Blocky picture on some channels

accessjunky · 19-02-2007, 17:39

I've been getting blocky pictures for a while (a week or so maybe?) but I think it's only on some channels. I may be wrong but it seems to be mainly on Sky One/Two.

Is anyone else experiencing this or have an idea as to what the cause may be?

Conspiracy theory no 1: Virgin Media are saboutaging Sky One and Two so that their customers think it's Sky's fault.

Conspiracy theory no 2: BSkyB are saboutaging the picture to proof that their system provides better picture quality.

That's the great thing about conspiracy theories - you can make a situation fit whatever it is you want to believe.

Or more likely - there's something far more ordinary causing it!

accessjunky · 20-02-2007, 00:46

Okay, the paranoia is starting to kick in now.

The silence may just be that the post isn't very interesting or that one of my conspiracy theories is true and everyone, except me, knows about it!!

Is a blocky picture a common issue - is there any particular problem that I should be aware of or look for?

Thanks

mpmc · 20-02-2007, 03:22

Hmm...

Might be an encoder problem at VM's end, We sometimes have had a couple of seconds of blocking on channels, Usually when the picture is static.

Your signal levels might be low causing corruption in the data stream.

IanGuy · 20-02-2007, 10:40

No problems here watching Sky one and two.

I would notice it aswell, as I have a HD TV.

ikthius · 20-02-2007, 10:57

or it could be your STB is just not got enough RAM and power to constantly give you the best pic.

I get this sometimes, not always it might happen for about 10 secs then disappear. I know it my box, cause its an old PAce one with very low memory.

ik

accessjunky · 20-02-2007, 12:06

Thanks everyone - paranoia fading now!

I'll track it for a couple of more days and is there's no improvement I will call VM and ask them to look at it - might even be persuaded to look at V+ at the same time...

Current box is a Samsung so I wouldn't expect memory to be a problem but who knows.

Thanks again.

accessjunky

awesometeeth · 20-02-2007, 18:52

sometimes the problem is with the feed taken from Sky, if the weather is bad you will get a 1-2 seconds of odd pixelation. I notice this now an then.

sadly not much you can do about it!

also, some channels just have a lower bit rate anyway which means fast action or complex images (like grass on a footy pitch) will cause issues. I remember the old ITV sport was genuinely unwatchable at times as the pitch looked like lego...