Although there are plenty of new and exciting things happening in the world of satellite communications, the most important thing for the consumer right now, is being prepared.

With everything advancing in the electronics and communications arena, and the digital age becoming the norm, ANALOGUE TV is soon to be phased out in the whole of the UK.

It's estimated that the whole country will no longer be receiving analogue TV by the year 2012, and in some places, the switch over, although not officially timed, has already begun.

Almost everyone has seen the various advertisements for FREEVIEW, that little add on set top box that offers you more channels and more choice.

Most people want to know more about it and how to receive the signals for it, but the majority have no idea about the coming change, and that without a suitable aerial, their normal viewing pleasure is soon likely to cease.

This digital switchover will likely cause some people to lose certain functionality in their TV and Video equipment too. It's a serious business, but addressing it now could save you a small fortune in the near future, and in reality is the only way to ensure your future viewing pleasure is not interrupted.

Many new TV sets now come equipped with built in FREEVIEW decoders, and the price in general for a standard set top box has more than halved too......... Why ?

In some cases your existing aerial will suffice, or at least that is the claim. Particularly if you live reasonably close to a transmitter, but if your aerial is old, has bad cabling, or is too small or too far from the transmitters, the signal you need will be greatly reduced, and unless you live virtually next door to a transmitter, and as for indoor set top aerials, they will be pretty useless.

Aerials in general are designed and rated in BANDS, Which in plain terms simply means that they are made for specific areas based on the channel frequencies they can receive.

EXAMPLE : To view Channel 4, ITV, BBC1, or BBC2 in my region, the UHF frequencies are 21, 24, 27, and 31 accordingly. For this set of frequencies a Band / Group A aerial would normally be used.

Since the advent of Channel 5 this changed slightly, because Channel 5 transmit on frequency 39, which is above the Band A standard of 37, so now a Band / Group K aerial is required to view that additional channel.

If you lived in the Midlands for example, (central region), you would need a different aerial again to receive the equivalent channels. Band / Group C-D, because the frequencies there are much higher.

Unless you literally live next door to a transmitter, a piece of wire, a coat hanger or the wrong aerial type will simply not do the job like they do now.

Freeview transmits signals over the whole UHF frequency range that are multiplexed, or more commonly termed "muxed", which is really just a means of sending out multiple signals on a given frequency set.

In layman's terms, all channels from 21 to 69 are now used and split up over the range of normal aerial groups, so now you need a new type of aerial to accommodate all of these signals, because without one you "WILL" miss some of the channels offered due to them being at a frequency or mux that your aerial is not designed to receive.

In this instance the solution is called a Wide Band Aerial, but a poorly set up wide band aerial can also present various problems too, particularly where a high gain is needed.

To enjoy all the new channels, quality sound, and to watch the picture without problems like pixelation, blockiness and audio hiss, you need a good strong signal. (GAIN)

If you have ever had a standard sky digital system with their tiny dishes, you will most likely have experienced the effects just described, including completely frozen screens or even refusal to show a picture with the little text line appearing "NO SIGNAL".

With satellite this can be caused by many things including heavy cloud cover, general bad weather, or simply because the dish alignment is not precise. (we often cure this problem)

Standard TV signals, digital or analogue, are terrestrial signals. That means they do not beam down from the sky above like satellite, but travel in a line from the transmitter to your aerial, thus the signals are easily impeded by hills, trees, buildings and other things. Even by using loft aerials, the signals are reduced significantly by the roofing materials.

For ANY good digital signal, YOU MUST have sufficient aerial or satellite equipment, optimally tuned with a good line of sight. That's right, Terrestrial or Satellite, it makes no difference.

A digital signal is not very forgiving, unlike analogue. With analogue you would simply lose quality and have a snowy picture or maybe ghosting image effects that you could at least watch. It was just the same with the old analogue satellite signals. Slight deviations in alignment and polarisation still gave you a watchable picture, it would just cause them to be sparkly and produce a static sound in your audio, similar to the snowy effect of normal TV, but watchable all the same.

With digital TV, that does not happen - The picture will almost definitely Freeze, Become Blocky and Pixilated, or sometimes will simply refuse to materialise if your reception signal is weak or your aerial is incorrectly aligned.

To achieve a good signal may not be as expensive as you might imagine, BUT! And there usually is a But in this day and age. As the digital era takes over and the old analogue systems begin shutting down, the cost of new aerials and installations will obviously become higher as the demand grows.

Everyone is getting on the bandwagon, and even places like Argos and B&Q etc are now selling digital aerial DIY kits.

But seriously, if you need to think about any single question above, or if you don't have to hand the tools and equipment such as a Drill, Masonary Bits, Ladders, Extra Brackets & Fittings, and are competent and happy working at great heights,

As the analogue system is phased out, the installers will obviously become more and more busy, and the aerial manufacturers will be planning their future holidays on your hard earned cash by inflating the purchase cost on the new aerials, knowing that people will want and need them in much larger numbers. Not to mention the unbranded rubbish aerials that will no doubt flood the market in the guise of fantastic "do it yourself" kits.

After all, would you go out shopping for your dinner when your stomach starts rumbling, or would you plan ahead so that you could just cook up a storm, ready for when your hunger strikes ?

It's that simple difference. An expensive "quick fix" take away meal that often upsets your tummy later, or a home made economical, delicious meal that's ready when you are, and that your tummy loves!

Even if your area is reported as being ok for Freeview reception, there could still be localised obstructions, and/or your existing TV aerial quality and type could make a huge difference to your ability of a good reception.

Likewise, your postcode may tell you that you can't receive Freeview, But that may not be the case, as much depends on the gain of your aerial, the placement, and again, what obstacles there may be.

Easiest solution..... Ask an installer for a signal test to determine what you need, and if indeed you can receive the Freeview signals.

Obviously, for many people, there would likely be a charge involved to cover time and travel expense, but a small charge would verify things quickly, and in the long run save you any risk or unwarranted expenditure playing guessing games.

As for alternative viewing, there is really only satellite or cable, and cable only exists for people in town and city areas, it's also expensive.

Do you want to pay for an ongoing subscription, or tune to the FREE TO AIR channels available with Freeview. You can even opt for the top-up style box and obtain even more channels as and when you want them for a small "NO CONTRACT" per month fee.

If you would like more information, or maybe even take that step towards being prepared, please don't hesitate to Contact Us .