TV - Digital switchover
I have gathered some starting information about the digital switchover that may help you – however I am no expert! For advice you may need to speak to your electrician and/or aerial fitter.
Most of us get our signal from Mendip 23km north (337° to 352° depending which website you go to!) with an aerial pointed toward the transmitter. Others may use Stockland Hill 45km west-southwest (237°?) or even Wenvoe 69km northwest (315°?).
Mendip Switchover: Thursday 1st April 2010: Existing Freeview transmitter. Friday 30th April 2010 Freeview power increase from 10000 W to 100000 W, 10 times stronger so should help a lot!
Analogue: BBC1, BBC2, ITV Ch4 (Jul-08 To Dec-08) Possible Poor Reception & Short Service Breaks
Analogue transmitter switch-off dates
May 2009: Stockland Hill
Mar 2010: Wenvoe
Jun 2010: Mendip
To receive Freeview now from the Mendip transmitter you will require an aerial of group E/W positioned horizontally (this is the polarization direction of the spikes out of the side of the aerial) – once boosted an older aerial may be ok … so after switchover an existing group C/D aerial will probably provide all digital TV services. For best quality you may need the aerial to be roof mounted and may need a new coax cable to the tv that is screened against interference (this improves the quality).
So to receive some channels on the Mendip transmitter, you will probably need to upgrade your aerial from group C/D in a horizontal position (colour code green) to a group E/W in a horizontal position (colour code brown). Check before purchase!
As we can receive signals from more than one transmitter, you may experience signal interference, primarily with set-top or multiple aerials. Eliminate the effects of interference with correct aerial polorization (horizontal or vertical) and use a single high-quality (Class I) digital aerial mounted externally on your roof.
Interference in the home can come from fridges, telephones and other electrical items.
Some devices, such as a Sky Digibox, a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) or Personal Video Recorders (PVR) can output analogue television pictures. However, if this uses the same frequency as an incoming signal, the picture quality will be poor and the incoming signal blocked, and with Freeview a whole multiplex will be unavailable. To avoid clashes, set your Digibox, VCR or PVR to use these frequencies:
C21, C24, C27, C31, C35, C39, C42, C45, C48, C49, C52, C53, C57, C60, C63, C66, C68.
You will probably need a set top box or a newer digital tv with integrated digital tuner.
Useful websites include:
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/
http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=ST564488
http://www.stevelarkins.freeuk.com/freeview_digital_tv.htm
http://www.freeview.co.uk/home
These sites include a lot of useful information about interference, picture quality, the new Freesat and Sky etc.
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