menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Freeview

 

 

Click to see updates

Single frequency interference

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all on the same 'multiplex'

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all
published on UK Free TV

There are several different type of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:

There are two main causes of this type of intermitted interference: The current Freeview mulitplexes are shown in this diagram. If all of your missing channels are on a single row, you have "single frequency interference":



Local analogue interference

Local analogue interference is caused by household video devices that you can attach to a television such as:
  • Sky Digibox;
  • Video cassette recorder (VCR);
  • Personal digital video recorder (PVR);
  • Games console;
If you have any of these devices, you will need to work out which of these is blocking the reception of a Freeview multiplex by turning off the suspect device and then rescanning for channels on the Freeview box.

If powering off the device restores the Freeview channels from the blocked multiplex, you will need to either stop using the problem device's RF output by disconnecting the RF output cable permanently, or by changing the RF channel number that that device uses. See, for example, How do I change the RF output channel on a Sky Digibox?

You can find a list of the frequencies that are not in use at your location by putting your postcode into the My Freeview reception and looking under the "Free RF channels" section.

Non-wideband aerial in some areas

In some places you will need a wideband aerial to receive all the Freeview multiplexes. For example in Central Birmingham, the Sutton Coldfield has multiplex D on an 'out of group', so you cannot view Film4 or ITV2+1 without an aerial upgrade.

To find out if you need an aerial upgrade, see My Freeview reception.

Help with Freeview, aerials?
How do I get a test card with Freeview1
I would like to know if it is possible to receive UK terrestrial Freeview servic2
I have been told I would receive too much singal from my Freeview tansmitter as 3
Can my Freeview box receive more than one BBC and ITV region?4
Is it true that my 87 year old mother is entitled to a FREE upgrade when the ana5
In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
Digital Region Overlap4
Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Monday, 23 May 2011
T
Ted K
5:07 PM
Cambridge

Ref: my post on Monday 16 May 2011 3:07PM Cambridge

Problem: Mux C (on C40) not coming up in position, comes up in the 800s and jumps about. Most annoying problem message keeps repeatedly popping up 'Channel List has been updated'

Area: CB13AB
Transmitter: Sandy Heath
Digi Box: Philips DTR 220/05
Aerial: Antiference, Standard 2, XG10EW, aligned professionally.
Masthead amp - Lab Gear PUM111

Since the May 16 post I have tried everything and it persists... the pop up message informing channel updates is the most annoying. I suspect it will all change Sept 14 again...

link to this comment
Ted K's 2 posts GB flag
Ted's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:34 AM

Ted K: If you have channels that are not in the correct position, you normally have to do a "first time installation", or "reset to factory settings" or this method - My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound or the channel line up is wrong | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

You are seeing "Channel List has been updated" because there has been a recent change to the channels, not because of a switchover event.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Saturday, 28 May 2011
P
PeterAW
5:43 PM

My in-laws now (for the last few weeks) can't get BBC4 on DTV Channel 9 on their Panasonic TV, although they could get it before. Also their Panasonic DVD recorder can get it. Very strange! Can you help

link to this comment
PeterAW's 2 posts GB flag
Sunday, 29 May 2011
N
Niké Brown
2:19 PM

I have a BT Vision box (for the last four years) and use an indoor aerial which has worked fine for years. Until the last couple of months when I have been losing ITV, Channel 4 and 5 and other channels associated. I've double and triple-checked my equipment, which is fine, and am now deeply frustrated with the loss of signal. I live in TW10, Crystal Palace is the transmitter.

So, have any transmission problems been reported in the last couple of months?

Thanks

link to this comment
Niké Brown's 1 post GB flag
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:31 AM

Nik Brown: No, there are no transmission problems, but you might expect such problems with an indoor aerial. Reliable Freeview reception requires a rooftop aerial.

I can't really say more without a full postcode.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Saturday, 4 June 2011
P
papakorn
2:42 PM

hi, i live in worcs, using larkstoke transmitter. We switched over in april. We havent been able to pick up all channels. I have just bought and installed a new high gain wideband aerial and now i am recieving even less channels than before. any advice?

link to this comment
papakorn's 1 post GB flag
Sunday, 5 June 2011
J
John Kelly
9:44 AM
Sandy

Live in Sandy - SG19 2UT. We recently purchased a Samsung LE37D580 LCD HD 1080p Television, 37 Inch with Built-in Freeview HD. However we are experiencing interference on all the HD channels only. All the other channels are fine. Why is this happening?


link to this comment
John Kelly's 1 post GB flag
John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

1:50 PM

John Kelly: Have you checked all the suggestions at the top of the page?

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

4:31 PM

papakorn: You have not provided a postcode so I can't be sure.

It might be you have too much signal. If you have a booster or amplifier in your system, try removing it.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Select more comments

Your comment please
Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.