usb freeview on my computer

Ashok_2

I've bought about 3 USB freeview sticks for my laptop up to now and none of them have found me a signal channel, I'm guessing it's because of the crappy aerial they all come with, so I'm thinking of buying an indoor freeview aerial, if you could tell me if this is a decent one or not it would be great:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHILIPS-SDV4240-Indoor-TV-Aerial-45dB-Gain-Freeview_W0QQitemZ330066424723QQihZ014QQcategoryZ101365QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

but then I need to buy a new usb freeview stick (ive lost the others), but because my laptop is media center (but I'd use it on my desktop which is XP pro) too, I nede to make sure it is compatible, also on ebay they range from what £10 to £50 so I wasn't sure what the difference was.. Please can you help me out choosing one too?

Ashok_2

albertross wrote:

You could buy a proper roof/loft aerial for that money.

The only way to find out whether any aerial works, is to try it.

I assume that you are in a freeview reception area?

https://www.freeview.co.uk

Yes, it says I'm in a freeview area and can get most channels.. I'm sure I could buy one, it's just getting onto the roof that's the problem then wiring it up.. Do you think you could help me out on choosing the right freeview stick?

Ashok_2

albertross wrote:

how about the loft?, or pay someone to put a roof aerial up.

I could get up to the loft, but again it's just wiring it up thats a problem for me (the house is quite big and an indoor aerial can be moved). Do you think you could help me out on choosing the right freeview stick?

julesgr

my dad can't have a "proper" aerial to his tv and the best reception we found after trying numerous booster aerials etc was from this one ....
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5344008.htm

espresso

Have you ever wondered why people have TV aerials on their roofs? Don't waste your money on these indoor aerials!

skyline_boy

Ashok,

Do any of the aerials that come with the 3 USB sticks have magnetic bases? If so you can try sticking this onto a radiator or something else big and metallic (window frames etc) - i found this greatly boosts my signal. Also if you are having intermittent problems try moving the aerial to face in a slightly different direction.

HTH

s_b

A_Nice_Englishman

Ashok - you seem to have been trying to get Freeview on your laptop since at least August and spent a small fortune on different gadgets. . The answer, as pointed out in this thread, is still the same. You need a decent aerial signal

espresso

A_Nice_Englishman wrote:

Ashok - you seem to have been trying to get Freeview on your laptop since at least August and spent a small fortune on different gadgets. . The answer, as pointed out in this thread, is still the same. You need a decent aerial signal

:rotfl:

I didn't like to do that again but some people either can't read or don't listen to advice and then have the cheek to ask again!

:rolleyes:

A_Nice_Englishman

espresso

A_Nice_Englishman wrote:

Been there, seen the film, got the T-shirt!

see here

Ashok_2

Fair enough, just I haven't tried an indoor aerial yet so not sure if it might just work.. I'll try and sort out an roof/loft aerial - how do I go about choosing one? Also, do they connect directly to the freeview stick then?