Re: UK. ANCHOR HOUSING.Switch-over to DVB-T.

In message <13kads1hvmv7436@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, CWatters <colin.watters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes

"John" <ham.g0wll@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:kocYNhA1eIRHFwoW@xxxxxxxxxxxx
I live in a retirement home, owned by the charity Anchor, where we
cannot get DVB-T since as yet the local relay only broadcasts the
analogue programmes. This relay will be upgraded before the switch-over.
The official advice from Digital UK is that if we are getting a good
analogue signal (we are) then there should be no need to change our
equipment for the switch-over.

That's not allways true. It would depend on where you are, what
transmitter
covered your location and what type of aerial you have and possibly
other
factors specific to your installation such as obstructions between you
and
the transmitter.

Of course we will need to add a D/A
set-top box.
In spite of this and the fact that the Ceefax test (p284) displays a
perfect signal, we are being told that Anchor "are in the process of
changing TV reception equipment ...so that tenants will continue to
receive TV pictures via the new Digital TV broadcasts". They tell me
that this process is in the hands of a private contractor and will cost
each of us approximately £140(plus VAT)!
The local staff seem to be under the impression that DVB-T is a
completely new service and will replace FREEVIEW, so wonderful new
equipment (including cabling) is needed.

Normally the most you would need to do is to change the TV aerial for a wide
band version. In a very few cases where a wide band aerial isn't optimum I
guess it might be necessary to change the aerial twice. This is because on
some transmitters the frequencies used for digital at the moment are
temporary and they will change again once the analog signal is switched off.

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.
The local relay is less than 3km away and we all appear to get a good signal. My inquiries suggest that this relay will continue to use the same narrow band of signals so a new wideband aerial should not be needed.

I think I would ask for a technical explanation if you haven't already
done
so.

Yes. After making the appropriate noises I have been promised that a
rep. from the contractor will attend a meeting to be held shortly. Of course his company have a vested interest in the 'upgrading' so his explanation will be interesting to say the least!
I can assure you it will take some fast talking to part me from £140 of my pension. What annoys me is that we are repeatedly being told, "It will be spread over ten years so you won't even notice it." Nice one!
Has anyone had any similar experience of what appears to be another
example of "Rip-off Britain"?

Yes! Just try getting a water main diverted. The water co is the only
company allowed to do the work and they won't do it on a fixed price basis.
They estimated £4700 and billed me £8000+ despite the job being
straightforward on a green field site. The bill was headed "adhoc billing"
and the breakdown I requested included £2000 "Administration charges". The
actual work should have taken a few days at most (that's how long they were
actually working on site) but start to finish took 4 months!

Well of course your pipes and our new cabling will be of the new
high_tech tittytanium variety perhaps?

--
John
.

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