bbc2 really bad on ntl ?

voxpop

anyone else getting this ? bbc2 is bad compaired even to e4/discovery - ive just extended the ntl access point so im not sure if this is an NTL problem or my problem

mike65

Where are you and is it analogue or digital problem?

Mike.

Lochaber

It's been pretty bad here (Rathfarnham) for the last few weeks but it's gone particularly bad in the last week or so, a lot of white noise and going black and white at some points.

We have better reception on the TV upstairs but even up there there is a kind of wave pattern across BBC Two.

Have seen it in other people's houses around Dublin as well, so I think it's an NTL problem, where are you?

I'm analogue cable btw.

watty

Could be the cable picking up the DAB tests on Three Rock. NTL may need to replace some cable and junction boxes. I got rid of Cable in Ballinteer it was so bad.

The tax man

voxpop wrote:

anyone else getting this ? bbc2 is bad compaired even to e4/discovery - ive just extended the ntl access point so im not sure if this is an NTL problem or my problem

You've just answered your own question there.
Any poor screening issues and you'll see a huge difference in the quality of BBC2.
BTW what was it like before and are you living in South Dublin??
I'm in D.14 too but my main TV is fine.I've split(proper split used) that feeds to the kitchen using all the stuff NTL use but due to the cable(twin screened) being slightly damaged I can't watch BBC2 in the kitchen.Most days I can't see or even hear it.
It doesn't take much to wipe out BBC2 especially when you're close to Three Rock.

voxpop

Im in Dublin 6 and its analogue cable. I realise that by extending the cable to the other side of the room I may have caused the problem, but I thought discovery and e4 would be v. bad if I had signal problems - not bbc2 ?

@The tax man: what do you mean by a "proper split", because after the extension I do split the signal into the tv and pvr. The extension is only about 6/7 meters, but its only single shielded - do I need double shielded stuff even for that short distance ?

DMC

BBC 2 may be prone to interference on badly wired/old cable because the digital radio (DAB) test is using the same frequency as BBC 2 on cable in Dublin. Properly screened cable should help this, and, in your case, doubled screened is of benefit.

watty

I use Satellite grade double screened for all 75 Ohm RF now. Trying to upgrade all my HF from RG58 to RG213U and VHF/UHF/SHF to LMR600 instead of RG213U.

Good quality connectors are important. Screw terminal at back faceplates are bad. Basically 1950's design. Use a face plate with double ended bulkhead socket or even none at all.

voxpop

A guy in maplin said that satalite cable (i think it was for digital sat) wouldnt work with analogue ntl - was he talking bull ?
Can anyone recommend the cable I should get and where I can get it ? Also will the cable I put down for analogue be ok for digital ntl, if I upgrade ? Also what should I look for in connectors and where can I get good ones. I've been doing all my shopping in Maplin before now.

DingDong

Best type of connectors to use are the snap and seal f's.
Don't even think about using the cheap plastic splitters.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=1625&doy=28m3
Here's a link to what the connectors and cables should look like.
http://www.starkelectronic.com/augat.htm
Possible a place on the greenhills road in tallaght might have all the right kit Zintek
http://www.zintek.tv
One other thing the air-spaced dielectric is not the best either but might do the job

watty

voxpop wrote:

A guy in maplin said that satalite cable (i think it was for digital sat) wouldnt work with analogue ntl - was he talking bull ?

yes, bull. It will work fine, help keep out interference and stop leakage of NTL.

NTL uses lowergrade 75 Ohm coax form junction to your outlet and higher grade 75 Ohm coax along the street.

watty

You need a tool to snap the snap'n'seals, otherwise use the twist on connector. Make sure inner hole matches size of coax inner plastic core. There are two main sizes of cable. Cable TV indoors often uses the smaller size.

stiofanD

Just to add my experience to the pot.... BBC2 is also quite bad for me and has been for about 2 months or so. I haven't split or extended the cable at all, but I am located in Ballyboden, within a few miles of three rock, so I guess that means my cable feed must be unshielded

Our cable is strung from house to house under the eaves with a feed running down from the eaves and through the wall into the sitting room. Is there anything I can do to improve the BBC2 (and Discovery Channel!) signal? Is this possibly a DIY job or should I try and get NTL to replace the cable? I did have an NTL engineer out a couple of weeks ago but all he did was replace the old cablelink cable point with a new NTL one.

buzzerbuckley

bBc2 is a joke here as well,smokey picture.

Fine on ntl digital but if youre recording something digitaly you can hardly watch bbc2.

Uthur

Crap Channels on NTL:

Discovery (worst reception I have ever seen)
Channel4 (occasionally bad)
BBC2 - (sometimes poorish)

E4 used to be crap but they broadcast on 2 freqs now
and one of them seems pretty good :-)