Using Abseiling & Rope Access To Install Aerial & Satellite TV Systems

After working in the aerial and satellite installations industry for over six years I decided to go it alone and knew it was important to distinguish myself. This is when I identified a gap in the market.  My business partner Gavin and I knew from our experience that when carrying out large installations to high-rise buildings such as flats, that equipment such as cherry pickers and scaffolding is expensive and time consuming. 

This is when we decided to study for and carryout the necessary practical assessments to gain the IRATA rope access qualification.

The IRATA qualification has enabled us to use rope access and abseiling to undertake almost any work, and has given us a fantastic skill for our aerial and satellite installations. 

The advantages related with abseiling compared to other methods of access used in the aerial and satellite installations industry work together to offer two key benefits these are; time and financial. 

Rope access and abseiling enables us to offer a considerably quicker service; as essentially all we need to do is safely rig up our ropes and we are ready to go, there is no waiting around for scaffolding and the erection of this equipment. Something which often is overlooked is the surrounding land of an installation; for scaffolding flat ground is needed in order for the structure to be put up safely, again abseiling eradicates this requirement. 

Our abseiling service is regularly used to install IRS systems in blocks of flats. Abseiling to install satellite systems this is fantastic for the residents because there is minimal disruption to their home. Installing a system to a block of flats usually takes time; this means that equipment needs to be left on site overnight. With abseiling and rope access our tools and equipment is packed away and taken with us every night, so security is increased too!

For aerial and satellite companies installing digital TV systems, the number of man hours is cut; the time to setup and dismantle the equipment is vastly reduced, this means that many project lead times are frequently lowered, helping to ease budgetary pressures. 

The main reason why rope access and abseiling is a brilliant tool for aerial and satellite installations aside from the cost and time benefit is; the ropes allow for areas which cannot be accessed via traditional equipment;  to be accessed quickly, easily and most importantly safely!

Watch a video of us abseiling in action!

If you would like more information about abseiling or rope access to install TV systems visit our website: www.doddingtonaerials.co.uk

Freeview VS Freesat, Doddington Aerials & Satellites

With the digital switchover fast approaching we have found that many customers are now looking into digital TV options that are free to air, mainly Freeview and Freesat.  Therefore we thought we would write you a short post on the key differences between the technologies. 

The main thing to know is that the key difference is the way in which the services are received.

Freeview can be accessed through an existing aerial, but does involve purchasing a Freeview box or a TVs with built in Freeview capability.

Freeview is popular because it does not require a customer subscription. The Freeview system is essentiality plugged into the aerial and which will give instant access to its services. Freeview gives you the choice of around fifty TV and radio channels, including HD. There are now additional Freeview products available including Freeview Plus, which allows for TV to be recorded, paused and more.  Freeview Plus HD is also available too, Freeview HD services include; five HD BBC HD, ITV1 HD and 4HD.

Freesat is a satellite TV service similar to Freeview, again there is no customer subscription making it a popular alternative to Sky and Virgin. The difference when having Freesat installed is that it requires you to have a satellite dish. Like with Freeview, to receive Freesat you need to buy a box, or TV with a built Freesat. Many people opt for Freesat as it widely reported to have better coverage are it is viewed via a satellite dish.

Freesat offers a few more channels, approximately 140 TV and radio channels. Freesat also allows you to watch HD TV and has a Plus option too. Freesat is a well-liked alternative to Sky for people who have an existing Sky dish, but do not want to pay subscription charges.

If you would like any more information please visit us at: http://www.doddingtonaerials.co.uk/

Why Are Home Cinema Systems Growing In Popularity?

Home Cinema systems have become a popular way for people to enjoy films and TV from the comfort of their own sofa! With the ability to install projectors, 3D and HD TVs with surround sound, many people are choosing to stay at home over visiting the cinema.

Recordable hard drives and services such as Sky Plus have given people more options than ever before to enjoy TV. As technology improves home cinema TV systems are becoming more popular because products are more affordable.

With the size of TV screens increasing to over eighty-two inches home cinema is becoming even more attractive proposition for many film and gaming enthusiasts.

As part of the home cinema experience, many people opt for a flat panel TV for both decorative purposes and for displaying TV on a picture frame-thin screen.  HD TV is also a popular option too, as HD TVS can offer over 4 times the amount of information that traditional TV can. When additions such as surround sound are added a real home cinema can be created; including the much sought after audio experience too!

A recent report revealed that 3D TV could transform the way we watch television and our home cinema systems. With new film patterned retarder (FPR) technology approved as ‘flicker-free’, an even sharper and clearer 3D image than ever before will become widely available. 

Home cinema capabilities are endless, if you would like advice about a home cinema system please do not hesitate to call Doddington Aerials & Satellites 07794786718 or email doddington.aerials@gmail.com

Brighton Digital Switchover News

Ok, so we've all heard about the digital switchover and its now underway, there is no escaping that TV is going digital!

But what does the digital switchover mean?

Basically the digital switchover refers to the current analogue TV signal being switched off; the analogue signal will be replaced with a new digital TV signal and which will affect everyone, including you!

I live in Brighton, how will the digital switchover effect me?

For our local area of Brighton it is important to know that the switchover will happen in two stages;

1) The signal comes from a transmitter located in Whitehawk Hill which will be switched over on 7th March 2012 and 21st March 2012.

 2)On Wednesday the 7th March 2012 the BBC2 analogue will be switched off, this means that you will have to re-tune your digital TV system in order to watch the accessible channels. On Wednesday the 21st March 2012 the remaining analogue channels will be switched off and therefore you will no longer be able to watch TV via an analogue system. 

Right here is the important bit to remember, you have to re-tune your digital TV system for a second time to watch the additional channels.

What are the benefits to me of the digital switchover?

Ok, the really great part of the digital switchover is; literally everybody will be able to watch digital TV!

There are also a few other benefits that digital TV offers you; you will be able to watch even more TV channels than analogue TV ever broadcasted. 

You also will be able to subscribe to additional channels such as film and sport, so everyone is happy!. 

You will be able to access additional services such as the ‘Red Button’ for all those people who wonder what the red button is - you will now be able to find out, audio description and subtitling making it really easy for those with additional needs.

So in a nut shell; there is no escaping the digital switchover it will impact everyone across the UK!

The digital switchover doesn't mean you have to go out a buy a brand new TV, nor do you have to have Sky TV installed. There are many options you can choose from to make sure you are ready for the digital switchover.

If you would like advice on the digital switchover or would like a free assessment to see if your TV system is ready for the switchover; please feel free contact Doddington Aerials & Satellites on 0779 478 6718 or email doddington.aerials@gmail.com.  

Abseiling Fitzleet House, Bognor Regis, Full IRS System Install; Sky, Freeview, Freesat & DAB/FM

We thought we would write a quick post about one of our abseiling jobs, we are still new to the abseiling business, however, we are really confident in what we can do and love the abseiling part of our job!

Spot The Worker!
Abseiling Fitzleet House, Queensway, Bognor Regis, To Install A Full IRS System; Sky, Freeview, Freesat & DAB/FM

This 17 story block of flats was in need of a full IRS system, this is a system which basically allows everyone in the block of flats to have Freeview, Sky and radio. There were a number of options ways by which this job could be completed. One would be to scaffold each of the four drops; where the cable runs have been planned, however the shear cost and time to do this type of installation was well out of budget for the Managing Agents.

Option two was using a “cherry picker”, but again the cost of hiring this equipment for the week was too much for the MA; this is where Doddington Aerials & Satellites innovative method proved economical, quick and effective.

Doddington Aerials is fully IRATA trained rope access technicians, this means we are able to quickly and simply rig up our ropes at the top of the four planned drops and use abseiling to install options to give any building access to digital TV and radio capabilities.

This is exactly what we did at Fitzleet House, we ran the all the cables to feed the 70 flats in just 3 days.

With it being so quick to set up our ropes, we are also able to dismantle the ropes at the end of the day; to prevent anyone interfering or messing around with the install.

Abseiling is not only work which we believe is a fantastic solution for many property managers and owners, but we also love the thrill which abseiling brings. It’s a bit different from working on a residential property to say the least!

You can see pictures of our install at Fitzleet House at our website. For more details about abseiling to install digital TV and radio, or to see how we can help you please call us on 07794786718.

Welcome to our blog!

Hi my name is Chris Doddington I began my career as an employee at one of Sussex’s largest communications businesses, where I started as an apprentice and left as a confident and knowledgeable aerial and satellite installer.

In 2011 I took the huge step of starting my own company ‘Doddington Aerials and Satellites’.

Doddington Aerials and Satellites is my baby, I ensure it prides itself in keeping up to date with the latest technology and customer needs, as well as serving the more traditional markets. I aim to meet the needs of every customer and I always ensure my customers receive a first class service!

Doddington Aerials & Satellites offers an extremely rare service not many others in the industry can, this is something I get really excited about!

Myself and my business partner Gavin spotted a gap in the market aerial and satellite market with regards to accessing more complex buildings and structures. This led us to complete an industry standard course to become fully certified IRATA rope access technicians, in a nut shell this means we are qualified to use abseiling to access even the most complicated aerial and satellite work, and anything else which takes our fancy!

Blogs

Doddington Aerials & Satellites specialises in tailor made aerial and satellite system installs on the south coast. This is our first blog; we are going to write posts about our work, what’s going on in the industry and just our general thoughts about life. This is an information blog where you can read about how our abseiling projects go, what hurdles we come up against and just the general things we face day to day (like the danger of seagulls, a particular pet hate!)

So guys, enjoy our posts and welcome to the world of an aerial & satellite installer!

Multi Room Satellite TV & CCTV Install In Brighton

This is a short post about one of our very first satellite TV Installation jobs In Brighton!

This job was located in our lovely seaside city of Brighton & Hove at a modern property in Preston Village Mews. The modern town house was fitted with only Sky Plus in the lounge and nothing else. Seen as this is the home of a young twenty something year old guy, this was obviously not enough technology for one house, so in came Doddington Aerials & Satellites to sort out his TV and radio system! 
 

Doddington Aerials & Satellites

The customer had a clear vision of what he wanted in his new pad, he wanted Freeview in his three bedrooms; Sky in the lounge and DAB radio in all these rooms too, after all you can never have too many TV’s in one house can you guys?

This customer had brilliant ideas and Doddington Aerials & Satellites were able to go that one step further for him, oh yes we thought of some even more exciting prospects and with his agreement, we went ahead with the project. 

The system we installed has given the customer the ability to have Freeview and DAB in all his rooms; SkyHD is installed in the lounge and the ability to control the SkyHD box in the 3 bedrooms too.

The digital TV system Doddington Aerials & Satellites supplied and installed also allows the customer to feed his CCTV into it. A fantastic way for this customer to view his CCTV cameras on all TVs in the house.

So one very happy customer, he can watch his SKYHD in any of his rooms and his house has been made more secure too, not bad for a days’ work if we do say so our selves, and no problems with our friends the seagulls, phew!

We are currently updating the photographs of our aerial and satellite work on our website http://www.doddingtonaerials.co.uk/ keep a look out for new pictures!



Doddington Aerials & Satllites