Upgrading Your Aerial

With the digital switchover taking place many people may find they need to upgrade their existing TV equipment. As well as choosing an integrated digital TV or set top box you may also have to upgrade your aerial. Depending on the area you live in you may need to boost your signal to an improved level.

If you are thinking of upgrading your entertainment system you may also need to upgrade your aerial. If you are interested in finding out how to get the most from digital in your area the following information will help inform you.

Digital Availability in Your Area

As the analogue signal is still being broadcast the signal for digital TV cannot be broadcast at full strength. Until the digital signal is broadcast at full strength the whole population of Britain can’t receive digital TV.

If you are unsure if you can receive digital in your local area you can check online. The official freeview site and several other sites have searches to help you find out. If you enter your postcode into the search box you will be notified as to whether you can receive freeview in your area or not.

As more transmitters increase their output gradually more of the UK will be able to access freeview services. If you cannot access freeview it is worth checking back regularly to see if it is available in your area.

Do I need to upgrade My Aerial?

Most homes with a normal aerial will support freeview. The only way to be certain if your home’s aerial supports freeview is by arranging for a qualified aerial installer to test your aerial.

Contact a local aerial installation company and find out if they will test your aerial. In some cases it may be cheaper to just buy a low priced digibox and test it with your existing aerial so finding out a quote first will help. If you arrange for an aerial installer to check your existing aerial and you need an upgrade the installation company will usually discount the cost of the test against the fee for the installation.

Depending on the installation company you may need to arrange more than one visit to assess your property. Depending on the layout of your property and any obstacles around your existing aerial the charge may increase. Different companies will also offer different services and guarantees so it is worth getting a quote and information on what’s provided.