There are other communal systems that can be used to deliver digital TV to a number of households;
A digital TV service delivered through a fibre optic cable. Cable is not available in all areas; Digital UK postcode checker will show what services are available in your area. In buildings where the installation of aerials and satellite dishes is constrained by planning permission, digital TV could be delivered through cable
Analogue cable may be found in a number of instances; particularly in homes built by Development Corporations (new towns such as Milton Keynes, Harlow, Stevenage and Skelmersdale) Analogue systems will be obsolete after switchover as they are unable to carry the digital signals. Property managers will need to investigate replacement systems or alternative solutions.
Virgin Media, the main cable provider in the UK is moving away from supplying and supporting analogue services in both flats and houses and in turn offering digital services to households on an individual basis.
This can cause disputes between landlords and residents as they may be required to continue paying for a service they no longer need or use.
In blocks of flats this can be more complicated. It is not always clear who owns or is responsible for the existing system which may be affected when a new system is installed.
A central head-end distribution box receives TV channels in digital and converts them to high quality analogue TV signals that are fed to the television sets using the existing cables. It allows all existing analogue TVs, VCRs and DVD-Rs to receive the chosen digital channels without the need for a digital box or additional remote control. However, this option gives no access to interactive services, audio description or subtitles.
A head-end distribution box could be appropriate for residents who may be confused or disorientated by a plethora of TV channels, in hotels or care homes where a large number of channels are not required or in situations where residents are not willing to pay for a substantial upgrade and are happy with a limited number of channels.
A 6RF channel distribution system will deliver five TV channels plus a loop-through facility to connect a digital box to allow residents to access Freeview services if they wish. The cost of a six channel head-end distribution box is in the region of £500 plus installation.
For further information see the manufacturer’s websites;
This is a means of delivering television services over a local area broadband network using web protocols. This service takes digital terrestrial or satellite signals and re-distributes them alongside other services such as video on demand and local TV channels.
IPTV can be used to in student accommodation, hotels, hospitals and office blocks. It is currently not available for commercial use, but is likely to become more widespread over the next few years.
An ongoing service contract with an IPTV provider is required. There are ongoing costs, which could either be paid for by residents through subscriptions to the IPTV service, or built into service charges managed by the property managers.
For further information see the IPTV providers’ websites;
Sky offer a cost effective efficient solution that future proofs blocks of flats for switchover and minimise ‘satellite rash’ by offering to install one satellite dish and supply the service to everyone in the block as long as four flats sign up to Sky TV.
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