Freeview HD signal not strong enough?

[notaclue]

Hello, just bought a TV with a built in HD Freeview tuner (Samsung 46C8000). It's finding all the channels, including the HD ones, however when I tune to them the screen blocks up or I get a message saying poor signal. All the normal Freeview channels work fine and I am on an HD transmitter - Crystal Palace.

Do the HD Freeview channels require a stronger signal to work or do you think there is something wrong with my TV?

Any ideas on what I could try?

 

[Anonymous]

Are you on a communal aerial? There are details on the official freeview site giving examples of when you might have a poor hd signal.One of them is if you live in a flat with a shared aerial if you live in certain areas. The signal can be filtered out. crystal palace is one of the areas affected. the link is here

http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Resolutions/About-Freeview-HD/About-Freeview-HD/Do-you-have-a-shared-or-communal-aerial-system-and-want-to-get-HD

 

[chudleighpaul]

I understand the Crystal Palace transmitter is on low power for HD transmissions, how far away do you live and do you have the correct aerial?

 

[notaclue]

I am not on a communal aerial although I do have 3 other TV's in the house from the same aerial, its fairly new - installed about 2 years ago and is the 'right' one, I also have a booster in the loft to send the signal round the house. I am not technical, are there different strength boosters? - this one was fitted by an aerial installer.

Am 26 miles from Crystal Palace, I thought that might be an issue, when I called Digital UK they seemed to think not.......

 

[davejberry]

when i lived in the UK, also about 25 miles from the same transmitter the signal was never brilliant, even though the technical info suggested it was the best for me. i ended up changing the aerial and retuning to another, 10 miles further away - problem solved.

do you have any large buildings or other significant obstructions in the way?

you could try moving the aerial or raising it a couple of metres.

 

[notaclue]

Thanks - problem is the next nearest transmitter is Guildford, which isn't going HD till 2012! Added to that there is a big hill in the way - all the aerials around here point to Crystal Palace.

So, can assume from these posts that the answer is - yes, Freeview HD requires a stronger signal than normal Freeview to work? That being the case would a 'bigger' booster make any difference? If not I will have to get a Freesat box, which is annoying as the TV has an HD tuner built in and the last thing I want is yet another STB.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

just for your info, i'm also using the crystal palace reciever and don't have the same problem. if anything it's the opposite, my ITV1 and channel 4 is weak and prone to blocking where as all 3 hd channels are fine.

i'm also on a shared ariel with quite a weak signal. seems to me that the new hd channels are as strong as my best channels, such as the BBC ones.

i don't think it's your signal strength, i've read somewhere that some shared ariels have their frequencies restricted which may explain your problem-upgrade may be required unfortunately. can you not set up your own ariel? it'll be a lot cheaper than going to freesat.

hope that helps.

 

[notaclue]

I do have my own aerial, its just shared with 4 other TV's in my house. The aerial is relatively new, roof mounted by a professional, so no reason why it should be restricted. Going on what you are saying I may have to look at the TV rather than the signal???

 

[Anonymous]

hopefully not mate as sounds like you've got yourself a nice new display there. must admit tho, not all tuners are created equal and your tv's may be quite sensitive etc. as mentioned b4 tho, my HD channels from the same reciever as yours are stronger than some of the SD ones, so if you are currently getting ITV1 ok you should be ok (in terms of signal quality and strength) with the 3 HD ones. would do some research about aerials etc as i still feel that it's (hopefully as it would be a cheap solution) the likely problem.

 

[chudleighpaul]

At the moment the Crystal Palace signal strength for HD is below standard. As you live 24 miles from the transmitter ,this is probably your problem.

See www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ339712

Hope that helps.

Things can only get better!

 

[notaclue]

Thanks - really useful advice. Don't suppose you know whether this is likely to change anytime soon? - I desperately want HD for the World Cup, if its not I may go have to go out and buy an HD Freesat box..........

 

[daveh75]

Crystal Palace hasn't DSO'd yet.

It's part of the "Advanced Network",so is still running at low power to prevent interference with the analogue signals.

The power will increase ten fold once DSO takes place, but that wont happent till april 2012.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah but as your link clearly shows, the HD channels are stronger on 'below average' compared to ITV1 etc being on 'low'. so as per previous messages, he shouldn't be recieving ITV1 either in that case. seems strange to me that he's getting every channel fine except the 3 HD ones. still sounds like an aerial issue to me and worth investigating because as mentioned, the footie's starting soon!

eg: last night i had picture problems (i've gotta sort my aerial also!) with ITV1, CH4, FIVE, ITV2 and the list goes on. but......not a glitch on the three HD channels.

 

[chudleighpaul]

notaclue:Thanks - really useful advice. Don't suppose you know whether this is likely to change anytime soon? - I desperately want HD for the World Cup, if its not I may go have to go out and buy an HD Freesat box..........

You might consider calling in an aerial specialist to see if he can improve matters. A masthead amplifier could be a possibility