How to get 7 on Digital TV?
August 24, 2011 5:22 PM Subscribe
I have a Digital Set Top Box I bought from Dick Smith. It picks up all the digital channels except for 7, 7Two, and 7Mate. I've tried rescanning, and it just says 'program unavailable'. I live in the center of Sydney, and my reception is usually fine. Is there any way I can get these stations?
Response by poster: Take the box back and tell the work experience knobs at Dick Smith that it's a piece of shit and isn't getting any of the Seven Network channels.
It also stops working randomly. I need to unplug and reboot it.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:38 PM on August 24, 2011
It also stops working randomly. I need to unplug and reboot it.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:38 PM on August 24, 2011
Yeah, sounds like a Sorny or Panatronics. One of those Aldi brands. Swap it.
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:40 PM on August 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:40 PM on August 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Have a poke around the Aus DTV Forum - varies between overtly technical, argumentative, and just plain stupid, but there's a wealth of info there on what are good / average / bad STBs & PVRs. Certainly, it's a better resource for DTV stuff than Whingepool.
There's also a bunch of antenna guys whose knowledge covers most geographical areas (e.g. there's a recent thread or two about parts of Sydney - around Como? - falling into reception shadows due to new high-rise work) who might have some insights.
Just keep out of the inevitable AlanH vs everyone else arguments…
posted by Pinback at 6:31 PM on August 24, 2011
There's also a bunch of antenna guys whose knowledge covers most geographical areas (e.g. there's a recent thread or two about parts of Sydney - around Como? - falling into reception shadows due to new high-rise work) who might have some insights.
Just keep out of the inevitable AlanH vs everyone else arguments…
posted by Pinback at 6:31 PM on August 24, 2011
Also, the 7 channels tend to be more problematic than the others - they've chosen to use modulation settings that are slightly less-robust than everyone else in order to squeeze a bit more usable bandwidth. The result is that (a) cheap-ass tuners have problems with 7, and (b) any other reception issues - low signal, multipath, noise, etc - tend to affect 7 worse than the others.
posted by Pinback at 6:36 PM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Pinback at 6:36 PM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
We have a STB from Dick Smith on our bedroom TV and all the 7 channels get poorer reception than the rest (in SE Qld). We have excellent signal generally (can see the transmission tower from the antenna).
The fact that you need to unplug it regularly says that it's faulty and the first thing you should do is swap it for a replacement (DS are usually happy to exchange if you have the receipt). Ours works perfectly even though it's a super cheap, low def one.
One common problem in our area is that sometimes, people will tune their TV into a signal from the wrong tower - we have two towers locally and, depending on where you live, you may be able to get signal from both. Try manually tuning to see if you can get a better signal for the same channel.
posted by dg at 11:39 PM on August 24, 2011
The fact that you need to unplug it regularly says that it's faulty and the first thing you should do is swap it for a replacement (DS are usually happy to exchange if you have the receipt). Ours works perfectly even though it's a super cheap, low def one.
One common problem in our area is that sometimes, people will tune their TV into a signal from the wrong tower - we have two towers locally and, depending on where you live, you may be able to get signal from both. Try manually tuning to see if you can get a better signal for the same channel.
posted by dg at 11:39 PM on August 24, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
It seems to be a known issue. Try a different cable and get your landlord to have somebody out to look at the aerial. Ask your neighbors if they're getting similar problems.
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:37 PM on August 24, 2011