Articles in Issue 279 of ComputerActive magazine refer to the following points:
1. Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat MP, has called for more openness about the costs of the digital switchover. Rural areas relying on relay transmitters will receive less than half the available digital Freeview channels under current proposals. Michael has said this is unacceptable.
As some residents of north Wimborne receive their television signals from the Winterborne Stickland relay transmitter, this situation applies to them. The main obstacle to these relay transmitters being equipped to broadcast the full Freeview package is cost. It is better to raise objections now than later - your local MP would be a good starting point. However, the missing channels will be the minor ones.
The main tv stations expected to be transmitted from Winterborne Stickland are:
BBC-1 South, BBC-2 England, BBC-3, BBC-4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, Ch4 HD, ITV HD, BBC HD, ITV-1 Meridian, Channel 4, Five, ITV-2, ITV-3, More 4, E4. In addition there will be some radio stations plus some interactive (red button) tv transmissions. By comparing the above list with stations identified in any listings magazine you will be able to work out what will be missing. There was an earlier post on this site about this transmitter (Sunday 13 July, 2008).
2. Concern has been expressed by Trading Standards about unscrupulous companies and tradespeople duping consumers into believing they need a new aerial to receive Freeview digital tv transmissions.
It is doorstep scams which have caused that article to appear. On no account should anyone take any notice of a cold caller offering to erect a digital-ready tv aerial: there is no such thing. If you cannot receive Freeview now, don't be tempted to try a very expensive aerial installation because the Freeview transmissions will increase in power tenfold after the 2012 switchover. Your current aerial may then suffice. If, at that time, it doesn't, then you may need to call in the professionals. Wait and see is the advice. But see item 1 if you live in North Wimborne and have an aerial with vertical elements pointing towards Blandford.
If in doubt about any aspect of the digital switchover, send an e-mail to our Wimborne U3A address as shown on our website and in "Contact and Posting" in the sidebar on the right. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Navigating This Site
If you've just found this site after reading the latest Wimborne U3A Newsletter, welcome. As this is a blogsite, the latest entry is the first in the list. To read this site from the beginning, therefore, you should scroll to the bottom of this column and read "backwards" until you return to the top. All entries in a blogsite are called "posts". There is also a sidebar on the right which contains reference material which always remains in the same position.
Once there are more than seven posts, a further page will become set up and a link to earlier pages will appear at the bottom of this column.The switch to digital television is the largest development in the world of tv since the advent of colour. In fact, it is a lot more complicated for the user than may be initially apparent. Digital television has allowed the development of widescreens and high definition, accompanied by many more features which the user can adjust than ever before. This site and the accompanying course are designed to dispel the mystique and empower the viewer with the knowledge to enable a full enjoyment of digital television.
If you have not yet joined the ranks of those who have already ventured into this digital tv world, a special one-off session is available each term to provide an introduction to the topic.
On this blogsite you will be able to find the latest information about the analogue switch-off and changes to the digital services. Please use the "Comments" facility to add your own thoughts, observations, questions, answers etc. The latest information about any of the topics for which there is currently an item will appear as a Comment. It is advisable, therefore, to check regularly to see if any new Comments have been posted.
Once there are more than seven posts, a further page will become set up and a link to earlier pages will appear at the bottom of this column.The switch to digital television is the largest development in the world of tv since the advent of colour. In fact, it is a lot more complicated for the user than may be initially apparent. Digital television has allowed the development of widescreens and high definition, accompanied by many more features which the user can adjust than ever before. This site and the accompanying course are designed to dispel the mystique and empower the viewer with the knowledge to enable a full enjoyment of digital television.
If you have not yet joined the ranks of those who have already ventured into this digital tv world, a special one-off session is available each term to provide an introduction to the topic.
On this blogsite you will be able to find the latest information about the analogue switch-off and changes to the digital services. Please use the "Comments" facility to add your own thoughts, observations, questions, answers etc. The latest information about any of the topics for which there is currently an item will appear as a Comment. It is advisable, therefore, to check regularly to see if any new Comments have been posted.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Winterborne Stickland Relay Transmitter
Many people in the Wimborne area who live in the shadow of Colehill cannot receive television signals from the main transmitter at Rowridge, on the Isle of Wight. Instead, they receive transmissions from a relay transmitter at Winterborne Stickland. Currently, no relay transmitters transmit Freeview digital signals.
After the analogue switch-off that will change. However, not all Freeview stations will be available. Certainly the main BBC, ITV, C4 and Five stations will be provided but not some of the "minor" commercial stations.
Additional Information posted 20 August, 2008.
Ofcom plans to put only half of the Freeview service on your transmitter. Almost all transmitters will only get public service BBC, ITV, C4 and Five programs.
So, there will be no Sky News, Sky Sports News, Sky Three, UKTV History, Dave. There won't be the music channels 4Music (was The Hits) or TMF. No Virgin 1, Film4, Fiver, Five US or ITV2+1 or E4+1.
This information has been available since January 2006.
I hope to be able to update this site with more information about this in the future.
After the analogue switch-off that will change. However, not all Freeview stations will be available. Certainly the main BBC, ITV, C4 and Five stations will be provided but not some of the "minor" commercial stations.
Additional Information posted 20 August, 2008.
Ofcom plans to put only half of the Freeview service on your transmitter. Almost all transmitters will only get public service BBC, ITV, C4 and Five programs.
So, there will be no Sky News, Sky Sports News, Sky Three, UKTV History, Dave. There won't be the music channels 4Music (was The Hits) or TMF. No Virgin 1, Film4, Fiver, Five US or ITV2+1 or E4+1.
This information has been available since January 2006.
I hope to be able to update this site with more information about this in the future.
Friday, 11 July 2008
Set Top Box Warning
It appears that some Freeview Set Top Boxes (STBs) were made with insufficient memory. As a result they have stopped working after a recent Freeview transmitter upgrade which is gradually being applied to all transmitters (though not Rowridge yet). For the full story on this visit:
http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/freeviewlandfill.html
Here is a report on the problem as it is affecting Scotland.
Daily Record Report
Exclusive: Thousands of Scots face TV blackout after Freeview signal change
Jul 5 2008 By Chris Musson
THOUSANDS of Scots telly viewers have had their programmes blacked out without warning. Bosses at Freeview decided to bring in a new transmitter signal which doesn't work on several types of set-top boxes. But many Scots didn't have a clue about the change - until their screens went blank.
It's believed that around 16,000 Scots who get their telly through Freeview are now saddled with useless boxes. One of them, Campbell Bosanquet, 61, of Aberdeen, said: "I was flicking through the channels when my box just stopped working. I find it absolutely incredible that they can just change the signal without announcing it."
Freeview admitted that at least four types of box - the Daewoo DS608P, the Labgear DTT100, the Triax DVB 2000T and the Portland DP100 - can't receive the new transmitter signal. Two types of combined Freeview boxes and VCRs, the Daewoo SV900 and Bush IDVCR01, are also affected. And engineers say the change could affect some TVs which have Freeview built in.
Millions of viewers signed up for Freeview on the promise that they would be guaranteed TV for life. But because of the transmitter change, an estimated 200,000 people across the UK will have to shell out for new set-top boxes. And an insider at one leading box maker admitted that some of the useless old boxes could still be sitting on shop shelves. The source said: "Whole batches of obsolete boxes might have been bought from manufacturers years ago and there's no way of telling if they will keep popping up."
Digital TV expert Pete Carlson, of consumer website Radio and Telly, slammed Freeview for their handling of the change. He said: "It's been hard enough getting people to switch over to digital TV. Now people are being asked to bin equipment that's only a couple of years old. Viewers have a right to be both angry and confused. How were they meant to know? It's possible to flash a message up on screen to warn viewers about changes. You have to wonder why this wasn't done."
Freeview said they changed the transmitter signal to allow them to carry more channels and interactive features. They believe that only one per cent of set-top boxes have been blacked out by the move. The new signal is being introduced in stages across the UK. Scotland was switched over on Tuesday. A Freeview spokeswoman said: "It has been necessary to carry out some network enhancements. Unfortunately, as a result, some older boxes will stop working."
A spokeswoman for broadcasting regulator Ofcom said: "We are aware that some viewers are experiencing less than a reliable service and are monitoring the situation."
The obsolete boxes that Freeview said they know of are the:
Daewoo DS608P
Labgear DTT100
Triax DVB 2000T
Portland DP100
This is one example of how the cheapest item may not turn out to be so in the long run!
Colin
http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/freeviewlandfill.html
Here is a report on the problem as it is affecting Scotland.
Daily Record Report
Exclusive: Thousands of Scots face TV blackout after Freeview signal change
Jul 5 2008 By Chris Musson
THOUSANDS of Scots telly viewers have had their programmes blacked out without warning. Bosses at Freeview decided to bring in a new transmitter signal which doesn't work on several types of set-top boxes. But many Scots didn't have a clue about the change - until their screens went blank.
It's believed that around 16,000 Scots who get their telly through Freeview are now saddled with useless boxes. One of them, Campbell Bosanquet, 61, of Aberdeen, said: "I was flicking through the channels when my box just stopped working. I find it absolutely incredible that they can just change the signal without announcing it."
Freeview admitted that at least four types of box - the Daewoo DS608P, the Labgear DTT100, the Triax DVB 2000T and the Portland DP100 - can't receive the new transmitter signal. Two types of combined Freeview boxes and VCRs, the Daewoo SV900 and Bush IDVCR01, are also affected. And engineers say the change could affect some TVs which have Freeview built in.
Millions of viewers signed up for Freeview on the promise that they would be guaranteed TV for life. But because of the transmitter change, an estimated 200,000 people across the UK will have to shell out for new set-top boxes. And an insider at one leading box maker admitted that some of the useless old boxes could still be sitting on shop shelves. The source said: "Whole batches of obsolete boxes might have been bought from manufacturers years ago and there's no way of telling if they will keep popping up."
Digital TV expert Pete Carlson, of consumer website Radio and Telly, slammed Freeview for their handling of the change. He said: "It's been hard enough getting people to switch over to digital TV. Now people are being asked to bin equipment that's only a couple of years old. Viewers have a right to be both angry and confused. How were they meant to know? It's possible to flash a message up on screen to warn viewers about changes. You have to wonder why this wasn't done."
Freeview said they changed the transmitter signal to allow them to carry more channels and interactive features. They believe that only one per cent of set-top boxes have been blacked out by the move. The new signal is being introduced in stages across the UK. Scotland was switched over on Tuesday. A Freeview spokeswoman said: "It has been necessary to carry out some network enhancements. Unfortunately, as a result, some older boxes will stop working."
A spokeswoman for broadcasting regulator Ofcom said: "We are aware that some viewers are experiencing less than a reliable service and are monitoring the situation."
The obsolete boxes that Freeview said they know of are the:
Daewoo DS608P
Labgear DTT100
Triax DVB 2000T
Portland DP100
This is one example of how the cheapest item may not turn out to be so in the long run!
Colin
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Buying a Set Top Box - A Few Tips
When purchasing an STB (Set Top Box), there are a few aspects which it's advisable to be aware of so a suitable choice from the many available can be made. I'm referring to a box which is just a digital tuner, not one which has a hard-drive built-in. Those are called Personal Video Recorders (PVR).
The first thing to decide is what you want the box for. Now don't be silly, of course I want it to receive digital tv! Yes, but do you also want to record from it onto your VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), which is most likely to be a VHS machine, though you may have a museum piece in the form of a Betamax recorder? It doesn't matter which, the same things apply.
If you don't want to record from it, it doesn't really matter which box you go for. If, at present, you're in a poor reception area (analogue picture a little snowy?), you may not be able to receive Freeview. Ask your neighbours - do any of them have Freeview and what's reception like? If none have Freeview it could be you'll not be able to receive it until after March 2012. In which case, if you want digital tv you'll need to investigate Freesat (not too expensive but more expensive than Freeview) or Sky (more expensive than Freesat and do read all the small print and investigate very closely all the deals).
If some neighbours do have Freeview but reception is variable, you'll need an STB with a very sensitive tuner. That is what you should ask for in the shop. It's going to be a more expensive STB because of that.
If you want to record onto a VCR from your STB then you need to seek one with the following characteristics:
1. It should have two Scart sockets on the back. You can get away with one but you'll not be able to watch any digital channel from it while the VCR is recording (even when recording from its own internal, analogue tuner). With two Scart sockets you can do that.
2. It must have an internal timer by which you can set a switch-on time, a channel, and a switch-off time. Such boxes normally have an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). This provides you with a programme plan for the next seven days. It's in the form of a time grid showing the programmes on every channel. To select a programme for your VCR to record, you simply navigate with the buttons on the box's remote controller to the required programme and press the "Enter" button on the remote. Don't forget you also have to do the same on the VCR but select, as the programme, the Scart socket on the VCR to which the STB is connected.
3. The EPG is a variable feast. Sometimes it's full up with all the programmes, sometimes it's got a lot of blank spaces instead of programmes. There should, therefore, also be a manual timer in the box so you can set times by hand as on the VCR. There's no Programme Delivery Control (PDC) on digital tv. Even with an EPG, you'll need to "pad out" the times (I add 5 minutes to the end time and bring the start time forward by 5 minutes) as no tv company keeps to the correct scheduled times any more. If sport overruns, there's no hope as there's no automatic adjustment. That would require the co-operation of the tv companies and the EPG producer and each manufacturer of STBs etc. Don't hold your breath!
4. STBs without an EPG have what is called a "Now and Next" guide instead. Pretty useless!
5. Now this next point could prove troublesome. When you switch an STB off via the remote, it goes into standby. To use an STB with a VCR, it should come out of standby at each timed setting, select the pre-chosen channel, remain on that channel for the duration set and then switch off, returning to stand-by. Not all STBs do this. Some will not switch on from standby at the timed settings. They have to be fully on first. Then, when the set time is reached they just change channels if necessary, with an on-screen warning display that the channel change is about to occur.
Now you can work like this, if you leave your STB fully on all the time. It's up to you, of course. The very cheapest STBs are likely to be the ones lacking in this area. It's something I'd advise asking about in the shop. Be prepared for difficulty in obtaining a definitive answer. If the answer states that it will switch on from standby at set times, obtain an agreement in writing that the box can be returned if that proves not to be true. The safest way is to ask for a demonstration of its capabilities in that regard, but be prepared for being told that's not possible. It has always been a feature of selling STBs that returns because of no reception are not allowed. Caveat emptor!
I hope this little diatribe will be helpful. Please ask any follow-up questions by clicking on the word "Comments" below.
Colin
The first thing to decide is what you want the box for. Now don't be silly, of course I want it to receive digital tv! Yes, but do you also want to record from it onto your VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), which is most likely to be a VHS machine, though you may have a museum piece in the form of a Betamax recorder? It doesn't matter which, the same things apply.
If you don't want to record from it, it doesn't really matter which box you go for. If, at present, you're in a poor reception area (analogue picture a little snowy?), you may not be able to receive Freeview. Ask your neighbours - do any of them have Freeview and what's reception like? If none have Freeview it could be you'll not be able to receive it until after March 2012. In which case, if you want digital tv you'll need to investigate Freesat (not too expensive but more expensive than Freeview) or Sky (more expensive than Freesat and do read all the small print and investigate very closely all the deals).
If some neighbours do have Freeview but reception is variable, you'll need an STB with a very sensitive tuner. That is what you should ask for in the shop. It's going to be a more expensive STB because of that.
If you want to record onto a VCR from your STB then you need to seek one with the following characteristics:
1. It should have two Scart sockets on the back. You can get away with one but you'll not be able to watch any digital channel from it while the VCR is recording (even when recording from its own internal, analogue tuner). With two Scart sockets you can do that.
2. It must have an internal timer by which you can set a switch-on time, a channel, and a switch-off time. Such boxes normally have an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). This provides you with a programme plan for the next seven days. It's in the form of a time grid showing the programmes on every channel. To select a programme for your VCR to record, you simply navigate with the buttons on the box's remote controller to the required programme and press the "Enter" button on the remote. Don't forget you also have to do the same on the VCR but select, as the programme, the Scart socket on the VCR to which the STB is connected.
3. The EPG is a variable feast. Sometimes it's full up with all the programmes, sometimes it's got a lot of blank spaces instead of programmes. There should, therefore, also be a manual timer in the box so you can set times by hand as on the VCR. There's no Programme Delivery Control (PDC) on digital tv. Even with an EPG, you'll need to "pad out" the times (I add 5 minutes to the end time and bring the start time forward by 5 minutes) as no tv company keeps to the correct scheduled times any more. If sport overruns, there's no hope as there's no automatic adjustment. That would require the co-operation of the tv companies and the EPG producer and each manufacturer of STBs etc. Don't hold your breath!
4. STBs without an EPG have what is called a "Now and Next" guide instead. Pretty useless!
5. Now this next point could prove troublesome. When you switch an STB off via the remote, it goes into standby. To use an STB with a VCR, it should come out of standby at each timed setting, select the pre-chosen channel, remain on that channel for the duration set and then switch off, returning to stand-by. Not all STBs do this. Some will not switch on from standby at the timed settings. They have to be fully on first. Then, when the set time is reached they just change channels if necessary, with an on-screen warning display that the channel change is about to occur.
Now you can work like this, if you leave your STB fully on all the time. It's up to you, of course. The very cheapest STBs are likely to be the ones lacking in this area. It's something I'd advise asking about in the shop. Be prepared for difficulty in obtaining a definitive answer. If the answer states that it will switch on from standby at set times, obtain an agreement in writing that the box can be returned if that proves not to be true. The safest way is to ask for a demonstration of its capabilities in that regard, but be prepared for being told that's not possible. It has always been a feature of selling STBs that returns because of no reception are not allowed. Caveat emptor!
I hope this little diatribe will be helpful. Please ask any follow-up questions by clicking on the word "Comments" below.
Colin
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Introduction
Hallo and welcome to this blogsite for the new Wimborne U3A Activity to help with the switchover to digital television, scheduled for our area in March, 2012. That may seem a long time away but many people already have digital television equipment and that number will have to increase as the next four years pass. After March, 2012, the current analogue television transmissions will cease. It will then be possible to watch only digital television.
This U3A Activity will consist of just three sessions of two hours each (with a tea/coffee break, of course!). You will find out all you need to know about digital television and, after the experience, be in total control of whatever equipment you now have or will have. To obtain maximum benefit from this Activity it is advisable to possess already at least one piece of digital television receiving equipment. If you've not yet taken the plunge, this website, set up specially for this Activity, will contain articles giving advice on choosing digital television receiving equipment, though there will be no specific product recommendations.
What will happen in each session?
Each of the three sessions will occur four weeks apart, on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm. There will be repeats of these three sessions each Autumn and Spring Term up to 2012 (and beyond if there is demand!). You can therefore decide which term in which year will best suit you if you wish to participate. The group size will be limited to six, so over the next four years forty eight Wimborne U3A members could avail themselves. If demand should be greater than this, additional times can be made available.
This Activity will be tailored to you personally, enabling you to understand your own equipment as well as the many ways in which digital television is different from analogue television. You will receive advice on how to deal with the equipment when it fails in some way, as it will! Most failures can be corrected by the owner; it's easy when you know how! Major problems will still require professional services but minor ones will not.
This site will have articles covering general points about the switchover to digital television in the future, especially as more information becomes available about the event. One of the first of these will deal with points to watch out for when purchasing a Freeview or Freesat set-top box (STB).
This site is open for all members of Wimborne U3A to view. If you have any questions, please use the e-mail contact facility stated in the sidebar under "Contact and Posting": such e-mailing is available to all Wimborne U3A members.
Colin
This U3A Activity will consist of just three sessions of two hours each (with a tea/coffee break, of course!). You will find out all you need to know about digital television and, after the experience, be in total control of whatever equipment you now have or will have. To obtain maximum benefit from this Activity it is advisable to possess already at least one piece of digital television receiving equipment. If you've not yet taken the plunge, this website, set up specially for this Activity, will contain articles giving advice on choosing digital television receiving equipment, though there will be no specific product recommendations.
What will happen in each session?
Each of the three sessions will occur four weeks apart, on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm. There will be repeats of these three sessions each Autumn and Spring Term up to 2012 (and beyond if there is demand!). You can therefore decide which term in which year will best suit you if you wish to participate. The group size will be limited to six, so over the next four years forty eight Wimborne U3A members could avail themselves. If demand should be greater than this, additional times can be made available.
This Activity will be tailored to you personally, enabling you to understand your own equipment as well as the many ways in which digital television is different from analogue television. You will receive advice on how to deal with the equipment when it fails in some way, as it will! Most failures can be corrected by the owner; it's easy when you know how! Major problems will still require professional services but minor ones will not.
This site will have articles covering general points about the switchover to digital television in the future, especially as more information becomes available about the event. One of the first of these will deal with points to watch out for when purchasing a Freeview or Freesat set-top box (STB).
This site is open for all members of Wimborne U3A to view. If you have any questions, please use the e-mail contact facility stated in the sidebar under "Contact and Posting": such e-mailing is available to all Wimborne U3A members.
Colin
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