How do I get a good TV signal

Horlock

Story:
A) since moving into the house I've been paying a low subscription to ntl for TV, now I have cancelled.
before we moved in the old owner left an old satelite dish on the side of the house.
C) the tv we have just bought has built in freeview

D) today I have connected the old satelite dish to the new tv and low and behold we get some channels (BBC channels and other rubbish channels) but we don't get channel 4, channel 5 etc (and bbc seems to break up a fair bit).

So here is my question: what is the best way (moneysaving style) to get the channels. I'm currently considering:
A) Buy a new TV ariel
Buy a signal boaster
C) Buy both
D) Go back to ntl but after the amount that they have messed us around I really am not wanting to do that! Plus we now have a new contract etc.
E) Get some expert advice on moneysavingexpert.com :j

If I'm going along any of the purchase roots are there definate do's and don'ts.
Eg:
don't buy a phillips signal boaster.
don't pay less than £100 on an ariel
sony make the best signal boasters
etc etc

I literally no nothing so don't be afraid to state the obvious.

Ta

ariba10

I belive that channel 4 and 5 via Freestat are still encrypted. You will have to contact Sky.

m00nie

get an old sky box from somewhere (always see them being offered free on our freecycle grouup) ....will give you the freesat channels

plug the ntl ariel directly into the tv and tune in.... should give yousome channels depending if analogue/digital

get a new ariel and have all your freeview channels. (most expensive option)