Poor signal on new CRT TV - Technical

kohinor · 06-05-2007, 20:34

We recently replaced our CRT TV for our static caravan which uses an exterior aerial, with a new CRT TV. The reception on the new set is unwatchable (lines going across from side to side, goes from colour to black & white, generally awful), despite my best efforts at tuning it in. Any ideas please, can't understand why it doesn't work properly as it's the same type of set. Is there anything we can do to improve the reception?

David (2) · 06-05-2007, 20:54

is the aerial the same as before?

Dave

mjk79 · 06-05-2007, 21:00

I guess that assuming the set isn't faulty, you need to check the instruction booklet to see how the tuning menu operates and to make sure you've set everything correctly (including for example what TV standard the set is using if it's a 'multi-standard' set designed to work across Europe)

However it is possible that the set is tuning to a weak signal from a distant transmitter which would explain the reception problem.

If you know which transmitter the aerial points at then you could try tuning the TV manually by entering the relevant frequencies, you could enter your postcode into this tool which might give you some idea: http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva.exe

grantp · 06-05-2007, 22:37

I have been revising cables and setup recently and have seen similar things. Previously we had several years with no problems at all.

I discovered that the existing aerial connection cable from the wall socket to the devices had become marginal for contact - purely coincidentally. Also that some SCART connectors and other sockets in the revised setup were not making good and lasting connections as readily as I would like.

Basic stuff but always worth triple checking because such things always go wrong on me just at the point where I am totally sure they cannot be the problem.

Grant

kohinor · 07-05-2007, 18:15

Yes, aerial is exactly the same.

kohinor · 07-05-2007, 18:16

Thanks for link will try that.

kohinor · 07-05-2007, 18:17

Have checked wall aerial socket by bypassing and running a cable from the aerial direct to the set, and still the same.

Nigel Goodwin · 07-05-2007, 21:19

What make and model is the TV, and how much did it cost?.

kohinor · 10-05-2007, 06:18

Its a Phillips with DVD, cost just under £100.

kohinor · 10-05-2007, 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjk79

I guess that assuming the set isn't faulty, you need to check the instruction booklet to see how the tuning menu operates and to make sure you've set everything correctly (including for example what TV standard the set is using if it's a 'multi-standard' set designed to work across Europe)

However it is possible that the set is tuning to a weak signal from a distant transmitter which would explain the reception problem.

If you know which transmitter the aerial points at then you could try tuning the TV manually by entering the relevant frequencies, you could enter your postcode into this tool which might give you some idea: http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva.exe

Hi
Looked at the site, the figures under the different channels, i.e. BBC1 31, etc don't seem to relate to the MHz for manual tuning. Are these another measurement?

Have tuned manually as best I can, ignoring above, still very poor with the lines going left to right.

Sam Radford. · 10-05-2007, 08:00

UHF channel number to Frequency in MHz chart:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/tuning/

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohinor

Its a Phillips with DVD, cost just under £100.

That's frighteningly cheap.

Since everything was fine previously, my guess is that the new TV is crap or faulty. I recommend you return it while you still can.

Nigel Goodwin · 10-05-2007, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohinor

Its a Phillips with DVD, cost just under £100.

You can't expect much for that sort of money, it's a cheap set, you can expect cheap performance.

kohinor · 12-05-2007, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Radford.

UHF channel number to Frequency in MHz chart:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/tuning/

That's frighteningly cheap.

Since everything was fine previously, my guess is that the new TV is crap or faulty. I recommend you return it while you still can.

TV works perfectly in the house, better than our own, but doesn't in the static holiday caravan in our grounds. Would power lines make a difference?

kohinor · 12-05-2007, 18:52

Think I may have posted the reply in the wrong place, if so, TV works perfectly in our house, better than our own large set. There are power lines not far away from the aerial, would this make a difference?

Sam Radford. · 12-05-2007, 22:54

Power lines obviously can have an effect. Depends on the distance, what voltage they are carrying, humidity and many other factors. Try a different TV.

David (2) · 13-05-2007, 12:48

Sounds like the aerial for the caravan - but you said that hadnt changed. But I dont know what else it could be - the set works with the house aerial. This new tv - is an analogue tv or one with freeview (DTT). Does the caravan aerial have some kind of booster - if so, is it plugged in and powered (it will need to be).

Dave

nvingo · 13-05-2007, 22:02

What's the power source like in the caravan?
Is it pure mains, through a robust cable, or is battery/generator sourced and upvoltaged with an inverter?
The symptoms suggest this as more likely than the aerial, despite a previous TV coping under the same conditions.
I assume you've tuned the TV whilst in the house, then tried it in the caravan WITHOUT adjusting it?

kohinor · 14-05-2007, 19:22

It's mains electric. TV is straight analogue, there is a booster between TV and aerial socket. Re-tuned TV in caravan after testing in house. At the weekend we are going to try moving aerial, to other side of caravan, further from power lines to see what happens.

Sam Radford. · 14-05-2007, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohinor

there is a booster between TV and aerial socket

Why? What is its function?
See http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/amps.htm#booster

06-05-2007, 20:34	#1
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Poor signal on new CRT TV We recently replaced our CRT TV for our static caravan which uses an exterior aerial, with a new CRT TV. The reception on the new set is unwatchable (lines going across from side to side, goes from colour to black & white, generally awful), despite my best efforts at tuning it in. Any ideas please, can't understand why it doesn't work properly as it's the same type of set. Is there anything we can do to improve the reception?

06-05-2007, 20:54	#2
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the middle of nowhere Services: Sony Bravia LCD, Freesat-HD, Freeview HDD/DVD combi, DAB, 6.3Mb Broadband Posts: 10,716	is the aerial the same as before? Dave

06-05-2007, 21:00	#3
mjk79 Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central London Services: Sky HD, DTT, FTA Satellite, Demon ADSL Posts: 6,845	I guess that assuming the set isn't faulty, you need to check the instruction booklet to see how the tuning menu operates and to make sure you've set everything correctly (including for example what TV standard the set is using if it's a 'multi-standard' set designed to work across Europe) However it is possible that the set is tuning to a weak signal from a distant transmitter which would explain the reception problem. If you know which transmitter the aerial points at then you could try tuning the TV manually by entering the relevant frequencies, you could enter your postcode into this tool which might give you some idea: http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva.exe

06-05-2007, 22:37	#4
grantp Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 34	I have been revising cables and setup recently and have seen similar things. Previously we had several years with no problems at all. I discovered that the existing aerial connection cable from the wall socket to the devices had become marginal for contact - purely coincidentally. Also that some SCART connectors and other sockets in the revised setup were not making good and lasting connections as readily as I would like. Basic stuff but always worth triple checking because such things always go wrong on me just at the point where I am totally sure they cannot be the problem. Grant

07-05-2007, 18:15	#5
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Yes, aerial is exactly the same.

07-05-2007, 18:16	#6
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Thanks for link will try that.

07-05-2007, 18:17	#7
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Have checked wall aerial socket by bypassing and running a cable from the aerial direct to the set, and still the same.

07-05-2007, 21:19	#8
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 20,240	What make and model is the TV, and how much did it cost?.

10-05-2007, 06:18	#9
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Its a Phillips with DVD, cost just under £100.

12-05-2007, 18:52	#14
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	Think I may have posted the reply in the wrong place, if so, TV works perfectly in our house, better than our own large set. There are power lines not far away from the aerial, would this make a difference?

12-05-2007, 22:54	#15
Sam Radford. Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: N Yorks Services: Apple Mac, wheelchair & pacemaker. Thanked 354,768 times Posts: 13,713	Power lines obviously can have an effect. Depends on the distance, what voltage they are carrying, humidity and many other factors. Try a different TV.

13-05-2007, 12:48	#16
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the middle of nowhere Services: Sony Bravia LCD, Freesat-HD, Freeview HDD/DVD combi, DAB, 6.3Mb Broadband Posts: 10,716	Sounds like the aerial for the caravan - but you said that hadnt changed. But I dont know what else it could be - the set works with the house aerial. This new tv - is an analogue tv or one with freeview (DTT). Does the caravan aerial have some kind of booster - if so, is it plugged in and powered (it will need to be). Dave

13-05-2007, 22:02	#17
nvingo Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: wisbech, cambs / norfolk Services: Freeview: Sandy Heath; FTA DVB-S; Broadband:Tiscali Posts: 2,472	What's the power source like in the caravan? Is it pure mains, through a robust cable, or is battery/generator sourced and upvoltaged with an inverter? The symptoms suggest this as more likely than the aerial, despite a previous TV coping under the same conditions. I assume you've tuned the TV whilst in the house, then tried it in the caravan WITHOUT adjusting it?

14-05-2007, 19:22	#18
kohinor Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 9	It's mains electric. TV is straight analogue, there is a booster between TV and aerial socket. Re-tuned TV in caravan after testing in house. At the weekend we are going to try moving aerial, to other side of caravan, further from power lines to see what happens.