This topic

Pixelation

Torquay40 — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 22:29:41 GMT

The tv had started to pixelate on some channels

I’ve reset the box ,checked aerial to no avail

can you help ?

Re: Pixelation

Brucemeister5 — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:38:06 GMT

Which channels? If you have your aerial connected then your Freeview channels will be through that and your subscription channels will be delivered by multicast.

Re: Pixelation

Torquay40 — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:22:59 GMT

I’ve retuned the box and most of the channels are okay now a few are still pixalating (Q 5 usa tjc itv2+1 etc)
We don’t watch those so it’s okay now thanks

Re: Pixelation

SoupDragon57 — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 23:32:21 GMT

@Torquay40 It could beat couple of things. The most obvious is Freeview signal quality, and that will be down to how close too the transmitter you are, obstructions etc. Additionally, some of the groups of channels (MUX) are not as strong a signal. These are typically the lesser commercial channels. Sometimes, a better aerial will help.

Alternatively, if your signal strength is too strong, the BT boxes can beat bit fussy and a signal attenuator can reduce the strength (not the quality) and it can solve the problem. However, this is often seen as pixelation across more channels. I had this and the attenuator worked a treat.

Re: Pixelation

Terrior — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:41:50 GMT

This is a problem I have had for years. I have had Pixelation problems on my TV but only on BBC channels. A BT Engineer visited and said it was probably the signal being either too weak, or too strong. He checked the signal, it was maybe a little strong, and turned in down. Since then the Pixelation (only on BBC Channels) has returned with a vengeance. I therefore watch BBC channels through the TV directly, bypassing the BT Box. Then there is no problems with the picture whatsoever. This indicates the aerial is fine. This does mean. however, that I can't record any BBC channels and have to watch programmes live, through the TV directly.

As BT seem unable to solve this problem, which appears to affect a number of other BT Customers, I have decided to contact the Chief Executive of BT and outline the problem to him. My contract with BT for the supply of a box in order to receive many programmes is not being honoured. BT are failing to provide the service they are contracted to provide. We are talking BBC Channels here, not some obscure channels. I have to have a BBC Licence to watch the TV that I can't record and only watch in real time.

In my opinion, BT are in breach of contract. I am paying for a service that only provides half of what it is contracted to do. I have not been offered a discount or any method of solving this problem and it seems from the comments in this column not many others have either. The BT service we all pay for is not cheap. There are numerous alternatives, (used by many friends, neighbours, et al) who do not have these issues. Their contracts are cheaper than BT anyway.

If BT refuse to cancel my contract and do not rectify these issues then I will take this matter to the Media (newspapers, broadcasters and BT competitors).

I will write directly to the CEO and see if he is able to shed some light on this matter. I suggest other BT customers suffering these problems do similarly.

Kind Regards

Re: Pixelation

DavidM — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:51:16 GMT

Hi @Terrior and @Torquay40 and thanks for posting.

Sorry you're having problems with pixelation. I've had this myself and as @SoupDragon57 has mentioned an attenuator sorted the problem out. I think it's worth a try in this instance.

Cheers

David

Re: Pixelation

Terrior — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:16:19 GMT

Many thanks for the tip, David. I know very little about attenuators. It appears you have to have the right one, which entails engaging the services of a professional. Is it likely to affect the service to other channels? Will I be prevented from watching BBC channels on TV directly?

I will investigate this option, however, but at the end of the day I still think it's BT's responsibility. Thank you again.

Kind Regards

Re: Pixelation

DavidM — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:21:42 GMT

Hi @Terrior ,

I just got one from a local retailer and connected it. Worked first time so maybe I got lucky. Only cost a few quid so deffinitely worth investigating.

Cheers

David

Re: Pixelation

Terrior — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:35:04 GMT

Thanks David, I will give it a shot.

Kind Regards

Re: Pixelation

SoupDragon57 — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:15:59 GMT

@Terrior @DavidM I got an attenuator online possibly eBay). They're cheap and you can get a selection of strengths (resistance). Youview boxes are apparently notorious for issues with signal being too strong. I'm sure if it was too weak, then an aerial specialist would have advised.
I run mine via internet mode these days, but I have kept the attenuator on the feed into the TVs.

Re: Pixelation

-Richie- — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:42:53 GMT

@Terriorwrote:
In my opinion, BT are in breach of contract. I am paying for a service that only provides half of what it is contracted to do. I have not been offered a discount or any method of solving this problem and it seems from the comments in this column not many others have either. The BT service we all pay for is not cheap. There are numerous alternatives, (used by many friends, neighbours, et al) who do not have these issues. Their contracts are cheaper than BT anyway.
If BT refuse to cancel my contract and do not rectify these issues then I will take this matter to the Media (newspapers, broadcasters and BT competitors).

The channels you mentioned are Freeview channels, you also mention the +1 channels which means you're using an aerial, BT have no control over this and Freeview channels are not guaranteed as your own aerial is the source.

You do have options, BT can arrange a new aerial install using a company called TSG, a one-off £30 charge is applied for this, alternatively a Pro box has Freeview over aerial but does result in fewer channels.

Freeview terms you agreed to as part of your subscription can be read at Freeview Explained

Is BT responsible for my Freeview service via an aerial?
No, BT TV and Freeview are independent of each other.
Freeview is the brand name of the free Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) channels that are broadcast throughout the UK. How many Freeview channels you'll get also depends on the quality of your aerial.
In the terms of your BT TV service it says:
"The quality of digital terrestrial TV content, the Freeview picture and the number of channels, if any, that you can receive is dependent on the quality of the broadcast and your television aerial and the availability of Freeview in your area. We (BT) are not responsible for this."
See the full BT TV Terms and Conditions (opens in new window).

Re: Pixelation

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:47:16 GMT

This variable attenuator is readily available online.

Philex Variable TV Signal Attenuator

Re: Pixelation

SoupDragon57 — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 16:00:12 GMT

@Keith_Beddoe Yes, variable attenuators are also available. Good call!

Re: Pixelation

Midnight_Voice — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:05:50 GMT

@Terrior

Get a variable attenuator; you turn the little red control (thank you, obscenity filter) for anything from 0-20 dBs of attenuation. A few quid on Amazon, and no doubt many other places. There’s no wrong answer with a variable one; you just tweak it until it’s right.

This one looks gold here, but it’s actually silver; looks like the white balance in the photo is off, but you get the idea, hopefully.

Pull the aerial off the back of the Pro box, plug it into the attenuator, then plug the other connector on the attenuator into the box.

Go to Settings/TV Signal Quality and twiddle the red control until the Signal Strength is about 80%. (Actually you can keep going until the Signal Quality drops below 100%, and then just dial it back a fraction to be 100% again, but only go that far if you are getting pixelation still at 80% Strength).

Check on the TV that the signal is still strong enough there also.

Hopefully the pixelation will cease; though I have to say I’m getting it at the moment with this severe weather we are having, so you might have to tweak the red (unsayable) again when it’s over.

Re: Pixelation

Terrior — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:47:22 GMT

Many thanks for taking the time to respond to my problem. Thank you also for the detailed description of the unit and fitting. Much appreciated.
Kind Regards

Re: Pixelation

Terrior — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:53:59 GMT

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.
My aerial works fine when not using the BT box, I receive BBC programmes without any problems. My contract states that BT will provide Freeview channels and the facility to record them. My issue is with BT and the box not performing as it should. BT Engineers have not suggested any of the solutions described on this page.
Kind Regards

Re: Pixelation

jeanjeanie2 — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:55:36 GMT

I am getting so frustrated with this too! Constant error message and signal message constantly. I do not understand the attenuator? Is it simple to buy and install?

Re: Pixelation

SoupDragon57 — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:21:36 GMT

@jeanjeanie2 You can get them on websites like Amazon or eBay, they're cheap, and you plug it into the aerial in slot on the back of the BT box and plug the aerial cable into that.
If you've bought a variable one, you might want to check the signal strength in settings as you adjust it. You want 100% signal quality and 80-90% signal strength. All your problems will then go away.

Re: Pixelation

jeanjeanie2 — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 20:26:32 GMT

Thank you so much