Help Freeview box dilemma!

busiscoming2

Hi
I need some help - my daughter is in halls at uni and wants a freeview box for xmas. At the moment she has an indoor aerial, will a freeview box work with this? Also read somewhere that some boxes are better than others, can anyone offer some advice please.

Thanks Liney x

sheryldoc

I had to buy an amplified ariel in order to recieve a signal.. this cost me £20 from tesco.. tho u cld prob get cheaper.

You could check the site for signal strength in ur postcode area.. https://www.freeview.co.uk

Torby

as sheryldoc says, it probably depends on location. My daughter is In Newcastle and she has a freeview box (£24 argos) she's in a room at the top of their house and she can get most of the freeview channels and radio stations...the odd one has quite a poor signal....but she at least can get the ones she wants.

Good thing about Argos....buy it....try it....doesn't get a signal...take it back within the 16 days...they do amplified aerials as well.....

A_Nice_Englishman

busiscoming2 wrote:

Hi
I need some help - my daughter is in halls at uni and wants a freeview box for xmas. At the moment she has an indoor aerial, will a freeview box work with this? Also read somewhere that some boxes are better than others, can anyone offer some advice please.

Thanks Liney x

There's really only one way to find out and that is to try it. I would suggest she asks around to find a fellow student who has a Freeview box and borrows it to see if it works in her room.

My general advice on Freeview (not totally applicable in this case I know)

Not all transmitters carry Freeview yet, but virtually all will after the switchover date in their area. The smaller ones may not carry all the channels though.

I've read that wherever possible things are being arranged so that existing aerials will be suitable for Freeview after switchover. So unless you are very keen to get more channels before switchover, don't spend money on a new aerial. Sit tight and there is a good chance you will pleasantly surprised at switchover time!

More info here http://tx.mb21.co.uk/dso/index.asp

busiscoming2

Thanks - I think it is just a gamble as to whether it will work. She is in SE London, 5 miles from the cyrstal palace transmitter (if that makes any difference) on the third floor, so she probably stands a reasonable chance.

A_Nice_Englishman

busiscoming2 wrote:

Thanks - I think it is just a gamble as to whether it will work. She is in SE London, 5 miles from the cyrstal palace transmitter (if that makes any difference) on the third floor, so she probably stands a reasonable chance.

Being so close to Crystal palace will certainly help. If her window faces the transmitter I'd say there would be a good chance of it working

kingmonkey

make sure you get one with a program guide system that you like - well worth the extra money!

slowlyfading

^^ I agree. and the best thing is to just try it out, and you can get a refund if it wont work in the area your daughter lives on. my friend has a freebox in her room, but i live in a different house and it wont work for me!

LJM

hi i think the borrowing and trying one out is the best option so then if you need the extra aerial you can then slip it in with her freeview box

busiscoming2

Thanks for all your help and suggestions, Ive brought her a box anyway - so fingers crossed.

busiscoming2

Thanks to all - IT WORKS BRILLIANTLY!!!!