Improving reception from Virgin box

Chickenbrain2009

Hi,
I have an older house and I seem to have difficulty picking up wireless unless I am close to the modem. I have Virgin for both TV and Wifi. I cant get the radio either, unless I am up in the loft! I dont really know if it is the house or something to do with the area I am in. Therefore everything comes via cable, even radio. A while ago some kind people on here explained how I could get an additional receiver for my tv so I could watch it upstairs. I live alone so there is only me watching it. The big idea was I could watch telly in bed. The problem I have is that I get a lot of apparant static interference, even when I have the receiver directly above the box downstairs. Does anyone know how I can boost the signal from both the Virgin box and my Wifi? I am not known for my technical expertise, being a granny living on her own with her cat!:D If you could explain what I need to buy in words of one syllable it would be most helpful! I am on a pension and dont want to buy a second box. Thanks so much.

johnmc

You should not be getting problems with your VM box in terms of clarrity.

If it's a V+ or TiVo it should be crystal clear, if not ring VM and get them to sort it.

With the WiFi if you still have a modem then phone them and complain. Their minimum speed is now 30mb and you should have a Seperhub, which is free.

If you have these and are still having issues you need to look at signal strength and check that you are not getting interference. Download inSSIDer from metageek.net

Try the signal in various parts of the house.

You can get plugs that send the signal through the mains if necessary and there is the trick of putting tin foil behind the box to reflect the wasted signal back into the house.

[Deleted User]

Chickenbrain2009 wrote: »

If you could explain what I need to buy in words of one syllable it would be most helpful!

You should not need to buy anything. If Virgin's service is not up to scratch then you should call them up to come to your house and sort it.

Chickenbrain2009

Thank you. I dont have any problems with reception in the lounge, which is where my tv is, its when I try to get a signal upstairs with my receiver? I bought it from Argos. I get lots of static. I thought it must be my house. If I phone up Virgin are you sure they will do anything? I imagine they will simply tell me that the box is functioning and if I want good reception I need to get a better receiver or a second box! So tough.:(

Chickenbrain2009

PS and wont they charge me for a call out?

johnmc

Ah! It's a video sender that's the problem!

DO NOT call VM, they will probably charge you to come out and then just rip it out.

Try adjusting the angle of the aerials to point at each other.

If it was working OK and now isn't then suspect the aerial plugs.

If you can get someone to help try the tin foil reflector trick.

johnmc

A little further explaination on my part. If you have the stick aerials then the signal comes out of the side.

If you are directly above then try lying the aerials horizontally.