TVNZ 1 - Random, but heavy pixellation on TV

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alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#254342 7-Aug-2019 18:49

This has being going on for such a long time, and yes I have changed the HDMI cable.

The incoming aerial signal is split between an HDHomeRun Connect and a (Freeview) Panasonic DVR.

The HDHomerun is linked to Plex and I never have a problem recording TV (unless I have internet connectivity issue, because the Plex server is upstairs).

I record the TVNZ 1 News on Plex, but have issues with watching the news whilst it is still recording (it's my own fault in not understanding what I am doing wrong when trying to watch a Plex program whilst it is still recording).

The Panasonic DVR, whether it is showing Live TV or recorded TV, does not like TVNZ 1.

It doesn't seem to have a problem with TVNZ 6 or say TVNZ 2, Three or Prime (10).

I could easily wait until Plex has finished recording the TVNZ 1 News, but for some in my family, it is not an option (yes I know I could try TVNZ On Demand).

I can wiggle all the relevant cables and sometimes the pixellation goes way but most often does not.

The next time the TV is re-started, it can be perfect.

The one significant unknown is that the TV is on a TV cabinet with wheels, so we move the TV when we want to watch in the Kitchen or watch in the Family room (rotating the cabinet in the same room).

My post today is because tonight was bad watching TVNZ 1 (as was last night). Three was perfect tonight.

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RunningMan

8963 posts

Uber Geek

#2291890 7-Aug-2019 19:39

It sounds like a poor signal issue, although it would usually affect all channels on a single mux. Assuming this is terrestrial, then start with the antenna and work down. Is something obstructing the signal to the antenna (tree etc.)? Has the antenna moved or corroded? Cabling OK, not corroded, cut or waterlogged? Splitter OK? Connectors OK?

Also, I doubt TVNZ 6 is coming through clearly, they haven't broadcast for years.

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2291897 7-Aug-2019 20:01

In a previous thread you implied your reception came from Waiatarua, then you said you found Prime on 613 MHz. This is channel 40 and could be coming from the Sky Tower. Problem is though the Sky Tower has a different polarity to Waiatarua.

Determining where you antenna points is the first step. Is the polarity correct??

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2291923 7-Aug-2019 21:01

RunningMan:

Also, I doubt TVNZ 6 is coming through clearly, they haven't broadcast for years.

I should have said Freeview 6 = TVNZ 1 + 1.

Also, I recorded at 7:30 pm tonight Phil & Kirstie Love it or List it on TVNZ 1.

We started watching half way through the recording and it was picture perfect.

fe31nz

1233 posts

Uber Geek

#2291944 7-Aug-2019 22:22

alisam:

Also, I recorded at 7:30 pm tonight Phil & Kirstie Love it or List it on TVNZ 1.

We started watching half way through the recording and it was picture perfect.

Maybe that is the answer - do you only get pixellation when you are watching very close to real time? Does the pixellation go away if you pause for (say) 10 seconds and then start watching again?

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2292015 8-Aug-2019 06:33

Spyware:

In a previous thread you implied your reception came from Waiatarua, then you said you found Prime on 613 MHz. This is channel 40 and could be coming from the Sky Tower. Problem is though the Sky Tower has a different polarity to Waiatarua.

Determining where you antenna points is the first step. Is the polarity correct??

That was Mar 2017 and a lot has changed since then. I am also not using a NextPVR.

I have a single aerial (not particularly old and fitted by an aerial company) and it points to Waiatarua.

I know they are different polarity. I can't tell you what mine is on as I don't know how to find out (or have forgotten).

I am currently watching TVNZ 1 Breakfast program and it is picture perfect.

I will have to wait until the pixellation happens again, but it happens at least once a day.

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2292018 8-Aug-2019 06:43

fe31nz:

alisam:

Also, I recorded at 7:30 pm tonight Phil & Kirstie Love it or List it on TVNZ 1.

We started watching half way through the recording and it was picture perfect.

Maybe that is the answer - do you only get pixellation when you are watching very close to real time? Does the pixellation go away if you pause for (say) 10 seconds and then start watching again?

I will try that.

Just a thought. Because of the recording issues, I tend to record each program twice. On Plex and on the Panasonic DVR.

As previously mentioned, the incoming TV signal is split between the HDHomeRun (linked to Plex) and the Panasonic DVR.

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2292021 8-Aug-2019 07:01

And the other variable is the wifi connection between plex and HDHomerun.

Quic Broadband

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trig42

5816 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2292084 8-Aug-2019 08:38

We had this exact issue.

Panasonic PVR, TVNZ1 pixelated, especially during the News - actually during the sports news when they were showing big block colours (green fields etc). Also, the Accor 'Wintervention' ad always used to as well.

It is a signal issue I think. I had the signal passing through the PVR to the TV, though we never actually use the TV tuner. I disconnected the cable from the PVR to the TV (RF cable) and the issue has not come back since. Also noted, if I did switch to the TVs tuner, it would also pixelate on TVNZ1 (when passing through the PVR).

Our antenna is split three ways (through a Hills powered splitter), and none of the other TVs have ever shown pixelation (one LG32 with built in freeview, and another a DishTV 1020).

I think maybe the Panasonics have weak tuners or something maybe.

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2292087 8-Aug-2019 08:53

And post the signal strength, quality and frequency of TVNZ mux during bad times and good.

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2292103 8-Aug-2019 09:14

trig42:

It is a signal issue I think. I had the signal passing through the PVR to the TV, though we never actually use the TV tuner. I disconnected the cable from the PVR to the TV (RF cable) and the issue has not come back since. Also noted, if I did switch to the TVs tuner, it would also pixelate on TVNZ1 (when passing through the PVR).

I never use the TV Tuner.

When you said you disconnected the RF Cable from the PVR to the TV, I went to look at my setup and sure enough there was an RF Cable.

I immediately thought, but I wont get a picture if I remove the cable.

So I tried it and sure enough the picture continued.

It will be interesting going forward to see if the pixelation continues.

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2292105 8-Aug-2019 09:16

Spyware:

And post the signal strength, quality and frequency of TVNZ mux during bad times and good.

I'll try and find that.

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2292548 8-Aug-2019 19:20

I know you said you didn’t use the TV tuner, but why don’t you do an auto scan on the TV then the next time it plays up on TVNZ one flick it onto TV and see if there’s any difference.
Regardless if TVNZ 1+1 is okay you should be able to rule out any signal issues.
I would also reset the Panasonic to default then do another rescan.

alisam

834 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2300671 17-Aug-2019 07:04

Since I removed a cable, I haven't had the same frequency of pixellated recorded programs.

However, occasionally the picture will be slightly to heavily pixelated when played through the DVR.

Today, I re-tuned the DVR and will see if that makes any difference.