The Wrekin overnight 18th-20th January tests will affect Sutton Coldfield
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV An essential part of the tests on the new aerials at The Wrekin transmitter - so they will function correctly on switchover day, 20th April 2011 - full power overnight testing is done.
During the test, all the existing Freeview services will remain on air.
However, the analogue services will be switched off as follows:
Tuesday 18th January: BBC ONE, BBC TWO from 0020 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Wednesday 19th January: BBC ONE from 0110, BBC TWO from 0010 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Thursday 20th January: BBC ONE from 0150, BBC TWO from 0010 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Because the commercial multiplexes will use C41, C44 and C47 at The Wrekin after switchover (and hence, during these tests) this will clash with Freeview multiplexes 1, 2 and A on the Sutton Coldfield transmitter.
This means that many Sutton Coldfield Freeview users will not have usable service overnight during the testing period.
6:43 PM
Briantist,thank you for this information.It will be interesting to measure signal levels,as long as i can stay up long enough,on Tuesday night.
| link to this comment |
9:16 PM
These frequency changes and transitional periods at switchover seem to be fluid,and i must apologise to Sam who has the correct information.According to the ofcom website,SDN transitional or parking channels are now 49 and 31,not 39 that was originally identified.
| link to this comment |
12:48 AM
aerialman - This has again highlighted a major problem when the aerial installers are the last to be told what's happening. What do they expect installers to do swan around sites retuning and changing filters and then having to explain this to their technology shy customers.
| link to this comment |
11:32 AM
Wigan
I am 58 miles from the wrekin so i will compare the signal levels of the test and the existing muxes and post it on my youtube channel.
I suppose sutton coldfield will do the same at some point.
| link to this comment |
andy's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
andy: You won't be able to do that, the test transmission multiplexes won't contain any services.
| link to this comment |
8:37 PM
Wigan
Yes i agree but i should be able to see the signal as some boxes allow you to see the signal without tuning.
I could be wrong though
Andy
| link to this comment |
andy's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
andy: The signal will be there, but there won't be any NIT information in the broadcasts as this would provide the wrong information to any set-top boxes that are one. And we don't want that...
| link to this comment |
12:48 AM
So it seems the tests don't last that long?
As my analogue channels are on, didn't check at 20 past midnight though.
What can such short testing achieve though?
| link to this comment |
12:50 AM
Oh, also, I don't entirely get why it states 20th April as switchover day?
| link to this comment |
1:06 AM
Wrexham
Although Channel 5 from The Wrekin is turned off, I am receiving quite a poor Channel 5 from a different transmitter. As Sutton Coldfield's analogue services are unaffected, I could be receiving Five from the Fenton relay of the SC transmitter. Am also receiving an even poorer BBC1 pic on BBC2's Channel 33. Can only guess and say it's the Lark Stoke relay of the SC transmitter.
| link to this comment |
Stuart's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage