We receive news from many sources, Trade Magazines, visiting reps, web sites and of course 'on the ball' customers. If you would like to discuss further please visit the shop if you are local or your local specialist if you are not.

Tuesday, 11th August 2009

Thursday, 16th July 2009

National re-tune event

In autumn all Digital Terestrial Television (DTT) viewers will need to re-tune their receivers as a number of improvements will be made to Freeview services, Channel Five will be made universally available for switchover and improve existing coverage, and preparations will be made for the launch of HD services on DTT. Details of the changes have yet to be finalised, as has the date. A re-tune of all Freeview TVs and boxes will be necessary in all regions, including areas that have already switched.

We offer a retune service for £35.00 for customers within a 10 mile radius of Stoneygate Shops.

IPTV from BBC

The BBC Trust are investigating an Internet connected Set Top Box to allow access to BBC iPlayer and other internet content through the box. The project is called ‘Project canvas’. The box could retail for between £100 and £200 and be available by next year.

However OFCOM, the government body who oversees Broadcast matters are concerned that this development could disadvantage other broadcasters and also form a ‘Technical Island’ which could reduce competition and disadvantage consumers.

The group who oversee all matters Digital in the UK, the DTG (Digital Television Group) have not been consulted on this development.

FREEVIEW HD in time for World Cup 2010

Freeview (The company who provide UK Freeview Digital Television via Aerials) has announced they plan to offer Terrestrial HD TV in time for the 2010 South African World Cup. This would allow 40% of the UK population to watch the world cup in HD for free. A new Set Top Box will be required costing an estimated £200. This applies even if your TV has Freeview built in.

5 Free HD Channels by digital switchover (2011 in east Midlands)

Channel 5 has been granted the last licence to broadcast HD TV over the terrestrial network. They join BBC1, ITV (STV & UTV), Channel 4 (S4C). HD broadcasts will start in the Granada region and be rolled out across the country as the regions adopt the digital switch over. A new MPEG-4 DVBT2 box will be required to receive HD TV for free.

3DTV

Here is a new format which is still very much at the discussion stage. As with much new technology the Industry is working towards this new option with what can only be described as a fragmented approach.

It is unlikely that the format would ever be available on any Free to Air format (Freeview or Freesat) as there will probably not be enough bandwidth (broadcast space). It is also felt this would not be a good use of BBC licence fee at the moment. Sky feel that people would pay a premium for this service and they are moving forwards with their own offering.

iPlayer joined by 4oD

Later this month Channel 4 is to put up to 4000 hours of archive on it’s new play again internet platform. At the moment Channel 4 content is available for up to 30 days. Not all C4 material will be available on demand (4oD). (mostly American content).

DAB vs FM

Now the government has jumped off the fence and announced 2015 as the switch off date for FM, DAB sales are projected to rocket. All new cars from 2013 should be equipped with DAB radios. Digital Television sets already offer 23 DAB radio stations so most homes in the UK already have access to digital radio.

WEB sales declining

As more and more people have bad experiences buying from Web suppliers, they are returning to good old bricks and mortar shops with real people to assist. The growth of online sales has slowed to its lowest level since records began.

Thursday 9th July 2009

Multi Room Audio and Home Cinema seem to be very much flavour of the month. Some enquiries are from people at the beginning of a quest, before they have talked to the builders. More and more however are people who have just paid for the decorators and now would like sound. We can do a much better job if you call us in early or for you late comers who don’t want any mess we can easily accommodate a surround sound system on a cabinet with wireless rear speakers or a Loewe Sound Projector on a cabinet, like the one shown here.

We now have the Pure Avanti Flow, possibly the worlds best Internet Radio with an iPod dock built in. If 16,000 radio stations intrigue you then why not pop down for a listen. Our internet radio range starts from £130 with a Blik Radio station from Revo.