Changing from Virgin to Freeview

ClaireLR

Has anyone swapped over from Virgin to Freeview and encountered any issues?
Currently in contract with Virgin paying £68 per month which I can no longer justify as we don't watch the channels we're subscribed to.  So the plan is to cancel the TV, remove the Tivo box and replace with a Freeview recorder box - bigger outlay to start but will pay for itself in the not to distant future.  And keep the Virgin broadband (hoping they'll allow me to do this, has anyone any experience in this area while in contract?).  
My main concern is that we don't have an outdoor ariel, so may need to get that sorted - are there any other types of ariel (indoors) that might work?
Is there anything else to take into consideration?
Thanks

Ozzig

When we moved the new house wasn't serviced by VM.
Added a USB hard drive to the smart telly and used Freeview Play so we had some demand stuff.

Where we are we needed a proper aerial.

There are a lot more HD channels on VM than Freeview - that was my main gripe.

ClaireLR

Ozzig said:

When we moved the new house wasn't serviced by VM.
Added a USB hard drive to the smart telly and used Freeview Play so we had some demand stuff.

Where we are we needed a proper aerial.

There are a lot more HD channels on VM than Freeview - that was my main gripe.

Thanks.  We have a smart TV - what's Freeview play please?

ClaireLR

Just thought of something else, can I use Netflix if I have the freeview recorder set up?

Ozzig

ClaireLR said:

Ozzig said:

When we moved the new house wasn't serviced by VM.
Added a USB hard drive to the smart telly and used Freeview Play so we had some demand stuff.

Where we are we needed a proper aerial.

There are a lot more HD channels on VM than Freeview - that was my main gripe.

Thanks.  We have a smart TV - what's Freeview play please?

There's a bit more integration with the channel guide, e.g. click on something on beeb one tomorrow and it'd get info and link to other episodes on iplayer.

It's not a deal breaker but was handy at the time (and free ) -
https://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview-play

Ozzig

ClaireLR said:

Just thought of something else, can I use Netflix if I have the freeview recorder set up?

No reason why not, app on the TV or possibly freeview recorders have apps ? (Not checked but pretty sure they would do like a NowTV / Roku box)

ClaireLR

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated!

iniltous

You could try a set top aerial ,  some have active components, and need their own power supply and claim to work with low signal inputs , but I’ve no idea if they are any good , if the house is ( relatively ) new although it may not have an external aerial , it  may have  an aerial socket that is cabled to the loft ….I use a loft aerial ( not an external one ) they are cheap, and easy to connect , and in my case the reception is fine.

knightstyle

Why not just change your Virgin package to BB and basic TV?  That should cost £30 or less.  No TV signal problems or aerial installation to worry about.

ladruid

Another option is if you have Internet, go for Internet based TV services either using smart TV apps or something like a firestick, you can get hundreds of free channels on the apps like iPlayer, ITV hub, All4, my5, and the plethora of other free channel apps, etc.. No need to get an aerial then.

Regards
La