There are high chances that this is the first time you hear about a TV/SAT attenuator. However, as an Aerial Fitter in Preston we do use these from time to time. Also, this article was created especially for you to know everything that you need about this piece of equipment. At the same time, you will find out if a TV/SAT attenuator is required in your case, so you can enjoy better TV services and quality.

Why is it important to know what an attenuator is and is it good for? For starters, many people like taking the matters connected to their TV and TV equipment functioning and set up in their own hands. Many of us think that it is not that difficult to set up this kind of equipment and perform all the installation operations. So, we have the tendency to take all of these as DIY projects. While this is not always a bad thing, you need to know what you are doing to avoid the appearance of problems in the future. It is true that an attenuator is not your everyday piece of equipment. But, even so, if you do need one, it is worth acquiring useful information about it.

​As the name suggests, the TV/SAT attenuator is a piece of equipment capable of attenuating the signal received by your satellite dish or TV antenna. But why should you opt for such a type of equipment? After all, a strong signal is something everybody wants. So, when the signal is too strong, the attenuator comes into the scene and reduces its intensity. Regarding its installation, the attenuator is usually placed in the coax plug, but, surprisingly, there are many other uses of this device, as you are about to find out.

Believe it or not, a strong signal is not always a good thing. If the signal your aerial or sat dish is receiving is too strong, your TV won’t work as expected. In fact, you may experience a series of problems that will keep you from enjoying your favorite TV shows. This problem is more common than you may think, as many people have TV issues because of a strong signal. You need to bear in mind that the signal is actually voltage or current going through various pieces of equipment and cables. Well, these pieces of equipment were created to support current between certain values. When these values are exceeded, the equipment will function poorly and your TV won’t behave as desired.
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What causes a strong signal? The location where you’re at, with regard to the position of the transmitter you want to use for TV services, influences this aspect a lot. In other words, the closer you are to a TV transmitter, the stronger the signal will be. So, knowing this detail will help you determine whether an attenuator might be of help for improved TV services and a proper functioning TV.

Before buying an attenuator, it is worth knowing that they come in various types. So, it is definitely worth checking their properties out before making a final decision. You see, if you buy the wrong kind of attenuator, this will further affect the quality of the signal. So, not any kind of attenuator will do the trick in your case. For example, an attenuator that reduces the power of the signal too much is not desired, as a weak signal will cause problems in its own turn.

• The Coax IEC type

You probably can already tell that this type will go into the coax plug, where it can be easily inserted. It can be connected to the RF input or it can go into various TV equipment, such as amplifiers or splitters.

• The F type

The name of this attenuator type suggests that an F connection is required to make it work. This means that this type will have to be fitted to equipment of distribution or splitters, which can offer this kind of connection. The majority of F type attenuators have a female F connection for the input and male connection for the output. But there are also “in line” models that have the same kind of connection for both ends, which means that you need to have the other in order to make the connection possible.

• Satellite attenuators

If you are using a satellite dish, then the attenuator you are using should have a series of suitable characteristics. One of them is the ability to get through the IF frequencies of the satellite. Also, it should also be DC passing, which means that it must allow DC voltage to go through it, to power the LNB of the satellite or the multi-switch amplifier’s output.

• Adjustable attenuators

This is probably the best compromise if you don’t know for sure how much strength is required to enjoy a good signal, without facing any troubles. The adjustable attenuator will offer a degree of freedom, allowing you to adjust its attenuating power by simply using a screwdriver. There’s a special area on the side of this type of attenuator that will allow you to change the attenuator’s power between 1 to 20 dB, according to your needs. So, all you need to do is keep an eye on the TV and see how it behaves with the adjustments you made. If you attenuate the signal too much, you will notice pixels appearing on the screen of your TV. If you didn’t attenuate the signal enough, you’ll still experience problems generated by too much signal power.
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The main idea to remember is that without adjusting the signal’s power right, you will not enjoy a functioning TV. An attenuator will help you, but you will need to know just how much attenuation is needed. This is not something that can be found with ease. The best way to find the ideal values for the signal in your case is by measuring the actual power of the signal. Usually, TV/SAT attenuators are available in specific increments, such as 3 dB or 6 dB, and others, of course, this is why it is useful to know just how powerful your TV signal is. Also, it is worth knowing that you can find attenuators that are in between traditionally set increments, which offer more or less attenuation, based on what you need.

An attenuator is useful not just for solving issues linked to a signal that is too powerful. It could help you take care of matters like TV tuning. Usually, you don’t need such a piece of equipment to perform a TV tuning operation. However, there are cases when particular TV makes are simply not made in a way that allows them to store the right TV services right. How to tell if this happens? When you run the classic TV scan, in the attempt to tune your TV, the final results will end up featuring a set of duplicate channels. It would be like the TV can’t find the others available.

This happens when your TV aerial gets a signal from more than one transmitter. Although you may find it hard to believe, this is possible even when you properly align the aerial in the direction of the desired transmitter. Its sides can capture the signals provided by the other transmitters in the area. And if you also use an amplifier, this problem will be even more accentuated. So, when your TV stores the wrong kind of signal, this is when issues emerge. The only way to take care of this problem is by manually tuning your TV receiver, so you can get the desired signal only. However, you may be surprised to notice that not all of them allow this operation to be made.
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This is when the attenuator steps into the scene. With its help, you can reduce the strength of the unwanted signals that cause the duplicate channels on the TV. This way, when the TV starts the automatic scanning process, it will go over these signals as they are too weak to cause any more troubles. Once you’re done tuning the TV, remove the attenuator, as it could also diminish the power of the signals you do want to keep.

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• The installation of an attenuator must be done correctly. Otherwise, it will further create signal problems.

 

• If you’re using an amplifier, its mere presence or the fact that it may be overloaded can cause signal issues. So, it would make more sense to remove the amplifier. In the case of a distribution amplifier, you can replace this piece of equipment with a passive splitter. This will do the job while reducing the signal’s power throughout the system.

 

• Do your best to pick the right type of attenuator needed for your TV system. This means to find one that has the adequate value of signal losses and the coax connectors corresponding to your system, as this will save you from a lot of unnecessary work.

 

• The signal has to be right, not too strong and not too weak either. So, you first need to identify the strength of the signal in your case and be sure that the installation position of the attenuator is correct. Otherwise, it won’t do the job it was assigned for.

Digitec Aerials Preston
​
The Watermark,9 – 15 Ribbleton Lane,Preston,PR1 5EZ

Telephone:  01772 369629 ​

In order to keep your satellite safe, out of reach of thieves and sticky fingers, and in an area away from exposure to extreme weather, you may find a loft aerial installation ideal, more information here. Regardless of whether you're considering a new setup, or your loft currently has cables in place, there are a few aspects you need to consider before taking the plunge.

Unfortunately, unlike a TV aerial, while you may be physically able to place a satellite dish in your loft, it simply will not work. Considering the way frequencies work to reach a dish, it needs an unobstructed line of sight or it won't be able to penetrate through the roof. In order to obtain a usable signal, a satellite dishes needs to be installed outdoors on an exterior wall – such as a south facing wall here in the UK. Otherwise, a wall mount may be utilised in order to point the dish over the building, in any direction.
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However, that's not to say you couldn't use a window to your advantage – especially a skylight. The signals that reach your dish are capable of passing through some kinds of glass, if it were to be installed correctly. A project such as this would not be suitable for the unskilled or beginner DIYer, as it is rather difficult and requires expert positioning of the dish. Any nearby loft beams, or rain settling on the windowpane are just two of the problems surrounding the installation of a loft dish dependent upon a skylight. Most individuals who attempt this kind of installation are at high risk of investing money, and an entire afternoon only to be sorely disappointed with the resulting signal loss.

If your home already has cables running to the loft, or you had your place of residence rewired, you would be ready to install a satellite dish. Otherwise, you are facing a large rewiring project that requires significant labour to produce a usable and safe setup. Most importantly, you will need to install cables between the dish, and join onto cables that feed the satellite wall plates that typically enter through fascia, gable end wall or soffit.

Your location, individual project specs, in addition to your loft space, will all work to determine the amount of cables and hardware required. Most often these may include:

• 1 or 2 Cables (Freesat: 1 TV)
• 2 Cables (Sky Q)
• 4 Cables (Quad LNB: up to 4 TVs)
• 6 Cables (Hybrid LNB: Quad & Sky Q Wideband)
• 8 Cables (Octo LNB: 8 TVs)

It is highly unlike for an installer to oblige most requests for a loft installation with existing cables – especially if it's been arranged with Sky. This may put someone in the position of risking their job in order to install your dish, as most Sky installers are not appropriately insured to enter lofts. However, they may be able to install new cable on the outside of the property, and join the Sky box through the wall – unfortunately, this causes unsightly cables. Why go through the process of setting up cables for an internal installation, just to be left with visible wiring from the outside?

​On the other hand, for an installation such as this, you may seek out the help of an independent satellite engineer to install the dish, instead. While the costs may be a little higher overall, you will be left with a more visibly appealing product in the end.

​It's quite disappointing to learn of the impossibilities in regards to installing a dish into your loft, considering the unsuitable positioning. While you may have resigned yourself to the idea of displaying an unsightly dish on an exterior wall of your home, there are other solutions in which you may hide your satellite dish. While an outer wall may offer an easier install, requiring less time, you may consider finding a satellite dish that appears differently (like a Squish Dish), installing a dish on a chimney, on a pole in a garden, or simply paint the dish.

When you absolutely cannot stand the thought of installing a dish on an exterior wall of your home, or building, there are other options available. Although you may be limited in the location in which you may install a dish, there are alternative services out there that you should be made aware of.

1. Opt for a loft TV aerial where a satellite dish isn't suitable. While a dish may not work in your loft, a TV aerial could be another option. However, it's not a guarantee, as an aerial is dependent upon the strength of the signal your area receives. Recordable TV from Freeview Play or Youview is compatible through a TV aerial.
2. An outdoor TV antenna will provide the best TV reception where a loft TV aerial and satellite dish may not be a possibility. In the case where a loft features a foil lining, the signals for a TV aerial will bounce around like crazy, and make it impossible for signals to reach said aerial.
3. Sky without a Sky dish, or SkyGo may be available in the near future, as Sky has promised it's in the works. Rather than a satellite dish receiving signals, a internet connection would be used over an ethernet cable or WIFI signal. It's important to note that this type of service will vary depending upon your internet speeds. Not only will it work well with high speed internet, but it may not be made available to those with slower connections any time soon.
4. Now TV is similar to Sky Go, in which you use the internet to connect and watch your favorite shows. It is more of a pay as you go service, with a 30 day option, that allows you to also connect a TV aerial, if you are in possession of a Now TV box. This type of Smart TV box, in addition to others, permit the use of 3rd party applications for access to further programming via popular apps.

Digitec Aerials Preston
Address: The Watermark,9 – 15 Ribbleton Lane,Preston,PR1 5EZ

Telephone:  01772 369629 

We all know that trees are amazing. They’re a great part of the environment, and we need to plant more of them to take care of the Earth better. But one downside to having trees near your home is when they block your TV aerial or satellite signals. When you’re surrounded by trees, you might have poor TV reception.
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Whether you live in Preston or anywhere else in the country, TV aerials need a clear space to catch signals, and your satellite dish needs a line of sight to get signals from Earth’s orbit. Unfortunately, it only takes a handful of trees to interrupt your late-night TV binge.

​Trees can cause a host of problems for your TV reception, but, thankfully, there are steps you can take to help. There is always a way around your tree vs. signal dilemma. Trees do affect specific channels more than others, so you might have a tree issue but get some channels okay while others are missing entirely.

Satellite dishes used for Freesat & Sky TV receive signals from satellites in Earth’s orbit and come in at high frequencies. The frequencies have a small wavelength, and most obstructions (trees) are closer to the satellite dish (receiver) than the satellite (transmitter). This means that satellite dishes need a line of sight to the satellite, or you will have poor reception and may lose channels altogether. Higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths are more apt to absorb into the surrounding trees than hit your dish.
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Every satellite that delivers TV orbits around the equator. In the northern hemisphere, satellite dishes point south, and in the southern hemisphere, they point north. This means that if you have trees in the opposite direction, they will not affect your TV signals. If you have trees in the same direction as your dish, you will almost certainly have issues.
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Of course, another issue is that trees are growing throughout the year, and some trees can grow quickly. A tree that isn’t causing a problem one year can disrupt your signal the next. The more growth you have, the more likely it is that your signal will get interrupted.
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Trees are also prone to move in the wind, especially gales. Moving trees naturally cause disruptions with your TV signals. Your picture might break up or pixelate, and you could lose service entirely. Moving trees are typically not a permanent issue, but they can cause problems during a storm. Higher frequency signals are more likely to lose track during a gale.

​Trees also change during the changing of the seasons. Starting in spring and lasting through fall, your trees will grow leaves, which can contribute to poor TV reception. Leaves cause more organic material that the TV signals have to pass through to get to your home. You might have a situation where the signal is perfect during the winter and starts failing when the leaves grow.

The problems above can be detrimental to your TV watching experience, but there is a solution to every problem. Work through some of the fixes below and see whether you can get a better signal and reception. If all else fails, there are two fail-safe methods outlined at the end.
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One obvious answer to your issue is to move the satellite dish so that the trees are no longer causing a problem. This entails removing, moving, and installing the dish higher up on your house. One excellent option is using your chimney to hold the satellite dish. You can use a mast and brackets to attach to the chimney or another high part of your house. Call a professional to help with re-installation.

In some cases, after you move the dish, the trees still block your signal. You need to work to find the best position and get creative with placement.
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If you have an aerial instead of a satellite dish, you can also move it to avoid the trees. Try putting the aerial on your roof, or if it is already on your roof, place it in a higher spot. You can try using a crank mast to point the aerial around the trees. If none of this works, you might get a better signal by putting the aerial in a loft.

If you can’t move the position or you already have, and the signal still isn’t perfect, you can try re-aligning your device. You can also try a different transmitter that is less affected by the trees. There are other options, including a higher gain aerial or a TV signal amplifier.

Re-align your existing aerial from the old transmitter to the new and make sure that the aerial polarisation is accurate. The TV antenna should also be compatible with the new transmitter.
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Instead of changing your transmitter, you can also swap your aerial for a dish or vice versa. Trees that block an aerial may not block a satellite dish, and the same goes in the other direction. Swapping out your device might be the best solution to a tough situation.

​Changing the position and re-aligning your device doesn’t work in every situation. If you’re less worried about live TV and just want to watch your favorite shows when it suits you, you can switch to a streaming service. Streaming services like Netflix allow you to watch what you want on-demand, and they don’t require a satellite or aerial. All you need is a stable internet connection.

If all else fails and you’re not interested in streaming TV shows, your last resort might be cutting down some of the bothersome trees. You can call a professional tree surgeon to help prune our cut down trees that are blocking your TV signal.
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If the trees aren’t on your property, you can call your local government about cutting the trees, or talk to your neighbour about pruning parts of their trees — how you remove them depends on whether they’re on public or private land.

Of course, the most drastic option to receive a better signal is to move houses. It's rare, but it does happen that a household wants a better TV signal and decides that the best option for them is to change where they live. If you choose to go this route, make sure that you test the new property or home to see whether it does get a better signal than your old house.

The last thing you want is to buy or build a new home only to discover that you're in the same situation when it comes to the TV signal.

Conclusion
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Trees cause a lot of problems but, thankfully, there are plenty of solutions from which to choose. While not everyone is willing to cut down their trees or even move to a new house just for better TV signals, those are always options.

Many people can get better reception simply by following one of the milder steps outlined above. You can move your satellite dish or aerial, re-align your transmitter, or swap one device for another.
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If you end up frustrated and unable to get the best position, you can also forgo the aerial and satellite dish and switch to streaming your shows only. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu offer hundreds of TV shows and movies for a low monthly fee. Some streaming platforms also have the option of watching live TV at an additional cost. However, streaming does require a stable internet connection, which is not always feasible.
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At the end of the day, no matter what problem you have, there is a solution.

​Digitec Aerials Preston
​The Watermark, 9 – 15 Ribbleton Ln, Preston PR1 5EZ
https://goo.gl/maps/DJSyzCWAXBARELUa9

Most satellite television menus will provide users with some sort of measurement of the signal they are receiving. In most cases, this will be displayed in terms of “Signal Strength” and “Signal Quality.” But what do these terms actually mean? Can you alter them? Moreover, what impact do they actually have on the quality of the picture on your television set? As TV Aerial Installers in Preston we will attempt to clearly explain what the difference is.
 
Before we begin this discussion, it’s important to note that all televisions and television services are different. Not everybody will be able to find a reading on their signal’s strength or quality, and some will only see arbitrary numbers or percentages that seem to have no meaning. Still, regardless of what is displayed, it is still helpful to know what this information means for your signal. 

​Whenever I install aerials or satellite dishes, I use a device known as a Horizon Meter. This meter provides measurements on signal strength, potential interference, and more. I mention this because the signal measurements that you get from this device are far more accurate then what you will find in your television or satellite menus. So while you can technically get some information from these sources, you should take it with a grain of salt until you use a device like this. 

​One of the biggest issues with the signal readings you get from your satellite box or television is that these devices don’t tell you how they’re reading and measuring the signal. As I mentioned, you’ll usually only be given a percentage, signal bars, or a set of numbers that are meaningless unless you know how to read them. This can lead to a lot of misleading results and cause a lot of confusion as to why you might not be getting everything you paid for. In some cases, TVs will give you a Bit Error Ration (BER), which is far more useful than the generic data other models offer. 

​The problem with signals that are presented as percentages is that signals aren’t measured this way. This means that whatever number you see is practically useless as far as conveying information. If you see a signal rating of 100%, you might assume there is no room for improvement on the signal, but this isn’t true. You can always get a stronger signal by installing a TV amplifier or high-gain aerial. Of course, doing this arbitrarily – without consulting a professional – can lead to having too much signal, which can overload tuners and equipment and make your signal worse. 

​You should always expect your TV signal to be a full bar or (if we must use it as a measurement) a full 100%. This generally conveys that everything is working as expected, and the signal won’t cause any issues with your reception. If you are given a different reading, you should first check the tuning of your television and other equipment. In the end, your main focus should be on the reading for quality, not the reading for strength. This is the only real indicator that the signal might be worth looking into. 

​You might plug one TV in and find fully-rated signal strength and quality, then plug in another brand to find completely different readings. This has nothing to do with the signal per se, but with the way that different TVs and Set-Top Boxes read and display the signal info. Ultimately, there is no “industry standard” for how televisions do this. 

In order to read your television’s signal strength correctly, you need to know exactly how they are measured. Put simply: a TV signal is a voltage measured in units called dB micro-volts. The scale starts at 0dB, or 1 micro-volt, and continues upward. In most cases, when you have a weak signal, a small adjustment of the dB can really help. 
 
For reference, here is a quick guide to the MINIMUM signal strength levels of several types of televisions. 

• Terrestrial Digital TV – 50dB
  
• Analogue TV – 60dB
  
• Satellite TV – 52dB
  
  

​With digital television signals, the quality or the “robustness” is often measured by evaluating the signal strength minus the electrical noise that can come from various interfering sources. As these noises are present inside the actual signal, relying on the measurement of the signal’s strength alone will not determine the overall quality. In the end, the more actual signal that can be received by the TV transmitter, the more protection the device will have from noise and interference. 
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You can measure signal quality in a few different ways: 
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​​This is the measurement of the peak signal reading and the noise floor of the signal, but ignores noise present in the signal itself. 
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This measures the signal floor and compares it to the signal being received. It doesn’t measure any noise present in the signal, but it does account for it. 
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Considered the best measurement for digital TV signal reliability; this measures both the signal and the noise present inside of it. 
 

​There will always be some errors in a digital signal – it’s unavoidable. That is why signals have a built-in error correction known as FEC or Viterbi EC. When you see that 100% reading, you are seeing no errors because correction has already automatically taken place. When there are errors still present after correction, you will see pixelated or blocky images. 

Many people assume that the installation of a booster or TV aerial amplifier will increase the signal strength reading on their receiver. Such devices are a good idea if the goal is to overcome signal loss, and they should be installed as close to the aerial as possible (but not within one meter) in order to function well. 
 
If you place the device too close to your television, for instance, you will boost the levels of electrical noise in the signal and introduce new noise to the readings. You also risk overloading the equipment, which is just as bad for the picture as a weak signal. 
 
As a rule of thumb, amplifiers are best used where the signal enters the TV tuner in a weakened state. This should help boost the signal enough to maintain reliable reception. 
 
Conclusion

It’s important to remember – despite all this information – that the signal and quality readings reported by your TV should only serve as a rough guide. As you can see, there is much more that goes into the process, and those who try to make adjustments on their own often do much more harm than good. 
 
When in doubt, contact a professional and have them evaluate your signal, TV, tuner, and / or amplifier with high-quality equipment. 
 
As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them my way!
Cheers.

Digitec Aerials Preston
​The Watermark, 9 – 15 Ribbleton Ln, Preston PR1 5EZ
Tel: 01772 369629
https://goo.gl/maps/DJSyzCWAXBARELUa9

Freeview is the free to air and watch (apart from requiring a TV licence), via a standard TV Aerial for digital television. It is transmitted from a terrestrial TV mast located various regions throughout the UK & Ireland. To be able to watch Freeview you will require a working and properly installed TV Aerial. With that being said, there are other ways to be able to watch many of the same channels broadcast on the Freeview platform. In this article the engineer at Digitec will explain for you other options and ways to watch TV without having to pay for a TV aerial installation. 

​In short, the answer is yes. You can watch Freeview play using either a smart TV, a set top box or by using an app from off a mobile device. There are over 100 channels available for on demand viewing, and these can be viewed. All that is required for viewing is one of the devices mentioned and a half decent internet connection for streaming. 
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​As of writing this article, it is not possible to watch live TV (Freeview) legally over an internet connection. For this option a good TV aerial set up is necessary.
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There are a few different ways in which to be able to watch the same channels broadcast on the Freeview platform. In this article I will only be covering UK based platforms and not any foreign systems.

For the UK there are 2 different satellite platforms from which to watch live TV. These are Sky & Freesat. Sky is probably more well known than Freesat, but all of the free to air channels can be watched on these. Sky is the subscription-based satellite TV provider. With it there is all of the free to air TV channels, plus a large range of other channels, for movies, sports etc.

Freesat has no subscription or paid channels and the platform only provides the free to air TV channels. This is a great option if living in a region where the TV signal from off the local TV transmitter is compromised.

​Virgin is the only option for the UK at this present time, and it is a subscription-based service. With this service you are able to watch both Free to air and the TV channels that have been subscribed to.

Using the internet to watch television is probably one of most revolutionary aspects of peoples TV habits coming into the 2020’s. 

​Most new televisions come with the ability to be able to connect to the internet and stream certain TV channels. These TVs’ are called a ‘Smart TV’. The type of channels available are the catch up channels such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 & My5. 

​If using an older television, there is still the option to watch these free catch up channels by purchasing a Smart TV stick. As well as having the catch up channels, these USB sticks will have a range of other channels to view. Some of these USB TV Sticks are the Kodi Stick, Amazon firestick, Chromecast by Google to name a few. Along with the free channels, with these there is the option to sign up to their subscription-based channels too.

​Set Top Boxes offer a little bit more than the USB Sticks. They can often offer a recording option. Plus, with games consoles like the X-box and PlayStation you can play video games on these as well.

​By using an ipad or other mobile phone you can mirror the program being streamed onto the television. If you have Amazon or apple TV, there is that option as long as the TV is new enough and has that you can set up the mirroring from off your device.

​To watch any live TV from within the UK, it is at time of writing this the law to pay for a TV licence. Although more and more households are ditching the licence, it isn’t yet legal to watch live TV without the licence.

All TV Aerials in the UK get their signals from a land-based Transmitter, and because of this depending where the transmitter is in relation to the aerial will relate to how much of a signal can be received. Other factors to take into consideration is the local geography such as hills, trees and valleys which will impact on the signal. Due to this most TV antennas are situated outside, but not all.

​The make up of a roof can negatively impact on the signal getting through to a loft aerial. That being said, it is possible in many homes to have adequate signal strength from an aerial fitted in a loft. The signal strength can be reduced by over 50% in a loft, but factors such as the type of loft lining, externally fitted solar panels should be taken into consideration.

Many if not all new build properties come with a stipulation in the contract that any TV aerial required is to be fitted internally. This is for aesthetics and not because it is a better way of doing it. Plus, in many installations an additional amplifier is required because of the reduced signal being received from within the loft.

​As previously mentioned, one of the major benefits to having it fitted in the loft or attic, is that it is out of sight and looks better than having it fitted externally either on the chimney or wall. Another benefit is that if fitted correctly, the aerial should last for decades and will always outlast an externally fitted TV aerial. This is because it's not being exposed to the weather year after year.

​It is generally when the signal strength being received is low or poor. When in a poor signal area, it is always better to maximise the amount of signal being received by fitting the aerial externally. This also gives the aerial fitter the option of using a tall mast in order to pick up more of the signal. Something that cannot be done within a loft.

This is often the case in the more rural areas where hills and the lay of the land tend to get in the way and also, generally because the transmitter is a long way away. In these kind of scenarios it can sometimes be impossible to pick up a good enough signal from within a loft, even if it was to be boosted, it wouldn’t be enough.

​To maximise a signal, for those living in a poor or weak signal area as previously mentioned, it is best to use an externally fitted aerial. But there are more ways in which to increase a weak signal, such as;

1. Use a high gain aerial
2. Increase the height of the aerial by using a tall mast
3. Use only high-quality copper cable
4. Make sure all connections are fitted correctly
5. Use some sort of powered amplifier such as a masthead amp, with a 25db variable gain.

By employing these methods, a decent aerial installer will be able to get a good enough signal in most locations in the country. And for the aeras' which it really is impossible, there is always the option of installing a satellite dish or either Freesat or Sky.

Dating back to the glory periods of the Roman Empire, Preston made it to our days and, even more than this, transformed into a beautiful and modern city. So, when visiting Preston, it is possible to enjoy everything a modern city has and see fragments of its rich history. In case you are still looking to reasons to visit Preston, here are several interesting facts about Preston that will definitely stir your curiosity.

• The word “teetotal” was invented in Preston

 
If you are not familiar with this word, you should know that it makes reference to abstention from alcohol. During a meeting of the Preston Temperance Society, back in 1833, this word was used for the first time in order to define the need to stay away from alcohol consumption. However, you don’t have to be teetotal in order to visit Preston. There is a rather considerable number of pubs and bars in the city that can be enjoyed by anyone.

• Digitec Aerials Preston 

So, Preston is a hive of activity for small to medium size businesses. One such business is Digitec Aerials Preston. They are service engineers for the Preston area fixing TV Aerials & Satellite Systems . They offer a wider range of services than your typical Sky Engineers since they are not restricted to heights.

• It was the first city in the UK that used gas to light up its streets

 
More than two centuries ago, the streets of Preston were lit with the help of gas lamps. This was possible with the help of a network of gas pipes. Outside London, Preston was the first city in the country that enjoyed such an upgrade. However, some of the standards of those days would definitely not get safety approvals today, since some of those pipes were made out of musket barrels.

• Preston enjoyed the first KFC restaurant made outside North America

 
Fans of the Kentucky Fried Chicken should know that people in Preston were the first living outside Canada and the US who had the chance to enjoy the famous KFC chicken. Back in 1965, in the month of May, the first KFC restaurant appeared in the city. Today, you can find no less than tree KFC eateries in the central area of Preston.

• It may have the longest line of red phone boxes in the country

 
The red phone box is famous in the UK and the item was featured in numerous movies. Even if no one uses payphones these days anymore, there’s something fascinating about these phone booths. They add a bit of nostalgia to the city’s landscape. Preston has a line of no less than 8 red phone boxes, placed one after the other. It is believed that this is the longest line of the kind in the entire UK. So, if you want to see something special in the UK, you can definitely experience it in Preston. But, hurry, as the city council talks about repurposing these boxes, so no one knows for how long they can be seen in their current location.

• It is home to one of the most representative Brutalist architectural pieces

 
Preston has a bus station like no other. It was built toward the end of the 1960s and represents an act of modern architectural charity. The Twentieth Century Society called this bus station one of the most representative of the Brutalist architectural style. If you want to get familiar with this style, you can easily visit Preston and see this masterpiece, which is available to every passerby. 

https://www.digitec-aerials.co.uk/digital-tv--satellite-news-blog/a-short-history-of-preston

Located on the north of the river Ribble, Preston is Lancashire’s administrative center. This charming city can still show a few pieces of evidence that date back to the days of the Roman Empire. So, the city is older than it may seem. Even before a settlement appeared in the area where Preston lies today, Roman roads passed where the center of the city is today.

It is believed that a Roman camp or station was located southeast of the town’s center, which explains why these ancient roads existed in Preston. One of the roads is believed to be the one leading from Carlisle to Manchester, which used to cross the river and lead to the previously mentioned Roman camping site.
 
Concerning the name of the city, Preston, one theory suggests that it came from the town’s Priest. He made reference to a priory that was founded near the lowest ford of River Ribble, by St. Wilfrid. Similarities between the Paschal Lamb that is featured both St. Wilfrid’s crest and Preston’s crest can be considered as proofs to confirm this theory. The first time Preston was ever mentioned in a book was back in 1086.

​Its name appears in the Domesday Book, but by that time, Preston was already a developed city in the central Lancashire area, known as Amounderness in those days. Between 1218 and 1219, Preston underwent an assessment for tax purposes and the results showed that the city was the wealthiest one in the entire county.

The guild week that is still celebrated in Preston in nowadays dates back to 1179. King Henry II allowed the Burgesses of Preston to hold a so-called “Guild Merchant” and, since then, it is celebrated in Preston every 20 years, the last one being held in 2012, with its start on the 2nd of September. It is worth mentioning that the guild of Preston is the only guild that continues to be celebrated in the United Kingdom.
 
The pre-industrial era caught Preston in the middle of several decisive battles in the history of the UK. Because the city was located between London and Glasgow, at an equal distance of each, the location served as background for a few significant battles, such as the Battle of Preston in 1648, during the English Civil War.

During the 19th century, Preston transformed from a market town to a larger, more developed industrial city. The water frame, for example, was invented in Preston, by Richard Arkwright. According to certain writing, Preston was the first city located outside London that used gas for lighting the streets. Karl Marks even called Preston as being the next St. Petersburg.
 
When Preston reached the year 1901, it was a flourishing industrial city, with more than 120,000 people living there. Between the wars, new industries came to Preston, which improved the situation triggered by the decline of the cotton industry. Engineering and the manufacturing of electrical goods changed the economy of the city.

During World War II, the city recorded no fatalities and only endure several air raids. In 1960, the center of the city received a new face. Old buildings were torn down in order to make room for new and more modern developments, like the St. George’s Shopping Centre, opened in 1966, and, 20 years later, the Fishergate Shopping Centre.

Written by Digitec Aerials of Preston https://www.digitec-aerials.co.uk/preston-tv-aerial-installation.htmlPreston TV Aerial Installation

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