Concerns raised over digital switchover (From Bucks Free Press)

Concerns raised over digital switchover

2:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Wycombe district By Rebecca Cain

Concerns raised over digital switchover

CONCERNS have been raised about the digital TV switchover and whether every home will be able to receive a signal.

Tony Kaye, 64, of Silverdale Close, Penn said as his house is in a slight dip and surrounded by trees he does not know if he will be able to get digital TV after analogue is turned off in April.

He currently receives an analogue signal from the Chepping Wycombe relay transmitter but when he types in his postcode at the Digital UK website it says he will get the best signal from Crystal Palace transmitter.

But he said due to the trees and surrounding houses he cannot get a signal from there, and neither can he get signal for satellite TV.

A digital UK spokesman said as part of the switchover, all analogue relay transmitters, including Chepping Wycombe, are being upgraded to digital.

He said as long as people get a good signal in analogue now, there’s a good chance they will continue to do so.

But Mr Kaye said: "That is exactly my point. People are going to be waiting to see what happens and then there will be a complete rush."

He said his two neighbours are in the same predicament and they cannot be the only ones. They are not sure what the next option is and he said he has not been able to get a sensible response.

A digital UK spokesman said: “Freeview signals are boosted at switchover and provided they have a good analogue signal today, nearly all households should be able to receive a reliable service with many more channels.

"Households outside coverage may still be able to get an adequate signal, though this could be subject to occasional interference, particularly if there are physical obstructions, such as trees or hills, which can block reception.

"In such cases, we generally recommend waiting and seeing what improvement occurs at switchover or considering alternatives to terrestrial TV like satellite.”