Jan 2012 The trade has now settled down ‘post-switchover’. Reception conditions in Oxfordshire have improved as a result of the switchover and we are finding it easier to achieve reliable reception for Oxfordshire viewers. The take up for receivers for the new HD services from the Oxford transmitter has not been as great as we anticipated, however there has been a demand for connections for internet TV. Customers buying Smart-TVs which can receive services like BBC i – player and 4OD are asking us to connect their TVs to their broadband routers. We are now fully equipped and able to carry out this work. We have also found that Oxford’s Sky TV viewers are keen to have their High Definition signals available at additional points in their house – in HD! Sending these signals down CAT5 (computer) cables is now fairly economical and we have been doing a few of these installations. This type of installation fits in well with our role as Oxford’s official local ‘Sky Expert’, carrying out any specialist installation that Sky’s own installers can’t do. We are frequently recommended by Sky to carry out unusual installs where a discrete installation is necessary. We have recently carried out an installation where the dish needed to be hidden 200 metres form the house. We installed fibre optic cable to take the signal the long distance back to the house and all worked well.

The detailed plans for the Oxford Digital Switchover have now been released.

 

The switchover is in two parts, on the 14th September and 28th September.

Every digital television and freeview box will need to be re-tuned on BOTH of these dates.

 

The switchover will be done in the night from midnight and so will be completed by 6am on each of the named days. On the 14th we will lose BBC2 analogue. This is to serve as a warning to anyone who is still relying on analogue TV for their viewing to get a digital TV or a freeview box before the 28th. Also on the 14th the BBC digital frequency will change and the new signal will be of the new higher power. All of the other analogue and digital signals will remain. On the 28th, again before 6am, all of the old analogue broadcasts will be turned off for good.

 

All of the new digital signals will be live and at higher power than they are now. All digital TVs and freeview boxes have different menu systems and so it is not possible to explain exactly how to do the re-tune. In general you need to go into the menu, look for the tuning sub menu and then select digital retune and re-scan for all new channels. If asked whether you want to replace the existing channels press "yes".

 

Although the new signals will be stronger and reception will be generally improved there may still be problems. Some very old receivers such as the old On-Digital boxes will not work at all on the new digital signals. Also, if the aerial system is amplified the new signals may end up being too strong and so a signal reducer may need to be fitted.

 

The final part of the switchover will happen next year on April 18th when some of the digital signals will be turned up to their final strength. Nothing will need to be done by viewers on that date. As ever, we are here to help with any problems that you have.

Beware! With the digital switchover rapidly approaching in Oxfordshire, we are becoming aware of companies moving into the area to capitalise on what they see as an opportunity to make money. Some of our customers are reporting to us that they are having their doors knocked by aerial installers in Oxford who tell them that they need to have a new digital aerial before September – even customers who have had new digital aerials fitted by us last year. Prices of around £400 have been quoted. (Over double the market price). Also there are an increasing number of companies who have a website which gives the impression that they are a local Oxford company but in fact are large national companies. They often send installers from a distance away to visit customers and therefore have to charge large amounts to cover their costs and time. These are usually the same companies who quote unrealistically low prices over the phone or on their web site and then turn up and dramatically alter their quote.

 

Our advice is to use a local company who have been around before the switchover and intend to still be around long after the switchover and who therefore have an interest in building a long lasting relationship with customers rather than making quick money and then disappearing!

Since work was carried out on the Oxford transmitter in preparation for the switchover later this year our installers have noticed that the ITV multiplex has been slightly weaker than it was before the works. We evaluated many aerial distribution systems last year and advised clients that their systems did NOT need upgrading for digital. Some of those systems are now struggling with regards to ITV/Channel 4 etc. These clients now face the dilemma as to whether to have upgrades carried out or simply live with imperfect reception until September. After September this problem should go away when all signal levels are increased.

The final digital switchover date has now been delayed for the Oxford Transmitter.The date has now been given as September 2011. At this date there will be no more analogue broadcasts. If any of your TVs still only work with analogue 1,2,3,4 & 5 you will need to add a freeview box before this date or you will lose all your pictures.