Want a cheap, secondhand Freeview Box, using aerial connection

EasyToAssemble01

I'm looking for a cheap set-top box, just to watch free-to-air channels, using the house aerial connector. We have a Goodmans Freesat box, but it seems to be getting "no signal" on some of the channels now.

Is Freeview the one I should be looking for, if I want to use a rooftop aerial connection? And - in the event I need an indoor aerial - will this be strong enough to get a signal on a Freeview box?

molerat

Freesat runs from a satellite dish and Freeview from the aerial. An indoor aerial may or may not be suitable depending on your location / transmitter.  The "no signal" on some channels is strange because with satellite it is usually all or nothing unlike Freeview which is dependent on individual multiplex reception so maybe some sort of retune may be required.

Rodders53

Most TVs have a built in tuner for Freeview from the terrestrial transmitter network.  So there should be no need for a simple set top box - except for very old CRT screens or early flat panels?

What TV make and model number will you be using?

Goodmans sat box:  could be dish alignment or failing LNB (bit on end of dish arm with cable(s) attached).  They have 4 'modes' switched by the power voltage 12/18 V and presence or not of a 22 kHz tone and may be an issue.   Box may need a forced full retune since BBC changes to HD and cutback on SD services:  that could also lead to a no signal symptom.

baser999

We’ve been watching Freeview for years via a Humax box, no problems. Using the house aerial. 

Marcon

Have you tried the usual remedies e.g. https://xtrium.com/how-to-fix-freesat-no-signal/

If you still have problems, instead of buying a Freeview box, you might consider asking for one on your local branch of Freecycle - people are often giving them away provided you collect. As the name indicates, all items on Freecycle are free and the site itself if free to use.