45% of Manchester aerial installers a 'rip-off'
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV The Manchester Evening News reports that almost half of all the aerial installers they contacted erroneously (and profitably) mislead their potential customers, charging them up to 100 for an aerial they do not need.
The Winter Hill transmitter which covers the Manchester area has required the use of a 'group C/D' aerial since the introduction of 625-line colour television in the 1960s. When terrestrial digital television (aka Freeview) was introduced in November 1988 these new signals were in the range used by a C/D aerial.
And when the transmitter has the analogue services removed and replaced with high-power digital signals in November 2009, these will also be in the range for a C/D aerial.
Despite this, one installer told the MEN "You will definitely need a new aerial after the switchover - everybody will. You might be able to pick up bits of channels with your existing aerial and set top box but you won't be able to watch most of them" and another You're going to need a digital aerial".
But eleven of the twenty contacted gave the correct advice, echoed by Digital UK, "In most cases, if your current aerial is in good condition, you should be able to receive the digital transmissions."
And Tim Jenks, chief executive of the Confederation of Aerial Industries, the recognised body for the aerial and satellite industry, agreed that householders should not be hoodwinked into splashing out for a new aerial.
He said: "There are definitely profiteers out there" he said. "It's simple - get a Freeview box and plug it in. If it doesn't work you have a problem with your aerial. Anyone who says you would need a new one if your set-top box is working is being ridiculous."
I can understand why people are easily misled because there does not seem to have been much information handed out on the switchover. But I can definitely, definitely say that most people served by Winter Hill will not need a new aerial.
See also: What price for an aerial installation?
Aerials Manchester is here to also help anyone with any digital problems, visit Aerials Manchester,Aerial Services Manchester,Aerial Installations Manchester,TV Aerials Manchester,Digital Switch Over Manchester,Manchester TV Engineer,Digital Aerials Manchester,Satellite Services Manchester, Sophies Aerials Manchester
| link to this comment |
7:46 PM
When it comes to Aerial or Sky/Satellite TV services, its best to use qualified engineers, either cai or rdi approved.
| link to this comment |
7:48 PM
Julian Voigt Aerial & Satellite are Rdi Approved engineers
| link to this comment |
I can understand why people get so suspicious over the phone when asking about aerial quotes. I give a basic answer which is repair is usually around 80 and replacement is 140 inc cable. It gives them an idea of cost and also lets me know I'm not going to be on a fools errand. TV Aerials Manchester | Aerial Fitters | Services & Repairs |
| link to this comment |
10:38 PM
Jules:
There is no such thing as a 'digital' aerial. All UHF Band 4 or 5 transmissions traditionally used for television transmission need some form or aerial, either a yagi or a modified yagi or a log-periodic type, aimed at the transmission source. The encoding of the RF signals makes absolutely no difference to how the aerial responds to the received signals so they will all work equally well with digital and analogue encoded signals irrespective of any label on the aerial. I have been on the TV industry for 50 years before retiring, working in the manufacturing and service sides. I also hold an MSc in Electronics which includes research into signal reception problems.
Aerials labelled as being 'digital' tend to be charged at a higher price merely because of the word 'digital' in the name but they are a waste of money.
If you try a test using a 'digital' aerial and a standard 'analogue' aerial of the same pattern and number of elements you will find the signal received is the same on both!
| link to this comment |
5:25 PM
mcflyni: The article you are commenting on is from 2007 and unfortunately the owner of this website hasn't been able to keep up with all of the many frequency changes that have happened as part of the 700MHz clearance over the last few years. To get the most up to date information use the detailed coverage checker on the corporate section of Freeview's website (see link below).
Detailed transmitter information for industry professionals | Freeview
| link to this comment |