Digital Tv Aerial Installation
Firstly not everyone will require a new digital Tv aerial upgrade for the UK digital switchover or to receive Freeview. A basic Tv aerial installation has a recommended life of about 7-12 years, and some aerials will go on for longer without trouble or causing issues.
If you’re in any doubt it would be advised to ask a reputable aerial installer for advice on condition, but as a rule of thumb if it’s shiny and doesn’t rattle, doesn’t sway about too much, gives good pictures and is securely attatched to your property then it’s probably fine.
If you want to change to digital television and receive Freeview you will need to have a digital set top box or Freeview integrated digital Television. You can check your predicted coverage by postcode at www.digitaluk.co.uk. The postcode coverage is reasonably accurate and will give you an indication as to your digital reception assuming your aerial is in good condition. Don’t panic though if it says that you can’t receive digital television signals as this is only a guide and the signals will be increased at switchover. If you are still unsure then consult a local tv aerial installer with experience in your area.
Assuming the postcode comes back ok, your aerial is in relatively good condition and of the correct group you should be ok to buy a set top box or integrated digital Television.
Please bear in mind that digital television isn’t a substitute for poor analogue reception, and if your pictures are grainy you should seek the advice of a local aerial professional.
Finding a Tv Aerial Installer
To find an installer to upgrade your setup to with a digital Tv aerial ask friends and family if they can recommend a local aerial installer they are happy with for price and quality of work, or contact one of the recognised trade bodies who should be able to recommend a competent and insured installer.
IDSC (Independant Digital Standards Commission)
CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries)
RDI-LB (Registered Digital Installer)
Please note that the cheapest isn’t always the best, you don’t want to break the bank either. If it sounds too cheap to be true then the equipment supplied could possibly be of an insufficient quality to do a decent job. It isn’t recommended to perform an digital aerial installation yourself, not just because it could be a long way to fall, but because a good Tv aerial installer will be able to advise on reception issues in your area, use quality products and get the best alignment acurately whilst taking into account signal levels and noise figures.
The digital Tv aerial supplied doesn’t always have to be a high gain aerial as long as it pulls in the signal and is robust enough for most weather conditions. A sign of quality on a Tv aerial is the Digital Tick Logo and the CAI Logo. Amplifiers or “mast head amplifiers” are commonly used to make up for losses in cable, extra television aerial point distribution or to give the signal that little kick over the threshold and should be screened and low noise. Masts, bracketry and hardware needs to sturdy and able to take a bashing from the weather and coax used should be of the double screened variety.
Further information about the UK Digital Switchover can be found at www.digitaluk.co.uk