Two weeks ahead of the first switchover events in the region, tailored coverage for forum members in the ITV Anglia region or interested in events in this region.

Full details follow for the following transmitter groups, plus generic information about the switchover and multiplexes, with an explanation of terms:

Sandy Heath (starts switchover 30th March 2011)
Sudbury (starts switchover 6th July 2011)
Tacolneston (starts switchover 9th November 2011)

The following details are based on current information and may be superceded by further developments posted later in this thread.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, bid tv, 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 B)
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
Changes occur just after midnight on switchover day. 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.

When Wenvoe in Wales switched over, there were a few angry posts on DS when all the TV services disappeared for a few hours - it's normal!

Switchover is a two stage process - what happens at each stage:
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.
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 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. In some areas, the signal on the commercial multiplexes will go full power some months after the main switchover event.

Overlaps:
Following switchover, some viewers in the Anglia region may be able to receive additional signals from Belmont (Yorkshire & Lincolnshire), Waltham (East Midlands), Sutton Coldfield (West Midlands), Oxford (Meridian, ex Central South), Crystal Palace (London), Bluebell Hill (Meridian)

Further reading:
UHF channel list: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/bin...nce/Anglia.pdf
Digital UK: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/Anglia
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitt...1_MO_FINAL.pdf (SANDY HEATH)
Ofcom transmitter map:
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitt...2.2_resize.jpg

DETAILS FOR THE TRANSMITTER GROUP UNDERGOING SWITCHOVER IN THE NEXT MONTH:

*** Sandy Heath
Current information, technical details subject to change, especially later retune dates.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 31,27,24,21,39
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 42, 45, 43, 67, 40, 46

By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
Analogue UHF Channels: 21, 24, 31, 39
Digital UHF Channels: 27, 45, 43, 67, 40, 46

Switchover second stage: 13th April 2011. Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply, plus transitional arrangements on the commercial multiplexes, which include Mux D moving to UHF channel 67 and becoming Arq B in 8k mode. Pre- DSO Mux A and C remain in situ.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 27, 24, 21, 43, 40, 67.
Currently active multiplexes: BBC-A, D3&4, BBC-B, Mux A, Mux C, Arq B.

Additional retunes: 31 Aug 2011. To make way for Sutton Coldfield a week later, Mux A moves from 43 to channel 31 by 6am, freed just after midnight by Waltham.
Digital UHF Channels: 27, 24, 21, 31, 40, 67
Currently active multiplexes: BBC-A, D3&4, BBC-B, Mux A, Mux C, Arq B

14 September 2011: Mux C moves to 67. Arqiva B moves to 48, vacated by Oxford.
Digital UHF Channels: 27, 24, 21, 31, 67, 48

23 November 2011: Mux C moves to UHF channel 52 and becomes Arqiva A. Digital UHF Channels: 27, 24, 21, 31, 52, 48
Currently active multiplexes: BBC-A, D3&4, BBC-B, Mux A, Arq A, Arq B

As yet unspecified date in 2012, after Hemel DSO: Mux A moves to UHF channel 51, becomes SDN in 8k mode. PSB multiplex powers increase to final strengths.

*** Sudbury
Current information, technical details subject to change, especially later retune dates.
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 51,44,41,47,35

Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 49, 68/56, 48, 39, 54, 50

By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
Analogue UHF Channels: 51,41,47,35
Digital UHF Channels: 44, 68/56, 48, 39, 54, 50

Switchover second stage: 20th July 2011. Shortly after midnight, all remaining analogue services cease. By 6am all digital multiplexes live, new frequencies apply, plus transitional arrangements on the commercial multiplexes. Mux C and D become Arq A and Arq B, but remain on same UHF channel. Mux A remains in pre-DSO 2k mode.
Analogue UHF Channels: None
Digital UHF Channels (in order BBCA, D3&4, BBCB, SDN, ARQ-A, ARQ-B): 44, 41, 47, 49, 54, 50.

Additional retunes: 16 Nov 2011. Arq B moves to 63.
Digital UHF Channels: 44, 41, 47, 49, 54, 63

As yet unspecified date in 2012, linked with Meridian DSO in Kent: Mux A moves to UHF channel 58, becomes SDN in 8k mode. Arq A moves to UHF channel 60. Arq B moves to UHF channel 56.
Digital UHF Channels: 44, 41, 47, 58, 60, 56

New PSB Mux Single Frequency Network (SFN):
BBC-A, D3&4 and BBC-B will broadcast from Sudbury and new transmitter Rouncefall in Essex in an SFN. This will boost BBC East and ITV Anglia coverage in Essex, especially in coastal areas and areas where Crystal Palace may not provide adequate service or correct region.

Higher than usual Effective Radiated Power (ERP): Usually transmitters operate at 1/5 of the analogue ERP after switchover - this is still a considerable boost, and digital/analogue ERPs are not directly comparable - partly a reason why the lower ERPs are OK to give digital transmitters the same coverage. Sudbury's transmissions will be 2/5 of analogue ERP, part of a chain of transmitters in the south and east of the country transmitting at higher ERPs than standard to help combat interference from other regions/neighbouring countries.

New transmitter sites:
Additional relay sites are Rouncefall, Burnham on Crouch and Clacton on Sea improving PSB Multiplex reception in coastal areas. Full details of relay UHF channels are found at: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitt...50111_v2.0.pdf. The switchover stages 1 and 2 mirror the parent transmitter.

*** Tacolneston
Current Analogue UHF Channels (in order of BBC1,2,ITV,C4,C5): 62,55,59,65,52

Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels (in order of Mux1,2,A,B,C,D): 63, 50, 53, 58, 61, 64

Pre-switchover retune: 17 August 2011.
Due to switchover at neighbouring Belmont, Mux B and C move to UHF 66 and 68.
Analogue UHF Channels: 62,55,59,65,52
Pre-DSO Digital UHF Channels: 63, 50, 53, 66, 68, 64

By 6am, high powered BBC-A will be on air on the old BBC2 analogue frequency.
Analogue UHF Channels: 62,59,65,52
Digital UHF Channels: 55, 50, 53, 66, 68, 64

Switchover second stage: 20th Nov 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): 55, 59, 62, 42, 45, 50

Final Digital UHF Channels at Tacolneston will change due to the clearance of the upper part of the UHF frequency band (above UHF channel 60). Either a change to the DSO schedule will be released prior to switchover (like Sutton Coldfield's belated move of BBC B and Arqiva B), or an additional retune following a frequency change will be made at a future date.

Tacolneston Relay information: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitt...50111_v2.0.pdf

New transmitters:
New transmitters will go live at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to boost PSB Multiplex reception in coastal areas and minimise continental interference.

Higher than usual Effective Radiated Power (ERP)
Most coastal relays, from King's Lynn to Overstrand will transmit at higher powers. Most noticeably, Wells Next the Sea is scheduled to enter post switchover service at 1kW ERP. This is to improve reception of BBC East/ITV Anglia to coastal regions and to minimise interference. These relays will transmit the PSB part of Freeview, additional services may continue to be received in NW and N Norfolk from the Belmont transmitter which is part of the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire region, which will already switch in August 2011.

That's the technical bit done, now it's over to you for your comments, questions & live switchover reports and observations relating to Anglia switchover.

Two weeks tonight: Sandy Heath stage 1 - come back and post your observations and post DSO reception reports here!

I can't wait.
Had a weak to poor signal here every time we get high pressure.

DSO, the sooner the better.

Thanks for all the work a516.

So what they are doing from Sudbury is giving us half the muxes at post-DSO power and half at pre-DSO power. So the pre-DSO ones will still need a signal booster, and the post-DSO ones may not. Wonderful.

At least they are sorting the ITV mux eastern null in July.

Not long now for us on Sandy Heath! Looking forward to receiving the HD channels for the first time.

Also hopefully an improved signal, as the DTT signals are not very strong in this part of Northamptonshire.

They wasted their time and paper sending their little leaflet to me: a) I know what's what; but more importantly b) no way can this area be considered part of East Anglia. T'other side of the A1 matey!

You're lucky. I've not had a single mailshot from Digital UK, neither has anyone else round here. I know our main transmitters (Sutton Coldfield and Waltham) switch in 5-6 months time, but I thought that during the first switchover event the households got leaflets quite a while in advance.

How would you describe the Sandy Heath region? The only term I can think of is... West Anglia?

East Central?

Nah... The East Midlands used to be Central East on ITV (which is sort of the same thing)

I will be staying up all night on the 29th of March 2011
and the 12th of April 2011, I will be reporting what time our Signals go Blank and what time they will be restored,
on all Analogue and Digital Channels

So Hear from Me soon

Stage One Mid Afternoon 30th March 2011

Stage Two Mid Afternoon 13th April 2011

I will be looking forward to get Freeview HD on the 13th April 2011, as I have already bought a HD Box (Humax Fox T2)
for this occasion

Happy Switchover everyone!!

As usual, just before the switchover full details of the switch at relays is published.

TEMPORARY FREQUENCY
At Dallington Park and Luton, Mux BBC-A launches using temporary parking channel 62 for the duration of the transition period (between 30th March and 13th April)

SWITCHOVER COMPLETION TIMES
30th March 2011 Stage 1
Luton (by 6am)
Dallington Park and Kimpton (mid-morning)

13th April 2011 Stage 2
Luton (by 6am)
Kimpton (mid-morning)
Dallington Park (mid-afternoon)

Info sourced from Digital UK.

Luton is interesting place in relation to digital switchover, parts of the town cannot get Freeview until DSO phase one starts, while in other areas we are getting our pictures from Crystal Palace transmitter and been able to watch Freeview HD for almost a year now!

Quick question what is the chance of the so called Welsh effect happening in Luton, with the Luton transmitter reaching full digital broadcast signal do you think this will effect us viewing from the Crystal Palace transmitter

Crystal Palace will have post-DSO frequencies at the bottom of the UHF frequency band and Luton at the top of the band. Therefore receivers that scan according to what they pick up first may put CP in first, then Luton in the 800s. There are however so many receivers that do weird things when they retune that we may only know once switchover has occured! Newer boxes, and certainly HD boxes are more intelligent in these things and I hear that some Freeview receivers are allowing you to select the desired transmitter when more than one is received.

P.S. The final allocation for Luton will change by 2013, because UHF channel 62 is planned for use by the Luton relay - this is in the part of the UHF band that is being cleared.

I will be staying up late on both nights to tune into Joshua's exiting updates.

It would be cruelly ironic if he fell asleep on both nights and missed the changeover!

I Don't think so, I have never missed one yet,
I am away during the day a lot and I get home very late,
this is why I am able to stay up all night and go to Bed very late!!

They are talking about changeover on BBC Essex now so should be on iplayer tomorrow.
I like it when they have the same guest on here.

It's on the iplayer now, I'm listening at the moment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...on_17_03_2011/

The leaflets came through about three months in advance here. There have been adverts in the paper, radio, billboards and bus stops for at least six months though.


The dodgy bit which is a bit too far North to be Home Counties, too far West to be East Anglia, too far South to be Midlands and too far East to be... well, whatever that bit over there is called.

Do you mean Daventry or Market Harborough? Haha
They are both in overlap areas, but a lot of people in both areas use Sandy Heath as their main transmitter.

Both Northamptonshire and Leicestershire are East Midlands and a long way from Norwich, but Daventry is also quite a distance from Brum (Central Tv headquarters)

One quick question, does Mux-1 stop broadcasting when BBC-A starts (i.e. stage 1)? Just wondering as the details for this don't seem to be spelt out and, frankly, there is not much point in me retuning on the 30th if Mux-1 is still going, I may as well wait until the 13th. No point in messing up all my scheduled programmes twice if I don't need to.

EDIT: I should add that all my neighbours will expect me to know about this so I had better make sure I do So the question is, exactly when do the existing digital muxes go off? I think I originally heard that they all stay on until stage 2 but is that definately the case?

Yes BBC A replaces Mux 1 & BBC TWO analogue. Sometimes the existing low power muxes also swap frequencies.

Thank, I knew that I just wanted to know when Mux 1 get's turned off. I finally found it in the Digital UK information. Under 'At Stage 1':
At Sandy Heath only, existing low power Mux 1 (DTT) will cease broadcasting permanently;

So it goes at stage one and I need to retune at stage 1 and stage 2 to continue getting the main channels. And at all the other minor stages for the various COM changes if I can be bothered. What fun!