Alternatives to replacing TV aerial

rosy10 · 17 March 2018 at 5:00PM

Hello all

I'm not at all savvy with other options for TV access. The recent strong winds have snapped our roof aerial. We don't have fibre - closest is the village about 1 mile away, the remaining 1 mile is copper. We are with Plusnet for landline and broadband. We don't have any desire for TV packages, Freeview is as fancy as we get. Other than getting a new roof aerial installed (which won't be either the OH or me shimmying up the roof), what other cost effective options are there? Whilst I'm quite happy to watch TV via my laptop, the OH isn't. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Thank you!

discat11 · 17 March 2018 at 6:55PM

Try a decent TV aerial in the loft 1st.
I moved into a house with a snapped aerial and this was a suggestion after I had been shocked at installation charges for a new one, all of them said not to bother with 'indoor' set top aerials as they were rubbish.

Get something really good though -since you'd need it for installation on the roof anyway it won't be any extra expense, then run the cable indoors just to see if you can get a decent signal -90% of houses should be able to.

I bought a philex 48 element if it helps -very well thought of amongst TV buffs & installers.

mobileron · 17 March 2018 at 7:13PM

Buy a fiestick from amazon,you will get all u need.

House_Martin · 17 March 2018 at 7:14PM

discat11 wrote: »

Try a decent TV aerial in the loft 1st.
I moved into a house with a snapped aerial and this was a suggestion after I had been shocked at installation charges for a new one, all of them said not to bother with 'indoor' set top aerials as they were rubbish.

Get something really good though -since you'd need it for installation on the roof anyway it won't be any extra expense, then run the cable indoors just to see if you can get a decent signal -90% of houses should be able to.

I bought a philex 48 element if it helps -very well thought of amongst TV buffs & installers.

I remember seeing some advice about a loft aerial saying they do not work well if the roof itself is insulated under the slates.
Some aerial installers try to say you will need a "digital " aerial which is not true and they inflate the cost of the aerial itself..
Buy any normal aerial yourself from B and Q or Amazon or even a used one locally and then try and find someone with a roof ladder to screw it in.
I ve replaced aerials myself in the past .Was easy enough with just turning it to the correct direction as everyone else s is pointing.

DesertWind · 18 March 2018 at 9:41AM

You can watch the Freeview Channels on your computer.

TVPlayer is an Internet television company serving the United Kingdom, offering access to free live television channel streams using a web browser or application software via big screen and small screen mobile devices. https://tvplayer.com/

Watch here:
https://tvplayer.com/watch

Mister_G · 18 March 2018 at 11:56AM

discat11 wrote: »

Try a decent TV aerial in the loft 1st.
I moved into a house with a snapped aerial and this was a suggestion after I had been shocked at installation charges for a new one, all of them said not to bother with 'indoor' set top aerials as they were rubbish.

Get something really good though -since you'd need it for installation on the roof anyway it won't be any extra expense, then run the cable indoors just to see if you can get a decent signal -90% of houses should be able to.

I bought a philex 48 element if it helps -very well thought of amongst TV buffs & installers.

OP this is good advice, as long as you are close enough to your local transmitter.

If you put your postcode in here

http://www.wolfbane.net/cgi-bin/tvd.exe?

It will show you the signal strength where you live. If the recommended aerial type is log periodic, then a loft aerial should suffice.

Rodders53 · 22 March 2018 at 6:08PM

discat11 wrote: »

I bought a philex 48 element if it helps -very well thought of amongst TV buffs & installers.

Oh no it's not. It's commonly referrred to as a "Bacofoil aerial". Certainly not one to fit outside, but may be OK in a loft if you have the space.

OP: Location is key. How far from and which transmitter. Wolfbane recommendations for aerials is a bit pessimistic, but nevertheless the numbers are useful for those who can interpret. http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/ - tick the detailed view box - will give you predictions for reception now and as the 700 MHz clearance changes occur... It may influence which transmitter to use!

Avoid any aerial with a pressed aluminium plate for the reflector aka a "contract aerial". The broadcasters use log periodic to transmit and receive at relay sites (albeit ruggedised professional versions); so they can be a very good choice.

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/atvschoiceofaerials.html has a wealth of information on his website, freely given. :T

rosy10 · 23 March 2018 at 1:52PM

Thank you all for the advice!

discat11 · 30 March 2018 at 8:26PM

TBF Rodders I am only going by the advice/google searches on installer sites when I fitted mine.

Mine was installed in a 1930s house (which do not have insulation under the tiles).

Alternatives to replacing TV aerial

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