Welcome to the Action Aerials Blog

Choosing where to put your TV Aerial

2010-03-01T15:06:20Z

Choosing where to put your TV Aerial

Whenever possible, it is important to carry out the installation at the highest point on your property.

Your TV Aerial Fitter must;

Assess the structure of your property to determine where the TV Aerial should be fixed
Decide whether it can be affixed to the chimney or wall.
Consider adverse weather such as storms, high winds, snow etc.
Use the correct mast and mounting brackets depending on the type of TV Aerial to be fitted.

Fit the cable to ensure it won't come adrift, flap about and deteriorate

Installation Quality

2010-02-25T12:38:00Z

Installation Quality

Having your TV Aerial installation carried out by a competent person is probably the most important particularly if it's a repair job. If the engineer doesn't know what he's doing, it could end up costing you more in unnecessary equipment, for example, you may just need a new part like cable or socket rather than a whole new TV Aerial.

And of course, you need someone who is certified by Health and Safety Executive approved training agency to work at heights and who use the proper safety equipment such as a harness and fall arrest.

Reception Quality

2010-02-19T15:10:49Z

Reception Quality

This can change from one are to another and therefore, if you live in a poor reception area, it is important that the equipment is of a good quality to pick up the signal. If this is the case, we would suggest that you do not go for the 'budget' style tv aerials, although these aerials are fine, they only really work well in strong signal areas.

If you're in a dip or behind some trees etc. You may need to speak to your aerial engineer or even better, make sure they have all the right equipment before visiting for example, making sure your TV Aerial is fitted with benchmarked cable. If the cable is benchmarked, it means it's approved and of a standard that will give the best possible reception with the correct TV Aerial

TV Aerial Installation

2010-02-12T13:53:13Z

A quick guide to what you need to know when having your TV Aerial fitted.

Over the next couple of weeks we'll be posting some interesting advice and help so that you can make sure your TV Aerial Fitter is competent and up to the job.

By getting to know what you may need and how the job should be carried out , you can make sure you don't pay more than you should and that any work that is carried out will be of a high standard.

To ensure you get the best possible reception for your television via a TV Aerial, you need to make sure your aerial fitter follows these simple rules.

TV Aerial Installation

Part 4 of our considerations when choosing who to install or repair your TV equipment

2009-12-11T21:57:50Z

We hope you're finding this information useful - We really want to demonstrate to you that we're here, not only to carry out the work for you to the highest standard, but also that you can trust us to look after you should something go wrong. We've spent years listening to our valued customers and understanding their needs and doing whatever we can to improve our service.

Here's part 4 of our considerations when choosing who to install or repair your TV equipment

Can the Aerial or Satellite company be contacted by a landline?

If all you have is a mobile phone number, how can you know they're not going to be gone tomorrow? A landline not only gives Action Aerials a physical head office address, it also means that you can get in touch with us easily - A switched off mobile phone is no use if you need the guarantee.

Do they have a verifiable address?

If an individual or business won't tell you where they operate from, perhaps they don't want to be contacted. We are happy to tell you anything you wish to know about us - we operate an open business so any questions or concerns you have, we'll happily answer them for you so you can be confident in us and the work we carry out on your TV equipment.

Part 3 of our considerations when choosing who to install or repair your TV equipment

2009-11-27T18:12:45Z

Here's part 3 of our considerations when choosing who to install or repair your TV equipment

Make sure you find out if they issue a detailed printed invoice.

We provide our customers with a fully itemised invoice. This means you know exactly what equipment you have had installed. We also detail guarantee periods. So keep the invoice we provide you with safe, if you have any problems or questions at all you can then give us a call and we can help you to resolve this quickly and easily. Much better than a handwritten piece of paper, we're sure you'll agree!

As a professional and conscientious company, we offer various ways for you to pay for your TV viewing equipment, no matter what type of work we do for you.

If you are asked by a company to only pay by cash, this can signify that their guarantee is useless and if something does go wrong with your equipment, you won't have anywhere to go to get the issue resolved.

Whilst we accept cash, we prefer payment by card or cheque with guarantee card. This means you're not only covered by us, but you also have peace of mind that you have proof of the work carried out and when. We prefer this because it shows you how committed we are to making sure you get the best possible service.

Considerations when choosing a TV equipment provider - part 2.

2009-11-13T13:01:25Z

Do they provide free on-site advice with a detailed written quotation?

We do, because we're confident of our advice, workmanship and prices.

We will assess your current television viewing equipment and offer advice and help you to weigh up the alternatives whether it's Freeview, BBC Freesat, Sky Freesat or Sky.

We'll help you to choose whether you should use a TV Aerial or Satellite Dish to watch TV - this can depend on a number of things like

where you live
what you like to watch
how many TV's you have in your home
how many TV's you wish to have now or in the future
whether you'd like to be able to pause and record TV programmes

There are so many options available and all of our engineers are fully trained to carry out any type of work. Because we're independent, you'll also receive impartial advice, so you'll get the right viewing equipment for your home and your family.

TV Aerial installation Guide

2009-11-02T10:35:29Z

Considerations when deciding who to use for your TV Aerial installation

In our recent blog entries we've been speaking a lot about various changes to digital TV that may affect you and your home. Over the next few entries we're going to tell you a little about how you can determine which company to use. Here are a few things to consider.

One of the first considerations is, what do you do if something isn't to your satisfaction? Once you have had your TV Aerial or Digital TV reception equipment installed or repaired, what if something goes wrong?

You need to find out whether the TV Aerial installation company are a member of a trade organisation?

Action Aerials are long-standing members the Confederation of Aerial Industries. Our CAI member number is C967. We are actually CAI Plus members which means there are many added benefits than just a membership number.

Do you know who you are letting into your home?

With many TV Aerial installations or repairs, you are passing over personal information and allowing an engineer into your home to carry out the work. Do you know if they are 'safe'?

All of our employees (engineers and office colleagues) are regularly CRB checked. This means your personal information is in safe hands and you have the added peace of mind that any of our members of staff who you deal with throughout your TV Aerial work has been fully vetted.

We think these things are really important - we want you to feel safe and secure in our advice and service...look out for our new blogs heading your way soon!

Make sure you don't get caught by surprise

2009-09-22T08:36:30Z

As the digital switchover continues to roll out throughout the UK, there are increasing concerns that many households will be caught by surprise.

The Granada region is the next to benefit from this historical event and it is vital that this region makes the switchover now - rather than be left with lots of blank TV screens.

Having their TV Aerial checked to make sure it is a compatible TV Aerial for digital is one way to make sure everything is up to date. And if it's not, a simple upgrade of your TV Aerial can be easily carried out to make sure you still have a TV picture once that button is pressed.

We always offer this service to all of our customers so that we can ensure you don't end up paying for anything you don't need whilst ensuring you have the correct TV equipment to have a smooth transition into digital!

If you'd like to ask us any questions, or would like to arrange for us to come and check your TV Aerial - call us now on 0800 3899025 we look forward to hearing from you.

Digital Switchover Goes Global

2009-09-04T17:04:28Z

As we wait for the Digital Switchover to happen over the next few years throughout the UK, it's good to know we're not the only ones making sure our TV viewing equipment is all up to date.

Over the atlantic our American cousins are also waiting for their TV's to be updated to digital. From Friday 4th September, stations across the country are permanently switching off their analogue signal. This switchover has caused panic across the US causing a last-minute surge to buy new TV's and set-top-boxes to convert to digital.

This has left fears that over two million American households are going to be sitting in front of a blank screen once the switchover occurs.

Of course, there won't be enough new TV's and Set top boxes to fulfil everyone's need at this late stage, so I suppose some people are just going to have to go without for a little while. This just shows the importance of being prepared for the digital switchover.

Our advice to you is to check when the switchover is coming to your area and leave plenty of time to ensure your TV Aerial, Television Set and other viewing equipment is going to work after the switchover has taken place.

If you're not sure, just give us a call at Action Aerials on 0800 389 9025 and we'll be happy to help in any way we can.

The great benefits of Freeview Plus

2009-08-26T09:02:11Z

Receives up to 48 Freeview digital TV channels

One touch recording
Series recording (check before you buy)
Pause live TV
Many hours of recording without the need for tapes
8 day on-screen TV guide

Choose a digital TV recorder with a twin tuner so you can watch one channel while recording another.

By upgrading to the Freeview+ digital TV recorder you will receive up to 48 digital TV channels. And the great thing is you will be able to pause, record and rewind with just one click.

The option of having Freeview+ is a real contender to offerings from other TV viewing providers, but the great thing with Freeview+ is that there's absolutely no subscription or ongoing monthly fees!

All you need to do is make sure you TV Aerial is ok, if not, we can upgrade this for you.

If you want to know anything else about your Freeview options, just give us a call or email us at ActionAerials.

The evolution of Freeview

2009-08-14T12:46:19Z

The evolution of Freeview

Now that time is moving on, Freeview are in great shape and are offering various Set top boxes to suit your needs.

Freeview boxes are a great no commitment way to view TV channels and now you have various options to choose from.

As well as the standard Freeview box, allowing you to view TV channels through a Freeview Aerial, there is also now A Freeview+ digital TV recorder. This allows you to pause, record and rewind live TV.

The great thing about a freeview box is that you can move your old standard box to another TV in your home (or sell it to someone else!) and upgrade your main TV to the recordable box.

If you need any extra TV points so that your other TV's can receive your Aerial signal, we can also help with that.

In my next blog, I'll tell you a bit about the great options and benefits of having recordable freeview.

TV Aerial - Be informed before you organise your TV Aerial Installation

2009-07-25T08:32:45Z

A TV Aerial can make all the difference to your Television viewing experience. Getting the right Aerial for your TV means that you could receive better quality pictures, it can make a real difference.

It can also mean you will receive more TV channels and of course gets you ready for the digital switchover. Because TV is switching to digital from Analogue. The TV aerial may need to be updated in many homes throughout the UK. If you've had your TV aerial replaced over the past couple of years then you might just be ok. But it's worth checking, you don't want to sit down one night to watch telly and find you have no picture! Over the next few years (between now and 2012) as the digital switchover occurs, you may want to make sure your TV Aerial is compatible to receive a digital signal.

We can help you to establish whether you do need to upgrade - just give Action Aerials a call on 0800 389 9025 today!

Digital Aerial - Digital compatible aerials, what's the big deal?

2009-07-15T17:44:41Z

A digital aerial or digital compatible aerial can be the difference between a good TV viewing experience and a great one.

"What's the difference between an Analogue and Digital Aerial?"

A Digital Aerial (or digital compatible Aerial) is what is known technically as a wideband aerial. It's so called because this aerial will pick up all available signals. Whereas an Analogue TV aerial is grouped to match the signal from just one transmitter, and will only pick up a narrow band of signal.

Simple when you know! This means that you can receive many more channels (including radio) than are available presently by having a Digital (compatible) Aerial installed in your home. So if you want to experience all the benefits of Digital reception then you can call our Action Aerials experts Free now on 0800 389 9025.

High Definition (HD) TV, What's all the fuss about?

2009-06-25T09:56:33Z

Ever watched something in High Definition (HD) as opposed to Standard Definition (SD)?

I watched a nature programme the other day and was completely blown away by the vast difference between the two.

I'm not sure if I would be all that bothered about watching the soaps in High Def, but for Films and Documentaries, I think it makes all the difference. I was stunned and excited by the crystal clear pictures and the clarity of detail and I would definitely recommend HD to anyone who enjoys their TV.

At the moment, there are a few main ways to receive HD. The paid for option is Via Sky, where you have to purchased a Sky HD box and have it installed, then pay a monthly fee to view.

The other main option is to have BBC Freesat, this offers HD as standard when you purchase the HD Set top box and it's a one off equipment and installation fee. After that, there are no further monthly fees or contracts to worry about. They also keep adding new HD channels without having to pay any extra.

Make sure you have a HD ready TV though, otherwise it doesn't matter which option you choose, they just won't work!!