Switchover starts in West Sussex
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV This week sees the first stage of the digital television switchover for 99,400 homes in West Sussex.
From 6am Wednesday 29th February 2012, you must perform a "first time installation" retune (sometimes "Factory Reset" or "Shipping Condition") on your Freeview box or television set if you use the Midhurst full service Freeview transmitter.
This is because the old low power "multiplex 1" BBC service (on C56) will be replaced by the high power BBCA multiplex on the old analogue BBC TWO frequency, C55.
On Wednesday 29th February 2012 if you use the Haslemere (6am) or Steyning (6am) relay transmitters you will be able to receive the BBC Freeview services (with the exception of HD) for the first time, and you will no longer be able to view BBC TWO on analogue.
You MAY find that old equipment will no longer work - see TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode
Another common problem at switchover is the increase in signal from 2kW to 20kW will overload amplifiers and over-the-top aerial installations. If this is the case you will have to remove the booster or amplifier from the system, or perhaps fit an attenuator if you have no amplification. - see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you.
On Wednesday 14th March 2012 will see the second stage of switchover, which provides the final Freeview configuration, including Freeview HD for all transmitters in this region.
On this date, you will need, once again, to do a "first time installation" as indicated above.
If you are over 75, you should already have been supplied new equipment by the Switchover Help Scheme.
9:56 AM
I live just outside Midhurst and have retune dates for Feb 29 and March 14. However i lost signal on March 7 and had to retune. All now seems well but I was asked on retune to enter the area as either 'South' or 'South East'. Currently the TV is set for 'South' - does this make a difference and is it the reason for my March 7 retube?
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John Connor: Some receivers give this choice which is a choice of "Network". This is basically asking you which transmitter you want in cases where more than one has been picked up. So leave it on "South".
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1:30 AM
Lancing
Many thanks for your help. I find that I can receive ITV where BBC 2 used to be as you suggested. I realize this is only until March 21st of course!
Yours Janet Ferris
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Janet's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:54 PM
l have just retuned my TV, and l have lost lTV3 plus most of channels are all over the place, will they come back?.
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9:04 PM
Lytham St. Annes
T.Porter.Yes,if you reset your appliance and auto scan with aerial unplugged you will lose all your channels temporarily.
But wait,once you perform the above sentence plug aerial back in then manual scan instead,it should work.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage