Milton Keynes Cable
 

The MK cable is still analogue. For the basic service you don't need a box, just connect your tv, to the wall socket, tune in as normal and away you go.

Now I've just helped two of my neighbours set up their tv's on the basic package, and they can get several more channels than I can.

I found one of the channels on my tv, it's down at the bottom end of the tuner, the others appear to be spread throught out the range of 22-68, however, I can't find them even if I fine tune through the whole UHF band.

I thought my neighbours might have dual standard tv (UHF & VHF), but that's not the case.

Any ideas why I can't get the extra channels?


Now for item 2

There's been a long running, unanswered question about the MK cable future. It's owned by BT and leased by VM. It is an unholy mix of copper, aluminium and fibre optic. Neither party is prepared to commit to upgrading it to all fibre optic in preparation for analogue switch off in 2011 (for our region).

Apparantly BBC 3 Counties got involved and VM said they intend to keep the cable as analogue, collecting the digital signal and converting to analogue before squirting it down the cable to analogue TV sets. SO MK could be in the unique position of people with digital tv's needing STB's to convert the analogue signal back to digital. Madness.

Another problem exists in that a few years back VM (then NTL) said the cable could not handle any more channels (The basic package is BBC1,2,News ITV Anglia and Central [or whatever they are called these days], CH4, Five, QVC and Hallmark [plus as I said some people get another six or so channels]), so presumably even when they do thier digital shuffle, we still won't get the additional free to air channels.

Right now I'm dithering between VM's cable package, Freesat from Sky, Freesat and Freeview. I'm trialling a Freeview box for Teletext Extra, so I'm committed to that for about a year, and to be honest there's not much I find of interest. The other free offerings don't look much better either.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Some TVs just have a wider band of channels that they can scan, I believe that answers Point 1 :)

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Nah, I reckon Virgin Media will upgrade this area even it means having no help from BT. This area has potential.

A better idea after when BT ditched its relations with Sky, BT could have acquired the Cable franchises, get rid of Cable Telephone services and just use BT's existing network. That way BT could offer:

Digital/Analogue Cable TV
Cable Broadband
IPTV-Eventually

And over BT's existing telephone network:

ADSL for out of Cable areas
Telephone service

It would have made sense in BT buying NTL,Telewest,Smallworld,Wight Cable and maybe taking over the defunct Aberdeen Cable network, then BT would have a fibre optic national network covering just over 40% of the UK which can be expanded over time. As BT is the UK's predominant provider, there fibre optic Cable network would also be open to other companies wishing to offer faster speeds and Digital TV like Tiscali.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I'd agree, but some of the channels are in the 38-45 area of the UHF band. I seem to think it relates to the actual frequency being used.

I suppose it's not really a problem, as some of the channels are on Freeview, just a bit niggling.

---------- Post added at 10:24 ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 ----------

The MK cable is already owned by BT. Legislation prevents them from being both a service carrier and content provider. The history is that when MK was built, way back in the late 60's, no TV aerials were allowed and all homes were to be ready cabled. Quite innovative for the era. We go the BBC and ITV channels (BBC1,2, ITV London, Anglia, and Central, and a local cable channel called Channel Five). Over time this changed and BT added Sky (later Sky1)and Galaxy (remember them?).

As the legislation changed to allow more cable operators to compete, and in order to give them the oportunity to compete in areas already cabled, BT were explicitly banned from both owning a cable and providing services on it.

BT decided to sell the MK cable, and asked some stupid price for it. Not surprisingly nobody wanted to buy, so the were forced into leasig it to NTL, who were absorbed into Virgin Media a few years ago. The agreement is that VM will maintain the metal bits and BT the fibre. Problems come up when the box joining the two is at fault, and there always seems to be a disagreement about who repairs the box.

BT don't want to upgrade to fibre, no profit in it for them; VM don't want to pay for the upgrade, too expensive. The upshot is more and more people are putting up Freview ariels (which are now allowed) or Sat dishes, and dropping the cable, which costs £36 per year for the basic package.

The MK cable is not growing either, there is no longer any requirement for new home to be pre-cabled, so no growth potential for VM.

Personally, I don't see there being many people on the cable by this areas Digital Switch Day in 2011.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

That was the 60s all over in this country. Plenty of hippie ideas but no money to implement them properly. Milton Keynes was cabled on the cheap and now you're all suffering the consequences.

Answer = stuff the lot of them. If you want subscription TV, get Sky; if you don't, get Freesat (which you already have). Don't be put off by the apparently restricted channel list on Freesat at present; this is due to a combination of rights issues keeping some channels off the EPG, and time required to launch others on Freesat without ballsing up Sky's own platform, seeing as the two services share the same satellite transmissions. Most if not all of these issues should be resolved by the end of this year.

Freesat may never have quite the same line up as Freeview. But while channels like Virgin 1, Dave and UKTV History may never appear on Freesat, Freeview will never and can never offer the kind of HD service that Freesat will ultimately deliver.

So it really is a choice between Sky and Freesat I reckon, depending on whether you want access to subscription channels or not.

As for your internet over those dratted aluminium wires, well, if you're feeling like an innovator you could always install a two-way satellite broadband hook-up and then create a wireless mesh in your corner of the town to re-sell some of the bandwidth to your neighbours and split your costs. Mesh networks are very popular in rural areas (our local village has one, but we're too far out to use it!) but I see no reason why it can't work in MK.

Alternatively you could move to live in a town where the cows aren't made of concrete and the streets aren't aligned like some hippie's notion of stonehenge. ;)

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi Chris T

Thanks for your amusing comments.

MK is not so bad, but more about that later:)

Apart from moving, I think you are right. I'm waiting for the dust to settle over the Sky/FreeSat/Freeview offerings, and keep looking at the BT and Virgin alternatives. Of course by then the push will be for HD or even SuperHD.

It's a shame that what was such an innovative idea when it started has been allowed to degenerate into the current mess. The problem hasn't really been caused by BT or VM, more by the deregulation of the communications industry and the increase in television channels. Apparently the cable can't handle many more channels in it's current state, so people are understandably switching to the alternatives. Eventually somebody has to decide whether to upgrade the MK cable or turn it off; given my earlier comments I think they'll turn it off. A similar thing happenned in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City a few years back when the council paid for every house to have a TV arial in place of the communial VHF cable system. Oddly, the company running the cable then offered additional channel s for a fee on a system they had previously said was uneconomic to repair - I sense a conspiracy!

History, they say, has a habit of repeating it's self. I seem to recall the original TV broadcasts were down a peice of wire, then we got TV arials. Later we were told cable was the future, next it was Sat Dishes (which is just another sort of arial) and DTV, and now TV over the Internet (another cable). I supose the next 'innovation' will be Internet via Sat Dish or from mobile phone-like local masts (back to arials again).

My broadband speed is acceptable for my use, the 'Upto 8Mb' I get from TalkTalk actually comes in at a reliable 4mb, but as I'm not a heavy downloader I'm happy most of the time. It's a balance of cost effectiveness and convenience.

Now to dispel you aspertions of MK, the grid road system worls well, and once you get the hang of it you can navigate from one estate to another very quickly. The estate roads themselves don't all follow the straight line principle, so some feel vert village like whilst others are more like a small town. As for the cows, well they have given MK a lot of press and attracted a lot of visitors, so as advertising goes they have been a huge success, and there are only six of them (12 if you count the clones that were put in place some years back - the originals are going on display in the MKDons stadium).

My broadband speed is acceptable for my use, the 'Upto 8Mb' I get from TalkTalk actually comes in at a reliable 4mb, but as I'm not a heavy downloader I'm happy most of the time. It's a balance of cost effectiveness and convenience.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I thought the legislation was brought in just after when BT bought shares in BskyB. Because the cable service in some parts of Westminster is the same as Milton keynes. However, they had more channels than what you listed above, but in addition, a channel exclusively available called Westminster TV was on. This BT owned,NTL leased cable franchise has now been upgraded and is able to offer Digital TV and Broadband but no NTL telephone line.

Most other parts of the area are able to get NTL/Videotron phone service so westminster was covered by two franchises.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
yes the VM analogue cable here in MK is crap for the reasons identified above.
And they charge £48 per year for the base (cheapest) package (BBC1/2 ITV1, C4,C5, Hallmark, QVC)

My current solution:
Freeview via aerial I installed in my loft
Freesat HD (Humax) via dish I installed on the side of my house.

All is hunky-dorey

Regards,

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Fortunately, when they upped the price a few years back, i started paying by DD, so it only costs me £36pa.

I'm part of a test on a new Freeview service, which does not run out until July this year. Then I'll decide whether to go Freesat (Sky or BBC/ITV) or stick with Freeview. Must admit Freesat looks like the leading contender at the moment.

Lots of people in MK have stopped thier cable accounts, but VM don't seem to get around to disconnecting them. I guess it not economical to send an engineer round if the customer is only getting the basic package. I'm not willing to take the risk just yet as some customers get disconnected quite quickly.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi arefem
that DD option sounds good - I will investigate thanks.
What new Freeview service is that - I might want to take it up?
Freesat picture quality is much better than VM cable (and so is Freeview)
Disconnection: yes someone I know has been running like that for a year now.
Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Sorry, but you do appear to be misaprehending Digital TVs. The devices marketed as Digital TVs in this country are actually just TVs with Freeview boxes built in. Most still do accept analogue tranmissions.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
is that new Freeview service "Project Canvas"
i.e.
"The new broadband Freeview service could see on-demand programming including the BBC iPlayer and the ITV Player available direct to TV set-top boxes by early 2010.

"This proposal will bring catch-up from the PC to the TV set in your living room, and all for free"

Project Canvas, as the enterprise has been called, still needs BBC Trust approval but aims to get ISPs and device developers on board too and will also be available on Freesat."

etc.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Not too sure if the DD option at £2.99 is still available. I took it out when they raised the rates a few years back. Stupid really of VM, before that I paid annually up front.

The Freeview service is Teletext Extra. Register on thier user panel and they send you a free, basic Freeview box. You need to send a text everyweek for a year, and at teh end of the year they send you £50 M&S vouchers.

More info here

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

The minimum subscription in Milton Keynes is £4 a month whether you pay via Direct Debit or not

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I get your point Stuart, but as the switchover gains pace, manufacturers may well decide to drop the electronics that handle the analogue. I guess it's really a wait and see situation. By the time it happes in MK, 2011, I'll need a new TV, and I'll probably have either a Freeview ariel or Freesat dish anyway.

Have to say, a lot of the Freeview channels are pretty dire, and I don't really see how things like Lottery Extra can be called a channel. They would be better off sharing another part-time channels allocated slot.

After all the fuss about the Quiz channels, I'm surprised the latest Casino channel has been allowed too.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
cheers I will have a look at that Teletext Extra.

And yes my "digital" TV (Hitachi) has both an analogue and a digital tuner, later TVs won't need the analogue tuner.

Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I'm a little confused now. I pay the £4 p.m. to VM but I thought that was to cover my (BT) telephone line via the cable system. I don't use any of the VM television services (not even the analog). If BT still own the system, am I paying needlessly? If I cancel the subs with VM do I lose my telephone/broadband? Anyone know

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

the £4 is for Cable TV. It has nothing to do with Phone or Broadband

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi again,
yes eloceo, as BenMcr says, the £4 a month is for cable TV (analogue basic service)
You are probably also paying BT 10.00 a month or so for landline rental and paying someone (BT?) for broadband (which goes over the phone line). BT may legally own the cables and lease it to VM who can charge you, but I'm not sure.

I think there are several cables to each house from the main cable network - TV, phone and another phone.

Anyway, if you cancel the VM TV service, your phone/broadband won't be affected.

Regards,

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Isnt it possible to get Virgin Broadband over the analogue cable network there, if so then why not cancel BT phone and broadband and take out Virgin Broadband and Voip such as Vonage.

By doing that, you would be paying approx £25 for unlimited calls to landlines and high speed broadband with unlimited downloads. People pay BT £25 alone for Total broadband which is a rip off!

For Virgin Media in Milton Keynes and Westminster you need to call 0800-952-0345 as the other number is for non ex BT cable franchises.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi m419,
when I called them on that number (option 5) they said the "superfast" broadband was not available (fibre optic cable?) and said call Virgin National on 0845 045 001, who deal with BT landlines broadband. They did not seem to be dedicated to MK, they only knew it was analogue only after looking up postcode in their database.
Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

They seem to have to deleted Milton Keynes off the database for some reason because when I enter a Milton keynes postcode in,it says only Virgin off net services are available????

Although Westminster still says 'Only Analogue services are available'

However, some properties and parts of westminster have been upgraded so it looks like they are willing to invest in that area.

You really have to argue with them as the new sales and customer service departments arent used to the ex-BT franchises!

Getting High Speed cable broadband on a analogue cable franchise shouldnt be a problem, it has nothing to do with digital tv since the network or part of it is still fibre optic.

Milton Keynes and Westminster cable is provided by Virgin Media however, the actual network is owned by BT and Virgin Media lease it from BT. The Coaxial and fibre optic cabling providing the analogue tv and broadband generally runs along side BT's copper cable telephone lines, however a lot also runs in its owns ducts under the street.

The BT franchises are very old and are proving difficult to upgrade as its just one cable to each household which runs back to the base meaning that each and individual household would need to be upgraded which sounds costly! So Virgin Media would probably be better off rebuilding its own network and telling BT to jog on if it wants provide Digital TV.

In Westminster, Videotron built its phone network but no Cable TV as it would have overlapped BT's Cable network, Now both are owned/provided by Virgin Media and BT prevented NTL from offering Telephone over the own network by setting rules in there leasing arrangements. So BT are to blame for all the hassle in these areas!

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
saw on the BBC local news today that an MP had asked about it in the House of Commons yesterday. "stuck in the 70s"
LOL

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
on entering my MK postcode to VM ssales site:
It looks like you're in an 'analogue' area which means that you can get some of our great services, like fibre optic broadband, TV and home phone.

So, we can now get fibre optic bb - haha

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi

I bought a new TV today with Freeview embedded in it, I am a little confused as when i plug this into the MK cable, I get Freeview!!!

Its a great picture, only BBC and Sky channels (plus Dave).

I can't find any details on what i should be able to get, I can't get ITV, CH4 or 5, should I be able to.

Whats going on? I don't have any extra boxes, I just plug the coax in th wall?

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi
what make of TV is it, as it probably has both analogue and digital tuners in it, like my Hitachi does. It then auto tunes to whatever it can find.
Also, which Sky channels does it get? and has anyone taken out any subscription to VM TV services on that cable?
Some channels that appear on Freeview may also be available on the VM packages for analogue in MK (35 channels?) but I don't know what they are as I don't pay for the extra packages, I just have the basic £4 per month one.
Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Its an LG 50PG3000, I get sky3, Sky Sports news and sky news. Whats strange is I get the freeview like menu, so are they pumping a limited set of freeview down the cable? I don't rreaaly understand what I am getting, and why i don't get ITV on the freeview stuff.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I think its analogue what you are viewing but your TV has been designed mainly for Digital viewing which is why you get that menu.

Well according to a post on Cable forum, BT has offered to upgrade this franchise for £3 Million,wonder if Virgin Media will agree to this?

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Has Sky3 ever been sent down MK cable?

Maybe someone has seen the light and is experimenting with pushing Freeview down the system, which since it seems nobody can be arsed investing in the system to turn it into a proper digital cable network is probably the best that MK can hope for.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Have a look at this page. It tells you which Freeview channels are on which multiplex:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/mux/

If someone is experimenting with pushing Freeview DVB-T signals down the Milton Keynes Cable, then it's likely you will find you have all, or none, of the channels in any given multiplex. If you're receiving all BBC channels, plus Sky 3 and Dave, that suggests you may be receiving Muxes 1, B and C. However to prove this, check the list and let us know whether you are getting all the other TV and radio channels that are included in those Muxes.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Maybe BT has recently upgraded the network to Digital, however Virgin Media probably wont start the actual Digital service until they have rolled out TV on demand and trialled out the service properly.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Tonight I pulled the aerial out the wall, I still get all of the freeview channels, so it looks like I am just picking it up out of the ether. Theres a lot of cable in my house and a long way between the TV and the wall socket where it comes in, the equivelent to 6 stories of a house.

The signal is definately digital, as I am getting digital interfenece, its going blocky.

So I am going to dump the virgin stuff, buy myself an aerial, only problem is I now need another 8 freeview decoders :-(

---------- Post added at 22:31 ---------- Previous post was at 22:26 ----------

I am getting 1 and C, albeit as my above post states through the ether, as I am getting these by just having a long coax to the telly, do you think I will get all feeds with an aerial, and also do I need to put it outside, or inside the roof, aerials on the roof are frowned on round here, in fact I have never seen one?

Thanks

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Odd, the Wolbane predictor says you need an amplified extra gain so unless there is a new local relay, or it IS on the cable and leaking like hell, then I can't see how you could pick it up while disconnected using just the flylead.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Stuff the hippies, you should get the biggest roof aerial you can afford, unless there are actually planning laws that make it impossible. Check with the council first.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I am quite high up, relatively speaking, and the cable goes up to the roof and back down again to all the tv's in the house, and its three stories.

I put my post code in the predictor and it is as you say

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I would wait till Virgin launch there digital service, i suppose you could ask them when they are going to roll out digital on that special freephone number for the Milton Keynes area. It looks like Virgin will do it very soon since the switchover is literally round the corner.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

:shocked:

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Digital Switchover has NOTHING to do with Virgin supplying cable.

The whole country could switch over and Virgin could still run an analogue cable service.

There has also been nothing confirmed to say that Virgin and/or BT will be upgrading Milton Keynes to digital cable

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Well, its really down to the broadcasters, if Discovery or Sky want to stop broadcasting via analogue signals that means there will be nothing to watch!

It has to be upgraded soon otherwise BT will loose there tennant and Virgin will loose customers and residents will have less TV options!

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I think it unlikely that Discovery or Sky would give a damn what technology Virgin use to distribute their channels once they've paid for them.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

The channels don't care what format the transmission takes. If they could find a way to do it, VM could use smoke signals for all the broadcasters care.

The move to digital tv was motivated by the platform providers (Sky + Cable) wish to reduce the bandwidth required by individual channels to enable them to fit more channels in the available bandwidth.

Now, with regard to mk, someone is going to have to spend millions upgrading that network. They might only have 10,000 customers in mk, so may not think it's in their interest to spend too much. Sometimes it is cheaper and more profitable to just lose some customers.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Haha
all the VM prices are going up from 1st May but NOT the analogue in Milton Keynes they said when I called them on the number in the letter.

Also, they are going to send me a letter saying I am exempt from paying £5 per month charge for NOT paying by DD and exempt from the £1.25 per month charge for having paper bills.


Regards
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Yeah, that's ... hilarious. :erm:

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

I've not seen anything to say Milton Keynes customers will be exempt from the £1.25 paper bill fee. Will have to check that one.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

If I get a letter I will post here

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Letter has arrived re £1.25 paper billing charge....

"We will not know if this charge will appear on your account until after 1st May...."

Seems strange that they don't know what their own billing system will do but hey-ho

I will post an update later.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

What you are describing for MK sounds a bit like what my Dad had in the mid 80's...
In Barrow (in Cumbria) there was a company called rediffusion and their system was a cable system that you could get the radio and TV on (with a switch on the window sill that fed to the TV set). It got switched off at some point and a chap knocked at the door to say that they were switching it back on and you can get 6 new channels. You got sky channel, childrens channel and a sports channel (eurosport?) from what i can remember.

eventually they came back around a few years later and said that you will need a Cable Ready TV set (one with UHF and VHF tuners). They removed the switch on the window sill and plugged the cable into the TV set. that worked for a bit before they increased the signal coming from the local TV transmitter and then it just went off... my Dad still has the Sony Cable Ready TV in his loft...

Did anyone else have that?

EDIT: just found the link for it:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...ad.php?t=64039
http://www.rediffusion-television.co.uk/

I called my Dad who said it was called Starview and was early SKY TV. It ended in 1988 when some fella cut the wire down the street. He also said it cost £400 for the TV set...

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
update re the £1.25 charge for paper billing.
Yes it did appear on the bill for May.

I phoned them to get it taken off - ok no problem (one month)
Then registered for paper free billing.
WTF - no PIN sent to email
Called them - "there is a high demand"
Still waiting...more than 48 hours later...

Also, we in MK do not have to pay the £5 extra charge per month for not using Direct Debit

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Well in Westminster, they are upgrading 2MB broadband customers to 10MB later this year according to the upgrades website, this currently includes Marylebolne. So this is a sign that Virgin Media intends to keep the Westminster and Milton Keynes franchises up and running and modernised.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Nice one - where is this upgrades website ?

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Huh ? is that the right link?

that asks me to sign in - I can't sign in can I ? as I don't have one of their crappy email addresses in the list box??

and it says:

"Be one of the first size: M customers to upgrade from 2Mb to super-fast 10Mb"

Could be interesting...

Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

In that case I would phone Westminster Customer Services on 0800 952 0345 where they should be able to get everything clarified

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Thanks

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Bare in mind that NOT all of Westminster has had the broadband service rolled out,It definately is in Marylebolne. Cable Broadband is most likely to be available in:

Marylebolne
Mayfair
Queens Park
Paddington
Maida Vale
Harrow Road and surrounding streets
Westminster part of Kilburn

Digital TV is most likely to be rolled out at the above locations too if it is ever made official.

Marylebolne will inlcude streets such as Bolsover Street,Baker Street,Marylebolne Road,Harley Street,Portland Place,Lisson Grove,St Johns Wood High street,Marylebolne High Street,Abbey Road and all of the small roads off the above roads and maybe Great Portland Street and Edgware Road.

amazingly,Virgin Media do have ,many Analogue TV subscribers in this area,maybe its because they cant get Sky dishes and Aerials due to the local restrictions and conservation rules. So thats probably why they are still serving the area.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

thanks for the info

There is also a restriction on satellite dishes and freeview aerials here in Milton Keynes,

Everyone ignores it.

hehe

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Suddenly you'll find a court order on your doormat if you do ignore it, I know someone that lives in Westminster and they had installed a Sky dish in late 1999, they recieved a letter from the the council a few weeks ago instructing them to take it down as its in view from the street. So that means removal! And back to Analogue TV LOL

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

A letter from the council after 10 years? I'd have thought they have a reasonable claim that it's permitted development on that basis.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Well according to the council they claim its a breach of there conservation plans. Westminster city council is so strict on stuff like that.

When IPM took of Mercury's phone boxes, IPM wanted to install its bright orange corporate design of kiosk, instead they were forced to install black heritage style kiosks. Thats how far westminster take it! Now NWP took over all those sites and again,they are black kiosks. Infolines the new owners of IPM have recently installed new 8 foot kiosks suitable for wheelchair access, they are mostly all black or red across the borough.

Maybe westminster should focus on real issues,like the state of its council estates!

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

It may well be a breach of their conservation plans, but if they haven't enforced that against him for a decade he might just have a good argument against them enforcing it now. I'm far from certain of the law in these instances but if I were him I'd be seeking advice from the local CAB for starters.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Indead as chris says if they havent inforced it in 10 years i beleave you friend would have secured defacto planning pemission for the dish. If i remember rightly after 4 years on plain display without any form of enforcement action the alteration has planning pemission by default. however im not sure how this affects a conversation area. i would deffenatly get your friend to goto the CAB.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Well Westminster as well as other local HA's in the area do not want antennaes and dishes in view from the street.

My mate has been informed that the council have fitted a communal Aerial on the roof, Westminster council say that if you cannot get NTL, then try Homechoice (Now called Tiscali TV)

So maybe thats why they are writing to him now.

The thing is, I think its partly Westminster council's fault that Virgin Media's network is only Analogue, the council is also tough on utility companies digging up roads.

One good thing though,you can now get Virgin Broadband in this area! So IPTV is also an option.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Anyone running a HiFi tuner out of the FM socket? I find the signal very iffy on my old Marantz tuner - it has a signal strength meter, at the moment Radio 3 and 4 are at 67%, and Classic FM at 100%. There is very noticeable hiss on Radio 3 and 4, while Classic FM is fine. This has been the situation for many months, if not years (sometimes 3 and 4 improve a bit!) I can get rid of the hiss by clicking the mono button on my amp. I haven't pursued this 'cause of the digital changeover, but that seems to have settled. So come on Virgin, let's have John Humphrey's in stereo without the hiss please!

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

If analogue TV has been switched off in your cable area the FM signal will have been switched off. All you will be receiving is a residual signal which the cable is picking up off-air and is not origionating from Virgin.

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

That doesn't apply to Milton Keynes, it has different cable TV system technology

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Analogue TV has not been switched off. I am getting excellent reception on the terrestrial channels that Virgin are meant to provide. I am pursuing Virgin themselves about this matter, but it takes a lot of bumping to get them up to speed any time MK is in question. See:

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...-4/td-p/681837

They might have pulled the plug completely on radio, without mentioning it. They recently replaced Universal with ITV 2 without telling anyone!

I tried pulling the cable and Classic FM (usually 100%) disappeared. BBC Radio 2 comes in at 100% with cable, but only in mono. It is reduced to an unlistenable 33% without the cable. BBC Radio 3 & 4 usually come in at 66% in stereo with or without the cable!

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
ditched all VM carp
ditched all Sky carp
now have Freesat (Humax HDR - excellent and Freeview DVD-R)
summary - a lot cheaper and much better picture quality.
Regards,
Neil

Re: Milton Keynes Cable
 

Hi all,
nearly a year later

not missing any SKY carp at all

Also Freeview HD on new Samsung TV - all excellent
and saved a lot of money

Neil