Topfield Hard Disk Recorder

[chappie]

We are experiencing a strange problem with our Toppy. In bad (usually wet) weather the ITV channels are unwatchable, they keep breaking up. It is only ITV channels that are a problem. We recently had a digital aerial installed, and we have a second freeview box in the bedroom - that works fine in all weathers.

The problem seems to only ever occur in bad weather conditions. Any advice/help would be greatly received.

We have thought about contacting the supplier of the Toppy, but think he will say it is an aerial problem (this is our second Toppy, we had to send the first one back because of a fault with the box).

Thanks.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

I'll start with an analogy, as that might make things a bit clearer:

If I want to buy a portable radio, I might be able to pick one up for a quid at the local 'pound shop' or, alternatively, I could go to a specialist dealer and fork out about �100 for a Roberts set. Both radios would work but the chances are that the Roberts receiver would be much better at 'pulling in' weak signals. My point is that, while both sets contain tuner circuits, the Roberts one has much greater 'sensitivity'.

It's this concept of 'sensitivity' (i.e. the ability to 'pull in' weak signals) which has to be kept in mind when considering your problem. Both your Toppy and your digibox have tuner circuits built into them but it seems obvious that the one in the Toppy is less 'sensitive' than the one in the digibox. The manufacturer and supplier of the Toppy will say that its sensitivity is perfectly adequate if you provide a strong enough signal from the aerial (so you'd find it hard to successfully claim that its faulty) but your aerial fitter might question that view.

The problem with ITV signals 'dropping out' when it rains is well known and it's been mentioned many times here on AB. Apparently, the ITV signals use a different form of signal coding, which is more vulnerable to signal disruption.

[Buenchico]

Basically, what you need to do is to increase the signal strength coming from your aerial. You could call the aerial fitter back in and get him to install a better aerial. You might also get him to change the cable. Major signal losses can occur along fairly short lengths of co-ax cable. (Unless your cable is of good quality and fairly new, the aerial fitter should have changed it when he installed the new aerial. If he didn't even consider doing so, he's probably not much good at his job).

However, you might simply try getting hold of an aerial booster. (They probably only cost a few pounds in places like Tesco Extra or Asda). I wouldn't normally recommend one of these devices for people who were having trouble receiving Freeview, because they can't normally provide sufficient 'gain' to do the job. The evidence in your case, though, suggests that the signal strength is only just below what's required, so a slight increase in signal strength might be all that is needed.

Chris

[chappie]

Many thanks Buenchico, for such a detailed reply. Will try changing the coax cable and see if that helps.

We chose the Toppy, which was certainly not the cheapest, after a lot of research, because it had been given so many good reviews. We already have a booster fitted. Don't know if the aerial fitter changed the cable, and wouldn't be at all surprised if he didn't, as he charged a lot of cash for the job, but wasn't interested in helping us when we phoned him a few days later with a different query. I paid him by cash, as this is what he asked for (I should have heard warning bells).

We live in a small village and it is hard to find someone who will come out to us. I got his telephone number from a local free magazine, which only listed his mobile, and in a nutshell, I think he was a cowboy (plus, he turned up wearing a stetson and left his horse tied up outside our house). ONLY JOKING, trying to keep a sense of humour over this problem which is actually driving us mad!

Thanks again for your help.

[Catso]

Re the coax cable: have you got quality, digital-standard cable from your aerial to your box? Ordinary low-loss TV coax just isn't suitable (unless you're getting a very, very good signal). Digital cable is to FT100 standard, and the shielding is copper foil as well as copper braid. I replaced all my cabling and much improved the reception on digital.

If you're half-handy, it's a job you can do yourself, and only costs a few �10s.

[chappie]

Many thanks for reply. Will give it a go. Don't know exactly which cable we have, but will check it out.