Problems with TV since digital switchover

[hjstort]

I had a similar problem with my HD/DVD recorder post April switchover. I turned off the signal booster, retuned, turned booster back on and was back to normal.

[Calverley Lad]

For the benefit of the UK users.
Freeview updates the channel program information @03.00hrs on a daily basis.
The problem with digital signals if alignment of aeriel not correctly aligned/low signal:
1) As has been reported freezing of the picture/picture breaking up.
2) Stations missing/reappearing in a haphazard way.
3)Duplication of channels, channels 1-99 then go 800.
It has been even reported that some TV sets when used with an amplifier have similar problems, that is to say the signal strength is too strong.
If the installation has been in some time the cable connecting the aerial has degenerated (8yrs typ life)
so signal is weak even in a good area.
(There is no such thing as a 'digital aerial', just put about by some installers for extra money)
 Brian

[groom]

We also have the occasional problem with pixellation - but not all the time.
I've been told this may be due to weather, and should improve when all the analogue transmitters have been turned off and the digital signal power is increased.

I had dreadful problems with pixellation with my television at the caravan, but they have increased the digital signal in readiness for the change over next week and now the picture is perfect, so dont give up hope Roger.

[Calverley Lad]

Once analogue signal off be prepared to retune  as signal will still be varied.
 Brian

[msr]

You lucky people, holding on to analogue for so long.

We were switched to the fantastic digital in 2009, and no, it was not a change for the better.

The slightest change in weather caused freezing, pixellation and sometimes complete loss of service.

No favours done as far as I'm concerned.

[mike175]

I fear these problems are something we will have to learn to live with as our lives become more and more "digital". All these devices depend on interpretation of data streams where one single bit misinterpreted can make nonsense of an entire block of data, hence the freezing or pixellating, among other things. With analogue TV you just got a slightly less than perfect picture which was usually still watchable, even through the "snowstorm" in the worst cases, but with digital it is a case of "all or nothing", hence the picture freezing or pixellating as blocks of data are lost.

One of my favourite digital quirks is the delay of the Greenwich time signal on DAB radio so it is broadcast about 2 seconds late . . . 

We had a slightly different problem after analogue switch off a few weeks ago. The TV picture was very grainy, even watching a DVD . . . I finally found it was caused by the TV aerial still being plugged in to the TV as well as the SCART connection to the set top box. Once I pulled the aerial out the picture was much improved. Yes, we still have a CRT TV, and have no intention of changing it 'til it gives up the ghost.

Mike.

[Mavals]

 

Yes, we still have a CRT TV, and have no intention of changing it 'til it gives up the ghost.

Mike.

we are not giving up our CRT set until we have to either! We have cable so the problems are not too bad (fingers crossed) but I have a friend who has experienced most of the problems described in earlier postings

[Billyblue]

(There is no such thing as a 'digital aerial', just put about by some installers for extra money)
 Brian

For the benefit of users other than UK - sorry Brian but there is a difference, at least out here in the antipodes      

The bits that stick out from the main bit (dunno what it's called) are a different length. Shorter I think but don't quote on that specific.

Dawn M

[Eking]

I wonder if anyone else has been having problems with TV coverage since digital switchover.

I have 2 TVs, one upstairs and one down – both with dtrs, and these problems only relate to the main one downstairs which is plugged into the main aerial socket where there is also a signal booster professionally installed.

Doesn’t make sense to me, anyone got any thoughts, or where I can go for answers?

What dtr do you have ?  Make and model

thanks candleflame.. Will investigate the website you mention. I know that unplugging does usually help. Also the re-tuning, but my understanding is that I will then lose everything I have recorded and stored in the library. Anyway am off to explore your website, I agree that often these are very helpful.

thanks Roger the Hat, will purge the library to watch all and then re-tune.

Retuning does not generally wipe out recordings.