Can I just have an aerial upgrade with digital switchover help scheme?

EllaJones

I am 78 and have just ditched my very old analogue TV and video-recorder in the bedroom for a new freeview digital TV. Digital tuning only brings a handful of fuzzy channels. Analogue tuning is better and gets BBC1 & 2, ITV and Ch4 but a far worse picture than I had before! I think the aerial needs upgrading. The digital TV in the lounge works OK and is linked to a separate new roof aerial but the man who fitted that didn't tell me that the aerial only served the TV downstairs until he was paid and on his way out the door. I felt a bit conned by that. Anyway, I am eligible for the switchover help scheme but the options they list all seem to be trying to sell new equipment that I don't want. I just want freeview on my new TV. Does anyone know whether I can just have a new aerial under the scheme so my new TV in the bedroom will work?

Kurtis_Blue

I wouldn't let them do any work personally, not very good at all.

Why not just get a local guy to cable the bedroom to the new aerial? much neater and should be around £45-65.
Get 3 quotes (not estimates) IN WRITING before works.

EllaJones

Thanks Kurtis Blue. I had also heard that they weren't very good so was a bit wary of going with the help scheme. The thought of getting a new aerial for £40 was tempting though.

Kurtis_Blue

No point in getting a 2nd aerial at any price, just another point of possible future failure, get your 3 quotes from members of one or both of these organisations:

http://www.rdi-lb.co.uk/

http://www.cai.org.uk/

EllaJones

Thank you again Kurtis Blue. I used your links and have located two local members who both said they should be able to sort things out without a new aerial. They mentioned '2 way amplifiers' and a 'splitter' and are coming to give quotations. Rough estimates are £45 and £70+VAT and one of them (lower estimate) can come out tomorrow lunch time to give a free quotation so I am very pleased.

Heinz

Good luck. We all hope you've found a trustworthy local guy.

EllaJones

Just a quick update. I am so glad I asked for help on this forum. The aerial man came round and installed a "2 way feed" and amplifier for £65. I now have full freeview channels on both my televisions. Thank you to Kurtis Blue and Heinz for your friendly advice and good wishes.

spiro

Based on all the adverts I have heard you would not be eligible, the reason being that you are only entitled to one working digital TV. Anything over that is down to the householder.

EllaJones

No, it says in the booklet "We will help you convert one TV per household to digital, even if you have already converted another TV in your home without our help" so I would have been eligible.