The onslaught of complaint regarding BBC’s HD quality finally won through with a raft of picture quality improvements following weeks of campaigners taking their grievances direct to the channels’ hierarchy.

The grief all started last August when the BBC introduced new HiDef encoders that reduced bandwidth below that of Sky’s HD and even their own BBC HD Worldwide channel. What made matters worse was the BBC claim that it was a variation in production styles that caused the picture quality drop. A full account of the campaigners visit to the BBC can be found on the BBC internet blog.

Further good news on the BBC front is the autumn launch of BBC1 HD elevating much of the top viewing programmes to HD status.

There are different colour cables but on the whole many aerial engineers will use white or black cable depending on the colour of the house,to attach the cable to a wall you will need cable tacks which you should run all the way down at a good 300mm apart, this is to look tidy but most important that it does not fly around in the wind and get caught on anything. you will need good quality cable, double shielded 75 ohm cable is best, examples; made by webro and raydex though there are more manufactures coming on the market all the time. You will need connectors to connect to your aerial and also to your TV, the connectors you will need will depend on the aerial but some aerials will have connectors already on them.

An aerial can be put onto your chimney, the side of your building or in the loft. If you are going to install your aerial on the chimney it is best to use a lashing kit so that the aerial is stable and secure,but if you live in a low ground area you will need as much height as you can so a long pole will be needed.If it is going on the side of the building then you will need a bracket plus pole but this pole could be longer than the pole on the chimney,if it is to go into your loft you will need loft a bracket plus pole, one of the disadvantages of having an aerial in the loft is that the signal will not be as strong

You need a transmitter for your aerial so how do you know which one.To find your nearest go on-line and type in www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe?, on this site all you need to do is put your postcode in and a grid will come up with the transmitters nearest to you, it will also suggest an aerial (antenna).the position of the aerial(pol), group of aerial (gp) and many more details.

Aerial transmitter

What you watch on tv is received through your aerial from a transmitter. Around the country you will find over 1.100 and from 2008-2012 one by one the transmitters will be changing over to digital, your tv aerial is pointing to one of these transmitters so you need to know which one you are receiving from as this will determine the date you will be switching over and will also depend on how many channels you receive because of the signal strength. you may actually have a choice of transmitters as their signals may overlap but if you do change it could mean a change in how many channels you receive and also could lead to needing a new aerial as your current one may not have enough elements.

This is a very important decision as you need to know the signal strength and also which transmitter your on.

if you are in a recessed area this will reduce your field strength and you will need an aerial which is high gain, the aerial would probably be a 18 element or more. There are so many aerials on the market and you want to pick the right one.

to name a few you could use are:

YAGI – TCX UHF TV Aerials.

This is a Medium to high gain aerial for primary and secondary reception areas and is  Suitable for digital and analogue TV reception Designed to reduce noise pick-up Individually boxed.

High Gain – DX8 UHF TV Aerials.

This aerial is designed for digital  transmissions High forward gain, increased signal level fringe reception Impulse noise reduction – impedance matching balun Narrow acceptance angle – reduces multi-path signals.

Extra Gain – XG UHF TV Aerials.

this aerial is packed with features to improve reception of digital TV Full range for local through to fringe reception areas, its unique design increases signal strength and themassive reflector reduces noise pick-up.

FM & DAB Radio.

This range includes Omni-directional or high gain directional Unique Trumatch dipole on directional aerials Fold down into compact pack Easy assembly.

Need a Satellite, Aerial, Freesat or Frevview Installation visit us now at www.aerialmen.com or ring us now on 0800 334 5296

Satellite Jargon made easy

Amplifier

TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster

Antenna

Term for an aerial used in European/U.S.

Attenuator

Reduces Signal Strength

BBC Freesat

Brand new, non-subscription digital satellite system, from BBC & ITV.  Featuring over 80 digital channels and estimated 200 by 2009. Broadcast in HD with no subscription required

Booster

TV or Radio Signal amplifier/booster

CAI

Confederation of Aerial Industries – represents manufacturers, installers & other interested parties.

CATV

Community Aerial TV – covering a set neighbourhood/Town/City/County

Chimney lashing kit

Used to secure an aerial to a chimney

Coax coupler

Used to join together 2 Coax Plugs

Coax plug

Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to TV etc via a coax plug

Coaxial cable

Aerial lead to appliance

Cob

Coaxial (aerial lead) outlet box, surface mounted within the room

Combiner

Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead

DAB

Digital audio broadcast

DAB Radio

This is a new digital radio format offering wide range of stereo based channels, as an alternative to FM.

DAB aerial

Enhances DAB reception

Db

Decibel – signal measurement

Digital Aerial

Aerial/Antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services for the UK

Diplexer

Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead

Dipole

This element connects to the aerial downlead, receiving signals from the director and reflector elements.

Director element

Forward of the dipole, these are a series of tuned elements.

Dish pack

The satellite dish or external part of a sky installation

Distribution amplifier

When sending signals to two or more TV’s or Radio, this is the signal booster.

Downlead

This is the cable which connects the aerial or dish to TV, radio or set top box

DTT

Digital Terrestrial TV

F connector

Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to appliance

F coupler

Enables 2 f connectors to be joined

Fascia mount

Used to mount an aerial to a soffit

FM

Stereo analogue radio reception, alternative to DAB, but cannot receive all radio signals

FM aerial

Boosts FM radio reception

Freesat

Sky Broadcasting subscription free package

Freeview

Digital Terrestrial TV, channels are provided by the UK’s mainstream broadcasters

Ghosting

Repeat image(s) on analogue TV sets, caused by a reflected signal

Grid aerial

A TV aerial with 2 or more dipoles and a grid reflector

Grouped aerial

A TV aerial that will receive a segment of UHF (terrestrial TV) channels

High-gain aerial

Multi-element aerial that utilises 32 elements, or more

IRS

Integrated Reception System: A system providing UHF, Sky and radio, wich also enables connection of individual Sky boxes

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display: A flat panel TV, alternative to plasma screens.

LNB – Quad

This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple (2 – 4) Sky boxes via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable.

LNB – Quattro

This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple switches

LNB – Solo

This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to a single Sky box via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable.

Loft mount

This is for installing an aerial with-in a loft space.

Magic eye

This is a device which the Sky box can be controlled from another room.

MATV

Master Aerial TV: a UHF (terrestrial TV) reception distribution system

Multiplexer – MUX

This is where groups of Freeview channels are broadcast on a single UHF channel. This is known as a multiplexer

Multi-switch

One Sky dish receives the signal for multiple Sky boxes, usually used in apartment buildings & hotels.

Outlet plate

Mounted to the backbox or Patras, this plate is flush to the mount.

Pixellating

Pixellating is caused by a defective signal, which produces a mosaic or frozen image on the screen.

Plasma

Flat Panel/Screen TV which is an alternative to LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

Polarity

The UHF signal is transmitted on either horizontal or vertical polarities.

Pre-amplifier

The signal booster is installed directly on the aerial, with a power supply unit which is required.

PSU – Power Supply Unit

This converts the mains voltage to 12v, and is used to energies the pre-amplifier via the down lead.

Reflector element

Rear element of an aerial

Set back amplifier

Sits next to the TV and boosts TV reception signal.

Set top box

Sits on top of the TV set – usually a Sky box, Freeview box, DVD player or VCR

Sky Digital

Sky digital satellite system providing access to hundreds of digital channels and a vast range of pay to view movies, interactive services and radio stations

Sky+

This is a Sky digital set top box with a twin tuner and recording facilities. Provides the viewer to control what they watch by pausing, rewinding and playing live TV! You can also record and watch 2 channels at the same time

Sky HD

Sky HD brings a new home viewing experience, providing images in much greater detail and vibrant colours, complete with full recording facilities as Sky+. HD Compatible TV & Subscription required to take full advantage of a Sky HD system

Sky Freesat

Sky digital system providing access to a range of Free to Air channels, no monthly subscription required

SMATV

Satellite Master Aerial TV: Sky/UHF reception distribution system

Splitter

Splits signal to two or more TV’s

Tetra

Tetra means Terrestrial Trunked Radio. Used by the Emergency Services. This can interfere with digital multiplexes.

Tetra filter

Blocks interference from Tetra transmissions

Top-Up TV

Pay as you view Digital TV

UHF

Terrestrial TV reception

VHF

Redundant frequency bands 1, 2 & 3. Part of Band 3 is now used for DAB.

Wall bracket

Secures an LCD or Plasma screen TV to the mounting surface.

Wideband aerial

A TV aerial used to receive UHF channels 21-68

Yagi

A TV aerial that has a dipole, director and reflector