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I went to a dealer the other day looking for a set top box. I found one I liked and executed a plan to purchase it. Plugged her in and executed some functions that got some channels and am generally very happy with the reception and quality.
However one channel has major problems with sound.
But the picture is excellant :confused: Makes no sense to me.
Anyone experienced this and fixed it without paying someone:o
More information on sound problem please....
crackle a bit like earthing a speaker cable and high pitched squeals and fizzes (and am not very good with onomatopoeia) then the machine must tell it that something's up and the sound stops.
That is a problem associated with weak signal or signal dropout, check your coax, all connectors and if you have any splitters replace them with F types if they are the old screw and saddle type.
With digital it likes a clean signal and all sorts of little bits of crap get in given a chance and cause all sorts of little problems.
Having said that it could be the antenna, is it cut for the digital channels or just the analogue, what transmitterare you pointing at.
For example with the analogue system you could be on channel 32-40 UHF and the digital could be 36-55 UHF, if your antenna is for the former and dedicated it will have problems with the new range of frequencies.
In Melb this is not a problem (except for some of the repeaters in the Dandenongs) as the configuration of channels is similar.
Also the antenna could be past its use by date (read stuffed).
As an afterthought, is SCB 10 the problem, if so it could be that it's not in full swing yet and still testing.
Have a look at this link
http://www.southerncrossbroadcasting...and/Mackay.pdf
I've heard that you need to be careful about the sound output from channels where you have less than good reception.
Apparently, as the STB cuts in-and-out, it can generate square edges on the audio signal, and this can blow the speakers.
I think I saw this on Whirlpool, and it was receiving some serious discussion.
Cheap insurance is to turn the volume down when visiting the dodgy channel.
Cheers,
Andrew
Our reception was lousy so we got a new antenna (from dick smith) and it didn't help. So I bought the set top box. It is channel 10 and sometimes ABC. SBS is good and so is 9 and 7.
But why would the picture quality remain?
There are some splitters on the cable in the ceiling somewhere. I'll take them out of the line and see if it helps.
(I'll have to study what you said earlier and keep switching back to analogue till I figure it out:o )
Cheers
Unfortunately Smiths Dick don't always have a great deal of knowledge on antennas, if it's big it must be good.
Try some electrical wholesalers in town and see if you can find a Log Periodic Band 3-4-5.
It is only just over one metre long but has considerably more gain than the combination antennas, and another bonus is there is no balun, the coax connects straight in.
It will probably have a part number like LP345 or similar, any good tech should know what you are talking about.
Cost is about $65-$70 and well worth it for the increase in gain.
They boast about 10db as opposed to about 3-5db on a combo that can be over 2 metres long with massive elements hanging everywhere, but do not be fooled by the lack of size.
Gain works on a logarithmic scale doubling every 3db, so 6db is double 3, 9db is double 6db and so on so it is an impressive figure.
I agree with Iain. Forget DSE for this issue. I had similar problems and managed to fix them with a decent antenna. Initially I thought I was getting interference from somewhere and nearly went nuts trying to figure it out. Then I realised the signal meter was supposed to have a blue bar in the middle of it (it didn't). I got a new antenna and booster and now I have a solid blue bar and no noise or pixellation. Note that if your screen occasionally 'freezes', this is most likely just a reception problem.
So I have to spend some more money. darn it.
Thanks fella's
The other trap I have found with STB's is the 'strength meter', it (depending upon the box) can read signal strength 80%, but 80% of what???
It is a trap for the unwary and those who do not understand RF or the principles of digital recption.
You simply cannot have a bad picture, it cannot happen.
My STB work as low as 28db microvolts which is very low, some of the crappy ones will start to bomb out at around low 50's.
On analogue TV is pretty much unwatchable at about 55dbmv.
To make a digital analogy, imagine you are standing in a river and your mate is 100 metres downstream, he wants a beer, so you tip a can of beer in the river and he has to get it and seperate the beer from the water, thats analogue.
Digital, you put the can in the river and let him retrieve the can and open it himself.
No pollution, just the content of the can, its a bit more complex than that but essentially thats why you get such a clean image.
Digital arrives in coded blocks and the STB decodes that block of signal from the beer can, pull the antenna out of the wall and the transmission will continue for 2-3 seconds then freeze before going off.
That is because the STB has all the information and is still decoding what is on board and relaying to your TV until it runs out.
What can cause problems is a line of sight interuption like a tree in the wind, a large truck passing by etc.
Anyway, the more signal you have the better the chances of an uninterupted TV reception.
NB. Groggy and I went to the same school, as did Cliff Rogers and a few others here, albeit a few years apart.
So basically if I put in a STB and go digital I can then pull free beer out of the river down the road. :p :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Unless you have good clear line of sight to the river then the beer will be watered down a bit.
ps. Removed splitters and it didn't fix Ch10 or ABc too much. Looks like it's a new antenna. And I've just spent all my bonus. drat.
Mick,
You may be getting errors but they probably are affecting the picture.
One of the things with audio is it very unforgiving of errors, or rather our ears are unforgiving. A burst of errors will affect video and audio. The audio error may give a squeal or pop, which you cannot ignore (even if in another room). However the same error may cause a small pause or blocking in the picture which is much less likely to offend the senses.
But then again maybe you just need more time in the river of beer!:D
g'day mickQuote:
Originally Posted by Gingermick
Just came across this thread. I had the same problem you did. Luckily I got my new Loewe and STB from a reputable dealer who is famous for after sales service. I was assured I was getting the best bang for buck when I bought me new tele 12 months ago. As we have excellent line of site to our local transmitter we don't need an aerial for any channel. We get SCTV, Ten, 7even, WIN, SBS, ABC2 and ABCTV. We also get a number of Digital Radio Stations. Apart from those, the STB "auto-tuned" a few other station signals. They were SBSHDTV1, SBSHDTV2 and ABCHDTV. These stations were "broadcasting" stills and test patterns in HDTV and the audio reception was jerking, popping, squeaking while the video was pixilating all over the place like a mad woman on a trampoline. I don't know if those stations broadcast in HDTV mode anywhere else in the country (maybe only regional areas) but I just detuned the STB to get rid of all the HDTV stuff on the advice of the guru at the retailer and the other stations are fine. Are they HDTV signals you are pickingup?:eek:
And pray tell how does one get signal from outside to the tuner, a properly tuned antenna is an absolute must regardless of where you are, it is an elementary formula to calculate the length of elements to match the frequency transmitted, a length of wire, whilst it may work to a degree, can only serve to pick up unwanted signal from other sources.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shedhand
Number of elements=directors, individually tuned for your range in your area, spacing is critical as is length as this dictates gain.
Reflectors eliminate some extranious unwanted signal from the rear and sides, a yagi is extremely directional and will help eliminate most problems with reflected signal but no antenna?????
Do you just point the coax socket at the transmitter and wait for the signal to fall in the little hole?
The other point with HDTV, why didn't your dealer supply you with a HDSTB 12 months ago when you bought the TV?
Loewe have been running 100Hz for some time now and it would have been advantageous to get the best from the TV, after all HDSTB's will receive SD but SDSTB's won't accept HD.
To take that one step further, after having a conversation with our illustrious moderator, I was talking about those crappy caravan antenna, the little plastic tube with a bit of wire inside.
I thought I might make a few but mine would be an improved model.
As most of us techs know RF is affected by UV radiation, hence, better radio reception at night, now, what I plan on doing is building the same antenna but housing it in a BLACK tube as being kept in the dark it has to improve reception.
I may just patent that idea.
If Groggy or Cliff Rogers steal this idea I will sue:p
Iain, I didn't know you were a dark sider. :eek:
Just SD. It picks up HD but tells me that it is a high definition signal and I am not allowed to view it.
The advice of the eletronics store (not DS) was to employ joe and his magical signal strength meter as I may only require to move the antenna.
Thanks everyone
I use a spectrum analyser as not only does it show the signal strength, it also shows what else is out there with it, true digital reading and reflections too.
A signal strength meter cannot show that.
You can pick up HD just that your box won't decode it.
It won't hurt your TV, it will just drive you mad:D :D
I thought it was because I didn't have a HDTV
Ok, I'm convinced.......any reccomendations on a SD set top box, there's all sorts of brands out there.
You trying to open a can of worms???
Depends upon where you are, or more to the point how far away your transmitters are and what the signal strength is like.
I have an Emtec box which works well in low signal areas, we have reasonable reception but I wanted a good unit, Thomson are also a good unit but some of the cheapies will fail to work on low signal.
I set mine up at Lakes Entrance and picked up Mt Tassie near Traralgon, it worked well but A TEAC announced there was no signal along with a few other cheapies.
Humax are OK.
Some of the names you see might not be familiar but Emtec and Humax are big in satellite TV and digital incorporates the same technology except it is terrestial.
The $75.00 units from the supermarkets may well work but, as I pointed out, it depends upon your proximity to the transmitter.
I shall leave that ball in your court, have a look at your local retailers with some on display and ask your local TV repair person who can possibly offer more assistance.
Beats me mate. I'm not a techie on things as arcane as tv electronics but I can guarantee I do not have an aerial, indoor or out door. I have a Strong SRT 5200 SDTV STB (it was a package deal at the time) and as no-one was broadcasting HDTV then, the guys at the retailer told me it would be cheaper to wait til HDTV was mainstream and to then upgrade to HDTV STB. Maybe i'm not getting the best out of my Loewe though the picture quality is about 1000% better than the old Sony I had.:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Cheers
Hi all
I just moved house and becuase of my crap reception in the new place (only 200m from the old place) I went digital. Actually, my dad went digital, then got foxtel and stopped watching FTA, so I stole his set top box.
Using the existing antenna, but replacing the coax cable with RG6 quadshield (thanks for the help everyone esp Iain - your coax stripper will be on its way back very soon I promise!), I now get a brilliant picture.
I've got a dgtec stb - not supposed to be brilliant, but seems to work fine for me. I found this forum (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?). Not as nice as youse all, but good source of info. In particular, you might like to check out this link (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showforum=34) which has info on digital transmissions in regional QLD (ie everything but Brisvegas, the goldcoast and the sunshine coast).
As for set top boxes, I think topfield are the best (or so I hvae been told) but they have a price to match. The first link above has a whole section dedicated to SD STBs. I wouldn't bother with HD STBs unless you have a funky plasma tv.
Trav
Mate I went with LG because I have an LG LCD and the Top box controler works the TV one less controller to worry aboutQuote:
Originally Posted by Termite
The other great thing about digital is ABC2 That has a show called late night ledgends at about 10.30 pm and this shows the abc coverage of cricket ,rugby and league tests from the 50's 60's 70's 80's etc between Australia and England N.Z. South Africa, West Indies, India etc
Great Viewing
Rgds
Ashore
Why not Trav? I have a HD STB running an old 91cm Sony trinitron tv and the HD picture is brilliant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trav
Almost 29 years ago to do the Electronics & RF stuff & then again just over 26 years ago to do the computer stuff & I've stuck with the computer stuff since.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Nah, it'll never work, black absorbs more heat so you'll have problems with the tuning drifting & 'shot' noise from expansion & contraction.:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Seriously... if you are in a marginal area &/or don't know your aerial from your antenna ( ;) ) ask an expert, call in a bloke that specialises in TV aerials & antennas.
If you absolutely have to 'do it yourself' go here & work out the right one for your area....
http://www.matchmaster.com.au/
Now here's another trick that works too...
Find out from Matchmaster who their local distributor is in your area & then ring them & ask them what the most popular model is that they sell & then buy one. :cool:
Cept they dont cover NQ. Even the lowerr realms of NQ or CQ.
Cliff, this is where I think a LP345 would do a wonderful job, I personally hate combo's as they don't seem to perform thatwell, a dedicated UHF and VHF with diplexer (a two way splitter works well too, but don't tell the experts, because the wholesalers just relable them and make heaps more mark uip).
As I pointed out earlier, the LP is 75 ohm and no balun is needed, one less link to break down, I have also found that they are a very clean antenna.
Mackay starts on ch 6 (as does an LP345) and will cover whats needed there.
Hi GroggyQuote:
Originally Posted by Groggy
My understanding is that only a HD panel can display a HD picture. In order to display a HD picture on a SD telly, the STB downscales the picture from, say a HD resolution of 1366x768 to a SD resolution of 850x480. This effectively makes it a SD picture.
I'm not saying that it won't look great, but that it probably won't be any better than a SD picture as your telly will probably only have an SD resolution.
A good digital picture will be far and away better than a good analogue picture, plus it will have digital sound and, if it is broadcast, even 5.1 sound.
But a HD STB will be able to receive the extra HD channels that a SD STB wont be able to decode.
That's my understanding anyway. I am in the market (well, if SWMBO ever lets me) to buy a HD plasma or LCD screen and have been looking at all these issues. It is a terribly confusing business - no wonder noone is going digital.
Trav
Any TV will accept HD, but you won't notice any difference unless you have a HDTV.
Bit like putting racing fuel in the victa........
Trav, my telly "is" a HDTV, one of the first ones in Aust and it takes 3 men to move safely. The picture (to my eye) is better than any plasma or LCD and that is why I asked why you stated "I wouldn't bother with HD STBs unless you have a funky plasma tv", as you can get HDTVs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trav
You're right though, the home theatre area is confusing. If it wasn't they wouldn't be able to sell so much junk!
cheers.
Racing fuel in the Victa will make it go a hell of a lot better, but only for a very short while.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
Groggy
If your TV is a HDTV, you will certainly get a better picture. When I said a fancy plasma, I really should have said a HD display (whether plasma, LCD etc).
Cheers
Trav
Who doesn't cover NQ, digital TV or Matchmaster? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gingermick
CNW sell matchmaster in FNQ & we get some digital TV too.
I put premium in my CT110 postie bike the other week:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Iain
The Matchmaster web site only went as far with maps as SEQ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers
I can't remember what model I used here... I looked through my files & can't find the docket.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
I think it may have been a DG21.
Use the list below to work out what channels you need & then pick the right DG21 from page 12 of this doc....Quote:
Originally Posted by Gingermick
http://www.matchmaster.com.au/Pdf/01...nna%209-05.pdf
Contact these blokes & ask them.
Cnw P/L Electrical Wholesalers (07) 4957-3899
Gregory Street (Cnr Of Alfred Street)
MACKAY QLD 4740
Mackay Digital Channels
Decision 13VHF channels (9A and 10) and UHF channels (29, 32, 35, 42
and 45) are allotted for digital television services in Mackay.
Decision 14The assignment of digital channels for existing commercial and
national television services in Mackay is to be made as follows:
10 to ABMQ, 29 to SBS, 35 to RTQ, 9A to STQ, 32 to TNQ
and 42 and 45 as unassigned channels.
Decision 15The allotment of digital channels for existing commercial and
national television repeaters in the Mackay region is not
proposed at this time.
The Auto tune picked up the channels ok so I'll call that bloke soon.
Thanks fellas