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Hidden testcard
[Deleted User]
Posts: 13
Forum Member
You can display the test card on any reasonably new Freeview receiver
using the following steps. Note that some older set top boxes do not
fully conform with the specifications and may be unable to access this
service.
1. Tune to the BBCi channel (currently ch. 105)
2. When the BBCi background appears, press Yellow (within 30 secs)
3. Tune away to a different channel
4. Tune back to the BBCi channel (currently ch. 105)
5. When the BBCi background appears, press Green (within 30 secs)
The word 'Secret' will appear in the top right hand corner
6. Wait until the status page appears
7. Enter 3, 3, 5, 8, 2, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue
(note "33582" spells out the word "DELTA" on a mobile phone keypad)
8. Wait approximately 30 seconds
Test card W will appear
have fun
using the following steps. Note that some older set top boxes do not
fully conform with the specifications and may be unable to access this
service.
1. Tune to the BBCi channel (currently ch. 105)
2. When the BBCi background appears, press Yellow (within 30 secs)
3. Tune away to a different channel
4. Tune back to the BBCi channel (currently ch. 105)
5. When the BBCi background appears, press Green (within 30 secs)
The word 'Secret' will appear in the top right hand corner
6. Wait until the status page appears
7. Enter 3, 3, 5, 8, 2, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue
(note "33582" spells out the word "DELTA" on a mobile phone keypad)
8. Wait approximately 30 seconds
Test card W will appear
have fun
0
Comments
The status page that starts with 'Secret' has been documented previously, but the key combination leading to TCW is a new one to me.
Thanks for this.
It got as far as the Status page, but entering the code just got me a black screen, even after a long wait.
But, the front panel display on the PVR displayed UCL or something like that, which I have never seen before. Needed a re boot, so I guess it just chashed.
Same here on an Echostar T101+.
What do the regional variations do?
Thanks for that.
It works on my Toshiba IDTV, but the Humax 9200 gives only the middle part of the card - just the circle - filling the screen.
Can anyone confirm this?
Or even a CD of authentic testcard music of the 60's.
(Would that be better than birdsong on Oneword's former DAB channel??:))
Just a blank screen on the old IDTV, however my Sony displayed it as soon as I had pushed BLUE.
Very interesting - thanks.
If this is being broadcast then it should be a little less hidden away (perhaps in the BBCi Help menu somewhere), could be invaluable for people setting up new TVs.
I didn't know about the status page either, if BBCi knows which region you're in, why isn't this used for anything? (I never understood why they broadcast all the regions news on BBCi anyway, I'm not really interested in Yorkshire's local news unless it is important - in which case it will be in the national news anyway. This space could be better used for some of the Ceefax content that hasn't been transferred over.)
I have test card W and PM5544 on DVD already but this gives possibility of real off air comparison and set ups.
Many thanks.
Pure nostalgia. Brings back memories of when I was a child and that test card was broadcast on BBC2 in the daytime. Ah I remember that phrase "BBC2 returns to a trade test transmission"
I tried changing my region on the "status" page, but can't see any difference.
Now it's time to bring back the old trade test colour films and don't forget to SIDE (Switch off, Isolate, Dump & Earth). I think that came from a film about nuclear reactors.
For those getting nostalgic for older test cards I can remember Test Card C and the alternated "Demonstration Film"
Bring those back too! What goes around comes around, who knows one day television might be worth watching again.
I presume it's so that BBCi on Mux B channels is consistent with BBCi on Mux 1. I don't imagine there's any way the regional data could be found if Ch105 was on Mux B.
Also agree with Ian that the tuning in and out bit is interesting - maybe there's some status flag in a set top box that is activated initially, but it's have to be a part of the DVB spec if it were to exist. Very strange.
I wonder what other gems are lurking there to be discovered.