Digital Switchover & Retunes: London (Merged)
Welcome.
Two weeks ahead of the first pre-switchover retune in the region, tailored coverage for forum members in the London region or those outside wanting to follow the latest developments.
Including coverage of the pre-switchover overnight tests, commentary on the changes plus general switchover-related reception queries.
Full details follow for the following transmitter groups, plus generic information about the switchover and multiplexes, with an explanation of terms:
Transmitter Groups:
Crystal Palace and all relays (starts switchover 4th April 2012)
The following details are based on current information and may be superseded by further developments posted later in this thread.
Information prepared using sources from OFCOM, Digital UK, bbc.co.uk/reception.
Pre and Post Switchover Multiplexes
Digital services are bundled together in multiplexes (or groups of channels). The pre-switchover multiplexes vary in comparison to the post-switchover multiplexes.
Pre-switchover multiplexes broadcast in 2k mode, post-switchover multiplexes in 8k. Older boxes and integrated digital TVs, including ITV Digital and OnDigital boxes will cease to work.
Pre-DSO muxes:
Mux 1 (includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC News)
Mux 2 (includes ITV1, 2, 1+1, C4, E4, More4 and C5)
Mux A (includes 5*, QVC, ITV3, Quest)
Mux B (includes BBC Four, Cbeebies, BBC Parliament, Sky Sports1/2)
Mux C (includes Sky's Pick TV, Sky News, Dave)
Mux D (includes VIVA, 4Music, Film4, AlJazeera)
Post-DSO muxes:
BBC-A (aka PSB-1) (all of the BBC's standard definition services, combining BBC services from the old Mux1 and Mux
D3&4 (aka PSB-2) (ITV1,2,1+1, C4, M4, E4, C5, C4+1)
BBC-B (aka PSB-3 or HD Mux) (BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, 4 HD)
The above three will also be available on all relays that currently don't have digital.
COM Muxes - not available on relays that currently don't have digital:
SDN (was Mux A) (includes 5*, QVC, ITV3, Quest)
Arq A (was Mux C) (includes Pick TV, Sky News, Dave)
Arq B (was Mux D) (includes VIVA, 4 Music, Film4, Al Jazeera, Sky Sports1/2)
Overnight interruptions to service
In advance of the switchover, there will be tests that require analogue and digital services to go off air for a few hours overnight as the new equipment is tested.
On Switchover / Retune days, changes occur just after midnight. There is likely to be an interruption to services, which may vary from site to site and multiplex to multiplex depending on the scale of the engineering work involved with the switchover at your local site. Normal service resumes by 6am, unless stated. Viewers receiving from relays will regain services later in the day - this information will follow in due course.
Switchover is a two stage process - what happens at each stage:
STAGE 1 - RETUNE. FIRST ANALOGUE SERVICE CLOSES, BBC SERVICES LAUNCH AT FULL POWER ON NEW FREQUENCY.
Generally BBC 2 analogue is switched off at stage 1 with the BBC's standard definition multiplex (BBC-A) going live a few hours later. In most locations, ITV London will move to the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
For a two week period you have the change to ensure that your set up is OK - if you can't get BBC-A with the digital BBC Two, you need to act. This period gives viewers on relays a change to set up digital equipment, as digital wouldn't have been available before stage 1.
STAGE 2- RETUNE. ALL REMAINING ANALOGUE TV CEASES. FREEVIEW HD LAUNCHES (relays)/GOES FULL POWER (Crystal Palace)
Stage 2 signals the end of remaining analogue services. Digital services move frequencies, often to the frequencies vacated by the analogue services, so a further retune is needed. Viewers with Freeview HD labelled TV's and PVRs will get access to the HD services for the first time. Ordinary HDTVs will not suffice.
At some locations, further retunes are needed - either before or after the main switchover event.
This is because of switchover events in neighbouring areas, e.g. where your local transmitter may not be able to use the final allocation of frequencies until a change has been made at a neighbouring transmitter.
Where relays use part of the UHF frequency band above 800MHz (Channels 61 and 62), a further retune will be needed as this part of the band is being
cleared. There may be further last-minute reallocations of final relay UHF channels before switchover. This will be flagged up in this thread.
OVERLAPS:
Following switchover, some viewers in the London region may be able to receive additional signals, especially from Sandy Heath (Beds, Bucks, Cambs), Hannington (Meridian region), Oxford (Meridian, ex Central South), Bluebell Hill (Meridian), depending on location.
Viewers in Essex may also receive Sudbury/Rouncefall Single Frequency Network (Anglia).
ISSUES:
Digital UK warn that viewers with VCRs receiving from Crystal Palace who have set timer recordings for BBC2 analogue after 4th April 2012 would get a recording of ITV1 London analogue instead, due to the frequency swap. This issue has the potential to happen in a number of location during the UK's digital switchover, but Digital UK found it worthy to mention in the London 1 Year Newsletter.
HD:
Freeview HD has been available in parts of the Greater London region since November 2009, initially as part of a trade transmission of DVB-T2, then from March 2010 following the public launch of Freeview HD to all members of the public with a compatible DVB-T2 receiver. The services have only been available from the Crystal Palace transmitter and at lower transmission power, plus directional beam meaning that not all receiving from Crystal Palace could make use of the Freeview HD advance network service.
Crystal Palace's HD service transfers from Advance Network service to Regular Network service on 18th April 2012 and will be at full power, omni-directional and carried on all relay transmitters from this date.
Further reading:
UHF channel list: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/tech-guidance/London.pdf
Digital UK: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/London
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/tools__and__resources/almanac/installer_newsletters_2009_pdfs/London_12_MO_Newsletter.pdf
Two weeks ahead of the first pre-switchover retune in the region, tailored coverage for forum members in the London region or those outside wanting to follow the latest developments.
Including coverage of the pre-switchover overnight tests, commentary on the changes plus general switchover-related reception queries.
Full details follow for the following transmitter groups, plus generic information about the switchover and multiplexes, with an explanation of terms:
Transmitter Groups:
Crystal Palace and all relays (starts switchover 4th April 2012)
The following details are based on current information and may be superseded by further developments posted later in this thread.
Information prepared using sources from OFCOM, Digital UK, bbc.co.uk/reception.
Pre and Post Switchover Multiplexes
Digital services are bundled together in multiplexes (or groups of channels). The pre-switchover multiplexes vary in comparison to the post-switchover multiplexes.
Pre-switchover multiplexes broadcast in 2k mode, post-switchover multiplexes in 8k. Older boxes and integrated digital TVs, including ITV Digital and OnDigital boxes will cease to work.
Pre-DSO muxes:
Mux 1 (includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC News)
Mux 2 (includes ITV1, 2, 1+1, C4, E4, More4 and C5)
Mux A (includes 5*, QVC, ITV3, Quest)
Mux B (includes BBC Four, Cbeebies, BBC Parliament, Sky Sports1/2)
Mux C (includes Sky's Pick TV, Sky News, Dave)
Mux D (includes VIVA, 4Music, Film4, AlJazeera)
Post-DSO muxes:
BBC-A (aka PSB-1) (all of the BBC's standard definition services, combining BBC services from the old Mux1 and Mux
D3&4 (aka PSB-2) (ITV1,2,1+1, C4, M4, E4, C5, C4+1)
BBC-B (aka PSB-3 or HD Mux) (BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, 4 HD)
The above three will also be available on all relays that currently don't have digital.
COM Muxes - not available on relays that currently don't have digital:
SDN (was Mux A) (includes 5*, QVC, ITV3, Quest)
Arq A (was Mux C) (includes Pick TV, Sky News, Dave)
Arq B (was Mux D) (includes VIVA, 4 Music, Film4, Al Jazeera, Sky Sports1/2)
Overnight interruptions to service
In advance of the switchover, there will be tests that require analogue and digital services to go off air for a few hours overnight as the new equipment is tested.
On Switchover / Retune days, changes occur just after midnight. There is likely to be an interruption to services, which may vary from site to site and multiplex to multiplex depending on the scale of the engineering work involved with the switchover at your local site. Normal service resumes by 6am, unless stated. Viewers receiving from relays will regain services later in the day - this information will follow in due course.
Switchover is a two stage process - what happens at each stage:
STAGE 1 - RETUNE. FIRST ANALOGUE SERVICE CLOSES, BBC SERVICES LAUNCH AT FULL POWER ON NEW FREQUENCY.
Generally BBC 2 analogue is switched off at stage 1 with the BBC's standard definition multiplex (BBC-A) going live a few hours later. In most locations, ITV London will move to the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
For a two week period you have the change to ensure that your set up is OK - if you can't get BBC-A with the digital BBC Two, you need to act. This period gives viewers on relays a change to set up digital equipment, as digital wouldn't have been available before stage 1.
STAGE 2- RETUNE. ALL REMAINING ANALOGUE TV CEASES. FREEVIEW HD LAUNCHES (relays)/GOES FULL POWER (Crystal Palace)
Stage 2 signals the end of remaining analogue services. Digital services move frequencies, often to the frequencies vacated by the analogue services, so a further retune is needed. Viewers with Freeview HD labelled TV's and PVRs will get access to the HD services for the first time. Ordinary HDTVs will not suffice.
At some locations, further retunes are needed - either before or after the main switchover event.
This is because of switchover events in neighbouring areas, e.g. where your local transmitter may not be able to use the final allocation of frequencies until a change has been made at a neighbouring transmitter.
Where relays use part of the UHF frequency band above 800MHz (Channels 61 and 62), a further retune will be needed as this part of the band is being
cleared. There may be further last-minute reallocations of final relay UHF channels before switchover. This will be flagged up in this thread.
OVERLAPS:
Following switchover, some viewers in the London region may be able to receive additional signals, especially from Sandy Heath (Beds, Bucks, Cambs), Hannington (Meridian region), Oxford (Meridian, ex Central South), Bluebell Hill (Meridian), depending on location.
Viewers in Essex may also receive Sudbury/Rouncefall Single Frequency Network (Anglia).
ISSUES:
Digital UK warn that viewers with VCRs receiving from Crystal Palace who have set timer recordings for BBC2 analogue after 4th April 2012 would get a recording of ITV1 London analogue instead, due to the frequency swap. This issue has the potential to happen in a number of location during the UK's digital switchover, but Digital UK found it worthy to mention in the London 1 Year Newsletter.
HD:
Freeview HD has been available in parts of the Greater London region since November 2009, initially as part of a trade transmission of DVB-T2, then from March 2010 following the public launch of Freeview HD to all members of the public with a compatible DVB-T2 receiver. The services have only been available from the Crystal Palace transmitter and at lower transmission power, plus directional beam meaning that not all receiving from Crystal Palace could make use of the Freeview HD advance network service.
Crystal Palace's HD service transfers from Advance Network service to Regular Network service on 18th April 2012 and will be at full power, omni-directional and carried on all relay transmitters from this date.
Further reading:
UHF channel list: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/tech-guidance/London.pdf
Digital UK: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/London
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/tools__and__resources/almanac/installer_newsletters_2009_pdfs/London_12_MO_Newsletter.pdf
0
Comments
*** CRYSTAL PALACE
Current information, technical details subject to change.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 26, 33, 23, 30, (37 Croydon)
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 25-, 22-, 32-, 28-, 34+, 29-, 31 (HD)
# Effective Radiated Power: 1000kW ERP (Horizontal) for analogue. 20kW (Horizontal) for SD Digital, 10kW (Directional, Horizontal) for HD.
Switchover first stage: 4th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, BBC2 analogue will be switched off. ITV1 London moves to UHF channel 33. BBC-A launches on old ITV1 London analogue frequency by 6am.
Analogue UHF Channels: 26, 33, 30, (37 Croydon)
Digital UHF Channels: 23, 22-, 32-, 28-, 34+, 29-, 31
# Effective Radiated Power: 1000kW ERP for remaining analogue, 200kW for BBC-A, 20kW for Mux2, A, B, C, D. 10kW & directional for HD mux. Horizontal Polarisation.
Switchover second stage: 18th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply. All multiplexes on final post switchover modes and powers.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 23, 26, 30- (HD), 25, 22, 28.
# Effective Radiated Power: 200kW ERP (Horizontal polarisation) for all multiplexes.
*** GUILDFORD:
Current information, technical details subject to change.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 40, 46, 43, 50
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 49-,44+, 41+, 51+, 47+, 54
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 200w (vertical) for Mux 1,2,A,B 100w (Vertical) for Mux C/D.
Switchover first stage: 4th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, BBC2 analogue will be switched off. ITV1 London analogue moves frequency. By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old ITV1 analogue frequency. Mux 2 changes frequencies until stage 2.
Analogue UHF Channels: 40, 46, 50
Digital UHF Channels: 43, 49-, 41+, 51+, 47+, 54
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 2 kW (vertical) for BBC-A digital, 200w (vertical) for Mux 2, A, B & 100w (Vertical) for remaining digital.
Switchover second stage: 18th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply for all multiplexes, except BBC-A.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 43, 46, 40 (HD), 48, 52, 49
# Effective Radiated Power: 2 kW ERP (vertical) all services.
*** HEMEL HEMPSTEAD:
Current information, technical details subject to change.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 51,44,41, 47
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 48+,55,60+,59-,62,65
Advance Retune Event: 14th September 2011.
Due to frequency changes linked to switchover events at Oxford and Sandy Heath, UHF channel changes for Mux 1 and Mux A.
More information from Digital UK: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/tools__and__resources/almanac/installer_newsletters_transmitter_groups2009_pdfs/Special_edition-installers_hemelhempstead_retune_event1_AugFINAL.pdf
Analogue UHF Channels: 51, 44, 41, 47
Digital UHF Channels: 56, 55, 68, 59-, 62, 65
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 400w (vertical) for Mux 1,2,A,B 200w (Vertical) for Mux C/D.
Switchover first stage: 4th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, BBC2 analogue will be switched off.
By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
Analogue UHF Channels: 51, 41, 47
Digital UHF Channels: 44,55,68,59-,62,65
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 2kW (vertical) for BBC-A, 400w (vertical) for Mux 2,A,B 200w (Vertical) for Mux C/D.
Switchover second stage: 18th April 2011.
Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 44, 41, 47 (HD), 50, 59, 55
# Effective Radiated Power: 2 kW ERP (vertical) all services.
Hemel Hempstead also has a small relay in the town, known as Hemel Hempstead Town. It does not currently carry digital. See 'relays' section below.
*** REIGATE:
Current information, technical details subject to change.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 57, 63, 60, 53, 42
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 31, 21+, 24, 27, 39, 66
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 200w (vertical) for Mux 1,2,A,B 100w (Vertical) for Mux C/D.
Advance Event: 7th March 2012.
Existing DTT/Freeview services. DTT Power Up. No frequency change. No retune.
Switchover first stage: 4th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, BBC2 analogue will be switched off. ITV1 London analogue moves UHF channels to old BBC2 frequency
By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old ITV1 analogue frequency.
Analogue UHF Channels: 57, 63, 53, 42
Digital UHF Channels: 60-, 21+, 27, 24, 39, 66
# Effective Radiated Power: 10 kW ERP (vertical) for analogue, 2 kW (vertical) for BBC-A digital, 200w (vertical) for Mux 2, A, B & 100w (Vertical) for remaining digital.
Switchover second stage: 18th April 2012.
Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 60-, 57, 21+, 24, 27, 53
# Effective Radiated Power: 2 kW ERP (vertical) all services.
*** RELAY TRANSMITTERS:
Post-switchover UHF channel information for all of Greater London's relays can be found in the following document:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/tech-guidance/London.pdf
The full list of relays:
Alexandra Palace
Assendon
Biggin Hill Link
Biggin Hill
Bishop's Stortford
Cane Hill
Caterham
Chepping Wycombe
Chesham
Chingford
Croydon Old Town
East Grinstead
Edmonton
Farningham
Finchley
Forest Row
Gravesend
Great Missenden
Greenwich
Guildford (main 6 Mux transmitter, see above)
Hammersmith
Hampstead Heath
Hemel Hempstead (main 6 Mux transmitter, see above)
Hemel Hempstead Town
Henley
Hertford
High Wycombe
Hughenden
Kenley
Kensal Town
Lea Bridge
Marlow Bottom
Micklefield
Mickleham
New Addington
New Barnet
Old Coulsdon
Orpington
Otford
Poplar
Reigate (main 6 Mux transmitter, see above)
Dorking HP
Dorking VP
Skirmett
St Albans
Sutton HP
Sutton VP
Walthamstow
North Welwyn
West Wycombe
Wonersh
Wooburn
Woolwich
Worlds End
As at 29th August 2011, OFCOM confirm that the 3 analogue self-help relays in London have not applied for a digital licence. (see Digital UK transmitter group pages for updated information).
With the first retune event taking place tomorrow night at Hemel Hempstead transmitter (to clear a frequency for Sandy Heath), a quick question for you Londoners...
I note that the ERP for Hemel is quite high for a relay transmitter. What's the coverage area? Can people in London itself receive Hemel?
Yes, they can and do use it. In areas such as Hampstead, Golders Green, and near West Heath Drive/Platts Lane I have seen aerials for both HH and Hannington because these areas have shielding issues with CP. I myself get CCIR Grade 5.0 PAL from Hannington as well as CP ATT/DTT and will get DTT ex Hannington from next year as well. Many higher parts of North and West London are a treasure trove for distant signals: they are now getting Sandy Heath and Sudbury DTT in some areas.
My reception of HH is obscured by terrain and I would have to point my aerial at a T-Mobile communication mast.
Incidentally HH, Reigate and Guildford all use similar ERPs.
The BBC Article can be found here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14879792
The News Item can be found here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_one_london/watchlive
Yes, the real one in Lambeth
I do despair at the wording used by Warren Nettleford in that report (17:30 to 17:53). According to him, if we want to continue watching terrestrial TV we must use a set top box! He doesn't mention the word "analogue" once. He is obviously confusing the word "terrestrial" with "analogue".
"At the moment many of us still watch TV using the terrestrial signal which means that unless we've got a digital set top box, cable or satellite TV, you can only access 5 channels" [Really! So he's never heard of a TV with digital tuner?] "Next year that signal will be turned off" [Eh! What signal? The terrestrial signal?] "And so to watch programmes like this one, you will have to own a digital box".
You would think the BBC would be more careful with their wording.
Thanks for that
Where did you find the information, as I cannot find it on the BBC Reception website?
Bung an appropriate postcode into the interference page.
The ukfree.tv website has an automated screen-scraper which tries hundreds of postcodes around the country every few hours, and posts the resulting data on the corresponding transmitter page (as 'Transmitter Engineering').
Found here:-
http://www.ukfree.tv/reception_transmitters_index.php
(One of the better things about the uk.free website, much like your contributions that are in there kruador
Confirmed. In fact Gravesend appears in the Crystal Palace relay list at Switchover in post 2.
We are now getting adverts on our screens about the DSO and BBC " the switchover help scheme " is posting out forms now.
Question 1
What power will the new digital signal for London region transmitters ?
Question 2
What I seen on sites is that London region will loose the extra HD mux it has now, are there plans for that space to be given back after the DSO is fully done in the south east ?
Question 3
The region is close to many others like Anglia and Meridian which I do have to my home too, is there a time when all the regions in the south east transmitters be at full digital power?
Question 4
In the DSO Help Scheme you get help with Freeview or FreeSat, does anyone know which type of boxes do you get for the money?
Options
1) Freeview Standard option free.
2) Freesat digital box & satellite £27
3) Freeview Smart talk box £79
4) Freeview HD box £118
4) Freeview+ pvr £162
5) Freesat HD £76
5 ) Freesat + pvr £193
Question 5
Will the power of the London region transmitters and mux changes done before the Olympics?
2) After DSO the six remaining muxes will have as much capacity as the seven existing ones due to change in transmission mode on the DVB-T muxes. As for re-use of the frequency, not directly. But there are several channels that are being auctioned off which could well be used for further muxes.
3) Anglia / Sudbury & Sandy Heath are already at full power. Meridian transmitters DSO after London.
And before like Hannington and Rowridge.
You will be able to get Crystal Palace north of Oxford
in Banbury.
I can only answer the Question 4 about the Help Scheme
The Prices are as follows, this is the leaflet I go in the Post from them
Option 1
Standard Freeview Box Cost Free
Option 2
Freesat Standard Box and Satellite Dish £16
Option 3
Freeview HD box £116
Option 4
Freeview+ Digital Recorder £158
Option 5
Smart Freeview Box £77
Option 6
Freesat HD Box £66
Option 7
Freesat+ Digital Recorder £209
Option 8
Digital televisions
Samsung 48 inch LCD Screen £178
Panasonic 26 inch LCD Screen £357
Panasonic 32 inch LCD Screen £395
Panasonic 37 inch LCD Screen £834
I hope you find this useful