Changing broadcast frequencies in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato may require Freeview owners to retune their television sets next Tuesday.

The changes affect Freeview terrestrial viewers receiving signals from Hamilton City, Te Aroha and Kopukairoa transmitters.

Sky subscribers, analogue and freeview satellite televisions are not affected.

The change is expected to affect about 20 per cent of television owners in the Western Bay of Plenty.

'The big problem is, that there will not be any grace period during which you could prepare for the change as transmitters will be switched off during the night,” says Tauranga television technician Owen Goodrick.

'The transmitter will be retuned and then put straight back on the air with their new frequencies the next day and your television will not know where they have gone to.”

Owen says go to the setup menu and select the digital autotune option.

'Digital auto tune is the only action that should be implement, otherwise other features might be altered.
'Do not worry about any warning that you may lose channel settings as they are lost anyway so just proceed and press okay.”

He says there will be no need to alter the antenna.

Ministry of Economic Development's Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning manager Len Starling says the channel frequencies are changing to ensure New Zealand's radio spectrum is available for other uses and emerging technologies.

He's advising those who watch Freeview television and share an aerial with others, such as in an apartment building or retirement village, should contact their property manager for advice on whether their installation requires any modification.

Managers of apartments, hotels or motels are advised to talk to an installer prior to the frequencies being changed to see if any technical adjustments are needed.

The switch is scheduled to occur at midnight and a representative says it is expected to be completed by 6am.

HOW TO RETUNE

1. Switch on your Freeview television or set-top box and press 'menu' on the remote control. Select the 'setup' or 'installation' option.
   
   
2. Select ‘full retuning', 'digital auto tuning' or similar (some equipment may require you to select ‘first time installation', 'factory reset' or 'default settings').
   
   
3. Your existing frequencies will be deleted and automatically replaced. This may take a few minutes and your equipment may shut down and restart.
   
   
4. Check that you can receive all of your normal Freeview channels.

Helpful advice on retuning is also available on the ministry website, www.retune.co.nz. Alternatively, people can call the radio spectrum management free helpline on 0508 336 633 if they have any problems retuning their television or set-top box.