Forum Topic

HD Reception on my PVR

Can anyone help please with  my problems on my HD PVR The first problem is that when playing back recorded programmes (especially HD programmes) there is a constant problem with pixilation which makes many recorded programmes unwatchable.  I'm having to resort to recording on standard channels to reduce the occurrence of this problem.  Clearly this defeats the object of owning an HD PVR! The other thing that happens frequently is that when I'm watching an HD channel and recording another the sound on the live TV programme I'm watching cuts out completely and I have to switch to a non-HD channel to get proper sound back. I also notice when viewing HD channels in 'live TV' mode that the picture jumps frequently, which is at best annoying and at worst  makes me switch to another channel.The strength  shows as 100% but the quality shows as about 25-30%.  We are fully switched to HD in our area  and the Freeview website tells us we can receive HD channels. Do you know of any equipment or  suggestions to improve the signal quality (e.g boosters?)Many thanks

Philippe Bruyer ● 5128d4 Comments

Your PVR and TV may not be fully compatible.  Are you using an HDMI lead? It may be worth unplugging it and just use the SKART lead.I have a Blu-Ray recorder + Freeview + HD, and found that the HDMI could not pick up the signal.  Don't think HD is much to rave about, as my recorder up-scales from regular recording to HD on playback.Try using the SKART connection, and, on the TV program menu, if you are given the program option of normal or HD, select HD.

Nicola Howard ● 5128d

Signal strength may be high, but the reported low quality could indicate a high proportion of indirect signal received by the aerial caused by reflections. This can not be corrected using a booster, all you can do is ensure that you are using the best possible aerial and that it is correctly aimed towards the transmitter. Generally you will get the best results using the longest Yagi aerial, with the greatest number of parallel stacked sections or crossed elements, which must be designed for the channels available and mounted the correct way up. Some parts of Acton have direct line of sight to Crystal Palace, but I am stuck behind a hill with a roof aerial pointing straight along the Western Avenue, so I get continuously varying multipaths.

Chris Bell ● 5128d

We had reception problems when everything went digital but an aerial upgrade solved  it.

Bob Crossley ● 5128d

You can get extra-long and/or multiple stacked Yagi aerials, but while doubling the effective number of elements only doubles the amount of signal received it could also halve the unwanted reflections because it is more directional. Just make sure it is the correct aerial group to match the transmitter, mounted and aimed correctly, and the coax cable is not damaged or corroded.

Chris Bell ● 5127d