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Getting Ready for Digital TV

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Your TV reception will change by the end of 2012. The government is ending traditional ("analogue") TV signals and replacing them with digital ones. Everyone therefore needs to be sure that their aerial is able to receive the new signal.

You must organise your own switchover if your property has its own individual aerial. Look for more information on the Digital UK website or call 08456 50 50 50.

We will handle the switchover for you if:

  • You are a Guinness Trust tenant AND
  • You watch TV through a communal aerial.

You do not need to do anything now. We will contact you before work is due to start.

Dates have now been set for carrying out these works. To find out more, click on the link for your county or location:

Photos of a recent installation can be seen by clicking here. They give some idea of what you can expect.

And here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is Guinness Trust going to do?
We are going to replace the old communal aerials in most of our flats and some of our houses.

What system is Guinness Trust going to install?
The "Integrated Reception System", (IRS for short) is the most commonly used new Digital Communal TV system. We have chosen it to give you the widest possible freeview and subscription viewing options via satellite and terrestrial TV. This will include (subject to payment of subscription) Sky/Sky Plus and a range of overseas TV channels.

The IRS system will receive the old analogue signal as well as the new digital TV and radio until the analogue system is switched off.

Do you have to access my property to carry out the works?
Yes. While most of the works will take place within the communal areas, the engineers will need access to your premises for approximately 30 minutes. It is only during this time that your TV reception may be disrupted.

What happens next?
Look out for the digital TV pack containing introduction letters and explanatory booklets. It will be dropping through your letter box very soon and gives you all the general information you need about this project.

For more specific information about our plans for your property, you have a number of options:

  • Follow the links above to view the schedule for your area.
  • Contact your housing officer.
  • Ask us to organise a meeting - if enough people are interested, we and our contractor SCCI will come to you and explain what we intend to do.

Paul Taylor is leading on this project and can be contacted at digitaltv@guinness.org.uk or on 01245 228236.