Freeview Box Tuning Help

Fifer

avfc4life wrote: »

Thanks for your help. My aunty has just had a new digital aerial fitted so will take it round there just to make sure it isnt the box.

I will look into that thing at Asda.

If i do have to get someone in to do the job how much roughly would it cost just for them to re-adjust it?

If i do have to get a whole new Group B aerial how much would it roughly cost?

Sorry for all the questions i just dont want to get ripped off and also just want to know the costs before i get go for it.

Thanks

That's a kind of 'how long is a piece of string' question but this thread might give you some ideas.

avfc4life

Ive had a look there and i think judging by where i live it will probably be anything from £70-£150 but if it does the job and last a good time it will be money well spent.

You mentioned a signal booster from Asda but i had a look on the website and could find anything on it, do you have link the cheapest one i could find was £25 from maplins.

Sorry to ask for more help you really are very helpful:D

Inactive

avfc4life wrote: »

I will look into that thing at Asda.



Thanks

I wouldn't bother, all a signal booster will do is boost what it is fed, it will not enhance the actual signal, it could even make things worse.


Take a look here for CAI Installers.

http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/installer.asp

avfc4life

Inactive wrote: »

I wouldn't bother, all a signal booster will do is boost what it is fed, it will not enhance the actual signal, it could even make things worse.


Take a look here for CAI Installers.

http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/installer.asp

Thanks for that:D

Which one do i click on? Domestic installer?

Inactive

Yes, then follow the drop down list, it will narrow it down to your area.

Good luck.;)

Fifer

Inactive wrote: »

I wouldn't bother, all a signal booster will do is boost what it is fed, it will not enhance the actual signal, it could even make things worse.

That may be true, but in my case it worked perfectly. A signal prone to regular break-up became rock-solid. Freeview reception often benefits from a simple boost. The digital signal is much less fussy about the quality of amplification applied than analogue.

As anything unsuitable can be returned to Asda, I can't see how it isn't worth trying as it will cost nought. The worst that can happen is that it makes the signal worse and needs to be returned. The potential upside is that it saves £100 on a new aerial. Remember, at analogue switch-off, the digital signal will be boosted and many old aerials will suddenly prove to be perfectly adequate.

avfc4life, the booster isn't listed on Asda's website. It's just a cheap 'n' cheerful (£8 ISTR) and is usually beside the electrical stuff in-store.

Lord_Gardener

Fifer wrote: »

A lot depends on what installer charge in your area. I paid about £100 for a roof mounted aerial with a mast-head distribution amplifier in my last house, but I suspect that was a very good deal. It may seem like a lot, but most people will have to pay for that regardless of whether they want analogue or digital TV. A 'digital' aerial should be no more expensive than one for analogue TV. Many people will not need to change their aerial to switch. (I suspect most people will not need to change their aerial if they wait until the analogue switchover with the increased power transmissions which will be used then).

If you are getting most of the muxes with an indoor aerial, you must be in a reasonably strong signal area. I suspect chucking a cheapish wideband aerial in your loft pointing in the direction of your local trasmitter might be perfectly adequate. I'b buy one from Argos and try it with a cheap aerial extension lead through the loft access hatch to see if it works. If not, you can return the aerial for a refund.

We had to do this - went to the local DIY shop ~ 1mile away and bought
a new aerial (they had loads in 'cos everyone had the same problem!) Stuck it in the loft next to the old one (got the direction from that!) and checked it out. Worked perfectly new aerial was ~ £15!