Freeview: Winter Hill (Bolton, England) full-Freeview transmitter
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Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter

Google StreetviewGoogle mapBing mapGoogle Earth53.625,-2.516 or 53°37'30"N 2°30'56"WBL6 6SL

4G at 800MHz (at800) Freeview reception issues

When 800MHz 4G mobile broadband services start there will be 1 multiplex in the higher risk range (C21-23, C30, C59-60): C59: D3+4
See How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? and Full UK map of 4G issue areas for details.

Transmitter fauls and engineering works



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The symbol shows the location of the Winter Hill transmitter which serves 2,690,000 homes.

Other maps:Winter Hill DABWinter Hill AM/FMWinter Hill regionBBC North WestGranada

Radiation patterns

Radiation patterns withheld

Map key

The bright green areas shown where the signal from this transmitter is strong, dark green areas are poorer signals. Those parts shown in yellow may have interference on the same frequency from other masts.

Winter Hill transmitter Freeview broadcasts

If you have any kind of Freeview fault, follow this Freeview reset procedure first.

Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below. The rating shown takes in account the output power level and the various Freeview transmission modes and do not indicate an ongoing fault.

MuxEffective power level, aerial positionRatingModeWatts
PSB1
BBCA
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		100,000
Channel icons
1 BBC One North West, 2 BBC Two England, 7 BBC Three, 9 BBC Four, 70 CBBC Channel, 71 CBeebies, 80 BBC News, 81 BBC Parliament, 301 301, plus 12 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C50 (706.0MHz) from 726m datum.
PSB2
D3+4
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		100,000
Channel icons
3 ITV (Granada), 4 Channel 4 North ads, 5 Channel 5 The North ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 North ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 ITV +1 (Granada),
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C59 (778.0MHz) from 726m datum.
PSB3
BBCB
 horizontal
Maximum256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s
DVB-T2 MPEG4		100,000
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD (England no regional news), 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 ITV HD (ITV Granada), 104 Channel 4 HD North ads, plus 1 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C54- (737.8MHz) from 726m datum.
COM4
SDN
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		100,000
Channel icons
10 ITV 3, 20 G.O.L.D. (not free), 25 Dave ja vu, 26 Home (not free), 27 ITV 2 +1, 30 5*, 31 5USA, 34 ESPN UK (not free), 38 Quest, 39 The Zone, 44 Channel 5 +1, 72 CITV, plus 22 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C58 (770.0MHz) from 726m datum.
COM5
ArqA
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		100,000
Channel icons
 TV News,  TV Stars, 11 PICK TV, 12 Dave, 17 Really, 29 E4+1, 32 Movie Mix, 46 Challenge, 48 Food Network, 82 Sky News, 87 Community Channel, plus 9 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C49 (698.0MHz) from 726m datum.
COM6
ArqB
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		100,000
Channel icons
15 Film 4, 18 4Music, 19 Yesterday, 21 VIVA, 24 ITV 4, 41 Sky Sports 1 (not free), 42 Sky Sports 2 (not free), 47 4seven, 83 Al Jazeera English, 85 RT English , plus 21 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C55 (746.0MHz) from 726m datum.
MEN
 horizontal
Very lowQSPK 8K 1/2
6.0Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		1,000
Channel icons
51 Movies4Men, 52 Movies4Men +1, 53 Sony SAB TV Asia, 56 Capital TV, plus 2 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C57 (762.0MHz).


Regional news from the Winter Hill transmitter


BBC North West Tonight 3.1m homes 11.7%
from Salford M50 2QH, 22km southeast
to BBC North West region - 90 masts.

ITV Granada Reports 3.1m homes 11.6%
from Salford M50 2EQ, 22km southeast
to ITV Granada region - 80 masts.

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1956~851984-971997-981998-20092009-1310/4/13-2013-182019-
aerial groupVHFC/D EC/D EC/D EC/D EC/D EWK
C9ITV
C12BBCtv
C22SDN
C25ArqA
C28ArqB
600C31com7
C37com8
C39BBCB
C42D3+4
C45BBCA
C48C5C5
700C49 ArqAArqA
C50 BBCABBCA
C54-BBCB-BBCB-BBCB
C55BBC1BBC1BBC1ArqBArqBArqB
C56+1local
C57MENMENMEN
C58SDNSDNSDN
C59ITVITVITVD3+4D3+4D3+4
C60+C
800C61ArqA
C62BBC2BBC2BBC2BBCA
C63+D
C65C4C4C4
C66+2
C67+B
C68+A

orange background for multiplexes names moregreen background for transmission frequencieslilac background for power levels in watts800MHz band: 4G mobile to start in 2013700MHz band: possible 4G in 2019 more600MHz band: new or moved digital TV services more
Notes: + and - denote 166kHz offset; aerial group are shown as A B C/D E K W
Italics for analogue, digital switchover was Wednesdays 4th November and 2nd December 2009.

  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Manchester including Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Winter Hill transmitter using C56
  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Liverpool including St Helens, Widnes, Wigan, Wirral could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Winter Hill transmitter using C56
  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Preston including Blackpool could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Winter Hill transmitter using C56
  • COM7, COM8 projected for 2013-16. COM7 and COM8 to operate as Saddleworth,Storeton, Winter Hill SFN.

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-4 500kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB, com7, com8, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-7dB) 100kW
Analogue 5(-16dB) 12.5kW
Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D*(-17dB) 10kW
MEN(-27dB) 1000W

History of Channel 3 in the Winter Hill transmitter area

• Breakfast ◊ Weekends ♦ Friday night and weekends † Weekdays only.


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.

Paul
Friday 25 November 2011 9:04AM Manchester
Hello Dave,

Only had the Samsung for two weeks, but as regard the Technika, yes last month prior to the reduction in pwr for the ch 57 multiplex.

I'm wondering if there is a deficiency within the tuners on both the Samsung and Technika ?

Because I still can't understand why I am able to pick it up on the Grundig digi box using an external aerial.


Regards

Paul
Dave Lindsay
Friday 25 November 2011 9:55AM
Paul: You mention a reduction in power. Who told you that?

As for why the other sets are not picking the multiplex; the sensitivity varies between models. The thing with digital pictures is that you either receive them or you don't, with a tiny bit inbetween where the picture breaks up. So perhaps your Goodmans is "only just" receiving enough signal level to work and your Technika (and maybe Samsung) is "only just" receiving slightly less than they need to show a picture.

You say that your Samsung and Technika each run off their own roof aerials. What about the Goodmans; where is the aerial for that?
Paul
Friday 25 November 2011 10:20AM Manchester
Dave,
thanks for the reply,

There was some mention earlier this month on this forum that the power had either been reduced or there had been a change in the multiplex?

I connected the Grundig freeview box to one of the existing external aerials,as an experiment to see if I could pull in CH57.

I normally have it upstairs connected to an indoor aerial, where reception of CH57 is not possible.

Paul
Dave Lindsay
Friday 25 November 2011 11:50AM
Paul: I came across this comment which was posted a few weeks ago:

www.ukfree.tv link icon Movies4Men | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

This mentions a change of mode of the signal. I guess that this will probably necessitate a retune. Have you carried out a full retune on your Technika?

As the Goodmans works, you could use it to see which rooftop aerial is strongest for Ch57 (if any). You might then try using the best one with the Technika (and Samsung) to see what you get.

Not sure how relevant it is, but there is a suggestion to run the auto-tune through with the aerial unplugged:

www.ukfree.tv link icon My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound or the channel line up is wrong | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

Depending on how much time you want to spend on this, it could be worth a shot.


Failing this, you could try a booster, if you have one or if you can borrow one. I urge caution with this!

The professionals on here don't usually advise using boosters. They can cause adverse effects and are not ideal because they amplify noise picked up in the cable from the aerial. But as a last ditch attempt (before considering an aerial upgrade which isn't guaranteed to suceed), it might be worth a go.

What I would say is that a booster will amplify all the other multiplexes as well. As they are higher than Ch57, it could make them very high (or perhaps too high) which could cause issues. Your receiver could tell you "no signal" or "low signal" when the opposite is true (or it could cause picture break-up):
www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

It will be a fine balance (*if* it can be struck at all) between boosting Ch57 enough and not pushing the others over the top. Obviously a booster with a variable control is preferred.


I make these suggestions as a technical-bod. I'm not an aerial installer. I generally try things to see what happens and I have given you some suggestions of how I would approach this problem. There are obviously no guarantees that it will work.
Chris
Sunday 27 November 2011 12:04PM
Hi

I can receive all channels apart from HD ones. I have a Panasonic TV (TX32LXD70) and a Philips Freeview receiver and recorder (HDT8520). My postcode is SK7 and I'm receiving from Winter Hill. On checking the UHF strength through the Philips box all show good strength and good to excellent quality apart from UHF 54 which I gather is the one the HD is broadcast from. Can anyone help please! Is it likely my aerial setup is the culprit?


Thanks
Chris
Sunday 27 November 2011 6:12PM
ignore last post - sorted. Found that part of the cable outside was taped together. took it apart (was water sodden), trimmed it and put F connectors on each end then joined them with a back to back connector. hey presto - HD!
MR C BOX
Monday 28 November 2011 2:29PM Bristol
i have a recently installed loft aereal & for some reason in the last few days i have been unable to get any BBC freeview channels on one of my TV's at night after about 8pm.
jb38
Monday 28 November 2011 9:17PM
MR C BOX: Reception strengths can vary in the evenings, and the TV that loses its picture could simply be because the level of signal it receives during daytime is just high enough and no more to resolve a picture in the first place, but at night time its dropping under the level.

You should carry out a signal strength check on it during daytime and compare this with what's happening in the evening, but it should also be appreciated that no two devices have the same sensitivity, this showing up by one device working where another wont even although they have the same signal, so this fact has to be kept in mind.

The other thing to check is that the offending set is actually receiving from the same transmitter as the other sets, i.e: Mendip BBC-Mux Ch61, as indications are that you can also receive Wenvoe (BBC-Mux Ch41) or even Bristol Kings Weston (BBC-Mux Ch43) albeit the latter being on a semi-variable status.

Its also assumed that the sets are being fed from a distribution amplifier / splitter so that they all receive the same level of signal.
Charlie
Wednesday 30 November 2011 10:47PM
Dear Briantist: I'm not sure whether this query really belongs to this forum - but now that digital TV reception has become the norm I am beginning to notice something peculiar - once upon a time anything recorded would naturally be expected to be visually inferior to live TV but I now find the opposite to be the case. I have noticed that the news from ITN - and to a slightly lesser extent the BBC news gives a poor picture with poor definition and an old-fashioned black cameo effect on outlines, whilst those programmes which are obviously recorded have a first class resolution. A further example was this morning's "The Wright Stuff" which I believe is live and has a very pretty 'receptionist' with lovely teeth and lovely smile who looked (at least, on my TV, as though she had just devoured a plate of spinach. Not pretty! Beginning to wonder whether my TV was going on the blink, this very programme's commercial immediately followed and the picture quality was (for as long the commercials were showing) absolutely perfect. I would appreciate your comments on this phenomenon to decide whether it is I who is at fault or whether something has 'crept in' here. Sorry for this long-winded epistle. Kind regards
David
Saturday 3 December 2011 9:21AM
High guys. For 3-4 years I have watched BBC1 and 2 etc from Granada (Winter HIll). All Ok, but retuned 3 day ago and channels 1 and 2 now BBC Wales, with the others moved to Channel 812 and 821. Aerial does not appear to have moved.

Ideas? I have retuned several times
KMJ,Derby
Saturday 3 December 2011 10:21AM
David: This is quite normal in the Northwest where there is a considerable overlap in the coverage of the Winter Hill and Moel-Y-Parc transmitters. As M-Y-P frequencies are found first during the scan any channels found are stored in the LCN (normal) positions in the channel list, with variations often being stored in the 800's. Clear the channel list by doing a factory reset, then manually insert the Winter Hill frequencies if your this is possible on your receiver. Otherwise start the scan with the aerial unplugged, wait until scan reaches C53 then plug the aerial in to scan the Winter Hill frequencies.
RUTH HUDSON
Sunday 4 December 2011 12:48PM
I m freeview on a humax tv i have never before had so many channels missing....since the middle of November ...film on 4 viva and many othe channelsl i get my signal from winter hill i live in Southport ..........its always been perfect i do not have a freeview box both televisions are the same one is two years old HELP ....
jb38
Sunday 4 December 2011 3:21PM
RUTH HUDSON: According to the trade view predictor you are capable of picking up a signal from Moel-Y-Parc as well as Winter Hill, so whilst on one of the channels that is causing problems (Viva) go into the signal check menu screen and observe if the Mux channel number shown is Ch55, as if its Ch48 then that's not Winter Hill, so manual tuning of the channel will be required.

Winter Hill uses: Mux Ch's62 (BBC) - Ch59 (ITV) - Ch54 (HD) - Ch58 (ITV3 etc) - Ch61 (Pick TV etc) - Ch55 (Film4 / ITV4 etc)
David
Saturday 10 December 2011 4:07PM
KMJ. Thank you for your prompt and easy to understand response. Retuned telling box not to start until C53 and things were as they should be! Thank you
Richard
Monday 12 December 2011 11:08PM
I have a Sony Bravia 32in Tv The model number is KDL-32V5500 Full HD 1080 Why can't I recieve channels like BBC 1 HD AND ITV HD Etc. Would I have to get a HD set top box to recieve the HD channels
Dave Lindsay
Tuesday 13 December 2011 6:37PM
Richard: From what I can see it doesn't have a HD tuner in it. If it is labelled as "HD Ready" then that means that it will display HD, but not from it's own tuner. It will need a Freeview HD box to work.
Robert Palmer
Saturday 17 December 2011 8:24AM Lancaster
Dave:

In the LA13, LA14 area in Cumbria we regular breaks in transmission normally a few minutes at a time. It is not my installation as I have enquired from other viewers all over town. These breaks have occured ever since switch over, it becomes very annoying when the picture freezs and the sound is lost during the news or the likes of documentaries.
Please explain this problem.
heather lord
Sunday 18 December 2011 11:13AM Lytham St. Annes
Hi.
We are constantly each day loosing channels and then they appear again for a very short time. we, each day,loose itv channels for days on end and then the when they do return the picture and sound can hardly be seen or heard. some days it can be bbc channels that we can not view.. i have tried resetting the freeview tv each time we can not view channels but nothing is getting any better.. this has now been going on for 3 months..each time i go onto this website it says that there is nothing wrong with winter hill so what on earth is wrong... can some one help!!! the tv aerial is still in the same place on the roof so it has not moved.. the cable is ok...
Dave Lindsay
Sunday 18 December 2011 12:33PM
heather lord: Have you confirmed that it is tuned to the channels broadcast by Winter Hill and not another transmitter?

Run the auto-tune scan with the aerial unplugged and then plug it in when it gets to 60%. That way you will have the aerial unplugged when it scans frequencies used by other transmitters and plugged in for Winter Hill's frequencies.
Robert Palmer
Sunday 18 December 2011 9:44PM Barrow-in-furness
In the area LA13/LA14 we experience intermittant breaks in transmission or the signal freezes. It is not reciever equipment as I have mafde enquirers and everybody in the area has the same proble3m. Could this be an EMC problem if it is who sorts it out. We pay to recieve a service without interference it has only occurred since the cahnge to DTV.

Please advise

R C Palmer
Mark Fletcher
Sunday 18 December 2011 10:05PM Halifax
Heather Lord,Lytham St Annes.Hard to say without a full postcode.Are you sure yer receiving Winter Hill transmissions,and not those from Moel-Y-Parc mast itself,as the Fylde coast can receive Moel-Y-Parc transmissions too.If ya receive BBC1 Wales on the BBCA mux on fr 45 instead of Winter Hill's BBCA (includes BBC1 North West) on fr 62,as well as ITV1 Wales and S4C on the D3+4 mux on fr 49 instead of Winter Hill's D3+4 (includes ITV1 Granada and Channel 4) mux on fr 59 then there is a likelyhood you will be picking up stray signals from Moel-Y-Parc at over 90 degrees right of where your aerial is positioned at Winter Hill.Perform as Dave Lindsay suggests or if you can manual scan,BBCB (HD) fr 54,ArqB fr 55,SDN fr 58,D3+4 fr 59,ArqA fr 61,BBCA fr 62 are all Winter Hill multiplexes.
adrian
Wednesday 11 January 2012 8:42PM Poulton-le-fylde
hi there, my name is adrian and i have to install an outdoor digital aerial in order to supply my freeview box. i don't know if i should use a class A, B, C/D or even a wideband aerial. i live in Hambleton, poulton le fylde, Lancashire but i am originally from Yorkshire and used to get our signals from the Emly Moor transmitter. what class of aerial do i need to buy and can you confirm if we get our signals from the Winter Hill transmitter? thankyou-Adrian
Dave Lindsay
Wednesday 11 January 2012 11:17PM
adrian: For lots of information on aerials, see ATV Sheffield: www.aerialsandtv.com

Go to the "Digital Transmitters" link (ATV) on the left where you will see a guide for aerial types to use on transmitters including Winter Hill.

Based solely on the Digital UK Tradeview preditor (click the link next to your posting), you need to receive from either Winter Hill or Lancaster as both give all the channels. Winter Hill gets 100 scores across the board, so you probably want to be aiming for it (I base this statement only having looked at the predictor - it should be used as a guide only!).

Have a look around to see what neighbours are on. Also look around for local obstructions which won't be taken into account with the predictor. Trees and buildings in the way need to be avoided if possible.

I plotted the signal path using Megalithia and it says you have line of sight:

www.megalithia.com link icon Terrain - shows radio profile between two UK sites to optimise you DTT, Freeview, DAB or analogue TV reception

"Base station" is your end. You need to convert your location to an OS grid reference and select Winter Hill.
Mark Fletcher
Thursday 12 January 2012 12:31AM Halifax
Adrian.Hambleton,Poulton-Le-Fylde.For the main Winter Hill transmitter you need either a group C/D Yagi 18C/D,or preferably at your new location a group E X-Beam XB16E aerial.As Dave Lindsay rightfully suggests looking at the ATV Sheffield website is worth recommending,and even more recommending on my part is if you do decide to purchase a new outdoor antenna buy it from ATV (Aerials & Television) of Sheffield believe me they are the best,forget the rest,don't bother buying from DIY stores,most of them from the likes of B&Q,Wickes,Argos,etc,they're all inferior group W wideband aerials.Also i'd recommend buying from ATV Sheffield superior quality black (preferably) coloured satellite grade copper-copper co-ax cable and only brass co-ax plugs.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 12 January 2012 5:48AM
adrian: I'm not an aerial installer myself, so what I say is pretty much what I'd do in your situation if I was going to DIY.

I had a look around the area on Streetview and I couldn't see anything much bigger than a 10 element "crappy" contract. Bear in mind that many of these aerials would have worked with the lower power signals before switchover. The ground looks pretty flat and the Megalithia website does suggest that you have line of sight with the top of the transmitter.

Having done your research, I would speak to the guys at ATV. Also explain the lengths of cable you are likely to use, where you're intending putting your aerial. It is also quite likely that you will be able to feed more than one room from a non-powered splitter. If you think you might do this, then say so along with the length of cable-runs.

On the basis of what I've seen, my inclination is that you probably want a Log 40 or you might even find a DM Log works just fine. ATV don't sell contract aerials; the logs are what they would use instead. As I say, I'm not an aerial installer and this is based on what I know and the logical deduction arrived at based on what others in the area appear to be using.

Winter Hill is a C/D transmitter (at present), but with the likelihood that the powers that be will be auctioning off channels around 31 to 37 for future use, you might find yourself at a disadvantage if you put a C/D aerial up. I would say that you should only use such a group aerial if you are in a poor signal area where it might be necessary and from what I've seen, you're not.

Logs have pretty flat gain curves, whereas wideband yagis don't. So a wideband log should work in the future, should Winter Hill start using channels much lower than C/D.
DARIO
Monday 23 January 2012 1:42PM Ashton-under-lyne
Any one know why movies for men chanels aren't broadcasting at the momoent. Message saying "BACK SOON"
Briantist
Thursday 26 January 2012 7:33AM
DARIO: We don't know at the moment. Sony has bought the channels, but why they would stop broadcasting the channels they have bought is an interesting question.
Dave
Thursday 2 February 2012 1:51AM
I know that not all freeview tv channels can be received in all areas, but my understanding is that there are a number which you should expect to get in all areas. I was told this by the travelling helpdesk. I can't recall which they are, though. From memory, all the BBC ones, ITV, Channel 4 and its subsidiaries, and Channel 5 - but not necessarily 5USA, 5*, Dave, Yesterday, etc.
Could somebody please confirm the minimum expectations?
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 2 February 2012 10:09AM
Dave: That is correct.

The coverage of the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) groups of channels are equivalent to that of the four analogue channels that went before.

The commercial (COM) groups of channels are available to about 90% of the population, leaving about 9% with only PSBs.

See this page for the multiples (groups of channels):

www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

PSBs are BBC A, D3&4 and BBC B.

Some people will be able to receive the COMs, but will require a replacement of their aerial (including possibly a re-alignment on a different transmitter) or a second aerial.

If you supply your location, preferably post code, we can make a suggestion as to the likely possibility of success for you to receive the commercial channels.

If not, then the main alternative is Freesat.
Dave
Thursday 2 February 2012 4:56PM
I don't have a problem at all. Not only do I get all the Freeview channels I would expect to, I even get a handful from the Welsh transmitters (which, as a rugby fan, is handy.)
My query was because I was visiting the Isle of Man when they switched over, and they didn't get some of the freeview channels which I would have expected (e.g. 5USA, 5*, Dave, etc)
When I asked the "experts" why, they said that there are only a limited number of freeview channels that are guaranteed to all.
If I understand you correctly, these are the PSBs?
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 2 February 2012 5:26PM
Dave: 5USA, 5* and Dave are on the commercial (COM) multiplexes and none of the transmitters on the Isle of Man carry them; they are PSBs only.

As I said, see this page for the multiples (groups of channels):

www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

PSBs are BBC A, D3&4 and BBC B.

COMs are SDN, ArqA and ArqB
Walt Johnson
Sunday 12 February 2012 11:11AM
The MEN multiplex in the Manchester area is no longer broadcasting the men's movie channels. There was a place holder, but even they seem to have gone now.
J Alder
Sunday 12 February 2012 9:17PM
Hi I have had my freeview plus box for 1.5 years and never had a problem however in the last month it has been pausing, skipping, freezing and very painfully slow also missing programmed recording. My parents who live close also have had the same problem I have tried resetting it, unplugging etc.. And it's not made a difference.

Can anyone advise the way forward??

J Alder - congleton
Dave Lindsay
Monday 13 February 2012 10:45AM
J Alder: Which channels are causing the issue?

If your aerial is facing Winter Hill, then you could have picked up the Congleton relay which is mounted on the water tower.

This transmitter only carries the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) services which are BBC, ITV1, ITV2, C4, E4, More4, C5, HD and a few others. If these are the only affected ones, perhaps the receivers have tuned to it instead of Winter Hill.

To find out, bring up BBC One and go to the signal strength screen. Winter Hill is on channel 62 and Congleton is on channel 44. If this doesn't match the direction the aerial is facing, then that's the problem.

Do the same for ITV1 which is on channel 59 from Winter Hill and channel 41 from Congleton.

If any of these devices have HD, then bring up one of those services. For Winter Hill it is channel 54 you need and for Congleton it is channel 47.
Briantist
Sunday 26 February 2012 2:41PM
Walt Johnson: I have removed the information about those channels from the page.
Mike C
Sunday 26 February 2012 4:06PM
Strange - last night Sat 25th Feb - had Freeview HD on the box through my Technomate 6902 - all ok early evening on all 4 terrestrial UK channels - looked in on them again later in the evening after 8 : 30 pm - no sound on any of these HD channels and the strength down to @ 50% vs 90 % earlier.


Tried them again this morning - all ok ! ?

Signal is from Winter Hill


no reported work or faults on Freeview site re winter hill either - or do they bother telling you ?
Briantist
Monday 27 February 2012 6:49AM
Mike C: The problem could have been interference, this would not be listed as it doesn't happen at the transmitter. See www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview intermittent interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Mike C
Monday 27 February 2012 9:39AM Altrincham
Whatever it is - it only seems to affect the 4x HD channels sound - picture is perfect - and the Technomate 6902 is unusual in that it shows me the signal strength when switching to each channel - the HDs seeming to drop signal strength at night to 50 / 55% - the rest of the channels stay as they have been all day - 85%ish - as indeed the HDs aare in the day. Last night (Sunday)was just the same as Saturday - no sound on HDs, strength down at 58%, picture ok - tried this morning - all HDs ok and signal at 90%
Mike C
Monday 27 February 2012 9:43AM Altrincham
will try the mobile & portable phone distance route to see if this is the 'interference' problem
Mike C
Monday 27 February 2012 10:42AM Altrincham
Mike C: just tried mobile phone & hands free portable phone - makes no impact even placed next to set top box - so no go there
Mike C
Monday 27 February 2012 3:32PM Altrincham
just put on all elecrical appliances likely to be used - dishwasher, clothes drier & washing machine as well as mobile phones near unit - none of them affect the HD channels in daytime - but signal today of HDs down to 72% - all rest of Freeview channels at ususal @90%
Julie
Monday 27 February 2012 8:27PM Runcorn
My Tv is pixelating and loud clicking noises for well over a week ,I'm on the winter hill transmitter but it says no problems.My freeview is built into a flat screen tv .My mums tv in the next room is fine, hers is old type tv with a digital box.I have tried resetting and end up getting bbc wales and ITV1 wales and have to reset again to get correct stations.Please help!
Briantist
Monday 27 February 2012 8:48PM
Julie: Can you please see the Freeview intermittent interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page for help with that?
Julie
Monday 27 February 2012 9:02PM Runcorn
Thanks for that advice, I do have anti surge plug , so would one with a filter help? Theres no interference from mobile phones or anything electrical as had this tv for 4 years and no problems until now .
Mike C
Tuesday 28 February 2012 9:25AM Altrincham
tracked down what is happening with my HD sound problem - but solving it is another thing.
When I switch from my Technomate 6902 while watching a Freeview HD channel to my Panasonic LCD tv with built in Freeview - then switch back to Technomate - HD sound is no longer there on the Technomate - it is ok on all the other Freeview channels. It is happening any time of day - not just a night time occurrence. Signal on HD is definitely dropping at night though
Corin
Sunday 4 March 2012 3:40PM
Two questions --

What is the purpose of the engineering work at Winter Hill for the week beginning March 4th, 2012?

Will this not affect all off air relays of Winter Hill?

(Since Lancaster, Saddleworth, and Storeton are not relays, these will not be affected.).
Brian Springthorpe
Tuesday 13 March 2012 4:24PM
My old Mum lives in Rhos on Sea (LL28).

Strangely she can pick up a bit off Llandonna and also a lot off the the transmitter in the other direction. I am not sure if it is the Winterhill mast - please confirm.

So with her Freeview, she gets the best of both worlds with BBC Wales and Granada without having to have FreeSat (which is picks up all regions).

Only thing is she doesn't seem to have all the channels. Dave is the main one I've noticed.

Is there anyone else in this area that experiences the same?
Dave Lindsay
Tuesday 13 March 2012 5:09PM
Brian Springthorpe: Look at the Winter Hill coverage map above. It should be receivable along Wales' north coast and the east of Anglesey.

See the full list of TV services (excludes radio) after switchover:

www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

This shows the six groups or "multiplexes" (or "muxes" for short) as they're known. Three of them are Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) muxes, these being BBC A, D3&4 and BBC B. The other three are Commercial (COM) muxes, which are SDN, Arq A and Arq B.

For each COM mux, see if the first programme channel exists in order to see if that mux exists. So look for ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday, each of which is part of SDN, Arq A and Arq B, respectively.

Try manually adding each one. As your mother seems to have good reception of Winter Hill (albeit off the back of the aerial), then that might be worth trying.

For manual tuning, channels are:

ITV3 Llandona=C43 / Winter Hill=C58
Pick TV Llandona=C46 / Winter Hill=C61
Yesterday=C50 / Winter Hill=C55

For those that already exist, it might be worth looking to see what UHF channel they are coming in on so as to work out what transmitter they are coming from. This information is usually given on the signal strength screen.
Mark Fletcher
Saturday 24 March 2012 12:37AM Barnsley
Corin.Sunday 4 March 2012,3.40pm.
Not quite.Lancaster,Saddleworth and Storeton are not main transmitters but they are major relays all dependent upon its main transmitter Winter Hill.If Winter Hill was totally off the air Lancaster,Saddleworth and Storeton major relays will all be off the air as such and will all be affected as such too !
Josh
Wednesday 18 April 2012 8:55AM
@Briantist: You might want to update the multiplex listings on this page as Channel M is no more: www.digitalspy.co.uk link icon Channel M closure sounds warning for local TV - Media News - Digital Spy
Richard
Wednesday 18 April 2012 11:25PM
My sony tv keeps saying the selected programme is not available. The guarantee runs out in 4 weeks. Do you think I should bring it back to the store and see what they can do to stop it from happening?



Please post a question, answer or commentIf you have Freeview reception problems before posting a question your must first do this Freeview reset procedure then see: Freeview reception has changed, Single frequency interference, and Freeview intermittent interference.

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