No outside aerial so how will I get freeview??

Sublime_2

I cancelled my virgin tv upstairs recently, and didn't have an aeriel socket.

I'm 12 miles from the transmitter, in a dip with loads of trees about, so wasn't overly confident about this working, but it did.

I bought an SLX Gold digitop Amplified aeriel from Amazon for £9 in the sale. Its one of the best rated indoor ones. It took me all afternoon to find the right spot/angle (the windowsill), and I've managed to pick up all the freeview channels.

If you do get one, make sure it's plugged into the mains, preferably by the window, and the gain is turned to high. Its worth persevering, even if you don't get a signal straightaway.

ormus

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/TV+Satellite/LoftOutdoor+TV+Aerial+Kit+10+Element/d190/sd3084/p79595

proper digi aerial. loft or outdoors. £6.65p

eco-friendly_2

Ah! eight directors a dipole, and a reflector....


but no balun

barbarawright

I have an set-top aerial from Maplins that cost c£10 and which works perfectly. This site has some useful information - http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeviewhelp/indooraerial.html as does this - http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/connecting-up/aerials.htm. As sublime says, it need to be plugged into the mains as well as the telly (and it may help to have it on a shelf rather than on the tv). Worth a try before you start rewiring your house and climbing on the roof!

Rockyboo

Get a man in to install you a rooftop aerial, and while you're at it, have a think about which rooms you might like a TV in in the future and ask him to put sockets in those rooms too. It will save you from having to call him back later, and it won't matter if you never use those sockets, it just gives you the option later.

It was this first thing we did when we moved in to this house 8 weeks ago, and we now have TV socket points in 5 rooms (not all used yet but the kids will probably want TVs in their rooms in the future). Cost £200.00.

Sublime_2

barbarawright wrote: »

I have an set-top aerial from Maplins that cost c£10 and which works perfectly. This site has some useful information - http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeviewhelp/indooraerial.html as does this - http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/connecting-up/aerials.htm. As sublime says, it need to be plugged into the mains as well as the telly (and it may help to have it on a shelf rather than on the tv). Worth a try before you start rewiring your house and climbing on the roof!

Thats exactly how I came to buy mine. I didn't want to spend much, so am happy with my £9 bargain, rather than paying £100 to get a rooftop ariel fitted.

Another site to get more information about which ariel to use is Wolfbane. Just put your postcode in, and it'll give you info about your nearest transmitter, and what sort of ariel to use. For me, it suggested an extra high-gain ariel, and it worked, eventually.

moonrakerz

absent_dad wrote: »

Most older aeriels do not have what is called Blauns on them.

(my highlighting)

For someone who professes to know all about aerials - two basic mistakes in one short line doesn't inspire much confidence in the rest of the post !

cajef

Sublime wrote: »

and what sort of ariel to use. For me, it suggested an extra high-gain ariel, and it worked, eventually.

Did not know they did washing powder in extra high gain, do you get a brighter picture?:D

Yorkshire_Celt

We decided to cancell our Virgin telly and go for freeview. They let us kep the box and service, viewing only free channels. Great as we use this in the dining room for breakfast telly. Might be worth phoning them and having a chat. Especially if you have other things with them. We have phone and broadband. Good luck.

AndysDad

ormus wrote: »

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/TV+Satellite/LoftOutdoor+TV+Aerial+Kit+10+Element/d190/sd3084/p79595

proper digi aerial. loft or outdoors. £6.65p

Note it says suitable for strong signal area's.Can't see how this would be suitable for use in a loft.