Leaving Virgin Media for Freeview...

Blue264

Hi all,

In an effort to reduce my bills, I have decided to leave Virgin Media after being with them (and their forerunner) since 2002.
They have done the usual bit to offer me a cheaper deal by cancelling my free evenings and weekend calls on the bundle I have, but I am determined to be rid of them.

The question is...

Seeing as I've had my current receiver for about 5yrs, will they want it back, or can I use it to receive Freeview?

I don't watch much tv so won't miss any of the channels, so I'm looking to buy a cheap Freeview set top box or use my existing equipment somehow.

Any advice would be appreicated.

Kurtis_Blue

Seeing as I've had my current receiver for about 5yrs:

will they want it back, Yes, it is theirs.

or can I use it to receive Freeview? No it would not work off the cable network.

You TV may well have freeview built in, if not they start from £20.00 but you will need an aerial installation that receives freeview.

liam8282

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

you will need an aerial installation that receives freeview.

If they already have a tv aerial with a decent signal, this will probably already be sufficient for freeview.

There are a lot of scams going round saying people need to go out and buy a specific digital aerial, but an upgrade is only required if you have a weak signal.

lucylucky

liam8282 wrote: »

If they already have a tv aerial with a decent signal, this will probably already be sufficient for freeview.

There are a lot of scams going round saying people need to go out and buy a specific digital aerial, but an upgrade is only required if you have a weak signal.

They may have a decent signal on analogue but that does not necessarily mean that the transmitter that they are pointing at actually transmits much in the way of digital signals.

An upgrade may be required but do not let anyone try and sell you a "digital" aerial - there is no such thing.

Kurtis_Blue

liam8282 wrote: »

If they already have a tv aerial with a decent signal, this will probably already be sufficient for freeview.

There are a lot of scams going round saying people need to go out and buy a specific digital aerial, but an upgrade is only required if you have a weak signal.

As I said:

"you will need an aerial installation that receives freeview."

I didn't say they need a new installation.

spike7451

When you cancel the VM box will be locked out & nothing will work,it may also be disconnected at the street cabinet.
And they will want the box back or they'll bill you for it.

Spike (ex VM engineer)

Comstock

.................

Comstock

lucylucky wrote: »

They may have a decent signal on analogue but that does not necessarily mean that the transmitter that they are pointing at actually transmits much in the way of digital signals.

An upgrade may be required but do not let anyone try and sell you a "digital" aerial - there is no such thing.

The north-west has already switched to digital only broadcasting and had the freeview signal boosted.

The existing aerial may work just fine.

liam8282

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

As I said:

"you will need an aerial installation that receives freeview."

I didn't say they need a new installation.

I didn't disagree, I merely highlighted that the aerial they have may already be sufficient. (presuming they have a tv aerial)

It is well known that there are a lot of scammers out there who are happily telling people that they need new "digital" aerials to receive freeview.

Here is what freeview themselves say:

http://www.freeview.co.uk/Help/Aerials-and-Reception/Aerials-and-reception-explained

lucylucky

Comstock wrote: »

The north-west has already switched to digital only broadcasting and had the freeview signal boosted.

The existing aerial may work just fine.

True, so since they get no analogue signal at all, it is a case of trying it to see what happens.

My current analogue transmitter will not transmit the full range of digital programmes available after the switchover so although I get a decent analogue signal I will require to have an upgrade should I wish to take full advantage of freeview.

Magenta

liam8282 wrote: »

I didn't disagree, I merely highlighted that the aerial they have may already be sufficient. (presuming they have a tv aerial)

It is well known that there are a lot of scammers out there who are happily telling people that they need new "digital" aerials to receive freeview.

Here is what freeview themselves say:

http://www.freeview.co.uk/Help/Aerials-and-Reception/Aerials-and-reception-explained

Thanks for the link, I have found it very helpful :beer: