Digital TV Setup?

[Planty]

Have heard that digital receivers, ie "digibox", reception would be far better onboard than normal Glomex saucer and booster. Purchased box, attached as per instructions with booster turned up to max and the thing couldn't find any signal at all! Had to use RF connection to TV as Bose sound system for DVD connected to TV scart, (Sony, so only has one scart socket!) Does using RF make any difference? Any clues, does one have to retune to somewhere different? Moored in Ocean Village if that makes any difference? Any help greatly appreciated.

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[fluffc]

Reception will not be better with a Digibox. What you will notice (if you can get it working) is a better quality image and sound - as well as several more channels. BUT Digiboxes require a good TV signal to work properly.

Amplifying a weak signal just makes problems even worse - it amplifies the interference.

As a general rule, if you can receive Channel 5 okay, then you should be able to use a Digibox okay. Don't add any extra amplification once you can receive Channel 5 okay.

Incidently, does your usual terrestial (BBC1, 2, ITV, Channel 4) signal suffer from poor quality? If so, then you are unlikely to be able to get Digital TV.

Using the RF connection isn't a problem - assuming that you can view the setup screens of the Digibox. Hi-fi buffs would tell you otherwise, and insist on using the Scart input - but the difference isn't noticeable unless you have a serious Audio-Visual system on board your boat!

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[Gordonmc]

A digital device won't work on a coaxial (analogue) TV socket unless it goes through an interface first. Can you try putting it through a VHS machine with scart and RF connectors?

You can buy splitters which combine devices onto a single scart using phono leads... that seems the easiest path. Have you tried the digibox on the TV scart? That might be a good way to establish if there is signal before going to more expense.

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[wooslehunter]

The connection from the box to the TV won't make any difference at all. If you get signals through the rf to tv cable, you'll get them through SCART as well.

I assume you're refering to digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) rather that satellite (BSkyB). If so then the problem could simply be the signal power required. Have a check on the freeview website: www.freeview.co.uk. You can type in the postcode and it will tell you if your area is covered. If it is then you know that a normal house type setup will work. Digital requires a higher signal level from the antenna to work.

The problem with a boat setup is the antenna required. Some postrcodes require an antenna upgrade since the signal level is too low. That's with a normal house type setup. You may have to put up a high-gain broadband antenna. Your boat antenna system must be capable of providing enough signal to the set-top-box. If it isn't you won't get the degraded noisy pictures that you would get with anormal analogue TV - you'll get nothing at all.

I suspect this is your problem - low signal level. Have a word around the marina and check to see if anyone else has a working set-up. If you just want to use the system in a marina then you may get away with a broadband high gain antenna. You'll have to make sure it's pointed in the right direction though.

Good luck.

Dave


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[BrendanS]

Paul,

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeview.html>click here</A> and scroll down to the set top box descriptions. Is your box listed ?- if yes, does it say 'modulator' or 'with modulator' in the description.

If you have a modulator you can use RF fine
If you don't have a modulator, you have to use SCART

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[duncan]

just sit and look at the rug............./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[poggy]

Hi,

You are probably getting reflections, you should be able to receive it at Ocean village from the IOW transmitter. It may be a height problem if the aerial is only on deck. Also dump the booster as you don't need it at Ocean village and it may cause extra problems.

Check the co-axial connections for the aerial as if the braid is not properly connected you will get a poor signal also check the centre wire of course.

It does take a while for the box to search for the signals though.

Poggy

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