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AIBU?

to resent digital ruddy switchover for taking away my digital channels?

46 replies

edam · 04/04/2012 20:13

Argh! Darn digital switchover thingy happened today in London and the Saaf East. Foolishly I did not think this would be a problem as we have a digital TV that handles digital channels just fine. Until now... BBC 1 & 2 and CBBC have vanished, never to call us Mother (or something like that). And we've retuned four times with no success.

I'm not going to have to go out and get a Freeview box to watch digital channels on a digital TV, am I? Really?

OP posts:

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RuleBritannia · 04/04/2012 20:16

You shouldn't have to buy a set top box. Just keep trying with your TV. If yours still won't work, see how the neighbours are doing.

Ours was done in February and I have an analogue TV. My STB was the problem but a neighbour had one in his garage and let me have it. Now I can cope. the first STB was from another neighbour. Good people here.

marriedinwhite · 04/04/2012 20:17

Oh crikey am just about to sit down and do this.

edam · 04/04/2012 20:18

Thanks Rule - we have actually got a set top box somewhere (dh brought it back from his Mum's) but I shall be royally teed off if we have to rely on that when we have a digital blinking TV that should require no assistance at all!

OP posts:

BsshBossh · 04/04/2012 20:18

Alot of people have been caught out by this - we have a digital TV but also a digi-box and re-tuned no problems this mornng. But several of my mum's friends who get Freeview through their TVs only thought they didn't need to re-tune. Well, lo and behold...

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/04/2012 20:18

Possibly. Not enough of a techie to understand! But you might be able to pick it up at some point as they're not done messing with it I think.

I hate the switchover. Before it we had a portable TV in our dining room that got all 4 channels with just a small portable aerial. I recently got round to buying a small flat-screen tv with built-in Freeview to replace it, stupidly thinking that since analogue was fine in that room, Freeview would be too. And is it fuck. Not a SINGLE channel. Apparently I'll have to fork out god knows how much for a rooftop aerial. Progress my arse!

edam · 04/04/2012 20:24

aaarrggghh how infuriating!

OP posts:

HellonHeels · 04/04/2012 20:46

I retuned this morning with no problems, but when I first got the TV it took several goes to get it tuned properly. Have you got the user manual? Check if you're giving it the full re-tuning experience.

OlaRapaceFru · 04/04/2012 21:16

Londoner here too. The re-tuning is fairly simple. But don't forget we've been given two dates, today (4th) and then again on the 18th. I can't get BBC1 & BBC2 on one TV, but can get them on the other (both are attached to fairly cheap digiboxes).

Just keep re-tuning, if you feel like it. Otherwise be patient, it's obviously going to take another couple of weeks before everything's back up and working properly.

Meglet · 04/04/2012 21:19

yanbu. Hampshire here. Ours switched over in Feb.

Despite having a set top box the upstairs telly has lost all channels except the BBC channels. I've tried re-tuning it but CH4, Film 4 and Sky are all gone .

The downstairs one is fine though.

EasterBummy · 04/04/2012 21:23

Glad it's not only me! DD was royally pissed off when her Cbeebies channel didn't come on. Can I get a discount in my license now seeing as I'm missing the only BBC channel I watch! (not likely bastards )

Hate this whole thing, feel sorry for elderly or those who aren't really in the know on these things and don't get help... :(

cutegorilla · 04/04/2012 21:24

Try googling your TV make and model and digital switchover to see if other people have encountered the same problems. Some STBs and TVs just can't cope with it but there may be a way to make it work.

EasterBummy · 04/04/2012 21:24

oliverreed · 04/04/2012 21:57

some equipment not compatible. try googling BBC switchover help scheme. On your remote control press the menu button. this should bring up installation/setup, press that button. it may ask if you want add channels or delete and start again. press delete and start again and it should start re-tuning automatically. takes max 5 mins.

edam · 04/04/2012 22:33

Thanks everyone, but especially the easter bunny.

OP posts:

marriedinwhite · 04/04/2012 22:33

It may be my imagination but the picture seems to have improved. Much clearer and sharper and all the colours are better.

edam · 04/04/2012 22:45

Lucky you!

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Dee03 · 04/04/2012 22:50

I re- tuned my new digital tv in my bedroom this morning and have lost itv and channel 4....can only watch 1 and 2!
In the kitchen I've got an old portable and I can still see every channel....at the moment!!

asiatic · 04/04/2012 23:59

Well we've ended up with all the bbc channels in digital, C4 in analogue, no ITV or channel 5, but we never had channel 5 anyway.

Valpollicella · 05/04/2012 00:07

Married, the quality will be better - as it's anow digital signal instead of analougue that is losing bits of quality and colour as it wings its way to you

EasterBunny, there is a whole scheme to help older people who might meed help retuning. It's been quite prolific in its advertising really.

It won't all happen overnight (switchoffs) as different areas are served by different transmitters....which aren't getting turned off at the same time. Depends where you are and which transmitters you get current analougue signals on - so some people will still continue to receive BBC1 &2 until 18th until their wotsit gets turned off.

Keep retuning and if you have problems call the helpline on 08456 50 50 50 - they will be able to help!

asiatic · 05/04/2012 00:14

has anyone been able to get through to this number?

asiatic · 05/04/2012 00:16

We tried to speak to them in advance, but they said they didn't know anything about communial arials, then taday have been unable to get through at all, DS missed the football, which he had been looking forward to all week :(

Valpollicella · 05/04/2012 00:18

Asiatic - try the alternative numbers listed here

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Valpollicella · 05/04/2012 00:18

Bugger, that didn't work.

Hold on

Valpollicella · 05/04/2012 00:21

Digital UK
0845 650 5050
020 7462 5444
An operator transferred me to a very helpful advisor. I was told if I didn't get connected they would ring me back.

Digital UK - Chief Executive's Office
07831 311074
0845 650 5050
020 7462 5411
Why call David Scott, CEO of Digital UK if you want to ask why Digital UK does not provide an 01, 02 or 03 number for its public enquiries line in line with the advice of Ofcom and Sir David Varney

Digital UK - Public Relations Department
0845 650 5050
020 7462 5438
Digital UK's Spring 2009 newsletter at www.digitaluk.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/31020/Get_Set_Spring_09.pdf lists this as the number to call for queries on Tv Regions without their own Manager.

Digital UK Press Office
0845 650 5050
020 7462 5428
Ask Press Officers John Steel or Chris Cain to explain why Digital UK currently ignores Ofcom and Central of Office Information guidance by only quoting 0845 numbers for the general public

Valpollicella · 05/04/2012 00:23

You can probably also deduce that 020 7462 5400 will connect to main reception/a central switchboard - worth a try....

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