I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.

Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
(screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)

I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
on the aerial feed-through was fine.

I then found that SOME channels on the topfield
were OK, and some not.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/two_chan.jpg

Further probing in the EPG revealed that most named channels
(e.g. BBC4) were present twice. But only one works.

For example, I have BBC4 on:

channel 58, 770 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, good strength and quality
channel 39, 618 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, no signal

It appears that my scan found a full channel set of "good"
signals, and a weaker set, presumably from another transmitter.

It may be relevant that my machine is quite old.

Details here:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/status.jpg

I would welcome advice on how to proceed. I presumably
need to delete (in some way) the "bad" channel assignments.

    BugBear

bugbear wrote:
> I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.
> 
> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)
> 
> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
> on the aerial feed-through was fine.
> 
> I then found that SOME channels on the topfield
> were OK, and some not.

You seem to live in an overlap area between Tacolneston and Sudbury (some 
where near the Norfolk/Suffolk border ?)

Taccy seems to be supplying you with plenty of signal, at least on Mux 1, 
Sudbury is a poor signal. Erase the whole lot, and manually add each of 
Taccy's muxes manually, by doing a manual search in the set up menu.

Menu >> Installation >> Service Search >> Search Mode: Manual

Enter each of these channel numbers in turn from the manual tuning option

Ch  63   (Mux 1)
Ch  60   (Mux 2)
Ch  53   (Mux A)
Ch  58   (Mux B)
Ch  61   (Mux C)
Ch  64   (Mux D)

You will then only have stored one set of the strongest version of channels.

Important: You must feed an RF input into both Tuner inputs sockets.


-- 
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

"bugbear" <bugbear@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote in message 
news:13idrkk26vdja0f@corp.supernews.com...
>I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.
>
> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)
>
> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
> on the aerial feed-through was fine.
>
> I then found that SOME channels on the topfield
> were OK, and some not.
>
> http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/two_chan.jpg
>
> Further probing in the EPG revealed that most named channels
> (e.g. BBC4) were present twice. But only one works.
>
> For example, I have BBC4 on:
>
> channel 58, 770 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, good strength and quality
> channel 39, 618 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, no signal
>
> It appears that my scan found a full channel set of "good"
> signals, and a weaker set, presumably from another transmitter.
>
> It may be relevant that my machine is quite old.
>
> Details here:
> http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/status.jpg
>
> I would welcome advice on how to proceed. I presumably
> need to delete (in some way) the "bad" channel assignments.
>
>    BugBear

I would suggest you go to the Toppy forum and post there - they are a 
friendly bunch <g>
http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/index.php

I had the same problem with my Humax you are correct about picking up two 
transmitter
its because you are probably using a wide band TV aerial and not one 
dedicated to
your local transmitter so your sensitive toppy is scanning from channels 21 
to 68
and picking up everything it can.
You can delete the channels you don't want or delete the lot
 and scan the 6 multiplex channels for your region manually.
Have a look at digitalspy forum 
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=125
here's a few more useful site to look at to find your channels and local 
transmitter
http://www.ukfree.tv/txlist.php
http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/dtt_channels.html
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe


"bugbear" <bugbear@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote in message 
news:13idrkk26vdja0f@corp.supernews.com...
>I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.
>
> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)
>
> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
> on the aerial feed-through was fine.
>
> I then found that SOME channels on the topfield
> were OK, and some not.
>
> http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/two_chan.jpg
>
> Further probing in the EPG revealed that most named channels
> (e.g. BBC4) were present twice. But only one works.
>
> For example, I have BBC4 on:
>
> channel 58, 770 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, good strength and quality
> channel 39, 618 Mhz, BW 8 Mhz, no signal
>
> It appears that my scan found a full channel set of "good"
> signals, and a weaker set, presumably from another transmitter.
>
> It may be relevant that my machine is quite old.
>
> Details here:
> http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/bugbear33/toppy/status.jpg
>
> I would welcome advice on how to proceed. I presumably
> need to delete (in some way) the "bad" channel assignments.
>
>    BugBear

In article ,
   bugbear <bugbear@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote:
> I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.

> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)

> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
> on the aerial feed-through was fine.

But have you plugged up the aerial to the Toppy as per the instructions
which are slightly confusing? It has twin tuners and won't work properly
unless this is done.

On mine there are four aerial connectors arranged in a square.

Looking at the back the aerial goes to the top left.
Link top right to bottom left with the supplied lead.
TV to bottom right.

-- 
Small asylum seeker wanted as mud flap, must be flexible and willing to travel

    Dave Plowman        dave@davenoise.co.uk           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article ,
>    bugbear <bugbear@trim_papermule.co.uk_trim> wrote:
>> I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.
> 
>> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
>> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)
> 
>> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
>> on the aerial feed-through was fine.
> 
> But have you plugged up the aerial to the Toppy as per the instructions
> which are slightly confusing? It has twin tuners and won't work properly
> unless this is done.
> 
> On mine there are four aerial connectors arranged in a square.
> 
> Looking at the back the aerial goes to the top left.
> Link top right to bottom left with the supplied lead.
> TV to bottom right.
> 

Yep, all done.

Aerial -> tuner 1 in,
tuner 1 out -> tuner 2 in, (supplied tiny cable!)
tuner 2 out -> TV

   BugBear

Mark Carver wrote:
> bugbear wrote:
>> I just installed a new rental topfield PVR8500.
>>
>> Having done a service scan, I became very worried that I had no signal
>> (screen showed "no signal at Tuner 1)
>>
>> I checked the aerial connection, and also noted that my TV,
>> on the aerial feed-through was fine.
>>
>> I then found that SOME channels on the topfield
>> were OK, and some not.
> 
> You seem to live in an overlap area between Tacolneston and Sudbury 
> (some where near the Norfolk/Suffolk border ?)

Very good! I'm in Diss.

> 
> Taccy seems to be supplying you with plenty of signal, at least on Mux 
> 1, Sudbury is a poor signal. Erase the whole lot, and manually add each 
> of Taccy's muxes manually, by doing a manual search in the set up menu.
> 
> Menu >> Installation >> Service Search >> Search Mode: Manual
> 
> Enter each of these channel numbers in turn from the manual tuning option
> 
> Ch  63   (Mux 1)
> Ch  60   (Mux 2)
> Ch  53   (Mux A)
> Ch  58   (Mux B)
> Ch  61   (Mux C)
> Ch  64   (Mux D)
> 
> You will then only have stored one set of the strongest version of 
> channels.

Wow. Detailed answer! I'll do this tonight.

> 
> Important: You must feed an RF input into both Tuner inputs sockets.

yep, done.

     BugBear

bugbear wrote:

> Yep, all done.
> 
> Aerial -> tuner 1 in,
> tuner 1 out -> tuner 2 in, (supplied tiny cable!)
> tuner 2 out -> TV

You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one, particularly 
as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very good 6dB attenuator 
at UHF Ch 66.


-- 
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

Mark Carver wrote:
> bugbear wrote:
> 
>> Yep, all done.
>>
>> Aerial -> tuner 1 in,
>> tuner 1 out -> tuner 2 in, (supplied tiny cable!)
>> tuner 2 out -> TV
> 
> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one, 
> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very 
> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.
> 
> 

Any recommendations that are easy to follow?

(either typed or pointed to)

I can just about fly a soldering iron, but that's my limit.

   BugBear

bugbear wrote:
> Mark Carver wrote:
>> bugbear wrote:
>>
>>> Yep, all done.
>>>
>>> Aerial -> tuner 1 in,
>>> tuner 1 out -> tuner 2 in, (supplied tiny cable!)
>>> tuner 2 out -> TV
>>
>> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one, 
>> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very 
>> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.
>>
>>
> 
> Any recommendations that are easy to follow?
> 
> (either typed or pointed to)
> 
> I can just about fly a soldering iron, but that's my limit.

Two co-ax plugs soldered each end to a short length of CT-100 grade cable 
would be ideal, with a sex changer fitted accordingly.

Unfortunately many ready made fly leads are of similar poor quality to 
Toppy's, unless someone can point to a decent one, (that isn't lossy etc at 
the top of the UHF band) ?

-- 
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

In article ,
   Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> bugbear wrote:
> > Mark Carver wrote:
> 

> Unfortunately many ready made fly leads are of similar poor quality to
> Toppy's, unless someone can point to a decent one, (that isn't lossy etc
> at the top of the UHF band) ?

I once came across one (BBC West Head of Region's house) which lost over
20dB on ch66 (BBC2 Hutton).  It had been supplied with his vcr.

-- 
From KT24 - in "Leafy Surrey"

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

In article ,
   Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one,
> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very
> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.

I really can't believe a few inches of cable could do that - even if you
used audio co-ax.

-- 
*How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink? *

    Dave Plowman        dave@davenoise.co.uk           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Mark Carver" <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote in message 
news:5oosneFkc38sU1@mid.individual.net...
> bugbear wrote:
>
>> Yep, all done.
>>
>> Aerial -> tuner 1 in,
>> tuner 1 out -> tuner 2 in, (supplied tiny cable!)
>> tuner 2 out -> TV
>
> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one, 
> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very good 
> 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.

Some years ago I bought a set of VSB modulators that were of the type where 
the outputs are linked with U links (supplied). I've never been keen on this 
idea but I thought I'd better keep an open mind. After some frustration I 
discovered that the U links were attenuating the signals on the various 
channels unpredictably. They turned out to be 50 ohm. When I mentioned it I 
was informed that it didn't make any difference. It did though.

Bill

"Dave Plowman (News)"  wrote in message 
news:4f3a0c45ebdave@davenoise.co.uk...
> In article ,
>   Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one,
>> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very
>> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.
>
> I really can't believe a few inches of cable could do that - even if you
> used audio co-ax.

It's common enough. Of course the way the plugs are connected makes a lot of 
difference. This idea of having two very thin pins pointing backwards from 
the plug's screen into the cable's screen causes no end of bother.

Actually I really don't like daisy-chaining the RF into things like dual 
input recorders. With such a short link mismatches can cause strange 
effects. I prefer to use a good splitter or a small amplifier with several 
outputs.

The early Sony IDTVs (I think it was Sony) had the peculiarity that if you 
looped through the DTT in/out sockets the analogue tended to have 
patterning.

Bill

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article ,
>    Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one,
>> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very
>> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.
> 
> I really can't believe a few inches of cable could do that - even if you
> used audio co-ax.

It's a well known issue for the Toppy:-

http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=926

(See Charles' post also)

Anyway Dave, all those gallons of signal from CP, at the bottom of Band IV, 
you're probably better off using that lead at your location :-)

-- 
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

In article , Dave Plowman (News)
 scribeth thus
>In article ,
>   Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> You might like to replace that supplied cable with a decent one,
>> particularly as you're working at the top of Band V. My one is a very
>> good 6dB attenuator at UHF Ch 66.
>
>I really can't believe a few inches of cable could do that - even if you
>used audio co-ax.
>

Its prolly audio co-ax thats being used!, these flyleads are very poor a
lot of the time!...
-- 
Tony Sayer

>>
>> Menu >> Installation >> Service Search >> Search Mode: Manual
>>
>> Enter each of these channel numbers in turn from the manual tuning option
>>
>> Ch  63   (Mux 1)
>> Ch  60   (Mux 2)
>> Ch  53   (Mux A)
>> Ch  58   (Mux B)
>> Ch  61   (Mux C)
>> Ch  64   (Mux D)
>>
>> You will then only have stored one set of the strongest version of 
>> channels.

Done, worked, thank you.

Wether the other solution (full reset, repeat auto scan) would
also have worked shall remain unknown (to me)

   BugBear