I don’t get to watch TV regularly but I compensate by checking the programmes for the coming week and recording them, not many...mainly documentaries and the odd film. Generally it works well, but recently I’ve sat down to watch a programme and have found that the digital picture freezes intermittently, or it becomes pixilated and the sound becomes a staccato patois complete with bleeps and squeaks from the speakers. Obviously the picture and sound have lost sync for that second or two which makes for very frustrating viewing.

This evening I sat down to watch the Bomber Command documentary made by Ewan MacGregor and his pilot brother. ( They made one on the Spitfireand the Battle of Britain last year which was in the summer and a perfect piece of telly. Not this time though - and it’s not their fault. I had to ditch the idea and I’ll catch it on i-player later). Quite simply the dodgy signal got on my tits and the blood pressure began to rise.

Nothing to do with the recorder, Sunray Domestic complained that the same thing was happening the other night watching a favoured programme on ITV. It seems to be the same other digital channels too.

I’ve always had my doubts about digital tv, but it would seem to be getting worse. My own theory for the current problem is atmospherics, seems to cock-up in cold weather. I had noticed it last year during that big freeze when we had clear skies and sub zero temperatures.

So, techno-Arrsers, what’s the score ? Atmospherics ? Or have were been sold a dummy by Nu-labour back in those dark days ? They flogged the gold, so did they think to make a packet on flogging the FM wave band too ?

Snottogrammme to the proper ministry is going to be composed.....erm what Ministry though ? Is there a Ministry of Digital Fuckwittery ? Is SOinC on the advisory panel. We need to know.

I sometimes get a poor signal/lost signal too. It used to never happen on the main channels such as BBC and ITV, but now those are affected too. I suspect there are various reasons for it happening, but there was this one time when a plane flew by and the problem stopped once it was out of earshot. A spokesman on a question session on local radio a couple of years ago said that currently the power levels were only at about 10% of what they will be after switchover. So that might make a difference to this problem. I've tried re-tuning a couple of times but this seems to make no difference.

Atmospherics will cause the picture to pixillate, especially if there is a lightning storm. Problem with digital is it's either there or it's not and the weather can play havoc with it. However, you need to check a few things yourself. Does your aerial need upgrading? Some of the analogue aerials can cope with analogue but may not be good enough for the digital signals.
Is the aerial pointing in the right direction? Some areas could receive two lots of analogue signals, for example in Leicester area you can pick up West and East analogue signals. With digital, you will get a poor signal from the back of the aerial so check where the digital transmitters are in your area. However, I do think there may be a backlash when the analogue is switched off and everyone goes digital. When picture drop out and the screen goes scratchy and horrible during bad weather, people might think they have been sold a pup, especially those in areas quite a distance from the transmitter or have a bloody great hill in the way. (City dwellers, look away now as you won't be affected so much).

Big hill to the south of us. We pick up the Isle of Wight transmitter. There is also a transmitter in Salisbury (Harnham), so the dual signal could be the problem and I'll get that checked. But I rather think that it's going to be the low signal power that is the reason, so hopefully the problem will go away on switch over.

Thanks for the info. Incidentally - just watched the programme on BBC I-Player with no problem. I Player will soon be the medium of choice I think.

My area has changed over to digital only and reception is very poor and noticeably worse in cold weather.I can't get some of the major channels like Film 4 or Sky News. Can't afford Sky TV so I'm thinking of getting Freesat. It seems to be a one off charge and you can get everything, including HD channels.

happened here too, literally a minute ago

Ooooh, my telly picture is shit, that's must be the fucking government's fault!

Ooooh, my shoelace is undone, that must be a CIA plot!

Ooooh, I'm full of fucking shit, that must've been my parents fault!

I have been experiencing a poor picture for some time. First thing most mornings I have to retune the TV and quite often the picture was pixelated so badly it was unwatchable. . I blamed the transmitter etc. About a month ago, I decided to phone a TV aerial installer. Upon arrival he looked at my aerial and told me it was an FM aerial, which was ok before we went digital. Had a new aerial and cable fitted and parted with my £85. Picture is brilliant and unaffected by wind or cold. Just wished I had it done sooner. Seems to be a problem if you have an aerial from the analog days or are watching TV using a satellite dish.

There are so many things that can affect the signal, starting at point where your signal cable is plugged into the back of your telly all the way up to what you have on the roof.

Though I do like the instant case of otherenditis as soon as you can't get your fix of idiot box.

Originally Posted by cernunnos

Ooooh, my telly picture is shit, that's must be the fucking government's fault!

Ooooh, my shoelace is undone, that must be a CIA plot!

Ooooh, I'm full of fucking shit, that must've been my parents fault!

Danny Boy calling Broadsword: Encrypted message received and understood. Danny Boy out.