Some Changeover Concerns

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.