regards

 

[Rockingit]

I got fed up with channel drop out so I removed our old aerial for a super big high gain digi one. The only problem was that I hadn't reckoned on the fact that it is now positioned slightly differently and is effectively immediately above the back door. So where do the birds now sit??!

 

[Mr.Si]

For those of you mentioning them, there is no such thing as a "Digital Aerial".


@Chris Murphy - I presume you are in the area where you need the Group A aerials? Hmm just checked ... http:// www .aerialsandtv. com/aerials.html#aerialgroups

Yep, you are, if you use Crystal Palace.

When your cable was checked, were any "kinks" found? I have suffered from this in the past.

Also, you mention signal boosters and have issues with these. I notice you are in a high gain area.
However, out of interest, have you tried a Masthead Amp?

I had to use one of these myself, but I get my signal from the Whitehawk Hill in sussex and the signal is low.

 

[chris murphy]

For those of you mentioning them, there is no such thing as a "Digital Aerial".


@Chris Murphy - I presume you are in the area where you need the Group A aerials? Hmm just checked ... http:// www .aerialsandtv. com/aerials.html#aerialgroups

Yep, you are, if you use Crystal Palace.

When your cable was checked, were any "kinks" found? I have suffered from this in the past.

Also, you mention signal boosters and have issues with these. I notice you are in a high gain area.
However, out of interest, have you tried a Masthead Amp?

I had to use one of these myself, but I get my signal from the Whitehawk Hill in sussex and the signal is low.

"Hello Mr.Si",


Thanks for your message.


Regarding the so called `Digital Aerials` - I was vehement in stating that there is NO Such thing in one of My Posts on this subject - I do realise that because My Posts have been So LONG that it would be easy to `Miss` a comment - and I realise that some People will NOT want to read all of what I wrote because of these Long Posts - I don`t mean to suggest that You have not read what I wrote.


When the Aerial Cables were checked they had no Damage and looked virtually the same as when New - there were No Kinks etc. - when I fitted the Aerials because I had Scaffolding Up at the time for fitting a New Roof I was able to Fix the Aerial Cables to prevent any `Swinging in the Wind` / Chaffing of the Insulation on the Tiles or Brickwork.


The Problem with Aerial Signal Boosters for My TV Aerials is that because I have TV`s where Sky is connected from the Sky Digibox 2nd Output via a Cable to a `Magic Eye` / the TV Aerial Socket - where obviously the Aerials are also connected via a `Splitter` [Y Piece] - I cannot use Signal Boosters [NOT that the Signal needs Boosting] because when I tried this a few Years ago [and again recently] the Booster caused the Sky Signal to the TV`s that are connected from the Sky Digiboxes 2nd Output / Cable to be `Lost` / Not Received by the TV`s.

This is obviously something to do with the Signal Booster having either Over-ridden the Sky Signal [Via Cable] with the Powerful Signal [?] - or possibly Blocked it because of a Voltage - ?

Regarding a Masthead Amp - I am now under the impression having corresponded with the VERY Helpful Members who have replied to Me about this problem that the Freeview Signals definitely do NOT need Amplifying / Boosting - In fact that the Signals probably need to be Decreased [?].

I am intending to buy a Variable Attenuator and see if adjusting the Signals from the Aerials will help to regain the Excellent Picture Quality that I had BEFORE the Freeview / Digital Switchover.

After purchasing one of these to TRY I will need to be able to Experiment on a Day / Evening with Heavy Rain as that is when the Signal Problems are so bad as to make the Channels that are affected Unwatchable.

I cannot purchase the Attenuator until Sunday and I will then hope for an Evening / Day with Heavy Rain in order to see what happens when I adjust the Aerial Signal [Downwards].


I will definitely Post My `Findings` on here as I really appreciate all of the Very Helpful Information and comments that I have received from Members - Yourself included.


I am intending to purchase the Variable Attenuator that the Link was Posted by Tuttle for from Maplin = £7.99 [Was £9.99 before offer] - http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...sg=AFQjCNGYs8SnUWuWfmvySe5rMVhrN2XD1Q&cad=rja AND a `Cheap one` from Toolstation - Cat. No: 86843 = £2.27 - [I was NOT able to include a Link to this here].

Because I will need 6 of these Variable Attenuators IF they work just as well the `Cheap` ones would obviously Save Me a bit of Money.

I will comment on whether there seems to be any difference in the `Attenuation` process between the £10.00 one and the £2.27 one - in case this helps other Members to save Money [?].


Regards,


Chris

 

[chris murphy]

"Hello All",

Just a quick update about My Posting the Results of trying the Two different Variable Attenuators - unfortunately NO Success as yet:


I purchased one from Maplin last Sunday which I tried out on a couple of Aerial Cables during the Week on an Evening when it was raining [which causes the TV Signal problems] - it had NO effect whatsoever - so much so that I doubt that it was actually working [?]

I have exchanged this Today [Sunday 13th] and will try again on a Day / Evening when there is Heavy Rain - I probably will not have to wait long.

I also purchased the cheaper one from Toolstation Today but unfortunately because it was amongst other items that I bought I did not notice until I got Home that the Attenuator has Threaded Connections - presumably for `F Plug` Connectors [?].

IF that is the case I would need `F Plug to Coax Socket Adaptors` [2] @ £2.89 Each - making a Total of £8.05 - £2.27 for the Attenuator at Toolstation - Plus 2X £2.89 for the F Plug Adaptors at Maplin.

This is slightly more than the £7.99 for the Attenuator at Maplin so there would be no point in using these 3 Items - BUT also I am guessing that introducing 2 X Adaptors would obviously have an additional `Attenuating Effect` - Although that may not be a problem when using a Variable Attenuator to [Theoretically] `Turn Down` the Signal - ?


Sorry that I have not been able to give a more positive Result Tonight - I will check again with the replacement Maplin Variable Attenuator - when it Rains [Heavily] again - and Post the Result here.


Regards,


Chris

 

[UNG]

I also purchased the cheaper one from Toolstation Today but unfortunately because it was amongst other items that I bought I did not notice until I got Home that the Attenuator has Threaded Connections - presumably for `F Plug` Connectors [?].

IF that is the case I would need `F Plug to Coax Socket Adaptors` [2] @ £2.89 Each - making a Total of £8.05 - £2.27 for the Attenuator at Toolstation - Plus 2X £2.89 for the F Plug Adaptors at Maplin.

Just swap the standard Co-ax plugs for F type plugs, 10 F type plugs are only a couple pounds tops

 

[chris murphy]

Just swap the standard Co-ax plugs for F type plugs, 10 F type plugs are only a couple pounds tops

"Hello UNG",


Thanks for your reply - I wanted to be able to Check whether I can use the Toolstation Variable Attenuator to adjust the Aerial Signal Strength to each of 4 TV`s in order to be able to receive a Good Freeview / Digital TV Signal - without it being `Interfered with` during Heavy Rainfall.

I don`t really want to mess about changing these 4 Aerial Cable Plugs to F Plugs and also have to Cut Off an Aerial Plug from a `Good` RF / Aerial Lead and fit an F Plug to that to use between the Attenuator and the TV Aerial Socket to TRY the Attenuator on all of these TV`s.

An easier method would be to purchase the F Plug to Coax Adaptors that I mentioned in My previous Post @ £2.89 each - But as these would add to the £2.27 Cost of the [Toolstation] Attenuator making it Cost just slightly over the Price of the Maplin Variable Attenuator there would be NO Point in doing it that way.


Obviously it would be BEST to purchase the Maplin Variable Attenuators for these TV`s as they will just connect directly to the Aerial Plugs - IF I can establish that they can adjust the Aerial Signal Strength during Heavy Rainfall and cause the Signal Quality to Improve to produce a `Good` Reception.


Tonight I have tried the Maplin Variable Attenuator [Replacement from Sunday] during a Shower of Rain - although it was not Raining Heavily enough to cause problems with the Signal / Reception on Freeview the Attenuator did NOT seem to Alter the Signal in any way whatever the Adjustment - whether at Maximum or Minimum Strength.


I will have to wait for Heavy Rainfall to try this again - when the Signal IS being compromised - perhaps then the Attenuator will alter the Signal Strength and Improve the Signal Quality ?


Regards,


Chris

 

[chris murphy]

"Hello All",

Just a quick Update on the situation:


I am still waiting for some Heavy Rainfall so that I can try the Maplin Variable Attenuator again in the conditions where some of My Freeview TV Channels - mainly the ITV Channels and Channels 4 and 5 are completely unwatchable.

We have had over 6 WEEKS where there has been some very Heavy rainfall but since I obtained the [Replacement] Maplin Variable Attenuator there has NOT been ANY `Heavy` Rainfall during which I could try the Attenuator while the Reception / Aerial Signal was giving a Pixalated / Freezing / Sound disrupted Picture.

I have found NO differences to the TV Reception when I tried [2 Of] the Variable Attenuator during just Showers of Rain - but at those times there was NO disruption of the Freeview / Digital Reception.

I was hoping that IF I could try the Attenuator when the Signal IS being Disrupted I MIGHT be able to Lower the Signal Strength and Improve the Signal Quality - Although because the Attenuator does not seem to be `Doing` anything to the Signal Strength [?] - I am NOT very confident that this will work.


Regards,


Chris

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I got fed up with channel drop out so I removed our old aerial for a super big high gain digi one. The only problem was that I hadn't reckoned on the fact that it is now positioned slightly differently and is effectively immediately above the back door. So where do the birds now sit??!

Hi mate, I had a similar problem with perching birds, so bought some plastic anti-perch bird spikes - problem solved!
Defender™ Bird Spikes and Pigeon Spikes from Jones and Son (UK) Ltd

 

[chris murphy]

"Hello All",

Just a quick Update on the situation:


I am still waiting for some Heavy Rainfall so that I can try the Maplin Variable Attenuator again in the conditions where some of My Freeview TV Channels - mainly the ITV Channels and Channels 4 and 5 are completely unwatchable.

We have had over 6 WEEKS where there has been some very Heavy rainfall but since I obtained the [Replacement] Maplin Variable Attenuator there has NOT been ANY `Heavy` Rainfall during which I could try the Attenuator while the Reception / Aerial Signal was giving a Pixalated / Freezing / Sound disrupted Picture.

I have found NO differences to the TV Reception when I tried [2 Of] the Variable Attenuator during just Showers of Rain - but at those times there was NO disruption of the Freeview / Digital Reception.

I was hoping that IF I could try the Attenuator when the Signal IS being Disrupted I MIGHT be able to Lower the Signal Strength and Improve the Signal Quality - Although because the Attenuator does not seem to be `Doing` anything to the Signal Strength [?] - I am NOT very confident that this will work.


Regards,


Chris

"Hello All",


Still NO Heavy Rainfall - Hopefully We will now be getting `Spring and Summer Weather` so perhaps I won`t have to wait much longer !

I will Post the Result of My Checking the Aerial Signal Attenuation process using the Maplin Variable Attenuator - But this might be a while yet.


Regards,


Chris

 

[jackdoor]

Hello,Looking through this long thread, Have had similar problems with retuning Freeview,just a few pointers if you dont already know, Have you tried a New seperate freeview box connected to your scart input on your tv.this would isolate the problem from the tv,
If your TV is a crt type or a flat panel with built in Freeview or seperate box , some older tvs and freeview boxes when retuned have problems with channel dropout on certain channels on digital namley channel 28 , see coverage for programs on crystal palace transmitter info on internet.
Aerials Group A (red) for the London area will cover channels 21-37.A wide band aerial (black) will cover channels 21-68 with loss of gain due to the larger bandwidth.
If you have more than 1 tv connected to your aerial system there must be an amplifier in circuit .try your attenuators in the aerial input to your amplifier for overall signal reduction.Vince.