Digital TV provider without an aerial

Pesto2606

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows whether there are any companies out there that can provide digital tv where there is no existing aerial at the property?

I'm currently with Virgin Media however I want to leave as I find them quite pricey. Not keen on moving to sky as after the introductory period so are they!

EE do a great broadband and tv package but you need an existing:( aerial

Anyone got any other idea's or suggestions? P.S its a rented property so not wanting to pay for a proper aerial to be installed

Thanks

Emma

egrescrimp

Sky + NowTV?

Tropez

What channels would you be looking for? You can get Freesat which would require installation of a satellite dish (if there isn't one on your property) and the acquisition of a box but you do get a lot of channels with it.

http://www.freesat.co.uk/

But that said, if you're not willing to spend to get an aerial then you might not want to spend to get a Freesat setup either.

What is your internet service like? You could get something like a Now TV box or a Roku box. With Roku, you can get access to subscription services such as Now TV and Netflix, in addition to limited live broadcast services from BBC via iPlayer and the various catch-up services. A Now TV box is much the same, although far more limited than the Roku platform (even though the Now TV box itself is a stripped down Roku box).

There's other streaming TV boxes such as Amazon Fire TV but I haven't used that so can't vouch for it. Games consoles, if there's one in the house, may have access to streaming services which will likely be a mixture of live and catch-up.

But again, it boils down to what you want and how you watch TV, and in the case of streaming, whether your Internet connection will support it (though I'm guessing since you're on Virgin Media you'll be on some sort of superfast connection).

Have you tried the usual trick of phoning up Virgin and telling them you want to cancel just to see if they make a retention offer?

macman

The one-off cost of an aerial is probably no more than what you are spending every 3 months on your VM subs.
You could try a cheap set-top aerial to see if that gives you adequate Freeview reception. Totally dependent on your location.
Are you no longer in your minimum term with VM, because unless so you will be charged an ETC to leave?

buglawton

Freeview has been beefed up, my sons room that barely got a TV signal can now get fair Freeview on a very basic indoor aerial.

barbarawright

I have Freeview via an internal aerial and it's just fine. The aerial cost about a tenner from Maplins - make sure you get a leaf-shaped one that plugs in the mains as well as to the box or your tv if it's a Freeview one. I lost channels occasionally in bad weather but it's at least 90% reliable

Pincher

I really like log periodic aerials.


I had one like this for many years:

http://www.antiference.co.uk/products/aerials

The Silver Sensor SS100


Philex is more readily available.

http://www.which.co.uk/technology/tv-and-dvd/reviews/indoor-aerials/slx-27769rg/customer-views/



I have one of these too:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Labgear-LABLPC-Compact-Periodic-Attenuators/dp/B00A0MWD94


The 4G filter version is in case you get mobile phone interference. I have one that doesn't have the filter. A filter would tend to reduce the signal, so it's better to get one without the filter. You can buy an inline 4G filter from Maplins if you do get interference.


The higher the better. I would try on top of a bookshelf.
You can get a pole mount and screw it on top of the bookshelf.


You can get really long ones, but no one would mount them indoors.


http://www.antiference.co.uk/uhf-log-periodic-lp28

teddysmum

We bought an aeroplane wing shaped indoor aerial from Argos, years ago and bought it with a booster as it was needed for the caravan. At home, we are in a good reception area, so the mains booster part has never been needed for the bedroom tv.


However, the modern looking, rectangular black boosted aerials are getting good reviews on Argos' site. It isn't clear whether they are standalone or mains only, though.

VisionMan

Pesto2606 wrote: »

Hi All,

EE do a great broadband and tv package but you need an existing:( aerial

Anyone got any other idea's or suggestions? P.S its a rented property so not wanting to pay for a proper aerial to be installed

Thanks

Emma

Hi,

Yes EE offer TV and broadband packages and so do TalkTalk and BT (called YouView). But they are all whats known as hybrid boxes, in that they use both a broadband and an aerial connection to work. Aerial = Freeview and over the air updates, broadband = over the internet updates, on demand and extra internet TV channels. So yes you would need an aerial if you are considering any of the above.

itstheone

You might want to look at the Amazon FireTV, i think you can load the TVCatchUP app on it which allows you to get a lot of the Freeview channels over broadband. FilmOn is another app which i think you can install onto it.

You'll still need broadband obviously.

ioscorpio

If you are renting, why don't do ask your landlord to erect an aerial?