Digital Tv
- Thread starter Maurice
- Start date
Merlin the Magician
At the Start
RECEIVING TOP UP TV THROUGH YOUR SET TOP BOX
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE TOP UP TV IF:
1. YOU OWN A SUITABLE INTEGRATED DIGITAL TELEVISION SET (IDTV)
2. YOU OWN A SUITABLE FREEVIEW SET TOP BOX RECEIVER
3. YOU CAN RECEIVE THE EXISTING FREEVIEW CHANNELS
4. YOU CAN RECEIVE A GOOD SIGNAL FROM CHANNEL 5
5. YOU HAVE UPGRADED YOUR TV AERIAL TO A DAT 45 OR SIMILAR
6. YOU PURCHASE THE REQUIRED TOP UP TV CAM AND CARD
Unfortunately, the majority of set top boxes sold to date, do not have
the required Conditional Access Module (CAM) Slot to allow the
insertion of the Top Up TV Smart Card for the reception of these extra
channels.
However, certain Models DO have the required CAM Slot to accept the CAM and Card..These are listed below and will be added to just as soon as they become available.
TOP UP TV CAN BE RECEIVED WITH
THESE FREEVIEW SET TOP BOXES :
All original ON DIGITAL MODELS (Only Card required)
All original ITV DIGITAL MODELS (Only Card required)
NOKIA 221T Freeview Receiver (CAM and Card required)
NETGEM I Player Freeview (CAM and Card required)
PACE Original DTVA Freeview (CAM and Card required)
RECEIVING TOP UP TV WITH AN INTEGRATED TV SET
To confirm that your TV set is an Digital Integrated type, you should
look for the DVB logo on the front or rear of the TV and check that you can receive the normal Freeview Channels WITHOUT a seperate Set Top box. you could just look in the Handbook of the TV, or contact your supplier with the Make and Model number of your TV....(IDTV Receivers have only been on sale since 1999)
If you DO have an IDTV and require Top Up Tv, you will need to purchase the CAM to fit into it...You will also require a Card.
* Reception subject to signal coverage
CHECK YOUR SIGNAL COVERAGE
CLICK HERE FOR SUITABLE TV AERIAL
ITEM: TOP UP TV CARD
Top Up TV 30 Day Card + Initial Registration Fee
PRICE £27.99
(Renewal £7.99)
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
ITEM: TOPUP TV CAM CONVERSION
Simple Plug-In Card CAM only
PRICE: £49.99
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
ITEM: TOP UP TV COMPLETE STARTER PACK
Simple Plug-In Card CAM + Top Up TV Card
PRICE: £74.95
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE TOP UP TV IF:
1. YOU OWN A SUITABLE INTEGRATED DIGITAL TELEVISION SET (IDTV)
2. YOU OWN A SUITABLE FREEVIEW SET TOP BOX RECEIVER
3. YOU CAN RECEIVE THE EXISTING FREEVIEW CHANNELS
4. YOU CAN RECEIVE A GOOD SIGNAL FROM CHANNEL 5
5. YOU HAVE UPGRADED YOUR TV AERIAL TO A DAT 45 OR SIMILAR
6. YOU PURCHASE THE REQUIRED TOP UP TV CAM AND CARD
Unfortunately, the majority of set top boxes sold to date, do not have
the required Conditional Access Module (CAM) Slot to allow the
insertion of the Top Up TV Smart Card for the reception of these extra
channels.
However, certain Models DO have the required CAM Slot to accept the CAM and Card..These are listed below and will be added to just as soon as they become available.
TOP UP TV CAN BE RECEIVED WITH
THESE FREEVIEW SET TOP BOXES :
All original ON DIGITAL MODELS (Only Card required)
All original ITV DIGITAL MODELS (Only Card required)
NOKIA 221T Freeview Receiver (CAM and Card required)
NETGEM I Player Freeview (CAM and Card required)
PACE Original DTVA Freeview (CAM and Card required)
RECEIVING TOP UP TV WITH AN INTEGRATED TV SET
To confirm that your TV set is an Digital Integrated type, you should
look for the DVB logo on the front or rear of the TV and check that you can receive the normal Freeview Channels WITHOUT a seperate Set Top box. you could just look in the Handbook of the TV, or contact your supplier with the Make and Model number of your TV....(IDTV Receivers have only been on sale since 1999)
If you DO have an IDTV and require Top Up Tv, you will need to purchase the CAM to fit into it...You will also require a Card.
* Reception subject to signal coverage
CHECK YOUR SIGNAL COVERAGE
CLICK HERE FOR SUITABLE TV AERIAL
ITEM: TOP UP TV CARD
Top Up TV 30 Day Card + Initial Registration Fee
PRICE £27.99
(Renewal £7.99)
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
ITEM: TOPUP TV CAM CONVERSION
Simple Plug-In Card CAM only
PRICE: £49.99
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
ITEM: TOP UP TV COMPLETE STARTER PACK
Simple Plug-In Card CAM + Top Up TV Card
PRICE: £74.95
Now with - FREE - UK delivery
Thanks, Merlin. I managed to eventually work out what it's all about and have ordered a set top box with CAM & TopUp TV which scored well with Which? testers. Freeview doesn't seem to offer much but TopUp looks worth it for TCM alone.
Another question.
Is there any 'unofficial'
way of getting Sky Sports?
Another question.
Is there any 'unofficial'
way of getting Sky Sports?
Merlin the Magician
At the Start
yes MO I had heard of a way and had a card made up 12yrs ago for SKY the then cost was £60 lasted a year covered/ gave access to all programmes............... but I got rid of sky 10yrs ago, now have NTL digital box............was offered a by pass last week actually, for this it cost £120 but declined it........as I am not a film buff as such and was not prepared to shell out that ammount of monies................. 
BrianH
At the Start
Good to see that the moral education of Scottish youth is in safe hands... :lol:
I suppose swearing compromises my state of grace.
Well, I've sworn plenty today, I can tell you....
I got the set-top box & TopUp TV pack, registered, etc. and thought everything was hunkydory for watching some films on TCM today.
Unfortunately, I'm getting a no-signal message on the telly. I checked in advance that Freeview was available in my area and the manual seems to be telling me the problem is with my aerial.
I have a largish loft aerial with an electric booster the size of a shoe-box. I got this because there are something like ten aerial sockets in the house but no more than three of them are ever in use at any time. I also get brilliant reception on all 5 terrestrial channels.
The thought having to upgrade to an outside aerial is really bugging me. One reason I don't have satellite is because I hate those dishes on the outside of houses. Roof aerials are only marginally less ugly beasts.
Can anyone with any expertise in these matters offer any advice?
Thanks in advance.
Well, I've sworn plenty today, I can tell you....
I got the set-top box & TopUp TV pack, registered, etc. and thought everything was hunkydory for watching some films on TCM today.
Unfortunately, I'm getting a no-signal message on the telly. I checked in advance that Freeview was available in my area and the manual seems to be telling me the problem is with my aerial.
I have a largish loft aerial with an electric booster the size of a shoe-box. I got this because there are something like ten aerial sockets in the house but no more than three of them are ever in use at any time. I also get brilliant reception on all 5 terrestrial channels.
The thought having to upgrade to an outside aerial is really bugging me. One reason I don't have satellite is because I hate those dishes on the outside of houses. Roof aerials are only marginally less ugly beasts.
Can anyone with any expertise in these matters offer any advice?
Thanks in advance.
BrianH
At the Start
Have you got electricity up there?
Honest Tom
At the Start
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 1,272
Given that's the case Maurice it won't be your aerial. With my outside aerial I get terrible analogue reception yet good reception with the digital (I say good - I actually get a great digital picture but, since they started squeezing more channels in, I get a lot of 'freezing'). I take it you have went through the procedure whereby the box scans for channels?
Incidentally, Sky is not available on top up tv.
I've got a guy coming to check things out tomorrow. My brother used to work in a telly dept and tends to keep up to date with things. He reckons it sounds like I need an aeriel upgrade 
We've missed a lot of the good films we wanted to see on TCM but I presume they show them fairly regularly.
(and - ssshh - if anyone wants to tell me how to get pay other channels for free can you PM me, please )
We've missed a lot of the good films we wanted to see on TCM but I presume they show them fairly regularly.
(and - ssshh - if anyone wants to tell me how to get pay other channels for free can you PM me, please
)
Shadow Leader
At the Start
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2003
- Messages
- 9,884
Myself & my brother bought one for Mum for Christmas, it seems ok but the picture is pretty much terrible, freezes all the time on a lot of the channels. There's no ATR either..... :angry:
Honest Tom
At the Start
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 1,272
Dom, I get that a lot as well (although, since I've got Sky, I only use it as a back up). It seems that if you have a poor analogue reception then you'll get a lot of that picture freezing, sometimes to the extent that the programme becomes unwatchable. It will get worse as they start to squeeze evermore useless free channels into the bandwidth (after on digital went bust and they were only transmitting the standard five free channels there was no interference at all).
Maurice, given you have flawless analogue reception it'll surprise me if you need an aeriel upgrade. The fact you are getting no pictures at all suggests it's something else. Let me know how you get on and pm me if anybody pm's you
Maurice, given you have flawless analogue reception it'll surprise me if you need an aeriel upgrade. The fact you are getting no pictures at all suggests it's something else. Let me know how you get on and pm me if anybody pm's you
Shadow Leader
At the Start
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2003
- Messages
- 9,884
Ok, cheers Tom. Mum doesn't see the point in paying 40-odd quid a month for Sky when she only wants a few extra channels, so that's why we got it for her. She's quite happy with it though, despite the bits of interference. I've got Sky back at home though, so I'm happy!
I've been all over the Which? site and although it mentions in several places the possibility of the need to upgrade one's aerial, it doesn't go into any detail. My postcode is fine for receiving Freeview but if the signal comes from a different transmitter then it's possible my aerial is pointing the wrong way.
I'll keep you posted.
I'll keep you posted.
Merlin the Magician
At the Start
Can I get FREEVIEW abroad?
No. FREEVIEW is only available in the UK.
What if I move house?
You can take your box or iDTV with you, but will need to check the new postcode to be sure you can receive signals in your new location.
Why may I need a new aerial?
A new aerial may be required as some aerials are old and damaged, and in some parts of the country FREEVIEW signals use a different frequency or transmitter to the one you normally use for your analogue reception.
What is the cost of an aerial survey and who can carry them out?
Your local electrical retailer will be able to arrange a survey should your aerial need one. Please ask for a quotation. Some retailers offer a survey from around £30 and may refund the charge from the cost of installing a new aerial. A new aerial costs from £80. Alternatively you can contact your local Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) aerial fitter for advice at www.cai.org.uk or see the Yellow pages for further details.
Can I watch FREEVIEW using a portable set-top aerial?
A small number of households may be able to use a set top aerial. This only applies if you live in a coverage area close to a transmitter, but reception would still be unreliable and so we strongly recommend that you use a roof or loft aerial for good reception.
Is the picture quality better with FREEVIEW?
You should have an improved picture in areas where there is poor quality analogue reception. In some areas of the country you will receive significantly improved Channel 5 reception. You can also get Widescreen broadcasts.
Why do I get 'blocking' on my digital pictures?
In most cases this will either be caused by a reception problem, such as too low a signal, or some kind of interference. In either case an aerial installer should be able to advise on how your reception might be improved. An aerial testing service may be offered by your retailer. If not, we suggest you contact a local aerial fitter who is a member of the Confederation of Aerial Industries or ask your retailer for help finding one.
Can an upgrade be done without a survey?
We recommend that you get your aerial surveyed.
What is length of time for a survey and upgrade to be done?
This is dependent on local demand but normally within a few days.
No. FREEVIEW is only available in the UK.
What if I move house?
You can take your box or iDTV with you, but will need to check the new postcode to be sure you can receive signals in your new location.
Why may I need a new aerial?
A new aerial may be required as some aerials are old and damaged, and in some parts of the country FREEVIEW signals use a different frequency or transmitter to the one you normally use for your analogue reception.
What is the cost of an aerial survey and who can carry them out?
Your local electrical retailer will be able to arrange a survey should your aerial need one. Please ask for a quotation. Some retailers offer a survey from around £30 and may refund the charge from the cost of installing a new aerial. A new aerial costs from £80. Alternatively you can contact your local Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) aerial fitter for advice at www.cai.org.uk or see the Yellow pages for further details.
Can I watch FREEVIEW using a portable set-top aerial?
A small number of households may be able to use a set top aerial. This only applies if you live in a coverage area close to a transmitter, but reception would still be unreliable and so we strongly recommend that you use a roof or loft aerial for good reception.
Is the picture quality better with FREEVIEW?
You should have an improved picture in areas where there is poor quality analogue reception. In some areas of the country you will receive significantly improved Channel 5 reception. You can also get Widescreen broadcasts.
Why do I get 'blocking' on my digital pictures?
In most cases this will either be caused by a reception problem, such as too low a signal, or some kind of interference. In either case an aerial installer should be able to advise on how your reception might be improved. An aerial testing service may be offered by your retailer. If not, we suggest you contact a local aerial fitter who is a member of the Confederation of Aerial Industries or ask your retailer for help finding one.
Can an upgrade be done without a survey?
We recommend that you get your aerial surveyed.
What is length of time for a survey and upgrade to be done?
This is dependent on local demand but normally within a few days.
Sorted.
The chap who came wasn't long in getting to the root of the problem. Apparently the little attachment I had fitted to the aerial socket to enable me to get good quality C5 pictures was blocking the digital signal. He then spent a fair bit of time making sure everything else was properly connected and tuned in and all the channels co-ordinated etc. so now we're up and running. The picture quality on all the digital channels is as good as I had before.
Now all I need is a way to access the other channels I fancy
The chap who came wasn't long in getting to the root of the problem. Apparently the little attachment I had fitted to the aerial socket to enable me to get good quality C5 pictures was blocking the digital signal. He then spent a fair bit of time making sure everything else was properly connected and tuned in and all the channels co-ordinated etc. so now we're up and running. The picture quality on all the digital channels is as good as I had before.
Now all I need is a way to access the other channels I fancy
simmo
Senior Jockey
Tsk tsk, and they say Scotsmen are tight. The only way I know of is to obtain the services of either a cable company or Sky and then obtain a dodgy card for it I'm afraid Maurice - as far as I understand the encryption occurs within the satellite so you need some sort of tool which can decrypt at this end.