All TV regions

Products not carrying the ‘digital tick’ logo

There were problems experienced by many retailers during the Granada switchover when equipment not carrying the ‘digital tick’ logo failed to work during the switchover period, resulting in returns, unhappy customers and associated costs.

The ‘digital tick’ Approved Product certification is designed to give consumers confidence in the products they are buying, by identifying products and services designed to continue working after switchover. Retailers can have the same confidence when they buy products registered to carry the ‘digital tick’.

As larger TV regions switch over, we are seeing an increasing number of non-‘tick’ products being advertised for sale from retailers and distributors, most not designed specifically for the UK market. Digital UK will not be able to support you in advising on any problems you or your customers have with these products.

Correct use of switchover logos and Digit Al

The rules governing the use of the ‘digital tick’ logo and Digit Al, as stipulated in the Promotional Licence signed on behalf of your company, must be observed.

When producing advertising, any publicity materials or point of sale information using switchover images, please check the brand guideline tools produced to help you. If you are unsure, please check with your Retail Support Executive or the Digital Logo Helpdesk.

The guidelines can be found here.

New consumer data

The latest information from the November Digital UK Switchover Tracker is available here.

Freeview HD High Definition update

There is an increasing level of interest in Freeview HD. Make sure equipment you sell to receive these broadcasts carries the Freeview HD logo. These receivers are expected to be available from February 2010.

Equipment designed to receive French high definition DTT signals is available now, but this is not compatible with DVB-T2, the technology adopted for the UK.

Digital switchover review

18% of households have now been switched over to digital. Border, West Country, Granada TV regions and most of Wales no longer have analogue TV services.

Switchovers to date have gone smoothly with most people managing to switch themselves. Inevitably, a small percentage of people have required additional help, and many have turned to retailers for assistance, often with questions about re-tuning and, in some areas, overlaps and manual re-tuning.

A common theme in much of the feedback received from retailers is that preparation is critical to making a success of switchover.

Channel TV region

Date announcement

The date of the digital switchover in the Channel Islands has been announced as 17 November 2010. Make a note of it and be ready to answer customers’ questions.

• Switchover will deliver around 15 Freeview channels through an aerial. More digital channels are available via satellite. In advance of switchover, customers will not be able to receive Freeview.
• Customers can go digital in three ways:
1. Convert their existing TV themselves with a digital box.
2. Have someone else convert their existing TV by installing a satellite service.
3. Buy a new TV with digital services built in.
• At switchover, most customers will not need a new aerial to get digital TV. Generally, if your customers receive good pictures on their analogue channels, they will not need new aerials for the switchover.
• Freeview HD channels will also become available, but compatible receivers are not yet in the market (see High Definition update in All TV regions section).

Aerials – Registered Digital Installers

If your customers need an aerial to be repaired or replaced, Digital UK recommends using a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), an Associate RDI, a trusted local installer or someone with CAI Plus status. There is not currently a training facility in the Channel Islands for becoming an RDI, but the relevant licensing body is currently in discussion with the government authorities.

Wales

The remaining two main transmitter groups start to switch next month.

Note: The Blaenplwyf and Wenvoe transmitter groups will launch the high definition multiplex, BBC B, at digital switchover stage two. It will broadcast from all stations within the groups. Viewers wishing to watch this content will need a Freeview HD receiver compatible with DVB-T2 technology. These receivers are expected to be available from Spring 2010.

A two-stage switchover

Remember the two dates:

Transmitter group	Area Served	Switchover Stage One	Switchover Stage Two
Blaenplwyf transmitter and its 12 relays	parts of west and central Wales	10 February 2010	10 March 2010
Wenvoe transmitter and its 75 relays	Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales	3 March 2010	31 March 2010

The Blaenplwyf transmitter group

Switchover Stage One – Planned completion times (might be subject to change)

• 6am – Blaenplwyf, Penryn-Coch, Ynys-Pennal, Corris, Cwtnewydd, Beddgelert Link, Beddgelert
• 9am – Afon Dyfi, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth
• 12pm – Dolybont, Trefilan
• 3pm – Bow Street

Tell your customers:

• 6am – Blaenplwyf, Penryn-Coch, Ynys-Pennal, Corris, Cwtnewydd, Beddgelert Link, Beddgelert
• Mid-morning – Afon Dyfi, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth
• Mid-afternoon - Dolybont, Trefilan, Bow Street

All DTT viewers need to install or re-tune Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV equipment after their transmitter has completed.

Analogue channel swaps

Analogue BBC One moves to the BBC Two button at Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Dolybont, Afon Dyfi and Trefilan.

Switchover Stage Two – Planned completion times (might be subject to change)

6am – Blaenplwyf, Ynys-Pennal, Beddgelert Link

9am – Beddgelert, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Penryn-Coch, Trefilan

12pm – Corris, Dolybont, Cwtnewydd

12.30pm – Bow Street

3pm – Afon Dyfi

Tell your customers:

6am – Blaenplwyf, Ynys-Pennal, Beddgelert Link

Mid-morning - Beddgelert, Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Penryn-Coch, Trefilan

Mid-afternoon - Corris, Dolybont, Cwtnewydd, Bow Street, Afon Dyfi

All DTT viewers need to install or re-tune Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV equipment after their transmitter has completed.

To receive the BBC B multiplex and the high definition channels, a viewer will require a Freeview HD receiver.

Aerials

There are no aerial group changes at the Blaenplwyf transmitter or its relays.

The Wenvoe transmitter group

Switchover Stage One – Planned completion times (might be subject to change)

• 6am – Wenvoe, Pontypool, Aberbeeg, Abercynon, Abergavenny, Abertillery, Abertridwr, Bargoed, Bedlinog, Blackmill, Blaenau Gwent, Blaenavon, Blaenllechau, Blaina, Chepstow, Clydach, Crickhowell, Crucorney, Crumlin, Cwm Ffrwd Oer, Cwmafon, Cwmfelinfach, Deri, Dowlais, Ebbw Vale, Ebbw Vale South, Ferndale, Gellifendigaid, Gilfach, Llanfach, Llanfoist, Llangeinor, Llanharan, Llanhilleth, Machen Upper, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouth, Mynydd Bach, Mynydd Machen, Nantyglo, Ogmore Vale, Pennar, Porth, Rhondda Fach, Rhymney, Risca, South Maesteg, South Tredegar, Taffs Well, Ton Pentre, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail, Trebanog, Trefechan, Treharris, Upper Killay, Van Terrace, Wattsville, Ynysowen
• 9am – Llyswen, Fernhill, Penrhiwceiber, Sennybridge, Clyro, Pennorth, Cwmaman, Trecastle, Tynewydd, Rhondda HP, Rhondda VP, Usk, Brecon, Aberdare
• 12pm – Pontypridd
• 3pm – Nant y Moel

Tell your customers

6am – Wenvoe, Pontypool, Aberbeeg, Abercynon, Abergavenny, Abertillery, Abertridwr, Bargoed, Bedlinog, Blackmill, Blaenau Gwent, Blaenavon, Blaenllechau, Blaina, Chepstow, Clydach, Crickhowell, Crucorney, Crumlin, Cwm Ffrwd Oer, Cwmafon, Cwmfelinfach, Deri, Dowlais, Ebbw Vale, Ebbw Vale South, Ferndale, Gellifendigaid, Gilfach, Llanfach, Llanfoist, Llangeinor, Llanharan, Llanhilleth, Machen Upper, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouth, Mynydd Bach, Mynydd Machen, Nantyglo, Ogmore Vale, Pennar, Porth, Rhondda Fach, Rhymney, Risca, South Maesteg, South Tredegar, Taffs Well, Ton Pentre, Tonypandy, Tonyrefail, Trebanog, Trefechan, Treharris, Upper Killay, Van Terrace, Wattsville, Ynysowen

Mid-morning – Llyswen, Fernhill, Penrhiwceiber, Sennybridge, Clyro, Pennorth, Cwmaman, Trecastle, Tynewydd, Rhondda HP, Rhondda VP, Usk, Brecon, Aberdare

Mid-afternoon – Pontypridd, Nant y Moel

All DTT viewers need to install or re-tune Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV equipmentafter their transmitter has completed.

Analogue channel swaps

Analogue ITV 1 moves to the BBC Two button at all transmitters.

Switchover Stage Two – Planned completion times (might be subject to change)

         6am – Wenvoe, Aberdare, Pontypool, Ogmore Vale, Ebbw Vale South, Nant y Moel, Fernhill, Risca, Mynydd Bach, Pennar, Ton Pentre, Van Terrace, Abergavenny, Ebbw Vale, Mynydd Machen

         9am – South Maesteg, Brecon, Llanfoist, Monmouth, Blaenavon, Merthyr Tydfil, Bargoed, Abertillery, Ynys Owen, Crumlin, Rhondda HP, Rhondda VP, Ferndale, Treharris, Cwmfelinfach, Maesteg, Llangeinor, Tonypandy, Pontypridd, Wattsville

         9.30am – Porth, Blaina, Clyro

         12pm - Sennybridge, Crickhowell, Usk, Clydach, Trefechan, Rhymney, Blaenau Gwent, Bedlinog, Llanhilleth, Tynewydd, Blaenllechau, Gellifendigaid, Llanfach, Cwmafon, Llanharan, Rhondda Fach, Taffs Well, Machen Upper

         12.30pm – Llyswen, South Tredegar, Trebanog

         3pm – Trecastle, Crucorney , Chepstow, Dowlais, Deri, Aberbeeg, Penrhiwceiber, Cwm Ffrwd Oer, Cwmaman, Abercynon, Upper Killay, Blackmill, Gilfach, Abertridwr

         3.30pm - Pennorth, Nantyglo, Tonyrefail

 

Tell your customers:

• 6am – Wenvoe, Aberdare, Pontypool, Ogmore Vale, Ebbw Vale South, Nant y Moel, Fernhill, Risca, Mynydd Bach, Pennar, Ton Pentre, Van Terrace, Abergavenny, Ebbw Vale, Mynydd Machen
• Mid-morning - South Maesteg, Brecon, Llanfoist, Monmouth, Blaenavon, Merthyr Tydfil, Bargoed, Abertillery, Ynys Owen, Crumlin, Rhondda HP, Rhondda VP, Ferndale, Treharris, Cwmfelinfach, Maesteg, Llangeinor, Tonypandy, Pontypridd, Wattsville, Porth, Blaina, Clyro
• Mid-afternoon - Sennybridge, Crickhowell, Usk, Clydach, Trefechan, Rhymney, Blaenau Gwent, Bedlinog, Llanhilleth, Tynewydd, Blaenllechau, Gellifendigaid, Llanfach, Cwmafon, Llanharan, Rhondda Fach, Taffs Well, Machen Upper, Llyswen, South Tredegar, Trebanog, Trecastle, Crucorney , Chepstow, Dowlais, Deri, Aberbeeg, Penrhiwceiber, Cwm Ffrwd Oer, Cwmaman, Abercynon, Upper Killay, Blackmill, Gilfach, Abertridwr
• Late afternoon - Pennorth, Nantyglo, Tonyrefail

All DTT viewers need to install or re-tune Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV equipment after their transmitter has completed.

After switchover more than 40 channels will be available to viewers served by the Wenvoe, Aberdare and Pontypool transmitters. Viewers receiving their signal from other transmitters will receive around 15 Freeview channels for the first time. Due to increased powers, more viewers may be able to receive their signal from the main transmitters if they re-align their aerial. The Digital UK Postcode Checker will help identify where this might be possible.

To receive the BBC B multiplex and the high definition channels, a viewer will require a Freeview HD receiver.

Aerials

At Wenvoe, all multiplexes move into the analogue aerial group by the end of 2011. One multiplex (Arqiva A) is outside the group until then. All other multiplexes move into the analogue aerial group at switchover. This will affect analogue viewers with grouped aerials receiving their post-switchover digital signal from the Wenvoe transmitter.

(Two multiplexes, Arqiva A and SDN, change channels and adopt final power levels in 2011.)

At Rhondda HP, the new channels are below the analogue aerial group. Existing aerials in good condition should receive them, so customers are advised to wait and see.

At Cwmfelinfach and Usk, the BBC B multiplex is just above the analogue aerial group so reception may be unreliable without an aerial upgrade. Since this is the HD multiplex and receivers are not yet available, customers are advised to wait and see.

Vestel T810 models and negative offsets

Models sold by Vestel under a variety of brand names between mid-2006 and mid-2007, being the specific T810 version, cannot manage 8k transmission mode and negative offsets without a software fix. Aberdare and Pontypool masts (in the Wenvoe group), will use negative offsets, so some digital boxes might lose some channels. Aberdare will have a negative offset on both BBC-A and BBC-B muxes and viewers could therefore lose the standard definition services from the former. BBC-B is to be used for Freeview HD. Pontypool will have negative offsets at all of the commercial muxes and viewers with a T810 model and old software will lose the related services such as Dave, ITV3, and Quest. The software fix has been broadcast over-air for several months, so most models should have picked it up already. The engineering channel download schedule can be viewed here.

Prepare for increased West TV region overlap when the Mendip transmitter switches

Most DTT receivers scan for channels beginning with lower frequencies and moving up the band.

Receivers that select channels on a first-found basis will load Welsh TV services in preference to West services where both can be received, because the Wenvoe multiplexes are on lower RF channels than their Mendip equivalents throughout the switchover process. This gives the relevant regional services for households in Wales, but will not give the relevant regional services for households in England.

This situation already occurs to a limited extent in England, even with the low power services currently on air, but the number of households potentially affected will increase as a consequence of the power increases at the Wenvoe switchover (from 3 March 2010).

Some receivers select channels on a last-found basis. These will always load West services in preference to Welsh services where both can be received, because the Mendip multiplexes are on higher RF channels than their Welsh equivalents throughout the switchover process. This gives the correct regional services for households in England, but will give the incorrect regional services for households in Wales.

This situation will already occur to a limited extent in Wales, even with the low power services currently on air, but the number of households potentially affected will increase as a consequence of the power increases at the Mendip switchover (from 24 March 2010).

Receivers which select channels on the basis of quality or signal strength will load regional services in accordance with those criteria. For the majority of households with a single suitable antenna directed at the required transmitter, that transmitter will be the strongest and therefore will be selected, giving the correct regional services.

Check the overlap and manual re-tune advice here.

Both transmitter groups

Have you considered the following?

         Staffing requirements for switchover – you are likely to be busy.

         Re-stocking facilities

         How quickly can you replenish stock if required?

         Do you have Scart leads and attenuators as well as equipment?

         Re-tuning – how will you manage requests for help? Recent experience suggests many people can be helped over the telephone.

 

Troubleshooting

Ensure your staff has access to:

         The “2k equipment” list.

         The “Split NIT equipment” list.

         Re-tuning leaflets – instructions for the models you sell or have sold in the past, or generic instructions and leaflets from Digital UK.

         Manual re-tuning leaflets, if appropriate to your business, where people can note the frequencies for manual re-tunes.

         The Troubleshooting Q&A guide for retailers – a list of suggested questions to help diagnose difficulties at switchover.

The Overlap Q&A guide for retailers – to help identify and solve overlap difficulties encountered by your customers.

All these guides are available here and from your Retail Support Executive.

Digital Outreach

Question and Answer sessions for people who do not qualify for the Government's Switchover Help Scheme, but who would like some advice, are run by Digital Outreach. Full details are available here.

The Retail Support Executive in Wales is Nicholas Peer on 07854 717913 or nicholas.peer@digital-uk.org.

West TV region

Prepare for increased Wales overlap when the Wenvoe transmitter switches

From 3 March, retailers in the West region might have customers ask, “Why am I getting Welsh TV?” The answer is an overlap from the Wenvoe transmitter.

Most DTT receivers scan for channels beginning with lower frequencies and moving up the band.

Receivers that select channels on a first-found basis will always load Welsh services in preference to West services where both can be received, because the Wenvoe multiplexes are on lower RF channels than their Mendip equivalents throughout the switchover process. This gives the correct regional services for households in Wales, but will give the incorrect regional services for households in England.

This situation will already occur to a limited extent in England, even with the low power services currently on air, but the number of households potentially affected will increase as a consequence of the power increases at the Wenvoe switchover (from 3 March 2010).

Some receivers select channels on a last-found basis. These will always load West services in preference to Welsh services where both can be received, because the Mendip multiplexes are on higher RF channels than their Welsh equivalents throughout the switchover process. This gives the correct regional services for households in England, but will give the incorrect regional services for households in Wales.

This situation will already occur to a limited extent in Wales, even with the low power services currently on air, but the number of households potentially affected will increase as a consequence of the power increases at the Mendip switchover (from 24 March 2010).

Receivers which select channels on the basis of quality or signal strength will load regional services in accordance with those criteria. For the majority of households with a single suitable antenna directed at the required transmitter, that transmitter will be the strongest and therefore will be selected, giving the correct regional services.

Check the overlap and re-tuning guides here.

Are your staff briefed on the following?

Dates

Transmitter group	Area Served	Switchover Stage One	Switchover Stage Two
Mendip transmitter and its 61 relays	Bristol, parts of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire	24 March 2010	7 April 2010
Ridge Hill (West) transmitter	the Cheltenham and Gloucester area	Q2 2011

Available channels

After switchover more than 40 Freeview channels will be available to around 94% of households in the West TV region. Most others will receive around 15 Freeview channels for the first time. Additional channels are available through satellite, cable or broadband options. The Digital UK Postcode Checker will help identify the options available to customers.

Recording

Video recorders will not record in the same way after switchover. A twin tuner digital TV recorder is a practical way to convert an analogue TV and recorder to retain the recording flexibility offered previously by a VCR, whilst adding additional features such as the ability to pause and rewind “live” TV.

Multiple sets

All TV sets need converting to digital to keep watching broadcast TV after switchover. Ask your customers if they have converted all their sets.

The Retail Support Executive in the West TV region is Matt Johns on 07977 455956 or matt.johns@digital-uk.org.