Freeview

[smart1]

I have a set top box - for past 6 weeks or so, certain channels have been 'pixcillating' - is this due to the box or the TV. Ideas please?

[Buenchico]

Neither. It's due to your aerial.

See here:
http://www.theanswerb...y/Question858245.html

Chris

[romko]

Are you using a coaxial flylead, the sort with molded -on plugs at each end? if so, ditch it and get some satellite grade double shielded RG6 coax cable and two metal coax plugs. Wire it up, plug the one into the wall aerial socket (if applicable) and the other into the set top box. see this site for more: http://www.aerialsandtv.com/digitaltv.html

Note some cheapo supermarket boxes have poor tuners, which are less sensetive. they vary greatly.

[smart1]

Thanks for reply - if I could understand it, I'm sure it would help greatly! And even if I could understand it - I couldn't perform it lol - obviously I think I will have to 'get a man in'! Thanks again

[redman41]

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch

Has your region switched over to Digital yet ? This may be the cause of the problems if your Rooftop Aerial is OK.
Check above site to find out when you will be having Analogue signal switched off.

[Old_Geezer]

It is down to insufficient signal. It could be an aerial problem, or the connections/lead, or it could be the Freeview box. Given you have a separate set-top box I'm assuming the TV is probably not the cause, as the signal will have been changed from digital to analogue before it gets to the TV.

(Silly thought, your aerial is still fixed firmly pointing in the right direction ?)

The only way to tell is to check each link in the chain and see if you can improve the signal.

First off wriggle pull/reinsert all the plugs/sockets to ensure a good connection. If that fails you might want to try adding a signal booster (put in the connection as near to the aerial as practical). After that if there is still problems I'd recommend replacing parts of the chain one at a time, checking if the problem has been fixed at each stage.

Ultimately, if you are using the original analogue aerial for digital signal reception, it might pay you to get an aerial designed for the Freeview signal installed. But check/replace the cheaper parts of the system first, before going on to the more expensive parts.

[smart1]

Yes, my area has now gone digital!
Really grateful for all replies :0)

[redman41]

As Buenchico points out, your next step now is to check how good or bad you Rooftop Aerial is, along with all Coaxial leads. If the system is old you may have to replace everything in order to get decent reception. Aerial Engineer will advise if you need a Signal Booster.

[smart1]

Any idea of prices if it comes down to a new aerial anyone?

[redman41]

A friend of mine was charge £100 for the installation of a brand new Rooftop Aerial with Masthead Amplifier plus all new cabling and a 4 way Co-Axial cable splitter

[Old_Geezer]

Looks like it varies with the cheaper rooftop ones coming in at around £20

http://www.google.co....erial&hl=en&scoring=p

But if you are not confident about walking on the roof and changing the aerial it may pay you to get a professional in, (if it comes to that). £100 sounds a good deal to me, provided it is a good job / quality parts. As per usual, try to get a recommendation from someone who's had the job done.

[smart1]

Thanks Redman & OG - you've both been very helpful

[smart1]

PS - I get vertigo on bottom step ! lol