Although there are some exceptions, such as in hotel systems, the vast majority of communal dwellings today receive their TV services using Integrated Reception Systems (IRS). IRS systems vary in their complexity but generally speaking they consist of a TV, FM and DAB aerial and a satellite dish. The signals are combined and then distributed to a number of individual dwellings to provide each resident with a wide range of services.

This is achieved by erecting aerials and dish(es) on the roof and running cables from them to a position in the building where we can install the distribution equipment which is collectively termed the “headend”. Because the headend is made up of electronic equipment this is normally situated inside in a tank room, riser or basement but it can also be fitted outside in a weatherproof cabinet.

The feeds from the antennae are amplified and filtered at the headend to ensure that they are robust enough to serve the amount of dwellings in the building. They are then connected to distribution units or “multiswitches” which combine the signals together so that TV, FM, DAB and satellite can all be fed down a single cable. Two twin screened CAI benchmarked coaxial cables are then run from the multiswitch to the TV point(s) in each dwelling and terminated in a Quad outlet plate which de-combines the signals for the resident to connect their equipment to.