[Andy Woods]

Hi,
Could anyone please tell me why I lose my HD Channels on Freeview when I insert my Top-Up TV module into the CAM slot on my TV? I subscribe to ESPN and have a Sony Bravia KDL37EX 503. Whenever I want to watch a Freeview HD Channel I have to remove the module.... any help appreciated!
Thanks.

[Rodders53]

Where are you (what transmitter)?

What signal level & quality readings does the TV give on each multiplex when the CAM is out and what when it is in? {I'm thinking weak / marginal signals being tipped over the edge by the signals going to/from the CAM}.

Sony and/or TUTV may have heard of similar problems? Have you checked with them?

[Andy Woods]

Hi Rodders,
Thanks for your reply. I'm served by the Belmont transmitter and live in Norfolk close to the Wash. I get the impression that this area isn't served by a particularly strong signal and for a previous problem of a similar nature was recommended to do a manual channel search which is what I'll do again. Haven't been in touch with TUTV or Sony but that's another avenue I'll explore.
I'm thinking along the lines of a marginal signal not being helped by the CAM slot in the Sony and so buying a Freeview PVR with a CAM slot could also be an answer?
Thanks again.

[Boostrail]

Originally Posted by Andy Woods

Hi Rodders,
Thanks for your reply. I'm served by the Belmont transmitter and live in Norfolk close to the Wash. I get the impression that this area isn't served by a particularly strong signal and for a previous problem of a similar nature was recommended to do a manual channel search which is what I'll do again. Haven't been in touch with TUTV or Sony but that's another avenue I'll explore.
I'm thinking along the lines of a marginal signal not being helped by the CAM slot in the Sony and so buying a Freeview PVR with a CAM slot could also be an answer?
Thanks again.

In your location you might be better served by the Tacolneston (Norfolk) transmitter.

Also however I have rellies who live about 8 miles SSE of Kings Lynn who get excellent service from Sandy Heath (Beds/Cambs border!) admittedly using a largish array with a mast head amp.

[Rodders53]

Use the detailed view of Digital UK - Postcode checker to get accurate reception predictions for your home address.

Post the village name or postcode of a very nearby shop, business, village hall, church and the like and we'll interpret the prediction result, if you need. Postcode Checker - Detailed View is one for the Chemists in Heacham and indicates Belmont should be good there, and a second aerial ought to get the correct regional TV from Kings Lynn relay. No sign of Tacolneston, though

Without signal strength/quality readings from your TV we can't know if the set thinks it is being fed with a good or poor signal. (For all we know TUTV may have different brands of CAM available and the issue you have is a known problem with one type?).

[Trollslayer]

This sounds like a software issue in the TV, if a channel is not encrypted the TV shouldn't even look at the CAM/card.
Certainly this should not affect reception, the tuner is nowhere near the CAM.

[MCat]

Looks like an incompatibility between the CAM and TVsoftware. If its an official TopUp CAM then you could try an Aston SECA CAM instead which has different software on it.
HTH

[Andy Woods]

Thanks to everyone for your help... plenty to go on there. Will probably settle for a new Freeview box with a CAM slot but problems with my Humax has left me rather low on confidence in this area. Will try out all your suggestions over weekend!
Thanks again... this is a very helpful community!

[MCat]

Andy, How did you get on? Cheers

[Andy Woods]

Hi MCat,
In the end I decided to buy another PVR with a CAM slot for my ESPN TUTV which solved several problems all in one go! I wasn't terribly happy with my previous recorder so opted for a Samsung BDDT 7800 purely on the excellent review it got in What Hi-Fi. The wide range of reviews it received across the 'net made me a little wary but I trusted the What Hi-Fi review enough to go for it and so far I'm really pleased with it in spite of a few niggles here and there. The biggest problem most reviewers have is that it will not record 2 channels at once but that really isn't an issue for me. Directly, the module in the TV CAM slot problem isn't solved but my new PVR has provided me with an indirect stylish solution. Thanks for your interest and help... my gut feeling is the fault lies between the TV software and the TUTV CAM too.