thedigitalera.html

As most people are now aware, 2011 is the year that is earmarked for the digital changeover in the Hull area. For those who are not so sure about the implications and how they will effect you, here are a few details which we hope will prove useful. Remember! There is no need to change your television set! You do, however, need extra equipment in order to receive digital television transmissions. There are at present two digital television providers, one being 'Sky tv' and the other being 'Freeview'. 'Sky tv' is received with the use of a satellite dish and a STB (set top box) and involves a subscription payable to Sky tv for the programmes you elect to receive. There is an option, however, of 'Freesat' which gives you your favourite channels free (i.e. BBC1, 2, ITV, channel 4 & channel 5) amongst over 200 tv & 95 radio for a one off charge of £150 plus installation, but, no premium stations like movies & sports which are chargeable and require a subscription viewing card. For more information on 'Freesat' from Sky, go to: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=6 'Freeview' is received using a 'wideband' television aerial, also known as a 'broadband' television aerial - both wideband & broadband mean the same thing, that they cover the full uhf spectrum (Ch 21-69). Presently BBC1 is Ch22 in the uhf spectrum (not to be confused with channel No.1 on your tv), ITV(Ch25), BBC2 (28), Ch4 (32) & Ch5 (56). As a general rule, if you receive Channel 5 from your existing aerial installation, then you should receive 'Freeview' although there can be exceptions to this rule and you may require extra work to your current aerial system to make this a reality. 'Freeview' also requires the use of a STB (set top box) which are readily available 'off the shelf' at many leading multistores and supermarkets alike. It is worthwhile to spend a little extra and ask for a version that has a 'cardreader', indicated by a card slot on the machine, (in case you want to subscribe to extra channels at a later date and not just the free ones) and an 'RF output' (with the installation of an extension point, you may watch your 'Freeview' programmes in, say, the bedroom for instance, albeit not different channels at the same time). The ability to watch different channels in different rooms at the same time would involve buying a seperate STB for each room and of course, a digital television aerial 'feed' to each of those rooms. This may be done with the use of a single 'wideband' television aerial and a suitable distribution amplifier (usually placed in the loftspace) with 'extensions' cascaded from the amplifier to the required rooms. For more about Freeview and available channels, go to: http://www.freeview.co.uk/channels/ So, there you have it! The choice is really down to you (Sky tv or Freeview) for your digital services. We sincerely hope that this has helped you with some of the basic information, but, do not hesitate to call or email Wyke Satellite & Aerial Services should you be interested in either a digital satellite installation or a digital aerial installation. N.B. After the local 'digital switchover' in 2011 there will be no analogue tv reception and you will need either Sky tv or Freeview to be able to watch television programmes.

Digital Reception 2011 - Which one for you? - Digital Satellite Installation (Sky) or Digital Aerial Installation (Freeview)

`Digital Reception 2011 - Which one for you? - Digital Satellite Installation (Sky) or Digital Aerial Installation (Freeview)`