cracking digital aerial (w/booster) £25 for Freeview

Jon_C

£25 from Maplin (although not showing on their website, I bought it in Belfast).

'One For All' indoor amplified aerial for Freeview boxes.

20dB gain

Can be powered directly from some Freeview boxes, or just use the AC adapter supplied.

Small and well designed (blends in well sitting on a shelf or window ledge - note that it seems to get the best reception when placed close to a window. I'm assuming this is because windows are thinner than external walls).

External models available but I'd say this indoor version would probably suit most people.

I had dodgy reception before I bought this and now I get all the channels with perfect quality.

I have posted this because many people seem to have shared my frustration in getting good results from their Freeview boxes, especially the cheaper ones available from supermarkets (like the one I got from Asda for about £30).

scoobie

Jon_C wrote:

External models available but I'd say this indoor version would probably suit most people.

I had dodgy reception before I bought this and now I get all the channels with perfect quality.

I have posted this because many people seem to have shared my frustration in getting good results from their Freeview boxes, especially the cheaper ones available from supermarkets (like the one I got from Asda for about £30).

Well in didn't work for me, I'm in central manchester. I think its too small to get a signal. I returned mine to maplins today

loobylou36

I bought one in argos today for 17.99, wouldn't pick up the ITV channels, so took it back and exchanged it for a £14.99 aerial with up to 38db and it works a treat!!! In fact, running freeview in two bedrooms with these aerials and a perfect picture

Jon_C

Sorry to hear you had no luck, Scoobie. I take it you plugged it in using the AC adapter (not just the power from your Freeview box) and followed my advice and placed the aerial close to a window? That's the way I got mine to work.

penrhyn

These things will only work in areas with a strong signal, where as a previous poster said you can see the transmitter out of you window or have a line of sight to it.
DTT signals are a lot weaker than analog, the picture is either good or non existant due to what is called the digital cliff.
Ther is no substitute for the appropriate aerial for your region mounted outside as high as possible.

Jon_C

penrhyn wrote:

These things will only work in areas with a strong signal, where as a previous poster said you can see the transmitter out of you window or have a line of sight to it.
DTT signals are a lot weaker than analog, the picture is either good or non existant due to what is called the digital cliff.
Ther is no substitute for the appropriate aerial for your region mounted outside as high as possible.

I disagree on all counts. For some people an external aerial is the only way to get a good Freeview signal but in many cases an indoor model is the perfect substitute.

I have no line of sight to wherever the transmitter is. The signal is dodgy in my area of Belfast and until I got this indoor digital aerial I was only getting some channels. Now I get them all. Therefore it works effectively for me and will do for plenty of other people who (a) aren't permitted to erect outdoor aerials and/or (b) can't be bothered with the hassle and expense.

Unless you pay the right person to install your Freeview setup, chances are it's going to be a matter of trial and error with aerials and cables.

Having to take an item back to the shop might be inconvenient but I'd say it's par for the course and I'd like to think that my recommendation of this aerial will at least help some people. I had tried other aerials before and none worked properly like this one.

penrhyn

I guess john_c that you are getting you TV from the Divis transmitter or the Black Mountain relay. I totally agree that a lot of people cannot for one reason or another have an external aerial.
You do seem have hit upon one of the decent portable aerials, but it all depends on where you are. I get my TV from Waltham which is about 30 miles away and you need a big aerial.

Divis Transmitter
Mux1 Ch29 2.3 Kw
Mux2 Ch 33 2.3 Kw
MuxA Ch 23 2.3 Kw
MuxB Ch 26 2.3 Kw
MuxC Ch 48 3.0 Kw
MuxD Ch 34 2.7 Kw

Jon_C

I have no idea why this aerial works any better than the others but it might have something to do with the fact that it's described as suitable for digital only. Maybe it's tailored a bit more to getting a good Freeview signal than being an all-rounder that would give reasonable analogue reception as well. I won't even pretend to understand the science of it fully.

Like I said, I have just found what seems to be the best of the indoor ones and hope someone else might benefit from the tip.