topic Re: BBC One problems in Home Cinema, Projectors & Players

BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 13:30:01 GMT

Hello,

For a few weeks now I have an issue where my hxd890 kept adding an additional BBC One channel on Channel 810, and would preferentially try to record from that, even though there was no signal. Any chance this issue is related to the recent EPG issue?

Jra505

Re: BBC One problems

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 13:39:11 GMT

The 800 channel range is an over flow. Basically, quite often you can pick up other signals from other transmission towers. Where there are multiple channels, the weakest signal will go onto the 800 range of channels.

Nothing to worry about, all quite normal, and nothing to do with the latest problems.

Cheers.

Re: BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 14:18:27 GMT

You say nothing to worry about, but it is preventing me from recording anything on BBC One using the "series record" feature, because it preferentially tries to record from the incorrect channel which does not have a signal.

I'd say that is a lot to worry about - particularly when you've got a wife who wants Eastenders recorded every time it is on.

Re: BBC One problems

EFBenson — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:41:38 GMT

Just a thought - what happens if you 'hide' the dodgy channel by selecting 'skip' on digital tuner channel options in 'initial setup' on system menu?

Re: BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 16:41:47 GMT

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've tried that too - it just eventually adds yet another incorrect BBC One channel with another number in the 800s 😞

Re: BBC One problems

pewrigh38 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:02:21 GMT

there may be an option of adding a filter into the aerial feed to "filter out" the adjacent transmitter signals, or to use a narrow band aerial specifically designed for the freeview channels in your area from your main transmitter. I have seen this problem before due to getting welsh channels on my winter hill reception but sometimes you manage to avoid them after a factory reset and retune. up to date firmware can sometimes help too if its not already up to date

Re: BBC One problems

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:08:40 GMT

Hi there

I thought I'd post this on the open forums for the benefit of others as well. As I said in the PM, I believe your problem is weather related.

More info at:
http://www.a516digital.com/2013/07/weather-related-freeview-reception.html

I believe what is happening is that your RDR-HXD890 is updating the TV channels overnight and selecting the strongest signal, and moving the weakest signal to the 800 range. Now overnight, with a high-pressure weather system, a stonger signal could be from another transmitter further away. In the day time, this is no longer the case.

What you need to do is disable/turn off the Digital Auto Service Update. (I had to turn it off on my TV a couple of weeks ago too). Then re-tune it back in, during the daytime

I have had a quick look at the manual for your machine, and cannot pinpoint where this setting should be. But have a look around (maybe channel settings, or something or other).

Anyway, I hope that helps and fixes your problem.
Cheers

Re: BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:56:45 GMT

Thanks for your replies, and it is a fact that the problem has been worse recently since the weather has been so hot. However, I do not believe my box has an option to turn the digital auto update off - the only "update off" option I can find I think is to do with the firmware.

I did write to Sony about this last week and got this reply:

Thank you for your reply.

In regards to your query, we recommend consulting an aerial technician regarding this matter as it might be your aerial getting the signal from two different transmissions, one of them is incorrect. So, you may need to block the extra incorrect transmission to resolve the issue.

I await your response with keen interest. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this email.

Yours sincerely

Ghada

Sony Customer Support

Sony Europe Limited

i.e. no advice to turn off auto updates - which is a pretty daft omission from the firmware if you ask me!

Re: BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 18:03:39 GMT

Suppose I could just turn my box off overnight?

Re: BBC One problems

pewrigh38 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 18:22:42 GMT

that is what I do, and have done so fr years , no point being powered overnight , and it does the epg update as soon as it powers back on anyway

Re: BBC One problems

jra505 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:22:17 GMT

Any idea between what times I'd need to turn it off to avoid the channel reprogramming issue?

Re: BBC One problems

pewrigh38 — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:36:28 GMT

I would say something like 0130 to 0730 should be fine and mine is set to something similar on the mains timer switch

attenuating your signal slightly may also have the effect of stopping interference from other transmitters

but the advice given by sony support is also good (have an aerial installer sort it properly)

Re: BBC One problems

johkaye — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:15:12 GMT

>>but the advice given by sony support is also good (have an aerial installer sort it properly)

I don't think that is very good advice. I can just imagine the response and sucking through teeth if I asked the local aerial people to prevent random reception from distant sources...

I have this issue and very annoying it is too. Switching off the PV at mains wouldn't work for me as it finds these channels durring the day when I retune.

What I am struggling with is the skip channel feature. I believe that works, but when I switch off the PVR (to standby) it forgets the setting.

So, what am I doing wrong? How can I set "skip channel" so it remembers when it's on standby?

Re: BBC One problems

pewrigh38 — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:31:39 GMT

frankly, I believe its excellent advice

sony are not responsible for the transmissions in your area, or mine either , digital_uk is , hence their advice that you have your aerial changed or adjusted such that you do not get interference from alternative transmitters other than your main transmitter, and such that you dont pick up alternative channels (welsh channels in my case although I am off winter hill)

I am not sure that the sony recorder can be "programmed" to ignore or skip these alternative channels that appear from 801 onwards

the point sony and I are making is that various aerials exist , wideband , narrow band etc, and they have no way of knowing that you have the correct aerial fitted for your location

and a CAI installer should be able to ensure that your aerial only picks up transmissions from your main transmitter and no others, if necessary by using a narrow band aerial or the use of filters , or possibly attenuating the signal a bit in order to prevent your tuner from picking up these "stray" signals

I actually suggested the use of filters earlier (similar to the ones for 4g), and you could try an attenuator to reduce the signals by inserting it into the aerial feed into your sony recorder. I also suggested turning the box off overnight too , with suitable times (mine are on mechanical timers)

I dont understand why you have asked sony for advice, then asked on here for advice , then ignore it when its freely given !!

if you were an aerial installer or a techie, you would need to ask, I assume you are not and that is why you asked, but to then ignore the advice seems daft to me

if there was a way of blocking or removing these unwanted channels I would tell you, maybe sony should incorporate it into any new firmware, but I do not believe that channel skip will help , what is really needed is a firmware redesign in order to allow a user to stop the unit actively seeking channel updates , which would be great if they did it. or if you could specify that the unit only scanned between 2 different rf channels, narrowing the search (in my case from say rf ch 49 to 62 or whatever they are for me

hope you take some of this advice and it works for you, especially adding filters or attenuators , which is what I would try first, then rescan

Re: BBC One problems

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:50:02 GMT

^^^ As above - fully agree ^^^