Tag: aerial installation sheffield


how to avoid unsightly mess with your wires for a wall hung TV

Stick it on the wall

As much as it’s a foreboding thought, Christmas is fast approaching and televisions are often a perfect gift particularly for kids or an indulgence for the grownups!! Nowadays it’s not uncommon to see anything from a 49” to 65” behemoth gracing lounges and bedrooms around the country and because of the size of modern TV’s finding a spot to put them in can be a headache. Well, let AB Aerials take that pain away as we offer a fantastic TV wall mounting service. The results can be stunning seeing a telly miraculously floating mid-wall out of the way of tiny and often grubby paws. Also it frees up space that can be utilised for let’s say a wine rack, a beer refrigerator or perhaps even a bookshelf.

What is sometimes overlooked is how is that hovering TV is going to be powered, how will it get its signal and how can I connect my devices to it such as games console or recorder? In other words where will the necessary evil cables go?

What to consider when wall mounting a TV

  1. The proximity of your electrical/aerial/satellite sockets
  2. Do they require moving
  3. Do you want the cables to be buried in the wall (and having to take into account the cost of plastering and redecorating)

advice on wall mounting TV

  • Is trunking a viable/acceptable option (see right-hand side of the fireplace below)

Once you’ve made a decision your installation could look like this (all work undertaken by AB Aerials!)

TV Wall Mounting

How much does it cost to have your TV Wall mounted?

Prices will be dependent on the size of the TV, the type of mount, how the cables can be hidden, cable extensions etc. We do offer a free survey service as it’s always better to assess your requirements as well as offer advice as to the best way to mount the TV. Needless to say the cost may well be much cheaper than you think and the work can be carried out around a timetable to suit you.

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tv with aerial

What’s that you say? TV for free? Seems an incredulous statement, but in a way its true so read on.

Here at AB Aerials we fit a lot of aerials, satellite dishes and additional TV points around properties (amongst many other products and services) and at the last count, for the year 2018-2019,  338 lucky customers have benefitted from having a quality installation along with a great customer experience. You don’t have to take my word for it as there are a ton of written and video testimonials and reviews to view on the website too.

How much does an aerial installation cost and what is the price compared to satellite TV?

One of the overriding reasons why people are choosing TV aerial and satellite installations over subscription TV is cost. Plain and simple. Well, how cheap is cheap?  Firstly, customers, being a fickle lot, don’t want just cheap thrown in to the equation, they want quality too, that is why we here at AB Aerials only use industry approved materials and all installations are carried out by experienced City & Guilds qualified technicians. Secondly, we offer a great after sales service e.g. for those who struggle with technology and need a walk through the maze of buttons and drop down menus. And finally, the bottom line which is money!! The cost is dependent upon where you live, i.e. signal strength, and whether you need an amplifier (booster) or something more than a standard installation. We can give you a quote on a pre-survey or  on the day also taking into account additional room provision if required. There may be the need to install a satellite dish if the terrestrial is not available. No matter what the scenario we can assist in providing the service best for you.

Not quite sure how to put this but previously the demographic for customers watching traditional methods of TV, i.e. through an aerial or dish, were, let’s say, more life experienced and their viewing habits were less demanding. But what I’m finding now is that younger people too are now opting for and aerial or dish in favour of subscription TV and in addition are going for the less expensive options of SMART TV’s and devices where apps provide additional variation and choice.

So how can you get TV for free?

It seems that the cross customers have to bear with subscription TV is that monthly prices mysteriously increase with little or no explanation.  When I subscribed to a well known cable TV company I had notification stating my bill was going up by £5 a month because they added an additional cooking channel. Well I couldn’t have been happier (not) so I promptly withdrew my patronage.  Having a TV aerial or satellite dish to watch Freeview and Freesat respectively means that after the initial payment of the installation no more money is taken from your account, hence the “Free” element to Freeview and Freesat.

AB Aerials recommendations.

What AB Aerials recommend is to install a TV aerial or satellite dish to compliment a decent (SMART) TV coupled with a recording device. By doing this a customer has all the functionally offered by subscription TV i.e. recording, pausing, fast forwarding and reversing etc, but no ongoing monthly payments to satellite and cable TV providers. The whole investment pays for itself in three or four months and from there on in its free!!!

Technology is constantly changing which means the way we watch TV changes too.  But we are living in the moment and have to make decisions which best suit us, satisfying our need for entertainment and education balanced with that of the cost to provide us with these needs and wants. On line streaming and subscription TV can be expensive so it may be prudent to have a look at the more traditional methods of watching TV thus saving those all important pennies.

Further reading and links.

Aerial Installation

The Best Customer Service

 


bird spike installation

Bird spike installation in Sheffield.

There is a very true idiom stating that nothing is to be gained from “dumping” on your own doorstep both metaphorically and literally (err…!!). In terms of our avian friends, the latter can cause issues particularly relating to their quite natural “biological business” causing an unsightly mess, damage to property and vehicles as well as slippery surfaces that the Health & Safety Executive would have a field day in examining the relevant risk assessment.

Here at AB Aerials we love birds. We wonder at their beautiful plumage. We are entranced by the harmonies of bird song and are besotted by the eeriness of murmurations (a swooping mass of thousands of birds whirling in the sky above).

One thing we don’t pay homage to our bird’s uncanny ability to perch on TV aerials and release their recently digested meal on our cars, patios and if you’re really unlucky (or lucky depending on your disposition) our heads.

The effects of the of bird poo related assaults even shut down Rome for a while. It can be said that Rome wasn’t cleaned in a day!

 

It’s a dirty job, but…

Another great idiom of our time (not) is “it’s a dirty job but somebody has got to do it” and at AB Aerials we have robustly taken on that responsibility of deterring the perching and pooping of our feathered friends. The deterrent is the operative word here too. We don’t want to harm birds at all we just want to prevent them from landing, nesting and leaving droppings on your nearest and dearest object d’art or Grandparent.

What we do here at the animal-loving world of AB Aerials is install spikes that are made from high quality UV stabilised polycarbonate plastic which are both Eco Friendly and has no effect on the performance of the aerial or satellite dish so you’re free to ponder the profundity of Eastenders whilst secure in the knowledge you’re not going heads up next time you walk across the patio to hang the washing out.

 

The added benefits of bird spikes.

Bird spikes can be a revelation in reducing regular car and window washes. The bonus is that they are relatively cheap to install too.

The cost is around £85 to dismantle the aerial/satellite dish, install the spikes and subsequent reassembly and alignment. Not bad is it?

There may be Bluebirds flying over the White Cliffs of Dover but if you have AB Aerial installed bird spikes they are not going to land anywhere near you!!

 

Further reading and keeping in touch!

Find more about troubleshooting regarding poor television signal, issues with your satellite or about choosing the right provider for your installation over on the blog. 

You can contact us today for a no pressure chat about improving your home AV needs and check out our reviews to see what others say about our 5-star service! We are specialists in CCTV, aerial and satellite installation and can’t wait to hear from you!

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best tv of 2018

Our 2018 best TVs of the year – a buying guide!

Looking to improve your viewing pleasure at home? We have seen a lot of options over the past year. Our best TVs of 2018 are here!

It’s that time of year when Christmas creeps up at a slow but inevitable pace and thoughts turn to presents, mince pies and arguments over what to watch on the telly. Family harmony is paramount so with an eye on keeping the teenagers occupied with Netflix on a large screen upstairs and Dad happy with Boxing day footy, AB Aerials are happy to help with an offering of the best  TVs from this year. But before we get stuck in to the smorgasbord of electronics delights it’s worth noting that you can save a few quid by trawling the depths of Gumtree, Amazon and the like for 2017 models where huge savings can be made.

For instance, the LG OLED55B7V was selling at a wallet withering £3,000 when new but 12 months later could be picked up at £1,299.  Same with the Panasonic TX-55EZ952B which slapped the new buyer in the face at £3,499 but dropped to £1,499 this year. You have to get in quick though.  Just like the Mission Impossible tape they will metaphorically self-destruct after a year never to be seen again.  Bye, bye.

2018 options for brilliant telly

Back to the future. According to WHICH? Consumer magazine, LG, Samsung, and SONY have sped out of the blocks producing the popular and value for money products whilst Panasonic have been slow to respond. But was has become apparent is that large TV’s are more common than ever and that smaller screen i.e. 43” and less are being sent to the big TV recycling plant in the sky. So if you’re thinking of incorporating a petite TV into that fitted wardrobe you’re planning I’d think again unless your bedroom is one of the larger ones in the Palais de Versailles.

New features for 2018 are voice commands which will replace remote controls but this won’t happen any time soon but like death, the change will inevitably come and having worm your way under the couch and fish the hand set out from a mountain of dog hair will be a thing of the past.  Having to actually type using on-screen keyboards will be a footnote of TV history and some TV’s can act as SMART Hubs so that control of the lighting, heating etc can be done from the TV (see reviews at which.co.uk/TVs). High dynamic range (HDR) standards have improved from one HDR format (HDR10) to four others so the imagery could look better but the HDR technology can’t change a bad TV in to a good one.

On to the reviews.  A selection has been made taken from the Which? Tests carried out this month (September 2018)

Size (inches) Model Pros Cons Price (£)
32 LG32LK6100PLB Great HD SD images Feeble sound 349
43 LG43UK6950PLB Sharp video Full sound Menu slow 499
43 LG43UK6300PLB Detailed pictures Balanced sound Poor remote control 379
43 LG436500PLA Sharp detailed picture Menu slow 499
49 LG49K8500KLA star buy Great sound and visual detail Colours too rich 999
49 Samsung UE49NU8000 Crisp picture voice search features Unbalanced sound 849
49 KG49UK7550PLA Excellent sound and remote Colours are cold 749
55 LGOLED55C8PLA star buy Stunning sound and detail Menus too long to load 2499
55 SonyKD55AF8BU star buy Superb sound and deep detailed blacks Busy remote 2399
55 SamsungQE55Q7FN star buy Great sound vivid picture Fiddly remote 1799
55 SamsunGUE55NU8500 star buy Vibrant screen nice sound Awkward remote 1249
65 LG65SK8500PLA star buy Glorious sound detailed picture fantastic remote Colours lean towards yellow 1999
65 SamsungQE65Q9FN Excellent contrast and colours Unintuitive remote 2499
65 SamsungUE65NU8000 star buy Natural sound sharp picture Colours too warm 1499

The best performing TV ‘start from £999 and the “go-to” recommendation is the LGOLED55C8PLA for its great pictures and sound quality and two tuners (terrestrial and satellite) mean that 100’s of free channels can be accessed with an easy to use remote control.  AB Aerials can’t find a single reason not to recommend this TV.

best tv of 2018

TV Wall Mounting service in Sheffield provided by AB Aerials

once you have sourced your awesome new TV, you may wish to consider wall mounting the amazing piece of kit to improve your viewing pleasure. AB Aerials offer this service and are able to provide a quick quote with 5-star rated service. Check out the TV Wall Mounting page or contact us for a quick quote!

Aerial & Satellite installation in Sheffield

We are the region’s best installation team for TV aerials and satellites, providing peace of mind and a massive improvement to your viewing pleasure and home entertainment experience.

Don’t just take our word for it – check out this great article showcasing some of our fantastic customers who were kind enough to welcome us back to their home to offer their feedback on the AB Aerials service and quality!

Be sure to check out our range of services and contact us for a no quibble conversation about your requirement.

Aerial Installation

Satellite Installation

 


Which Trusted Trader Should I Go For?

Choosing a Which Trusted Trader For Your Next Job

As a “normal Joe” and fully paid up member of society (rather than a heart of stone contractor!) I feel a customer’s pain when looking for a tradesperson. There are so many “horror” stories out there about “Rogue traders” it’s daunting and I can sympathise as I’ve been a victim too. It’s the feeling of vulnerability that gnaws away at you because who other than the very person you want to employ has the knowledge that you don’t!!

Questions are raised such as

  • how much should I pay?
  • Who’s a reputable installer?
  • Will they turn up when they said they would?
  • Will they answer/return my calls?

Sound familiar – of course they do, because nobody wants to be ripped off!

Previously I’ve written blogs on customer confidence and this time I want to promote further reasons why a customer of AB Aerials is in safe hands when choosing the right tradesperson for your next job

Customer Confidence

AB Aerials – A Which? Trusted Trader

Recently AB Aerials as business has undergone the process of becoming a Which Trusted Trader (WTT). There are a lot of “Find a Trader” platforms out there but we wanted to go for the “Gold Standard” as Which have a “rich history in rewarding good services, products and businesses for the benefit of UK consumers”. Well, I’m glad we decided to go with Which as their whole philosophy is centred on customer protection.

There is a rigourous assessment process which other trading sites just don’t have. This involves substantiating individual’s professional qualifications, company credit status, continuous customer feedback and AB Aerials signing up to a Code of Conduct and Ethics. Any of which are breached and you’re down the road!!! Hence, the customer is protected from “Rogue Traders” and charlatans. For instance, if you’re quoted for work there is an arrangement for a 14 day cooling off period and you can cancel and if you’re unhappy with the work WTT offer a free arbitration/dispute resolution service (all this can be found in the Complaints Procedure of the website). Ultimately every stage of the work process is geared to customer protection and the responsibility to provide an excellent service falls to AB Aerials or else there will be consequences, be that legal or financial!

Which Trusted Trader Sheffield

I have to say it was a relief when I got the good news and been told AB Aerials had been endorsed by WTT as this meant that the work practices of our business were of a high standard and WTT would be confident in promoting us. What made this even sweeter was that we were told that only 1 in 4 applications were successful. Pat on the back all round then!

Out of interest, I typed in aerial and satellite installers in Sheffield on the WTT site and only two other businesses appeared. One was based in Humberside (say what!!) and the others were an electrical contractor stating they do audio-visual work and as it happens they sub-contract this work to AB Aerials anyway. The question has got to be asked why aren’t there any other similar businesses with WTT? The answer is, of course, it is unlikely they would meet the standards required and those that have applied have been unsuccessful.

So why go with anybody else? Go with AB Aerials – for a better resolution!!

We are industry leading 5-star reviewed installation providers for TV Aerials, Satellites, CCTV and TV Wall Mounting.

Contact us today to see how we can help you. Which? Trusted Traders are renowned for customer service and value so you are safe in the knowledge your installation will be treated with upmost care.