This topic

Poor reception

DK1083 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 14:50:10 GMT

Getting a lot of reception issues with BT Sports channels. Basically signal break up on both picture and sound. Seems worse today - not sure if the bad weather can affect it but it has been a problem for some time. I have reported it before but no solutions offered. Anyone else having similar issues?

Re: Poor reception

DavidM — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 15:02:32 GMT

Hi @DK1083 and thanks for posting.

Sorry you're having problems with the picture / sound quality. Is this happening on any other channels?

Cheers

David

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 15:05:09 GMT

Only on BT Sports channels - HD & non HD.

Re: Poor reception

DavidM — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 15:07:57 GMT

Thanks for confirming that @DK1083 .

Have you tried an attenuator? You can pick them up fairly cheaply and they can resolve issues such as the one you're describing.

Cheers

David

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 15:10:48 GMT

Firstly, I don’t know what that is. Secondly, if I need one surely BT should provide it. I only have this problem on their channels so it’s their problem.

Re: Poor reception

gomezz — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 15:55:22 GMT

The BT Sport channels are not broadcast over the air on the DTT/Freeview platform. They are delivered over your internet connection. The most common cause of problems is at the user's end with the use of PLAs which can be checked by changing to using an ethernet cable instead.

(assuming you are using a BT Youview box - you don't say what device you are actually using)

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 16:01:16 GMT

Using BT YouView box. Connected to wi-fi as BT master socket and router are at the other end of the house so can’t connect directly. Seems to have settled a bit since posting. Instead of breaking up every few seconds it’s now not so frequent. That said it is a persistent problem and has been for sometime. BT sent some new filters some months ago but they made no difference.

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:38:06 GMT

Apologies for the late reply to your suggestion. I have come to the conclusion that the problems I have are down to the wi-fi / internet signal.

Unfortunately, I cannot connect directly to the router as it’s at the other end of the house. We use an extender to get the signal to the TV end of the property.

Regards;

David.

Re: Poor reception

DarrenDev — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 01:12:27 GMT

Can you temporarily move the box and TV near the router to test it? Just long enough to prove that the problem goes away. If the problem is with the PLAs then you have options to resolve it yourself. If the problem is with the broadband then we can investigate further.

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 07:22:25 GMT

It would be a huge job to put them closer together. I can put up with it until my contract ends next September then I’ll go with another provider. We have previously been with Sky and TalkTalk and haven’t had these issues.

The problem seems to only occur on channels such as: BT Sport, Quest HD, BBC4 HD etc.

The main terrestrial HD channels; BBC1,2; ITV etc are not affected.

Thanks for your suggestion though.

Re: Poor reception

DarrenDev — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 08:04:37 GMT

BT Sport is delivered via your broadband. The other channels are via your TV aerial. They'll be unrelated issues, unless there's something environmental affecting signals for both.
BT Sport on Talk Talk will be the exact same stream, so I'd expect the same experience. TV channels via your TV aerial will be the same unless you choose satellite or cable TV.

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 08:21:18 GMT

We live in a rural area and do not have access to cable. Our aerial was installed through BT when we took up our contract. The TV is an LG Smart TV which was a sign up “gift” as part of the BT package. I do wonder if the aerial should have some kind of booster fitted as mine is at a much lower height to my neighbours.

I am not convinced that the quality of the YouView box is all it should be although I accept that the strength of the wi-fi signal might also be an issue.

I have previously enquired about the possibility of having the master BT box moved to enable the TV and router to be connected by Ethernet cable but the cost quoted by BT is too expensive.

Regards;

David

Re: Poor reception

gspearson — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 09:10:36 GMT

I think (expecting to be corrected) that the older BT YouView boxes have weaker TV tuners than some others - so I can't receive some of the MUX7/8 channels that I can on another box.

On internet channels, I do think it worth getting a wired connection for TV. Recently I installed a 20metre cable (big stone house) which took TV from a wobbly 16-20Mbs wi-fi signal to a rock steady 63Mbs - enabling UHD 4k TV. So I watched BBC iPlayer - "A Very British Scandal" in exquisite UHD detail, and wished I hadn't.

No technical knowledge needed, just crawl round the house with a cable: £10.

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:16:27 GMT

Thanks for the suggestion but the cable would need to be at least double that length, (we live in a long narrow bungalow) and dragged the length of the house through the attic, something I am not in a fit physical condition to be able to do.

The easier solution would be for BT to move their master socket from the front of the house, (a bedroom), to the rear, (the lounge). Unfortunately, not only do they seem reluctant to do the job but will charge an exorbitant amount if they did.

Regards;

David.

Re: Poor reception

imjolly — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:23:36 GMT

moving the master socket is done by openreach not BT Retail you could check local directory and get probably an ex openreach employee to move the master for you and I expect cheaper than openreach

Re: Poor reception

gspearson — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:54:51 GMT

Adding an ethernet lead from the master socket is not, in any way, a technical job. It is a job a local electrician/general handyman could do, if need be by going round the outside of the house. The cable I used was waterproof and robust as it had to go under the house, up through a void and then across an upper floor. It took me an hour, but I'm 72 which slowed things bit.

General handymen/ladies do this all the time. The average local 16 year old can do that without having to think. Plenty of people here have trouble holding back their offspring from rewiring their systems.

Expect to pay £100 and get it done in a week. Ask OpenReach to move a master socket and you could be waiting many months.

Re: Poor reception

DK1083 — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 14:49:54 GMT

Tried that with a couple of chaps. Both said BT take a very small view of their equipment being “tampered” with and wouldn’t do it.

Regards;

David.

Re: Poor reception

gspearson — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 15:00:55 GMT

I wasn't at all suggesting moving the master box - for which the OR punishment is capital.

I'm suggesting you plug into the box as you do already and run a longer lead from there. You could put the HH at the other end.

You do the plugging (as you are entitled to do), pay a lad to do the laying and when he's gone you plug in. Bob's your junction.