tv reception

clueless1

Hi

I am after a little advice. I have a basic tv, a basic freeview box and a indoor ariel but I cant seem to get any reception.

I do not have a outside ariel but I do have a satellite dish connected to my sky box downstairs. All I want is the tv in the kids bedroom upstairs (without sky) What are my simplest/cheapest options?

Can I use the satellite dish as an ariel for the kids tv? If so, what is it I need buy and how?

I have no technical knowhow so any advice apprieciated.

Entimp

Freeview will not be picked up by Sat Dishes. Freeview works on the old TV mast mulitiplexes that were freed up when the analogue signal was scrapped.

Suggestions:

Your internal aerial may work. Depends on a number of things. Nearest main mast or substation. You can google this or check the freeview site to find out where. Then have the internal aerial set up for best reception based on that.

If you buy a new aerial, then remember this: There is no such thing as a digital aerial. So dont waste extra pounds buying one that is... there is no such thing. Normal TV ariels do the job.

You may want a signal booster though.

Can try a loft aerial I guess.

But if you are going to spend money, would advise a real external aerial.

Another possible option is Freesat, the sattalite version of Freeview.

If you are lucky and geographically in the right place... you can get both signals through the same dish. If not it means two dishes. Different satellites you see.

Now my final nugget may be helpful, depends where you are.

Before I moved to Australia, I worked for the The Switchover Helpscheme, set up by the BBC and Gov.

You may be eligible, or someone in your property, for free or very very cheap assistance to get a aerial put up and a brand new freeview box.

Again depends on region, London was one of the last and is now or done. I believe each region had a 6 month after switchover date to apply.

I cant post links (newbie) but google (Switchover Help Scheme). Give em a ring and see what they can do. If eligible for the scheme it is free or £40.00 (that's the box and have an aerial put up externally for you).

The phone number is a freephone number, their staff are very well trained, and it would do no harm to give them a ring. Who knows you may get a free pro set up.

helpscheme co uk

Entimp

Will also add, that it doesn't matter how many tv's you have, with whatever service... if you have an eligible member of the family in the property... you can get them to assist with a setup for a new box in any room in your house.

Ash_McCloud

Best place to start is looking at neighbouring houses. If they all have big fancy aerials on the outside of them it's possible you live in a low gain area, and need a high gain aerial, and maybe a signal booster.. if you can't see any/many aerials on the outside of the houses, it's possible that a NICE CHEAP AERIAL installed in the loft above the kid's bedroom, connected to the freeview box you've got, which is connected to the TV you've got, will do you.

Probably worth checking with the neighbours before you go spending any money though, or possibly getting a reputable local aerial fitter out to give you a quote, thus telling you your options.

Entimp ^^ has given some very good advice there