Old On-digital Box - Britmovie

aphra · 10-08-2005, 11:34 AM

My old Philips OnDigital box works perfectly well. However, even though I try every so often to re-set it for any new stations, I am not able either to get radio on it, or any of the newer Freeview stations. Is this the norm for these boxes. It would be good occasionally to get ITV3. Any informed help would be much appreciated.

aaron · 10-08-2005, 03:50 PM

I'm NO expert.. I wonder if you are able to recieve the other Itv channels,(1,2 & CH4). and is it a strong/stable signal?
I ask, because my limited understanding of digital tv, is that 'collections' of channels are transmitted on certain 'multiplexes' or 'mux', and that the Itv channels are all on 'mux 2'. Which is apparently, the most troublesome one to recieve!
So, it would follow, that if you can recieve one itv channel, you should be able to recieve the rest.
If you're not familiar with this 'multiplex' stuff, (and i'm not) here is a list of which channels use which multiplex http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/mux/

The usual advice, is to first: scan for channels at different times of the day/night.
second: try a signal booster. and third: adjust your ariel position.
Thats all i know... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img]

Hopefully, someone with a greater understanding than me, will have the definitive answer, for you..

Oh, and here's a link to check your local coverage... http://www.dtg.org.uk/consumer/coverage.html

Steve Crook · 10-08-2005, 05:43 PM

Have you checked out the cable offerings?
I use the same cable connection for radio, TV, phone & a fast internet connection.

The only drawback is that you have to wait for them to make the new channels available. They aren't available instantly. But there are a few cable-only channels like Performance that go towards making up for that.

Steve

aphra · 10-08-2005, 08:17 PM

Thanks Aaron,

I think it must be the make of box - Philips - because I get everything else loud and clear. I have a good aerial, perfect reception on all other channels, it is just that I am missing some of the other freeview ones - notably ITV3 and radio. I will phone Philips, though I doubt if they will be very interested and will only try to sell me a new box. The OnDigital boxes were left with existing OnDigital customers when they went out of business. I suppose I should be grateful that it works even partially.

aphra · 10-08-2005, 08:20 PM

Thanks Steve, I already have a Sky subscription, so don't need cable. I just hoped I might find somebody else who still was using an OnDigital box like mine and knew the answer as to why I could not get ITV3.

We hope to see you on the P&P August Bank Holiday junket.

Thanks again for bothering to answer.

Rob Compton · 10-08-2005, 08:36 PM

Aphra

I also have an old Philips Ondigital box, and use that for viewing Freeview - but I don't have the problem you have, as I can get all the TV and radio channels perfectly. I still think aaron is on the right lines with regard to signal quality or the mux 2 problem.

If I remember correctly, you can either add channels or completely re-store all of them - is this worth investigating, with great respect, in that are you running the wrong option?

rgds
Rob

Steve Crook · 10-08-2005, 10:33 PM

It's worth trying what the others suggest but I wouldn't have though signal strength was a problem where you are, unless you only have a tiny little aerial when other buildings might block the signal.

Steve

aphra · 11-08-2005, 11:46 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. You are right, Steve, I get a really strong signal - in the old days I even had to use a suppressor, so it's not that, or the aerial. I will go on doing total re-sets at different times of the day and night and hope I may strike lucky.

10-08-2005, 03:50 PM	#2
aaron is Working class Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: chiltern hills uk Posts: 220 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	I'm NO expert.. I wonder if you are able to recieve the other Itv channels,(1,2 & CH4). and is it a strong/stable signal? I ask, because my limited understanding of digital tv, is that 'collections' of channels are transmitted on certain 'multiplexes' or 'mux', and that the Itv channels are all on 'mux 2'. Which is apparently, the most troublesome one to recieve! So, it would follow, that if you can recieve one itv channel, you should be able to recieve the rest. If you're not familiar with this 'multiplex' stuff, (and i'm not) here is a list of which channels use which multiplex http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/mux/ The usual advice, is to first: scan for channels at different times of the day/night. second: try a signal booster. and third: adjust your ariel position. Thats all i know... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif[/img] Hopefully, someone with a greater understanding than me, will have the definitive answer, for you.. Oh, and here's a link to check your local coverage... http://www.dtg.org.uk/consumer/coverage.html __________________ 'He who is not one up...Is one down'

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10-08-2005, 11:34 AM	#1
aphra has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 614 Country: iTrader: (44)	My old Philips OnDigital box works perfectly well. However, even though I try every so often to re-set it for any new stations, I am not able either to get radio on it, or any of the newer Freeview stations. Is this the norm for these boxes. It would be good occasionally to get ITV3. Any informed help would be much appreciated.

10-08-2005, 05:43 PM	#3
Steve Crook is still cheeky Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 9,678 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (1)	Have you checked out the cable offerings? I use the same cable connection for radio, TV, phone & a fast internet connection. The only drawback is that you have to wait for them to make the new channels available. They aren't available instantly. But there are a few cable-only channels like Performance that go towards making up for that. Steve

10-08-2005, 08:17 PM	#4
aphra has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 614 Country: iTrader: (44)	Thanks Aaron, I think it must be the make of box - Philips - because I get everything else loud and clear. I have a good aerial, perfect reception on all other channels, it is just that I am missing some of the other freeview ones - notably ITV3 and radio. I will phone Philips, though I doubt if they will be very interested and will only try to sell me a new box. The OnDigital boxes were left with existing OnDigital customers when they went out of business. I suppose I should be grateful that it works even partially.

10-08-2005, 08:20 PM	#5
aphra has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 614 Country: iTrader: (44)	Thanks Steve, I already have a Sky subscription, so don't need cable. I just hoped I might find somebody else who still was using an OnDigital box like mine and knew the answer as to why I could not get ITV3. We hope to see you on the P&P August Bank Holiday junket. Thanks again for bothering to answer.

10-08-2005, 08:36 PM	#6
Rob Compton is simply wonderful Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 1,249 Country: iTrader: (2)	Aphra I also have an old Philips Ondigital box, and use that for viewing Freeview - but I don't have the problem you have, as I can get all the TV and radio channels perfectly. I still think aaron is on the right lines with regard to signal quality or the mux 2 problem. If I remember correctly, you can either add channels or completely re-store all of them - is this worth investigating, with great respect, in that are you running the wrong option? rgds Rob

10-08-2005, 10:33 PM	#7
Steve Crook is still cheeky Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 9,678 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (1)	It's worth trying what the others suggest but I wouldn't have though signal strength was a problem where you are, unless you only have a tiny little aerial when other buildings might block the signal. Steve

11-08-2005, 11:46 PM	#8
aphra has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 614 Country: iTrader: (44)	Thanks for all the suggestions. You are right, Steve, I get a really strong signal - in the old days I even had to use a suppressor, so it's not that, or the aerial. I will go on doing total re-sets at different times of the day and night and hope I may strike lucky.