FREESAT DROPPING OUT - Page 2

I'm sure you're right! But we always lose channels in winter.

I assumed it was Space Gremlins. My bad!

I guess satellites will disappear with time.

Thanks again for all the replies and suggestions, but I think I'll pass on running a cable to Jodrell Bank. Last time I was at the Sierra Nevada there were some useful looking dishes up there and that's closer.

Update for this morning Thursday 2nd February.  BBC1 has been perfect all morning, so perhaps the swap over is done.

Nope, bbc one south HD is still on the same frequency it was yesterday 

Tried to watch just now and there is nothing there.

I shall be patient, I'm not desperate to watch anything.

Cheers 

BBC channels are hit and miss on my box, but a run through the long list of regional channels in the  960's to 970's range will get me one of the HD's. Only real differences are local news, apart from BBC1 HD Scotland which can carry substantially different programming

Never had any problems in las virtudes. May be LNB  needs replacing. You can buy them on Anazon.es not expensive. Also if it has always happened is your dish big enough, alined correctly or any obstacles 

The switching off of SD  channels will be happening until the end of the year. Some regional ones have gone off but there is a main BBC1 channel SD but no regional news etc.

On our Humax box, I get a message on Ch 106 saying this channel has now moved to Ch 101. Channel 101 is now the HD regional channel depending on the postcode you entered. 

We only lose some channels during the summer on Freesat, not in winter. Dave, Drama, W etc all disappear from about May to November but I believe they are weaker channels on the system. 

Be a bit of a nuisance during heavy storms as the HD channels tend to go off and we simply switch to an SD channel. If they aren't there we'll have to rely on Prime or Spanish TV (and watch the 20 minutes or so of adverts on that).

"The switching off of SD  channels will be happening until the end of the year. Some regional ones have gone off but there is a main BBC1 channel SD but no regional news etc." - the SD to HD switch is happening now (another batch due today for freesat, tomorrow for sky) , and will be completed by March this year. But they will be running SD channels, with no local news, until the end of March  2024.

"We only lose some channels during the summer on Freesat, not in winter. Dave, Drama, W etc all disappear from about May to November but I believe they are weaker channels on the system. " - they are some of the weaker channels, i find some of the ITV HD frequencies to be slightly weaker aslo. But with the right sized dish, good LNB, and both aligned correctly, then the loss can be minimised. But yes, in the summer, the heat and humidity causes less signal reaching your dish.

Other variables are presently not mentioned.

Location - in different parts of Spain - there are differences in signal strength. So you may find if people that are commenting about signal, you can have different issues or more effect, depending exactly where they are. So unless in the same area, information may be slightly off.

We have also noted in some areas of Costa Blanca South - the signal has overall deteriorated a little - with 1.4 metre dishes once popular struggling in many areas, now need a 1.8/1.9 dish.

Whilst the likes of satellite / Humax boxes and Freesat - all worked well in Spain - with the right sized dish for years - it is clear of recent years, the service has deteriorated in reception. Also for ex-pats, Humax boxes have been expensive and hard to come by (not supplied in Spain unless by 3rd party). Much of this equipment now is not even supplied - why?  More are moving to IPTV & less satellite receivers are being made/sold.

IPTV - with a good provider, can give you all the UK & International content. Options to record - though you don' t need to as have catch-up as well as all the usual films and series ' on demand' - IE watch what you want - when you want.

According to our own data -  6 years ago - 90% of ex-pat searches in Spain - related to UK TV, were 'Satellite'. Now 90% is IPTV and satellite queries represent around 10%.

This tells us, that statistically, most people have moved away from satellite systems and to an internet-based TV service option. No big dishes and expensive receivers & and far more options with viewing content. The downside - is for any workable IPTV system there is usually a subscription cost attached - though often costs are quite reasonable and these type of services have other advantages, such as you can pick them up and use them anywhere with an internet connection - no 1.9 metre dish and multiple cables.

IPTV does have its pitfalls also - careful selection of equipment and provider is required. Assuming you have a stable internet connection, that's all you need.

Paul

www.televisiontechnology.eu

We have our own Community dish for freesat with fibre optic cable to everyone who joined for the initial installation. No-one has yet said they are having problems with Freesat, but we do have a 1.9m dish.

I did lose a lot of channels last year but my TV and box were old, so after replacing both suddenly I had over 100 channels. Ch 4 is always a problem but Ch 4+1 is fine.

Is it worth re-booting the box? checking updates etc.