Signal Problems

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Signal Problems

MurrayM

2502 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 742

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#139177 30-Jan-2014 11:19

I've got a bit of a problem with my Magic TV 3600 receiver/recorder. When watching and recording Prime I often get a message saying the signal is poor or that there's no signal. When this happens during recording the recorded program often gets split into two or three parts.

However Prime works fine when watching using the Freeview receiver in my TV (i.e. not via the Magic TV).

I have one aerial socket in the wall with one cable coming out of the socket and going to a two-way splitter. Then there are two cables going from the splitter; one into the TV and one into the Magic TV. I think the splitter I'm using is this one from Dick Smith.

I must admit that the cable that plugs into the aerial wall socket is a bit loose, i.e. not a nice tight fit. I tried about three different cables that I've got but they were all loose in the aerial socket. However I would have thought that a loose connection would affect the TV as well as the Magic TV, but Prime works fine on the TV.

The poor / no signal only seems to affect Prime; One, Two, Three, Four all work well on the Magic TV.

Any suggestions? Is it worth getting a new wall aerial plate (because I think it's the socket in the wall plate that's loose, and that's why no cable fits tightly)? Or somehow fine-tuning the Magic TV just for Prime?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#977268 30-Jan-2014 12:05

That's not a great splitter. You really need one with f sockets like this
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/antennas/two-way-f-connector-75-ohm-splitter-dsnz-l4221
and use quality cable with f plugs. I'd definitely replace the wall plate and use one with an f plug nsert. If the STB has an rf out it might be better to dispense with the splitter and run cable from wall to STB rf in and rf out to TV. If all else fails check the antenna and cable is in good condition and possible try a masthead amp.

MurrayM

2502 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 742

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#977272 30-Jan-2014 12:11

B1GGLZ: That's not a great splitter. You really need one with f sockets like this
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/antennas/two-way-f-connector-75-ohm-splitter-dsnz-l4221
and use quality cable with f plugs. I'd definitely replace the wall plate and use one with an f plug nsert. If the STB has an rf out it might be better to dispense with the splitter and run cable from wall to STB rf in and rf out to TV. If all else fails check the antenna and cable is in good condition and possible try a masthead amp.

Thanks for the advice!

There is an RF out on the Magic TV, which I used to use in my previous house, I'm not sure why I didn't use it this time (maybe I mislaid the cable or something).

I'll look into replacing the wall plate first, since it's definitely not in the best condition, and then progressivly replace the other components until it starts working. I'm assuming the antenna and cable are ok since the Freeview tuner in the TV works fine with them (unless maybe the Magic TV is more fussy than the TV ore requires more signal?)

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#977430 30-Jan-2014 14:04

MurrayM:

I'll look into replacing the wall plate first, since it's definitely not in the best condition, and then progressivly replace the other components until it starts working. I'm assuming the antenna and cable are ok since the Freeview tuner in the TV works fine with them (unless maybe the Magic TV is more fussy than the TV ore requires more signal?)

Good idea.
I presume you do have a UHF antenna and not still using the old VHF one? One of the muxes (Prime) being intermittent would indicate marginal signal and I've found the TV tuners are usually more sensitive than STBs. Check signal strength and quality in the menu on both TV and Magic TV and compare readings.

MurrayM

2502 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 742

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#977504 30-Jan-2014 15:29

B1GGLZ: Good idea.
I presume you do have a UHF antenna and not still using the old VHF one? One of the muxes (Prime) being intermittent would indicate marginal signal and I've found the TV tuners are usually more sensitive than STBs. Check signal strength and quality in the menu on both TV and Magic TV and compare readings.

Definitely got a UHF antenna, in fact we've got both a UHF and an old VHF (of which one of the poles has fallen down, but I don't think the VHF is even connected because I can see a loose cable flapping around up there).

Should I consider moving everything over to F connectors? Keeping in mind that my TV and Magic TV only have Belling-Lee connectors? I guess I'd need to have a F -> Belling-Lee converter at the TV and Magic TV ends (or can you buy cables with an F connector on one end and a Belling-Lee on the other)?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#977559 30-Jan-2014 17:10

MurrayM:

Should I consider moving everything over to F connectors? Keeping in mind that my TV and Magic TV only have Belling-Lee connectors? I guess I'd need to have a F -> Belling-Lee converter at the TV and Magic TV ends (or can you buy cables with an F connector on one end and a Belling-Lee on the other)?

Definitely, f connectors are much better. You can get cables with one of each but adaptors work as well.

MurrayM

2502 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 742

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#977561 30-Jan-2014 17:13

B1GGLZ:
MurrayM:

Should I consider moving everything over to F connectors? Keeping in mind that my TV and Magic TV only have Belling-Lee connectors? I guess I'd need to have a F -> Belling-Lee converter at the TV and Magic TV ends (or can you buy cables with an F connector on one end and a Belling-Lee on the other)?

Definitely, f connectors are much better. You can get cables with one of each but adaptors work as well.

So having an F connector on one end and a Belling-Lee connector on the other end doesn't negate the benefits of the F connector?

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

bales

116 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

#979262 3-Feb-2014 11:01

yes it can use all f compresson conn.s f-f flys with male f adapter or premade f-pal male and just check you have rg6 incoming.

keithbayly

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#979268 3-Feb-2014 11:17

bales: yes it can use all f compresson conn.s f-f flys with male f adapter or premade f-pal male and just check you have rg6 incoming.

Translation:

When you switch to F connectors at all points, ideally you should use compression connectors.
These are special connectors (requires a suitable compression tool however) that fit extremely tightly around the cable and are much better than those cheap screw on/no tools required versions.
eg: http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/type-connector-cmp6ors-linear-comp-crimp-type-p-380.html
vs http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/type-connector-screw-type-p-105.html

When you create your 'fly lead' (the 1m long or so connection lead between the wall socket and your device, tv/freeview box etc) use female F connectors on either end.
You can then get a F connector to Pal adaptor, which screws into the female part of your Female to Female fly lead. (Pal/Belling Lee is the style of your normal TV input type on the back of your TV)
eg: http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/belling-plug-type-adaptor-p-243.html
or http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/tv-video-cables/adaptor-f81-socket-75ohm-tv-socket-dsnz-p2025

You should have installed a male F connector connection on the wall plate.
eg: http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/series-single-satellite-socket-p-172.html

And you can often buy premade F to Pal 1m fly leads, so that's on option also if you don't want to make your own.
The concept is illustrated here: http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/antennas/tv-video-ld-1-5m-cbl-f-pal-plg-dsnz-l4264

Make sure the aerial cabling is RG6 type, (this should be written along the outside of the cable), and this cabling should be consistently RG6 throughout your home, right from the aerial down to your TV at the end.
If it says RG59 for instance then this is a smaller cable size and is not ideally suited to distribute and protect the TV signals. It should be RG6.

MurrayM

2502 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 742

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#979285 3-Feb-2014 11:29

Thanks Jaxson, I was just about to ask for a translation!

First thing to check is that the aerial cabling is RG6 and then I'll take it from there.

Thanks again for the clear instructions!