Freeview channels disappeared overnight?

jtaylor06 · 30-12-2009, 02:56

Just had a look at TV to see what is on, but have noticed that 4Music has gone, Viva has gone and a few others.
There was no notice that they had gone, and all the channel quality is good as I had retuned just to see, and yup all stated good, even the 'naughty' channels that just keep appearing on Freeview now.

Any ideas?

Integrated Freeview in a Toshiba TV just to let you know.
Telford, coming off Sutton Coldfield transmitter.

nodrogd · 30-12-2009, 12:15

Looks like you are missing the Mux D channels. If this is the case Film 4 (ch15) and ITV4 (ch24) will also be missing.

If you have done a retune this rules out problems with the set. The problem may be weather related, as I sometimes find problems in heavy rain or snow. Leave it a while and see if they come back (may need another retune).

Are you still using the same aerial you used for analogue from Sutton Coldfield?. If you are it should be changed, as Mux D is technically out of range of the old group B aerials.

jtaylor06 · 30-12-2009, 14:43

Retuned again just now, but still no Mux D channels.
I just had a look and yes Film4 has gone and ITV4, so still not appearing.

As far as the aerial, I'm unsure as it's worked perfectly for the last couple of years, with the quality being good on all channels (some look quite crisp), however just randomly the Mux D channels disappeared overnight? :S

Also it goes TV -> Splitter -> Loft Aerial -> Roof Aerial
as there are 2 TVs connected to the one aerial.

nodrogd · 30-12-2009, 17:52

Its not possible to tell how good the signal strength or quality of a digital TV signal is by looking at it. Digital signals either work or dont work, with a small margin inbetween where the picture pixelates & breaks down.

There should be a tuning menu on the TV with an option to show signal strength and/or quality for the currently tuned channel. This is the only guide you have. The only problem is now that you have retuned, the TV is now rejecting Mux D as too weak to lock onto.

If you have a manual tuning option on the menu, try putting in UHF channel 55 and see if the TV will give a signal strength indication.

I too use a passive splitter to drive two sets, and if this has worked well up until now, its unlikely to be the cause of your problem.

jtaylor06 · 31-12-2009, 00:13

Thanks for you reply, and sorry for my late one.
Will try the UHF tuning now, thank you

Will keep you updated too

---------- Post added at 00:13 ---------- Previous post was at 00:04 ----------

39 - West Midlands says Good, and when you stay on it, it comes up with all the channels.
55 - Says poor and nothing at all

nodrogd · 31-12-2009, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaylor06

39 - West Midlands says Good, and when you stay on it, it comes up with all the channels.
55 - Says poor and nothing at all

Right, now were getting to the root of the problem. UHF ch 39 means you are picking up from The Wrekin and not Sutton Coldfield. To complicate matters there are two freeview transmitters at The Wrekin. One of these uses channels in the Group B range but does not broadcast Mux C or D. As you are getting very little on ch 55 I suspect you are actually picking up The Wrekin instead of Sutton Coldfield on the other Muxes as well.

If your aerial is pointed at Sutton Coldfield then you either need a more directive aerial or have it changed for one that points at The Wrekin. As your location says Telford, The Wrekin is probably the strongest signal at your location and the freeview equipment will always be locking onto it.

jtaylor06 · 01-01-2010, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodrogd

Right, now were getting to the root of the problem. UHF ch 39 means you are picking up from The Wrekin and not Sutton Coldfield. To complicate matters there are two freeview transmitters at The Wrekin. One of these uses channels in the Group B range but does not broadcast Mux C or D. As you are getting very little on ch 55 I suspect you are actually picking up The Wrekin instead of Sutton Coldfield on the other Muxes as well.

If your aerial is pointed at Sutton Coldfield then you either need a more directive aerial or have it changed for one that points at The Wrekin. As your location says Telford, The Wrekin is probably the strongest signal at your location and the freeview equipment will always be locking onto it.

Thanks for all your help!
They are now back as of tonight, it must have been the snow in the past few days that has caused it.
Retuned tonight, and when adding channels, ITV4 popped up so I knew it was back on, checked, Film 4 = Yes, 4Music = Yes and so on!

Sorry for inconvenience caused