Replacement For Topfield Tf7010ht - Poor Reception

[Guest [schmick]]

Hi Guys,

I've had the above HD STB for a while now, however, having recently moved to North Melbourne (problem area for reception) I think I need a replacement.

Reason being is that 10/ONE HD fluctuate between either watchable or 'Scrambled Service' which is unbearable!

The owners corporation has recently upgraded our antenna system and others in our complex are having no issues with 10/ONE HD, etc. so I'm thinking it has to come down to my STB.

Can anybody recommend a good replacement? I heard good things about Healing. Alternatively, any good PVR options available also that have good tuners for problem reception areas?

Thoughts/Comments appreciated!

Cheers..

[mtv]

I wouldn't automatically assume a new box will be a magic fix for your problem.

It's possible there's a problem with the cabling/FTA outlet in your residence and not others in the complex.

Without signal measurements, it's impossible to tell.

Can you try your toppy in another apartment that has known good TEN digital reception?

Have you tried another flylead (cable from the wall outlet to the box)?

Well-shielded cables (eg RG6 Quadshield) with crimped/compression connectors are superior to moulded plastic connectors on thin coax.

If signals are that border-line that some boxes will work ok and others not, then there are still problems with the antenna/distribution system.

[Guest [schmick]]

Hi MTV,

Thanks for your reply....

It's possible there's a problem with the cabling/FTA outlet in your residence and not others in the complex.

Without signal measurements, it's impossible to tell.

Have you tried another flylead (cable from the wall outlet to the box)?

Well-shielded cables (eg RG6 Quadshield) with crimped/compression connectors are superior to moulded plastic connectors on thin coax.

The Jim's Antenna guy whom services our complex has checked the signal strength in my apartment and without knowing specifics they are all within acceptable tolerances.

I am using well shielded RG6 cabling from the outlet to the box also. This cable is only a few months old.

It's funny because generally during the day Ten/ONE HD are OK, but early morning such as now or late evening, it's unwatchable.

I'll ask around some other unit owners to see if they are having any problems, from what I gather they aren't, and whether or not we can test my box on their TV.

In regards to replacement boxes and/or PVR options, what would you suggest for problem areas such as mine?

[tonymy01]

Double check you haven't scanned multiple Ten multiplexes into your STB and are perhaps picking a bad one to watch... I don't know if the Topfield handles duplicate LCNs (from multiple received multiplexes of the one broadcaster) all that well.

[mtv]

Hi MTV,

Thanks for your reply....

The Jim's Antenna guy whom services our complex has checked the signal strength in my apartment and without knowing specifics they are all within acceptable tolerances.

I am using well shielded RG6 cabling from the outlet to the box also. This cable is only a few months old.

It's funny because generally during the day Ten/ONE HD are OK, but early morning such as now or late evening, it's unwatchable.

I'll ask around some other unit owners to see if they are having any problems, from what I gather they aren't, and whether or not we can test my box on their TV.

In regards to replacement boxes and/or PVR options, what would you suggest for problem areas such as mine?

Acceptable tolerances.... according to who... Jim's Antennas?

A lot depends on the knowledge, experience and test equipment the individual installer has.

Some 'franchise' installers are good, many are not.

A lot of them do not measure, or take into account, other RF signals and only measure digital signals, often with inaccurate test equipment.

Local knowledge plays a big part as to what signal variations can occur in a particular area.

Just because signal measurements appear 'acceptable' one day, doesn't mean they will remain that way, especially if they are close to the 'digital cliff'.

You need sufficient signal quality in reserve for when signal levels change (and they do).

Many installers fail to allow for this.

This may, or may not be the case for you, but I frequently see this type of thing, especially with 'franchise' installers.

Once again, without DCP, BER, MER and NM signal measurements for digital, together with analogue TV, FM radio and other data/comms spectrum measurements, I have no way of determining what your signals are doing.

In fairness, it's not always an antenna/distribution issue... sometimes tuners can be faulty, which is why it would help if you can test your box in another apartment that has all digital channels working reliably.

If it works elsewhere, then it's a signal prblem to your apartment for sure.

If not, it could be either the box, signal or both, as some tuners do cope better with marginal signal quality than others.

Healing and Strong are two brands I have had good success with in marginal signal areas.

[Basil1503559642]

Yeah,good advice,get 'Jim' or someone from the Owners Corp./Body Corporate back when there's no signal,Unit blocks can be a nightmare to sort,especially if they don't replace the 'daisy chain' type wallplugs that go from Unit to Unit.