Topic ID 6136
Hi, I hope this is the right forum. I just wanted some advice about freeview. Basically, we're thinking about getting a small TV for our bedroom but there isn't a TV point there - so my question is this: As all TVs come with built-in freeview these days will I be able to recieve these channels simply by buying an indoor aerial? Is there anyone on here who has done just that? If so then which aerial do you have or would you reccommend? The argos cateloge has the aerials in groups of distance from the signal but I have no idea how far we are from the nearest transmitter and I don't want to be going back and fourth to the shop buying an aerial and then returning it because it's not strong enough etc, so I thought I'd ask the people who live in the same area as me. I'm in Bengeo by the way, close to bengeo primary school. Hopefully someone can help.
Reply ID 82917
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/64/33632647-freeview-without-an-aerial-possible.html
Reply ID 87129
Is it just BBC2 that goes to the grave tomorrow on analogue. Also does any body know if the Digital signal will be boostered up when the whole analogue goes off in a couple of weeks. TIA HB&B
Reply ID 87130
quote:Yes http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1525485
Originally posted by hertford born and bred
Also does any body know if the Digital signal will be boostered up when the whole analogue goes off in a couple of weeks.
Reply ID 87136
Just what i needed to read, Ta
Reply ID 87143
BBC2 analogue is now off. I also lost BBC3, BBC2 and BBC1 on Freeview around 1am. Retuning brought them back.
Reply ID 87209
Does anyone know if the changes to the TV service have upgraded the DAB radio reception in Hertford? I have a radio in the bathroom of my house in Bengeo. It receives both FM and DAB but ever since I bought it the reception was too weak for DAB and so I used it purely on FM. However, since the Digital switch over I have retried DAB and now I find I can recieve all the DAB stations too. Is this just a coincidence or has the DAB signal been improved to Hertford (alongside the improved Freeview TV reception which I never used to get but now can).
Reply ID 87214
We're in Bengeo had the same problem with not being able to get digital radio theadmans. We found the digital signal became strong enough to use a few months ago, for Radio 4 at least - this was before the switchover but I reckon it is linked as it was certainly in the build up.
Reply ID 87215
quote:No, not a bit of an upgrade. However sometimes DAB may have been on lower power during digital TV aerial work at the Crystal Palace transmitter and now that has finished DAB will be on full power.
Originally posted by theadmans
Does anyone know if the changes to the TV service have upgraded the DAB radio reception in Hertford?
Reply ID 87217
Thanks guys - it would certainly seem that the official answer (have done a bit of googling) that the Digital Switchover has no affect on DAB. The technology and masts involved appear to be unrelated. Although strangely other people around the country have reported both the loss of DAB and improvement of DAB around the switchover date. Razor - your comment is interesting I had not tried my radio for several months. So if your Radio improved a round 4 months ago that would figure. I used to not be able to get any of the BBC stations and only weak reception on some other stations. Now I can get all the BBC stations with my aerial fully extended. Have to say though with this radio (a Revo Pico) the sound on FM is still nicer than the DAB - so much for progress!
Reply ID 87322
The second part of the switchover happened last night. The HD channels are now available. You may need to retune your TV (assuming your TV can pick up Freeview HD)
Reply ID 87335
OH yes, TVs all retuned we are now all systems go, Perfect picture on every channel...So long analogue my old friend R.I.P Forgot to add Ceefax, Especially Pages 302 and 338...Gone but never forgotten [:D]
Reply ID 87336
I'm only getting the first phase of digital channels, no ITV, ch4, ch5 etc. I've retuned twice. Anyone else in the same boat?
Reply ID 87337
quote:Did you get the BBC Channels on digital before yesterday ??
Originally posted by Enoughofthat
I'm only getting the first phase of digital channels, no ITV, ch4, ch5 etc. I've retuned twice. Anyone else in the same boat?
Reply ID 87339
I had BBC and the digital radio channels. I first retuned this morning which produced no BBC channels, some of the commercial channels but with very poor, unwatchable reception. I retuned again some time later which returned the BBC and radio channels.
Reply ID 87340
Limited service at the moment. Is anyone having trouble getting all channels via portable TV from Bengeo via freeview? Is a booster required? Or do I need to arrange an aerial redirection towards Crystal Palace? All sorted - just unplugged it, plugged it back it and now it all works. [:)]
Reply ID 87346
I got about 4 channels - have been watching BBC1 HD. Not sure how to get the freeview HD - I've got a Freeview TV but think I need an aerial too. Could you help me James?
Reply ID 87348
Still no sign of Itv etc for me. there a few mentions on twitter from people with the same issue, but it seems we are the minority.
Reply ID 87349
All ok for me, make sure you do an auto tune so hopefully the tv will disregard all the previous settings, or if not, try manually deleting what channels you have then re-tune. Their is no HD from Bengeo, only London and Sandy Heath.
Reply ID 87350
Forgot to say, Bengeo is on channel 49 and 58
Reply ID 87351
Thanks Forbes, deleting all the channels and then retuning resulted in discovery of another 10 channels. Initially the signal was very weak and unwatchable, I tweaked the aerial and now have a full suite of freeview channels available. I note available, because a friend in Hailey with a view of the Crystal Palace transmitter has many more than the 21 beamed from the Hertford repeater.
Reply ID 87353
Quelle Horreur, my strongest BBC channels are now Anglia rather than London.
Reply ID 87357
quote:If you live in a flat, no doubt you will be on a communal aerial. If you live in a house, you surely already have an aerial, so need need for anything else. There will be a reset button on your Freeview tv somewhere, probably on the back and maybe a pin-hole that you insert a pen into. Just press the reset button for about 10 seconds until it reloads and see what happens. If you have a Freeview box, just hold down the standby button on the front until the box shows that it is resetting. Failing that try http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/find_help Failing that, call 08456 50 50 50, press option 1 and wait for ten
Originally posted by SallyB
I got about 4 channels - have been watching BBC1 HD. Not sure how to get the freeview HD - I've got a Freeview TV but think I need an aerial too. Could you help me James?
Reply ID 87361
quote:Don't worry - if a tractor gets stolen in Downham Market you'll be amongst the first to know [8D]
Originally posted by Jackanapes
Quelle Horreur, my strongest BBC channels are now Anglia rather than London.
Reply ID 87382
Thank you for that comprehensive help, James007. I'll take a look at it this weekend.
Reply ID 87386
I've lost all channels and can't pick up anything after various efforts of re-tuning and balancing the indoor aerial in various odd locations in an effort to pick up a signal (any signal). Prior to digital signal, I could only pick up BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Ch4 on my new Freeview digital tv so it's never been much good. I've been told I'll need to get a roof-top aerial fixed as the Bengeo transmitter is no longer sending enough juice to my house.
Reply ID 87388
quote:Digital reception is very unforgiving - any poor quality signal is likely to give you a pixellating/freezing picture (if any picture at all). You will not get a sort of 'watchable' if snowy, picture.
Originally posted by alison
I've lost all channels and can't pick up anything after various efforts of re-tuning and balancing the indoor aerial in various odd locations in an effort to pick up a signal (any signal). Prior to digital signal, I could only pick up BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Ch4 on my new Freeview digital tv so it's never been much good. I've been told I'll need to get a roof-top aerial fixed as the Bengeo transmitter is no longer sending enough juice to my house.
Reply ID 87389
The signal from Bengeo is very good, I've just set up a box in Ware high street and the signal was 90% strength and 100% quality with a very old outside aerial. In Sele Farm I set up a TV using only a inside stick-on window aerial which was 7ft above ground level and the signal was 95% strength and 100% quality. Roughly where are you Alison?
Reply ID 87390
Forbes..My aerial is pointing towards Crystal palace and all signals are good. But my itv regional channel was anglia on retune..Why was that ??? For the record itv london was on channel 801 which i have now swapped
Reply ID 87392
quote:Down the bottom of Gallows Hill, parallel to Foxholes Avenue. The front of the house can pick up DAB radio signals, the back of the house can't - not sure if that indicates similar issues with tv reception? [:I]
Originally posted by Forbes
Roughly where are you Alison?
Reply ID 87394
hertford born and bred, it sounds like your also tuned into Sandy Heath, which in parts of Hertford is receivable on the back of a south facing aerial. Best thing you can do is to clear all your current tuning settings and then do a manual re-tune for Crystal Palace on channels 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 & 30. Channel 26 is the one that carries the London ITV ch4 ch5 ect Alison, if your tv is on the NW side of the house and you have no obvious large obstructions then the signal should be strong enough for an indoor aerial. If you were receiving channels 1-4 analogue from Bengeo before then the freeview signal shouldn't be a problem. Try manually tuning your tv to channel 49, when doing so most tv's show a signal strength bar, at that point move your aerial around to find the best position then save, next tune to channel 58 and save again. Good Luck [:)]
Reply ID 87395
quote:Cheers Forbes
Originally posted by Forbes
hertford born and bred, it sounds like your also tuned into Sandy Heath, which in parts of Hertford is receivable on the back of a south facing aerial. Best thing you can do is to clear all your current tuning settings and then do a manual re-tune for Crystal Palace on channels 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 & 30. Channel 26 is the one that carries the London ITV ch4 ch5 ect
Reply ID 87396
quote:Back in November BBC National had a new 600 watt transmitter installed at Epping Green which explains the recent improvement in BBC DAB reception - http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=1604
Does anyone know if the changes to the TV service have upgraded the DAB radio reception in Hertford?
Reply ID 87399
quote:Just love it when you talk dirty[:D][:D]
Originally posted by Forbesquote:Back in November BBC National had a new 600 watt transmitter installed at Epping Green which explains the recent improvement in BBC DAB reception - http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=1604
Does anyone know if the changes to the TV service have upgraded the DAB radio reception in Hertford?
Reply ID 87402
Whatever turns you on Buzz [:0]
Reply ID 87405
quote:Bengeo transmitter will be sending enough 'juice' soon but it all depends on where you live of course. Read page 4 for Hertford and 6 for Crystal Palace for retuning frequency. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/tech-guidance/London.pdf The old adage, as any IT expert will tell you, un-plug your electrical 'life' for just two minutes, think about how much money you can save by not ringing the 'yawn-omated' telephone service costing a few quid, contemplate a bit and then plug your life back in. A new digital compliant tv works too (they didn't tell us that!) as an old portable tv cannot cope with the update as it was not built for digital.
Originally posted by alison
I've lost all channels and can't pick up anything after various efforts of re-tuning and balancing the indoor aerial in various odd locations in an effort to pick up a signal (any signal). Prior to digital signal, I could only pick up BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Ch4 on my new Freeview digital tv so it's never been much good. I've been told I'll need to get a roof-top aerial fixed as the Bengeo transmitter is no longer sending enough juice to my house.
Reply ID 87407
quote:...thanks Forbes - useful info.
Originally posted by Forbesquote:Back in November BBC National had a new 600 watt transmitter installed at Epping Green which explains the recent improvement in BBC DAB reception - http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=1604
Does anyone know if the changes to the TV service have upgraded the DAB radio reception in Hertford?
Reply ID 87428
Thanks Forbes for your advice. As I'm one not one to be beaten (although usually very confused) by technology, I dug out the instruction book for the tv and found out that apparently the default auto and manual tuning is for analogue but if I press another set of buttons I get digital tuning. Never realised this option existed and now have a fair few Freeview channels all with a perfect picture using my lowly indoor aerial - a good signal indeed from the Bengeo transmitter thingy. Doh!!!
Reply ID 87786
Does anyone know if there is any prospect of more Freeview channels in the future from the Hertford repeater?
Reply ID 87795
I don't think so, The Hertford transmitter only broadcasts 4 channels (now digital multiplexes) The full freeview service uses 6 channels/multiplexes.
Reply ID 87804
Hertford has three channels Channel 61 PSB1 (BBC) BBC PSB channels standard definition Channel 58 PSB2 (D3/D4) commercial PSB channels standard definition Channel 54 PSB3 (HD) High Definition of BBC, ITV & Channel 4 There won't be any more channels added for the other commercial multiplexes.
Reply ID 87821
As it stands Bengeo is on two channels 49 & 58, although I have seen documentation from two different sources that state channel 54 is also allocated for Bengeo but at this very moment it is not active. Ch54's intended use is for 4 x HD channels.
Reply ID 87847
And indeed Forbes is correct, Channel 61 was used in the period between the two retunes. In my defence I thought the BBC's internal database would have been correct, it doesn't seem to be. I'll have to find out why....
Reply ID 87849
Channel 61 was to be used but had to be changed to 49 to clear the 800MHz spectrum so the Government can sell it off and make lots/some/not a lot of money. I'm told that the Channel 54 HD mux is on the air. And yes, the database hadn't been updated was wrong.
Reply ID 88280
Is anybody else having problems with their digital signal from Sandy Heath? Many channels were un-watchable last night which I had put down to the atrocious weather, unfortunately its the same again this morning and its ruining the rugby! Before I call the aerial guys I'd like to know if anyone else is experiencing the same. Many thanks.
Reply ID 88324
I'm having trouble with my Freeview. I had everything tuned in nicely to Sandy Heath with no real problems. Now the BBC channels are pulling in a poorer signal showing London area - which I assume is the Bengeo transmitter now taking over. Any thoughts please? reception over the last couple of nights has been poor on these channels [:(]
Reply ID 91591
Has anyone had any problems with the digital service over the last few days as I noticed last night and this morning that certain channels were breaking up a lot (BBC1, 2 and ITV)? Apologies, but as was dark this morning so could not see if aerial out of position, and I'm unsure which way the aerial faces anyway!
Reply ID 91602
Yes we had lost BBC1 over the weekend but re-tuning got it back. Not sure why but its OK now.
Reply ID 91608
Thank's doesn't appear to have been my aeriel - all seemed fine again this morning
Reply ID 91684
Didn't get these problems with analogue!!!!
Reply ID 91694
I spoke too soon on Tuesday, problems returned with BBC1 last night, but appear fine again this morning! [:(!]