Fluctuating freeview signal - why ?

[SimonSays]

Can any of you knowledgeable folks help please ...
I have a Panasonic TUCT30 freeview box connected to a loft aerial (not ideal, I know, but we're not allowed a roof one).

Signal quality is 10/10 for BBC channels, but varies every few seconds between 4 and 7ish for ITV/C4 (I understand that these are on a different MUX). The result is a freezing picture and spitting-broken-up sound.

I'm trying to work out what to change to improve things. Proper satellite cable from the aerial to the box with no joins/connections is recommended, but would this help with these symptoms ? The existing cable seems reasonable quality, although it does go into a box on the wall. Anyone got any other suggestions ?

Many thanks in advance,
Simon.

 

[LV426]

New cable might help. Also - the different 'muxes' are on different radio frequencies - it may be that your existing aerial is optimised for a frequency range other than that used for the ITV/C4 mux. A wideband aerial (get the highest gain you can find) may alleviate.

 

[SimonSays]

Thanks for the quick reply Nigel.
I already did a little research on the frequencies for the different MUXs used by the transmitter that I think my aerial is pointing at. From this I concluded that one with a red plug in the end would be best.
Moved into house recently - I found 2 aerials in the loft ! The one I tried first looked cheap and had a black plug (therefore possibly wide band) but this only gave me a signal quality of 5 or less, constantly. The red plug one gives up to 7 but goes up and down to 5 or less every few seconds - so that 's better, but not quite good enough. I'll try some new cable and see what happens - want to avoid the expense of having a new aerial installed, which may not cure the problem !

Cheers,
Simon.

 

[s2kmike]

I posted yesterday this exact problem in a new flat using their communal area.

I am now wondering if this is a glitch on MUX2 and might correct it self over the next few days, as i note on the DTG schedule there is planned upgrades on MUX2 over the next week to increase the signal by +3DB over the next few weeks.

Therefore it might mean these spits and freezing problems could be fixed without any further changes to our aerial setup

What do you think ?

 

[s2kmike]

I posted yesterday this exact problem in a new flat using their communal area.

I am now wondering if this is a glitch on MUX2 and might correct it self over the next few days, as i note on the DTG schedule there is planned upgrades on MUX2 over the next week to increase the signal by +3DB over the next few weeks.

Therefore it might mean these spits and freezing problems could be fixed without any further changes to our aerial setup

What do you think ?

 

[SimonSays]

I hope that you're right, but my optimism decreases as my age increases !
I guess it's your best hope,as you don't have control over the communal aerial or the cabling between it and your socket on the wall.
There's quite a lot of advice on the satcure web site about aerials, cable, sockets, connections etc. As my other half wants a socket on the wall rather than the cable coming straight through into the digital receiver (recommended method), I've bought a shielded socket box (only £5 from B&Q) and I'm going to replace the cable from that to the box (as well as the run from the aerial itself).
I was also wondering if a signal booster might help, but as a friend of mine said, you can't polish a turd !
I let you know how I get on ...

Cheers,
Simon.

 

[s2kmike]

Simon

My reception today seems ok, i think this is due to the 3DB increase , hope you are getting better results let me know ?

Checked my Freeview box today ITV, CH4, ITV2, no freezing or pixellation

Signal levels seem much higher today

Cheers

Mike

 

[SimonSays]

ITV etc channels do seem better of late, and I did get some improvement by replacing the wall socket with a shielded one and replacing the lead. They still seem more prone to break up than the BBC ones, but at least they are watchable more of the time now. I'm still going to replace the cable run from the aerial to the socket when we get some decent weather !
Glad your reception has improved - now all we need is some decent TV programmes !!

Regards,
Simon.

 

[sponshagga]

I don't know if my ariel fitter was b*******ing but he said that effect can be due to trees blocking the signal as they sway in the wind

 

[trevor g]

free view- outside arials - good scarts work wonders

 

[GlennP]

I have a Panasonic TUCT30 freeview box connected to a loft aerial

Simon

The Panasonic Freeview box is not as good with weak signals as some other Freeview boxes so even using your loft aerial you might get a better quality wih less breakup using a different STB. The Sony and Pioneer are both excellent - might be worth a try.