Digital TV Guides

Digital TV problems

Updated: Monday 1 June, 2009

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

We help solve your general Digital TV problems in the troubleshooting guide below. However, if you have a fault with your digital TV equipment please contact the manufacturer.

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• I’ve lost some of my Freeview channels. What happened and how do I get them back?
• I can’t connect my set-top box
• I get ‘blocking’ on my picture
• I can’t record the other channel
• Can I watch Freeview using an aerial set on my TV?
• My set-top box isn’t working properly
• My remote control isn’t working properly
• I’ve bought a new TV but it doesn’t have Freeview built-in
• I’ve bought one set-top box - do I need to buy another for each TV in my house?
• There was a big storm and now I’ve lost my Freeview channels

I’ve lost some of my Freeview channels. What happened and how do I get them back?

This happens sometimes if your signal is weak or after bad weather. To get them back you’ll have to clear the memory on your set-top box and rescan.

Remove the aerial from your equipment and leave it unplugged. Go to the menu and select retune or rescan - this will take a few minutes but won’t find anything because the aerial is unplugged - this clears the memory.

When your equipment displays the message “no channels found”, you can unplug your set-top box and TV from the mains supply. After waiting 30 seconds, turn it back on and follow the rescanning instructions again.

Rescanning your Freeview set-top box >>>

If you keep having signal problems it could be that your aerial needs replacing, though if you had a good analogue signal, you should get a good digital one too.

I can’t connect my set-top box

All digiboxes and set-top boxes will come with installation instructions.

Basic set-top box installation >>>

However, if your TV does not have a scart socket, it may have AV (Audio/Video) sockets instead. These are three individual sockets coloured red, white and yellow. You will need a special lead to connect this to your box. You should be able to get one of these from most electrical retailers.

If your TV does not have AV sockets, only the normal RF aerial socket, you will not be able to connect it directly to the digital box unless the box has an RF output. Check with the manufacturer or you electrical retailer before you buy.

You might be able to connect the box to the scart socket on your VCR and watch Freeview on your video channel instead.

If you continue to have problems installing your set-top box you can pay for an engineer to do it for you. Contact your retailer for more information.

I get ‘blocking’ on my picture

Often blocking is caused by poor reception, or interference of some kind. You will either need to talk to your retailer or contact your local aerial installation company.

I can’t record the other channel

If you’re watching one channel but are trying to record another with your video recorder, you’ll find that it doesn’t work. After the switchover, you’ll only be able to record the channel you’re watching with a video recorder.

If you want to be able to record a second channel you’ll have to buy a digital TV recorder (DTR). If you do buy one you’ll be able to get one that acts as a set-top box too, so you won’t have to pay out twice for hardware. DTRs record to a built-in hard drive so you won’t have to buy blank videos.

Can I watch Freeview using an aerial set on my TV?

In some cases you will be able to get reception this way - usually if you got good analogue reception (including Channel 5) via your portable aerial - but the best way to watch Freeview is through a roof aerial as you will get much better reception. See useful links for local aerial installation companies.

Boost your signal using a Digital TV Aerial or Booster >>>

My set-top box isn’t working properly

If you have lost your picture or are getting an error message, it could be that your set-top box has overheated. You need to ensure that nothing else is placed on top of the box or covering the air vents that stop it from overheating. Turn it off at the wall for at least 30 seconds and once it has cooled down switch it back on. If this doesn’t help, contact your retailer or digital TV supplier.

My remote control isn’t working properly

If your remote control is changing channel when you turn the volume down or turning your set-top box off when you want to check your electronic programme guide, you probably need to change the batteries. If this doesn’t work, contact your retailer or digital TV supplier.

I’ve bought a new TV but it doesn’t have Freeview built-in

Not all new TVs are digitally integrated televisions, nor are they all High-Definition (HD) ready so if you want a digitally-enabled, HD TV, you will need to specifically ask for one.

I’ve bought one set-top box - do I need to buy another for each TV in my house?

Unfortunately, each TV will need its own set-top box to unscramble the digital TV signal for viewing.

There was a big storm and now I’ve lost my Freeview channels

You might experience reception problems during bad weather but reception should return to normal afterwards. If you don’t get your TV signal back, it could be that the strong winds knocked your roof aerial out of place. Check that it is still intact after the weather has calmed down and get a technician to fix it if it has been dislodged or damaged.