Lcn Has Changed

[Old_Geezer]

The above nonsense is regularly being flashed on my TV screen by the dion freeview box. Has been doing for a few days.

The Net tells me that it is about local channel numbers.

Rescanning has no effect.

Even setting it update the software version (it took to long to stick there waiting) which seemed initially to have an effect, turned out not to.

I can only conclude it is a deliberate irritation put in by designers with a very sick sense of humour.

But on the off-chance someone has a solution that doesn't involve slinging the box in the bin and buying another low quality box from the supermarket; any suggestions ?

TIA

[wolf63]

I find that pulling the plugs out and going to bed helps. Sometimes when you plug it in the next morning it works. Sometimes it doesn't :-(

Good luck

[Old_Geezer]

May give that a try. I do tend to leave these things on. As much as I can remember to switch the TV off.

[wolf63]

That's coz we is getting old - I have now reached 52 and am a crazy cat lady. There is no hope for me!

Sleep well and I hope that it works in the morning.

[Old_Geezer]

:-(

It just seems to have changed it to endless questions stating "Do you want to search?".

The answer is, of course, "Did I ask to search ? Then what do you think ?!?"

[Old_Geezer]

And if one finally gives n and chooses 'yes' it scans fir about half a second, returns to the channel, except it goes to the wrong one. When changed back to the channel it was on, then once again the 'LCN has changed' is back.

No point in getting another cheapish box of garbage from a supermarket. Anyone any suggestions for a quality box ?

[Old_Geezer]

Just in case someone else web searches this same error message.

I've decided the supermarket sold freeview box has not lasted a reasonable amount of time. I'm unsure if I'll find the guarantee but it has been unacceptable. I believe the box is in error as I have just rescanned after it lied to me to tell me the channel number I wanted didn't exist. After the rescan it existed for a short time, but the LCN message came up once more and on pressing for info I find the box has moved it to channel 806 (or similar). Double checking now I see it has returned to the correct channel again. It must be continually corrupting and then finding the data valid once more.

I am wondering if "Freeview Play" is worth the excessive extra cost. Anyone know or have an opinion ?

[jgraley]

I am a firmware engineer - my job is to code up the software that runs on these devices. I can tell you there is no justification for constantly popping messages like "LCN has changed" and "Do you want to search" up over the programme material the customer is trying to watch. This is cripplewear, added at the demand of the business managers, who are under pressure to reduce the usefulness of the low-price product. The thing is, the chipset for freeview is very cheap, such that a basic set-top-box never needs to cost more than £15 or so. But the sellers want £50+ and so they build deniable faults into the lower-priced units to force people to upgrade. To avoid returns and refunds, they make the faults ambiguous so that customer service can keep on saying "just restart it", "click A then B" and so on, kicking the issue into the long grass. It's a cynical game, and you should complain strongly to the outlet that sold the unit to you.