Leave us feedback!

If you have appreciated our services and would like to help promote Atlas Aerials i these difficult times, then please email us your testimonial so that we can publish it on our website.

You can also post testimonials on independent websites, these are great and helps us generate new business.

You can post to our google places page, thomson local page, yelp page and many more!

Confederation of Aerial Industries

Atlas Aerials is a member of the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI). You can view a page on their website listing Atlas Aerials CAI membership.

The CAI promises that all of its Members will provide:

Commitment and Professionalism

CAI members only employ competent and trained personnel whose work is regularly monitored by an Inspector. Members have to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the industry and must have been trading for a minimum qualifying period. To ensure that the members are kept up to date with changes in technology and working practices, the CAI runs a comprehensive portfolio of training courses and produces regular informative publications.

Quality

All members must comply with the exacting standards laid down in the CAI's Codes of Practice, using only materials and methods approved to British and other European standards. This ensures the best possible results.

Complaints

In the unlikely event of you being unhappy with the standard of workmanship carried out by the installer, or indeed dissatisfied with any aspect of your installation, firstly contact the Member and then if you are still not satisfied, the CAI can help through its official complaints procedure. The CAI will fully investigate any complaint that it receives against one of its members and is empowered to impose sanctions on its Members if necessary! Provided that the problems are within the realms of the original guarantee the CAI will arrange to have the work corrected - at no extra cost to the consumer.

Double Guarantee

CAI members guarantee their installations for a minimum of 12 months and, in addition, the CAI guarantees all domestic installations for the first year. In the unlikely event that the member does not honour their guarantee in the first 12 months, please contact us!

Insurance

Accidental damage to your property is covered by the full insurance cover that all CAI members have. There is a minimum requirement of £2 million public liability insurance, which should give you the peace of mind that you require before any work commences.

*Our guarantee covers the first £500 of any one claim relating to defective workmanship, materials or installation, but does not covers any consequential damage or loss caused to persons or property.

Identification

Members of the CAI are advised to have their identity cards on them whilst working. The card show clearly the members name, company details and a photograph. If there is any doubt on an installers validity as a member of the CAI, please call the CAI on 01923 803030.

Television interference facts

Poor television reception can be extremely frustrating! Sometimes your reception can go from good to bad very quickly without an obvious cause or reason. Some time this is because of a fault in your television system, however external factors maybe causing interference and hampering your television reception.

Picture drop-out, pixelation and sound quality issues are common issues when suffering from from interference. Rather than spending time trying to diagnose complicated problems and risking injury by climbing rooftops to inspect an aerial; its a good idea to hire a professional.

Atlas Aerials offer a friendly father and son service in the Hertfordshire area. Please contact us for a free, no obligation quotation.

Here are some common reasons for interference.

Too much signal?

Its possible that you are living to close a a television signal transmitter. To much signal can overload your Freeview receiver. This problem is solved by installing a aerial attenuator into your television system to reduce the signal. Professional television installers will be able to diagnose this problem and install a attenuator to correct the issue.

Check your aerial

Damaged, poorly aligned or not up to the job aerials can reduce signal strength and give external television interference a chance to take hold. For best results you need a good quality rooftop aerial, aligned perfectly at the correct digital transmitter.

Electrical interference

Inteference from other electrical items around your house is a an occasional cause of poor reception/interference. For example your picture quality may suffer when a light is switched on, the washing machine is on. Terrestrial digital TV in particular is susceptible to interference of this kind.

There is many solutions to interference of this kind, usually it can be solved by combining a good quality external aerial with a high quality unbroken cable to your set top box.

Radio interference

If you live close to a police station, taxi firm, amateur radio/CB radio enthusiast it is possible that the signals transmitted from these can be interfering with your television.

There are special filters and ferrite rings which can be installed to remove this form of interferance as well as electrical interference.

Channel interference

Video recorders and some set-top boxes 're-broadcast' their signal via aerial cable. Often known as 'modulating', it allows equipment without SCART sockets to view the equipment's output. If you're seeing interference to channels, it is possible its caused by something in your setup clashing with other channels.

Virgin Media information

What is Virgin Media?

A digital TV service delivered through a fibre optic cable network. Virgin Media also offer broadband, home phone and mobile phone. Services can be bundled with a TV package or bought separately.

How much does it cost?

From £6.50 to £23 a month including a V+ HD box. A phone line is required (£12.24 a month).

Standard installation by an engineer costs £40 or you can self install for free.

What equipment do I need?

A digital V box is provided with standard subscription or upgrade to a V+ box.

How is Virgin Media installed?

You can self-install or arrange for an engineer to come out to install for you (from £40).

How many channels will I get?

This depends on what package.
Size M: over 40 digital channels including BBC3, E4, Virgin 1 and ITV2
Size L: over 85 digital channels including everything on M, plus extras like LIVING, Bravo, UKTVGold and MTV
Size XL: up to 160 digital TV channels including everything from size L

Does Virgin Media offer an HDTV service?

Yes. The V+ box is an HD-ready personal video recorder that lets you record, pause and rewind live TV.

What other services does Virgin Media offer?

• ‘On demand’ including Catch up TV, BBC iPlayer, Movies and Music Videos
• Parental control
• Equipment fixed at no extra cost while you are a subscriber

Does Virgin Media offer any accessible services?

Yes, subtitles and audio description.

www.virginmedia.com

BT Vision information

What is BT Vision?

BT Vision¹ is a digital TV service available to new or existing BT Total Broadband customers. Freeview channels are included as standard², as well as the Vision+ digital TV recorder which allows you to pause, rewind and record up to 80 hours of Freeview TV.

How much does it cost?

From £6.99 to £19.99 per month, or pay per view from 39p. BT broadband required (from £15.99 a month) and self installation.

For the latest offers check www.bt.com/tv

What equipment do I need?

To get BT Vision you will need BT Total Broadband (with BT Home Hub wireless router). You will also need to live in a Freeview area to access the Freeview channels.

How is BT Vision installed?

You can install BT Vision yourself using the simple self-install instructions in about half an hour or so. Alternatively, a BT engineer can visit your home and get you up and running (charges apply).

How many channels will I get?

Between 15 and 40 Freeview channels plus Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, ESPN and on-demand³ films. Additionally you can catch up on shows you may have missed from the 5 main channels over the last 7 days.

Does BT Vision offer an HDTV service?

Yes. A selection of on demand films and TV programmes are available in HD, and more HD content is being added all the time.

What other services does BT Vision offer?

• On demand blockbuster films, sport, TV and kids' programmes
• Catch up TV service for BBC1 and BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five
  
• Free ESPN Sports channel when you take a Value viewing pack⁴
  
• Free trailers for many films and programmes.

www.bt.com/vision

Freesat information

What is freesat?

Freesat is a digital satellite service, brought to you by the BBC and ITV.

How much does it cost?

To get freesat, there is a one-off payment for a digital box (from £30) or Digital TV (from £450). If your home does not already have a working satellite dish, installation of a new satellite dish will cost approximately £80. There is no subscription and no contract.

What equipment do I need?

A freesat digital box and a fully installed satellite dish. To watch TV in HD you will need a freesat HD digital box connected to an HD Ready TV or a TV with freesat HD built in.

How is freesat installed?

If you have a working satellite dish on your home you may be able to self-install your freesat equipment. If not, freesat can be installed by a freesat approved installers (who meet required industry standards). Installation, if required, can be arranged with your retailer when you buy your equipment.

If there is already a satellite dish on your home, you may be able to use it to receive freesat – check with your freesat retailer first. If your existing satellite dish is still under warranty (typically 12 months) connecting a freesat digital box to your existing equipment is likely to void your existing warranty.

How many channels will I get?

Over 115 TV channels including entertainment, movies, news, lifestyle, BBC iplayer, and subscription-free HD from the BBC and ITV.

Does freesat offer an HDTV service?

Yes, freesat offers a subscription-free HD service. To watch TV in HD you will need a freesat HD digital box connected to an HD Ready TV or a TV with freesat HD built in.

What services does freesat offer?

• Subscription-free HD
• 7 day on-screen programme guide
• Interactive TV (press remote red button for access to latest news and live sports results)
• Parental control
• Customer support via freesat’s customer helpdesk and freesat.co.uk’s help section
• Interactive services

Does freesat offer any accessibility features?

Yes, subtitles and audio description.

Terms and conditions

Non-standard installation costs extra. You must get consents required (e.g. landlords, planning permission) before arranging installation. More information available from freesat approved retailers.

www.freesat.co.uk

Sky information

What is SKY?

Sky TV is a digital TV service through a satellite dish. Sky TV also offers customers a broadband and telephony service when they buy a TV package.

How much does it cost?

Sky TV is a subscription service. Packages range from £19 to £51 a month. A minimum 12 month contract is required. Standard installation by Sky engineers costs £30.

What equipment do I need?

A Sky digital box and minidish (provided free with subscription).

How is Sky TV installed?

Sky TV is installed and set up by a Sky engineer. The equipment is then yours to keep.

How many channels will I get?

Depending on which package you choose you can get up to 160 digital TV channels plus more than 240 free-to-air channels.

Does SKY offer an HDTV service?

Yes, Sky offer an HD service. To get this you will need an HD ready TV and a Sky+ HD box, which has all the Sky+features with double the storage capacity of a standard Sky+ box. HD Mix is required for HD viewing (£10 a month).

What other services does SKY offer

• Sky+: A TV recorder and digital receiver in one. Sky+ lets you record two programmes at the same time, pause and rewind live TV, record selected series at the touch of a button and store up to 40 hours of programming.
• Multi-room: Watch Sky TV in different rooms around your home.
• Sky TV also offer a broadband and telephone service if you subscribe to a SKY TV package
• Other benefits: customer support, interactive TV, seven-day on-screen TV guide, parental control, monthly customer magazine.
• Opportunity to change your TV package with one month’s notice.

Does Sky offer any accessible services?

Yes, subtitles, audio description and accessible remote control are available on Sky.

www.sky.com

Freeview information

What is Freeview?

Freeview is a free digital TV service.

How much does it cost?

There is no monthly subscription charge for Freeview. The only cost involved in watching Freeview is either a digital set top box which start around £20 or a digital TV. Digital televisions have the technology required to watch Freeview built in them and are available form around £150.

How many channels will I get?

Depending on where you live, most people can expect to receive over 40 TV channels. There are also regional variation on many channels, including E4, ITV2, BBC Three and CBeebies. The Freeview service also includes over 20 free digital radio stations and interactive services through the remote control red button.

What equipment do I need?

Either a digital television with the technology built in, or a set top digital box or digital TV recorder which will work with an existing TV.

Digital TV recorders such as Freeview+, Freeview’s digital TV recorder, allow you to record one channel whilst watching another, pause live TV and record your favourite programmes at the touch of a button.

How is Freeview installed?

Sometimes Freeview can be easily self installed by yourself by simply connecting your set top box to your existing TV and rooftop aerial, or connecting your digital TV direct to your rooftop aerial.

In many cases your television aerial will need upgrading, contact us for a free no obligation quotation to get your set up for digital TV.

Does Freeview offer an HDTV service?

Yes. Most of the country will receive HD when their region switches to digital. The HD service is subscription-free but you will need a Freeview HD digital box or Freeview+ HD digital TV recorder and connect it to an HD ready TV set. Use the postcode checker on this website to find out if it is available for you.

What can I watch in Freeview HD?

Freeview HD will give viewers access to four subscription-free (HD) channels from the public service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, and Channel 4), in addition to up to 40 Freeview channels in SD.

Does Freeview offer any accessibility features?

There is subtitling. Some boxes also offer audio description and some boxes offer text to speech services.

What other services does Freeview offer?

Many digital boxes and digital TVs have a parental lock facility which enables you to control which channels can be viewed.

Atlas Aerials has over 20 years experience in installing, fault finding and maintaining television systems. Contact us for a free, no obligation quotation.

www.freeview.co.uk

Benefits of going digital

Digital TV offers many ways to enhance your television service...

1. More TV channels and a greater range of choice.
   
   
2. New features such as interactivity, on-screen listings, subtitling and audio description for people with visual and audio impairments.
   
   
3. Optional additional channels and services including premium channels (e.g sports, movies), telephony and broadband.

Atlas Aerials can help you prepare the big digital TV switchover and make sure you don't miss out on what it has to offer.

Digital TV: What and When?

Digital television is coming, and for everyone. The existing analogue television signal will be turned off with a new stronger digital TV signal replacing it. Almost everyone will be able to receive a digital television signal through an aerial (FreeView).

Because digital TV signal is more efficient and uses less space than analog, new services such as wireless broadband, High Definition Television (HDTV) and local TV will be possible.

To ensure that your Television keeps its service, EVERYONE will need to convert to digital before your areas switchover date. You can check on your areas switchover date on an official government website.

Atlas Aerials in Hemel Hempstead can help you make sure that you are ready for digital television and ensure that your equipment is ready so that you don't miss out on your favourite tv programmes and the numerous benefits digital television brings.

Why use Atlas Aerials

Watching TV is a popular past time for most of us, poor TV reception can ruin the experience for you and fail to get the best out of the television equipment that you have spent your hard earned cash on.

Here are some reasons why you should hire a professional to undertake any television aerial or other television installation.

Better Reception

Professional Aerial Installers will be able to ensure that you get the strongest signal possible from your location. They can advise you on the use age of amplifiers and signal boosters, and have specialist equipment to ensure a strong signal strength and to fault find quickly and easily.

Safer Installation

Television Aerial installation involves handling electrical items and also working from heights. Installing an aerial on a rooftop from a ladder can involve heavy masts, brackets and aerials as well as handling power tools. Specialist aerial installers are experienced in working from a ladder at heights and handling tools and the relevant items needed for an installation. It simply isn't worth the risk of injury installing an aerial by yourself.

Better Presentation

Modern homes and houses typically have a very neat appearance. Poor installations can leave wires and cables hanging loose and aerials and masts erected at dubious angles. Professional aerial installers will always try and make an installation as subtle as possible so that as much as possible is hidden away out of sight.


Longer Lasting

Aerial installations installed by an amateur will typically not last as long as that installed by a professional. Brackets, cables and masts may not be as well secured which will eventually require more frequent work on the installation.

Please contact us for a free no obligation quotation.

Ladder Warning

Whilst it may be tempting to try and install your television aerial or satellite dish yourself, using a ladder is very risky and the dangers should not be underestimated. Trying to handle aerial masts, brackets and power tools on a ladder is a skill that comes only from experience, and we recommend that you hire a professional TV aerial specialist like Atlas Aerials to eliminate yourself from danger and physical injury.

Ladder accidents can generally be fit into several categories:

• Over reaching
• Slipping from the ladder
• Ladder wobbles or slips
• Ladder breakages

If you absolutely must use a ladder then here is some advice on how to work safely from a ladder.

Over reaching

• Make sure your body is centered between the stiles of the ladder, if its not you are overreaching.
• Ensure your belly button is comfortably between the stiles of the ladder to ensure you are in the correct position.
• At all times keep three points of contact on the ladder. This means making sure you have both feet and at least one hand on the ladder when carrying out work with your other hand.

Slipping from the ladder

• Consider taking part in some ladder training. All professionals take part in ladder training regularly to ensure they know how to work safely on a ladder.
• Always keep at least three points of contact on the ladder at all times.
• Ladders should be kept clean by regularly cleaning the rungs, dirt or grease on the rungs can increase the chance of slipping.
• Ensure that the ladder user is wearing appropriate footwear for the task in hand.
• Persons suffering form physical injuries or illness should not use a ladder.
• Ladders should be positioned on a level, firm surface and the feet grips should be in good condition.

Ladder wobbles or slips

One of the major causes of accidents is when ladders slip or wobble. To reduce the risks, we suggest you follow these tips carefully.

• The top of the ladder should rest on a firm secure horizontal surface.
• Prevent slipping by tieing off or securing both the top and bottom of the ladder.
• Check the condition of the ladders feet before you use the ladder.
• Ensure the ladders feet are able to sit firmly and grip onto the floor surface.

Ladder breakages

• Always examine the condition of the ladder before using it.
• Consider the maximum load of the ladder and don't exceed it.
• Any tools carried should weigh less than 10kg.
• Position the ladder at a 75° degree angle to the wall – use the 1 in 4 rule.

If you need further advice about what ladder or scaffold tower you need to work from height safely, contact a ladder specialist or Aerial Installation Specialist to help you.

Our new website

We thought that is was about time that we got into the modern era and get ourselves a website! For years ourselves and other Aerial Installation specialists have relied on traditional forms of advertising for our; this trade however has dwindled slightly in the google revolution!

Atlas Aerials does very well from word of mouth. We have built a large customer base who keep coming back to us and keep referring us for our great service and professional work.

Were confident that our website will keep us ahead of the crowd and improve our service to our customers. If you have any suggestions or would like to leave us a testimonial so that we can publish it on our website, please contact us.

Atlas Aerials

Atlas Aerials is an long established Television/Radio/Satellite Aerial Installation service based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. With many years in the business we are confident our experienced engineers and mobile fully equipped workshop will leave you completely satisfied.

Our customers are our number one priority and we always go that extra mile to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Our services include Television Aerial Installation, Sky/Satellite Dish Installation and Digital/FM Aerial Installation. Please visit our services pages for a full list of what we can do for you.

If you would like a free, no obligation quote for any aerial installation work please contact us.