We live in a cabled area, and are Virgin Media subscribers, but I have a question about Freeview and the digital switchover.
I have a Sony Bravia and DVD recorder, both of which have built-in digital tuners. However, the reception in the area is and always has been very poor; I have an indoor analogue/digital aerial, basically to feed the analogue GuidePlus system on the DVD recorder. I can only get a digital picture on a perfect day, and then only if all the planets are in alignment and I spin around 3 times and offer prayers to whatever Gods will listen!
We live in a natural 'bowl', and even rooftop aerials offered little improvement in picture quality. Hence the entire local community used to be served by a huge antenna in the centre of the estate, which has long since been removed.
According to digitaluk.co.uk, this area will not switch to digital until 2011. My question is: when the switch happens, am I likely to be able to make proper use of the digital tuners in my equipment?
i.e. Will the switch boost or otherwise improve signal strength and reception? Or is it a case of a permanently poor signal, and being tied to cable until such (unlikely) time as a new transmitter is erected nearby?
At the moment, I feel I'm only using half the functionality of my equipment, and that's such a waste.
