FAQs Some answers you may find useful...

How can I tell if my aerial is good enough for digital?
The age and quality of your aerial in addition to where you live are all factors which need to be considered when reviewing your aerial's efficiency for receiving digital.  In general, if your aerial (or cable leading to your TV) is more than 5-10 years old, there is a good chance that it will need upgrading to provide a reliable and long lasting signal.  However a simple test before you do anything is to try attaching a digital/Freeview set top box (STB) to your TV or your new digital TV to your existing aerial to see what happens.  If you can see all digital channels and don't experience any picture break up, your aerial may be ok to leave as it is.  If you experience poor signal or constant picture break up at various intervals (or when the weather changes), this is a good sign that your aerial needs replacing for a newer model.

 

What is the difference between Freeview and FreeSat?
Freeview is the name for the free digital channels that can be received via a terrestrial aerial.  FreeSat (from the BBC) is the name for the free satellite channels that can be received via a satellite dish.  Both systems offer a multitude of channels, however FreeSat already offers additional High Definition channels.  There is also a 2nd FreeSat product (just to add more confusion!) which is supplied by Sky - this requires the customer to order a Sky system which involves a one-off payment for the box and dish - the channels are then free to the customer from that point onwards.  Please visit our 'Terrestrial TV or Satellite' page for more information...

 

How can I be sure that the system you install will work?
1a Aerials is a PLUS member of the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd) which means that we only use equipment that is approved by the CAI for every installation.  We believe there is no alternative to quality and agree strongly with the phrase "you get what you pay for".  In addition, all of our work is backed by the CAI 12 month guarantee, which means that the trade organisation will guarantee the equipment supplied in the unfortunate event that the installer is unable to.  With 1a Aerials, you can be assured that all installations are tested using the latest professional testing equipment.

 

How many rooms can I run off just one aerial?
Aerial systems can be designed to any specification and if the correct quality equipment is used, you can run several rooms off 1 aerial and receive perfect reception.  The average household has 2-3 TV sets but it is common to link as many as 7-8 rooms to one aerial - communal systems (flats, hotels) with 20+ rooms also run from 1 control point, just on a more technical scale...so anything is possible!  Please see our 'Home Distribution' page for more information...

 

Why do you ask about my existing aerial when I only need a room adding to it?
When you add a room (point) to any aerial, it halves the signal strength to both TVs.  If we haven't installed your original aerial, we will ask about its age and the quality of signal you are currently receiving to give us an idea of the equipment we are working with.  In many cases, we can add a point on to your existing system, but in some cases we will advise that you need to upgrade your aerial in order for both/all rooms to work reliably. 

 

I have recently had a new aerial installed, but the signal is still poor.  Why is this?
1a Aerials installations are completed to a high standard with CAI benchmarked equipment and the engineer will only leave your property when he is satisfied that the signal quality is to industry standard. That said, every property is different and there can be times when something needss readjusting or a 'batch' product could prove to be faulty. These scenarios are covered under your CAI guarantee and 1a Aerials will be happy to revisit to resolve the problem free of charge.

The same should apply to other installation companies but there is also the possiblity that the quality of the equipment installed may be not be suitable for digital reception and therefore will not be providing you with the best quality signal available. If you are unable to contact the original installer, 1a Aerials will be happy to come and review your system to advise on a solution.

 

I can see the picture on my TV but there is no sound - why is this?
A common scenario is that the SCART lead sometimes becomes loose from the back of the TV or set top box.  This can result in loss of sound to your TV.  Try reinserting this lead to refresh the connection - if this doesn't resolve the problem, then we may need to visit your property.

 

I live in West Kirby and my analogue channels were perfect, why I can't get any digital channels through my new Freeview TV?
The West Kirby transmitter is currently transmitting analogue signal only and is not due to switch to digital until November 2009.  If you are on this transmitter, we advise for you to wait until this date to receive Freeview.  There is an alternative which is to realign your aerial to Wales, but this means that you will not be able to watch Granada news (you will receive Welsh regional news) and additional labour costs for an engineer to swing your aerial to Wales and then back again in the future. Properties on the Newton side of West Kirby are likely to be on the Winter Hill (Granada) transmitter and so this problem should not occur - if you know you are on this transmitter, the problem could be down to the quality/age of your aerial.

 

I've heard that Satellite is the best option for the DeeValley - why is this?
The majority of properties that are in the Dee Valley area cannot 'see' above the top of the hill which provides a line of sight to the Winter Hill (Granada) transmitter.  This means that your aerial is likely to receive reliable signal from Wales only and will provide you with the Welsh variations, i.e. regional news programmes. A satellite system will allow you to receive signal through a dish and therefore provide you with Granada channels.  If you know that you prefer Granada over Welsh TV, then satellite is the best option for you. Please see our 'FreeSat and Sky' page for more information...