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Digital switchover query
10_66
Posts: 3,524 Forumite
The area in which I live is shortly to change over to digital transmission. I checked out the Digital UK website for information and sent the following email to them regarding a query I have:
I receive my tv signal from ***** and I see from your forecast webpage that following step 2 of the changeover I should have "good reception" for, at least, the four main channels. However, I do not understand what the last column on the page means that relates to the "final step" in 2013, when the reception for all channels changes to "variable" from "good". What is happening in 2013 to make the reception change from good to variable?
They sent the following answer, which, as far as I could see (though I have to admit I don't find it very clear), didn't answer my query about the 2013 thing:
The coverage prediction section gives a multiplex-by-multiplex view of the transmission channel and reception prediction for each transmitter that is expected to provide a usable signal (i.e. a prediction of at least 50) on at least one multiplex at the address or postcode centre at any time during the switchover process. The prediction is repeated each time the switchover process gives rise to a change in transmission channel or the reception prediction changes significantly.
Two reception predictions are provided for each multiplex:
A multiplex will be flagged as green where the "Served" prediction is at least 70, which is the threshold for the reception of a multiplex to be considered sufficiently reliable to qualify as a service.
A multiplex will be flagged as amber where the "Served" prediction is less than 70, but the "Marginal" prediction is at least 70. In this situation there is sufficient signal to receive the multiplex, but reception is likely to be subject to periodic interference from other more distant transmitters on the same channel. A decision can be made as to whether this reduced quality of service will be acceptable to the customer.
A multiplex will be flagged as red where the "Marginal" prediction is at least 50 but less than 70. In this situation the multiplex may be received, but reception is likely to be subject to significant periods of interference from other transmitters on the same channel. It is unlikely that the quality of service would be acceptable for the majority of customers.
Can anyone give me a simple answer my original question, please?
.
I receive my tv signal from ***** and I see from your forecast webpage that following step 2 of the changeover I should have "good reception" for, at least, the four main channels. However, I do not understand what the last column on the page means that relates to the "final step" in 2013, when the reception for all channels changes to "variable" from "good". What is happening in 2013 to make the reception change from good to variable?
They sent the following answer, which, as far as I could see (though I have to admit I don't find it very clear), didn't answer my query about the 2013 thing:
The coverage prediction section gives a multiplex-by-multiplex view of the transmission channel and reception prediction for each transmitter that is expected to provide a usable signal (i.e. a prediction of at least 50) on at least one multiplex at the address or postcode centre at any time during the switchover process. The prediction is repeated each time the switchover process gives rise to a change in transmission channel or the reception prediction changes significantly.
Two reception predictions are provided for each multiplex:
- Likelihood that the signal is protected against interference for at least 99% of the time - "Served"
- Likelihood that the signal is protected against interference for at least 50% of the time - "Marginal"
A multiplex will be flagged as green where the "Served" prediction is at least 70, which is the threshold for the reception of a multiplex to be considered sufficiently reliable to qualify as a service.
A multiplex will be flagged as amber where the "Served" prediction is less than 70, but the "Marginal" prediction is at least 70. In this situation there is sufficient signal to receive the multiplex, but reception is likely to be subject to periodic interference from other more distant transmitters on the same channel. A decision can be made as to whether this reduced quality of service will be acceptable to the customer.
A multiplex will be flagged as red where the "Marginal" prediction is at least 50 but less than 70. In this situation the multiplex may be received, but reception is likely to be subject to significant periods of interference from other transmitters on the same channel. It is unlikely that the quality of service would be acceptable for the majority of customers.
Can anyone give me a simple answer my original question, please?
.
0
Comments
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Why block out the transmitter name?, that's the only thing needed on your whole post for a decent answer.0
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Yeah they gave you a generic reply that doesn't really answer your question.
The answer (I think) is that once the whole country has been switched over (which will be finished by 2013), the power of all the transmitters can then be turned up to maximum and so coverage for everyone will improve. They can't turn the power up to maximum until every region is switched because of interference or something.
Obviously this is a simplistic explanation, but it's something along these lines.0 -
Yeah they gave you a generic reply that doesn't really answer your question.
The answer (I think) is that once the whole country has been switched over (which will be finished by 2013), the power of all the transmitters can then be turned up to maximum and so coverage for everyone will improve. They can't turn the power up to maximum until every region is switched because of interference or something.
Obviously this is a simplistic explanation, but it's something along these lines.
But in my case the reception has been forecast to go from "good reception" up until 2013, and then down to "variable" after 2013, which is the bit I don't understand.
.0 -
Oh yes sorry I read it the other way round. That is a bit strange.0
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