All posts by Les Nicol
Below are all of Les Nicol's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Brian - I did another check on SD Freesat boxes and it looks like the SD ones have been dropped and as Mark posts the cheapest which is HD is at Argos. Jas - Most TV's bought throughout Europe are able to operate in member countries. You should be able to check the formats in the set manual otherwise google the model number for the specifications. Jerre - Your BT Vision receiver is designed to work with a Freeview connection with it's on demand content being delivered via your broadband connection. So if as Brian has pointed out you are unlikely to have a satisfactory "Freeview" reception where you are then I think "Freesat" will be the better option where you can also connect to a satellite outlet.. Rob - Upgrading system software or doing a factory reset should not effect recordings already made and stored on the HDD. John Clarke - Have you tried a manual update? If you can't pick up Channel4 having done this try a system reset which takes the receiver back to factory settings and carry out a fresh installation from scratch. Steve - You will still be able to obtain digital Satellite TV either from from "Freest" the service supported by the BBC and ITV - you will need to purchase your own receiver for this service - various models are available on the high Street from independents and multiples rg:- Currys Comet John Lewis Argos etc. Alternatively by obtaining a FSFS - freesat from SKY card £25+ but with limited FTA (free to air) channels.
A receiver purchased by yourself will simply mean connecting to your existing dish - a straight swop over of the SKY box. KT I assume there is feed from the SKY LNB on the dish to the kitchen? Check your connections here and try again. To check the receiver out and to see it's working OK connect to your SKY box feed and this will confirm it's operation or otherwise. If you still have a problem then return to where you purchased the box from and have it swopped over. Richard - It seems you are on a "Freeview" Lite transmitter at West Linton. Dependent on your exact locus it might be just possible to pick up Blackhill, but you really would need to check this out with preferably a local rigger. Your aerial would need re-confiqured were reception possible. I have knowledge of West Linton and I would have thought were you to reside at the south end of the village, in the development that is extremely low lying then you might have a difficulty. If you have a clear line of sight to the South East where you are, then your best option may be to consider "Freest" which will certainly give you a much greater channel selection and choice of viewing material. You however, then would need a "Freesat" receiver and dish installation - not an overlay expensive outlay dependent on the choice of receiver.This service is supported by the BBC and ITV is non subscription. Richard : I see from your earlier post that you would really like to have "Dave". This channel isn't currently available on "Freesat" due to contractual arrangements with SKY. It would be on "Freeview" from Blackhill if you can get it. Bruce - There should be no problem in an aerial trained on Blackhill in Easthouses Mayfield Newtongrange or Gorebridge their might be in parts of Dalkeith itself and you may need to check locally from installers in the area. I surmise that the majority of aerial installations in this area are directed at Craigkelly in Fife. Richard - If the Blackhill option doesn't. resolve much for you and you state your in open country,but can't put a dish on a listed building,you could explore a ground site as an option. Dishes can also be had that are made of clear perspex and are considerably more asthetic than those that are glaringly obvious and mounted on buildings.
I reside in Dumfries & Galloway,this area covered by the Border ITV region. Switch over was anything but satisfactory here - (this was the first area to go digital) - unless able to receive direct transmissions from Caldbeck or Selkirk. Most of Dumfries & Galloway is covered by relay "lite" transmitter output thus giving very much a second rate service. Similarly this applies to large areas of Cumbria inspite of the fact that Caldbeck is a main transmitter for the North West of England. In short, for many to obtain a satisfactory service the optionsa are SKY pay per view or the FSFS - freesat from Sky or the supported "Freesat" non subscription service offered by the BBC and ItV which does give overall a much improved option over the limited terrestrial digital service in this area.
It seems to me that not much has been learnt from the earlier presenting problems that have been thrown up as the switch over has progressed to other broadcasting regions. Publicity in terms of likely issues and how to resolve these if at all possible at a subscriber level has been frankly very lacking and but for independently run sites like this -thanks to Brian Butterworth and others - has left many people out in the cold. From the many comments I see on this site has left many frustrated and angry people trying to make sense of the ongoing switch over process. 
In my previous post it was amiss of me not to example presenting problems that should have been more widely publicised after the initial switch over. e.g:- The impact of Masthead and or domestic plugin boosters on digital transmission reception Fit for purpose issues with some "Freeview" receivers, doesn't seem ( I'll stand corrected on this one if I'm wrong) to have been the same quality control standards applied as there has been with "Freesat" on receiver manufacturers prior to release of same. Little or no information on the more critical line of site aspect with digital transmissions over terrestrial. In this area no balanced Satellite reception options SKY in relation to "Freesat" Sky very much promoted over "Freesat" by Digital UK. Brian - Loft aerials are not really suitable for Digital Terrestrial reception. you should have am external aerial fitted. I would also check with a local aerial rigger the best option for you as it might well be in Broxburn that reception from Blackhill is the better one. Kenny Swan - Craigkelly is your nearest transmitter - practically on your doorstep as it were. The other it seems will likely be Blackhill. You should not have a booster connected to your aerial as the digital transmissions are more powerful than the former terrestrial analogue and this will impair reception. You indicate that your aerial is in the "best position in the living room". If I am assuming from this that you have an internal aerial then this really isn't ideal for Digital TV reception and is likely to give you problems. Alan Cooper - Your Ross FTA (Free to Air) receiver will work OK but I doubt you will have a lot of success in reception of UK channels without a much larger dish. Might be possible to pick BBC World on a Satellite focused on Eastern Europe but that would be about it with the 65cm. Alan Cooper - If possible I would try to find this out from a local source - but I would think around a 1.2 metre and above. I wouldn't purchase anything until you can get a definitive view locally. Jerry - No,- It has as it says twin "Freesat" tuners that allow you to record two different channels whilst watching another. You can also record to the Blue ray built in recorder. You will need twin feeds from the dish LNB as you would from any other "Freesat"or SKY HD plus receivers. Nicky - A feed cable needs to come direct from the LNB (that's the item on the end of the boom arm that looks back towards the dish) which will have four connector outputs. Connected in this manner will allow your son to watch whatever he wants independently of whatever channel is selected on the SKY receiver in your lounge. Colin I would check all cabling first at the receiver end. If the problem isn't resolved then if possible can you connect to another dish - neighbour or family member? If it works OK from another dish source then it could be faulty LNB or cabling. P.S.> If you check reception of True Movies or Movies for Men and there is no signal or signal breakup then your dish is not peacked for optimum reception - it may have moved.. Jayne - Yes simply swopover the SKY inputs from the dish and connect to the "Freesat" recorder. With the Humax conect to the left and right inputs not the centre one. If this is an additional receiver to the SKY one rather than a straight replacemnt then you will require another twin cable run from the two unused ports on the dish LNB to the receivers location. Jayne The site is OK You should be able to get a good deal on a Grade "A" 1 Tear warranty or a new box with 2 year warranty these are direct from Humax the manufacturer. The LNB feed cables are connected to LNB 1 on the left and LNB 2 on the right the centre connection is a feed out. With a Home Plug set and a broadband connection you can connect to the BBC iplayer and soon the ITVplayer. Jayne - The Home Plug set comes with 2 Plugs and two Ethernet cables and quick set up connection illustration leaflet. You don't need a wireless connection the broadband iplayer feed "piggy backs" on the domestic power supply cabled around your house. What you need to make sure of is that the Home Plug set is at least 200mps capable.
Colin - This had been caused by changes to the signal on the transpoder from which the BBC one HD and BBC HD broadcasts are beamed. The Modulation changed from DVB-S to DVD-S2. I assumed wrongly obviously that your receiver would not have the recording issues you describe after the numerous re-sets made.
Normal proceedure is to place the receiver in standby for 30 seconds and then re-start, but if still giving problems to undertake a factory re-configuration to re-generate a FIRST TIME INSTALLATION. Please try this again and if still no joy there is a "Freesat" support team available on 08450 990 990 who will be able to offer further advice with your particular receiver.
Colin- Just to add there are apparently issues with the Harvard Group receivers and the Goodmans receiver is one of their models where they are unable to manage DVB-S2 modulation. I have just noted that some retail outlets are re-placing same so you also need to check this out You may get more info on this from the number in my previous post.
Hope you get some satisfaction on this one. Barry - If the tuner module fitted to your Samsung is not DVB-S2 compliant then this isn't rectifiable as jb38 points out. Melissa - Unplug the Freeview box from the wall also disconnect the aerial connection from your box as well. Give it a couple of minutes or so then plug your box power cable back in leaving the aerial cable out. Re-scan with the aerial cable out and this will clear the receiver channel memory. Plug your aerial cable back in and select initial or first time install this then should set up the available chennels correctly. Barry - You may then need to try a manual set up of these channels. May I suggest if you continue to struggle with this that you post a query in "Tech Help" to satandpcguy based in Spain. He might be better placed to offer further help on this one if you can't manually correct this yourself. Ken Sims - It may be related to the trees Ken, but it could be that your dish has moved and requires to have the signal peaked. I'm constantly seeing SKY dishes with securing bolts missing or loose allowing movement - would be helpful if you new what size your dish was? ie: mini type 43cm or standard around 60cm. You can check the signal and picture quality levels with the receiver itself normally accessed through the menu structure. If it is very low you may need to call in a rigger to re-configure your dish. Mark Aberfan - Have you noted and installed the update of May2011 on the Technomate 5402HD? I see that it includes 1-7days EPG on 28 degrees South East. I was checking today and noted this is included with the latest download for the 6800 Super which I have and will install later today. Louise - You cannot connect a SKY Satellite receiver to a "Freeview" aerial. You either require to use the SKY receiver for the SkY subscription or non subscription services or have a "Freeview receiver that connects to your rooftop aerial. The latter may not be required if your television has a built in "Freevew" decoder. Daniel Peake. If you get no results with the advice Mike's given you, you could try removing the aerial connection to the set. Again follow Mike's directions above,once done, re-connect the aerial and run First-Time install again. Hopefully the process will have wiped the memory as it was when in Newcastle and give you a satisfactory re-install of the digital channels from Blackhill.
Les Martin - It seems like your cable termination may be the problem - make sure that none of the connectors are allowing any of the cable braiding strands to foul the copper centre core wire. The foil needs stripping away and the copper or silver strand needs drawn back completely and trimmed away once the termination is made and the screw on connector in place Jim IOW - Recommendation assuming your mobile home is on a fixed site with mains power:- Triax TD 54CM dish, Small Patio Stand (fixed to a suitable concrete slab) or other stable fixing. "Freesat" receiver of your choice there are several models (both SD and HD) to choose from with a range of manufacturers available from retailers and multiples on the high street and online. They start at £29.99 and upwards. Camping and caravan 12 volt kits are also available as others have posted but may less suited to a fixed mobile home if this is your main residence or where you spend extended periods of time at. Jim IOW - P.S.> You would be well advised to check that satellite reception is OK from your locus prior to purchasing any items required. P.J. If you have SKY + downstairs then it's a straight swop over of your existing receiver for the "Freesat" HDR box as illustrated above. The LNB - that's the item on the end of the dish boom arm will likely have four output's, with a twin satellite cable connected to two of these ports and then routed to your downstairs SKY+ plus box. As your giving up SKY I assume Multi-Room as well then you will need individual cable runs of WF100 satellite cable from the two unused ports at the dish to where ever you are locating the two SKY boxes which you can use without subscription but may have to have non subscription card(s) for one off at £25.00 each. - might not be necessary but you need to check I'm not a subscriber or "Rupert Fan" myself so perhaps someone can add a little more clarity on this to my post.
For cable and bits and bob's - cable terminations etc - check out at "Satcure's" online web page. P.J. - Just to add the HDR re-placing the down stairs SKY receiver will come with an HDMI cable - this can be used in place of the SCART cable if you have a suitable port on your TV - the SCART can still be used if your TV doesn't have an HDMI port located downstairs - I presume in your lounge,. John Child- Mike Dimmick - The BBC have issued an apology for giving insufficient notice of the change from DVB-S to DVB-S2. The upgrade to the more efficient DVB-S2 modulation format was brought about to enable the BBC to broadcast the Wimbeldon Tennis Toutnament in 3D.
There were problems with Channel 4HD earlier in April with Harvard Group receivers eg:- Grunding, Bush, etc were in not being up to specs set by "Freesat" and being unable to manage as they should have been the DVB-S2 modulation. More recently with changes in modulation brought in by the BBC Panasonic receivers had problems but this was dealt with satisfactorily with instructive support from Panasonic ie_ putting into standby or re-tuned. Michael - whilst your post has my support I don't think there has been as yet a final decision made by the Europen Court as to the case put by the Southampton publican who has challenged her conviction and fines imposed by the British courts. Terence, the fight was broadcast Free to Air by RTL on the Astra satellite at 19degrees South East, although with German commentary. Michael - The E.U. Solicitor General earlier offered legal opinion on this matter presenting her views to th E.U.Judges to give a final ruling on. I believe this is likely to be decided at the latest by November this year. It was the opinion of the Solicitor General that there should be no restrictions throughout Member States. The case as presented by the Southampton Publican in choosing to seek to take and pay for access to an alternative satellite TV service from another EU provider other than SKY was in her view a legitimate one.
Apparently in the past the E.U. Judges have sought to ratify on such recommendations. However like other examples in the E.U. decision making process, it seems that it doesn't take much for less apparent financial incentives to influence decision making and perhaps "News International" will provide a sweetner that will be difficult for even the most principled of the legal fraternity to refuse !!! Vic - Yes that is OK. Your LNB that's the item on the end of the dish boom arm will all most certainly be a quad (4port) output type with 2 of the ports being currently used for your SKY plus receiver leaving two ports unused. This will allow connection of one additional twin tuner recordable receiver or two single tuner receivers. In the unlikely event of you having a twin LNB at the moment then you would have to upgrade this item. Mazbar - K.B. Aerials Sheffield. - seems in some cases there's no ryme nor reason for some planning decisions. I recently installed a motorised dish to the rear of a row of double storey cottages in a conservation village. - 80cm Orbital dish on 4metre stand. - I complied with planning requirements that the installation should not be seen above the roof line viewed from the front of the property and adjoining properties either side. (there's a rise of some thirty feet from the rear door of the property to the installation.) - Looking along from the front of the property again the whole street both sides was festooned with aerials and dishes of all shapes and sizes some to chimney stacks and others bolted to external walls - nothing uniform and a number of very recent installations.. So much for conservation and crazy decision making that applies. Mike - I doubt that either of these receivers will have a recording capability. It's a matter of personal choice here on the two receivers offered. Personally I would accept the installation and the latter of the two receivers. This would get your initial installation in to your home and then you could think about perhaps an SD receiver for the bedroom and perhaps upgrading the lounge receiver later to something more of your choosing and moving the metronic to the other bedroom. Some wiring upgrading and perhaps a switch of the LNB on the dish but that wouldn't be overlay expensive to do. Mike - You could ask the installation fitter to put in a 4 port Quad LNB at the outset. This would avoid any further outlay at a later stage where you simply have to have cable runs made to the bedrooms. Ian - The nearest you will get to what you are after is likely to be the Echostar "Freesat" recorder but this doesn't have an on board RF modulator. alternatively you will need to look much wider at Free to Air - FTA receivers eg: AZ Box - Dreambox - VU receivers etc rather than "Freesat" branded boxes. Ian - In general Linux based receivers are much more adaptable in your stipulated requirements than others. Kev - I think you will have to check this out locally as reception around Torrevieja seems to vary dependent on your exact locus - your dish size - and your receiver and whether your satellite signal is being beamed from Astra 2A or 2D. 2D transmissions are primarily focused on the UK and in general a larger dish is required in Spain.
There are ex pat riggers working in your area and they may be able to offer you a more accurate assessment of what's required. Ken - It's possible the dish isn't sited in the best position. A dish can be sited at ground level - Sky fitters in particular seem to have a preference to establish dishes at a point well out of the reach of subscribers !
I have a motorised dish on a ground stand and there are several large trees anywhere between 300 to 1200 yards from where the dish is set up and at the 300 yard point the main A75 trunk Euro Route from Ireland to Europe - the constant HGV traffic using it not to mention buildings.
My dish is configured correctly by myself and I have no difficulty in reception in the complete range of receivable satellites from from around 40+ plus degrees East to 40+degrees West. - accepting that my dish is 88cms in size,
In fairness to SKY fitters they are not given the extra time to achieve the best possible location where there are site issues
Finally a personal and more critical appraisal- some receivers aside - the hardware used is the cheapest of the cheap.
Jon Shannow - You may be able to compare direction with other dishes nearby- not the most accurate method of checking. Really the only way to get some accuracy is by connecting a receiver to the dish and seeing what reception your getting or by having a local rigger who would be able to assess this visually or by connecting a Pro-Meter to the input cabling to your property. Ken - Yes you can paint your dish either with a spray or brush paint. There's no specific type but I would go for a powdercoating finish. Clear perspex dishes are avilable also if you require something more asthetic. 
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