ONdigital changed its name to ITVdigital then went bust in April 2002!

Freeview officially started broadcasting on the "ITVdigital" channels November 1, 2002

YOU DO NOT NEED A VIEWING CARD FOR FREEVIEW!

YOU DO NEED A VIEWING CARD FOR TOP-Up TV

Can I receive Freeview at my location? Click HERE to find out

• Menu
• 7 Technical Information
• 3 Auto Update

Once you've selected the Auto update, the receiver will start to download the data and "Auto update" will appear on your front panel display (at least it does on my Nokia Mediamaster 9850). This will run for several minutes. Note: the firmware may not be available 24/7. You may have to try again later if it doesn't work. Also, due to memory chip faults, it may put your receiver into a "loop" which renders it unusable. Please don't blame me if the auto-update shows up a fault that you didn't know you had!

To get the new programmes on your old "ONdigital" receiver press:

• Menu
• 5 Getting Started
• 4 Store Channels

Wait till the box finishes scanning the band and you'll then have the full channel line up (provided that you can get good signal strength on all bouquets - you may need to change the aerial and cable). Once all the programmes are available, go through the list and select the ones you want as "favourites". (You can't change the "ON" name in the menus).

Press

• Menu
• 2 Choosing favourite channels

and follow the on-screen instructions.

See our Freeview catalogue page - click HERE

	The Freeview Bible Installing a Freeview system? This book lists the receiver models available, gives their specifications and helps you to choose one that suits you. Will you need a new aerial and cable? This book helps you to decide, choose aerial and cable and enables you to find out where to point it! Click Here
WARNING! If you own a Grundig GDT1500, read THIS page before it's too late!

Setting the RF output channel (ONdigital)

1. Decide which UHF channel will be free from interference (read my "Piping TV Around the House" book).

2. Connect the onDigital box to your TV with a Scart lead and switch everything on.

3. Press button sequence: Menu 4 2 6.

4. Use the appropriate buttons to select the desired UHF channel number.

5. Leave the menu on screen for now.

6. Remove Scart lead so you don't get confused.

7. Tune your TV to that channel or let it "autotune" till you see the menu then store it (read your TV instruction book).

(Freeview boxes vary so please read the User Instructions for your receiver).

Piping TV Around the House How to connect your TV, video, satellite, DVD and send the signals to TVs in other rooms. An invaluable guide and reference that explains UHF channel utilisation without unnecessary technical terms. Includes sketches to show wiring methods. Get Piping TV Around the House: Click Here

Where can I buy an aerial signal meter?

You can get a basic aerial meter for around £300 - £400 from Horizon.

http://www.horizonhge.com/

Why can't I use a satellite meter?

An LNB produces several hundred millivolts of signal because it has an inbuilt amplifier. An aerial produces only a few microVolts of signal at a much lower frequency. So a satellite meter is not compatible.

I have been having problems with my Nokia 221T since I upgraded my aerial to a DAT 45.

Problem manifested itself as duplication of channels e.g. BBC1 and BBC1 ALT.

BBC1 was freezing and 'popping' on sound. BBC1 ALT was fine.

Same happened on ITV and ITV ALT etc,etc..In fact MOST channels developed a 'Ghost' channel of poor quality.

Viewing of pictures showed me that one BBC was Midlands and 'tother Northern!

Worked out in my tiny brain that I was 'pulling' signals into the SIDE of the aerial, as Waltham TX (my home) is 90 degrees out of line with Yorkshire!

Fitted your variable attenuator, turned it up until the 'poorer' (Yorkshire) pictures just 'Froze', totally reloaded the receiver, and 'Hey Presto' there I was with just one of each - All from my home Waltham, and NO sign of the crappy Yorkshire ones.

Tried an alternative Aerial and that was WORSE.

Therefore conclude that the DAT 45 has better 'side rejection' than the other one, and that it is QUITE possible to get TOO good a signal with Freeview. Whereas, most people seem to struggle to get a good picture. Could it be that some of them have my problem and think that the 'second' version of the channel indicates poor signals all round?

Golden test seems to be that:

If your Freeview gives you more than 1 BBC etc channel, you should attenuate enough to freeze those that do NOT say 'ALT' after the channel name. Simply removing them from the listings is a waste of time, as you might need to reload to find new channels

I presume that the Nokia is telling me 'ALT" to indicate the word 'Alternative'

Just thought you might be interested in how I spent an hour or so of my Saturday............

I just bought a used ITVdigital set top box and connected it to my TV aerial socket but I can't get any BBC programmes. What should I do?

Test the set top box on an existing Freeview installation that is known to work OK.

Check the BBC engineering web site to determine the UHF channel numbers used for your specific location by the programme multiplexes required.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/tv_transmitters/tv_digit.shtml

(Abbreviation "mux" = "multiplex" = bunch of programmes on the same UHF channel number from 21 to 69. For example, all "BBC" programmes are bunched together on the same digital UHF channel number. For Aberdare this is UHF channel number 28. For Brierley hill it's 68).

Ensure that the aerial you use is suitable for the entire range of frequencies and that the gain is high enough (and the aerial height above ground) to give an absolute minimum 25dB noise floor threshold. If this can't be achieved you may need a suitable masthead amplifier.

Use a single run of double-shielded coaxial cable from the aerial to the set top box. You may be able to get away with worse but why risk it.

As ignition interference can be problematic, site the TV aerial away from the nearest road if you have a choice of position.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/

I was recommended your site by a friend. I was actually looking for advice on my OnDigital Phillips box which keeps locking up and is beginning to be a pain.

The symptom you describe is often caused by mains switching transients from thermostats and switches. It is especially troublesome in multiple dwellings where the (idiot) electrician has run the (poorly screened) coaxial cable alongside the mains power cable.

If this is the cause, then the solution is to install a separate, double-screened satellite coaxial cable from the aerial to the receiver, keeping it at least 10cm away from any mains wiring. There should be no breaks, connectors or unshielded wall plates in the cable run (see our accessories catalogue). In addition, the position of the terrestrial aerial can be critical. Keep it away from electric power cables and away from main roads where impulse "noise" from car ignition systems can be high.

You can prove the point by swapping your receiver with that of someone else who is not experiencing problems.

Also note that electronic equipment should be kept cool. Connections should be fully shielded. A computer "spike protector" (not "surge protector") in the mains cable might help.

Please note, however, that "locking up" (not responding to the remote control handset) is a "feature" of most ONdigital receivers!

 I heard that pirate cards are available for ONdigital. Where can I get one?

This question is now academic since only free programmes are left. Now you see what happens when too many people cheat.

See our Freeview catalogue page - click HERE

Does SatCure sell ONdigital/Freeview remote control handsets?

Yes, for most models

Does SatCure sell a "TV Link" thing so I can control my FreeView/ONdigital box from another room?

We can supply a remote extender for the Grundig and Thomson FreeView boxes, which will let you control it when it's inside a cupboard. There is no other wired remote extender available but we can supply a wireless system such as the Powermid.

Can my Sky Digibox be used or converted to receive terrestrial Digital channels?

No

Can I use/modify my Old ONdigital?ITVdigital or Feeview box to receive satellite TV?

No

Welcome to idtv.co.uk - a web site dedicated to UK digital Terrestrial TV

http://www.idtv.co.uk/index.html

Top-Up TV

Top-Up TV has changed its offerings to "TopUpTV Anytime". You must buy a dedicated TUTV receiver with built-in Hard Drive. It downloads programmes at night so you can play them back later.

See our Freeview catalogue page - click HERE