Ken asked

29th July 2011

I purchased a Samsung LE40D580K2KXXU Full-HD TV. No problems for the first two weeks - yesterday it started to switch off about 5 minutes after it was put on and keeps doing this. As far as I know there have been no adjustments to the settings unless wrong buttons were pressed on the handset which does not sound a likely cause.

I think this is a problem the Samsung support should know about and be able to help you with. As best I'm aware it's a known issue with the power circuitry so you should have Samsung address it fully under warranty as soon as possible.

Sheila asked

26th July 2011

We are hoping to get an integrated Freeview/Freesat television. We would like to know if when it comes to recording as well as watching, will we need two different recorders.one for Freesat programmes and one for Freeview?

I think you will find it hard to end up with any less that two or three devices if you wanted to watch and record both Freesat and Freeview together. The two services aren't really complimentary, with Freeview being the cheaper and simplest solution for most people and Freesat for those who can't get Freeview or want a satellite system.

You would need two recorders if you really did want to record both services as they each include one or more in-built tuners appropriate to receiving and recording either over-the-air or satellite transmissions.

David asked

26th July 2011

I Purchased a Panasonic TV. After the set up had finished I was able to get the 4 HD channels. I have since lost them and a re scan is unable to retrieve them. I receive my signal from the Sutton Coldfield mast.

Resetting your HDTV to factory defaults or 'shipping condition' should fix the problem. The encoding system used for the HD channels has been changed and Panasonic TV's don't recognise the change whenre-scanning but when starting afresh they do manage to recognise the new scheme so you should get the HD channels back again.

Chris asked

25th July 2011

I have a full hd tv, why does none of my tv channels say hd, do I need to but some other bit of equipment?

Although you have a HDTV capable of displaying an HD picture you also need some kind of device to receive high-definition pictures an a corresponding service that provides them.

The simplest and cheapest option would be Freeview HD for which you need to be living in an area of the country where digital switchover is complete and where the HD transmissions have begun. If your TV doesn't have an-inbuilt high-definition tuner you would also need a separate high-definition capable decoder box or recorder.

Alex asked

25th July 2011

I have a Full HD Samsung LED TV with built-in HD Freeview. When I connect the aerial to the TV it picks up all the HD channels.I then bought a Philips HD PVR recorder and when I connect it to the aerial it does not pick up the HD channels.What could be the problem? I am sure I can get HD channels in my area as the TV picks them up, it's the PVR that does not recognize them.I've tried other brands and changed the unit twice (thinking it was a faulty unit) but I have the same problem.

It sounds as though the signal from your aerial is a little marginal and that the tuner in your TV does a better job at picking up the Freeview HD channels than your DVR. You may well find that this problem just goes away as digital switchover completes around you, so allowing higher transmission powers and consequently better received signal strength.

More immediately I would look in to seeing what improvements you could make to your current aerial and reception system to to preserve as much of the signal the aerial receives as possible. If you don't feel confident making changes I'm sure a local independent audio-visual retailer would be glad to help you.

If there's scope to adjust your aerial with the help of a signal strength meter this would probably produce the biggest gains, and there may well be on built in to your TV. Beyond that you should remove any unnecessary splitters or other devices in the signal path from your aerial and ensure you have good quality undamaged cabling running away from sources of interference.

Matt asked

20th July 2011

I live in Burnham, Maidenhead and don't switch over until Feb 2012. Does this mean if I purchased a hd freeview set top box I wouldn't be able to receive any HD channels until then?

You are indeed correct, a Freeview HD box won't pick up the HD channels until they start broadcasting next year, but will in the mean time allow you to watch all the standard-definition Freeview channels if you need to buy a box now.

Steve asked

18th July 2011

I have a Panasonic 42" Freesat (2008) HDTV. Recently I am getting "no signal" when selecting BBC HD and BBC 1 HD, other channels fine. Retuning doesnt help.

Resetting you HDTV to factory defaults or 'shipping condition' should fix the problem. The encoding system used for the BBC HD channels has been changed and Panasonic TV's don't recognise the change when re-scanning, whilst when starting afresh they do manage to recognise the new scheme.

Lee asked

15th July 2011

I have just installed a Samsung LE40D580 40" TV connected to a Panasonic DVD/HDMI Recorder by HDMI cable. Problem is that when I power off the TV using its remote the Panasonic also switches off at the same time! Which is a bloody nuisance. Any ideas please?

It sounds like you're having problems with HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) which I believe Samsung call 'Anynet+' and Panasonic 'VIERA Link'. It should just be a matter of adjusting the settings where appropriate or ultimately disabling the feature all together.