Wharfedale DV832B Freeview Box - silly question

grimtales1 · 06-01-2008, 10:35

I got this box for Christmas (to replace my rubbish Nokia 121).
The picture quality of the Wharfedale is good but once or twice I've notice the sound cut out in broadcasts (only for part of a second) - but its still annoying. Could it be the SCART lead thats doing that?
I have a very good signal on all channels (even C5) right now, and the box also copes when the signal isnt as good. The Wharfedale doesnt do the annoying/freezing crashing the Nokia did.

niall campbell · 06-01-2008, 10:46

some boxes will do this and only hope a software update at 3 am so keep switched on

whats your digital strength ? and what postcode and transmittor are you on

is it certain channels?

grimtales1 · 06-01-2008, 10:51

The signal strength seems to be near if not actually 100% on the main channels 1-5, BBC3, 4, ITV2 etc).

The sound thing so far happened on BBC4 on Friday when I watched that History of British Pop thing, and last night on BBC1 with MOTD.

I'm in St. Albans (AL4) so the nearest transmitter may be the one in Crystal Palace (not sure TBH).

Good point, I'm always forgetting to leave my box on, I'm always turning it off, I thought it was an automatic download.

niall campbell · 06-01-2008, 10:53

it will be automatic if you leave on

niall campbell · 06-01-2008, 11:01

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ339712

seems to be some problems with that transmittor but bbc 1 on maximum strength

a more detailed look

http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd....L&HT=10&OS=al4

with hemel hempstead only 6 miles away !

grimtales1 · 06-01-2008, 11:15

Thanks for this

When I tuned in my box the BBC1, 2, ITV signals etc seemed to be tuned in from UHF 22-25 so it must be using the CP transmitter (more powerful but further away).
Hemel is only 400W

At the switchover, the bandwith should be increased 10 fold.

CWatters · 06-01-2008, 11:24

Put your full postcode into here and select local. Should tell you more about the aerial needed and which is best transmitter to point at.

http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe?

Entering AL4 suggests you need an amplified extra hi-gain aerial for all transmitters.

Group A horizontal polarization for Crystal Palace
Group CD vertical for Hemel Hempstead
Group E (wide band) horizontal for Sandy Heath

Generally a grouped aerial performs better than a wideband.

More great info here..

http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/digitalterrtvrecep.htm

Is there any kind of signal booster amp being used at the moment? That can cause problems. The Freeview box will indicate a strong signal but most of it might be noise. Any amplifier/booster used should be the mast head type.

Are there any local noise sources? I have a relative that looses sound when someone uses the lift in their block of flats. The noise from a washing machine might do likewise in the right conditions.

grimtales1 · 06-01-2008, 11:33

My TV has some kind of booster which I assume is the mast head type, (its outside I'm sure) its back from when our TV was first tuned in (but our roof arial is crap).

grimtales1 · 07-01-2008, 15:03

I left the box on last night at 3am - I dont know if its updated though.
The UHF's for the BBC Freeview Channels, ITV, C4, C5 etc seem to be 22 through 25 on my box.

niall campbell · 07-01-2008, 17:01

you should be looking at 80 to 85 % digi signal strength as this will increase after analogue shut down

any stronger will cause analogue real problems as you swamp them , so you dont need an aerial

what you would have to do is find the software version, probally google the box and software version

reviews of your box, looks good to me at the start but if you look at the bootom of page it goes on about sound dropouts

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...le-dv832b.html

you might be better with freesatfromsky or the new freesat ?

same price as new aerial install ............. which you dont need , just different options

grimtales1 · 07-01-2008, 18:13

Thanks.
I'm not sure "exactly" how strong the signal is but looks good to me at the moment. Importantly, even when the analogue picture isnt as good it seems to be OK (ie digital still works).
Those reviews are right about the occasional sound drop outs/stutters which annoy.
With the old Nokia ITV and C4 had by far the strongest signal (well into the green" area - ie up to 75-100% I think). BBC1 and 2 were "just" into it,

niall campbell · 07-01-2008, 20:09

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/f...splay.php?f=13

you might get on better here and the technical forum in terrestial is good .............................. however they are very technical people and having no terrestial signal for 30 years it was hard to understand what they go on about but if i can understand you will !

just take your time

chrisjr · 07-01-2008, 20:36

I have a feeling this is a "feature of this box sir"

My mum had a Goodmans box (still does though it's been relegated to the bedroom) which did the same thing. And correct me if I'm wrong but the common factor is that both boxes are Vestel under the hood?

My mums Goodmans box, and for that matter the Wharfedale PVR that replaced it, would glitch on things as banal as opening or closing the fridge door (ie the light turning on/off). Seems they are hyper sensitive to mains glitches. Whether that is spikes travelling down the wires or through the air or both I never did work out. Though one would hope mains wiring borne spikes would get filtered out by the power supply.

But you could guarantee that the box would glitch at least two times when you went to make a cuppa - when you opened the fridge door to get the milk out and when you closed it again.

Oddly switching the kettle on or off didn't cause a problem - must be a better suppressed switch in the kettle

bobcar · 07-01-2008, 22:39

Try getting a mains suppressor/surge protector adaptor (Belkin is a decent make), this can very often cure this type of problem especially if it occurs when fridges etc switch on/off.

mikw · 08-01-2008, 12:57

It may be the wind, our freeview reception is superb but when the wind is gusty it blows out old aerial around and this leads to "skips" in both picture and sound.

AlanO · 08-01-2008, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimtales1

Thanks for this

When I tuned in my box the BBC1, 2, ITV signals etc seemed to be tuned in from UHF 22-25 so it must be using the CP transmitter (more powerful but further away).
Hemel is only 400W

At the switchover, the bandwith should be increased 10 fold.

It's unlikely in St Albans you'll get anything from the Hemel transmitter, it's not strong enough.

Most of St Albans should get a good signal from Crystal Palace - though some at the north end of town may get a better result from Sandy Heath both a powerful transmitters.

06-01-2008, 10:35	#1
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	Wharfedale DV832B Freeview Box - silly question I got this box for Christmas (to replace my rubbish Nokia 121). The picture quality of the Wharfedale is good but once or twice I've notice the sound cut out in broadcasts (only for part of a second) - but its still annoying. Could it be the SCART lead thats doing that? I have a very good signal on all channels (even C5) right now, and the box also copes when the signal isnt as good. The Wharfedale doesnt do the annoying/freezing crashing the Nokia did.

06-01-2008, 10:46	#2
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	some boxes will do this and only hope a software update at 3 am so keep switched on whats your digital strength ? and what postcode and transmittor are you on is it certain channels?

06-01-2008, 10:51	#3
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	The signal strength seems to be near if not actually 100% on the main channels 1-5, BBC3, 4, ITV2 etc). The sound thing so far happened on BBC4 on Friday when I watched that History of British Pop thing, and last night on BBC1 with MOTD. I'm in St. Albans (AL4) so the nearest transmitter may be the one in Crystal Palace (not sure TBH). Good point, I'm always forgetting to leave my box on, I'm always turning it off, I thought it was an automatic download.

06-01-2008, 10:53	#4
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	it will be automatic if you leave on

06-01-2008, 11:01	#5
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ339712 seems to be some problems with that transmittor but bbc 1 on maximum strength a more detailed look http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd....L&HT=10&OS=al4 with hemel hempstead only 6 miles away !

06-01-2008, 11:15	#6
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	Thanks for this When I tuned in my box the BBC1, 2, ITV signals etc seemed to be tuned in from UHF 22-25 so it must be using the CP transmitter (more powerful but further away). Hemel is only 400W At the switchover, the bandwith should be increased 10 fold.

06-01-2008, 11:24	#7
CWatters Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 18 miles from Sandy Heath Posts: 382	Put your full postcode into here and select local. Should tell you more about the aerial needed and which is best transmitter to point at. http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe? Entering AL4 suggests you need an amplified extra hi-gain aerial for all transmitters. Group A horizontal polarization for Crystal Palace Group CD vertical for Hemel Hempstead Group E (wide band) horizontal for Sandy Heath Generally a grouped aerial performs better than a wideband. More great info here.. http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/digitalterrtvrecep.htm Is there any kind of signal booster amp being used at the moment? That can cause problems. The Freeview box will indicate a strong signal but most of it might be noise. Any amplifier/booster used should be the mast head type. Are there any local noise sources? I have a relative that looses sound when someone uses the lift in their block of flats. The noise from a washing machine might do likewise in the right conditions.

06-01-2008, 11:33	#8
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	My TV has some kind of booster which I assume is the mast head type, (its outside I'm sure) its back from when our TV was first tuned in (but our roof arial is crap).

07-01-2008, 15:03	#9
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	I left the box on last night at 3am - I dont know if its updated though. The UHF's for the BBC Freeview Channels, ITV, C4, C5 etc seem to be 22 through 25 on my box.

07-01-2008, 17:01	#10
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	you should be looking at 80 to 85 % digi signal strength as this will increase after analogue shut down any stronger will cause analogue real problems as you swamp them , so you dont need an aerial what you would have to do is find the software version, probally google the box and software version reviews of your box, looks good to me at the start but if you look at the bootom of page it goes on about sound dropouts http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...le-dv832b.html you might be better with freesatfromsky or the new freesat ? same price as new aerial install ............. which you dont need , just different options

07-01-2008, 18:13	#11
grimtales1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Albans, UK, Team Wagner Posts: 42,874	Thanks. I'm not sure "exactly" how strong the signal is but looks good to me at the moment. Importantly, even when the analogue picture isnt as good it seems to be OK (ie digital still works). Those reviews are right about the occasional sound drop outs/stutters which annoy. With the old Nokia ITV and C4 had by far the strongest signal (well into the green" area - ie up to 75-100% I think). BBC1 and 2 were "just" into it,

07-01-2008, 20:09	#12
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/f...splay.php?f=13 you might get on better here and the technical forum in terrestial is good .............................. however they are very technical people and having no terrestial signal for 30 years it was hard to understand what they go on about but if i can understand you will ! just take your time

07-01-2008, 20:36	#13
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	I have a feeling this is a "feature of this box sir" My mum had a Goodmans box (still does though it's been relegated to the bedroom) which did the same thing. And correct me if I'm wrong but the common factor is that both boxes are Vestel under the hood? My mums Goodmans box, and for that matter the Wharfedale PVR that replaced it, would glitch on things as banal as opening or closing the fridge door (ie the light turning on/off). Seems they are hyper sensitive to mains glitches. Whether that is spikes travelling down the wires or through the air or both I never did work out. Though one would hope mains wiring borne spikes would get filtered out by the power supply. But you could guarantee that the box would glitch at least two times when you went to make a cuppa - when you opened the fridge door to get the milk out and when you closed it again. Oddly switching the kettle on or off didn't cause a problem - must be a better suppressed switch in the kettle

07-01-2008, 22:39	#14
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Try getting a mains suppressor/surge protector adaptor (Belkin is a decent make), this can very often cure this type of problem especially if it occurs when fridges etc switch on/off.

08-01-2008, 12:57	#15
mikw Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 34,391	It may be the wind, our freeview reception is superb but when the wind is gusty it blows out old aerial around and this leads to "skips" in both picture and sound.

08-01-2008, 22:35	#16
AlanO Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,902	Quote: Originally Posted by grimtales1 Thanks for this When I tuned in my box the BBC1, 2, ITV signals etc seemed to be tuned in from UHF 22-25 so it must be using the CP transmitter (more powerful but further away). Hemel is only 400W At the switchover, the bandwith should be increased 10 fold. It's unlikely in St Albans you'll get anything from the Hemel transmitter, it's not strong enough. Most of St Albans should get a good signal from Crystal Palace - though some at the north end of town may get a better result from Sandy Heath both a powerful transmitters.

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Wharfedale DV832B Freeview Box - silly question