Freeview box for Xmas

Pete.g

Hi all,

I wanted to get my dad a freeview box for Xmas, I have checked on the freeview site as to whether he needs an aerial upgrade because he lives in the country and it says he does (even though I live in the center of town and it still says I do!). So saying that he'll need one how much is this likely to cost on top of the cost of the box?

Thanks,

Pete.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Depends on where he is - in the middle of Cumbria it would cost a lot, on the rural edge of a town or city it wouldn't. Why not ring round and get a few quotes?

alanobrien

Pete.g wrote:

Hi all,

I wanted to get my dad a freeview box for Xmas, I have checked on the freeview site as to whether he needs an aerial upgrade because he lives in the country and it says he does (even though I live in the center of town and it still says I do!). So saying that he'll need one how much is this likely to cost on top of the cost of the box?

Thanks,

Pete.

As usual it depends where you are in the country.
When i wanted mine replaced i was quoted £150+ and that was before the building regs about working at height came into force.

I dread to think what it would cost now.

Needless to say i bought a decent arial and some satellite cable for £50 got the ladder out and DIY'ed the thing myself.

Worked fine to

tin

But i'd treat the freeview reception predictors with some skepticism, the only way to really tell is to borrow a box and give it a try.

paul_h

I'd agree with tin - borrow a box and give it a try.

Some boxes are more sensitive too - the cheap small Sagem boxes are very good for fringe areas.

Note that in some cases, the problem is not signal strength, but that the existing aerial may be the wrong band. Certain areas now require a wideband aerial for digital transmissions rather than the old single band aerials used for analogue transmissions - I had this problem here. The only way around this is a new aerial.

If you don't have any joy with your existing aerial, there's no need to spend a fortune if you can DIY or know someone who'll fit it for you. A wideband 18 element aerial can be obtained for around £10 - try looking locally in Wickes or Wilkinsons for something similar to this, usually sold under the 'Maxview' brand -

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=11094

Should be OK is all but the worst areas.

Pete.g

Ok thanks for the replies guys it's a little more complex that just buying your box and plugging it in aint it

Thanks again,

Pete.

rich_jtg

As said previously, it's pretty likely that you don't need a new aerial. I ran one for 18 months on a rusty old aerial that was pointing slightly off line - and I'm a long way away from the transmitter.

As far as cost of a new aerial goes though, my rusty aerial snapped in two (!) a couple of weeks ago. I've had a decent sized (i.e. not a standard contract one) put up with decent cable for £70.

Like alot of things, it's best to get a fitter recommended... and not to go look at the biggest ad in the Yellow Pages!

big_jack_2

I bought a box in ASDA a couple of weeks ago and installed it on my old aerial dispite the freeview site saying I would need a special aerial,so go ahead and try it,The set top box cost me 27 pounds and i am really delighted with it .
ps ASDA will ,im sure take it back if it dosnt work. big jack