Ferguson FDT600

My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has had for
some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels he wants. (
He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others are up
in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a logical list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get rid
of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but all the
channels come up in the same position.

I'm just about to bin this rubbish..... From the well informed may I request
what Digital converter I should advise my farther-in-law to buy??? So he can
get the digital channels in a logical order. IE.. BBC1 on program 1... BBC2
on program 2...Etc

Thanks in advance for any information

Best regards

Tony Atkin

Tonyatk wrote:
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has had for
some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels he wants. (
He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others are up
in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a logical list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get rid
of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but all the
channels come up in the same position.

Have you tried doing a hard reset (Factory Default) before doing a scan?


I'm just about to bin this rubbish..... From the well informed may I request
what Digital converter I should advise my farther-in-law to buy??? So he can
get the digital channels in a logical order. IE.. BBC1 on program 1... BBC2
on program 2...Etc


In case there is some local quirk that may have a bearing on the
problem, it might be useful to give your location and particularly that
of your father-in-law. Nothing too precise - PostCodes with the last
character omitted can provide useful information whilst remaining
completely anonymous.

--

Terry

"Tonyatk" wrote in message
o.uk...
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has had
for some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels he
wants. ( He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my
house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others are
up in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a logical
list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get rid
of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but all the
channels come up in the same position.

I'm just about to bin this rubbish..... From the well informed may I
request what Digital converter I should advise my farther-in-law to buy???
So he can get the digital channels in a logical order. IE.. BBC1 on
program 1... BBC2 on program 2...Etc

Thanks in advance for any information

Best regards

Tony Atkin


This seems to be an issue from when they split the Network Information
Table, the box contained inadequate software from new and can't decide where
to drop the channels. But the NIT was split a couple of years ago so it's
been playing up for ages.
You may be able to force a software update, or manually put the channels
where you want them.

I've recently bought a Metronic Eco Zapbox for my wife's office from CPC
http://cpc.farnell.com/metronic/4418...box/dp/AV19590
£21.50+VAT which seems to work well and has very low power consumption,
which was important as it runs 24/7.

Of course it's the split nit. Consider getting him a new telly. In my
experience this is a far better solution for the elderly than a set
top box.

Don't worry, it will come in at your house for something, after . . .

Bill

"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
Tonyatk wrote:
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has had
for some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels he
wants. ( He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my
house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others are
up in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a logical
list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get
rid of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but
all the channels come up in the same position.



Have you tried doing a hard reset (Factory Default) before doing a scan?
Do'snt have this in the menu... Tony





I'm just about to bin this rubbish..... From the well informed may I
request what Digital converter I should advise my farther-in-law to
buy??? So he can get the digital channels in a logical order. IE.. BBC1
on program 1... BBC2 on program 2...Etc


In case there is some local quirk that may have a bearing on the problem,
it might be useful to give your location and particularly that of your
father-in-law. Nothing too precise - PostCodes with the last character
omitted can provide useful information whilst remaining completely
anonymous.

--

Terry


Emley Moor

Tonyatk wrote:
"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
Tonyatk wrote:
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has had
for some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels he
wants. ( He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my
house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others are
up in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a logical
list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get
rid of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but
all the channels come up in the same position.


Have you tried doing a hard reset (Factory Default) before doing a scan?
Do'snt have this in the menu... Tony



When all else fails, read the instructions!

(Sorry, don't know the device in question, so that's the best advice can
privide!)

--

Terry

Terry Casey wrote:
Tonyatk wrote:
"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
Tonyatk wrote:
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has
had for some time, but not used it because he cannot find the
channels he wants. ( He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at
my house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few
others are up in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not
come in a logical list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan
get rid of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another
scan, but all the channels come up in the same position.


Have you tried doing a hard reset (Factory Default) before doing a scan?
Do'snt have this in the menu... Tony



When all else fails, read the instructions!

(Sorry, don't know the device in question, so that's the best advice can
provide!)


Ah! Just seen Doctor D's post.

I forgot that you said "which he has had for some time, but not used"
which obviously explains it.

The split NIT rendered quite a few Freeview boxes unusable, unfortunately.

Something you might find useful while looking for a replacement is to
search back through this forum. I'm sure someone in the last few months
was looking for a box with large, easy to read, buttons on the remote
control. This could be useful for an 85 year old - in fact, having had
two cataracts removed in the past couple of years, so no longer need to
wear glasses for the first time in 50 years, I have now have
considerable difficulty with the tiny buttons on the remote for my PVR
unless I put my reading glasses on! (I used to wear bifocals, of course.)

Strange thing is, if they'd put reasonable sized standard symbols on all
the buttons instead of microscopic print alongside, I wouldn't have a
problem!

--

Terry

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:20:46 +0000, Tonyatk wrote:

may I request what Digital converter I should advise my farther-in-law
to buy???

If the TV receiver has a PERITEL socket and thus you do not need
modulated UHF output, get a TVonics MDR-100, or if you need audio
description then the MDR-240

http://www.tvonics.com/digital-set-top-boxes/

The important issue for older users is that the remote control is
LARGE format, something which the current low end models (and I think the
Thomson models) do not feature making them difficult to use.

"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
Terry Casey wrote:
Tonyatk wrote:
"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
Tonyatk wrote:
My farther inlaw has this Digital Terrestrial Receiver which he has
had for some time, but not used it because he cannot find the channels
he wants. ( He is 85 years old )

He has asked me to have a look at it. To that end I have got it at my
house.

I've installed it on my TV and done a scan for the channels.

Results.

The channel numbers 0 to 8 are missing and the channels start at 9.
Channels BBC1.....BBC2..ITV1...Channel 4...channel 5 and a few others
are up in the 800 channel section ..Even then they do not come in a
logical list.

I've tried to do another scan by pulling out the antenna do a scan get
rid of all channels. Then plug in the antenna and do another scan, but
all the channels come up in the same position.


Have you tried doing a hard reset (Factory Default) before doing a
scan?
Do'snt have this in the menu... Tony



When all else fails, read the instructions!

(Sorry, don't know the device in question, so that's the best advice can
provide!)


Ah! Just seen Doctor D's post.

I forgot that you said "which he has had for some time, but not used"
which obviously explains it.

The split NIT rendered quite a few Freeview boxes unusable, unfortunately.

Something you might find useful while looking for a replacement is to
search back through this forum. I'm sure someone in the last few months
was looking for a box with large, easy to read, buttons on the remote
control. This could be useful for an 85 year old - in fact, having had two
cataracts removed in the past couple of years, so no longer need to wear
glasses for the first time in 50 years, I have now have considerable
difficulty with the tiny buttons on the remote for my PVR unless I put my
reading glasses on! (I used to wear bifocals, of course.)

Strange thing is, if they'd put reasonable sized standard symbols on all
the buttons instead of microscopic print alongside, I wouldn't have a
problem!


Which for some inexplicable reason, nearly always turns out to be dark
blue/red writing on a black background!

Definitely split nit prob. We have seen many of these.
Best forget it in this case, esp as those Ferguson remotes are so
fiddly.

Definitely the TVonics box. (be careful they do supply one version
with a small "credit card" remote) The one with the big remote is
great for older people, and anyone else for that matter.
It has the added advantage of a "Home" button which takes you back to
BBC1, no matter what you pressed by accident!!