Last month, we informed you of a digital signal upgrade that resulted in thousands of homes suffering a Freeview blackout.
At the time, Freeview spoke to TechRadar, explaining that it was budget boxes made before the Digital Tick symbol that were affected, and that users of these boxes would have to buy a new one.
New information has come to light, however, suggesting an additional change in the transmission mode from 2k to 8k will affect other equipment.
In an exclusive interview with Digital UK spokesperson Chris Cain, What Video & Hi-Def TV magazine were told that: "Technical changes to the transmitters will mean that a very small number of the earliest digital boxes and digital TVs, including all ONdigital and ITV digital boxes, will stop working at switchover."
While this is still the case, the bad news is that the "small number" actually refers to over 30 products – including TVs. And these aren't just from budget brands, as big-name companies such as Philips, Sony and Toshiba all feature.
The full list can be found at www.digitaluk.co.uk/help/technical_help (click on the 'here' button in the bottom paragraph.)
Slap in the face
Speaking about the revelation, Jake Day-Williams, editor of What Video & Hi-Def TV, said: "Though TVs on this list can be made to function by investing in a new Freeview receiver, this news comes as a slap in the face for anyone that felt they were making a safe investment in future-proof technology."
Essentially, some of the products on the list can be upgraded, but not all of them. In the case of the TVs, while they will still work, if you want Freeview, you will have to invest in a brand-new tuner.
Or you could just heed Digital UK's slightly disparaging advice, found at the bottom of the document, which states: "Alternatively, you may want to replace the set with a new thin LCD or Plasma model." We suggest you email them and ask if they are going to pony up the cash for such an investment.
The full feature appears in Issue 339 of What Video & Hi-Def TV, which goes on sale 2 October.
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Your comments (8) Click to add a new comment
briancarson
September 26th 2008
8. I owned a Daewoo VCR/Digital Receiver SV900 which was wiped out by the last change.
I started complaining to Daewoo who at first were not keen to get involved - I kept on at them and I negotiated with Daewoo for a replacement - I ended up with a DSD9503TFB which is a twin Freeview tuner with PIP and a 160 GB Hard disk - I paid a cash balance of £ 15 as at first they wanted to give me a cheaper unit.
So it shows that if you complain loud enough ‘you do get results’
The DSD9503TFB arrived the other day and they picked up the SV900.
The picture quality is more Colourful than my other units so I had to tone it down a bit.
So far the Hard disk is silent and the Recording quality is excellent.
All in all a ‘ Good result
I have to hold my Hat up to them as at least they accepted responsibility although there will be loads of people who never realised the problem was not at their end.
Daewoo could have sat on their hands but they quickly changed their Policy - I am certain they were as surprised as we were when Daewoo units started self destruction - I am sure that someone in the costing department thought it was a great idea to fit a non standard buffer to save a few pence - I wonder if they are still in their job this week.
if your Daewoo stopped working because of the Split NIT then please contact them .
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neilt
September 21st 2008
7. I suspect this problem is wider than first thought.... I have 2 Panasonic DVD Recorders, each just over 2 years old and both have this issue. Hardly old kit! Panasonic say they are aware of the problem, but as yet no fix.
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briancarson
September 16th 2008
6. anyone who has Channels shunted to 800’s should read
http://www.freeview.co.uk/help/faq/id105131
as there ' may ' be a Solution.
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briancarson
September 14th 2008
5. Please note if you have a Sony Integrated Digital TV check
http://sonycic.custhelp.com/
OAD 2 will be active from September 11 at midnight through to midnight September 15 2008 and will only relate to the following models:
KD-28DL10U KD-28DX200U KD-28DX50U KD-32DX150U KD-32DX200U KD-32DX50U KDE-P37XS1 KD-EP42XS1 KDL-L-32MRX1 KDL-L42MRX1 KDE-P42MRXI KDE-P50MRX1 KDE-P61MRX1.
The OAD will run automatically via your TV antenna when you are watching TV.
as there may be a solution to ' current problems ' but please note unless Sony bring out a fix for the next change
there will be a big difference compared to the ' split NIT ' as there is no change ' at your end ' so there is nothing you can do to stop it.
All that will happen is that you don't see any channels at all
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briancarson
September 14th 2008
4. to - betie20
I take it you have not been affected . there will be a big difference compared to the ' split NIT ' as there is no change ' at your end ' so there is nothing you can do to stop it.
All that will happen is that you don't see any channels at all.
Don't bother complaining to Freeview or DMOL jump up and down on the Manufactures
as they are the only ones who may be able to come up with a software update.
I would advise everyone to double check this list
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/10093/models_affected_by_switchover_13May08.pdf and if your Integrated Digital TV is listed you should make as much stink as possible .
Make no mistake about this its not easy to do this as most Companies will blame everyone rather than themselves.
By good fortune I am not affected by the change in transmission mode from 2k to 8k
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betie20
September 13th 2008
3. The point is that the tuning problem only comes to light when the customer chooses to re-tune the TV. I think there must be a lot of customers out there who are unaware they have a problem, hence the small number of reported cases.
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