Humax dtr t2000 hd channels breaking up

Damien Hufford · 17 January 2016, 8:41AM

Just got a you view box all and a aerial company out to install a aerial and amp. All the sd channels work fine but when I watch hd channels they break up every few minutes. The signal strength goes from 54 % to 57% and signal quality is 100% and also both strength and quality go down to 0% for a split second every 5 minutes or so. Sd channels are in the 60s %. Could this be a problem with the box or amp? The aerial guy says you only need 45% to get hd channels. Thanks

Roy · 17 January 2016, 9:25AM

Hi Damien, and welcome to the Community! Sorry to hear of your issues.

Those figures should be fine, and your kit is all new.

But the first thing, as always, is to touch the On/Standby button on the set for just over 8 seconds, while not recording nor about to, until it powers down, and let it non-destructively soft reset.

Might fix it, probably won't, but this is always the first thing to try.

But if your issue carries on, I do think there are enough reports on here of HD breaking up recently to wonder out loud if there is something in the latest release doing this?

There were some known HD recording issues, with an attempted fix in the 22.16.0 software, but this went wrong, and 22.17.0 was hastily rushed out with, I think, this fix removed. I wonder, though, if traces of the fix, or bits of it that were thought harmless, but aren't, are in 17, and are doing this?

Is that five minutes pretty exact, or variable? If it is exact, it might be worth YouView looking to see what is on a 300-second timer in the box.

But as to what you can do:-

Do you have a male/female cable linking the RF Out on the T2000 YouView box to the TV, or can you get one?

And then see if the TV also exhibits this five-minute dropout?

Though what would be utterly conclusive would be if your aerial guy can put a signal meter on your new aerial, and watch what happens when the dropout occurs.

If his signal meter blips, then the dropout is something he has to fix, or at least explain, for you. Like, maybe a neighbour has a radar installation that slowly rotates, and blips you every five minutes :-)

But if he shows a signal steady as a rock, but the YouView box blips, this is something you could very usefully report here.

(As indeed is any outcome, as we are intrigued).

al · 17 January 2016, 11:52AM

I have/had a similar problem with the same youview box. My amplifier was introducing occasional noise so I replaced it. A chat with an installer suggested there are few dodgy power supplies about which could explain why both the signal and quality drop on yours.

Visionman · 17 January 2016, 10:12PM

both strength and quality go down to 0% for a split second every 5 minutes or so.

This indicates a mechanical or electronic device located nearby is causing this 'pulse'. It could be a boiler, heating system (even the thermostat) ect, but lets try to narrow this down a bit. Stupid question but what other AV eqpt do you have near the YV? An XBOX by any chance?

Damien Hufford · 17 January 2016, 10:38PM

Thanks for your replies.
It's variable to be honest not 5 minutes.
I have tuned boiler of and it still drops out . No other av equipment running.

Damien Hufford · 19 January 2016, 10:31PM

Had the aerial company out today, while he was here none of the hd channels dropped out. However he changed the amplifier now I am getting 70% strength and 100% quality on hd and 80% strength 100% quality on sd but still getting drop outs. I do notice my lights flicker in my house but that is not in sink with the hd channels dropping and would of thought if it was A electrical problem it would do the same with sd which it doesn't.

Roy · 20 January 2016, 11:34AM

Your lights flickering is not good, and you should speak to your electricity supplier about this.

A YouView box blipped by such a thing, if the blip is enough to actually drop the voltages in the box - power supplies used to have big capacitors to guard against this, but nowadays they don't - could corrupt the running software and give you issues.

Though I agree that this is only on HD is odd, and I think the jury is still very much out on whether this is indeed a problem in the latest release, and may yet return with a 'guilty' verdict :-(

There is (yet another!) test you can do, though. As I am guessing that inviting the aerial man to come and stay as a way of making the box behave is not feasible :-)

If you soft reset your box - touch the standby button for just over 8 seconds while not recording nor about to - are the HD channels OK until the next lot of lights flickering, or does the issue still happen pretty much straight away?

Damien Hufford · 20 January 2016, 9:42PM

I tried the soft reset but still exactly the same.
Is there any news on when you view be bringing there next software update out ?

Roy · 21 January 2016, 8:37AM

Damien Hufford said:
I tried the soft reset but still exactly the same.
Is there any news on when you view be bringing there next software update out ?

There never is, alas.

But we might deduce that they are working hard on 2.18.0, having quickly backtracked from 2.16.0 to 2.17.0 when 16 proved problematic, to be what 16 should have been.

Tim Clarke · 29 February 2016, 11:58AM

Hi Damien,

I am having exactly the same problem with my new dtr t2000 box. I have 80% signal strength and 100% signal quality, but they both drop down to 0% every few minutes and ONLY on HD channels. (it doesn't happen on the TV when I connect the aerial straight to the TV and it doesn't even happen on the TV even with the feed coming from the dtr t2000 RF OUT). It also doesn't happen on SD channels.

Did you have any luck on this ?

Cheers.

al · 29 February 2016, 12:11PM

al said:
I have/had a similar problem with the same youview box. My amplifier was introducing occasional noise so I replaced it. A chat with an installer suggested there are few dodgy power supplies about which could explain why both the signal and quality drop on yours.

This didn't fix it. I still get occasional interference on a 2000. The SS/SQ are both solid at 62/100% on BBC1 HD but once or twice per recording I get interference. I didn't get this problem at all with my previous 2110.

I had even considered this might have been due to the recent weather but after being reminded of this thread I'm starting to think it might be the box.

Damien Hufford · 29 February 2016, 8:02PM

Tim Clarke said:
Hi Damien,

I am having exactly the same problem with my new dtr t2000 box. I have 80% signal strength and 100% signal quality, but they both drop down to 0% every few minutes and ONLY on HD channels. (it doesn't happen on the TV when I connect the aerial straight to the TV and it doesn't even happen on the TV even with the feed coming from the dtr t2000 RF OUT). It also doesn't happen on SD channels.

Did you have any luck on this ?

Cheers.

Unfortunately not . It sounds to me that there must be a problem with the you view box itself?

Sanj · 1 March 2016, 2:05PM

Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Andrew Styles · 1 March 2016, 8:43PM

I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

Sanj · 2 March 2016, 1:22PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

Hi Andrew - Thanks for posting. Reading through your previous posts, you mentioned you received a 4G postcard from at800. Did you fit a 4G filter in the end? Not everyone in a 4G area does see an impact in their home but it is good to know if you did fit one in.

Can you also send us your postcode to [email protected] we want to check the reception for the Muxes available to you.

Andrew Styles · 2 March 2016, 7:37PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

Thanks Sanj, after posting originally I bought a new distribution amplifier which contained a 4G filter. I get better signal strength but the same issue occurs.

I've sent in an email re the postcode, thanks.

Sanj · 3 March 2016, 2:25PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

Thanks for sending the postcode through. I checked the reception and they all seem to be fine.

Re-reading your previous posts, you mentioned you have your aerial split between 3 TV's in the house. When testing the YouView box in the other rooms, you were getting less signal strength and in one case couldn't get all the muxes. Your downstairs setup seemed to give you the best results, but for some reason the setup upstairs seems to be weaker.

Just for test purposes, have you tried removing the amplifier distributor and connecting one aerial lead direct from the aerial to the YouView box (if possible)?

Or tried keeping the amplifier distributor connected but removing the other aerial leads, leaving just the lead connected to the YouView box?

Can you also let me know what the signal strength/quality is for a COM7 channel with your current setup and with the tests above?

Andrew Styles · 3 March 2016, 7:33PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

I get 40-43% signal strength on COM7. The other muxes give 50-57% strength. All channels give 100% quality.

Your tips have made me realise my set up is not what I thought. Strangely the upstairs aerial sockets aren't linked to the distribution amp at all (I get signal without the cables plugged in to the amp and with the amp turned off) which suggests to me the upstairs aerial cables are linked separately to the roof aerial somehow.

I tried plugging the cable that feeds the distribution amp directly into the YouView Box but got no signal. The cables use F connectors so I had to try a converter but no joy.

I'm now running the Youview box from the amp again, but now it is the only cable the amp feeds (since I've no idea where the other cables lead to - I thought they fed the upstairs rooms!). I'm getting no change in signal strength/quality but haven't seen the break up issue happen so far tonight. I'll keep watching and report back.

Thanks for your continued help.

Damien Hufford · 3 March 2016, 8:51PM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Software version 22.17.0

From when the signal drops out to come back on there is not enough time to change channel to an sd channel. How ever when watching any ad channel it never drops out.

Aerial in loft with a amp running straight to you view box with no other outputs. Signal strength 85% quality 100% on SD channels. 75 % signal strength and 100% quality on HD channels .

Only noticed it on BBC 1 hd how ever I haven't really watched any other hd channels .

No choice of region on re-tuning .

Thanks
Damien

Keith · 3 March 2016, 8:55PM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Hi Damien - generally we recommend not putting very specific personal info such as a full postcode on a public forum such as this. As such I've made a small edit above to only give the broad area part of the post code. If you would prefer it is removed entirely that is possible too.

Sanj · 4 March 2016, 10:36AM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Thanks Keith for highlighting that to Damien.

Damien - I've taken the liberty of removing you postcode entirely as we have it now. The information you've provided is very interesting. There are a few things to consider when looking at your issue.

Your transmitter is Sandy Heath (Anglia), which is currently undergoing planned engineering works. This can lead to possible service interruptions.
In your area, two of the HD muxes (COM7 & COM8) both show a variable reception, which isn't ideal for HD channel viewing. Although you mention only noticing it on BBC One HD which is on the BBC B HD Mux which you receive a good reception for.
The signal strength you have on SD channels is a just a little high, generally speaking signal strength over 80% may cause your picture to break up. However the HD signal strength seems within the acceptable range. Unrelated to your HD drop out issue I reckon but something to be aware of regardless.

Considering there are possible service interruptions to your transmitter at the moment, we can't say there is an issue with the box itself. I'd recommend contacting Digital UK to see if they can give you any information on when these engineering will be completed: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/home

Andrew Styles · 5 March 2016, 5:26PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

Unfortunately after watching for a few days with the Youview box the only device linked to the distribution amp, I'm still seeing the breakup happening periodically. To confirm, HD channels go blank completely for a second when it happens however SD channels just pixelate.

I've been trying to think of if there are common conditions when it happens, such as high traffic outside, weather conditions etc. but there's no rhyme or reason.

My internet and wifi routers are near to the Youview box, could these be interfering in some way?

Visionman · 5 March 2016, 7:08PM

Andrew Styles said:
I get this problem also which I posted about previously here https://getsatisfaction.com/youview/t....

The HD channels do just as above, drop to 0% for a second before returning. However I do note the SD channels to suffer occasional break up or pixelation in a similar manner which I always assumed was related.

My set up is the aerial goes to a distribution amplifier that boosts signal to two TVs in the house. When I plug straight in to my main TV this does not happen.

Sometimes hours can go by with no problems but the interruptions can happen more frequently at other times. I just resigned myself that there was sometimes outside interference causing blips. I have a lower signal strength for COM7 which seems to suffer more often (so BBC News HD, 4+1 HD et al) but I've seen it happen on all HD channels.

I don't get a choice of regions when retuning and I'm on software version 22.17.0. I'm based in Derby City Centre so should be getting channels from Waltham.

Hope this helps with the diagnosis!

No, they won't be interfering.

"I get 40-43% signal strength on COM7." Theres one of your problems right there, as thats not strong enough. But 50-57% on others should be fine. Just for test purposes, have you tried removing the amp and connecting the aerial coax directly to the box?

Tim Clarke · 20 March 2016, 5:33PM

I don't think this is a signal issue because I have tried the following at the same time :-
1) watching the TV directly (but getting the feed via the Humax box) - no problem
2) recording the same content on SD - no problem
3) recording the same content on HD - glitches every few minutes or so
- so it looks like a problem with the Humax HD reception to me

Tim Clarke · 20 March 2016, 5:40PM

(Just to clarify I was watching the TV on the same HD channel)

Richard Coggins · 31 March 2016, 8:59AM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Hi, Richard here, I too have a problem with the picture breaking up but it seems to be on all channels totally intermittently and also appears on recordings. I am surprised to see that this can be caused by the signal strength. I am very close to Crystal Palace and have strength of 87%+ with picture quality of 100%. Also, this problem seems to have manifested itself over the past few months - perhaps another indication of a software problem. I never have any problem watching TV direct through the aerial, this was the first thing I checked out when the breakup first started. No problem either direct connection or loop through the box so maybe we have to wait for an update.

jonesh · 31 March 2016, 10:49AM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

87% signal strength is very high. Some tuners might be able to cope with it, but it is possible that it is too high for the YouView box tuners. We live in line-of-sight of our transmitter and since digital switchover the signal his very strong. TVs seem to be able to cope, but our PVRs don't.

I put an attenuator in our aerial lead to reduce the signal strength and things seem to be OK now. I used one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Philex-VHF-UHF-12dB-Fixed-in-line-Metal-Attenuator-Coax-plug-to-socket-/23...

This is a 12dB version. I tried a 6dB one first, but it didn't bring the signal down enough, so I went up to 12dB. There are also variable versions available.

Sanj · 31 March 2016, 10:50AM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Hi Richard - Sorry to hear you're getting pixelation. If you're seeing it on all channels then it makes sense that you're seeing it on your recordings also. 87%+ is very high for signal strength. This can also cause your picture to break up. What channel did you check the strength on?

Also - are you using a signal booster or amplifier?

Sanj · 31 March 2016, 10:51AM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

Great minds jonesh

jonesh · 31 March 2016, 12:16PM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

I should have mentioned that 12dB is quite a high value attenuator. I use it because I have a Topfield that seems to have very sensitive tuners. A lower value one should be OK for a YouView box. Possibly even desirable for best reception for HD channels. Some people use these, which are adjustable for different values:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARIABLE-ATTENUATOR-TV-AERIAL-SIGNAL-REDUCER-20dB-3-5-6-8-9-10-12-15-18-FR...

As you said Sanj, if there is a signal booster it would be best to try without it in the first instance.

I doubt that the problem is a software issue. If the problem has only occurred in the last few months it is probable that there has been a change in the signal strength for some reason. Even a change in weather conditions can affect it.

al · 31 March 2016, 12:24PM

Sanj said:
Damien / Tim / Al -

Sorry to hear you're all having this issue. This doesn't sound like your run-of-the-mill signal related issue, but we can't rule out issues with the signal/setup to be causing this.

Could you answer these questions so we can get a better understanding of the issue:

Software Versions (Settings > System Information > Software Versions)
When the signal drops out, do SD channels work fine if you immediately tune to them?
Can you send us your postcode to [email protected]
Can you detail your full aerial setup?
Which HD channels does that happen on?
If you re-tune your channels do you get a choice of region?

It's taken a while but I have finally performed an experiment. Let me know your thoughts:

I have the T2000 plugged into a PSU connected to an amp and then aerial. No splitters. SS/SQ on 4HD is 62/100.
Output goes directly to a T1000. SS/SQ on 4HD is 47/100 (!)

The T2000 still pixellates occasionally but the T1000 does not on the same recordings.

Humax dtr t2000 hd channels breaking up

Comments

About YouView

Legal Menu

Industry Zone

Help Menu