brettule Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 I've got a Samsung LE R74 unit I purchased in the UK and bought back to Australia with me. I know the Australia market has all LA (Asia?) models not LE (Eurpe), I thought there would be no difference aside from some language options. Anyway, I have a digial antenna and I can confirm it's working with a friends Aus telly and tuner. However, my Samsung is unable to find any channels, it says to check antenna. Can anyone help me get my digital tunner tuned into Aus content?
alanh Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 brettule, There is a couple of problems with a UK set 1. The bandwidth of the TV channel is 8 MHz where as ours is 7 MHz 2. The UK does not use VHF or our channels 6-12 or European channels 5 - 12 If you have a German option try it. If you have UHF channels in you area, it will not work on them but will work on channels 6 - 12. The best option is to buy an HD Set top box and feed the set with an HDMI signal. AlanH
brettule Posted June 30, 2008 Author Posted June 30, 2008 I'd like to steer clear of using more kit, I wanted to keep everything minimalist which is why I didn't go out and buy a new set top box. Thanks Alan, the 7MHz v 8MHz makes sense. I tried to switch to German region but it's not helping. I guess what I need now is someone with Samsung knowledge to help me get the telly to tune outside of the UK standards. Perhaps using the hidden maintainance menus?
charlesc Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 The UK uses UHF frequencies for all their terrestrial TV transmissions. So the first step would be to change the bandwidth setting to 7 MHz, as mentioned. What you will be able to tune in to will depend on where you are, and what frequencies the local tranmissions are on. Your tuner will most likely only cover the UHF frequencies, as it is designed for the UK system. These UHF transmissions are used here in Australia, but most often in rural areas, and also in some metropolitan areas for translator site transmissions. An example of translators in Sydney would be the Kings Cross (City) and North Head (Manly) systems. If you are in a metropolitan area, and are not in a coverage area of one of the translators (that use UHF), then you will need a set top box or similar to receive local digital channels.
brettule Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 I'm in Melbourne metro area so I'm guessing I'm VHF? I would have though that Samsung would make one tuner covering all ranges then simply tailor it to various markets. Sounds like extra production costs to make tailed tuners for markets. I've dipped into the tuner menus and I can manually set a channel within these parameters, does this help me or give any of you more insight to my units default capabilities? Chan: 21 to 68 Frequency: 6 digits Bandwidth 7 or 8 Is chan just an arbitrary channel number I can assign to any tuned in signal or is there a coralation with frequency? I'm new to all this.
alanh Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 brettule, Set the bandwidth to 7 set the frequency to 536625 This should bring up SBS if you have a UHF antenna connected to the digital antenna input. SBS will be called channel 3 or 30 or 31 by the signal transmitted by them. As for the other stations it depends on where you are in Melbourne Read Get the Best Reception, Melbourne and read the links. Have a look at the VIC link and see if you are near any translators with a channel number over over 25. There is also a link to the coverage areas. I will then give you frequencies for these repeaters. Since attachments are being removed by the administrator, I will be posting new ones at the weekend. AlanH
brettule Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 Thanks Alan, I tried it but couldn't seem to get it to save the frequency. I think the telly firmware must be set up for the British market. Looking at the user manul for setting chan's manually it notes "You can not change only a frequency when changing a channel, the frequency will be automatically changed" I guess this means that I can't dial up any frequency I want. Is it possible to replace the firmware with Australia region?
alanh Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 brettule, You will have to ask the Service Department of Samsung about changing the Tuner module. Find out the price before you do anything. An HD STB may still be the best option. The only disadvantage is 2 remote controls, if you use the HDMI output via an HDMI cable which you will have to purchase. The picture and sound quality will be unchanged. AlanH
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