Digital Switchover - Beware of Rogues
With digital switchover commencing in the Stratford upon Avon area this week, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service are again warning residents not to fall for the bogus claims of switchover rogues!
Trading Standards Officers are concerned that door to door rogue traders may attempt to sell residents unnecessary digital TV equipment and use the opportunity to falsely claim their property requires other work doing.
Trading Standards Officers are advising consumers to use Registered Digital Installers who can be identified because they are entitled to use the ‘digital tick’ and ‘Aeri Al’ images. Don’t buy from the first person who comes to your door. Use local traders and go on recommendation.
Residents should also ‘check before they buy’ digital equipment.
Most TV’s will only require a cheap set top box to receive digital TV and many aerials which presently receive the old analogue signal will receive digital signals just as well.
Video recorders will still work, but if your recorder does not have the digital ‘tick’ mark, it will only be able to record the programme you are watching.
How much should I pay?
· A digital set top box will normally cost around £20-£30
· A new rooftop aerial could cost from between £60 to £180
· There are also satellite options at differing prices.
For more information, visit our website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/digitaltvswitch
There is a special help scheme for people aged over 75, for those registered blind or partially sighted and for those in receipt of certain disability benefits. For more information about the help scheme, call 0800 40 85 900 or visit http://www.helpscheme.co.uk
Important switchover dates for Warwickshire
Lark Stoke Transmitter covering the Stratford upon Avon Area: 6th April 2011
Sutton Coldfield covering much of the West Midlands: 7th September 2011
Some Warwickshire residents may also receive their signals from other surrounding transmitters. A transmitter map and further dates are available at: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk