No:18264984
C1635
Authorised Installer
Gilzean Electronics Television Engineer,
Aerial & Satellite Specialist
Repairs to most makes of LCD TV, Professional Installation & Repair
of all types of Aerial and Satellite Systems, Based in Cambridge UK.
Telephone Hotline 01223 861334 - Mobile 07917 456355.
The digital switchover “its not all over yet”
If you thought that the last few days were the end of the digital switch over you are wrong. There are more re-tunes to come later in the year the first on the 30th of July, followed by another on the 14th of September and a third on the 23rd of November. This is necessary to ensure that the whole region goes digital.
Freeview HD
If you own a larger type well branded LCD television which has been bought in the last six months check to see if it has DVBT2 as a specification. If so you can now view Freesat HD (high Definition by tuning to Ch 50, 51,52, 53, if you are viewing on the Sandy Heath Transmitter.
Aerial installation
I am often asked the question”Do I need a new aerial for digital television”? If your aerial installation is over 10 years old then yes is the probable answer. This is because the Cambridge area uses the Sandy Heath transmitter which operates at the low frequency end of the UHF band. Most aerials fitted around that time were what is known as grouped which means that they are designed to operate at just one part of the UHF band. In order to receive digital signal correctly it is preferable to use a wide-band aerial which tunes to a much wider part of the spectrum. Although the digital signal is robust the criteria for aerial equipment is tighter than analogue and in most cases the cable or down lead will also require replacement to ensure that the best signal is available. It also makes your system future proof. Quality equipment is essential and the standard of cable is very important along with all connectors. Most intermittant faults are caused by bad connectors and poor cable. My advice is only use a CAI member or a Registered digital installer, or preferably a person who is both. We are qualified and security checked and carry ID cards.
Professional advice
As with most trades and professions there are always people who are willing to make a quick buck from other’s, and the aerial trade is no stranger to this. There are at the moment several people setting up in business just to make a killing at the time of the DSO. Some of these people are ruthless cowboys with virtually no knowledge of the trade who will rip off any vulnerable person. My advise is only used a reputable business which employs qualified staff and has the experience necessary to do the job. A cheap job may suit your pocket but may not suit your requirements. Most bad aerial installations will fail within a couple of years. “See our warranty”.
Re-tuning of equipment
If you are worried about re-tuning your equipment at the time of the switch over I suggest you contact a local television engineer and book a visit or visit’s in advance. Aerial installers may be able to re-tune your equipment but a television engineer is a better option as often we know the little quirks that can cause problems. I will be offering a service locally to all of my customers but you will need to book in advance to ensure that I am available on the day. We will post a booking form on the web site around February 2011 to ensure that anyone interested is catered for. Please note: We will not be providing any help under the over 75’s BBC help scheme. If you have chosen to use the scheme then you will need to contact the official help line . If you require our service then a call charge will apply. Gilzean Electronics will be supplying a re-tune service locally to any interested person at a preferential price if booked in advance.
Ivan R Gilzean
Registered digital Installer, a member of the Confederation of Aerial Industries Plus Engineer No C1635
City & Guilds Qualified and practicing television engineer ERM.