RF Output

LegacyUser

Has anyone else noticed that the quality of the RF output is rather poor ??? I'm using a scart connection to the main TV which is perfect, but I have the RF Output 2 going to a second TV and the quality is fairly poor.

I have tried changing the RF Output frequency from the Installers menu but it makes no difference.

LegacyUser

Just a thought.
Once you access the installers meny (4,0,1,select) and you selected RF channel (1 or 2) did you ensure to turn on the power for the second outlet RF??
If in doubt check out Sathelp site at:
www.sathelp.co.uk
Excellent site for technical details for the Digibox

LegacyUser

hi shane
pity about BBC not testing, did you save the new rf output settings ?, also when u change it you will have to tune your tv to the new freq as the default 68 will go blank. i changed to ch45 but when i do a forced upgrade the default channel 68 has to be set to see the upgrade screen. On a different topic has anyone else got the error when trying to access open games from a Pace digibox ?

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies.

Arkles: Yes I did save the setting. I cannot use the 40's channels as I am receiving South Coast on those frequencies.

Tanya: I thought that the power option was only used for the TV Link thingy. I don't think it should make any difference to the reception.

Anyone know if turning on the power may cause damage. I don't want to set the place alight.

LegacyUser

Do NOT turn on the Power Supply if it is not connected to the TVlink. Otherwise it may short, overheat and blow. Besides, it wont help ur picture. RF signals should be pretty good. Have you questioned the cable ur using? Is the co-ax plugs at either end connected properly? Make sure that the braid isnt touching centre core wire but also make sure braid is connected to clampy bit of the co-ax plugs. if the 2 touch, this causes the picture quality to drop. If this don't help, maybe ur digibox is faulty. I have noticed a slight few of them having RF faults. The Sony range had to be taken off shelves for that reason.

LegacyUser

Hi Shane, I think Irish blimp is on the right track its probably a cable or connection fault. Try setting the output to ch 21 if thats clear in your area as cable and connection faults generally get worse at higher frequencies. you do not need power on the rf2 unless you are using a tv link. On BBC Kevin Mc Gann says that some "contractual" isues are still outstanding, which normally translates as "theright hand does'nt know what the left is doing" I'll keep you updated although I will be away for 10 days so heres hoping it will be on when I get back.

Regards Tony

LegacyUser

A small change of topic but related, and I didn't think it worth a new thread.

When I got the digibox a week ago I tuned in my vcr fine (got no scart). Then at the weekend I taped a film and found that most of the time the screen was just a mess of distorted black and white. Eventually it would lock successfully for a few mins then break up again.

I tried resetting the output RF channel number but I can't tune the VCR in anywhere (tried lots of channels from 21-69), although I can see the location of the signal, in the sense that it almost tunes... If I go back to 68 I have that tuned in already so I can wait for it to start working...

Today I had a conversation with Sky, where I made these points...

The VCR was tuned, now the signal mostly doesn't work...
Even if I bypass the VCR and go straight into the TV, I can't tune in a new channel, but again, intermittently I can access channel 68 which I had also already tuned to the TV.
I've tried different co-ax cables, tried turning off the VCR, tried disconnecting the scart to the TV...

They tried to tell me I needed a new VCR with a SCART, but eventually they relented and agreed to send someone out on Saturday...

I can't think of anything else! It's like there's an intermittent interference on the analog signal generator. Any thoughts?

John McD.

LegacyUser

from first impressions i would have thought of channel overlapping. Are u sure that there's no terrestrial channel between approx 66-69? Did u also try tuning it without any Terrestrial feed going thru the box? I assume u know there's not and if so, it may be your RFport. Did u try using RF2? Anyway, you'll know when sky come out to sort u out. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif" ALT=":hat" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reply irishblimp. It's driving me crazy almost, as I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing... Last night it worked for an hour on channel 68, and I took the opportunity to tune in channel 65. Then it went on the blink, and switching to 65 made no difference. Then it came back for 20 mins, then went again and never came back.

I thought it might be overheating so I removed everything else from the cabinet and powered it down completely overnight, but this morning it was not working...

I did try RF2, same problem. I have removed the terrestrial aerial, no difference.

I was hoping someone would say... ah yes the rf ports do sometimes intermittently fail...Will let you know what happens on Saturday.

Best regards,
John

LegacyUser

Seeing as you disconnected the TV aerial from digibox and the prob still persists, i can only assume that your RF circuits are fualty. Wouldn't be the first time for a dodgybox!

LegacyUser

i recently got a scart lead for my chorus digital box. When Ive connected the lead to my tv the picture is displaced about a cm to the left. I get a sharp picture but there is grey tint to it. It is`nt a problem with my chorus box as it happens when i run the VCR direct to the tv as well. So Im watching chorus via an ordinary vidio lead. The picture quality is about 95% of what it would be via the scart lead. My Tv is 21 inch philips 8 years old and no other problems. Any advice would be great thanks.

LegacyUser

First an update on me...
The guy came today (Sunday!!! These people must be very busy) I explained the prob, and he immediately decided to replace the box ( a Grundig with a Pace) Unfortunately Sky told him on the phone that due to a technical fault they could not switch to the new box until Thursday next! So he's coming back then! The guy told me that the new Pace box was better than Grundig, is this right?

Now the scart issue. This is rather curious. I have my digibox connected via SCART and have decided that it's better in RGB mode. This however shifts the picture significantly to the left for various techie reasons. It may be possible to fix this on the TV but I'm not bothered. Also the colours and contrast are reduced, but even so I think the picture is better.

It sounds like this may be happening to you. Check if there's a setting for RGB/PAL/S-video or something like that. I'm not sure about the video though. Could that be sending an RGB signal to the TV?

Best regards,
John

LegacyUser

Not a big pile of difference between the two. They both look crappy! Some Grundigs have had their fair share of problems. Panasonic are apparently the best although not as easily got for free. Sony had digiboxes out too but took them off the shelves coz of RF problems. The worst by far award goes to Amstrad! The only good thing Amstrad made was the Speccy!!! (or was it?) <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src="../www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" ALT=":)" OLDREF="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Anyway, Pace is good enuff plus it's free so does it really matter?

LegacyUser

Thanks for your advice John. I searched the Chorus digibox set up menu came across tv vcr setup.Cancel RGB on TV Came up. I changed it to yes and the picture came right. Modulator installation YES/NO also apeared I changed it to no. THis has stopped the rv feed to the tv. So when i turn on the digibox it comes throuh on EXT1. One problem when i turn the power off to the digibox and reconnect it I have to go to set up again and change it from no to yes. This is a pain as I have to disconnect the digibox twice aweek when it freezes. Could you explain what RGB and Mod/installation means. The vidio seems ok. Thanks again.

LegacyUser

Hi vjwd,

I have read a lot about what rgb is, but still don't really understand it!! RGB is claimed to be a purer signal source with better potential resolution. However most TVs will suffer left shift, and also the colour control probably won't have any effect.

Modulator installation?? Don't know. I havn't actually seen a Chorus box. Maybe it's for generating an RF feed for the aerial out? But I don't know why you would want to turn it off? Save power?

As for me... the story continues... the Sky guy never same on Thursday and never called. I called Sky at 5:30pm and they have set up another technician to come on Monday...

John.