FM Hook-up - Page 2

andygrif · 14-09-2005, 10:19

I remember trying to do just that a few years back...

Each person I spoke to either didn't understand the phrase "FM Hook-Up", denied its existence, said it had been switched off years ago or said that it had been replaced by the radio channels on the TV service.

I gave up.

altis · 14-09-2005, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okonski

Little wonder customers and staff have no idea FM is available without any requirement for a STB. But back on topic, anyone know how to report a fault on it? (Missing/distorted channels?).

Did you get anywhere with the Responsetek?

Failing that, you could try posting in the Digital and Analogue TV forum on Chetnet and there's a chance that Proppin' will pick it up.

What a shame that NTL haven't realised that they could charge for (and hopefully make money out of) a FTA analogue service.

Okonski · 14-09-2005, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Did you get anywhere with the Responsetek?

My first stumbling block was that it segments the queries into services... and you guessed it - FM hook-up isn't there, the closest was 'Analogue TV' so I followed that and entered a response leaving email address and phone number.

Nothing happened! (Surprise surprise).

I agree with the other poster that it could be a useful additional revenue stream, but I assume the reason why this hasn't happened is because of billing... they can't! It looks as though it has been engineered simply to be there as part of the feed, obtainable if you have the FM tap, but not otherwise.

I'm thinking of going to the local head-end and trying to chat with one of the engineers there to see if I can be more pro-active than CS...

andygrif · 14-09-2005, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Did you get anywhere with the Responsetek?

Failing that, you could try posting in the Digital and Analogue TV forum on Chetnet and there's a chance that Proppin' will pick it up.

What a shame that NTL haven't realised that they could charge for (and hopefully make money out of) a FTA analogue service.

I agree....back when they had the Music Choice channels on there I would have paid a quid or so a month to receive it...I guess the problem is that there is no way to switch it off for those who don't subscribe to it.

Saying that, if they stuck all the channels that are on the DTV service on to FM, I'd a pay for that too.

Okonski · 04-10-2005, 15:18

Did eventually get a response from Responstek - but sadly it was more of of an ill-informed ramble than any positve help. I was told that current STB's make no use of the FM Hook Up (as if they ever did!) so is no longer supported. It went on to say that 'nothing can be done'. Clearly this is arrant nonsense, as until the service is formally withdrawn (and there has been no proof that it has been). Clearly the service is either active or it isn't - and as 22 channels are currently broadcasting, it somehow weakens the Responstek answer.

altis · 04-10-2005, 17:49

If NTL still have analogue TV customers in your area then then the FM service most certainly is supported. It's how the STB gets its stereo sound for the Sky movie channels.

Okonski · 05-10-2005, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

It's how the STB gets its stereo sound for the Sky movie channels.

Surely the analogue STB (which was mono) didn't make use of the stereo audio?

I recall the customer was told if he wanted to listen to the film audio in stereo, he tuned his home hi-fi into the relevant channel? Certainly, there are 4 stereo feeds of the Sky movie channels still transmitting, but I'm just waiting the next NTL uninformed opinion that it has to go 'because of the digital switchover' which of course is nonsense. (1) Because radio isn't affected & (2) There's nothing to stop NTL transmitting a digital re-encoded channel to analogue to allow those users with non integrated TV's to still retain the choice of looking at the existing terrestrial channels AFTER the digital 'switchover'.

It could be a massive selling point for the newly enlarged NTL. 'Digital switchover? Stay with us and keep your existing TV!'.

05-10-2005, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okonski

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

It's how the STB gets its stereo sound for the Sky movie channels.

Surely the analogue STB (which was mono) didn't make use of the stereo audio? <snip>

my analogue stb gets stereo sound on films, sky1 etc

Okonski · 05-10-2005, 18:59

How do you listen to the stereo audio then? An RF loop-through has no NICAM, and the audio/video output (on the Jerrold) were two phono sockets. Even looking at my old analogue STB (a souvenir) there was no capability... hence my query!

05-10-2005, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okonski

How do you listen to the stereo audio then? An RF loop-through has no NICAM, and the audio/video output (on the Jerrold) were two phono sockets. Even looking at my old analogue STB (a souvenir) there was no capability... hence my query!

not sure what you mean by 'loop through' - my Scientific Atlanta box has only an RF outlet. I connect that to an 'All in Wonder' TV card in my pc & the display will show 'stereo' when an appropriate signal is detected, and 'mono' when it isn't

Okonski · 05-10-2005, 19:32

I don't have a SA box, but the only way an All-In-Wonder card is going to give you Stereo is if the channel has been NICAM encoded. When you watch Sky Movies etc, NTL encode it - it has nothing to do with NTL's FM hook-up service, and unless you use some form of FM tuner, you don't use it.

05-10-2005, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okonski

I don't have a SA box, but the only way an All-In-Wonder card is going to give you Stereo is if the channel has been NICAM encoded. When you watch Sky Movies etc, NTL encode it - it has nothing to do with NTL's FM hook-up service, and unless you use some form of FM tuner, you don't use it.

then how come I get pro-logic output through my surround speakers??

Okonski · 05-10-2005, 19:50

You certainly don't get this directly from any service NTL provide - if your receiving kit can resolve Pro-Logic sound from the NICAM feed it will do so - NTL's delivery is only twin-audio channels that are NICAM encoded (from the analogue service). Again, this has nothing to do with FM hook-up!

05-10-2005, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okonski

You certainly don't get this directly from any service NTL provide - if your receiving kit can resolve Pro-Logic sound from the NICAM feed it will do so - NTL's delivery is only twin-audio channels that are NICAM encoded (from the analogue service). Again, this has nothing to do with FM hook-up!

right, I see what you are saying, I thought you meant I couldn't get stereo from an analogue STB - to be honest, so long as I get it, I am not too fussed 'how'

mob227 · 06-10-2005, 14:36

So any one know whats happening about the fm signal are ntl going to sort it or supply a dab signal, as here in newport there are channels that go off tune and blank carriers that are still being modulated