Terrestrial freeview HD in Temuka, no signal.

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Terrestrial freeview HD in Temuka, no signal.

diogenese

26 posts

Geek

#68687 26-Sep-2010 13:05

I have just got a magic TV box and a triple folding aerial (9.5-15dB gain) and it shows zero signal quality and strength.
I have tuned into prime on analogue from the sugar loaf transmitter in CHCH and I get an acceptable picture but only when I face the aerial a few degrees away from the direct line of sight.
I have the aerial mounted on a 5m pole with 10m of RG6 to the receiver. There are some powerlines in the way nearby, will they cause me problems?
The coverage map puts me in a pale blue area, likely with a high aerial, and just next to a yellow patch, likely.
Do I have a problem with the Magic box or do I need more height? Or both!
Should I give up with terrestrial freeview and just get a bluray player!
Thanks for any help :-)

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#384533 26-Sep-2010 13:59

not sure what map you are looking at but Freeview website lists Temuka as "unlikely" to receive FreeviewHD. However, Timaru has been added to the list of new areas to receive FreeviewHD so you should be able to tune into that when up and running - probably within the next year or so.

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384539 26-Sep-2010 14:10

I have heard reports of someone at Ealing, on the North Bank of the Rangitata River, getting Freeview terrestrial. In that situation they had a clear view of the horizon unblocked by trees or buildings in the direction of the Sugarloaf transmitter.

The picture was fine most of the time but would become unwatchable in certain atmospheric conditions.

I would recomend that you hold off until Freeview comes to Timaru. I presume that they are refering to the Mt Studholme transmitter.

Obsequious hypocrite

diogenese

26 posts

Geek

#384546 26-Sep-2010 15:07

I found the map here, christchurch DTT coverage map.
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial-i-8.html

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#384551 26-Sep-2010 15:20

looking at Temuka on that map I'd say it is extremely hit and miss on whether you'd get a signal or not. As I mentioned previously, Freeview site itself lists Temuka as "unlikely"

You'd be better waiting for freeview coverage to extend to Timaru (possibly Studholme - or more likely Cave Hill)

diogenese

26 posts

Geek

#384553 26-Sep-2010 15:26

It's a bit late to wait as I already have the kit! I suppose I should fire it straight onto trademe :(

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#384560 26-Sep-2010 15:35

c71931f:
farcus: not sure what map you are looking at but Freeview website lists Temuka as "unlikely" to receive FreeviewHD. However, Timaru has been added to the list of new areas to receive FreeviewHD so you should be able to tune into that when up and running - probably within the next year or so.

Where's that list?

was listed in an earlier discussion about analogue switch off.
Here it is . . .

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/switchover+digital+television+2013

andrewcnz

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384568 26-Sep-2010 16:11

diogenese: It's a bit late to wait as I already have the kit! I suppose I should fire it straight onto trademe :(

I would think that the government would be wanting those extra DTT area's going sooner rather than later. They state that an advertising campaign will be started by the end of the year

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

andrewcnz

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384720 27-Sep-2010 07:07

FreeviewHD could be in extra cities before RWC.....

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4169155/FreeviewHD-could-be-in-extra-cities-before-RWC

langi27

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384747 27-Sep-2010 09:14

If you want reception from Sugarloaf your going to need the king of UHF aerials, the Hills Signal Master SF91WB Super Fringe Antenna combnied with a Masthead Amplifier. Use premade RG-6 cable with F-type connectors (don't try to make them yourself you'll never get the same RF perfomance) increase the antenna height as high as possible.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#384802 27-Sep-2010 10:37

If you have trouble getting an analogue signal from Prime then you have little hope of getting a digital signal from Freeview. I have found much more signal strength is required for Digital compared to Analogue tuning and setup.
However I suggest you take your Box somewhere where you can get a good signal and tune it up. Then take it home and try for a signal. I find that once my tuners (Zinwell Set Top Box and Hauppage HVR2200 in my PC) are tuned they will still receive a signal with the co-ax disconnected from the antenna (at the antenna end) and virtually nil signal strength, although exhibiting lots of pixellation and drop-outs. It seems the Digital tuners need a reasonable signal strength and quality to scan and tune, but once tuned need little in the way of signal to keep working. It's worth a try and it might work.

diogenese

26 posts

Geek

#384912 27-Sep-2010 13:07

Thanks for the hint Bigglz, I might try that next weekend when I visit my folks in Oxford.
But I might just point the aerial at cave hill and wait for the new transmitters to come on line.

illicit

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#386588 1-Oct-2010 07:57

ObidiahSlope: I have heard reports of someone at Ealing, on the North Bank of the Rangitata River, getting Freeview terrestrial.

I live near the Girls High School in Timaru and I get DVB-T 95% of the time - weather permitting, im only on a 1m mast though, have yet to find time to install a taller one.

A correctly aligned aerial, good cable & connectors and suitable amplifier are necessities.