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What should I do if my DTT reception is poor?
Translations are provided as a service to Arcom users and are supplied “as is”, throught the DeepL tool. Consequently, only the text of the original version is authentic.
In the event of occasional or recurring interference with the reception of digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasts, you can follow the steps outlined in this file to find a solution.
Check your DTT coverage
If you're not receiving DTT channels, the first thing to do is make sure you're in an area with potential DTT coverage.
To do this, browse the " Ma couverture TNT " application created by Arcom. You'll find the channels you can receive according to your address.
Your local antenna specialist is the person best placed to know the reality of reception conditions in your area. So it's a good idea to summon him or her to find out whether the signal level in your area is sufficient to receive all DTT channels, and where appropriate, whether you need to change or adapt your antenna and/or installation.
If you don't live in an area served by DTT, there are other ways to receive television.
Browse the page dedicated to other digital TV reception options.
Search and memorize channels
A channel search and memorization on your TV set launches an automatic DTT channel search. This operation allows you to reprogram channels that may have been lost by the receiver. This may be necessary, for example, if there has been a change of frequencies in your region.
Browse the channel search and memory guide.
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Check your equipment
Your area is covered by DTT, but you can't receive it, or only at random? First, run a channel memorization (Rescan). If this doesn't solve your problem, check your equipment before taking any further action.
Summon an antenna specialist to ensure the quality of your antenna and/or installation. This type of installation, like others, requires maintenance (aging cables, deterioration of antenna components during bad weather, etc.).
For example, using an indoor antenna, even in the attic, is a source of difficulties, as the signal it receives is attenuated as much by walls and roofs as by the other electrical circuits present in your home.
In some collective dwellings, the channels used for DTT may not be received optimally if, when changing TV reception frequencies, installers have left them "masked" by filters.
If you find yourself in this situation, your installer or antenna technician can optimize your installation by working on your collective distribution system:
- Installation or removal of filters
- Installation of a broadband UHF "rake" antenna for new frequencies received at the "top of the band" (band IV or V).
An installer will also be able to tell you whether your rake antenna is correctly aligned.
The " Ma couverture TNT" (My DTT coverage) application lets you find out which digital transmitter is best suited to your location.
The existence of an artificial or natural obstacle
If you've checked your equipment and your DTT reception is still impaired, your home may be affected by an artificial or natural obstacle.
Artificial obstacles
The information on DTT coverage provided by Arcom is based on computer simulations, so the reality on the ground may be slightly different. Even if your home appears to be covered by DTT according to the information provided, it is possible that on the ground, an artificial obstacle (existing building or one that has been built) or a natural obstacle (relief or developing vegetation) may deteriorate or even block good signal reception.
Buildings and wind farms are artificial architectural obstacles that can interfere with audiovisuel reception.
Arcom and ANFR (Agence Nationale des Fréquences) are responsible for ensuring that audiovisual signals are properly received, and can intervene in accordance with article L. 113-6 of the French Construction and Housing Code, and article 23 of law no. 74-696 of August 7, 1974 on radio broadcasting and television.
Should the owner or builder responsible for the disturbancefail to rem edy the problem, Arcom will give the latter formal notice to carry out the necessary modifications. If this formal notice is not complied with within three months, the matter will be referred to the President of the competent Tribunal de Grande Instance for enforcement.
Arcom must be contacted by the owner of the interfering building, with the information needed to process the case:
- a technical information and COMSIS browse sheet;
- a study of the impact of the wind farm and/or "masking" building on existing TV reception;
- a study of the impact and compatibility of the planned DTT retransmitters on existing TV reception, both in the disturbed area and nearby;
- a commitment from the diffusion company concerned to take responsibility for this equipment throughout the life of the wind farm and/or building.
- SFN mode in areas not isolated from DTT coverage, and powered in this case exclusively by UHF control;
- MFN mode in areas isolated from DTT coverage, such as valley bottoms, and fed by UHF control whenever possible, or by satellite.
In the latter case, multiplex recomposition is not authorized, and it is advisable to respect , as far as possible, the composition of the multiplexes, in the case of recourse to "consumer" satellites.
Natural obstacles
There may also be natural obstacles preventing good DTT reception. In such cases, it is necessary either to install a new transmitter, or to use an alternative means of reception. For more information, browse the following links:
Transmitter failure
Check with your neighbors to see if this is the case. If so, it may be due to a failure of the transmitter you come under the control of, or a temporary shutdown of the transmitter for maintenance. Browse the " recevoirlatnt.fr " website for information and to report your problem, or dial the toll-free number of the call center dedicated to protecting television reception: 0 970 818 818, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.
Interference related to 4G or 5G deployment
The cohabitation of two networks, with very different structures and contiguous frequency blocks, can occasionally disrupt DTT reception.
With the end of analog terrestrial television and the transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT), part of the audiovisual spectrum - the 800 MHz band (791-862 MHz) and then the 700 MHz band (694-790 MHz) - was transferred to cell phone services.
A telephone number to call in the event of interference
Almost all the cases of interference reported were linked to the saturation of reception equipment. Indeed, the proximity of a 4G or 5G telephony transmitter to DTT reception can cause the latter to be "dazzled".
In the event of proven interference, the most effective solution is to install a suitable filter on the receiving equipment. Under certain conditions, this filter is paid for by mobile operators.
Viewers whose audiovisual reception is subject to interference from a telephone relay station should first contact the Agence Nationale des Fréquences call center on 09 70 818 818 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm, local call rate). They will then receive the explanations and advice they need to solve their problem.
For further details of the processes involved in this unprecedented cohabitation of DTT with 4th and 5th generation telephony, please visit www.recevoirlatnt.fr.
In-depth investigation by ANFR and Arcom
Two conditions must be met at the same time:
- You used to receive television correctly via the "rake" antenna, but your reception has deteriorated.
- You have carried out the necessary checks to rule out the most common causes of reception problems.
You can then request an investigation, which will be carried out under the responsibility of Arcom and the Agence nationale des fréquences (ANFR).
To do so, you can :
- fill in the Agence nationale des fréquences complaint form: assistance.recevoirlatnt.fr
- summon the ANFR reception protection call center on 09 70 818 818 (toll-free), open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.
- If you represent a local authority, you can send your report to Arcom by post.
Note: if the problem has been identified by a large number of people in your area, it is very likely that the professionals who can help you will have already warned Arcom or ANFR, making individual action pointless.
- Download the in-depth inquiry request form.
- Fill in the top of the inquiry request form, specifying that the reception quality has deteriorated, and explaining what has changed.
- Give this form to a professional of your choice (an installer or a control body) to ensure that it is not a malfunction in your domestic installation that is causing the deterioration. You will not be reimbursed for this diagnosis.
- Return the request to ANFR at the address specified on the document. The ANFR and Arcom will take charge of the investigation as part of their public service mission.
- More information at www.recevoirlatnt.fr.
If DTT reception still doesn't work, there areother means of receiving television.