Settings

There are several other things you can do at the time of installation, or you can leave them until later:

• Delete unwanted channels – you can remove selected channels from the channel list. For example, you may want to remove adult channels.
• Set up favourites – if you don’t want to scroll through all the channels every time, you can set up a ‘favourites group’, then only these are displayed on the TV guide or channel list. You can still bring up all channels. Some iDTVs offer personalised lists for different family members, say.
• Lock out certain channels or facilities. This locks certain channels, or locks access to the set-up menu so they cannot be accessed without a PIN number. Again it does not delete the channels – just lets you control access.
• If it's an option connect the TV to your Hi-Fi. You may want better sound quality than the iDTV provides. Over half the iDTVs had stereo outputs to connect to a spare input on a Hi-Fi system – see individual detailed test reports.

You are now ready to go. So how’s the picture and sound? Many iDTVs offer features and adjustments.

During the first few days of viewing adjust the brightness and contrast levels to get a good balance. In the very darkest pictures you should be able to see detail in the shadows. With bright colours, the picture should not appear washed out. It’s easier to get it right with CRTs, whereas with LCDs you might have to settle for a compromise between brightness and contrast for the best picture. Try making Caucasian skin colour natural, as this is very sensitive to accurate colour saturation.

Sound quality is often a matter of personal taste. However, subtle adjustments of the simple bass and treble controls (if provided) can help tackle some of the shortcomings of the supplied speakers, so a little experimentation is useful. If sound quality is important to you, consider connecting the TV to a separate audio or Hi-Fi system.

Why does the picture sometimes break up or freeze?

With digital terrestrial, you might get some channels perfectly and others not. You will need to upgrade your aerial – because it is not exactly right for your particular area, or the aerial cable from your roof is damaged or waterlogged. With any of these problems, the aerial will receive some multiplexes better than others. To explain: TV and radio stations on digital terrestrial are broadcast in groups (multiplexes). Each multiplex works at a different frequency on the broadcast TV band and the frequencies used for each multiplex vary from region to region. TV aerials can be very frequency sensitive and need to be right for your area and in good condition.

If you live in flats with a complex TV aerial distribution system, and get problems with reception or picture quality, it could be more than the aerial at fault. Contact whoever is responsible for maintaining the distribution system.