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.

The switch to digital TV could damage the regional licences held by ITV, according to the industry watchdog.

Ofcom claims that by 2012 the costs of the licences which allow the organisation to broadcast could be overshadow the benefits it offers.

It estimates that the ITV network could lose up to £64 million a year and new funding would be needed after the digital TV switchover to maintain the Channel 3 licence.

The Channel 3 regional licences allow ITV to broadcast in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland using analogue and digital signals, but have “a number of public service broadcasting obligations”.

Ofcom says: “As the digital TV roll-out gathers pace across the UK, the value [of the licence] is declining.”

Terrestrial signals were switched off permanently in south and central Wales earlier this week, as engineers worked to improve services so new Freeview channels can be received for the first time in Llanelli, Builth Wells and Rhayader.

Who is affected?

The retune will affect homes with Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision equipment.
Satellite, cable and analogue TV equipment is not affected.

Why is the retune necessary?

Freeview is an evolving service that requires viewers to retune their equipment from time to time to accommodate changes to the platform – for example, at both stages of digital switchover, when a new channel is launched or a channel/service moves multiplex (a multiplex is a group of channels all broadcast on the same frequency. There are six multiplexes in the UK that carry all of the digital TV channels and radio stations).

The September retune will pave the way for Five to become as widely available on Freeview as the other terrestrial channels at digital television switchover – a requirement by Parliament. For the convenience of viewers, technical changes, including preparations for the future availability of HD channels on Freeview, will also be made on 30 September.

All Freeview boxes, Freeview+ digital TV recorders and digital TVs will need to be retuned for viewers to carry on receiving all of the services available to them, including Five, ITV4 and BBC Radio stations. Without a retune on or after Wednesday 30 September, viewers will not be able to access these channels.

What is going to happen on 30 September?

From lunchtime on Wednesday 30 September, or any time afterwards, Freeview viewers will need to retune their equipment so they can continue receiving all channels and services available to them (it’s not essential to retune your equipment immediately – but you will be unable to receive certain services until you do).

A number of channels will move position on the Freeview platform and, as a result, coverage of Five will increase. More than half a million Freeview homes will be able to receive Five for the first time and these improvements will ensure that Five will be available to all Freeview homes at the point of switchover, along with BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4. Coverage of Five on Freeview will increase from around 90 per cent once the UK digital TV switchover is complete to 98.5 per cent, the same as BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4.

ITV4 will move to an alternative multiplex, meaning a small percentage of homes (those receiving their Freeview service from a relay transmitter) will no longer be able to receive ITV3 and ITV4.

Additionally, a new entertainment channel called Quest will launch on channel 38.

The changes will move some BBC Radio services in areas of the country that have already switched over to different channels to prepare for the launch of Freeview HD. People living in Freeview homes that have already gone through digital switchover and who listen to BBC Radio stations on Freeview will lose these services until they retune their Freeview equipment.

The Community Channel will no longer be available on Freeview in areas that have already gone through switchover – however, it will still be available on satellite and cable.

After retuning, the viewer will find a small number of channels in a new position on their on-screen TV guide.

Digital TV viewers in nearly 18m UK homes will have to manually retune their Freeview set-top boxes, as the service is rejigged to allow more football fans to watch next year’s football World Cup in high definition.

The plan to reorganise digital terrestrial TV transmission signals to allow for the launch of BBC and ITV Freeview HD channels before the World Cup in South Africa has led some broadcasting industry insiders to fear that large numbers of viewers will simply be confused. Those who want to take advantage of the new Freeview HD services will also have to buy a new set top box, costing around £200.

When 500,000 people on the south coast of England had to retune their set-top boxes in March as part of preparations for digital switchover, a helpline set up by Digital UK, the body overseeing the process, received thousands of calls.

Broadcasters this week discussed a proposal for the mass national retuning of Freeview boxes and its potential pitfalls. Freeview said earlier this month that it will bring forward plans to launch HD services, including channels from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, so that up to 50% of the UK population will have access to them before next year’s football World Cup, with some expected to launch as early as the end of this year.

As part of other changes in the runup to digital switchover, the frequencies on which Channel Five and the Welsh service S4C are broadcast will also be changing, which could potentially add to the disruption and confusion.

In order for both changes to happen, the transmission frequencies for all the main TV channels will be reconfigured later this year, with viewers having to retune their set top boxes to continue receiving services.

Broadcasters have said that a plan to communicate the changes to viewers has not yet been worked out, although measures already planned include onscreen warnings, leaflets and extra information on Freeview’s website.

The BBC’s head of distribution technology, Graham Plumb, said: “With any channel change there is always a risk of confusion. That is why it is in broadcasters’ best interest to provide as much help as they can.”

Around 17.7m UK homes had access to digital TV via Freeview by the end of last year, according to the latest figures from the media regulator, Ofcom. Of these, 9.8m relied on Freeview for TV viewing on their main set. Other homes have a mix of Freeview and either digital satellite or cable TV.

The push to get HD channels on Freeview comes as the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial TV is taking place region by region around the UK between now and 2012, with viewers already having to reset their set top boxes twice.

Switchover has already begun in Cumbria, the Scottish Borders and the west country, with Exeter yesterday becoming the largest urban area so far to go fully digital.

“There are currently active discussions about some sort of national retuning event,” one senior source connected with the transmission frequency changes said. “All the conversations that are underway are based on the notion that in one or two stages, there will have to be a very large-scale retuning of boxes to accommodate the changes. There will need to be some event, over and above digital switchover, to get the Freeview platform ready for HD and to move Channel Five to one of the multiplexes that is universally available.”

Another broadcasting executive added: “Everyone involved in the switchover process knows retuning is a bigger issue now. We are aware it is a bigger issue then we thought it was going to be and that it isn’t necessarily straightforward, but it is something that can be dealt with if you take the appropriate steps.”

The executive said that making people retune their boxes several times may be a good thing, as they would become more used to it. Boxes also need to be retuned when new channels launch on the platform.

Multiplex B, owned by the BBC, will be cleared to make way for HD services, while Five and S4C will move from the commercial Multiplex A to the public service broadcasting Multiplex 2 in order to boost the number of people who can receive them.

As part of the plan to bring forward the launch of Freeview HD services, five TV transmitters covering some of the UK’s most heavily populated urban areas, including London, Birmingham, the north-west and the north-east, will have to be upgraded ahead of their planned digital switchover change.

Each television transmitter across the country has been allocated a slot for the switch to digital, with the largest, Crystal Palace – which serves nearly 5 million homes in London – set to move over in 2012, just before the Olympics.

Freeview had originally planned to introduce HD channels as each region switched from analogue to digital, but its decision to bring forward its HD plans means that the five transmitters will now be upgraded between December this year and June next year. Despite the ambitious plans for HD, there are concerns that the services will not be ready in time for the World Cup.

According to insiders, broadcasters are still waiting for their licences to be awarded by Ofcom, while ITV and Channel 4 have both admitted there are question marks over their services because of the financial downturn.

Five and Film4/S4C are also currently bidding for the remaining fourth slot, with a decision by Ofcom expected in the next few weeks, although this won’t come on stream until later next year.

New channels are launched on Freeview from time to time along with other updates to the service. So it pays to retune your digital box every couple of months to make sure you are up to date. Some digital boxes automatically retune but most have to be retuned manually. The process is straightforward but varies slightly between boxes from different manufacturers.

Step 1
Press menu on your box’s remote control.

Step 2
Now select set-up, installation, update or similar option. If you’re asked for a password the default code is 1234 or 0000.

Step 3
Now select the ‘first time installation’ option (sometimes called ‘factory reset’, ‘full retune’ or ‘default settings’). Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if it is ok to delete existing channels. This will clear your existing settings and find the new channel line-up. If prompted then save the channels that are found.

You may find that channel favourites and scheduled recordings are also deleted so check and reset these.

If you are still encountering problems check the instructions for your product on the TVretune website:

http://www.tvretune.co.uk/productmanuals/

Currently 3/5 Stars.1 2 3 4 5

1925-John Logie baird transmits the first tv image to a set made from an old hatbox darning needles and glue.
1927-American Philo Farnsworth invents the first electronic television set.
1944- John Logie Baird gives the first demonstration of a fully electronic colour television set.
1972-The BBC demonstrates the text-based Ceefax service. Information on demand is born.
1989-Rupert Murdoch’s Sky Television launches its UK service,soon beasting the rival bsb satellite service.
2007-The BBC launches iPlayer on christmas day.By 2008 its on mobile devices.By 2009 it has conquer the universe.

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