Anaolgue TV switchoff

[laserblazer]

Have they already started playing around with Freeview? I've noticed the signal strength has gone down on some channels and it looks like I'm going to have to put a decent aerial up for the bedroom tv.

[SteveBentley]

Without some sort of clue as to which part of the country you're in it's impossible to say!

[somabc]

The switchoff would mean freeview gets stronger if anything

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've noticed the signal strength has gone down on some channels and it looks like I'm going to have to put a decent aerial up for the bedroom tv.

 

Have you retuned?

[synaesthesia]

Switchoff has already happened here - freeview signal has gone up noticably and a couple of troublesome channels are no longer problems (Channel 4 most noteably!)

Northants area on the Sandy Heath transmitter.I'd already fitted a decent loft aerial to get ready even though it's just for our bedroom telly. Aerial was only 20 quid and it's easy to find coax cable from networking companies dying to get rid of it

[laserblazer]

I'm on the Bromsgrove transmitter. I was told that, whilst many channels would have an increased signal strength, some would go down and also be moved to a different part of the spectrum. I guess a wideband aerial might be good start. I have retuned.

[localzuk]

Shouldn't be anything going on now, your area is marked for transition on the 20th, when your freeview transmitter will be changed from 33W to 400W transmission power.

 

Bromsgrove digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

[SteveBentley]

If you're on the Bromsgrove tx they're making some changes tomorrow - analogue BBC2 goes and the post DSO BBCA mux comes up, and then on the 20th you should find the signals are at their final full power as analogue is fully switched off.

 

Looks like Bromsgrove is one of the few areas where you will get a benefit from a Wideband aerial.

[Robz]

we're having similar problems, DigitalUK say we have to put up with it until the switchover, most of the channels we have issues with are near the top of the band shared with analogue (or something like that) and subsequently not enough juice is pumped to them. I wouldn't go around upgrading anything until after the switchover.

[SteveBentley]

Yeah the UHF system was planned for four channels (at the time that was quite well futureproofed, C4 was only a vague plan back then). Channel 5 and the six digital multiplexes have been shoehorned in, and in some places there are compromises. And don't get me started on the "half a freeview" postcode lottery!

[edutech4schools]

I live near the south coast and don't get free-view although live in a populated area. I was looking forward to the switch so I could get it but have been told the signal will get turned down even more so it doesn't interfere with French signals.

 

Its a similar problem with mobile phones. I can stand on UK soil but get a French phone connection but not a uk one, although never get charged roaming so someone must be aware.

[AyatollahPies]

Shouldn't be anything going on now, your area is marked for transition on the 20th, when your freeview transmitter will be changed from 33W to 400W transmission power.

 

Bromsgrove digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

 

That's quite a jump in power.

[Andrew_C]

Don't rush out to get a Wideband aerial. Check first what you are going to need. By only tuning to the correct band, you may avoid interference from neighbouring transmitters. Comment aimed at readers other than just the OP.

[laserblazer]

I think I'll get Freesat

[glennda]

I think I'll get Freesat

 

thats my next plan (i have a dish just not the box - used to have all sorts of problems with our tv before the switch over but since it happened its all worked fine.

[Arthur]

I think I'll get Freesat

Which one? FreeSat from Sky or FreeSat not from Sky?

[maniac]

I just watch everything on TVcatchup.com - my PC is pretty much always on, and linked to my TV and the streaming is excellent quality. To be fair thou the only reason I do it this way is because my aerial blew down in the wind and I really can't be bothered to fit a new one, and the Aerial place up the road want £250 to do it. I did have sky, but never watched it so cancelled the subscription last year, plus the dish never received it properly anyway, as there's a very thick hedge behind my house which absorbs most of the signal.

 

Mike

[SteveBentley]

Don't rush out to get a Wideband aerial. Check first what you are going to need. By only tuning to the correct band, you may avoid interference from neighbouring transmitters. Comment aimed at readers other than just the OP.

 

In the OP's case either a wideband or a Group K (a relatively new group that does 21-48) is required because three of the digital multiplexes are out of the original Group A band from Bromsgrove. But as a general point I'd agree that a grouped aerial is better for most people (although I'd have said it's more to do with performance across the frequency range than interference from neighbouring transmitters.)

[laserblazer]

They've been mucking around with the Bromsgrove transmitter again and we lost ITV3, Yesterday and a few others. Funny thing is, the bedroom TV with the loft aerial retuned, whilst the one on the roof, that has virtually line of site to the transmitter won't retune. So I guess I do need to change the aerial. Trouble is. it's a bit higher than I feel comfortable working at, so it's going to cost me.

[Michael]

I would recommend everyone to get a dish. A 43cm Sky dish is easily big enough. Then plug a Sky box or Freesat box on the end and that's it.

 

The UK has something like 99.8% coverage with a dish and it's a known fact Freeview can only handle 4/5 HD channels. I wouldn't waste your money on a Freeview HD box. A Freesat HD box is much better. Dishes are also a lot more future proof and give a much better picture too.

 

Edit: Also just to clarify, dish setups or cable are unaffected by the switch over. It's only Freeview (aerial setups) which are affected.

[tech_guy]

OAP just two doors down from me has been quoted a grand (well £999) just to replace his aerial. I've told him to report the installer to TS. There's some horrible people about cashing in on the switchover.

[laserblazer]

Having just invested in an HD Freeview box, I don't want to change to Freesat but I will if the aerial is too expensive. I might just get up pn the roof and do it myself.

[Michael]

OAP just two doors down from me has been quoted a grand (well £999) just to replace his aerial. I've told him to report the installer to TS. There's some horrible people about cashing in on the switchover.

 

I agree that is seriously overpriced. Here are some prices I found. All prices are approx. to give people an idea of costs:

 

A Sky dish + LNB £35 (An aerial is about the same)

10m cable + fittings £15

A satellite finder £7

A basic Freeview or Freesat box £40

 

TOTAL: £97.00

[tech_guy]

I agree that is seriously overpriced. Here are some prices I found. All prices are approx. to give people an idea of costs:

 

A Sky dish + LNB £35 (An aerial is about the same)

10m cable + fittings £15

A satellite finder £7

A basic Freeview or Freesat box £40

 

TOTAL: £97.00

 

 

I think you've just given me my weekend project!

[Michael]

It is good fun and there are some brilliant Satellite type forums like Edugeek. I learnt it all from scratch. There's also a fab website called DishPointer which is really useful too.