i have a matsui freeview box dtr 3 it is powered by a aerial amplifier the picture freezes or blanks out when the central heating boiler fires up. Any ideas i,m thinking of getting a attenuator.

Thank,s peter

peter, January 2008

hi im avin probz with my digi box need too no how 2 connect my tv booster to my digi box

trev, September 2010

What is the aerial cable and where does it run. I had been told that the cheap 'n cheerful co-ax wasn't much good for digital TV.

Didn't believe it until I witnessed the difference replacing it with good quality coax with copper braid AND a foil screen.

Amplifiers need to be as close to the aerial as possible, not close to the set. Digital TV is broadcast at 1/10th the power of analogue, so any noise coming in is bigger in proportion. If you're picking up spikes in the cable, it makes sense to have the cable carrying the output of the amplifier as this is bigger.

f the aerial or aerial lead is near the boiler or it's wiring, see if you can separate them further apart.

John, March 2008

If you have an amplifier why are thinking of getting an attenuator? One is the opposite of the other. Simply put one makes the aerial signal stronger and the other makes it weaker.

I reckon that your central heating is sending a 'spike' into your mains which is screwing the box up. That is either the fault of the central heating or the STB not being able to cope. You may want to try an electrical extension of the type that has a built in surge protector'. If that doesn't work get the central heating fixed or the SDTB replaced.

t, January 2008