digital tv and communal aerials
 

Just some thoughts on communal aerials and moving over to digital tv...

My block of flats has a perfectly good analogue aerial, Reigate Hill is our
transmitter.

But I was thinking about buying a freeview box as the prices are good now,
so I asked the other people in the flats if anyone has a freeview box and
what the reception is like. Answer, not very good, can't get all the
channels.

So just for a laugh got a local aerial company to quote on a new communal
aerial for the whole block, just over £2000 +vat, with some re-wiring needed
to each flat.

Sound about right? Anyway, getting all 12 flat owners to cough up their
share would probably never happen, we have some neighbours who don't give a
crap about anything apart from their own little world!

Hmmm, what do when do when analogue tv dies, if I'm still living here?

Andy

"andyc" andyatajchard.co.uk wrote in message
.. .
Just some thoughts on communal aerials and moving over to digital tv...

My block of flats has a perfectly good analogue aerial, Reigate Hill is
our
transmitter.

But I was thinking about buying a freeview box as the prices are good now,
so I asked the other people in the flats if anyone has a freeview box and
what the reception is like. Answer, not very good, can't get all the
channels.

So just for a laugh got a local aerial company to quote on a new communal
aerial for the whole block, just over £2000 +vat, with some re-wiring
needed
to each flat.

Sounds like a rip-off as all you should need is an upgraded aerial using the
existing wiring.

Maybe they say you need the new *digital* coax.

--
Max Demian

"Max Demian" wrote in message
...

Sounds like a rip-off as all you should need is an upgraded aerial using
the
existing wiring.

Maybe they say you need the new *digital* coax.

I was wondering about the cabling, if it really needs changing or not.

What sort of price for a communal aerial and fitting it, any idea?

Cheers,

Andy

On Sat, 4 Dec 2004 15:13:40 -0000, "andyc" andyatajchard.co.uk wrote:

| Just some thoughts on communal aerials and moving over to digital tv...
|
| My block of flats has a perfectly good analogue aerial, Reigate Hill is our
| transmitter.
|
| But I was thinking about buying a freeview box as the prices are good now,

First *borrow* a freeview box, plug it in and see if it works.


--
Dave F

"Dave Fawthrop" wrote in message
...


First *borrow* a freeview box, plug it in and see if it works.


Hi Dave, one of the neighbours has one, can't receive all the channels on
the exisiting aerial.

Would like to get a new aerial for the block, with everyone's co-operation.

Andy

"Max Demian" wrote
| So just for a laugh got a local aerial company to quote on a new
| communal aerial for the whole block, just over £2000 +vat, with
| some re-wiring needed to each flat.
| Sounds like a rip-off as all you should need is an upgraded aerial
| using the existing wiring.
| Maybe they say you need the new *digital* coax.

Bill might be willing to comment on usual estimating practice, but the
contractor will be unwilling to take all the old wiring completely on trust,
especially if they haven't seen before estimating the job. There is no point
in them fitting a new aerial if they get called back with complaints caused
by poor existing wiring. At the least, they probably want to check that
every outlet from the distribution amp is of the isolating type. Even if
they do nothing to the distribution system, if someone was subsequently
killed because a fault in Mr A's telly caused Mrs B's telly to become live
through the aerial system, the contractor would be in a vulnerable position
legally.

I have no comparison for TV systems, but an estimate I had for a replacement
door entry system (new panel, PSU, and handsets, but reusing existing
cabling) for an 8-flat block was £100 per flat. The job took an electrician
and mate most of a day.

Owain

"Bill" wrote in message
...

12 block complete new system terrestrial only: £1,000 + VAT With satellite
£1,500 + VAT.

Bill


Cheers Bill, £2000 (plus) +vat for a system suitable for freeview/digital
seems to me, as a consumer, like too much.

I'll get another quote.

Andy

"Owain" wrote in message
...

Bill might be willing to comment on usual estimating practice, but the
contractor will be unwilling to take all the old wiring completely on
trust,
especially if they haven't seen before estimating the job. There is no
point
in them fitting a new aerial if they get called back with complaints
caused
by poor existing wiring. At the least, they probably want to check that
every outlet from the distribution amp is of the isolating type. Even if
they do nothing to the distribution system, if someone was subsequently
killed because a fault in Mr A's telly caused Mrs B's telly to become live
through the aerial system, the contractor would be in a vulnerable
position
legally.

I have no comparison for TV systems, but an estimate I had for a
replacement
door entry system (new panel, PSU, and handsets, but reusing existing
cabling) for an 8-flat block was £100 per flat. The job took an
electrician
and mate most of a day.


Cheers Owain, I take your point about the wiring and the outlets, as a
consumer it's all just wiring to me, didn't know about isolating outlets
etc.

Andy

"Owain" wrote in message
...
"Max Demian" wrote
| So just for a laugh got a local aerial company to quote on a new
| communal aerial for the whole block, just over £2000 +vat, with
| some re-wiring needed to each flat.
| Sounds like a rip-off as all you should need is an upgraded aerial
| using the existing wiring.
| Maybe they say you need the new *digital* coax.

Bill might be willing to comment on usual estimating practice, but the
contractor will be unwilling to take all the old wiring completely on
trust,
especially if they haven't seen before estimating the job. There is no
point
in them fitting a new aerial if they get called back with complaints
caused
by poor existing wiring.

Surely if all you want is a bigger/higher aerial that's all you should have
to pay for. Best to get a cowboy operator and bung him a couple of hundred
quid in cash.

--
Max Demian

Cheers Bill, £2000 (plus) +vat for a system suitable for freeview/digital
seems to me, as a consumer, like too much.

I'll get another quote.

I'm assuming of course that it isn't high. Like two flats per floor, or
anything.

Bill