freeview signal quality

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gibletts

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#15845 10-Sep-2007 21:54

I have purchased a freeview box and dish, bolted the dish on top of the house and set it up via mobile phone while someone was watching the tv method. Ok got it tuned in, but was having some trouble with signal quality (read off the setup screen) for C4 & TV3. The levels I am getting are around 90% signal strength (for all), and signal quality of 60 -70% for TVNZ but only 10 - 20% for tv 3 & c4. I assumed I had not aligned dish adequately so bought one of those little meter thingos, squeezed a little more signal quality out of it, but not much better than I allready had, so I am still periodically losing these channels? I am interested in anyones opinions as to where to look for a solution. Thanks. dm.

openmedia

3332 posts

Uber Geek

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#86203 10-Sep-2007 22:01

You need to play with the skew of the LNB from the sounds of things.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

gibletts

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#86215 11-Sep-2007 07:53

I have fiddled about with the skew, I think Im pretty close. The odd thing is that the TVNZ channels perform ok and remain constant. The others come and go, seems to happen after the sun goes down, the LNB has a metal chasis and I wonder if it is susceptable to condensation forming in it? cheers dm

cyril7

9058 posts

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#86220 11-Sep-2007 08:39

What exactly does the LNB look like, a lot of the cheaper chinese ones dont have the radome seal on properly, if you give it a slight pull it comes right off, this could give condensation problems.

Cyril

Zimsar10

210 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#86221 11-Sep-2007 09:05

Reason number #101 to get a professional to install the Satellite dish? If I were you, I would get a professional installer to come around & check out your setup.

cyril7

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#86233 11-Sep-2007 09:46

I would agree there, trying to align it via a cellphone when you arent really sure what your looking for is not a way to get the job done.

Cyril

gibletts

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#86252 11-Sep-2007 12:04

Ok, lets say for now I havent quite got the dish aligned properly, to be honest mucking around with it is more interesting than what is on TV anyway, so I will keep at it for a bit longer.

So assuming I get it set correctely (or pay the man to do it for me) should I see similiar signal quality between TVNZ & canwest (or whatever they call themselves)? What do others get? Thanks for your help. dm.

cyril7

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#86253 11-Sep-2007 12:15

Within the limits of accuracy of the simple measuring devices on your STB they are the same. Even on my proper test meter, there is a nats fart between them.

Cyril

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gibletts

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#86258 11-Sep-2007 12:41

Thanks, that gives me at least a benchmark to move towards. To be so far off the dish must still be grossly out of alignment, I will take another trip up to the roof when it stops raining. Weird though that I get a resonable TVNZ signal?

cheers dm.

Zimsar10

210 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#86278 11-Sep-2007 14:29

gibletts:
Ok, lets say for now I havent quite got the dish aligned properly, to be honest mucking around with it is more interesting than what is on TV anyway, so I will keep at it for a bit longer.

So assuming I get it set correctely (or pay the man to do it for me) should I see similiar signal quality between TVNZ & canwest (or whatever they call themselves)? What do others get? Thanks for your help. dm.

All of my channels via Freeview are 100% reception qaulity & look really mint, not as good as HD of course, but as good as you get for a Digital Satellite signal.

PS - I think your fighting a losing battle, just fork out the dosh for a professional to set it up properly. :-)

gibletts

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#86889 17-Sep-2007 13:11

Bought a new LNB, connected the thing and now everything is working as it should, so turned out my problems were from a faulty bit of gear, thanks all for your help.