Can anyone help? Can only get 6 channels.

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Can anyone help? Can only get 6 channels.

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 29980 25-Jan-2009 12:38

Hi everyone

We bought a freeview receiver through DSE, but much to our frustration can only get 6 of the channels on it.

It is connected to our sattelite dish (not HD) and is getting the signal from sattelite Optus D1 at strength 84%, which is the strongest signal we can receive having used a satelite tuner. The channels we can get are really good quality picture, however i'm not that bothered about the picture for Parliament TV I want the other channels!!

Is the problem likely to be the signal strength (we have a tree that may be interfering with the periphery of the signal) or could it be something else? We're out of ideas, but I don't really want to get someone to come and look at it if there's something simple that it could be. Any help would be most appreciated.

openmedia

2016 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 165

Trusted

Reply # 191992 25-Jan-2009 17:39

So which channels do you currently get?

It sounds like you can get the TVNZ transponder but not the Kordia one.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat New Zealand as a Solution Architect for all things Linux, Virtual and of course Cloud. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 191995 25-Jan-2009 17:54

I can get TV3, C4, Parlament Chanel, Stratos, Cue and Te Reo. The Receiver says its picking up Optus D1. Signal strength is 85%. If thats any help. It says that its picking up 3 transponders - carrier_1 and freeview (x 2). Thanks for your reply so far.

cyril7

6316 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 296

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 192000 25-Jan-2009 18:39

You need to scan two transponders, 12483 and 12456, I suspect you have scanned the first, now scan the second.

Cyril

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 192005 25-Jan-2009 19:00

Thanks, but I have scanned the 3 transponders available Carrier 1 12483 H, Freeview 12456 H and Freeview 12457 V all this does is give me the same channels again in differant programme positions. Unless I'm missing something

Brunzy

681 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 65

Trusted

Reply # 192013 25-Jan-2009 19:50

In that case,I'd say your dish needs to be peaked/skewed.

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 192014 25-Jan-2009 20:00

Not sure what you mean, I've aligned the dish using a satellite finder but the best signal I can get is 85%. As I said we have a tree that may be interfering with the periphery of the signal. As the channels we can get are fine I don't know if this would cause the lack of other channels.

openmedia

2016 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 165

Trusted

Reply # 192018 25-Jan-2009 20:43

Ju: Not sure what you mean, I've aligned the dish using a satellite finder but the best signal I can get is 85%. As I said we have a tree that may be interfering with the periphery of the signal. As the channels we can get are fine I don't know if this would cause the lack of other channels.

Afraid your skew is out. There is an uplink on a vertical frequency close to 12483.

Because 12483H us used for TVNZ and MaoriTV if your skew is slightly off you won't be able to get them.

Steve

allstarnz

1677 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

Reply # 192029 25-Jan-2009 22:44

in simple terms, you need to go back up on your roof and give your LNB a twist (hence skew), the LNB needs to be on a plane (very roughly) from about 10 o'clock to 4 o'clock, looking from in front of the dish. It's a bit variable, but have a bit of a fiddle and you should be right.

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 192038 25-Jan-2009 23:13

Cheers guys i'm really grateful.

Will let you know how I go on.

cyril7

6316 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 296

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 192056 26-Jan-2009 07:42

To achieve correct polarity alignment (skew) with a sat finder is near impossible, I suggest you find some way of getting a picture of the signal level and quality gauges whilst on the roof and adjust 12483 for best quality, a fine adjustment that a sat finder wont help with, but the differnce between go and no go.

Cyril

Jaxson

6725 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 592

Trusted

Reply # 192069 26-Jan-2009 09:11

I recently put a sat dish up and could not get above 85% on the STB. Reading this reminds me to get off my a$$ and go back to tweak it. It was a long day pulling calbes and I'd just given up by the end of it.

Ju

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 192789 29-Jan-2009 20:50

It worked, we've got them!!

Thank you all for your advice - wouldn't have known where to start solving the problem without it.

Thanks again