Following the termination of the InView data service on Freeview Mux D, a small number of older models of digital TV recorders will no longer function with a 14 day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). Models that are compliant with the UK specification for Digital Terrestrial Television (the DTG D-Book) will revert to the broadcast service information that will be provide a standard 7 day EPG.
Carriage of the 7-day standard EPG forms part of the requirment for the Digital Tick certification mark. Certified products that carry the DIgital Tick signify to customers that these products will work with the standard 7 day EPG.
Date Added: 04/08/2010 11:55:56
Five HD joins Virgin and Sky.
Five HD, a simulcast of the standard definiton channel, has launched on the Virgin Media and Sky platforms. Five HD will broadcast programmes such as Neighbours, Home & Away, Grey's anatomy, Law & Order and sporting coverage including Cricket on Five and European Leauge Football.
Five HD will also show five programmes made in HD such as new live entertainment series Don't Stop Beleiving.
Date Added: 04/08/2010 11:55:34
CAI Misuse of Logo.
The misuse of the CAI logo as reported in the recent Feedback seems to have thankfully declined. However, some non-CAI members are cunningly using play on words by saying 'CAI Approved or accredited'. This does sound as though they are in full membership. If we have trained them, then they can use the word trained but not accredited. If you find any companies that could be confusing the public, please let us know.
Date Added: 04/08/2010 11:55:16
NEWS IN BRIEF
Skriaig Switchover
Viewers in Scottish regions Skye, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and parts of and parts of Barra, have completed the first stage of the switch to digital television. On 14 July analogue BBC 2 was turned off at the Skriaig transmitter and digital signals began transmitting from Skriaig and it's 17 relay transmitters. The final stage of Switchover takes place on 28 July when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently.
With the new parliament...
Now in place the All Party Cable, Satellite & Digital Group has ensured the support of enough MPs and Lords to continue. It will be renamed as soon as possible to reflect the changes in broadcasing and content delivery.
CAI Meets to discuss...
...How to represent the views of the membership on the 'Digital Dividend', i.e. the money that can be raised by selling off UHF spectrum to users other than TV & radio broadcasters.
CAI Guidlines Document...
...On safe working at height with ladders is nearing completion with a final meeting to verify the illustrations are all in place correctly.
CAI Is looking into...
...How the government push on apprenticeship schemes may impact on the signal reception industry.
Date Added: 04/08/2010 11:54:37
System Saftey Again!
An article in the last feedback by the CAI's Education & Skills Chairman, Les Hampson has resulted in members asking if it is now possible to bond multi-dwelling units (MDU) systems to a ring main earth.
The answer is an emphatic NO!
The article was directed at installers installing systems in single dwelling units (SDU) only, describing how you can earth them to remove hazardous touch currents associated with class II equipment. The seminars at roadshows and the trade fair plus articles by Les over recent months have been aimed at explaining how installers can conform to CAI CoP 3. This was made clear in the article, but to confuse the issue someone posed a question about MDU's.
MDU systems still require a verified, continuous and robust connection to the Main Earth Terminal (MET) using a minimum of 4mm2 copper. However you do not need to run an earth wire to the MET if there is an easier path. You could use another verified earth, cable tray for example, which is usually connected back to the MET. The electrical contractor will advise you if you are unsure where there is an earth point of integrity.
One member, who felt Les Hampson's article in Feedback was misleading, probably has not - like many others - read the whole article carefully nor studied the last Code, as it is stated that only a single dwelling unit (SDU) can be earthed that way. IRS in MDU's always has - and still has - to be made safe, with at least a 4mm2 back to the MET.
