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Single frequency interference

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all on the same 'multiplex'

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all
published on UK Free TV

There are several different type of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:

There are two main causes of this type of intermitted interference: The current Freeview mulitplexes are shown in this diagram. If all of your missing channels are on a single row, you have "single frequency interference":



Local analogue interference

Local analogue interference is caused by household video devices that you can attach to a television such as:
  • Sky Digibox;
  • Video cassette recorder (VCR);
  • Personal digital video recorder (PVR);
  • Games console;
If you have any of these devices, you will need to work out which of these is blocking the reception of a Freeview multiplex by turning off the suspect device and then rescanning for channels on the Freeview box.

If powering off the device restores the Freeview channels from the blocked multiplex, you will need to either stop using the problem device's RF output by disconnecting the RF output cable permanently, or by changing the RF channel number that that device uses. See, for example, How do I change the RF output channel on a Sky Digibox?

You can find a list of the frequencies that are not in use at your location by putting your postcode into the My Freeview reception and looking under the "Free RF channels" section.

Non-wideband aerial in some areas

In some places you will need a wideband aerial to receive all the Freeview multiplexes. For example in Central Birmingham, the Sutton Coldfield has multiplex D on an 'out of group', so you cannot view Film4 or ITV2+1 without an aerial upgrade.

To find out if you need an aerial upgrade, see My Freeview reception.

Help with Freeview, aerials?
How do I get a test card with Freeview1
I would like to know if it is possible to receive UK terrestrial Freeview servic2
I have been told I would receive too much singal from my Freeview tansmitter as 3
Can my Freeview box receive more than one BBC and ITV region?4
Is it true that my 87 year old mother is entitled to a FREE upgrade when the ana5
In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
Digital Region Overlap4
Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Sunday, 2 January 2011
L
Lynne
7:40 PM
Edinburgh

Hi, hope you can help. I can't receive mux A or the HD channels via my freeview HD box [EH13 0PH - Blackhill]. I'm expecting to have to wait for the HD channels until June, but don't understand the mux A problem. I can get mux A on other TVs in the house. The TV is only connected to the freeview HD box [3view] and a DVD player [which is always powered off when not in use]. I have even switched to expensive screened aerial cables but this hasn't helped. Any ideas?!

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Lynne's 2 posts EU flag
Lynne's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 3 January 2011
G
Gavin
9:31 PM
Loughborough

Hi Briantist,

I have been living in my house 14 months now and 2 nights ago my ITV and Channel 4 channels stop working correctly... I have read through all the info about the frequency interference and mulitplexes but that does not explain why after 14 months of being fine they have just stopped working now! I will first try disconnecting the PS3 and Wii and get back to you. Any other ideas of what it might be would be appreciated. My post code is LE12 7BR. Thanks.

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Gavin's 2 posts GB flag
Gavin's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:52 AM

Lynne: I would check the list at the top of the page for possible sources of interference.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:55 AM

Gavin: Without finding the cause of the problem, it would only be speculation to suggest things.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Saturday, 8 January 2011
G
Geoff
6:58 PM

Brianist
Do I need to read 'freeview reception has changed' when I dont have freeview and cant get in Belper til next August? Its my analogue channels that are acting up again. Should I consider switching from Sutton to another transmitter to try and cure the problem?

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Geoff's 2 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:20 PM

Geoff: Because, if you look, there are things you can still check.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
R
Rachel
10:55 PM

Having problems receiving multiplex 2. Cannot think what could be causing interference as no new gadgets, no change to arial or conections. From what diastance can something interfere with the signal? Could it be something new that a neighbour has installed.

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Rachel's 1 post GB flag
Sunday, 9 January 2011
G
Gavin
2:45 PM

Hi,


It seems the PS3 was the cause of my problem. I updated the PS3 system and it started to interfere with the TV's' digital reception. It had been OK before the update but after it was not compatible so now have to unplug the PS3 while watching TV.

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Gavin's 2 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:11 PM

Gavin: At least you know the source of the problem.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Monday, 10 January 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:47 AM

Rachel: I would still check your cables and connectors, they could easily have been damaged without your knowledge.

The interference can be almost anywhere in the reception chain, from the aerial to the TV.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
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