Freeview

I bought a box today, id give freeview 7/10, only because of the lack of general entertainment channels and too much shopping . Also could anyone explain to me why I am not receiving five, bidup.tv and QVC, im not too bothered about bidup and QVC but surely I should receive five as someone said it broadcasts with one of the highest signal levels, its not even in the line up, just jumps from ch4 to ITV2. Im not too clued up with the technology involved with freeview so if the question sounds daft sorry! Could it be that the nearest transmitter does not broadcast five? I have checked what channels I should receive and what channels I may not get in my area, and some channels that are unlikely to be picked up are being picked up and five according to the list should be picked up and it isn’t!

EDIT: It seems that I am not receiving Multiplex A, what does this mean?

The transmitter your recieving from could be broadcasting Multiplex A out of group from the rest of the TV channels / multiplexs.

Basically, here in Dorset, Rowridge is Group A, which is something like RF21 - 36, and everything in broadcasted within these RF channels - except for Multiplex 2 which is on 52 - so in order to get the full range of channels you need to have a Wideband aerial.

The fact it's not in the channel list suggests to me this is your problem. If you know your transmitter, you'll be able to search for what channels it broadcasts the multiplexs from, and what group that transmitter is. Chances are this will then lead you to the conclusion Mux A is out of group.

I hope this helps.
Stu

Yep, Ive just found this -

Winter Hill A - C/D
Winter Hill B - E
Storeton - K?

The only ones in the area that boardcast A are Lancaster and Pendle Forest, would a booster help?

As I don't know the local area I can't help here, but I'm sure someone who lives in that area will be able to help you!

Failing that, DigitalSpy's DTT Technicial Forum will almost defintely give you an answer!

HTH
Stu

Ok thanks, do you know if transmitters ever change what multiplex they broadcast?

They can do - at launch on Rowridge, the BBC were out of group (ch67 i think) and they have since moved to the mid 20s. ITV (Mux 2) are also rumoured to be moving into Group A, so yes it can happen.

HTH
Stu

Ok thanks, I’ll leave it for a while and see if I can pick up multiplex A by doing channel searches, if I have no joy I will consider a wideband aerial.

DTT has 6 multiplexes (groups of channels broadcast on a particular frequency). 2 of these belong to the BBC (one by divine right, one by licence), 1 is shared between ITV and C4 and is administered by a holding company, 1 is shared between C5 and S4C (and is also administered by a holding company), and the last 2 are operated by DTV, which operates as Freeview. Or to make that a bit clearer:

1 - BBC
2 - D3&4 (ITV/C4)
A - SDN (C5/S4C)
B - BBC
C - Freeview
D - Freeview

The reason some are numbered and some are lettered is that when DTT was originally established here, it was intended that 1&2 would carry free channels (although pay channels are allowed on 2) and A-D would carry pay channels (although of course free channels would be permitted too). Although it's all free now, the multiplex designators were not changed.

In order to get every DTT channel, your box must be able to find all 6 multiplexes (i.e. be able to receive all 6 frequencies that DTT is carried on)

By not getting multiplex A, you can't receive the SDN multiplex, which carries (amongst other things), Channel 5, QVC (or S4C in Wales), TV Travel Shop, and Bid-Up.TV. It also carries some of the BBC national radio services.

The system is designed so that (in theory at least) you have the best chance of receiving multiplex 1, and the least chance of receiving multiplex D. As you move further away from the transmitter, it is possible that you can't receive D, then C as you move further away still, and so on. If this happens, you need to invest in a better aerial installation, but in some cases there is nothing you can do.

But since you only can't get A, then it does suggest that you can do something simpler at your end. Try a plug in booster, make sure your aerial is properly aligned with the transmitter (and properly polarised - the number of people who don't realise that you must mount the aerial sideways for some transmitters is amazing), you should be able to receive it somehow.

hey ppl im from northern ireland and recently i bought loop boster areil for 1 4 all and i get the best signal reception ever! the quality/strength is rite up at the 100% mark!!

the airel is avable at currys stores nationwide and it is £20 - £25 and its going cheap!!

avalable in black or silver!!!!

TIP: it looks a bit like a satlite but has an integrated booster!!

cheers
Jonny

How good is Freeview on a indoor aerial ?

I'm toying with the idea for my bedroom portable, but the analogue signal varies from good to crap, depending on the aerial position, on top of the wardrobe! (I also have a aerial booster too, if this makes any difference)

I live within 10 miles of Sutton Coldfield, just over 2 miles north of Walsall.

I did try the postcode thing on the website, but surely that's for outdoor aerials only?

I was hoping to track down an old 'monkey' box at a car boot sale, 'cos I read in What Satelite, that they'd go for about a tenner, but my bro, who goes to these things, hasn't seen one.

(I do have SKY downstairs, but I didn't fancy paying more money for another connection, for channels I won't watch, plus I'd only want it for the likes of the normal 5, plus the news channels too!)

Best thing to do is try it Westy. My parents live in Cornwall, and I live in Plymouth, and can get Freeview quite well with an indoor aerial.

But saying that, neither of us more than about 5 miles from a transmitter.

It does depend, we tried On Digital with an indoor aerial and normally with Analogue TV the indoor aerial picked up a fantastic reception, except for Channel 5. But when we did try it with an indoor aerial the only MUX we could pick up was the BBC MUX and the signal was very poor. Though if you live close to a transmitter or if you use a signal booster you may have a better chance, as we live a good 20-30 Miles or so away from Winter Hill and we didn't use a booster. But for Freeview the best option it to use your bog standard outdoor aerial.