The TV "fade-out" Problem.
Most of us have noticed out TV signals seem to cut out every now and again. The picture stops,
and seems to go to a negative, before restoring itself to normal after anywhere from less than one second
to 3 or 4 seconds. It can be happen several times per hour, or not at all.
It's unpredictable and very annoying.
It has taken us some time to figure out what's been going on, thinking it was something that we were
doing wrong. But, that's not true. We've been talking to the volunteers at other TV systems, like ours,
and find they have the same problems, even though they use different equipment. We've also seen
the problem on Hotel TV's when travelling, and they are often using direct satellite TV. So, what IS
causing the problems?
It seems the answer is sun spots. And recent observations have seen sunspots larger than the earth.
The radiation from Solar Flares is well known to disrupt radio signals and have, on very rare occastions,
been known to destroy satellites.
Back in 2022, our signal suppliers changed to the new HEVC (High Effieciency Video Coding) which
has a number of advantages, but HEVC turns out to be more susceptible to this solar interference.
And, as the solar cycle peaks (as it does roughly every 11 yiears) we are noticing an increase in the
interruptions and that it is affecting more channels than it did, say 4 months ago.
According to the NOAA, solar activity should peak, later this year, then get less and less over the next
couple of years, and the problem should go away or at least be substantially reduced - until the
next solar cycle peaks. But, for now, please understand that there is nothing we can to to stop this,
and we are not alone in having the problem.
We thank you for your patience, and understanding.