Tuning digital TV

Posted by: Steve O on 02 November 2009

Hi Guys,

I've just re-tuned my uncle's bedroom digital TV as he had 'lost' a lot of channels, including ITV, ITV2, Ch4 & Ch5.
Since retuning the TV these stations have reappeared on the channel menu but break up if you try to view them. The on-screen signal strength indicator reads 55 - 58% but all you see is an occasional still image. I'm confused that some channels that have a lower signal strength (BBC1, BBC2, BBC3 etc) can be viewed without problem. I've retuned it half a dozen times but the result is always the same.

Some background information:
The bedroom TV and the main TV in the lounge run off a single aerial positioned in the attic, with a splitter so as to serve both TV's. The main TV has no problems receiving any channel. I know the splitter is not ideal and I would recommend that he had a separate aerial for both, but I don't want to suggest this, cost him money and not resolve the problem. He currently uses a signal booster on the bedroom TV (it won't pick up anything without it) but no booster is needed for the main TV.

Anyone got any ideas?
Is it the aerial or do you think the bedroom TV has a low quality tuner? It's an Akura 19" TV/DVD combo.

I'd be most grateful for any help.
Regards,
Steve.
Posted on: 02 November 2009 by james n
Steve - i take it that the main TV is digital too. Given that this seems fine and is split from the same feed then i'd suspect a dodgy cable or connection between the splitter and the bedroom TV especially as you say it needs an amp to receive anything rather than the aerial. Some tuners are better than others - i've got a cheap Alba box (£17) on one upstairs TV and that works better on weaker signals than a Grundig digi TV we have in the kitchen.

James
Posted on: 03 November 2009 by Steve O
Thanks for your thoughts James.
Today I fit a new aerial for his bedroom TV in the loft and now all works perfectly with signal strength touching 80%.
Regards,
Steve