Digital Solutions in Pembrokeshire

sky planner changes that effect itv+1 recordings

2012-02-26T23:45:00.000Z

On 27th February, ITV1 +1 is making some service changes which will affect ITV1+1 recordings set on your Sky+ or Sky+ HD Box.

sky viewers will still be able to enjoy their programmes. However, as a result of the changes, any ITV1+1 programmes which have been set on a box to record (including series link) will need to be reset on 27th February, otherwise they won’t record. Please note that ITV1, ITV1 HD and all other ITV channels won’t be affected.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. On the afternoon of 27th February, go into the Sky+ or Sky + HD planner

2. Delete all ITV+1 programmes set to record that week

3. Reselect them to record

Its as simple as that.

You will be able to watch any programmes you have already recorded, as they won’t be affected by the change.

If there are any further questions go to sky.com/itvrecordings or call 08442410018.

I want one...

2012-01-25T13:26:00.000Z

What a great toy disguised as a survey tool...

I've been asked to install a small GPS antenna for a company called Korec and I saw this on their website.
I'm sure there is a real toy version but this one will take automatic pictures for you.
007 material!

Go here for more info...

Llanddewi Velfrey to get high speed broadband

2012-01-24T14:48:00.001Z

Llanddewi Velfrey is soon to be the next Pembrokeshire Community WiFi project success with fast broadband from 'Wales Broadband '
Using technology that works in the same way as a home wireless router, but on a much larger scale, the whole village can connect with a discrete antenna on the outside of the property. Seen here the access point antenna is roughly the size of a pencil case.

The village will be 'on-line' and surfing the web within the next few weeks.

We're all going gadget mad...

2012-01-16T08:30:00.004Z

50% of consumers use second screen while watching TV!

Nearly 50% of consumers are using another electronic device while watching TV at home.

Consumer research identified the most popular reasons for usage as boredom, needing something else to do and keeping in touch with friends. Ten percent of respondents said it makes them feel part of the show.

‘Living with Digital’, was carried out in the USA, UK, France and Germany with more than 2,600 respondents ranging from 12 to 65+ years of age, explores the ways in which consumers interact with and consume digital entertainment and compares behaviours with those of six months ago.

The study also shows that 57% of people are watching online video content, with nearly one in four using their smartphones. Watching online video on a desktop PC is still the most common method, closely followed by laptop.

In all four countries surveyed, there has been a net increase in online video viewing over the last six months, with wider choice, more appealing content and being able to watch content at any time the key factors behind the shift.

research from Futuresource Consulting.

If you would like to know more about watching 'online' video, drop us a line...
info@1a-aerials.com

We've launched the new look website...

2012-01-05T23:32:00.000Z

Huge thanks to Sal for creating our new website...
Please feel free to 'come in and have a look around'

'five' expand on freesat

2012-01-03T11:29:00.000Z

Channel Five have now added their sister services to the freesat platform.
(Taken from the CAI website)
Freesat adds Channel 5 Range!.

Freesat has added a range of Channel 5 channels to its TV line-up.

Channel 5+1, 5 USA, 5 USA+1, 5* and 5*+1 are all now available on the satellite service.

Emma Scott, Freesat Managing Director said: “We know that Channel 5’s wide range of digital channels are hugely popular and adding them to the Freesat platform is a fantastic development for us and our customers.”

Jeff Ford, Channel 5’s Director of Programmes added: “Our exciting portfolio of channels has huge appeal with audiences and the addition of Channel 5 + 1, 5* + 1 and 5USA + 1 on DTT and satellite will no doubt be welcomed by viewers wanting another means to keep up with their favourite shows.”

Channel 5+1 will be available on Channel 128, Five USA on Channel 129, 5

USA+1 on Channel 130, 5* on Channel 131 and 5*+1 on Channel 132.

Roch Castle is open for business...

2011-12-30T16:48:00.000Z

Roch Castle opened for business just before Christmas 2011
The TV's work very well :o)

As an exclusive self catering or catered retreat the 13th Century Norman castle is expected to be a great attraction for weddings and events.
Visit their website here.

With views that may be exclusive to paying guests, click on the pictures above for a sneak preview of the views from the castle roof

Community Wifi in Saint David's

2011-12-16T18:01:00.000Z

I've just completed six installations of Community Wifi antennas for Wales Broadband in some pretty remote spots such as Whitesands & Tretio.
The system is giving broadband speeds that put telephone broadband providers to shame.
With a simple antenna about the size of a pencil case, linked to a Wales Broadband relay station, residents of Saint David's and surrounding areas are beginning to see successful broadband for the first time.

If you are interested in Community Wifi, contact us or Wales Broadband directfor more information

Humax Freeview recorders freezing

2011-12-15T16:57:00.001Z

Has your HUMAX freeview recorder 'Frozen' or 'Locked up' since 14th Dec?

Please read below for more information.

If you can't make head'nor'tail of this, please call me on 01437 711 142 or email me on info@1a-aerials.com for help

Important notice PVR-9150T, PVR-9200T, PVR-9300T issues

Dear Trade Partner,
Some broadcast changes were made on the UK DTT platform today which has caused the above models to lock on one channel after being on for 35-45 seconds. Unfortunately this will mean the remote control will not operate until the product is switched OFF at the mains and back on again, but the problem will continue to happen.
Products are only affected if they are on old software (manufactured before June 2010) and have not received any Over Air download.
The only solution to the issue is to carry out a software update via the menu as per this link, either using the Automatic or Manual update procedure. Products that are left in standby overnight during the model’s OAD broadcast, will update automatically.
Please can you also advise your customers to leave the products in standby overnight on a regular basis as this is the only method of guaranteeing future software updates..
The following Over the Air Downloads have been booked so you will need to advise customers to carry out the update for their models during the times the updates are on air. After the update is received and installed there should be no further issues.

Software updates

PVR-9150T version 1.02.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 15/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 17/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

PVR-9300T version 1.02.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 17/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 18/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

PVR-9150T version 1.02.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 18/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 19/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

PVR-9200T / PVR-9200TB / PVR-9200TBX version 1.00.23 (Broadcast)
Starting: 19/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 20/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

PVR-9300T version 1.02.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 20/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 21/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

PVR-9150T version 1.02.26 (Broadcast)
Starting: 21/12/2011 @ 10am
Ending: 22/12/2011 @ 9am
Repeat broadcast. Release notes available here.

As usual the dates can be confirmed and tracked here

WiFi relay for Newsurf

2011-11-16T13:23:00.000Z

www.newsurf.co.uk

NewSurf kit hire and activity centre on Newgale Beach, welcomed new owners this summer. Amongst the changes was the need to relay WiFi signal from the shop to Sands Cafe 100mtr away. This was done with 2.4GHz wireless antennas.

The antennas allow a secure wireless broadband connection between the two buildings with a discrete antenna outside each building.

The antennas are only 8" long and so have less visual impact than a sky minidish.

Community WiFi in Roch?

2011-11-02T19:34:00.000Z

If you have spotted where I live then you may (or may not) have noticed a strange white plate on my TV aerial.

Well this is a test for broadband from Brawdy. The test is being carried out by http://www.tfl-group.com who supply broadband wirelessly to Brawdy camp near Penycwm.
The service is set at 10Mbps download speed and 4Mbps upload which is pretty impressive. If there is enough interest, this antenna could relay signals to other Roch residents in a similar fasion to that mentioned in an earlier blog post http://pembsdigital.blogspot.com/search/label/Community%20WiFi

Mailshot marketing... Assess all your options first!

2011-11-01T10:54:00.000Z

Many of us will have seen the flyer come through the letterbox this week from one of the Broadband via satellite providers.
I have experience of various providers and some are better than others so make sure you look at fine print for monthly allowances amongst other details and ask opinions of those who already have internet via a dish.

This makes me think, I will ask some of my customers for feedback on their systems so I can give unbiased critique...

Mobile phone signal via your wireless router

2011-10-31T19:09:00.000Z

If you use an Orange, T-Mobile or Vodafone handset and struggle for signal at home or work, with the right handset and wifi signal, you can have reliable mobile reception with Orange / T-Moblie Signal Boost UMA or Vodafone Sure Signal
Click here to read about UMA From Orange (Applies to T-Mobile customers as well)

Click here to read about Sure Signal from Vodafone

tooway satellite broadband

2011-10-31T17:54:00.000Z

For more information, contact me via info@1a-aerials.com

One of the solutions for broadband via satellite offering speeds up to 10Mbps.

Pembrokeshire community WiFI

2011-10-09T16:07:00.000+01:00

Pembrokeshire community gets connected to broadband

An entire Pembrokeshire community is to get broadband thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Tuesday 01 March 2011

The village of Treleddyd Fawr near St Davids will get up to 5Mb broadband after residents made a community bid to the Broadband Support Scheme.

The scheme enables individuals and groups in remaining Welsh broadband 'notspots' to approach internet service providers directly. They can apply for up to £1,000 for individual premises to help with the set-up and installation costs of a broadband connection. To date, 1,138 people have requested support.

Treleddyd Fawr is the first community application to be approved under the initiative. 20 people have pooled their applications to receive £20,000 of funding.

Residents will receive between 2Mb to 5Mb broadband connection from local company TFL. The connection will be wireless, enabling all residents to get online.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said,

“Access to broadband is vital if Wales is to have infrastructure fit for the 21st century. As a government we are doing all we can to get communities across the country online with the fastest speeds available. Our support scheme is designed to help everyone from the home internet user to businesses to get connected.
“Treleddyd Fawr is a great example of how our support has allowed a whole village to find the right answer to their problem. By coming together, they have increased their options and improved their buying power. We are committed to ensuring all businesses have access to Next Generation broadband by mid-2016, and all households by 2020 - ahead of European targets. Examples like this are the first stage of that process.”

Jonathan England, TFL Group Director said,

“This project would not have been completed in such a short time without the help of the Assembly Government’s broadband support scheme. Consequently, we are expecting the new high-speed telephony services to make a huge impact to business and homes in the area, with a signal that can be easily upgraded and extended to anywhere else within the region.”

John Warren runs a business from home and co-ordinated the application on behalf of the community. Mr Warren said,

“The provision of broadband through the scheme has now enabled the surprisingly large number of businesses and individuals in the ‘not-spot’ to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the region and the country as a whole. Of the 25 or so people in the initial stage of the scheme only two or three were purely personal use with the others having often more than one business requiring the service. The businesses benefitting include farms, holiday parks and cottages, artists’ studios, agricultural contractors and boat builders as well as the local RNLI lifeboat station.
“With the need for returns to be submitted on-line for HMRC, etc, it is amazing that so many farmers are having to work in the early hours of the morning to complete them using ‘dial-up’. The arrangements other individuals have been making just in order to have broadband has also amazed me, including setting up offices in relatives houses up to half an hours drive away; sitting in cars outside relatives houses in town during the middle of the night; and going to their offices at night to download large specifications from overseas ready for manufacturing the next day.
“It is not only the individuals who are benefitting as there are at least two instances where they were in danger of losing export contracts as a direct result of not having Broadband. The Scheme has also served to bring the community together and has highlighted the frustration of so many people trying to get the service over a number of years.”

BBC2 HD

2011-10-09T15:59:00.000+01:00

The BBC HD Channel is to close to make way for BBC2 HD.
From Wired.co.uk

The BBC is planning to close its BBC HD and replace it with a high definition version of BBC Two.

The channel, which first launched in 2006, has been broadcasting HD content including programmes such as Planet Earth, Top Gear, Formula One and Wimbledon. It's one of the casualties of a swathe of cutbacks which will see fewer staff, a flatter structure and a shift of jobs to Salford in a bid to make savings of £700 million by 2017.

BBC director general Mark Thompson and BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten announced the changes this morning following months of debate and analysis. Thompson said: "By 2016 the BBC will be significantly smaller than it is today; employing fewer people, occupying less space, and spending less money."

Other cutbacks include the loss of 2,000 jobs; a reduction in the sports rights budget by 15 percent; a reduction in BBC One's spending on films and bought-in programmes; the movement of BBC to Salford and the sale of White City.

It's not all bad news -- money will be invested in connecting channels, networks and online content across four screens -- TV, tablets, mobile and PC. Money will also be allocated to drama and comedy on BBC One; factual content on BBC Two and Four; CBBC; Panorama and "landmark output" for Radio 4.