local technology TV Tech by Kenny McIntyre
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
During the course of my working day I am asked many interesting questions about TV viewing. My ten most frequently asked and most relevant questions are as follows.
Q1 Why can’t I get all the Freeview channels?
A Most of the country receives Freeview from main transmitters which broadcast the full 40ish TV channels. Some areas can only receive relay transmitters which broadcast just 15 channels, including Freeview HD, for example Kilmacolm. A recent installation of an aerial system for a customer high up in the village of Kilmacolm received a Freeview signal from the main Roseneath transmitter which broadcasts the full channel line-up. The purpose of this install was to obtain Top-up TV (Sky Sports 1 & 2 and ESPN sports channels). Sometimes there can be an exception to the rule and we will always endeavour to use local knowledge.
Q2 What is the difference between Freeview HD, Full HD and HD Ready?
A Freeview HD equipment decodes the HD signal received through an aerial enabling you to view HD channels. This would only be found recent models of TV.
Full HD or 1080p is the highest screen resolution displayed when viewing, for example, a Blu-ray disk.
HD Ready is equipment that has DVI or HDMI sockets which allow the connection of other HD equipment.
Q3 How can I record digital TV?
A Every digital platform now has a “PLUS” brand for digital TV recorders, also known as PVR (personal video recorder) or DVR (digital video recorder): Freeview +, Freesat+, Sky+ and so on. These are typically hard disk/based recorders with two tuners which can record one channel while you watch another, or record two channels while you watch a recording from the hard disk. Disk sizes are rising all the time, with 500gb now typical and 1tv available, allowing you to record hundreds of hours of High Defi nition TV.
Q4 Is there a monthly subscription cost for Sky +HD?
A There is no monthly additional charge to upgrade from standard Sky to Sky+ which, for an existing Sky customer, is a very user friendly way to record digital TV. Sky only supplies Sky+HD satellite boxes which have an added bonus of allowing the viewer to watch fi ve HDTV channels at no extra cost if the customer has an HD Ready TV.
An additional £10.25 p/m gives access of up to 50 HD channels based on your subscription.
Q5 Can my Sky remote operate my TV?
A Yes. The majority of well-known brand TV’s can be operated by a Sky remote which has been properly programmed. Each brand and model of TV requires an individual 4 digit code to be entered into the memory of the Sky remote. Some lesser known brands of TV e.g. supermarket own brands may not have a matching code.
Q6 I have a fault, will you visit and give me a free estimate?
A No is the answer but we will advise the cost of callout charge and other potential costs. Travelling to the job and fault fi nding is time consuming and the main cost to any service industry business. Diagnosing a fault, in my experience, is where the most time and cost is incurred. We stock in our vans all parts necessary to carry out any repair or replacement at the time of callout, unlike other companies.
For further help or advice with your television reception contact Kenny or Clare Alderson (business partner) on 07940585830 or millenniumaerials@
tiscali.co.uk Also see our website
www.aerials4u.co.uk Next months issue will cover wall-mounted TV’s.
24 |NOVEMBER 2011 | your LOCAL news every month - in print and online |
Kilmacolm Camera Club
The season began with members showing some of their photo images taken over the summer break. Old (and new!) members were impressed with the quality and variety of the shots, from weddings, travelogues, landscapes to sporting action and natural history.
We were entertained and amazed with a talk on “Stereoscopic 3D Photography”, by Dennis Alyshev, of Queen’s Park Camera Club. With the help of 3D spectacles, hillsides and architectural features seemed to jump out at us from the screen. A fi rst class evening’s show.
We also had a very informative talk from one of our own members, Chris Scott, on the 6 basic settings of the camera. As with previous seasons, we aim to devote a few evenings to hands-on practical sessions, and Chris’s talk provided some valuable tips for our newer members and helped to consolidate some ideas for the not-so-new members. Later in the season, members will show images which demonstrate their understanding of the basic settings – but no lines or extra photography for anyone who fails! Chris also entertained us with a fascinating audio-visual sequence from his trip to Iceland.
Come along and dip your toes in the fascinating world of photography! Venue: Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01; Tuesday evening, time 7.30pm. Contacts: Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595.
November Gadget Guide Giant Keyboard
This huge pianoforte just has to be laid on the fl oor, turned on and walked over to create a sound. No matter if you’re a novice of notes or a musical maestro (with your feet), you’ll be able to make music in no time at all.
Because it’s a modern sort of keyboard, it comes fully equipped with 8 different musical instrument sounds, including standard piano, saxophone, violin and even vibraphone for fans of exploratory jazz… not sure there’ll be too many of you though. It’s also a great way to get younger folk interested in playing an instrument.
Only £32.99 from www.
iwantoneofthose.com
DIY Straws - Bumper Pack
Create your very own maze of liquid with these DIY Straws - surely the most enjoyable way to share drinks since that weird arm-linking manoeuvre they do with champagne in the movies. You know the one. Anyway, this mammoth 40-piece set is full of different lengths of straws and various connectors so that you can construct the most elaborate of routes for your cordial to travel on.
Only £8.99 from www.
iwantoneofthose.com
Constructive Eating Set
Make dinner time a fun activity with the Constructive Eating cutlery set. Each piece of cutlery is shaped like some kind of cool digger, so your nipper can have a wail of a time excavating their mash, bulldozing peas by the dozen or spearing carrots with a forklift. Perfect if you want to get them used to their fi rst knife and fork while giving them a bit of space to enjoy themselves.
Only £12.99 from www.
iwantoneofthose.com
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