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Well, it was Mark's turn to have a holiday this month. He flew off to Las Vegas for three weeks, leaving me holding the technical baby! I hope my replies to your questions weren't excessively rude or brief. (Come back, Mark!) Shopping Cart problems! Our software guy did an "improvement" to the Shopping Cart last night (Wed 29th) so now it's broken. You can order some things but not others. I only found out because a nice would-be customer emailed me the full details. I've asked our software geek to fix it so I'm hoping it will be done tonight. Apologies to those affected. Note: if you do have a problem with the "cart" will you please email me with a list of items that you tried to order so that I can reproduce the fault. Don't just say "it doesn't work" because when I test it with a random selection of items, it works fine! I need to know:- 1. Stock codes and item descriptions in the order that you added them.
2. A copy of the error message. UPDATE The problem occurred when you tried to order more than one "rubber boot". I can't find any other problem and this is now fixed. Your View (A reader's opinion) I feel this digital switchover is one big con! Well perhaps that is a bit strong as I have had free Sky Digital for a number of years and I can find some benefits. But if the way digital TV has been controlled so far is an indication of the best it is going to be in future I think I can do without. The underlying benefit to the suppliers is that digital means compression. They can squeeze more down the same pipe and that, so far, means more of what they want us to have not what we want! From the user point of view this compression means a lowering of picture quality. Yes I know they all say it is better and I agree if you are watching a newsreader or a chat show with little overall change in the image it will be clearer (sharper). But start looking at a motor race, running stream, action movie and the picture starts to 'average' and the smallest definable area (pixel?)gets larger and larger until you could almost count the X and Y dimensions! Aside from the permanent reduction of resolution there is the issue of remote reception. With the current analogue if you are on the edge of a transmission area you may get interference, but generally it doesn't break up the programme so you can watch 'through the snow'. But get to a digital boundary and the receiver flashes and bangs like crazy and not only the picture, the sound will crack and bang at very high levels. And the programme IS broken up and choppy so that it is impossible to watch or listen. So what will they do with this capacity realised by the compression? If I were to put money on it I would say more of the same - more game shows, more shopping channels, more adverts (for sure!), more reality shows, oh and more repeats (of course!) - basically more money earning material! I very much doubt we will see indepth educational programmes, serious interactive debates, live streaming of local and national meetings etc. Approaching OFCOM to find out how they are managing the current deteriorating TV situation reveals that they seem to be washing their hands of it! They seem to be (once again as for the utilities sell off) relying on 'market forces' to control it, whatever market forces are! I think they are what I have described before, all money making opportunities. I guess the Gov will realise massive windfalls from the sell off of the analogue channels and some tax wins from all the buying that will result from the new commercial (in the true sense) channels! Maybe they have been hoodwinked by the industry (sorry Martin) and given 'promises' about assigning maybe 0.1% of time to educational material (which will just mean leaving UK History repeating over and over as it does!). Sorry if this jarrs with your impression, or maybe reality as you see it. But I am generally agin it! Nigel P.S. Do you realise that out of an hour of commercial TV these days, 20 mins is spent on advertising! That is 33% of nearly all TV time is watching someone trying to sell us something! If you also work out how much time is wasted in repeats (not only The Good Life again but a major film restarting barely an hour after it finished!), even though most people have VCR's (which are already being superseded), DVD recorders and Sky+, you end up with a 'balance sheet' very much out of balance! You can add your comments on this opinion in the forum. Click orange tab above or: http://www.satcure.co.uk/forum.html If you'd like your opinion to be read by thousands of people, type it out, check the spelling, punctuation and grammar, then email it to me for consideration. Getting rid of screen display on radio stations (I found this tip in a discussion forum.) Irritated or distracted by the on-screen display when listening to a Freeview radio channel? Or maybe worried by screen burn? Here is a quick solution. As you may already know this is possible on BBC radio stations by pressing RED then 0. I have just realised that I can do similar on *any *radio* station simply by pressing the TEXT button on my TV remote. There is no analogue teletext info in the broadcast stream so all you get is a blank screen with just the page number in the top left corner. There is also a flashing *** TXT *** at the bottom of the screen but I was able to get rid of that on my old Panasonic TV by pressing the F/T/B button on the TV remote. This may or not work if using a digital TV on its own internal tuner but I see no reason why not unless the TEXT button takes you to digital teletext instead. Yes, I know I could hook up the Freeview box to my stereo (and I have) and turn the TV off but my stereo amp is old and has no remote and I would need to get off my fat arse and walk across the room to turn it on. Gomezz Freeview HDTV Trial Result http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6169632.stm Freeview HDTV trial 'successful'. High-definition TV sets offer superior pictures and sound quality A trial of high-definition television (HDTV) on Freeview boxes was "a success", four major broadcasters say. Participants were overwhelmingly positive about the trial, a report by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five added. There is not usually enough bandwidth to watch HDTV via Freeview so 450 customised boxes had to be made. HDTV broadcasts are already available to Sky and Telewest subscribers - via a set-top box - as space on the frequency spectrum is less of an issue. The trial featured programmes from all four broadcasters, including the football World Cup, nature series Planet Earth and crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. When the participants were questioned about their experiences, all but 5% reported that the enhanced pictures were "as good as or better" than they hoped, the BBC spokeswoman said. "As far as the process of getting a high-quality signal out to television sets, it's really gone remarkably well," she added. So, what happens next? Well, possibly nothing unless you ask for it! "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to force Ofcom to allocate the unused radio spectrum after the analogue switchover to HDTV services." If you like this idea, please sign the petition here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/openhdtv/ News Swansea without TV 8 November 2006 Thousands of televisions have gone on the blink in Swansea. An unusually high pressure weather system is being blamed for dreadful TV reception, knocking out channels across the board. Aerial firms are fielding hundreds of calls every day from customers wanting help. The poor signal has meant lined and rolling TV screens in the Swansea reception area. The channels worst affected are BBC1, BBC2 and ITV. But Channel 4 is also being hit along with digi boxes which are constantly having to be re-tuned. Some radio signals are also affected. Householders say they are fed up with the problem leaving them with nothing to watch on the box. "ITV was virtually unwatchable on Monday," said Eddie Cheyney, owner of Target Aerials, in Hafod. "S4C and Channel Five are fairly clear but ITV and BBC are very poor through the day and even worse in the evenings. "I'm getting about 200 calls a day from people complaining of poor reception. If they insist, we will turn up with a signal meter and show them the problem." Elite Aerials in Mansel Street say they have been inundated with calls since reception problems began at lunchtime on Monday. "People have been complaining of snowy and wavy pictures, particularly on ITV and BBC," said administrator Rhian Llewellyn. "We've had a couple of hundred calls in just a couple of days. "I'm told it's down to atmospherics and that it is really quite unusual." Bosses at Parker Colour Services, in Killay, say they are telling customers to sit tight and not to try to re-tune their sets. Nick Parker said: "Reception has been chronic in the last couple of days due to this high pressure system. "It's affecting digital as well as terrestrial programmes. It was so severe on Monday night, it became unwatchable. "We're told this high pressure is moving away so it could be a bit better by the end of the week. "We usually get these problems in the summer and it's curious having it at this time of year." A BBC Wales spokesman confirmed: "Adverse weather conditions are affecting signals. "There is no work being carried out on the Wenvoe TV transmitter." Parts of Neath and Port Talbot are also said to be experiencing problems. But it is Swansea that is the biggest problem. Experts say the situation is likely to stay much the same until around November 17 when weather conditions are due to change. Full report at http://tinyurl.com/ykyfrg
Sky off-line Several major corporate websites in the UK and parts of Microsoft's MSN service and Hotmail were off-line on November 16th. Sky.com, skybroadband.com and Telstra Europe were affected, as well as many others, including at least one bank.
Channel 4 to offer 99p downloads Channel 4 is to offer a "catch-up" service for viewers by offering much of its programming online for 30 days after transmission for 99p per episode. Current series such as Hollyoaks and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares will be available, alongside archived output from the network's 24 years on air. The agreement covers all "homegrown" shows commissioned since June. Each programme will "disappear" from users' computers 48 hours after they start to watch it. It will be kept in a personalised library until it is first viewed, and then can be accessed an unlimited number of times during that two-day period. More... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6151586.stm
Evesham launches PVR Evesham has announced that it is going head on against BT's new BT Vision service and Sky's Sky+ service with the launch of a new all singing all dancing Personal Video Recorder. Called the Evesham iplayer, the new device launched today combines a digital TV receiver, real-time HD upscaler, time-shifting digital TV recorder, network media centre, Internet browser and download station in a box that according to Evesham will change "The way we watch TV forever". Key features of the new device include a real time upscaller that promises to improve the picture quality from regular SD to HD quality images and the ability to schedule recordings to be one-off, daily or weekly. The iplayer is supplied as standard with an 80GB HDD which Evesham say will give 70 hours of recording. But being more than just another PVR, Evesham is pushing the Internet capabilities of the player. Using the TV Max facility, whether connected to a networked computer or directly to the Internet, the iPlayer allows you to browse, compose, send and receive emails and play Podcasts. The iPlayer is completely subscription free but using the internet browser and download station, allows you access to ipTV. With an eye to the future the iPlayer is Catch UP TV ready, a facility for internet connected users allows you to watch previously aired programmes. Available now exclusively from Evesham Technology, priced at £299.99. Become a Digital TV Installer - update As mentioned previously, SatCure is proposing to offer a training course to teach people how to install "Digital TV Systems". We've deliberately used this broad terminology because we need you to tell us what you want to learn. Your prospective earnings could be a lot higher than you think and, by popular request, we will include money-making tips as well as tips from professional installers. If you are fit and able to carry a ladder, this course might be the opening you've been seeking. You could do installations part-time or full time. Please click HERE and complete the questionnaire. It will take you only a minute. Since last month I've been busily writing lessons, based on feedback received so far. I've also sacked my previous software writer and I'm employing another one. He is working on the software that will handle your sign-up and subscriptions. All subscriptions will be handled by Paypal. (I'm not ecstatic about this but it's the simplest choice. If I could do it any other way, I would. I'm not a big fan of Paypal!) If you have completed the questionnaire and included your email address I will do my best to let you know when the course becomes available (soon!). I have looked at the replies so far and I'm amazed that some of you are willing to pay hundreds of pounds for the course! However, the good news is that it will cost you only £10 per month - thats just £2.50 per weekly lesson. The course begins gently, assuming you are an absolute beginner (as many of you are). I realise this won't suit everyone but I've decided that this is the best way to help the majority. Even so, this isn't for the faint-hearted. You'll have to do a lot of mentally hard work as well as physical as I take you through the process of setting up a business to install dishes and/or aerials (with other sidelines discussed as well). See http://www.satcure.co.uk/course.htm Christmas Last orders Friday 22nd - we will do normal 5pm finish this day. Note, however, that any orders shipped by carrier on this day will languish in a van over Christmas! Only Royal Mail will be delivering. We will then be officially shut until the 2nd of Jan when we re-open. However, as always, we will be coming in to process orders during the week and answer technical questions. Late Deliveries Citylink are usually pretty good in the run up to Christmas - they keep on top of deliveries and collections - its only Royal Mail that may struggle. First Class starts to take longer as December begins and some packages may simply not arrive in time for Christmas if you leave it too late! In fact, if you want to send a last-minute present for someone, the best thing you can do is to order an eBook and email them the download link! Yes, I know you'll download a copy for yourself as well but what the heck - it's nearly Christmas! :-) (top) Lock up your daughters (and Ford cars!) If you listen to Radio 2 during the day (I just happened to be out in my car) you may have heard the discussion about a large number of radio thefts in Cardiff from Ford cars (specifically the Ford Ka model). Apparently this concerns radios from Ford cars and is an internet myth that has originated from the fact that Ford cars in the U.S. fit a Digital radio system called Sky. The editor of T3 magazine gave his views and the police confirmed that there's nothing inside a Ford radio that will allow you to pirate Sky Digital programmes. (A BskyB representative also confirmed this - well he would, wouldn't he!) But *I* can assure you that it really is a myth. Very much like the old "don't dial #90 on your telephone if asked to do so". (In case you don't know, that was another American-based myth). Radio thefts have also been reported from Liverpool and Northampton - which proves that you don't have to be Welsh to be stupid! ;-) (Send your complaints to Ann Robinson). Amusingly, one guy phoned in and began to explain which wire colours to connect in your phone socket to get free movies. He was cut off rather quickly! Another phoned in to explain how he got free Sky from his neighbour (presumably the well-known Multiroom scam where you plug your Digibox into your neighbour's phone line.) Another reckoned he'd bought a chipped" Sky box from a market stall and could get all movies for free. (My guess is that this "chip" is a PP3 battery wired to the phone connections inside the Digibox. You can view movies up to the viewing card limit but then you have to throw the Digibox away. In fact you have to smash it to ensure that nobody plugs it into a phone line!) Anyway, if your radio was stolen, I suggest you look for it on eBay! :-) Customer Questions My location is: CF14 I have two tv aerials in my loft, one which points to the Wenvoe transmitter (Group B 37-51) and one which points to Mendips (Groups C/D 54-68). I would like to route these feeds to 4 TV's within my house. Can you tell me if your diplexer (No.56747 £9.95) would allow me to do this and what distribution amp or splitter do you recommend to distribute a good quality picture to each of the tv's? Diplexer 56747-TMC5153 = 21-51 + 53-69 Yes, that covers your range perfectly. I suggest you use the Vision C12554 Mastamp 4-way http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page11c.htm#variable You can adjust the gain for optimum signal and it has an extremely low noise contribution. (I defy you to find a better specification!) Also read this page: http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/amps.htm#masthead
In newsletter 99 your reply refers the questioner in the second question to:- http://www.satcure.com/tech/remote_doubler.htm A good solution but I have found this to work :- get four pieces of polaroid film (not from a polaroid camera, but polarised plastic). I used the scientific equipment supplier PHILIP HARRIS Cat no. b6a46346) NB (digibox and remote = a pair) Tape one piece of this film to pair (digibox and remote = a pair) A digibox infra red receiver and a second to the transmitting end of the remotein the horizontal position and the other 2 pieces are similarly taped to the same places on pair B in the vertical position. BINGO !!!! remote A only operates digibox A, and remote B only operates digibox B I'm sure you can translate my ramblings into a better technical explanation than I have done. Cheers, Alan Thanks, Alan. we were actually going to offer polarised film for this purpose a couple of years ago but I couldn't get it to work. Martin
Happy Customers Jeez, Martin, you are a hard man to get hold of but I don't blame you! Just would like to thank you for putting a link to http://www.sjstv.co.uk/engineers.html Been a few months now and I have had quite a few replies from engineers thanking me for work they have received from my links. Having dug down and found where the customers came from; a fair amount have come from your site, so, on behalf of all my colleagues, thank you very much. Cheers Stu Thanks, Stu. Our sites do have a very high "Google" ranking, which gets us thousands of visitors. Also, most of our visitors are interested in TV and, if equipment goes faulty, are desperate to find a reliable repair shop at reasonable cost. So I'm not surprised that it's pulled in a little extra business for you. I can be contacted via the "Technical" email form. Mark also gets a copy so one of us should reply fairly quickly. Martin
Regarding Customer receipt (Keep-me): SAT014082 WOW! I made an order yesterday, and received it this morning! Packaged perfectly and all in order. Communication has been fantastic, thank you so much for a fantastic service. You have been added to my favourites! Kindest Regards Christina
Living in Nicosia, Cyprus, I need a 4.2 Metre dish to receive SKY. Apart from the cost, it is rather large! As with Radio telescopes where an array of 2 or more small dishes gives you the performance of a MUCH larger dish, I wondered if anyone provides a similar solution for satellite TV reception. I realise that some software would be required to mege the signals received, but I am sure this could be a cheap solution for people on the extremities of a satellite footprint. This would not have much relevance in the UK, but in this area of the world it would be very popular. Phased dish arrays are notoriously complex since the signals to be matched must be of precisely the same phase and frequency, otherwise cancellation occurs. That means that a single frequency multiplex might benefit but you would lose most of the others! The array would therefore be useful for only one transponder frequency at any one time.
My location is: essex Can you please help. I am trying to find a remote for a Panache LCD tv model number NR26PLD500S. I have searched everywhere. I did a search on the model number and your site came up. My son's dog ate his remote and his new multi-purpose remote does not have a computer/pc button. Paula Hi, Paula. Our company specialises in remote controls but I couldn't find it in our database here: http://www.samedayremote.co.uk/ So I suggest you contact SALES direct and give them the Make and Model number.
(top) From Sky Digi Online ( http://www.media247.co.uk ): (top)
eBook Updates - All eBooks have been moved to a more reliable secure server which requires a username and password. If you can't access it, please contact Me with your original Order number and ask for the new download information, stating exactly which eBook(s) you purchased and the EBK number(s).
http://www.The-Cool-Book-Shop.co.uk | 
"Installing a Sky Minidish" tutorial on DVD. Click 
