TV for university

Castled

Hi, I'm buying my niece a tv for her university room. I'm unsure if this will connect to WiFi or will I need a portable aerial.  If I need an aerial are these any good these days?  I seem to remember years ago they weren't. I'd appreciate any advice,  thanks

Peter999_2

Don't forget that she'll need a TV licence to watch live TV or iPlayer.   My daughter has just started Uni and they provided a TV for her.   She has a Google TV stick that I connected to the university Wifi and it works fine.

la531983

You would expect all modern halls of residence to have an aerial input AND WiFi

oldernonethewiser

You should check with the halls (if that is where she will be) as to what they provide by way of connectivity.

An indoor aerial might be fine if the signal is strong or it might be as useful as a chocolate fireguard in a weak signal area.

Rodders53

Which University (and which residential hall for that matter).  Set top aerials seldom work well; and only in the strongest signal locations.

Check if Niece really wants/needs a TV.  Many can/will use laptop or phone to view stuff they want streamed.  Many Halls will have TV rooms where people will meet friends.  There are loads of other things going on in and around Campus that means TV is seldom watched.  

TV Licence cost will put off many. So do include that cash, as well.

Castled

la531983 said:

You would expect all modern halls of residence to have an aerial input AND WiFi

Yes there is WiFi, so would a smart TV access "standard" channels like beeb 1 and ITV without the need for a firestick?   

oldernonethewiser

Castled said:

la531983 said:

You would expect all modern halls of residence to have an aerial input AND WiFi

Yes there is WiFi, so would a smart TV access "standard" channels like beeb 1 and ITV without the need for a firestick?   

As long as the TV is capable of installing the required apps, which it should be, then yes you will get iPlayer, ITVX etc to watch "regular" TV

Licence needed as mentioned if using iPlayer or watching any live tv.

DullGreyGuy

Indoor aerials very much depend on your building and where your room is within it. Certainly in our halls if you were on the south facing side you could get reasonable reception, if you were on the north side you'd be watching a lot of snow. 

Even in the late 90s we had wifi in halls, not there was that much you could do with it back then. Would be surprised if this has gone backwards since then. 

TV license was the deal breaker for many, however most just ignored this requirement. The cleaner on our floors somehow got prior warning they were coming and very kindly would hide people's TVs. I had a TV card in my computer back then so she'd just hide the indoor aerial for me whereas for others she moved TVs into their wardrobe etc. The halls were forever sending out reminders that you had to have your own license or watch the shared TV in the recreation room. 

GeorgeMarian123

 I  have recently embarked on My university journey, and they provided me with a television. I am using a Google TV stick connected to the university's Wi-Fi, and it's working well.

JSmithy45AD

Castled said:

la531983 said:

You would expect all modern halls of residence to have an aerial input AND WiFi

Yes there is WiFi, so would a smart TV access "standard" channels like beeb 1 and ITV without the need for a firestick?   

It won't access the public broadcast channels except through the Apps which means using iPlayer etc, any channel that doesn't have an App will not be available. Be aware that FreeviewPlay will not function at all.