With the up take
of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and the sales of Set Top
Boxes (STB) on the increase throughout the UK, the office of the
CAI is being inundated with question from the public who have either
purchased, or are about to purchase a STB requesting advice and
assistance.
To that end, we have listed some of the most frequently asked question
below.
If the answer you are looking for is not here, then email
the CAI for further assistance.
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Q 1. |
Does the CAI install aerials? |
Q 2. |
Is the CAI responsible
for digital signal levels, and when will the signal level be
increased? |
Q 3. |
Can I receive digital TV
from my aerial where I live, do I live within the digital TV
coverage area? |
Q 4. |
Do you advise or give assistance
via the telephone with the setting up of Freeview boxes etc,. |
Q 5. |
I have freeview,
but the reception from the outside aerial is poor, are you the
company that changes the aerial? |
Q 6. |
Am I likely to need
a new aerial? |
Q 7. |
If I find I might
need a new aerial, what do I then do? |
Q 8. |
Where can I find a CAI
installing member for my area? |
Q 9. |
I’ve been told
I’m in the coverage area for Freeview but having installed
my Freeview box a number of channels are missing and others
are breaking up what can I do to cure this? |
Q 10. |
Can I use an indoor
set-top aerial with my Freeview receiver? |
Q 11. |
Having accepted
that I need to upgrade my aerial to receive Freeview how much
is this likely to cost? |
Q 12. |
As there appears
to be a number of aerials for digital TV on sale in catalogues
and DIY stores, is upgrading my aerial a job I can do myself? |
Q 13. |
I have just checked
my postcode to see if I can get freeview in my area and was
told no. Could you tell me when it will be available in my area? |
Q 14. |
Can I connect my
Freeview box to an existing Satellite Dish on my house or do
I need to connect it to an aerial? |
Q 15. |
I have just checked
to see if I can use a Freeview system, but have been informed
that I need an aerial upgrade. However, I live in a block of
flats and share a communal aerial. Can you please advise? |
Q 16. |
I know I need a
new aerial and I am thinking of having a CAI Digital Benchmarked
Aerial fitted although I will not be getting a digital TV/Tuner
for a while yet. Can I get reception for the analogue channels
as normal with a Digital Benchmarked Aerial? |
Q 17. |
Please could you
advise me on how I can check to see if my current aerial will
work with Freeview or do I need to replace it? |
Q 18. |
I have just purchased a Freeveiw box,
do I need a rooftop aerial or can it be run through cable? |
Q 19. |
What does the CAI
installing member offer the consumer? |
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Q 1. Does the CAI install
aerials?
The Confederation of Aerial Industries is the
UK's Trade Association for the Aerial and Satellite Industry; we
train the industry on best installation practices as well as producing
Codes of Practices that our Members must adhere too.
You can find your nearest CAI Installing Member
here.
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Q 2. Is the CAI responsible
for digital signal levels, and when will the signal level be increased?
No, the Confederation of Aerial Industries
is not responsible for the digital signal levels neither is it responsible
for power increases or the coverage of the digital signal. These
tasks are the responsibility of National
Grid Wireless
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Q 3. Can I receive digital TV
from my aerial where I live, do I live within the digital TV
coverage area?
Not all areas of the United Kingdom can receive
digital reception as yet, to ascertain whether or not digital reception
is available in your area check the predicted coverage
for your postcode at either of these websites.
www.dtg.org.uk
www.freeview.co.uk
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Q 4. Do you advise or
give assistance via the telephone with the setting up of Freeview
boxes etc,.
We do not have a customer call centre, in practice
it has been proven that your 'local' CAI Installing Member is the
best person equipped to answer your question, because his reply
will be based on local knowledge and experience.
You can find your nearest CAI
Installing Member here.
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Q 5. I have freeview,
but the reception from the outside aerial is poor, are you the company
that changes the aerial?
The Confederation of Aerial Industries does not
get involved with physical installations, this is carried out by
our Installing Members.
You can find your nearest CAI Installing Member
here.
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Q 6. Am I likely to need
a new aerial?
The aerial installer or retailer won't
be able to tell with 100% accuracy without visiting your home and
testing the existing installation, but the post-code predictions,
coupled with local knowledge, should give a strong indication.
You can also find
a CAI member who may have experience in your local area and
can offer good advice.
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Q 7. If I find I might
need a new aerial, what do I then do?
Ask your retailer if there is
a scheme which forms part of the service. Some retailers have made
arrangements for an initial visit, followed by a new aerial installation
where necessary. Ask them to explain their service, what guarantees
it carries, and what it might cost.
Remember to ask whether the installer will be a CAI member.
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Q 8. Where can I find
a CAI installing member for my area?
The
search facility for installing members can be found here
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Q 9. I’ve been told
I’m in the coverage area for Freeview but having installed my
Freeview box a number of channels are missing and others are breaking
up what can I do to cure this?
Most Freeview
problems are related to poor signal quality from existing aerials.
If your aerial was installed many years ago or has started to give
poor results on analogue broadcasts, then you need a local CAI installer
member to advise you on a replacement aerial suitable for the area
in which you live. Analogue signal trouble usually shows up as ‘grainy’
or ‘snowy’ pictures, that many of us tolerate. Digital
is ‘unforgiving’ in that the picture breaks up or fails
completely. For other troubleshooting tips log onto
www.bbc.co.uk/reception
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Q 10. Can I use an indoor
set-top aerial with my Freeview receiver?
There
is considerable government inspired research going on looking into
the effectiveness of set-top or room aerials. They are common in
dwellings where access to signal from outdoor aerials or signal
networks is difficult. Unfortunately the ‘unforgiving’
nature of digital makes indoor reception very problematic. The same
can also be true of loft or roof space aerials.
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Q 11. Having accepted
that I need to upgrade my aerial to receive Freeview how much is this
likely to cost?
The CAI as a trade association
cannot give strict price guidelines. However, we are well aware
of the prices charged by installers regionally across the UK. The
government has issued various consultation documents that mention
the subject of aerial upgrade prices. The average aerial upgrade
for a single digital receiver can be anywhere between £80
and £190 on average, depending where you live and the type
of aerial you need for the conditions in your area.
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Q 12. As there appears
to be a number of aerials for digital TV on sale in catalogues and
DIY stores, is upgrading my aerial a job I can do myself?
The CAI does not advocate aerial installation
to be a DIY job for a number of reasons.
Firstly there is obvious Health and Safety aspects
that trained installers are equipped to deal with.
Secondly CAI engineers carry the necessary signal test meters essential
for establishing the amount of signal present at your location.
This enables them to ascertain the type of aerial required for your
situation.
However, we do acknowledge a large number of householders enjoy
the challenge of such jobs and there is a wide choice of equipment
available for DIY signal distribution projects. Our advice is to
consult the CAI Benchmarked Aerial
and Cable lists and identify
these against your source of supply.
A number of CAI manufacturing and distributor
members have websites that may help you.
Please bear in mind that in the event of failure,
CAI installer members you call to rectify problems may be reluctant
to utilise equipment you purchased as they cannot offer the CAI
mandatory 12-month guarantee on equipment they have not supplied.
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Q 13. I have just checked
my postcode to see if I can get freeview in my area and was told no.
Could you tell me when it will be available in my area? Prior
to the launch of Freeview, National
Grid Wireless (formerly Crown Castle UK) the company responsible
for providing transmission services for the Freeview service, made
a number of improvements to the transmitter network, the end result
being an improvement in the robustness of the signal and an increase
in overall coverage. National Grid Wireless will continue to make
improvements to the Freeview network to improve the quality of the
signal and increase coverage but, regrettably, National Grid Wireless
are unable to give a definitive timescale as to when Freeview will
be available in areas that cannot currently receive it.
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Q 14. Can I connect my
Freeview box to an existing Satellite Dish on my house or do I need
to connect it to an aerial?
Freeview
is delivered through the terrestrial aerial network in the UK and
so therefore will require a suitable aerial.
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Q 15. I have just checked
to see if I can use a Freeview system, but have been informed that
I need an aerial upgrade. However, I live in a block of flats and
share a communal aerial. Can you please advise?
A communal aerial system (MATV
System), normally comprises of one aerial feeding several dwellings
via a network of cabling. If your MATV System is unable to deliver
the digital signals to your dwelling then it possibly means that
the aerial system needs upgrading. You will need to contact the
person responsible for the maintenance of the aerial system; that
could be your Local Authority, your Housing Association or your
Private Landlord. You cannot upgrade just one point; the whole system
will need to be upgraded.
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Q 16. I know I need a
new aerial and I am thinking of having a CAI Digital Benchmarked Aerial
fitted although I will not be getting a digital TV/Tuner for a while
yet. Can I get reception for the analogue channels as normal with
a Digital Benchmarked Aerial?
Yes, the frequency range in the
UK for analogue and digital television is 470MHz - 860MHz, more
commonly known as Channels 21 - 68. Care should be taken when selecting
the correct Aerial Grouping, 'A', 'B', 'C/D' or 'Wideband', and
this could depend on local factors, hills, valleys, trees, tall
buildings and local obstacles in relation to where you live and
the transmitter that covers your area. Your local CAI
Member is the best person to answer such a 'local' question.
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Q 17. Please could you
advise me on how I can check to see if my current aerial will work
with Freeview or do I need to replace it?
Without putting test equipment
on the end of your aerial lead there is no way of knowing if your
particular aerial will receive all the digital multiplexes, no matter
how 'new' your aerial looks. If you require your aerial to be tested
contact your local CAI Member and arrange
a visit, but please be aware that you are likely to be charged a
fee for doing so. If it is found that you do require a new aerial
and the engineer is able to install one 'there and then', the fee
for testing is more than likely to be waived.
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Q 18. I have just purchased
a Freeveiw box, do I need a rooftop aerial or can it be run through
cable? Freeview is delivered
through the terrestrial aerial network in the UK and so therefore
will require a suitable aerial.
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Q 19. What does the CAI
installing member offer the consumer?
- Quality service, backed by Codes of Practice
and Conduct
- Trained installers who understand digital
transmission and reception
- Installers with the relevant testing equipment
- The installation of quality aerials and cabling
- Installers with relevant insurance
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