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Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 111 Location: Chipping Sodbury
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject: Freeview Box Problems
Are any of you aware that there has been a change to the freeview transmission system which renders many television set top boxes useless.
Basically there has been a change of standard.
I have just retuned my 83 year old mothers set top box to check for upgrades only to find that all the channels are mixed up.
BBC1 used to be channel 1 now it is 817 etc. All the other useful ones are spread around the numbers.
Ive just tried mine at home and it has exactly the same problem.
I think the one in my caravan is the same, I had put it down to a poor signal but the symptoms are the same.
I read on forums that this happened recently and has not been publicised in any way, probably because thousands of people would be screaming for compensation.
Apparently if you dont retune you will not have any problems.
The Freeview web site says retune often to keep up to date, and also says the following well hidden on its site.
"BBC and ITV channels moving into the 800's
Due to recent transmission changes, some viewers with older manufactured set-top boxes may have experienced their BBC and ITV channels changing location in the electronic programme guide and moving into the 800's.E.g. BBC1 appears as 801 on the EPG rather than 001.
Duplicate channels are sometimes placed into the 800's when a viewer is in an area where the receiver picks up reception from 2 transmitters. Often the stronger signal is used and the channels from the weaker signal are placed in the 800's.
In this case, however, a viewer will have blank channels 1-4. The channels have not been lost, but moved into the 800's. This issue is not related to digital switchover and products will not be affected in this way throughout the switchover process.
Where possible, manufacturers have been working on a solution in the form of an over air download (OAD). So far, the following manufacturers have confirmed the dates for the download;
3-5 and 6 - 13 October - Humax MG-TU1
A step-by-step guide to the download can be found here; download guide
3-6 September - Daewoo DS700, Bush DFTA3
A step-by-step guide to the download can be found here; download guide
6-8 September - Astratec TOPD1, Matsui TUTV1, Ferguson FDT2500
A step-by-step guide to the download can be found here; download guide
22-25 September - Sony TV models;
KD-28DX40U, KD-32DX100U, KD-32DX40U, KD-32NX100U, *KD-32DX150U, KD-32NX200U, KD-36NX200U, KP-44DX2U
A step-by-step guide to the download can be found here; download guide
25-29 September - Sony TV models;;
KD-28DL10U, KD-28DX200U, KD-28DX50U, *KD-32DX150U, KD-32DX200U, KD-32DX50U, KDE-P37XS1, KD-EP42XS1, KDL-L-32MRX1, KDL-L42MRX1, KDE-P42MRXI, KDE-P50MRX1, KDE-P61MRX1.
A step-by-step guide to the download can be found here; download guide
If you are still experiencing problems, we recommend that you call your manufacturer. Contact details for manufacturers can be found here.
*Please note: model KD-32DX150U may have either type of software, if OAD1 fails then please try OAD2".
Digital UK web site says this, also well hiddem,
"DMOL, the company which manages technical changes to the Freeview platform, has made some necessary network enhancements affecting some Freeview digital boxes. The majority of homes will be totally unaffected but some early-manufactured digital boxes will stop working and viewers will need to replace their equipment to continue receiving the Freeview service.
This only affects people who bought some of the early models of digital boxes branded Daewoo, Labgear, Triax and Bush and is limited to the following models:
Set- top boxes:
Daewoo DS608P
Labgear DTT100
Triax DVB 2000T
Portland DP100
Combined set-top box and video recorder:
Daewoo SV900
Bush IDVCR01
We recommend that any customers with affected equipment should contact Freeview on 0870 111 1270 or access their FAQs online at www.freeview.co.uk
None of mine are on these lists and in any case, the download dates are all past. As for older models I bought the one in the caravan last year for £150, it has a built in recorder.
This seems to be a much more widespread problem than they admit, and they seem to have no viable solution other than buy a new box and throw the old one into landfill.
High-definition television (HDTV) on Freeview
Freeview viewers across the UK will be able to watch high definition TV channels possibly as early as next year, media regulator Ofcom and the BBC Trust announced on the 3rd of April 2008.
New technology and a reorganisation of the way channels are allocated on digital terrestrial television platform will free up space for four Freeview HDTV services.
The first three HD channels will be available as digital switchover takes place in the Granada TV region in the north-west of England and subsequent regions from 2009. All four HD channels should be available across the country by the time digital switchover is due to be completed in 2012.
_________________ Dom
HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 111 Location: Chipping Sodbury
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject:
I think this is yet to happen.
I think us poor souls will buy new boxes to overcome the problem I have identified above and then next year, when this change is implemented, we will have to buy new boxes again.
All this and switch off the analogue network at the same time.
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 111 Location: Chipping Sodbury
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:
Yes it is a problem. She is 83 with very little memory. She cannot cope.
The popular channels are scattered throughout 90 channels, most of which are of no interest to her.
I'd have to make up a table of the channels she wants to watch with their new numbers.
The principle is that they are forcing digital TV on everyone, then when you make the change, they mess it up without thinking through the consequences, costing individuals a lot of money.
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:
So how would buying a new box resolve it? If it's simply a case of a software update then there is no need for a new box? _________________ Darren Griffin
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:
Now that is bad, how the heck is anyone supposed to know this? And regardless there should be an facility to update from a memstick or something. _________________ Darren Griffin
Joined: Aug 31, 2005 Posts: 15258 Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:
my tv messed up after an over the air update so i rang daewoo (the maker) who sent me a card that i put in the back of the tv ('common interface' slot if i remember correctly) which provided the update correctly with no issues. this was free of charge from what i would describe as a relatively 'naff' company - however their service was excellent and the issue was resolved within 2 days - 1.5 of which was waiting for the card to be delivered.
i would have thought that sony, being what i class as a 'good' company, would have a similar set up? i really can't see how they can compare a tv to a computer though!!
from experiance the best freeview boxes i've had/seen used have been the cheapy ones from asda (durabrand) - i couldn't fault it and almost regret giving it to my sister in law when we got the tv with freeview integrated!
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 111 Location: Chipping Sodbury
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject:
On most boxes the only way to update software is via a terrestrial broadcast via the aerial lead. They dont have USB or card slots.
Due to limited capacity on freeview they can only put your box update on for a few days. Also if your manufacturer doesn't choose to support your moderl or doesn't exist any more, your upgrade won't be broadcast.
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