Will a new digital aerial help reception problem. - Technical

smartie1947 · 29-06-2006, 15:15

I live in a block of flats which has a communal aerial system, complete with amplifiers, ( 2 aerials,2 amplifiers, one each for each block of flats) which was installed circa 1980.
In addition approx half of the flats have installed individual Sky systems. ( individual dishes and cabling)
Approx 2 months ago there appeared to be a deterioration in the quality of the analogue signal coming from the communal aerial, although the Freeview signal remains extremely strong to all flats.
Last month I had Sky HD installed and I went up on the flat roof with the Sky engineer ( primarily to make sure he recabled the correct dish.) I mentioned the analogue signal to him when we were up there and he suggested we would all get a better analogue signal if we changed the current aerial to a digital version.
This is the bit I can't quite get my head round. When I see adverts for "digital" communal aerials, are these aerials picking up and distributing an analogue transmission, or a digital transmission or both?
When analogue trasmissions cease in this area( in 2010) will all householders require a digital aerial to get any terrestial signal whatsoever ?
Would the only householders in the block to suffer from swiching to a digital aerial be those who do not have a digital tv set?
How are we all still getting an excellent picture through Freeview boxes, yet poor analogue transmission, when it comes from a common source.
A local tv aerial firm will install 2 new digital aerials for a reasonable price with the caveat that the internal wiring in the blocks and both amplifiers are still up to scratch.
As I say most householders get an excellent picture either through a Sky dish or a Freeview box.
Assuming all householders either have a digital tv, or are willing to invest in one, what are the benefits of new digital aerials.
Sorry to be so long-winded, but I seem to have a mental block on this one
.Any non-technical response would be much appreciated.

JamesE · 29-06-2006, 16:12

There is no such thing as a digital aerial. There are are only TV aerials. Some are bog standard, some are high gain. Some only get a narrow band of channels, some get the whole lot. This latter have sometimes been called digital aerials as, for example, Belmont transmits 1,2,3 and 4 on chs. 22,28,25 and 32 for which a group A aerial is perfect. Along came Five on ch. 56 and now a wideband aerial was necessary. Some poeople didn't bother and got rubbish reception of Five. Then along came digital on chs. 30,48,68,66,60 and 57. Now 68 is as high as you go and a wideband aerial was a must. Some people paid silly money for a "digital" aerial. Others went to B&Q (etc.) and bought a wideband aerial for £9. Some people on the fringes will need a high gain aerial, but it is still a high gain TV aerial - it is NOT a digital aerial! If you live in many areas you will not need to alter anything. For example at Emley Moor the digital transmitters and Five are all interleaved with the analogue transmitters and there isn't a problem (not from aerials anyhow). Your problem with your flats is strange. Has a new aerial been fitted that was not wide band if you have a wide separation of frequencies and it only favours the digi ones? Your profile does not give your location or one could pronounce on this further.

John259 · 29-06-2006, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartie1947

When I see adverts for "digital" communal aerials, are these aerials picking up and distributing an analogue transmission, or a digital transmission or both?

Both. All aerials receive both.

Quote:

When analogue trasmissions cease in this area( in 2010) will all householders require a digital aerial to get any terrestial signal whatsoever ?

No. Depending on where you live, a few/some/most (delete as appropriate) may need a better aerial, a few/some/most will be able to use the same aerial as before.

Quote:

Would the only householders in the block to suffer from swiching to a digital aerial be those who do not have a digital tv set?

No. Improving the aerial should improve the signal for everyone, unless you live very close to the transmitter in which case analogue could be overloaded unless a supressor is fitted. Supressors are very inexpensive and easily fitted.

Quote:

How are we all still getting an excellent picture through Freeview boxes, yet poor analogue transmission, when it comes from a common source.

With analogue you get more "snow" with a weaker signal (noise is the technical name even though it's on the picture). With digital there's no effect until the signal strength reaches a critical level, then you get more "blockiness", then you don't get anything at all.

Quote:

Assuming all householders either have a digital tv, or are willing to invest in one, what are the benefits of new digital aerials.

Anyone not able to receive Freeview now may be able to with a better aerial, but it isn't certain. There are several other potential factors.

Quote:

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I seem to have a mental block on this one

No problem, you're not alone!

Try the FAQ on this web site, and also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital...ial_television

John

JamesE · 29-06-2006, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by John259

No. Improving the aerial should improve the signal for everyone, unless you live very close to the transmitter in which case analogue could be overloaded unless a supressor is fitted. Supressors are very inexpensive and easily fitted.

Supressors? Do you mean an attenuator?

3dom · 29-06-2006, 18:24

When the analogue signal is switched of the main and some relay transmitters will all get a power increase, so if you get a weak signal now its possible that it will improve after full digital switch over in your area of the country.

John259 · 30-06-2006, 06:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesE

Supressors? Do you mean an attenuator?

Yes, a little device which plugs into the aerial lead so as to reduce the signal strength. Sorry if I got the wrong term.

John

29-06-2006, 15:15	#1
smartie1947 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 91	Will a new digital aerial help reception problem. I live in a block of flats which has a communal aerial system, complete with amplifiers, ( 2 aerials,2 amplifiers, one each for each block of flats) which was installed circa 1980. In addition approx half of the flats have installed individual Sky systems. ( individual dishes and cabling) Approx 2 months ago there appeared to be a deterioration in the quality of the analogue signal coming from the communal aerial, although the Freeview signal remains extremely strong to all flats. Last month I had Sky HD installed and I went up on the flat roof with the Sky engineer ( primarily to make sure he recabled the correct dish.) I mentioned the analogue signal to him when we were up there and he suggested we would all get a better analogue signal if we changed the current aerial to a digital version. This is the bit I can't quite get my head round. When I see adverts for "digital" communal aerials, are these aerials picking up and distributing an analogue transmission, or a digital transmission or both? When analogue trasmissions cease in this area( in 2010) will all householders require a digital aerial to get any terrestial signal whatsoever ? Would the only householders in the block to suffer from swiching to a digital aerial be those who do not have a digital tv set? How are we all still getting an excellent picture through Freeview boxes, yet poor analogue transmission, when it comes from a common source. A local tv aerial firm will install 2 new digital aerials for a reasonable price with the caveat that the internal wiring in the blocks and both amplifiers are still up to scratch. As I say most householders get an excellent picture either through a Sky dish or a Freeview box. Assuming all householders either have a digital tv, or are willing to invest in one, what are the benefits of new digital aerials. Sorry to be so long-winded, but I seem to have a mental block on this one .Any non-technical response would be much appreciated. Last edited by smartie1947 : 29-06-2006 at 15:39.

29-06-2006, 16:12	#2
JamesE Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hibaldstow, N. Lincolnshire Services: BTbroadband,DTT,fta & ftv satellite,Digitalb. Posts: 5,321	There is no such thing as a digital aerial. There are are only TV aerials. Some are bog standard, some are high gain. Some only get a narrow band of channels, some get the whole lot. This latter have sometimes been called digital aerials as, for example, Belmont transmits 1,2,3 and 4 on chs. 22,28,25 and 32 for which a group A aerial is perfect. Along came Five on ch. 56 and now a wideband aerial was necessary. Some poeople didn't bother and got rubbish reception of Five. Then along came digital on chs. 30,48,68,66,60 and 57. Now 68 is as high as you go and a wideband aerial was a must. Some people paid silly money for a "digital" aerial. Others went to B&Q (etc.) and bought a wideband aerial for £9. Some people on the fringes will need a high gain aerial, but it is still a high gain TV aerial - it is NOT a digital aerial! If you live in many areas you will not need to alter anything. For example at Emley Moor the digital transmitters and Five are all interleaved with the analogue transmitters and there isn't a problem (not from aerials anyhow). Your problem with your flats is strange. Has a new aerial been fitted that was not wide band if you have a wide separation of frequencies and it only favours the digi ones? Your profile does not give your location or one could pronounce on this further.

29-06-2006, 18:24	#5
3dom Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bacup Lancs, Winter Hill Services: SkY, ART, Motorised dish 30W-42E, Freeview, Zen Internet. Posts: 1,246	When the analogue signal is switched of the main and some relay transmitters will all get a power increase, so if you get a weak signal now its possible that it will improve after full digital switch over in your area of the country.