Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


MHarvison

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


#128664 18-Aug-2013 18:48
Send private message

Hi,

Thanks in advance, don't know much about these things so we're having some trouble!

We just bought a Loranz freeview receiver LZ0031STB-USB from Dick Smith. We've now got it home and tried to connect it, but can't get any channel! It's plugged into the UHF aerial cable, the initial instalation menu comes up, all the settings are the same as the instruction manual, it scans for channels, but it then comes up "database empty" and there are no channels at all!

Does anyone have any ideas? We've done the factory reset a few times and checked all the cables, but have now run out of ideas.

Thanks very much!

Monique

Create new topic
Spyware
3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #880712 18-Aug-2013 20:09
Send private message

Most likely no signal. Please tell us exactly where in the country you are and the name of your nearest transmitter.




Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.




MHarvison

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #880730 18-Aug-2013 21:28
Send private message

Hi,

Thanks for reply. We are in Wilton, Wellington, from what I can tell we should have pretty good coverage from the Kaukau transmitter (we're on the outside of a hill, near the top, not hidden down in a gully...).

Thanks,

Monique

robjg63
4096 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #880736 18-Aug-2013 21:41
Send private message

Do you normally get Prime/Maori TV over this aerial?

Hardly a fool proof check - but those channels are broadcast on the UHF band (as opposed to TVNZ/TV3 which are on VHF). As a rough rule of thumb, as the Freeview HD signals are also broadcast on UHF it would be a good thing if you also got Moari TV/Prime clearly on that aerial.

Do the neighbors get freeview HD ok?
Is your aerial pointing in the same direction?

Hmm - you do have the aerial lead plugged in to the RF in socket?




Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler




B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #880766 18-Aug-2013 23:14
Send private message

robjg63: Do you normally get Prime/Maori TV over this aerial?

Hardly a fool proof check - but those channels are broadcast on the UHF band (as opposed to TVNZ/TV3 which are on VHF). As a rough rule of thumb, as the Freeview HD signals are also broadcast on UHF it would be a good thing if you also got Moari TV/Prime clearly on that aerial.

Do the neighbors get freeview HD ok?
Is your aerial pointing in the same direction?

Hmm - you do have the aerial lead plugged in to the RF in socket?

+1
and what sort of antenna do you have?

MHarvison

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #880981 19-Aug-2013 13:16
Send private message

Hi,

No, we don't usually get Maori TV or Prime. I'll check with the neighbours when I get home tonight whether their reception is OK. We're the bottom flat and share the aerial with the upstairs flat, so if that is the problem I guess they should be in the same situation.

It's definitely plugged into the RF in socket, and definitely a UHF antenna (a friend checked, although I don't know if there are sub-types?).

Thanks for all the advice!

Monique

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #881044 19-Aug-2013 15:03
Send private message

Well according to the Freeview coverage maps here
http://www.freeviewnz.tv/coverage/coverage-maps.aspx
you should be in a good coverage area so I don't understand why you can't get a signal.
Either you have the wrong antenna or the antenna is not connected to the wall socket.
If you can't receive Maori or prime then you won't get freeview. What analogue channels are you watching now and what quality.
If the antenna really is a UHF one then reception of some of your current channels should be pretty bad as they are all VHF except Maori and Prime.

robjg63
4096 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #881088 19-Aug-2013 15:56
Send private message

A UHF antenna is either a smaller one - shorter elements - or if its a combination VHF/UHF then they have a mix of long and short elements.

Sometimes its quite possible to get OK VHF TV reception off just a long piece of wire - so its possible that its not connected all the way to the aerial...




Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler


 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
MHarvison

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #881809 20-Aug-2013 20:52
Send private message

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems that maybe our aerial is a combination UHF/VHF, we get channels 1, 2 and 3 fairly good, although reception is a bit patchy when it's windy. We can only get a super fuzzy version of Prime and Maori, almost complete static.

The landlord is going to get someone in to have a look at the aerial connection and check that it's properly connected, and to check if there's actually any coverage here although like you say from the coverage maps it looks to be well covered and we're up high, not in a gully at all.

Thanks again for all the tips and explanations, will update once it has been inspected.

Thanks!

Monique

JimmyH
2886 posts

Uber Geek


  #881823 20-Aug-2013 21:10
Send private message

MHarvison: [...] We can only get a super fuzzy version of Prime and Maori, almost complete static. [...]

Monique


OK, based on that it seems pretty clear the problem lies with the aerial and the quality of signal you are getting. I hope the landlord is prepared to do something about it.

If the issue is that you can't get a good signal because of where you are, rather than because there is a fault with the aerial, then your fall back is the satellite option. Which is what I had to sort for an elderly relative living in the reception shadow of a hill. The good news is works OK, although the picture quality isn't as good. The bad news is that the Loranz unit won't work on a satellite hookup.

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #881855 20-Aug-2013 21:51
Send private message

MHarvison: Hi,

It seems that maybe our aerial is a combination UHF/VHF, we get channels 1, 2 and 3 fairly good, although reception is a bit patchy when it's windy. We can only get a super fuzzy version of Prime and Maori, almost complete static.

Monique


In that case it sounds like a combination Low Band/High Band VHF combination with no UHF component at all which explains why your Prime and Maori reception is fuzzy. It's no good for Freeview.
UHF antennae look like this
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial/terrestrial-aerials-c-11.html
One of these should solve your problem.

MHarvison

5 posts

Wannabe Geek


  #889170 3-Sep-2013 18:52
Send private message

Hi everyone,

Just to say thanks again for all the advice!

The landlord was really great and sent someone to have a look at the aerial, turns out that the aerial plug in the wall wasn't actually attached to an aerial anymore, just a long cable in the wall which meant that we got reception previously. So today they attached an aerial and now everything is working fine, so much better than before! :)

So just wanted to say a big thank you for all the help, it was great being able to explain the potential problems/troubleshooting steps to her, definitely made things quicker and easier.

And hopefully this post might be useful to someone else in the future.

Thanks!!!

Monique

Mischief
40 posts

Geek


  #889200 3-Sep-2013 19:47
Send private message

Hi.  I have the same sort of problem, with the exception that I finally got a good picture.

Sat down and watched Sonett Sports....no problems.  Next day, switched it back on, and nothing, zip, zilch.  Just a fun message saying no signal.  

Checked & rechecked connections.....couldn't find any issues.

I have a new UHF aerial installed, as well as new coax for main tv upstairs. (Professionally installed)  

I put a 3-way splitter box in, and as above, got a great picture downstairs (eventually).  There are no issues with the picture upstairs at all.  Have tried both tvs on at once, as well as separately - no luck for downstairs.

I am thinking it could be a faulty unit.

Does anyone else have any suggestions??

Thanks.  (I hope this doesn't appear to be a hi-jack - it seems its the same sort of problem as the original poster had)

Spyware
3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #889492 4-Sep-2013 10:05
Send private message

More likely faulty terminations given you did it yourself??, did you use a crimping tool??




Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


PLawrence
1 post

Wannabe Geek


  #911362 9-Oct-2013 13:38
Send private message

Hi there, I'm having exactly the same problem as Monique had, with the same type and number of set top box from Dick Smith and an indoor aerial which is also from Dick Smith. (This is for the TV in my bedroom - I live in Lyall Bay in Wellington, and our main TV in the lounge has been getting Freeview off an outside aerial for over a year now with no problems.) I just went to Dick Smiths now, and the guy there told me that that particular type of set top box may be faulty, as a lot of customers havehad problems with it. He said if I bring it into the store, they can exchange it for another type, so I'll try that.

Mischief
40 posts

Geek


  #911395 9-Oct-2013 14:36
Send private message

Yep.....ended up taking mine back to NL.

They replaced it without any problems.

New one works a treat

Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.