indoor aerial and freeview

soolin

I am quite addicted to some of the freeview channels (sad I know!) and wonder if it is possible to use an amplified set top aerial linked to a freeview box?

I saw some amplified aerials in Currys on special offer, the make was 'one for all' and reading the blurb it seems to suggest that as long as you got a powerful enough aerial it would work with freeview, but not being at all techie I don't know if this is a reality or just an advert.

The TV I want it for has a standard plastic plug in aerial at the moment and with that I can get channels 1 through 5, although on some days channel 5 can get a bit crackly. I have no idea how amplified aerials work, nor even how digital works but for a small outlay of a new aerial and a freeview box it might be worth a try if there is a possibility that it might work.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Soo

Addiscomber

We tried a freeview box after a chance remark I overheard in the hairdresser's to the effect that people were picking it up OK with indoor aerials. It works fine with indoor aerials here and we haven't even got amplified ones - in one case just the detached aerial from an old portable hung from the picture rail. Not pretty but it is in our bedroom and not exactly on public view!! We can see both the BBC and ITV masts at Crystal Palace from the back upstairs of our house so, on the assumption that the signals are coming from there, I expect we have a very good signal.

You attach the aerial to the freeview box, and that connects to the TV by scart socket, so you do need one of those on your TV*. Could you perhaps borrow a box for a day or so and try? You may not need an amplified aerial at all - work from the cheapest upwards and not pay out for something you don't need.
*When I can get hold of DH I will ask if there is a way without a scart socket. Freeview isn't sad by the way, I'd rather watch UKTV History than some of the stuff on terrestrial TV anyday.

albertross_2

The only way to find out is to try it, if you happen to be able to see the transmitter, then it is much more likely to work, if you can't (like most of the population) then the chances become much slimmer.

The amps just boost the signal electrically, and the digital aerials are no different to analogue, but are usually wideband to cover a wider range of frequencies.

Try and buy it from somewhere with a money back policy. It would improve your analogue picture, so might sort out the ch5 problem.

soolin

Thanks for that.

I went back to the shop and asked the salesman and for the first time ever I was *not sold* something. He told me that it is almost impossible to pick up freeview without a good outside aerial, or a decent loft aerial so not to waste my money.

Such a shame as I really thought I'd found a solution to my viewing problems.

Soo

Jo6673

Thats rubbish- as I have already posted in length on

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=277389&page=16

this item was a great find
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5345612.htm

have a look

BigAl94

Second link is dead

Jo6673

the indoor aerial is easier to set up and take down to take back if not strong enough though!

espresso

Jo6673 wrote:

the indoor aerial is easier to set up and take down to take back if not strong enough though!

However an amplified indoor aerial like this, will always be more susceptible to impulsive noise leading to picture break up etc. than a proper aerial. Basically they are a waste of time and money unless you are in a strong signal area. This website gives a good idea of the type of aerial needed in a particular location.

soolin

It shows I am 25 km from Crystal palace, but there must be transmitters closer than that. I might be tempted to buy a new aerial anyway as one of the TVs has poor reception on channel 5 so I can alway use the aerial for that and try a freeview box from a friend just to see what happens.

Thanks for all the usual tips

Soo

soolin

albertross wrote:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5345612.htm

may as well get a loft aerial for that price..

But there is no guarantee either will work, it depends on the strength of the signal

That's the one I think I was looking at, but it was cheaper in Currys on a special offer. It might be worth giving it a try. I don't partcularly want to go to the bother of a loft aerial as my OH will have a fit if I get someone in to do anymore cable running in the house! We also have a loft full of aerials already, never have worked out what they all are as none are connected to anything as we use a sky box on the main TV and indoor aerials on the rest.

Soo

Jo6673

believe you me- I dont live in a strong signal area!