Advising people to recan when that is not the problem

[lincsat]

Have another read of what the Coder wrote:

Alternatively, do a rescan. If you get the channels listed in the EPG after a full factory reset/rescan then the channel has been found. If the channel is not in the EPG then it hasn't been found, usually because its on a low-power transponder and the box simply isn't see'ing it.

If after a rescan a channel is listed in the EPG but it doesn't decrypt then thats the symptom of a totally seperate problem, possibly either an internet problem or a card subscription problem at the server (if it were a server problem, you would not get any channels decrypted)

[TheCoder]

Originally Posted by unadkat

Would this be regarded as the tuner being weak or sensitive? And because of that the tuner is simply failing to scan the low powered TP's.

Thats a difficult question to answer without getting quite technical.

VM try to set things up so that all transducers emit the same power levels but the problems mostly occur later as different frequencies exhibit different properties as they travel through the local cable runs and connecters. In extreme cases you can end up with signal levels on some frequencies being 1/3rd or less than some other frequencies.

The VM network itself is also a mish-mash of many smaller networks (remember the situation 10-15 years ago before VM) with each network having settled on its own idea of what constitutes the 'perfect' setup. For instance, parts of the exTW network run with particularly low signal levels, even before any losses.

The tuners in most 3rd party boxes were originally designed for the European market where signal levels are a lot more standardised and consistant (and generally higher than uk signal levels). That makes these tuners more likely to be working at the limits of their capabilites. They will work most of the time but not in all circumstances.

The tuners for both the later SV/KV boxes were apparently tweaked somewhat to allow them to operate more consistantly in the UK but they are still not as good as the custom tuners used in VM's own subscription boxes.

You may wonder why SV/KV etc dont use custom tuners the answer to which is basically expense. A custom tuner would likely of added £20 to the base cost of such boxes (the cost of developing the tuner would of run into the tens of thousands of pounds, which would have to be recovered plus the greater cost of purchase of the individual tuners (if manufacturers aren't making 100,000 of the things, they cost a lot more per item).

So, is the tuner weak ?

Answer - not really, its in spec just not the same spec as some parts of the vm network.

[TheCoder]

Originally Posted by Mic260

Do they provide NIT tables for all areas of the UK? If the TPs change, will it be included as per region?

NIT tables are part of the dvb standard and should be present on all broadcast frequencies on the standard assigned NIT PID. If a transponder frequency changes then the relevant NIT tables must also change. The NIT tables are how all stb's find the transponders (you usually give a stb the 'default' frequency to give it a bootstrap so it can grab the NIT and thus find all other frequencies)

For exCW/exTW areas, they tend to transmit the NIT's for all NetID's for those areas. From any exTW/exCW area you should be able to build a list of all frequencies used in any other exCW/exTW region.

ExNTL regions are somewhat different as they were based on somewhat different standards (DAVIC rather than DOCSIS). Generally the exNTL regions only transmit a single NIT, which is the correct NIT for that area.

[TheCoder]

Originally Posted by Mic260

How can I know which TPs are weak?None are missing here in London

Look at your signal level for a range of channels. You'll generally see a fluctuation as you move between frequencies. its not uncommon to see some channels giving signal levels in the 90's with others in the 70's or lower.

If your lowst signal level is still within the capability of the tuner then you'll likely have little problem. On the other hand, if your box simply wont pich up a certain transponder or the signal levels are particularly low at a certain transponder frequency then you may have a problem.

It may be possible to 'fix' the problem using tuned 'compensator' (a sort of tuned filter) but such a thing really needs some complex equipment to do properly. A 'booster' amplifier may get you there but it may also make things worse.

[TheCoder]

Originally Posted by kenny s

again its up to the people that run server nothing to do with ur tps if the tps r down at the sever end u wont get the channel or channels cos ur using there server

The transponders really have little to do with the server. In fact, the servers on large CS systems have absolutely no knowledge of transponders. Such associations are only useful for small 'home' based CS systems (as in dreambox type servers). Dont mix the two systems up as they function in very different ways !

[Mic260]

Originally Posted by TheCoder

Look at your signal level for a range of channels. You'll generally see a fluctuation as you move between frequencies. its not uncommon to see some channels giving signal levels in the 90's with others in the 70's or lower.

If your lowst signal level is still within the capability of the tuner then you'll likely have little problem. On the other hand, if your box simply wont pich up a certain transponder or the signal levels are particularly low at a certain transponder frequency then you may have a problem.

It may be possible to 'fix' the problem using tuned 'compensator' (a sort of tuned filter) but such a thing really needs some complex equipment to do properly. A 'booster' amplifier may get you there but it may also make things worse.

That is very useful guidance-Many thanks
And if TPs change in my area, will I be able to get the channels back by doing a Rescan?

[kenny s]

Originally Posted by Mic260

But how do I know if TPs have changed in my area?

its like talking 2 a brick wall why all the qs be happy its working no need for q after q after q after q get on with viewing ur head must be fryed some people r never happy GET A LIFE