Here we hope to provide some advice which will help customers resolve problems and answer questions should we not be available.

Pixels lit or dead on LCD and plasma display panels:

Occasionally, coloured, white or black dots (pixels) will be observed on flat panel displays. These are a consequence of manufacture and cannot be avoided. In the vast majority of cases they do not affect viewing at all. Manufacturers have a specification for each size and type of panel and if the number, type of location of these affected pixels is within this specification, the display will be considered to be NOT FAULTY and therefore no warranty repair will be possible. If you have any questions about this matter please contact us and we will advise on the specification and policy relating to your product.

Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview):

The use of Freeview Digital STBs (set top boxes), Free to air (DTVA) digital TV adapters or IDTVs (Integrated digital televisions) can be dramatically affected by the signals received from your aerial. Often, insufficient attention is paid to the required aspects of the signal. It is not acceptable to assume that because a box works now, that the signal is OK. The only way to know the signal is OK and to prevent problems is to measure it correctly. Bernard Smith are able to check signals with advanced test equipment to confirm as is usually the case, that signals are the cause of Freeview problems. It should be noted that STBs will work on lower signal levels than IDTVs but the details given below should be attained for reliable operation of either.
There are 5 important measurements that need to be confirmed to ensure not only that Freeview works from the start but that it continues to work under all normal conditions. These are detailed below and it can be seen that to check these matters, proper test and measurement equipment is necessary and not all aerial contractors have the required items and so it is very unlikely that individual viewers will be able to find problems themselves. The details below show examples for domestic installations. As with analogue signals, parameters for MATV will be different.
Signal level must be at least 45dBuV (ideally 50dBuV) and less than 78dBuV
Carrier to noise ratio (c/n) must be at least 26dB
Bit Error ratio (2 /10 -2 pre Viterbi)
Multiplex flatness must not exceed 5db at 50dBuV or 3dB at 45dBuV
Channel Status Information (CSI), measure of disposed COFDM carriers 
If you have problems with Freeview reception or want to check out your signals before you buy or subscribe, we advise that you contact our recommended aerial installers as appropriate to your area:-
Bill Gliddon on 01271 889304
Graham Bailey on 01237 479661

Digital satellite systems:

We offer some general advice should you experience problems with digital satellite systems of any brand.
If you experience any problems, we recommend switching off the set top box (STB) at the mains supply (not just to standby!), leaving for 30 seconds and then re-powering and trying. When re-powered the box may be stuck in standby for up to 1 minute. Be patient. Furthermore, you can force a software upgrade over the air. Follow this procedure:
DSAT Software upgrade.
Switch the receiver (STB) to standby using the remote handset. Switch the receiver off at the mains. Press and hold down the "back-up" button on the receiver whilst simultaneously switching the mains power back on. Keep this button depressed until you see a message on screen telling you that a software upgrade is taking place. As per the message DO NOT switch the unit off during this process. When completed (up to ten minutes), the unit will go back to stand-by. Switch the mains off when this happens, wait 30 seconds and then switch it back on. Then switch the receiver back on and all will be well. note that after re-powering, the unit may not come out of stand by for a minute or so. This is perfectly normal.
Reception
If you get problems with the picture freezing or the box saying "No Satellite Signal being received" ensure that there is no foliage blocking the sight of the dish- bushes, branches etc must be kept well clear of the dish. Cut back these and try again. This problem is normally much worse when there is rain or heavy cloud around.
Missing channels
It is perfectly normal for some channels (especially free to air ones such as BBC1) to be missing after installation. They will appear within 24 hours or so. Just be patient. If channels disappear otherwise, then carry out a software upgrade as above.
Remote Control
The Sky Digital remote control is designed to operate some of the functions of your TV such as volume and teletext. However, it is important to understand that it will not work all functions on all TVs. 
Programming Remote Controls to work TVs : Press select and red button on remote control. (LED will flash twice). Press T.V. button on remote control. Key in the code for the type of set. (LED will flash twice). Press T.V. button on remote control. It should now work. The main Panasonic code is:- 678.
 

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