The Digital UK campaign started today.  The full page advert on page 10 of today's Times and elsewhere, gives the phone number 0845 650 5050 to call for informatiuon about digital switch over.

No point in the advert doesit mention the cost of the call.  The ASA recently recommended that such calls should display a cost.

When I called it to see what it actually did, I was horrified to discover that it says right at the beginning of teh call "This call is being charged at Local Rate whether you are calling from a landline or a mobile.  Please contact your service provider for more information".

I have contacted Digital UK, (the name SwitchCo is using for the consumer).  I got a contact number from the DCMS).  I pointed out to them that the information on their phone line was factually inaccurate, and I have reported it to the ASA.  Ofcom cannot assist as it is an advertising matter so I am told.

I was told by a representative of SwichCo that they used guidance about call charges from the IPA (Institute of Practitioners and Advertisers), and also told me that the CCA (Contact Centre Association) said something different, and agreed that there was a difference of opinion between the different bodies as to how calls are charged, but opted for the IPA's guidance.

I have also asked for a geographic number for the helpline, and the  lady has promised to get back to me when they have investigated.

I appreciate there may not be a number if it is entirely a computerised info line, but if there is one, it would be very useful.  As it was their first day of the campaign, I apologised as it had only become aparent to me the inacccuracy once I had called the number.  I also pointed out that the most vunerable would get free help and this line is not free, even if they thought it was if their local and national calls are free.  So I am awaiting a response.

I would be interested if anyone has anything to say on this.  Not a good start is it? :(

~ Thread title amended by Dave

Did you quote to SwitchCo the website links to ASA/CAP, OfCOM's & the Governments Central Office of Information guidelines on 084x/087x numbers?

I have just emailed the IPA (Institute of Practitioners and Advertisers) and CCA (Contact Centre Association) and advised them the truth about 084x/087x and included links to ASA/CAP, OfCOM and COI websites for further clarification.

I couldn't find any contact us information for www.switchco.co.uk but if you happen to have an email address for them then you could email them the relevant links for them to clarify this matter.

Below is a draft email you could use to send to switchco and includes relevant information for clarification on the cost of 0845 numbers.  This is just draft so obviously feel free to amend it as necessary.

Quote:

To whomever it concerns, I have noticed you use a 0845 number for contacting yourselves and I would like to point out that according to ASA/CAP (Advertising Standards Authority), OfCOM and the Governments Central Office of Information guidelines calls to 0845 are no longer 'local rate' and calls to 087x are no longer 'national rate' and can no longer be described as this.  You are also no longer allowed to remain silent on the call cost (ie not display the cost of the call). Since over a year ago, BT removed the difference between local rate calls and national rate calls and they now cost the same.  For example, calling from London to Scotland costs the exact same amount as calling from London to Essex - and that is 3ppm but yet ringing a 0845/0870 can cost more. In fact BT charge nearly 4ppm for calls to an 0845 and nearly 8ppm for calls to an 0870 but yet other operators (Telewest/NTL, etc) actually charge more than BT and calls from payphones and mobile networks actually cost upto 40ppm to call these 084x/087x numbers. Also, as you may or may not be aware that not all operators outside the UK will allow connection to a UK NGN (non-geographical number) beginning with 084x/087x. Are you aware of the new revised edition of Governments' Central Office of Information guidelines and I quote the following paragraph from it:- "(2) 0845 in particular has been known as ‘local rate’ – however with increased competition in the marketplace and resultant changes in tariff structures, these rates will often be in excess of normal local rates that citizens might be charged on their package. 0845 (and 0844) costs through phone boxes and some mobile tariffs can also be expensive to the citizen and this should also be considered." For further information on the ASA’s decision that advertising your 0845 number as ‘local’ (0870 as 'national') rate or remaining silent on the call cost is now classed as misleading can be read here:- http://www.cap.org.uk/cap/advice_online/ad_alerts/Advertising+0845+and+087+numbers.htm and here:- http://www.asa.org.uk/cap/news_events/news/2005/hanging+on+the+telephone+on+and+on+and+on.htm Also, information on OfCOM’s guidelines (similar to that of the ASA) can be read here:- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/mofaq/telecoms/0870faq/#content Due to the problems dialling an 084x/087x and the excessive costs involved (especially from payphones and mobiles), I noticed that OfCOM have now changed their 'Contact Us' page that used to mention a 0845 but now states that for the majority of callers (over 95%) it is cheaper to call their geographical and not their 0845 number.  This can be viewed here (you need to scroll down a bit):- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/contact/ Yours sincerely

Then depending on who I send the email to I go and on a bit more.  For instance in this case you could say they are likely to get OAP's, etc who really can't afford to ring an 0845 due to its costs or may not even have outgoing calls on their line (to save costs) so they may use a mobile or payphone, etc and obviously this can cost upto 40ppm.

Basically making them fully aware of their decisions and possibly consequences to use an 084x/087x numbers.

Thanks for that.  I think a copy would not go amiss to Saga 106.6 FM also.  I did not realise that it was cheaper for 95% of the population, I thought it was 60%.  I must mention all-inclusive plans as well, as some companies don't charge for geographic numbers, and BT charges 5p/hour on one tarrriff.

I shall let you know how I get on.  Thanks for your help.  :)

The website, www.digitaluk.co.uk doesn't appear mention an address.

FAQs says:

Quote:

Who is behind Digital UK? Digital UK is operated by SwitchCo Ltd. SwitchCo Ltd was set up at the request of Government. It is jointly owned by the UK's public service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext), SDN and National Grid Wireless.

Even the media must contact them on an 0845 number, see here.

A whois of digitaluk.co.uk (a lookup of who's registered it) is the only way we might find out where they are:

Quote:

Registrant:         Switchco Limited     Registrant type:         UK Limited Company, (Company number: 5422613)     Registrant's address:         c/o DTI Bay 226         151 Buckingham Palace Road         London         SW1W 9SS         GB     Registrant's agent:         British Broadcasting Corporation [Tag = BBC]

The name servers are all bbc.co.uk ones, so maybe the BBC is hosting the site.

Found this page by searching using company name. Address is given as:

Digital UK (Digital UK Ltd)
Met Building
22 Percy Street
London
W1T 2BU

Another website that they operate is http://www.digitallogo.co.uk/
Also, a government one http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/

This .pdf press-pack (page 6) gives us more of an idea of who is involved in it all:-


Quote:

Digital UK is the independent, not-for-profit organisation set up by the broadcasters to lead the UK's switch to digital television. Digital UK is jointly owned and funded by the public service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext), and the transmission companies SDN and National Grid Wireless. The company launched in September 2005. Digital UK’s role is to co-ordinate the technical roll-out of digital terrestrial television (digital TV through an aerial) across the UK, region by region, to a timetable agreed by Government, and to communicate with the public about digital switchover. Digital UK is also working with digital platform operators, equipment manufacturers, installers, retailers, rental companies, charities and consumer groups to co-ordinate the technical roll-out of digital television across the UK and ensure understanding and support for the switchover programme. The Board: Barry Cox - Chairman Ford Ennals - Chief Executive Andy Townend - Operations Director Beth Thoren - Communications Director Alex Pumfrey - Strategy & Policy Director Along with: Mike Hughes Broadcaster Director, Digital UK Caroline Thomson Director of Strategy & Policy, BBC Tim Davie Director of Marketing, Communications & Audiences, BBC Christy Swords Director of Regulatory Affairs & Managing Director, ITV London, ITV David Scott consultant to Channel 4 Grant Murray Director of Finance, Five Arshad Rasul Director of Engineering & Technology, S4C Mike Stewart Managing Director, Teletext Steven Marshall Chief Executive, National Grid Wireless Simon Pitts, Managing Director, SDN Ltd Laurence Harrison Director of Consumer Electronics, Intellect UK Danny Churchill Technology Consultant, DSGI

According to the contact details of two DigitalUK staff, they have geographical numbers in the region of 020 7462 54xx.  In fact, it could be 020 7462 5xxx depending on how many staff are there.  Of course the call centre taking calls for DigitalUK enquiries may not be based at this location and could even be the infamous Capita that the BBC and some other government departments outsource their call centres to.

Hello there  

Does anybody know please of an alternative number for the Digital UK helpline?

Their nunber is listed as:    (08456) 50 50 50


Their website is: http//www.digitaluk.co.uk  
Back to top      

Does anyone have a free/normal phone number for the DigitalUK helpline which answers queries on switching to digital TV? The number they give in their TV ads and on their website is 08456 50 50 50. Anyone cracked this one?

Hi.  It would appear that the Digital UK Switchovewr Information Line is based in Glasgow.  The non geo is 0845 650 5050.  The One for the Disabled and over 75s is 0800 519 2021.

However, it would appear that no-one knows the 0141 number.  Can anyone help out?  Any idea which company runs the call centre?  Thaty might give a clue.

Thanks for your help.

jimbo2005 wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2007 at 7:31pm:

Hi.  It would appear that the Digital UK Switchovewr Information Line is based in Glasgow.

How do you know it is based in Glasgow?

bbb_uk wrote on Oct 21^st, 2006 at 3:24pm:

Of course the call centre taking calls for DigitalUK enquiries may not be based at this location and could even be the infamous Capita that the BBC and some other government departments outsource their call centres to.

If the information previously given about the call centre being in Glasgow is correct, then it is possible that it has in fact been outsourced to Capita. A Google of "capita+0141" reveals many offices and 0141 number for Capita.

The operator told me they were in Glasgow.

Along the lines of digital TV and Capita:

http://www.capita.co.uk/media/Pages/BBCappointsCapitaforWhitehavendigitalswitchoverscheme.aspx

Does it surprise you that Capita have an 0870 number for their press office... or the fact that they have won the contract to offer help line services for Digital UK...

Just come across this which may be relevant to finding where the Digital UK helpline is hosted:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7240945.stm

It seems that eaga only run the help scheme - http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/ - not the main switchover helpline.

Dave wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2007 at 8:53pm:

Along the lines of digital TV and Capita: http://www.capita.co.uk/media/Pages/BBCappointsCapitaforWhitehavendigitalswitchoverscheme.aspx

This story relates to a scheme for the Whitehaven area to assist elderly and disabled who may qualify and apparently uses a freephone number:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/faqs/help_scheme_faqs#a_id2349


Quote:

When will residents of the Copeland area be communicated with about the Help Scheme? Eligible individuals in the Copeland area have been sent a letter and an application form by the Help Scheme, and should fill in their form as soon as possible. If you need further information or help to fill in the form, please call the Digital Switchover Help Scheme Call Centre on freephone 0800 5 19 20 21, or visit the Digital Switchover Help Centre at 72 King Street, Whitehaven.

I just came across this entry on the Local Government Association website for Laura McAlpine, Digital UK's Public Affairs Executive at www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/2012534


Quote:

Digital UK Stand 33a Digital UK is the not-for-profit company responsible for leading the UK’s switch to digital television between 2008 and 2012. Our role is to communicate switchover to the public; manage the upgrade of the TV transmitter network; and encourage planning and good practice in both the public and private sectors. Laura Mc Alpine Digital UK, The Met Building, 22 Percy Street, London W1T 2BU [b]T: 020 7462 5438[/b] E: localgov@digitaluk.co.uk www.digitaluk.co.uk/localgov

She is also mentioned in their recent newsletter on their website at www.digitaluk.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/31019/Get_Set_Winter_09.pdf and 020 7462 5438 is being answered by her voicemail.  I tried a few of the neighbouring numbers and 00 ended number variants but couldn't immediately hit a switchboard or helpline call centre.  Perhaps someone with an Anytime Calls Plan might have more success during weekday working hours.  Or why not ask Laura herself if there is a geographic phone number for the www.tvretune.co.uk and other Digital UK helplines and/or what Digital UK is doing to introduce 03 phone numbers so as not to discriminate or put off the most financially disadvantaged UK citizens during the digital switchover process in line with the advice of Ofcom, COI and Sir David Varney. ;)

There is also currently a job advertised in London on their website for a Contact Centre Manager that is based in London that can be found at www.digitaluk.co.uk/about_digital_uk/jobs   This suggests the job description is "to manage Digital UK’s outsourced contact centre partner, ensuring that the contact centre offers the quality, information and level of support that viewers need during the switchover to digital TV, and managing the development of FAQs and other support materials" and there is no mention of it requiring frequent travel to Scotland.

So are you saying there is no 01 or 02 number for digital uk?

tommy24 wrote on Oct 13^th, 2009 at 7:56pm:

So are you saying there is no 01 or 02 number for digital uk?

See www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/global/contact_us.html

I would suggest the lack of an 0345 instead of an 0845 number on the www.digitaluk.co.uk website in contradiction of recommendations from Ofcom, the Central Office of Information (a government department) and the recommendations of Sir David Varney's report on transforming government services is a problem "with this website only" that you might well care to record with its webmaster as recommended via the email address shown below.

Of course if there was an official number for the mere plebeian public to call Digital UK on that did not start 0845 then this website would long have listed it. ;) ::)


Quote:

Contact Us Government Enquiries    For enquiries about why the Government wants to switch to digital television please contact:    * Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) public enquiries: 020 7211 6200      Open Monday to Friday : 10:00am to 12:00pm and 2:30pm to 4:30pm      Email: enquiries@culture.gov.uk    * Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) public enquiries: 020 7215 5000 Press Enquiries For press enquiries only contact:    * Digital UK Press Office:      Jon Steel on 020 7462 5428      Chris Cain on 020 7462 5442      (Enquiries on the process of switchover, consumer issues)    * DCMS Press Office:      Sandra McKay on 020 7211 6267      (Enquiries on digital switchover policy, the Digital Switchover programme, Help Scheme)    * BIS Press Office:      Aled Williams on 020 7215 5978 (Enquiries on Digital TV equipment, environmental issues around digital switchover) Webmaster For problems with this website only. For web queries: feedback@culture.gov.uk

Or if you don't get anywhere with any of the above mentioned people why not give Digital UK's Chief Executive, David Scott (see www.digitaluk.co.uk/about_digital_uk/management_team) a call on his direct landline number or his mobile or why not drop him an email or perhaps send him a text message on the mobile.  As he clearly doesn't expect his important Parliamentary business callers to have to use a covert premium rate non geographic phone number to get in touch with Digital UK I am sure it must be a complete oversight that Digital UK only still offers an 0845 number for the ordinary general public to get in touch with them. ;) ::)

It was certainly also very helpful of Mr Scott to be good enough to list all these details in a letter to Alistair Carmichael MP on 21st February 2008 and so helpfully and thoughtfully published on the parliament.uk website at http://www.parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2008/DEP2008-0614.pdf [smiley=beer.gif]

David Scott, CBE, Chief Executive of Digital UK
Direct Line  020 7462 5411
Mobile:- 07831 311074
Email:- david.scott@digitaluk.co.uk

I see that the direct mobile numbers of the National and Regional area Managers of Digital UK are also helpfully listed in their newsletter at www.digitaluk.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/31020/Get_Set_Spring_09.pdf so if anyone has free texts perhaps they might like to send them a message that way or alternatively an email should get to them using firstname.lastname@digitaluk.co.uk

I have looked & can't find anything on the database or website for Digital TV other than a number which apparently no longer works.  The number for which I need an alternative is 08456 505050; I have no address as this number is the ONLY contact detail given on their website & obviously I don't want to use it.  I would, actually, quite like an email address but there isn't one of those either!   If anyone has either a phone number or email, I would be very grateful.

NB For anyone who thinks TV switchover is simple, it's not!   Everyone we know who's already switched has had problems, I have a major complaint in at the moment on behalf of my father re their so-called help line & much younger members of the family who have already switched have had problems with lost channels etc which have only been recovered this week after switchover in April!!   According to the Digital TV website, Sandy Heath completed switchover on 13th April BUT (what no one knew) customers will have to do three further retunes (end of August, September & November) to retain TV signal.  As I say, no one tells you it'll take FIVE retunes!!!

Barbara wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2011 at 12:58pm:

I have looked & can't find anything on the database or website for Digital TV other than a number which apparently no longer works.

Perhaps you can list the numbers so as to allow me to remove them and thereby assisting others from wasting their time ringing them.



Barbara wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2011 at 12:58pm:

NB For anyone who thinks TV switchover is simple, it's not!   Everyone we know who's already switched has had problems, I have a major complaint in at the moment on behalf of my father re their so-called help line & much younger members of the family who have already switched have had problems with lost channels etc which have only been recovered this week after switchover in April!!   According to the Digital TV website, Sandy Heath completed switchover on 13th April BUT (what no one knew) customers will have to do three further retunes (end of August, September & November) to retain TV signal.  As I say, no one tells you it'll take FIVE retunes!!!

As with many things in life, there will always be issues.

In the case of Digital Switchover, someplaces will need to do multiple retunes, probably due to the staggered way in which different transmitters are being switched over (that is pre-switchover frequencies elsewhere are the same as in your location post-switchover).

I imagine that different permutations were considered (i.e. switching transmitters over in different orders) and that the way in which it's been done means the smoothest transition (on balance) for people in general.

Without an explanation as to what these problems are, it is impossible to suggest a solution. What is the purpose of the call; to find solutions or just to moan about it?

As for finding an alternative, I don't believe that we have established whereabouts calls are answered (or who by).

I went to Google and put in digitaluk call centre and came up with this page (immediately after the links to DigitalUK's own site) which says:

Quote:

With the switchover having started in earnest in November 2008, Digital UK appointed contact centre and CRM technology provider MGt to manage all incoming enquiries from the public, recognising the value provided by MGt through the nGenera CIM suite, ensuring fast, accurate and high quality levels of service.

From MGt's contact page:

MGt Group
Cluny Court
John Smith Business Park
Kirkcaldy
Fife KY2 6QJ
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0844 855 7000
International: +44(0)207 748 0098
Email: enquiries@mgtplc.com

A search of our forum for references to this company reveals it has been mentioned before on the following threads:

• The Art Fund/National Art Collections Fund
  
• TopUpTV

MGt lists its clients and they include DigitalUK, Top Up TV, Freeview, The Art Fund and others.

Dave, thanks for your help.   The purpose of my call is to try to find out whether we will also have to make up to five retunes (we have already booked an engineer for the first two).   My son & his girlfriend in the Eastern area had already completed the advertised two retunes in March/April and as a result lost a good numbers of the Freeview channels they had previously received; purely by chance they heard an item on local TV news saying the transmitter had been boosted and people needed to retune again & it was after that third retune, and nearly five months without numerous channels, that they got back all the channels they'd had prior to switchover.   We are in a different region now & due to switch this week & in two weeks time.  Regarding moans, I already have complaints to both Digital UK & their Help Line service over another aspect & my father's MP.

One thing strikes me in your second post is that although the address is in Scotland the international number is a London one.   Certainly the complaints side of both Digital UK & the Switchover Help Line are staffed by people with Scottish accents, the Help Line complaints people have email addresses @carillionplc.com so  even that is not what one would expect from a Government help line.  I would be quite happy with an email address for Digital UK.

Barbara, perhaps you can let me know the number(s) you tried that didn't work so I can remove them.


Barbara wrote on Sep 5^th, 2011 at 8:01am:

Dave, thanks for your help.   The purpose of my call is to try to find out whether we will also have to make up to five retunes (we have already booked an engineer for the first two).   My son & his girlfriend in the Eastern area had already completed the advertised two retunes in March/April and as a result lost a good numbers of the Freeview channels they had previously received; purely by chance they heard an item on local TV news saying the transmitter had been boosted and people needed to retune again & it was after that third retune, and nearly five months without numerous channels, that they got back all the channels they'd had prior to switchover.   We are in a different region now & due to switch this week & in two weeks time.

The information you are seeking is not available exclusively from the DigitalUK helpline. It is published online and if you say which transmitter you get your TV from I will post a link.



Barbara wrote on Sep 5^th, 2011 at 8:01am:

One thing strikes me in your second post is that although the address is in Scotland the international number is a London one. …

I would read absolutely nothing into the fact that it is a London number. The prefix 020 7748 that it is part of is allocated to Invomo, so I wouldn't be surprised if it terminates somewhere in the UK outside London.

The links I found give links to other places and other clues. A number of local 01592 numbers can be found using those clues. I am handing over the batten for finding this one to someone else having found some information.



Barbara wrote on Sep 5^th, 2011 at 8:01am:

…  Certainly the complaints side of both Digital UK & the Switchover Help Line are staffed by people with Scottish accents, the Help Line complaints people have email addresses @carillionplc.com so  even that is not what one would expect from a Government help line.  I would be quite happy with an email address for Digital UK.

Put digitaluk carillion into Google at the first link is for The Switchover Help Scheme and at the bottom of the page it says "The Help Scheme is managed by Carillion Energy Services. on behalf of the BBC". Follow the link to Carillion Energy Services' website and it says that it was known formerly as Eaga.

Barbara wrote on Sep 5^th, 2011 at 8:01am:

… My son & his girlfriend in the Eastern area had already completed the advertised two retunes in March/April and as a result lost a good numbers of the Freeview channels they had previously received; purely by chance they heard an item on local TV news saying the transmitter had been boosted and people needed to retune again & it was after that third retune, and nearly five months without numerous channels, that they got back all the channels they'd had prior to switchover. …

No one has a right to have a terrestrial television signal that they can receive at their location. There is a proportion of the population that has only got any DTT ("Freeview") after switchover. Many of these will only get the three Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) multiplexes as their transmitters don't broadcast the three commercial ones.

Some people who get their pictures from a main transmitter like Sandy Heath will also not have been able to get DTT until switchover because they live too far away for the low-power pre-switchover signals to travel. In some cases, the commercial multiplexes were/are transmitted at lower power than the PSB ones, so there will be some who can get the PSB ones but not the commercial ones (because the latter signal is too weak to reach their location).

Theoretically, some of these people might be able to get the other channels by upgrading their aerials, although with the prospect of switchover on the horizon, this could be a wasted expense as it might be unnecessary after switchover.

So, channels are not necessarily "missing", it could be that they are not there in the first place.


That said, it certainly needs conveying, in cases where further changes are to take place, about these changes and that in the mean time some channels might be unreceivable for some. The Digital UK website gives this information, although it does show the Sandy Heath switchover as "Complete", which it is. If you download the PDF leaflet for the Anglia region from that page, it does give the dates. Also, if you click the name of the transmitter, it goes to another page which gives the dates.

Barbara wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2011 at 12:58pm:

According to the Digital TV website, Sandy Heath completed switchover on 13th April BUT (what no one knew) customers will have to do three further retunes (end of August, September & November) to retain TV signal.  As I say, no one tells you it'll take FIVE retunes!!!

It is a pain, I had same problem and took several retunes until it was sorted (I ended up getting some of the channels twice due to another transmitter interfering until they switched over).

I got my info from UKFree.TV which for your area (shown) it does show you have more retunes on the way and which ones are low power.

It's annoying but will be worth it once it's all sorted.  In the days of anlogue-only and the basic 4 or 5 channels there werent many channels to cause interference problems but now with so many digital channels and until switchover for everyone is completed then there is going to be problems unfortunately as each area and surrounding areas completely switch over (including the several retunes needed after initial switch over).

You could try a signal booster but this may not work depending on how low the signal actually is.

"You could try a signal booster but this may not work depending on how low the signal actually is."

This is often a bad idea for digital reception. There are a few instances where a booster amplifier can genuinely help (such as running multiple sets from one aerial) but it will often make matters worse. For truly expert guidance on the subject, Wrights Aerials http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/ have a set of articles and guidance notes. Their rogues gallery may make you smile if you haven't been a victim or grimace if you have been. They also link to PARAS http://www.paras.org.uk/ which is another source of professional advice.

Thanks for all the advice & links.  Interestingly the link included by bbb_uk bears out exactly the experiences of which we'd heard from family members (since our move we are now on Sutton Coldfield fed through a relay near our home) & the conclusions people posting on that site are drawing, that it's very hit & miss whether digital on freeview will provide people with a satisfactory service or the channels & reception they had prior to switchover.  This means that more & more people are going to be forced onto satellite, many very reluctantly, and this is something which was never made public by successive governments when forcing through the digital programme.  If people had realised that buying a cheap set top box was not going to work in giving them what they already had I think there'd have been an outcry but, yet again, governments forced things through with total disregard for users/consumers and to whose benefit?????   

There are a number of issues being raised here and I address them one at a time:

1. People don't tend to post on forums to say how well things went.

...The first part of switchover for me was on Wednesday and it went well. I have all channels now on all receivers.


2. There are likely to be pockets of viewers affected by certain issues

Therefore, people may well know others that are affected in the same way. Conversely, in other areas, everything might go smoothly and no one knows anyone with any issues.

Due to the nature of these issues, they aren't spread out evenly across the country.


3. The Help Scheme for over 75s

On principle, I believe that this should help the elderly to continue to have TV after switchover. This includes help with retuning equipment when necessary and where they may be unable to do it themselves or where they do not have a family member or friend who can do it for them.

Television quite clearly plays a large part for the elderly, some who may be unable to leave their home.


4. The two-tier terrestrial television network

There are three Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) multiplexes (muxes) which carry BBC channels, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD programme channels. These are available from all transmitters.

Then there are three commercial multiplexes that carry channels like Dave, 5 USA, 5* and Sky News.

There is essentially a two-tier system now. According to UK Free TV, 90% of people will be able to receive all six multiples, but 8.5% will only get the three PSB muxes.

It is interesting to see that Public Service Broadcasting has seen that there are new relays being built to co-inside with the switchover.

But the commercial broadcasters are doing what is to be expected of them; installing their transmitters at sites where it makes financial sense.

It is perhaps the way these days that there is no requirement for them to broadcast from all sites (or as many as there are suitable frequencies to operate from). This might mean subsidy from the tax payer of course.

International: +44(0)207 748 0098

This number should be:   +44  20  7748  0098   (the news about the 'new' area code for London seemingly travels very slowly, it's only eleven years after the change.)

Barbara wrote on Sep 6^th, 2011 at 12:07pm:

...it's very hit & miss whether digital on freeview will provide people with a satisfactory service or the channels & reception they had prior to switchover.  This means that more & more people are going to be forced onto satellite, many very reluctantly, and this is something which was never made public by successive governments when forcing through the digital programme....

It get's worse for me because even though I now get a good signal and all channels (as far as I'm aware), things are likely to change in the future because the Governement is looking at selling off frequency spectrum for 4G mobile which runs near the higher end of Freeview channels in my area.  This potentially means that I may lose some or all of my freeview channels due to interference with 4G mobile frequencies just so the government can make money selling off at an auction the 4G mobile frequency range.   :(

bbb_uk wrote on Sep 10^th, 2011 at 9:00am:

It get's worse for me because even though I now get a good signal and all channels (as far as I'm aware), things are likely to change in the future because the Governement is looking at selling off frequency spectrum for 4G mobile which runs near the higher end of Freeview channels in my area.  This potentially means that I may lose some or all of my freeview channels due to interference with 4G mobile frequencies just so the government can make money selling off at an auction the 4G mobile frequency range.   :(

It is all about politics rather than common-sense engineering. The introduction of Channel 5 in 1997 was the first time we saw this.

The transmitter network was designed with each site having four frequencies (channels) in close proximity to one another (all broadcasting on the same power/strength).

The politicians had their way and Channel 5 was fitted in using spare channels, as well as two previously unused for TV. This created a fifth quasi-national network. Many viewers forked out for new aerials as a result just to receive this fifth programme channel. Some would have had to put up with a poor picture (or no C5).

Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public.

Dave wrote on Sep 10^th, 2011 at 9:23am:

Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public.

I agree.  A little bit of forward thinking and they may have been able to play around with the frequencies of Freeview (ie digital) when they were deciding which freqencies to allocate for each multiplex before the digital switchover was announced to minimise/eliminate any multiplex being on frequencies close to the proposed 4G frequency.

bbb_uk wrote on Sep 10^th, 2011 at 5:02pm:

Dave wrote on Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:23am: Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public. I agree.  A little bit of forward thinking and they may have been able to play around with the frequencies of Freeview (ie digital) when they were deciding which freqencies to allocate for each multiplex before the digital switchover was announced to minimise/eliminate any multiplex being on frequencies close to the proposed 4G frequency.

I have just found out that by the middle of 2009, Ofcom knew that the 800mhz range was being used for mobile services as agreed by major EU countries.

Dave, have you any idea when the first 'switchover' happened here?

bbb_uk wrote on Sep 12^th, 2011 at 6:39pm:

I have just found out that by the middle of 2009, Ofcom knew that the 800mhz range was being used for mobile services as agreed by major EU countries. Dave, have you any idea when the first 'switchover' happened here?

The pilot was in Whitehaven in 2007. The phased switchover of the whole country started in 2008 and is due to be completed by this time next year.

This report may be of interest:

West Dunbartonshire MP raises digital TV problems in parliament


The discussion in Parliament referred to can be read here:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2011-09-08b.533.7&s=gemma+doyle#g533.8

Dave wrote on Sep 14^th, 2011 at 11:55pm:

The pilot was in Whitehaven in 2007. The phased switchover of the whole country started in 2008 and is due to be completed by this time next year.

Thanks for that.

I suspect that Ofcom had an idea back in 2008 that the 800mhz range may get used for mobile but it didn't occur to them that if they did decide to go ahead with it then let's try and sort the digital switch over now so there wouldnt be a problem later (ie re-sort the frequencies so in the end there isnt a relay/transmitter using the frequency around the 800mhz range).

This may not actually be possible for reasons like all frequencies are accounted for or that there would be intereference even after all relay/transmitters have switched over to digital.

Dave wrote on Sep 10^th, 2011 at 9:23am:

Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public.

Kind of related but just read this
Quote:

'As part of the merger of Orange and T-Mobile to create Everything Everywhere, we are required to sell some 1800MHz spectrum, for which we pay £33 million in license fees to government each year.

bbb_uk wrote on Nov 5^th, 2011 at 8:45pm:

Dave wrote on Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:23am: Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public. Kind of related but just read this[quote]'As part of the merger of Orange and T-Mobile to create Everything Everywhere, we are required to sell some 1800MHz spectrum, for which we pay £33 million in license fees to government each year.

If that is how much Orange/T-Mobile pay for just their 1800MHz range then just how much do o2 and Vodafone pay for the 900MHz nevermind their 1800MHz they also have!!!???!!!

bbb_uk wrote on Nov 5^th, 2011 at 8:48pm:

bbb_uk wrote on Nov 5th, 2011 at 8:45pm: Dave wrote on Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:23am: Today, spectrum is a commodity sold off to the highest bidder with little regard to engineering issues and the consequences on the public. Kind of related but just read this[quote]'As part of the merger of Orange and T-Mobile to create Everything Everywhere, we are required to sell some 1800MHz spectrum, for which we pay £33 million in license fees to government each year. If that is how much Orange/T-Mobile pay for just their 1800MHz range then just how much do o2 and Vodafone pay for the 900MHz nevermind their 1800MHz they also have!!!???!!!

Just remember the combined spectrum that O2/Voda hold at 900Mhz & 1800Mhz is actually less than the 1800Mhz alone that Orange/T-Mob hold...

Please can anyone help me with a geo number for the Digital UK Advice line 08456 505050

Thanks
James EB

JamesEB wrote on Mar 16^th, 2012 at 1:35am:

Please can anyone help me with a geo number for the Digital UK Advice line 08456 505050

You may not be surprised to learn that we have looked at this one before and I have joined your posting to the current thread.

If you are looking for advice on digital TV, may I suggest you go to ukfree.tv which is an independant site? Or if you post your query here, I may be able to help you.

Dave I'm sorry I did a search before posting and nothing came up.

I had not appreciated that Digital UK were to do with the switchover and we are not due ours until next month.

It was suggested I ring them about an error message on our screen No Audio/Video.

Regarding the switchover, I see a previous poster included a freephone 0800 519 2021 for the overs 75s. In the info our 87 year old received there is another one 0800 4085918.

Thanks for help.

JamesEB

JamesEB wrote on Mar 16^th, 2012 at 10:59am:

It was suggested I ring them about an error message on our screen No Audio/Video.

The first thing to look at is the instructions for the model in question. It should explain what each message means. Another source of information is the internet; others may well have encountered the same thing with the same model (or make). User manuals can often be found online.

If there is a separate set-top box which is being used to receive Freeview (at the time the message comes on), is the message been generated by it or is it coming from the TV? One way to tell might be the font/style it's displayed in; they may both be different.

What is the make and model of the TV? And, if applicable, what is the make and model of the box?



JamesEB wrote on Mar 16^th, 2012 at 10:59am:

Regarding the switchover, I see a previous poster included a freephone 0800 519 2021 for the overs 75s. In the info our 87 year old received there is another one 0800 4085918.

I think that the best thing to do is not list these 0800 numbers as they are for the Switchover Help Scheme only. Thanks for posting the number, all the same.

I know that Carillon on Tyneside are responsible for at least part of Digital UK and I'm fairly sure they are involved with the "BBC" help scheme for the over 75s.

I have this address:

Carillion
Partnership House, Regent Farm Road
Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3AF

The phone numbers may well be in the series 0191 243 9xxx

I should emphasise that I don't work for Carillon, the BBC or any other organisation concerned with DSO.

Try these let us know if they are correct

Phone number: 0800 072 9003
Phone number: 0191 247 3800

I found these two links posted by allergo a while back and after having a look because I will be the Local Retuner for un-eligable Sheltered Housing - I found both very helpful and parts a real hoot !!!! I have pasted the paragraph below and hope the Links work. They look OK   ;D

For truly expert guidance on the subject, Wrights Aerials http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/ have a set of articles and guidance notes. Their rogues gallery may make you smile if you haven't been a victim or grimace if you have been. They also link to PARAS http://www.paras.org.uk/ which is another source of professional advice.

Note: It is mentioned in the links above that apart from the re-tunes on the relavant dates many have said that they have had to re-tune later as many as 5 more times which is only mentioned on these links   :o

If that is the case I have @ 7 re-tunes per person x 7 people - wow what have I let myself in for  ;D

Thanks speedy.

You don't happen to live anywhere near junction 6 of the M25 do you?

We are having a terrible time and could do with some expert help.

Thanks for help

James EB

Sorry james EB

I am in sight of QE Bridge to the right and Tunnell Entrance goes under the main road along on my left - see my location Dartford.

Had a look where Junc 6 is - it is bit far but when I have had a go at the Locals I may be able to advise you on the phone - are you having problems before the April 4 first change date in which case I am not Tech enough to help or anticipating problems for when the Date arrives in this case I may be able to help if they arise.

JamesEB wrote on Mar 27^th, 2012 at 11:40pm:

We are having a terrible time and could do with some expert help.

Can you give a bit more detail please? Is it the usual poor reception trouble of the picture freezing and breaking up into blocks or is it something else. If the former then you should get a big improvement after switchover when the transmitters powers are raised.

I assume your aerial is pointed at Crystal Palace though I suppose it's possible you are receiving Bluebell Hill, the Reigate relay or (very unlikely) Dover. Please also tell us more about your installation. Is the aerial outdoors, in the loft or indoors? Are you using any sort of amplifier or booster? Are you feeding more than 1 set from the aerial?

It's always tricky to advise at a distance but I would hope that between Speedy and myself we can help a bit.

PS: Please do a postcode check here: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/ It's not foolproof but can give a guide. If you're willing to send speedy and myself your postcode by private message we can probably get more useful data from that website.

Speedy's website recommendations of PARAS and Bill Wright are both excellent. The rogues gallery on Bill Wright's site is a wonderful catalogue of how to get it wrong.

allegro wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 6:22am:

JamesEB wrote on Mar 27th, 2012 at 11:40pm: We are having a terrible time and could do with some expert help. I assume your aerial is pointed at Crystal Palace though I suppose it's possible you are receiving Bluebell Hill, the Reigate relay or (very unlikely) Dover.

If JamesEB is on Crystal Palace the last week or so has been a nightmare for those south of London due to severe interference from the high power Belmont transmitter in Lincolnshire, caused by the unusual high pressure conditions. As you say, things should sort themselves out after full switchover on 18th April.

speedy wrote on Mar 27^th, 2012 at 11:15pm:

Note: It is mentioned in the links above that apart from the re-tunes on the relavant dates many have said that they have had to re-tune later as many as 5 more times which is only mentioned on these links   :o If that is the case I have @ 7 re-tunes per person x 7 people - wow what have I let myself in for  ;D

You won't have to do retunes after switchover speedy.

Retunes after switchover are necessary because there are not enough spare channels for some transmitters to use when they switchover. They must wait until others have vacated the channel(s) they require before they can occupy it.

With the old analogue network each transmitter had four channels allocated to it. With the full Freeview network, each needs six as there are six multiplexes.

Those transmitters that have the most viewers are top of the list for not needing subsequent retunes. Also, those that switchover later will also see less retunes as they won't need to wait until another station vacates a channel as it will already have done so.

As Crystal Palace is the transmitter with the most amount of viewers, it's not surprising that there will be no retunes necessary after switchover phase 2 on 18th April.

Blue Bell Hill which principally serves Kent will also not require any more retunes when it completes switchover on 27th June and neither will Dover which switches on the same date.

Dave wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 11:23am:

[quote author=speedy link=1126902078/47#47 date=1332890110] As Crystal Palace is the transmitter with the most amount of viewers, it's not surprising that there will be no retunes necessary after switchover phase 2 on 18th April.

According to this information from Digital UK CP will need a 2nd retune on 18/4. http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/trade/n12+0dn/NA/0/dpki33inai1d41v9dokp9lr150

allegro wrote on Mar 29^th, 2012 at 6:36am:

Dave wrote on Mar 28th, 2012 at 11:23am: As Crystal Palace is the transmitter with the most amount of viewers, it's not surprising that there will be no retunes necessary after switchover phase 2 on 18th April. According to this information from Digital UK CP will need a 2nd retune on 18/4. http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/trade/n12+0dn/NA/0/dpki33inai1d41v9dokp9lr150

That is correct. The main switchover process is done in two steps at all transmitters and therefore requires two retunes. These are usually two weeks apart.

On the first, BBC standard definition services go on full power and the BBC Two analogue service ends. The second and final stage is when the rest of the digital services follow and the other analogue channels are turned off for good.

The reason for this staggered process is so as to give those who find that they have not got suitable equipment (to receive digital signals after switchover) to purchase new digital receivers and so as not to leave them without the means to watch television. Thus, those whose equipment won't work after switchover will be without only BBC Two (of the four analogue channels).

The thing to be aware of is that some receivers won't work after switchover. Follow these links for lists of some which won't:

• http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/2kequipment (PDF)
  
• http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/splitnit (PDF)
  
• http://www.ukfree.tv/fullstory.php?storyid=1107051492

Between 4th and 18th April, the ITV1 analogue service from Crystal Palace and most of its relays will occupy the channel used formerly by BBC Two. Thus, for those watching using analogue, ITV1 will be under button number 2 unless they do a retune of their analogue device.

allegro wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 6:22am:

JamesEB wrote on Mar 27th, 2012 at 11:40pm: We are having a terrible time and could do with some expert help. Can you give a bit more detail please? Is it the usual poor reception trouble of the picture freezing and breaking up into blocks or is it something else. If the former then you should get a big improvement after switchover when the transmitters powers are raised. I assume your aerial is pointed at Crystal Palace though I suppose it's possible you are receiving Bluebell Hill, the Reigate relay or (very unlikely) Dover. Please also tell us more about your installation. Is the aerial outdoors, in the loft or indoors? Are you using any sort of amplifier or booster? Are you feeding more than 1 set from the aerial? It's always tricky to advise at a distance but I would hope that between Speedy and myself we can help a bit. PS: Please do a postcode check here: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/ It's not foolproof but can give a guide. If you're willing to send speedy and myself your postcode by private message we can probably get more useful data from that website. Speedy's website recommendations of PARAS and Bill Wright are both excellent. The rogues gallery on Bill Wright's site is a wonderful catalogue of how to get it wrong.

Thanks allegro, speedy, dave and kasg

A major difficulty is that we are old age pensioners and do not understand any of this.

I asked for a geo number for Digital UK because in trying to find out about an error message now on our screen it was suggested I ring them although it may not be anything to do with the changeover which is due to take place here on 4th and 18th April.

We have no cable in this area and have not been in a Freeview area but will after the changeover.

Originally we had an installation from Sky the type of which they have not done for years.  It was a one off installation of free to air programs and Sky News but no viewing card or subscription. It had to be connected to the phone line for Sky active. Viewing cards could be purchased from Sky. The contract was for the installation day only and there was no further input from Sky. The digibox is connected to channel 7 of our  Ferguson TV/DVD/Video Combi FTVD521T(A) described as a digital TV.

A couple of years ago we had a fault on the screen which both Sky and the Sky digibox manufacture and others said meant that just the LNB wanted changing. I took a lot of trouble finding an installer because of reports of cowboy installers but in the event could not have done any worse. To cut a very long story short, despite the fact that the fault was the LNB as I had told him and even though I had told him I wanted our system exactly as it was with no changes he insisted on changing the digibox and went away leaving us with a Technomate TM-5200D USB Super +. It was set on Southern Irish Sky News (ads in euros) and because there were no instructions we did not know what to do so it has been stuck on Southern Irish Sky News ever since (also no guarantee, invoice or receipt). This digibox  has no viewing card slots.

It has worked fine like this until 2 or 3 weeks ago when we got an error message ! No Audio/Video.

I am trying so hard to get this fixed because our 87 year old has been diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition and he loves Sky News.

Be very grateful for any help

JamesEB

James EB, having read the thread you started in the Skyuser forum, it would seem that the problem is with the satellite receiver and not the television.

Are you able to receive any channels and if so which ones? Or is it just Sky News which is no longer available?

You say that it was seemingly tuned to Sky Ireland. Did you (or do you if they still work) get BBC One, BBC Two etc?

Dave wrote on Mar 29^th, 2012 at 4:16pm:

James EB, having read the thread you started in the Skyuser forum, it would seem that the problem is with the satellite receiver and not the television. Are you able to receive any channels and if so which ones? Or is it just Sky News which is no longer available? You say that it was seemingly tuned to Sky Ireland. Did you (or do you if they still work) get BBC One, BBC Two etc?

Dave thank you.

Nothing works as there is just this fault message on the screen - an exclamation mark followed by No Audio/Video.

There are also the usual words on the top of the screen TV/VCR  and CH 7.

We used to have the analogue programmes BBC1 BBC2 ITV on Channels 1, 2 and 3 but they are not there now. The installer who changed the box may have removed them. I really don't know as we never looked at them as the reception is so bad here.

It is not likely that there is anything wrong with our TV or digibox. I just need to find someone who knows what this fault message is.

After our experience with the last installer I don't know where to turn.

Thanks for help

JamesEB

When you press the red power/standby button the remote for the Technomate, does the power/standby indicator on the box change?

Dave wrote on Mar 29^th, 2012 at 4:40pm:

When you press the red power/standby button the remote for the Technomate, does the power/standby indicator on the box change?

Sorry Dave I don't know what this is. I don't know anything about the remote.

James EB

JamesEB wrote on Mar 29^th, 2012 at 4:48pm:

Dave wrote on Mar 29th, 2012 at 4:40pm: When you press the red power/standby button the remote for the Technomate, does the power/standby indicator on the box change? Sorry Dave I don't know what this is. I don't know anything about the remote. James EB

I'm not sure what else to suggest. I think you need to find someone who can have a look at it for you.

I wish you well and hope you get it sorted.

Hi jamesEB

I think your best route of action is on one of your previous posts copied below:


Quote:

Regarding the switchover, I see a previous poster included a freephone 0800 519 2021 for the overs 75s. In the info our 87 year old received there is another one 0800 4085918.

If you have someone in your household that is on several items of Benefit including Guaranteed Pension Credit - I suggest that you phone the 0800 4085918 received by the 87 year old person because it means they are entitled to have it sorted for free or £40 which ever applys - even including a new Freeview Box or Ariel for Free/£40 if necessary.

There are different Firms that are Contracted in each Council Area to carryout this Help Scheme to those that have been contacted  - your 87 year old is eligable - Is he/she in your household ?

If it is any help to you I will PM my Landline number for you to phone me to help you further as to who to turn to safely  Was the 'Installer/Engineer ' from Sky or a Local TV chap that took away the Sky Box?

If you dont know where to find and open your PM Message Dave will advise you   ;D   ( Private joke with Dave )

kasg wrote on Mar 28^th, 2012 at 10:57am:

allegro wrote on Mar 28th, 2012 at 6:22am: JamesEB wrote on Mar 27th, 2012 at 11:40pm: We are having a terrible time and could do with some expert help. I assume your aerial is pointed at Crystal Palace though I suppose it's possible you are receiving Bluebell Hill, the Reigate relay or (very unlikely) Dover. If JamesEB is on Crystal Palace the last week or so has been a nightmare for those south of London due to severe interference from the high power Belmont transmitter in Lincolnshire, caused by the unusual high pressure conditions. As you say, things should sort themselves out after full switchover on 18th April.

Yes thanks and we are on Crystal Palace.

We are certainly having a bad time in this area.  As well as these problems my broadband has been down for over a week (Talk Talk) and people keep telling me to do this, that and the other to my PC which I have been reluctant to do. This morning the broadband came back by itself.

Thanks for help
James EB

speedy wrote on Mar 29^th, 2012 at 10:49pm:

Hi jamesEB I think your best route of action is on one of your previous posts copied below: Quote: Regarding the switchover, I see a previous poster included a freephone 0800 519 2021 for the overs 75s. In the info our 87 year old received there is another one 0800 4085918. If you have someone in your household that is on several items of Benefit including Guaranteed Pension Credit - I suggest that you phone the 0800 4085918 received by the 87 year old person because it means they are entitled to have it sorted for free or £40 which ever applys - even including a new Freeview Box or Ariel for Free/£40 if necessary. There are different Firms that are Contracted in each Council Area to carryout this Help Scheme to those that have been contacted  - your 87 year old is eligable - Is he/she in your household ? If it is any help to you I will PM my Landline number for you to phone me to help you further as to who to turn to safely  Was the 'Installer/Engineer ' from Sky or a Local TV chap that took away the Sky Box? If you dont know where to find and open your PM Message Dave will advise you   ;D   ( Private joke with Dave )

Thanks speedy

I did not think this fault message “ ! No  Audio/Video  “ was anything to do with the switchover. Is it? I am more inclined to think it is something simple like one of the remotes being knocked changing one of the buttons for example.

Over 75s all qualify for the free switchover scheme, they do not have to be on benefits.

I have not phoned the scheme because the person who told me to ring the Digital UK 0845 number said that they would not accept faults calls until on/after the switchover date of 4 April on the premise that they would not be switchover faults.

The over 75s paperwork does say that existing satellite installations (as we have) will not be affected by the switchover.

With regard to the installer/engineer you mention Sky would not have anything to do with it as it was a one off payment for the installation day only and no follow-up and they have not done that service for years.  I was worried about it and did take a formal route to find an installer and should have got the best but ended up with the very worst. A book could be written about it. When I realised what had happened I asked for my Sky box back but he refused. I did keep the faulty LNB (which was the actual fault) as a memento.

I really think I need to find someone who can fix this fault message “ ! No  Audio/Video  “


Thanks for help
JamesEB

Putting my two pennyworth in for what it is worth, I live in West Sussex and I am 'tuned' into the Crystal Palace mast and Crystal Palace has not switched over to digital yet. I think it is next week and the week after. My digi box is not picking up any channels at all at the moment.

Perhaps next week JamesEB may find things will be different

sherbert wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 7:19am:

Putting my two pennyworth in for what it is worth, I live in West Sussex and I am 'tuned' into the Crystal Palace mast and Crystal Palace has not switched over to digital yet. I think it is next week and the week after. My digi box is not picking up any channels at all at the moment. Perhaps next week JamesEB may find things will be different

One possibility, JamesEB, is that you may be able to receive Sky News on Freeview from 18th April, if you get a suitable box and if your aerial receives sufficient signal from Crystal Palace.

Dave wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 9:08am:

One possibility, JamesEB, is that you may be able to receive Sky News on Freeview from 18th April, if you get a suitable box and if your aerial receives sufficient signal from Crystal Palace.

Dave thank you for your efforts but I have a high quality receiver virtually new with numerous free to air programmes and have been having digital TV from Crystal Palace for some 10 years. I really wouldn't want Freeview.

I just need to sort this fault message.

JamesEB

Are you sure about this? When I made enquiries about the Crystal Palace transmitter, they told me that this transmitter was only sending analogue and that they will switch over in the next two weeks. :-/

sherbert wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 11:40am:

Are you sure about this? When I made enquiries about the Crystal Palace transmitter, they told me that this transmitter was only sending analogue and that they will switch over in the next two weeks. :-/

Sky comes from Crystal Palace for this area

James EB

JamesEB have a look here.

http://www.ukfree.tv/helpme.php?faqid=1107051203

Could this be of any help to you?

sherbert wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 11:40am:

Are you sure about this? When I made enquiries about the Crystal Palace transmitter, they told me that this transmitter was only sending analogue and that they will switch over in the next two weeks. :-/

What they were probably telling you is that the low power (weak) digital signals that Crystal Palace transmits are not likely to be powerful enough to reach you. Crystal Palace has been broadcasting digital signals for well over a decade now, initially as "ONdigital" and then "ITV Digital".



JamesEB wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 11:45am:

Sky comes from Crystal Palace for this area

As you are using a satellite receiver, you must be receiving from a satellite and not Crystal Palace which is firmly on the ground and is a terrestrial service.



sherbert wrote on Mar 30^th, 2012 at 1:22pm:

JamesEB have a look here. http://www.ukfree.tv/helpme.php?faqid=1107051203 Could this be of any help to you?

JamesEB says that he doesn't have a "Sky" branded box so I don't think that those instructions will be of much help.

I have looked at a few Tech Sites - and Satalite Dishes etc and one pointed out on there that someones dish might be knocked out of line by their Engineer - wrong Satalite it only has to be tiny bit wrong - that may be the reason jamesEB is receiving Ireland and Euro Adverts because of his xxx Engineer - Dish needs to re-aligned with proper Meter - He should tell them to come back and go the Job properly for Free The Fault No adio No Vision could also be to do with this - He is not supposed to be receiving Ireland only in the UK

He can still get this sorted on the Help Scheme on the Letter 0800 number NOT the Digital UK that is different thing.

The Help Scheme is to sort Digital TV for those eligable by whatever means they receive not just installing Freeview although that is their main activity.

Thanks for your help speedy.

It's not the satellite dish being out as that would give a no signal message.

The reason we are getting Ireland is because the installer set it like that. Somebody suggested the box may have fallen off a lorry onto Dublin Ebay.

The No Audio/Vision message is recent and nothing to do with that.  It isn’t anything to do with the digital changeover either as we were already on digital for some years.

The installer was very experienced and very knowledgeable but his behaviour was absolutely outrageous. What is galling was that I went to a national body for an installer to avoid this and then they would not help. I wonder why we have them at all.

I still believe it is something simple like a button accidentally pressed by mistake.

Thanks again.

JamesEB

As Dave says in post #70 it is nothing to do with the change over at Crystal Palace or Ireland, as  if you have got a satellite dish it is the satellite orbiting the earth that is giving you your pictures and not a mast. ;)

sherbert wrote on Apr 5^th, 2012 at 8:21am:

As Dave says in post #70 it is nothing to do with the change over at Crystal Palace or Ireland, as  if you have got a satellite dish it is the satellite orbiting the earth that is giving you your pictures and not a mast. ;)

Sorry sherbert I don't follow this.

I said in my last post (#72) that this is nothing to do with the digital changeover and that we have an Ireland programme because the installer set it up that way.

I believe the No Audio/Video problem to have been caused by a button being pressed by mistake.

JamesEB

I was referring to your post #68.

I must be a bit dim here or have missed a post or something, but why don't you get the installer to come back and fix the problem? :-/

This is a new error message. It is nothing to do with the installer.

JamesEB

It must be illegal to set your dish to receive from the Ireland Satelite you say he set it delibrately- you pay England for your TV Licence not Ireland - Tell the Installers Trade body he set it to Ireland and you want it remedied and the other problem will be fixed at same time when it is re-alighned for FREE. It might even be something they are doing in Ireland that you are not informed because you shouldnt be on Ireland anyway.

A possibility could be on the Remote a button on Top Right is labeled DTV/VCR like mine - if you press on mine the picture and sound go - but no words that is down to your particular Make and internal software. - Mine isnt Satalite but most remotes are similar.

Thanks speedy

The installers trade body did not want to know about this which was a bit of a shock as I went to them to avoid these problems in our circumstances and they suggested the installer.

The Irish programme (it is just the one programme apparently ) was the least of our problems with the installer and his behaviour.  We would not want him back.

I don't think there is anything sinister about the Irish programme and it has been said that the boxes are made in Ireland but I have not been able to check that.

Yes there is a button on the remote similar to what you suggest but it hasn't helped. There was one on our Sky remote which stopped everything working if pressed by mistake.

I am thinking of giving up on all of this and getting a Sky box back. It is much easier to work and we should never have been supplied with all of these whistles and bells and our Sky box should not have been taken away.

Thanks for help.

JamesEB

JamesEB

As you said in your earlier post - Sky havent done this old system for years - you will only be able to get their Basic Sky Offer and you will have to pay a monthly subscription - if you had Freeview box you dont pay on the scheme or minimum £40 for entire set-up - You will get Sky News and Pick and and other Channels that have Things that originated on Sky that are shown to Freeview Viewers and there is no further payment.

Surely that is better that paying to watch Sky News on Sky Box which is free on Freeview.

speedy wrote on Apr 6^th, 2012 at 9:19pm:

It must be illegal to set your dish to receive from the Ireland Satelite you say he set it delibrately- you pay England for your TV Licence not Ireland …

UK citizens are required to have a TV Licence in order to receive or watch television. I believe that a similar system operates in Ireland.

This does not mean that it is illegal for citizens of one country to view broadcasts of another, whether they be view terrestrial means or via satellite.

Refering to the Wikipedia page for Sky News, it says that the Ireland variant used to have different programming but now does not, only opting out of the UK version for the commercials.

According to this list Sky News UK and Sky News Ireland are both on the same multiplex. Wikipedia's List of free to air channels at 28°E says that Sky News is on Astra 2B South satellite (with the same frequency as the previous link).

This page shows the beam of Astra 2B South:

http://www.lyngsat-maps.com/maps/images/astra2b_south.gif

So I wouldn't make any assumption that just because an Irish channel has been tuned in that the dish has been re-aligned.

speedy wrote on Apr 7^th, 2012 at 2:40pm:

As you said in your earlier post - Sky havent done this old system for years - you will only be able to get their Basic Sky Offer and you will have to pay a monthly subscription - if you had Freeview box you dont pay on the scheme or minimum £40 for entire set-up - You will get Sky News and Pick and and other Channels that have Things that originated on Sky that are shown to Freeview Viewers and there is no further payment. Surely that is better that paying to watch Sky News on Sky Box which is free on Freeview.

Sky News is indeed available on Freeview, but not in all areas and some may need to change their aerial in order to receive it. Around 8% of the population that can receive Freeview can only receive the Public Service channels.

hi JamesEB
The no audio video is probably 1 of 2 things
1/ the leads/wires scarts are not fully plugged in properly
2/ the "source" button on your remote needs pressing to marry with the channel that your scart/leads are using
the source button will either say source! or "AV", press this and you will either need to change the highlighted text to scart or hdmi if you are using high definition

speedy wrote on Apr 7^th, 2012 at 2:40pm:

JamesEB As you said in your earlier post - Sky havent done this old system for years - you will only be able to get their Basic Sky Offer and you will have to pay a monthly subscription - if you had Freeview box you dont pay on the scheme or minimum £40 for entire set-up - You will get Sky News and Pick and and other Channels that have Things that originated on Sky that are shown to Freeview Viewers and there is no further payment. Surely that is better that paying to watch Sky News on Sky Box which is free on Freeview.

Thank you speedy.

The thing is that it was a one off payment I made to Sky so I don't have to pay them anything else.

JamesEB

Hi i have used the 02071267020 twice in the last 10 days. It works perfectly... wish i could say the same about the company! ! :

Alex Walters wrote on May 10^th, 2012 at 10:59am:

Hi i have used the 02071267020 twice in the last 10 days. It works perfectly... wish i could say the same about the company! ! :

The number was still working tonight (15/6/2012) but sadly the company's totally mindless pigheaded stupidity meant that I could not resubscribe in time to be able to watch tomorrow's Le Mans 24 Hours Race starting at 3pm UK time on Eurosport.  This is even though I have a working current Sky box and a working (white not blue) Sky viewing card.

Even though I was prepared to consider paying them a totally exorbitant £25 for one month to watch the race on my large tv screen compared to only £4.99 to watch it on my small computer screen via www.eurosportplayer.co.uk they were not interested because they claimed their system did not know about the white viewing card they definitely sent me on a mailer card addressed to me a year or so ago when the blue cards were being replaced.  They claimed they could not now associate it with my account for security reasons blah, blah.  The fact they were lucky to have me wanting to pay at five times the price on the Eurosport website also seemed to cut no ice with them.

One adviser swore blind that all ex subscribers (especially ones who have not subscribed for a year) could only come back to them for a minimum of 12 month but the guy I finally spoke to (who was personally very helpful but still bound by stupid company rules) said he could sign me up for the £25 per month package with only a one month minimum commitment but had to send me a new viewing card to let me able to view.  When I pointed out I would only subscribe if I could watch the Le Mans race tomorrow at 3pm UK time there was nothing he could do about this.

So I have to put up with viewing on my 13.3" laptop as my old CRT tv does not have an HDMI port and horror of horror is also 4:3 format even though it has a 29" screen.  Also I can't record the race on my laptop (I expect there is a way but I haven't learnt how to do it yet) and wind through to stop at the interesting bits as I could if I could view the race on my Sky Freesat box and then record it on my Tivo PVR.

However it seems there are enough idiots in the population who will accept that you must pay Sky at least £25 per month plus that they can still get away with their totally user friendly non customer focused model. What beats me the most is how Eurosport can still think it makes sense to be a subscription only channel in the UK when Sky's minimum price is £25 per month.  Surely the time must come when Eurosport decides it is worth being FTA on Freeview?  The same goes for National Geographic as the only other Sky channel I ever find myself missing as a non Sky subscriber.  And anyhow al the Air Crash Investigations programs on National Geographic seem to always be available for free watching on YouTube.

In short Sky's own stupid policies have cost them money I was prepared to pay them.  So I can only assume that Sky is only for idiots who don't ask any awkward questions and simply do as they are told. :o >:( >:( >:(

Good Morning,

I have updated the Database with Digital UK's 03 numbers.

They are 0345 650 5050 and Minicom 0330 332 0975.

:)