TV AERIAL INSTALLATION

Freeview

Digital Terrestrial services are often referred to with the Freeview name, however this is merely a name brand adopted by the broadcasters of free-to-air services. Freeview channels account for most, however, not all, of the total available channels broadcast on digital terrestrial television, available at no extra expense and requiring no subscription apart from payment of the annual TV licence fee.

DVB-T system (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial)

Digital broadcasting technology adopted in the UK is the DVB-T system (Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial) carrying compressed digital audio, video and other data within a combined transport stream, using COFDM modulation. A total of six ‘multiplexes’ are broadcast in the UK, guaranteed to reach over 90% of the country when analogue signals are fully switched off. Three of the six multiplexes, carrying the free public service channels operated by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, are guaranteed wider coverage still, reaching 98.5% of the country including areas relying on low-power local relays.

Digital Switchover

The united kingdom Government’s intention is that digital terrestrial television will completely replace analogue terrestrial television in britain, theIsle of Man by 2012, and the Channel Islands by 2010. This process is called “Digital Switchover”, or DSO. The Digital TV Group the industry association for digital television in the UK, is responsible for co-ordination between Freeview and other digital services. DTG licences suitable equipment to bear the Digital Tick and Freeview Playback Logos to recognize PVRs and digital TV services designed to work through switchover, and to raise awareness of DTT product quality and standards. Digital Switchover process is already underway in areas of the UK for tv aerial installation, plus it involves discontinuing analogue terrestrial TV broadcasts. In some areas this will allow greater signal strength and/or better coverage of digital multiplexes.

In areas where analogue signals have already been terminated, older receiving devices are more likely to require replacement or upgrade. This procedure is being subsidised by the UK Government for all those on low incomes. Current contracts for this operation have already been awarded to BSkyB in the Borders region. Upgrading of analogue receiving equipment needs a Freeview set-top box (or any other digital receiver).

The Lie – There’s is no such thing as a ‘Digital aerial’

There’s only two main reasons why someone might have to replace their old aerial to get digital- either the signal is weak and you’ll have to get a higher gain aerial to get adequate reception OR that the old aerial are only able to recieve the specific band and some (or all) of your multiplexes are broadcast outside what the aerial can receive - neither of which have anything to do with the old aerial being incompatible with digital signals (as there is no such thing).

Most existing aerials are acceptable for freeview reception, and the “digital” aerials being touted by installers really are a marketing tool that relies entirely on public ignorance for it to work. Digital TV uses the same types of aerial as analogue TV. Anyone trying to sell you a digital aerial outside of or during a tv aerial installation should have it shoved firmly into their reception zone.