Freeview: TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | Digital switchover
Site settings
For an enhanced Freeview reception
prediction please enter your
full postcode, a national grid reference or
a UK latitude and longitude pair. 
Most popular 09:10
Live updates 09:10
Zeitgeist|Twitter|Faults|Box updates
 Ashbourne
TV Off Air from 14:26 today to 1...
 Belmont
DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Weak ...
 Blackwaterfoot
TV Reduced Quality from 02:26 to...
 Buxton
DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Off A...
 Dolgellau
TV Off Air from 07:10 today to 0...
 Drumcarrow Craig
DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Off A...
 Eglwysilan
DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Weak ...
 Heathfield
DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Weak ...
 Kingskerswell
TV Off Air from 11:10 today to 1...
 Kinlochbervie
TV Reduced Quality from 01:55 to...
 Llwyn Onn
TV Off Air from 07:10 today to 0...
 Stagshaw
AM: Radio 5 Live Weak Signal from...
 Tacolneston
Freeview: HD Digital TV Weak Sign...
 Wells next the Sea
TV Off Air from 09:02 today to 1...
Click here to see all transmitters with faults and engineering

TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode

Here is the list from Digital UK of boxes and sets that will not receive Freeview after switchover is complete

Here is the list from Digital UK of boxes and sets that will no
Published on by on UK Free TV
If you use one of these to watch Freeview, or are hoping to after www.ukfree.tv link icon switchover happens in your region, you will need to get a new Freeview box at switchover.

ONdigital/ITVdigital branded set top boxes

Nokia Mediamaster 9850T; Pace DTR730 and DTR735, Philips DTX6370, DTX6371 and DTX6372; Pioneer DBRT200 and DBRT210, Sony VTX-D500; Toshiba DTB2000.

If you have any of these you will need to recycle it and get a new box.

Freeview branded set top boxes

Fusion FRT100*, Pace DTVA-T "Wedge Adaptor", DT210F*, Samsung SIRU200i (Without M suffix).

Freeview, ONdigital and ITV branded integrated digital television sets

Alba ONdigital sets, Bush ONdigital sets.

Hitachi 28WDDODTN, 32WD40DTN and D36W840DTN; Panasonic TX-28DT2, TX-32DT2, TX-28DT30*, TX-32DT30*, TX-36DT30*, TX-36DT35* and TX-32DH40*; Philips 28DW6734, 32DW6834, 32DW9625, 28DW6557* and 32DW6557*.

Sanyo CE28DFN1-B, CE32DFN1-B, CE28DFN2-B, CE32DFN2-B, CE32DFN2BK-B, CE28DWN1-B, CE28DFN3-B-00, CE32DFN3-B-00, CE30LD3-B,CE30LD3BK-B, CE27LD3-B, CE23LD4-B, CE23LD4W-B, CE27LD4-B, CE27LD4BK-B, CE32LD4-B, CE32LD4BK-B, CE27LD5-B and CE32LD5-B.

Sony 28DS60, 32DS60, 28DS65, 32DS65, 28DX20, 32DX20, 28DX30, 32DX30, 28DS20, 32DS20, KP41DS1, KP51DS1, KP51DS2, KP41DS1, KP51DS1, KP51DS2, KD28DX40*, KD32DX40*, KD32DX100*, KD32NX100*, KD32NX200*, KD36NX200*; Toshiba 28WT98B, 32WT98B, 28ZT29B, 32ZT29B, 36ZT29B, 42WT29B, 50WT29B and 57WT29B.

All these sets can be upgraded - contact the supplier (numbers below) to add a Freeview box to the set.

Boxes that do not support both 2k and 8k modes

Some boxes are having problems during switchover supporting both modes at the same times:

  • Sharp TU-R160H
  • Humax 9200T
  • Thomson DTi 1000


The workaround appears to be to add the "8k" channel manually (C62 for Selkirk, for example) and then to do this procedure after switchover is complete: www.ukfree.tv link icon My Freeview box has no EPG, is missing Film4, Channel 4+1, no sound on ITV3 or the channel line up is wrong - ukfree.tv - independent digital television and switchover advice, since 2002

This is on top of the boxes that could not cope with the changes to the Network Information Table (NIT): Daewoo DS608P, Labgear DTT100, Triax DVB 2000T, Portland DP100 and these VCR/STBs: Daewoo SV900, Bush IDVCR01

Helpline numbers

  • Alba 0871 230 1777
  • Bush 0871 230 1777
  • Daewoo 0870 100 2525
  • Hitachi 0870 405 4405
  • Humax 0870 247 8800
  • Nokia 0845 045 5555
  • Pace 0870 120 1910
  • Panasonic 0800 169 3012
  • Philips 0870 900 9070
  • Pioneer 0330 123 1240
  • Sharp 08705 274 277
  • Sony 08705 111999
  • Thomson 01443 220220
  • Toshiba 0115 976 6958






Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom

firstFirst comments prevEarlier comments  ◊  Later commentsnext Latest commentslast

Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

B
Bob James
Tuesday 10 April 2012 3:30PM
My Mother-in-Law, who is 90 with poor dexterity and failing sight, has an Alba STB8 digibox. She lives in the TW15 postcode area, near Staines. The box will not show BBC2 on position 2 or BBCNews on 80, although both channels are present in the 800s, on 814 and 817 respectively. Unfortunately she is unable to key in multiple numbers. Is there any way of making the box tune these two channels properly? Is there a fault in the box? I have done a "new installation" and the Receiver Upgrade is showing 3.4.2. Can you help.please?
N
Norm De Plume
Wednesday 11 April 2012 9:09AM Ashford
Bob James: There is a lot of engineering work going on in your area, so it may settle down in a few days.

However, what you describe does not sound like a "box that doesn't support the 8k mode" problem and it simply sounds like you are receiving TV signals from multiple transmitters (Staines is in the middle of Hemel, Reigate and Crystal Palace). If you can find out the frequencies that the box is tuning to for BBC2 on '2' and BBC2 on '814' then tell the box to retune and unplug the cable when it is scanning past the bad frequency and plug it in again afterwards. This process is a bit fiddly but can work well with a bit of perseverance. Even better would be if the Alba box supports manual tuning when you just tune in the channels that you want - your MiL probably doesn't want to pick up the remote and accidentally tune to Gay Rabbit, for instance.
N
Norm De Plume
Wednesday 11 April 2012 9:18AM Ashford
Bob James: it looks like digital TV on Midhurst is the only one that is disrupted at the moment so there's probably not much point waiting to see if it sorts itself out.

You should really type your MiL's postcode into the postcode checker in the top right of the page and you will then be shown the nearby transmitters that she is likely to receive. The page for each transmitter shows the channels that you will need to tune to or to avoid.
M
Mick Triggs
Wednesday 11 April 2012 10:51AM
I am about 12 miles from Crystal Palace and following rescan i have bad problems with audio gaps and picture freezing on all the 8k channneds BBC 1,2 etc. The signal strength indication is high with low errors and I have tried a new high gain arial but the problem is still the same. When i view or record via my Thompson top up tv box the problem is even worse and basically unwatchable - Help please
Dave Lindsay
Wednesday 11 April 2012 12:53PM
Mick Triggs: It is difficult to say to for certain, but if you have good line of sight to the transmitter, your receiver could be suffering from signal overload.

See:

www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
J
Joan Jaggernauth
Friday 13 April 2012 2:16PM
Hi my name is Joan, living in Brentwood Essex. I have retuned my 16 inch Technika television many times, but still some channels are showing with stripes across the face. Should I continue to retune each day or will all this right itself on the 18th? thanks joan
Briantist
Friday 13 April 2012 5:51PM
Joan Jaggernauth: As Albert Einstein said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

I would wait until the 18th to see if the problem clears.
L
Liz
Saturday 14 April 2012 8:00PM
my bush satellite digital box will not connect for some reason. I have subscription to sky tv already and I was expecting to be able to connect without any problem. my sky dish is installed in the back and my freeview will be view in the bedroom which is at the front of the house. How this could be an issue am not sure because our living room is at the front of the house and the bedroom is above the living room. Please help as I cannot return this back. Thank you.
S
Steve P
Saturday 14 April 2012 10:35PM
Liz - are you entirely clear on the difference between satellite TV and Freeview?

If not, say so!

If you are, what exactly are you trying to do which is new? Presumably Sky installed their kit?
S
Steve P
Saturday 14 April 2012 10:38PM
Brian - I agree re waiting, but Einstein would perhaps have considered changed conditions - like propagation and new Tx being fine tuned.

Heisenberg himself would have been uncertain.
K
kerry
Tuesday 17 April 2012 12:50PM
I have re-tuned by Bush TV but can only get BBC channel and radio. I have tried every which way but to no avail. Please help. I am in the CM20 area
Dave Lindsay
Tuesday 17 April 2012 12:56PM
kerry: Switchover completes tomorrow when all other channels should become available.
K
kerry
Tuesday 17 April 2012 2:33PM Harlow
Thank you so much for this information.
S
Steve P
Wednesday 18 April 2012 5:20PM
TV in kitchen has retuned ok but TV in bedroom is missing several channels. they both operate on the same roof aerial.The bedroom TV is a Kenmark HD Ready, LCD TV, about 3 years old. Any ideas please?
B
Bob James
Wednesday 18 April 2012 7:06PM Ashford
Thanks for all the helpful comments following my earlier message on 10 April. We did a complete retune this morning after the final switchover and now all channels are being received with no problem.
W
wilson
Wednesday 18 April 2012 10:05PM
Retuned on several occasions - initial success, but have to retune everytime the set is switched back on.
Phillips 26PFL5522/D/05
a 26inch LCD
Any suggestions?
P
Peter Debrill
Wednesday 18 April 2012 10:29PM Rayleigh
Was given a Bush digibox dating from 2004 but after full retune via installation only receive Channel 22 multiplex now. Is the box too old? SS5 5JA.
S
Sue Lyons
Wednesday 18 April 2012 11:02PM
We run off the Haslemere Transmitter where we have few channels and regular interruptions in signal. Is this likely to improve?
Also, the programme guide has little or no information over 2 hours ahead, which makes it very difficult when the recorder works off the programme guide. I have retuned approximately 10 times in the hope that it will improve, but without success.
R
R.S.Andrews
Thursday 19 April 2012 9:54AM
I have a HUMAX LGB-22DRT television set, on change over 04-04-2012 I clicked on menu and screen went blank, if I switch off then on again the menu will come on screen for a split second and says "poor or no signal" the set is approximatey 4 1/2 years old.Do I need to buy a digital box. Many thanks for any help you can give me.
S
Steve P
Thursday 19 April 2012 10:32AM
For the avoidance of doubt, this Steve P is not me!

Steve P
Wednesday 18 April 2012 5:20PM
17 hours ago
A
Amy
Thursday 19 April 2012 10:53AM
I have a Thomson DT1 550 set top box. When I retuned I found I'm missing Ch 4, More 4, E4 and IV1 and ITV2. Digital UK told me this model is on their problem list. Tried contacting Thomson but they don't answer their phones. Does anyone know if its possible to tune in the missing channels and if so how? Or do I need to go and buy a new set top box? Any help/suggestions much appreciated.
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:09AM
Amy: It's on the 'Split NIT' list at www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf . This states that some of the channels are stored in the 800s rather than at their proper channel numbers. It suggests emailing Thomson.Retail.STB.UK@technicolor.com for support.

To be honest, though, I'd suggest getting a new box. You should consider getting a Freeview HD box now, even if you don't have an HD TV, as future services are likely to use the newer technology - it may even be a requirement for the future of the services we already have.

Thomson/Technicolor have essentially pulled out of the UK set-top box market, so they may not offer that much help.
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:21AM
R.S.Andrews: Do you have a radio station selected as the current channel? This TV has a feature which can turn the LCD panel off if you have a radio station selected. I suppose it's possible that it's selecting this mode when it doesn't detect a video stream for the selected channel!

It's possible that this could kick in if the selected TV channel is on one of the frequencies that was reused. There will be a digital TV stream on that frequency, it just won't be the one that's expected.

Try pressing TV/AV to get back to analogue TV or to another AV input, to get the panel to come back on. Once you can see the menu, select the Default Settings option from the System section. That will clear out all existing channel lists and completely retune.

If all else fails, contact Humax on 0844 669 8800 or email uksupport@humax-digital.co.uk .
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:26AM
Sue Lyons: The Haslemere transmitter is 'Freeview Lite', it doesn't carry the commercial multiplexes. They haven't extended their services to all the relay transmitters, using only the main transmitters that carried Freeview before switchover.

Often, reception problems can be due to the box tuning in the wrong transmitter. See Digital Region Overlap for thoughts on this. We can give more detailed advice if you provide a full postcode.

The programme guide not filling up is likely to be due to an overlap problem where the other transmitter is from a different TV region, or simply that reception is poor enough for the data not to be decoded.
G
Gladys Frogley
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:27AM
I have a phillips ONDigital box but it will not download new details. Is this because the digital box is too old
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:31AM
Peter Debrill: Digital UK's predictor (trade view) actually gives you *least* chance of getting ArqA on C22. It suggests using Rouncefall for best results, though this transmitter does not carry the commercial multiplexes.

I'd check the list of boxes known to have problems with the larger Network Information Table: www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit . The Bush brand name has changed hands a few times since 2004, and the new owner may not be able to help you.
A
Amy
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:35AM
Thanks Mike for your suggestions. I think I might just get a new set top box. If Thomson can't be contacted by phone I could waste a lot of time waiting for a response to an email so I think a new set top box might eliminate hassle and delay. Thanks so much for your comments.
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 12:22PM
wilson: The recommended approach for retuning this TV is at www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf .

If you're still having trouble after following those instructions, some people have had success (though not necessarily with that set) by unplugging the aerial, following those instructions, then plugging in the aerial and repeating the process.

The problem is often limited memory for channels, and picking up more than one version of the channels. Some TVs and boxes will store as many channels as will fit in the permanent storage, then the rest of the channels in temporary memory. When you switch the TV off, the channels in temporary memory are lost. If the channels still won't stick, all you can do is manually tune in only the multiplexes from the wanted transmitter. Unfortunately this TV doesn't have a way to delete unwanted channels.

If you decide to go this route, you should first use 'Reinstall All Services' with the aerial unplugged to clear out the list. Then use 'Manual Install Services' to scan C23 for the BBC channels, C26 for the main ITV/C4/C5 channels, then C25, C22 and C28.

This TV is 'HD Ready' but doesn't have a Freeview HD tuner, so it won't display HD channels. You'll need a separate Freeview HD box or PVR to decode the HD signals and pass them on to the TV.
M
Mike Dimmick
Thursday 19 April 2012 12:25PM
Gladys Frogley: The ONdigital boxes generally don't work after switchover. Digital UK list Philips models DTX 6370, 6371 and 6372 as being known not to work.

The technical reason is that at the time, the memory required for decoding was quite expensive, so ONdigital only required enough of it to decode 2K mode, not the 8K mode that is now used.
M
Mike
Thursday 19 April 2012 2:12PM
Had a similar problem .. several channels including ITV3 appear but no signal then found them in the 800's .. problem is that when you retune it doesn't delete the old channels so I had to do a "restore factory settings" to clear everything out and then retuned and all was well
S
steve
Tuesday 24 April 2012 6:41PM
I have an astratec dv3 freeview box, which since the switch over has stopped showing all channels. I have tried re-tuning and also buying a new ariel, but neither has resolved the issue. I'd be grateful for some advice/solutions?
J
jb38
Tuesday 24 April 2012 8:36PM
steve: Although I strongly suspect that your box is not compatible with the new 8k transmission modes that started at switch over, but though as you haven't mentioned your location then the other angle has to tested, that of the possibility of you receiving an excessively high level of signal that's blocking the tuner, so try a test using a set top aerial or use a short (about 12") piece of wire pushed into the aerial socket and carry out a retune.

If this doesn't give any results then the box is effectively at the end of its life as the 8k issue cannot be rectified.
J
j knox
Wednesday 25 April 2012 9:50AM
I have a Mogen top box model 2014 which does not work with a Panasonic or JVC Tv. Could this be a problem with the remote control please?
S
sgk
Saturday 28 April 2012 2:20PM
I have a samsung siru200i which has stopped working since dso was complete. Am I now to assume this box is now redundant?. No obligation from the manufacturer or indeed the broadcast regulator to replace it?..
Dave Lindsay
Saturday 28 April 2012 2:53PM
sgk: The box is of no use after switchover.

The design did not extend to full compliance with the DVB-T specification which is what is used for standard definition broadcasts in the UK. It was only ever designed to work in 2k mode and not 8k mode.

The broadcasters or regulators don't offer any recompense to owners of devices that don't fully comply with the DVB-T specification.
D
D Ruff
Friday 1 June 2012 10:06AM
I have to manually re tune our Tv as automatic only goes to 29.
Our ariel faces London although we live in Burgess Hill.Most of our neighbours are IOW.transmitter
As soon as we turn off the TV at the end of the day,we lose all the channels again.utterly fed up with retuning.Seems like a ruse to get us spending money.
Dave Lindsay
Friday 1 June 2012 10:23AM
D Ruff: It would be helpful to know more about your situation. In particular, what is the model of the TV? Is it Crystal Palace that you are using?

If by "only goes to 29" means that the scan stops at C29, then I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that Crystal Palace's C28 has a negative offset and that this set can't handle it. If you provide a make and model number this might help because chances are that someone else has encountered the same problem.
B
BH Viewer
Sunday 3 June 2012 3:20PM
D Ruff:
Most people in BH are using either the Heathfield or Midhurst transmitters, which should give you a more resilient service than Crystal Palace. I doubt if your neighbours are receiving signals from Rowridge (Isle of Wight) - the South Downs are in the way.

Dave's point regarding frequency offsets is valid. Also, Heathfield Mux 2 is currently on Ch29 (on low power but with no offset) until 13 June when the digital switchover will be complete.

Try a good quality Group B (for Heathfield) or Group C/D (for Midhurst) aerial rather than a DIY store 'wide-band' or so-called 'digital' aerial.
Heathfield will give you BBC South East, whilst Midhurst carries BBC South.
J
jb38
Sunday 3 June 2012 5:14PM
D Ruff: With regards to your TV losing channels after having been switched off, then this is usually caused by the TV trying to store more channels than its memory capacity is capable of doing, hence when the set is unpowered they drop out.

The only way to get around that problem is by either carrying out a "factory reset" on the TV this sometimes called "default setting" on some devices, or alternatively proceeding as though you were going to carry out another auto-tune but exiting it as soon as you press "search" or "scan", as that wipes out anything stored in the memory without upsetting any other settings, but no matter what method you use carry out a normal auto-tune after having blanked the channels out.

And as was mentioned by Dave Lindsay, it would be of assistance to know the model number of the TV in question so that certain aspects of its tuners specifications to be checked out.

B
barry woodward
Friday 29 June 2012 2:49PM
I have a perfectly good aerial which gives me excelent picture from an outside areial,
so if I wait for the switchover in september will I get switched over without getting a digital aerial put up. I do not want freeview anyway and I am watching tv on a widescreen phillips silver tv I bought in 2003
Dave Lindsay
Friday 29 June 2012 3:08PM
barry woodward: There is no such thing as a "digital aerial". Aerials work based on frequencies used and don't care whether signals are of analogue or digital form.

In some cases aerials need to be replaced because the signals used for post-switchover digital are different to those use for former analogue.

If you post your location, preferably in the form of post code or nearby post code (e.g. a shop), then we can advise whether you will be likely to be affected. It is generally a good sign that it works now, but knowing which transmitter you are using will help us to be more sure whether your current aerial is likely to work after switchover.

If you know which transmitter you use or which direction your aerial points, that may help, along with the location.
M
Michael
Sunday 2 September 2012 11:27AM
GRUNDIG GULENAR 26HDIP FREEVIEW TV - COPY OF MY EMAIL TO GRUNDIG - Can you please tell me what to do here.

I have a Grundig GULENAR26HDIP Freeview TV Set where certain freeview channnels freeze.

I understood that if i left the TV on standby all night that the problem would be fixed in the form of some sort of software update that was released in 2011.

This has not cured the fault the tv freezes up as soon as an itv channel is selected & will not respond to anything at all until the power is fully turned off.

Can you please advise me on how to rectify this fault as it is spoiling a perfectly good TV.

I cannot use it like this,

Regards,

Michael

P
Peter Coyle
Saturday 15 September 2012 4:25PM
My parents have a Hitachi 42PD6700 U as their main TV. After the first stage of changeover the BBC channels are distorted but other channels are OK. Tried switching aerials,using attenuators etc to no avail. Another TV (newer Samsung works fine in same place so fault points to Hitachi. Any chance problem will clear after second part of changeover on Pontop Pike transmitter
Dave Lindsay
Saturday 15 September 2012 6:57PM
Peter Coyle: Check that the Hitachi is tuned correctly, to Pontop Pike for BBC on UHF channel 58. Do this by viewing the signal strength screen.

It is possible that it has decided to go with the signal from another transmitter. Overlap is much more a possibility now that the BBC digital signals are on full power.

If it turns out that it has gone with another transmitter, then a workaround may be to unplug the aerial for the first part of the scan. It depends on whereabouts within the UHF channels that it has tuned to (they run 21 to 69).

From 26th September, Pontop Pike's lowest will be C49, so have the aerial in for that. Get the aerial in for 55% should do it. This will work if the signal that you're trying to avoid is much below C47.
P
Peter Coyle
Friday 21 September 2012 2:55PM
Dave, done as suggested but still the same. Works ok with another TV or digibox! Will wait till after 26th and try again
R
r.j.dawson
Saturday 22 September 2012 4:32PM Darlington
Hi I have a loewe individual 32 tv I have retuned several times but am unable to receive bbc 1+2 using the auto tuning facility of the tv my other tv in the bedroom has retuned to all channels.I live in darlington co durham and recieve signals from the bilsdale transmitter. any thoughts please!
P
Peter Coyle
Wednesday 26 September 2012 6:50PM
Changeover now complete but problem persists with BBC channels on Hitachi 42PD6700 tele. Tried everything as previously posted so suspect problem lies with tuner in TV aaaargh!
P
Peter Coyle
Wednesday 26 September 2012 6:51PM
ps. was ok before changeover
K
Ken
Friday 28 September 2012 1:48PM
Hi, I have a panasonic TH-37PE30 with system software of E10_2.36. According to the info my tv should be ok however, each time I power the set on (from tv or remote) it auto scans.... I am presuming this is either because it does not find analogue stations or I am not storing dvb stations correctly???? Sometimes on these scans it finds all channels other times it doesn't, I am tired of it all now. I rang Panasonic this morning for help and the guy I spoke to said, "buy a £30 digital box".... I reminded him that this would not solve my problem as when the tv is switched on it auto tunes!!!! Please help.
Thanks in advance.
Ken.
Dave Lindsay
Friday 28 September 2012 3:15PM
Ken: Put the make and model number into Google and it brings up results of discussion on this. Try other words along with it such as "firmware" or "switchover".

It may be that the only answer is as suggested - that you use a separate tuner.
K
Ken
Friday 28 September 2012 3:34PM
Hi Dave and thanks for your reply. A seperate box would not help me though! Each time I switch the tv on it auto tunes.... only once today have I been able to stop this auto tune but realised we did not have all channels and had to tune again and since it has reverted back to auto tuning at power on! I currently have all channels and scared to switch tv off lol. I have spent most of the day searching google and on phone to Panasonic who said they have not come across this problem before! I can get all dvb channels and this problem of auto retune at power on has only come about since the final part of the switchover on the 26th.
K
Ken
Friday 28 September 2012 3:37PM
I can't find anything in google to suggest my tv is not compatible with the switchover other than maybe a software update needed????



Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.