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Possibility of Talking Pictures TV coming to Freesat 15/9/15.


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Old 19-09-2015, 23:17
mike65
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Have a look at this site

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/ plenty of reviews.
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Old 20-09-2015, 09:17
Richardcoulter
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Thanks, i've ordered a Manhattan S2 HD box.
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Old 21-09-2015, 21:11
Richardcoulter
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It came today. I can't believe how small it is compared to my old ex sub Sky non PVR SD box!!

My reception is a bit iffy, probably due to overgrown trees at the back. I can't get the Freesat Channel on 999; am I missing anything?

Does the app for remote control of the box only work on Freetime models (which mine isn't).

Thanks.
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Old 21-09-2015, 22:56
TelevisionUser
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It came today. I can't believe how small it is compared to my old ex sub Sky non PVR SD box!!

My reception is a bit iffy, probably due to overgrown trees at the back. I can't get the Freesat Channel on 999; am I missing anything?

Does the app for remote control of the box only work on Freetime models (which mine isn't).

Thanks.
No, not really, only announcements that this or that new channel has joined Freesat. You ought to be receiving all the channels set out here though: http://www.freesat.co.uk/channels
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Old 23-09-2015, 02:07
Richardcoulter
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No, not really, only announcements that this or that new channel has joined Freesat. You ought to be receiving all the channels set out here though: http://www.freesat.co.uk/channels
I am missing various channels. I have also noticed that when scanning for Non Freesat channels, the signal quality varies from 0 to 50%. The signal strength varies too, but is normally about 50%.
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Old 23-09-2015, 10:53
grahamlthompson
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No, not really, only announcements that this or that new channel has joined Freesat. You ought to be receiving all the channels set out here though: http://www.freesat.co.uk/channels
The lack of 999 in itself isn't significant, what is important is this normally indicates problem reception of the freesat home transponder. Without access the box won't get any channel line up and transponder changes so will get out of date. The catch 22 is you can't do a box reset either because you can't download the postcode database required to validate a UK postcode.

The OP should use non freesat to check reception from 11428 H (might say 11427 H).

It's clear the OP has major dish issues, could be alignment, reception obstruction, cabling or simply a failing lnb.

With all the major channels now on very strong UK spot beams, pretty well all channels should be around 100/100% strength/quality.
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Old 23-09-2015, 10:54
grahamlthompson
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I am missing various channels. I have also noticed that when scanning for Non Freesat channels, the signal quality varies from 0 to 50%. The signal strength varies too, but is normally about 50%.

Should be much closer to 100% - see my other post.
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Old 23-09-2015, 12:15
Ray266
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The lack of 999 in itself isn't significant, what is important is this normally indicates problem reception of the freesat home transponder. Without access the box won't get any channel line up and transponder changes so will get out of date. The catch 22 is you can't do a box reset either because you can't download the postcode database required to validate a UK postcode.

The OP should use non freesat to check reception from 11428 H (might say 11427 H).

It's clear the OP has major dish issues, could be alignment, reception obstruction, cabling or simply a failing lnb.

With all the major channels now on very strong UK spot beams, pretty well all channels should be around 100/100% strength/quality.
I know the other day I put ITV HD on & it was breaking up I called Freesat & the guy said there was no problem with it he'd heard of? I have a 1 metre dish need I say more I soon thought get a pair of variable attenuator's that did the trick funny it only happened on 119 ITV HD though. I could have changed my dish but I didn't want to do that.
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Old 23-09-2015, 12:24
grahamlthompson
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I know the other day I put ITV HD on & it was breaking up I called Freesat & the guy said there was no problem with it he'd heard of? I have a 1 metre dish need I say more I soon thought get a pair of variable attenuator's that did the trick funny it only happened on 119 ITV HD though. I could have changed my dish but I didn't want to do that.
Not suprised with a 1 metre dish you are swamping the tuners. I can get 100/100 using a 35cm camping dish. Have you got 999 back ?
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Old 23-09-2015, 13:54
Ray266
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Not suprised with a 1 metre dish you are swamping the tuners. I can get 100/100 using a 35cm camping dish. Have you got 999 back ?
I have a Panasonic dmr bs750 freesat+ Blu-ray recorder/player, I've had a 1 Metre dish for nearly 20 years [Lenson Heath] I did have it motorised to begin with & when the motor packed in I didn't bother getting a new motor I just had the dish in fixed position & I have kept it good condition painted green in the garden with Hammerite gold on the back so very little or no rust on a scaffold pole, Yes I've just tried 999 freesat news etc it works fine has there been problems with the channel? Oops just read your above post.
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Old 23-09-2015, 19:12
Richardcoulter
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The lack of 999 in itself isn't significant, what is important is this normally indicates problem reception of the freesat home transponder. Without access the box won't get any channel line up and transponder changes so will get out of date. The catch 22 is you can't do a box reset either because you can't download the postcode database required to validate a UK postcode.

The OP should use non freesat to check reception from 11428 H (might say 11427 H).

It's clear the OP has major dish issues, could be alignment, reception obstruction, cabling or simply a failing lnb.

With all the major channels now on very strong UK spot beams, pretty well all channels should be around 100/100% strength/quality.
Should be much closer to 100% - see my other post.
Well, after my PVR died, I hooked up my ex sub Sky box as an interim measure.

It wasn't giving many channels and kept going off. I have been advised that it is common for the Grundig models to suffer from a failing PSU.

I bought a basic Manhattan Freesat box as a replacement and while things are much improved, I still have problems.

Since I had Sky 15 years ago the trees at the back have grown much more, so could these be interfering with reception? Would this only affect certain frequencies and cause the massive changes in the quality and strength from second to second?

I didn't know that LNB's were probe to failure- the dish was installed in 1998.
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Old 23-09-2015, 19:27
TelevisionUser
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Well, after my PVR died, I hooked up my ex sub Sky box as an interim measure.

It wasn't giving many channels and kept going off. I have been advised that it is common for the Grundig models to suffer from a failing PSU.

I bought a basic Manhattan Freesat box as a replacement and while things are much improved, I still have problems.

Since I had Sky 15 years ago the trees at the back have grown much more, so could these be interfering with reception? Would this only affect certain frequencies and cause the massive changes in the quality and strength from second to second?

I didn't know that LNB's were probe to failure- the dish was installed in 1998.
In this instance, it might be worth calling in a local satellite installer to take a look at at what the potential issue(s) could be so that they can then be fixed as appropriate. I hope that things get sorted out for you.
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Old 24-09-2015, 11:33
Zenith
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...Since I had Sky 15 years ago the trees at the back have grown much more, so could these be interfering with reception? Would this only affect certain frequencies and cause the massive changes in the quality and strength from second to second?...
It's impossible for anybody here to know with 100% certainty whether the trees are the problem, but the fact that the quality & strength fluctuate so wildly indicates that it could be due to the branches of the trees blowing around in the wind.

Are they your trees?

...I didn't know that LNB's were probe to failure- the dish was installed in 1998.
LNB's are no different to any other electronic device. They can fail gradually over time or catastrophically (like your old PVR did). Considering they are mounted outside & have to endure all types of weather & temperatures they do a pretty good job.
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Old 24-09-2015, 14:22
Richardcoulter
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It's impossible for anybody here to know with 100% certainty whether the trees are the problem, but the fact that the quality & strength fluctuate so wildly indicates that it could be due to the branches of the trees blowing around in the wind.

Are they your trees?

LNB's are no different to any other electronic device. They can fail gradually over time or catastrophically (like your old PVR did). Considering they are mounted outside & have to endure all types of weather & temperatures they do a pretty good job.
Yes, they are my trees. I took a look this morning and there doesn't seem to be a large amount of foliage overhanging the dish. Perhaps it only takes a small amount to block a satellite signal??

I agree with your theory that the wild fluctuation in signal strength and quality could be the wind blowing the tree branches about.

I don't want to pay for an installation engineer to come out if it's simply the trees. I think I'll try to get the overhanging foliage removed to see if things improve first
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Old 24-09-2015, 15:35
Gerry Wicklow
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Yes, they are my trees. I took a look this morning and there doesn't seem to be a large amount of foliage overhanging the dish. Perhaps it only takes a small amount to block a satellite signal??

I agree with your theory that the wild fluctuation in signal strength and quality could be the wind blowing the tree branches about.

I don't want to pay for an installation engineer to come out if it's simply the trees. I think I'll try to get the overhanging foliage removed to see if things improve first
If you have a smart phone you can download an app here that shows you exactly where the satellite is in the sky from your home. This site also lets you enter your home address and use the obstacle checker to see if the trees could be a problem. Remember to select Astra 28.2E as the satellite. The dish must have a clear view of the satellite.
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Old 25-09-2015, 16:29
Richardcoulter
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Thanks, i'll take a look at that
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Old 25-09-2015, 19:33
REPASSAC
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Yes, they are my trees. I took a look this morning and there doesn't seem to be a large amount of foliage overhanging the dish. Perhaps it only takes a small amount to block a satellite signal??

I agree with your theory that the wild fluctuation in signal strength and quality could be the wind blowing the tree branches about.

I don't want to pay for an installation engineer to come out if it's simply the trees. I think I'll try to get the overhanging foliage removed to see if things improve first
Go to dishpointer.com, enter 28.2E and your location, estimate the height of the trees (angle & sun Shadow at set time of day ) and it should tell you if trees are a probem at all.
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Old 26-09-2015, 20:22
Richardcoulter
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Go to dishpointer.com, enter 28.2E and your location, estimate the height of the trees (angle & sun Shadow at set time of day ) and it should tell you if trees are a probem at all.
Cheers
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Old 10-10-2015, 16:13
Richardcoulter
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Apparently, Talking Pictures are currently in negotiations to join Freesat before Christmas
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Old 10-10-2015, 18:09
davemurgatroyd
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Another way to chrck whether obstructions are blocking the signal is to look at the dish site on a sunny morning. If there are no shadows near the dish between 9.30 and 11.00 (can't remember the site to get precise time) then there is no obstruction to signal.

Simple test - no tools or apps required merely a sunny morning.
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Old 10-10-2015, 18:16
Richardcoulter
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Another way to chrck whether obstructions are blocking the signal is to look at the dish site on a sunny morning. If there are no shadows near the dish between 9.30 and 11.00 (can't remember the site to get precise time) then there is no obstruction to signal.

Simple test - no tools or apps required merely a sunny morning.
Cheers, I'll try that in the morning
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Old 11-10-2015, 18:45
davemurgatroyd
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Cheers, I'll try that in the morning
Time is around 9.30 a.m. - here is the site http://www.satellite-calculations.co...terference.php
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Old 15-10-2015, 12:50
hatpeg
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Also look to see if a spyders webb is on your dish.
I had picture break up, cleared the Webb, and picture returned perfect.
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Old 15-10-2015, 13:13
M60
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Also look to see if a spyders webb is on your dish.
I had picture break up, cleared the Webb, and picture returned perfect.
Spider and Web
These two words describe, in correct English, what your saying. Please start a new thread to discuss this as not to distract from the actual subject of the this one.
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Old 17-10-2015, 23:09
Grouty
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Some cracking old black and whities on there, i recorded The Boys one tonight, with Tinker from Lovejoy
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