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gorebrush
Junior Member
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
 Posted - 05/09/2004 : 23:22:39
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Hi all,
Haven't posted for a while. But decided to pop on to stir up some rumours on Free to Air digital television. I know that the BBC have been parping on about this for months, and seems like a very good alternative to the overpriced BSkyB.
anyway, I've noticed lately that Tesco in Ebbw Vale, and even Kwik Save in our own fair town have started selling Freeview boxes lately, and even more so in Tesco in Ebbw.
So, the question is, why are they retailing these boxes? When, as far as I knew, Freeview is not available here.
Now, I've heard a rumour that Digital signals were to be transmitted from the tower between us and Ebbw Vale (by the milefield beyond georgetown) on the 29th August, amid a lot of agitation from an MP.
So, with all this in mind, I decided to pick myself up a freeview box, Philips DTR 1500 from Tesco, and sure enough it doesn't work. But i'm not going to hastily return my purchase until I find out what's going on.
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Cityboi
Full Member
76 Posts |
Posted - 24/09/2004 : 11:41:18
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Interested in what you have to say. My parents still live in Tredegar & I've considered a freeview box as present for them on several occasions. however on checking with the BBC freeview helpline I have found that on each occasion reception is unavailable.
Additionally to that however when I purchased my freeviewbox From a well known 'high street ' electrical retailer I was asked for my postcode , house number & my name.
These were reguired for a 3 way purpose :-
1. They typed my postcode into a keypad to confirm I could get freeview in my area thus giving me the chance to widthdraw from the transaction if the response was negative.
2. The details were needed for the warrenty
3. These details would be passed onto the the t.v liscencing dept. who would double check their records for a tv liscence in your name at your address. If such a thing did not exist ie. If it is in your partners surname which is different to yours the BBC will write to you . You will then have to contact them to explain the facts .
May I therefore enquire did Tesco ask you for any details ? |
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gorebrush
Junior Member
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 28/09/2004 : 20:08:07
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Hi there
It's a bit disconcerting, there is still no coverage, yet these companies still sell the boxes.
I paid for the box with my debit card - but Tesco would not be obliged to supply details of debit card holders to the TV Licensing people.
Tesco themselves did not ask any questions.
If you were worried about debit card usage - just take £80 and get one.
I just hope it's turned on soon!
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Cityboi
Full Member
76 Posts |
Posted - 29/09/2004 : 11:33:30
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| Irrispective of how you pay most retailers will pass your details to the BBC liscencing dept. Paying by card does protect you against a lot of things & no details obtained from your card may be passed on . However any details that are given verbally can be, what is more it happens to be a legal requirement.Apparently there when the box is scanned through in a Tesco store a slip is produced onto whidh you must enter your details before the sale can take place. Also if you wish to know when freeview is going to be available if you call the BBc in cardiff on 02920 322000 & as for the information department they will be able to help.( You can also phone 08708809980 .discover if you can get recrption However I checked the NP22 area quite recently & discovered that there are no plans to extend freeview to your area in the immedtate nor forseeable future. Perhaps you should bring this to the attention of the retailers that you mention. Also I think that you should have checked reception prior to making your purchase. I also think that you will be lucky to get your money back considering you have had the box for over 3 weeks which is consierable enough time to discover you cannot get reception. I would also like to point out that Tesco in Ebbw Vale have a large map on display showing what areas in the vacinity can get reception...did you not see it ? |
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gorebrush
Junior Member
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 30/09/2004 : 20:22:16
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Irrispective of how you pay most retailers will pass your details to the BBC liscencing dept.
-- How can they do this when you pay with cash?
Paying by card does protect you against a lot of things & no details obtained from your card may be passed on .
However any details that are given verbally can be, what is more it happens to be a legal requirement.
-- no questions were asked
Apparently there when the box is scanned through in a Tesco store a slip is produced onto whidh you must enter your details before the sale can take place.
-- Can't remember, I just took it to the checkout and paid for it
Also if you wish to know when freeview is going to be available if you call the BBc in cardiff on 02920 322000 & as for the information department they will be able to help.( You can also phone 08708809980 .discover if you can get recrption However I checked the NP22 area quite recently & discovered that there are no plans to extend freeview to your area in the immedtate nor forseeable future. Perhaps you should bring this to the attention of the retailers that you mention. Also I think that you should have checked reception prior to making your purchase. I also think that you will be lucky to get your money back considering you have had the box for over 3 weeks which is consierable enough time to discover you cannot get reception. I would also like to point out that Tesco in Ebbw Vale have a large map on display showing what areas in the vacinity can get reception...did you not see it ?
I did not see any map on display at the store.
I bought the box based on many rumours, and I've now also gone over the 28 days, and the box has gone in the bin (I've recently had to bin a LOT of stuff from my house, the box went as part of this)
I don't believe I've wasted my money, as I will be moving house early next year, hopefully down the valley where it is accessible.
If it's available in NP22 - it's frankly disgusting coverage isn't being extended here. It's almost like they have shares in BSkyB
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Cityboi
Full Member
76 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 15:08:32
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| You ask how can they can pass your details on if you pay with cash..as if have told you , you are legally required to be asked to fill in a form no matter how you pay . However there has obviously been some confusion regarding the transaction which Tesco are now aware of . In future this practice will be upheld, this should stop others wasting their money. However Tesco will refund your money if you have the recipt & the original packaging |
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gorebrush
Junior Member
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2004 : 22:20:45
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Pity I no longer have the original packaging.
It's no big deal, the particular box i've got was £70, and is a superb box. Just means when I move I won't have to buy anything else ;)
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caroline
Full Member
United Kingdom
32 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2005 : 23:35:00
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I am not a Tredegar resident but just wondered if you have anyone in your area with freeview! I live in Aberbargoed which apparently has no freeview reception. However I have had the benefit of this service for over a year, many of my friends and neighbours also have this service. The only advice I can give is ask neighbours if they have freeview. I am of course , not telling you to go out and buy the equipment as reception may not actually be in Tredegar and not available to you. But, it may be advisable to check with your near neighbours. If they have reception, you must still remember to purchase the aerial for "weak reception".
Happy viewing if you are fortunate.
Caroline
caroline |
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Cityboi
Full Member
76 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2005 : 14:02:32
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| I wondered this , mates of mine in the Bridgend area get great reception in an area that is apparently unable to. With this in mind I have as recently as December taken my box to my parents home in Tredegar to try it ...No luck. |
Edited by - Cityboi on 07/01/2005 14:08:40 |
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pierre
Full Member
United Kingdom
6259 Posts |
Posted - 18/07/2007 : 14:33:56
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Anybody got any idea when they are going to turn on free-view in the Tredegar area ?
Analogue is going to be switched off soon.... |
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wonderwomanuk
Junior Member
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2007 : 22:52:58
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| My son tried Woolworths in Tredegar 2 weeks ago and the girl at the till told him it won't work if you live in Tredegar.Oh and hello to all :) ...my 1st post...Caroline,,I'm originally from Elm Street, Aberbargoed ;) |
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pierre
Full Member
United Kingdom
6259 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2007 : 23:02:36
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Welcome aboard Caroline  |
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morcar
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
260 Posts |
Posted - 22/07/2007 : 06:59:32
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| from what i have been hearing it wont be with us until 2008 and i heard that a while back |
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The Godfather
Full Member
109 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2007 : 10:47:29
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you can check our postcode here http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability
all it says is
Here's the good news. The whole of the UK is going through digital TV switchover, where all television will be digital between 2008-12. When your area goes digital, you should be able to see the Freeview channels. And we'll be right here waiting with a warm welcome to free TV land |
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The Godfather
Full Member
109 Posts |
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pierre
Full Member
United Kingdom
6259 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2007 : 11:22:43
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It's a bit pants not getting it till 2010, in the same month as the old analogue signal is turned off.
Best tell David in Star Vision in town to stock up on new kit for that month ;o) |
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The Godfather
Full Member
109 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2007 : 21:16:05
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i've just put a txt alert on my mobile to remind me in 3 years time...
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pierre
Full Member
United Kingdom
6259 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2008 : 12:53:56
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Looks like we have now been told when the old analogue signal will be switched off:-
3 March 2010 and 31 March 2010 |
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KenJ
Full Member
143 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2008 : 16:01:00
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Treat yourself to a freesat box for Christmas and get Freeview NOW
You just connect it to your existing satellite dish.
Better still get a freesat HD box and watch BBC/ITV high def output - assuming your telly is compatible. |
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morgan
Advanced Member
718 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2008 : 19:09:16
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Hi Ken
I have been contemplating doing this for some time, will consider getting a Freebox for your first suggestion as my TV set I`m using not up for HD, where as the one in the kitchen is but on aerial but too small for the Lounge
morgan |
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KenJ
Full Member
143 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2008 : 20:33:09
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Hi Morgan
You've got a TV in the kitchen??
Is that for watching all those cookery programmes?
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jcarpenter1967
Junior Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2008 : 23:39:19
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| Problem i got with all this digital tv thing is that once there is a storm or heavy clouds coming over you cant watch anything and they say this is for the better ? I think not |
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morgan
Advanced Member
718 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 00:00:12
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Ken
Its solely for Taping Corrie, Eastenders, Corrie for my Daughter in Oz [ No comments Brad ] and Eastenders For my Grandaughter, and in between I can watch my Rugby thats IF IT DOSEN`T CLASH, [ which I tape ] you could say I`m easy going.
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KenJ
Full Member
143 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 00:37:45
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Morgan
I understand exactly what you mean.
Us blokes are old softies.
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pierre
Full Member
United Kingdom
6259 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 16:42:43
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Freeview is now (at last) available in the Tredegar area as of yesterday. The old analogue BBC2 channel has been switched off.
Please can all check on elderly neighbours, etc to make sure they are ready for the big switch off of the old signal, and switch off of the new signal on the 31 March 2010.
Pierre
_________________________________________
News & Information on Tredegar since 1991 |
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seanr
Full Member
130 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 17:52:34
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hello,
is anyone having any problems with their freeview box?
put ours on yesterday, we have all the bbc channels, 1,2,3,4, news etc
but no itv, or channel5 - aerial strenth is 90%
anyone else having similar problems? |
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Freeview?
