TV box to record with poor signal.

knightstyle

Just wondering if any PVR is better in a poor signal area? It is for use in our caravan and often the TV signal is poor and no mobile or internet either.

Vitor

I doubt it, likely all use the same decoder chipset. Maybe go Starlink?

Frozen_up_north

Freesat should work, the Freesat recorders work well although stocks seem either low or nonexistent. You would obviously need a tripod mounted dish.

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6660753/tv-box-to-record-with-poor-signal

Maybe do some research for a better aerial, no decoder is going to be appreciably better if the signal is poor.

Eldi_Dos

@knightstyle

Can you record a selection of programmes at home and then take that box to the caravan and watch them there?

knightstyle

Thanks for comments, No aerial at home and often in trees which is why signal is poor and no clear line of sight to satelites.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6660753/tv-box-to-record-with-poor-signal

Are you saying that you don't have a mobile to use and no internet in the caravan?

Or are saying no internet connected at the caravan?

Is it a static caravan?

If you can get a mobile signal there you could get a mi fi dongle and put in a SIM card from scan(on Amazon or hukd) with how much GB data you need.

You would have to get a Freely TV/dongle to get terrestrial TV through internet but no recording.

What channels/programmes do you need to watch and record?

Newcad

Try a signal booster between the aerial and the PVR. possibly with a new indoor aerial.
(I used to have a setup like that for amplifing a weak TV signal at my last flat which had 3 foot thick solid stone walls).

There are various matched sets on Amazon that should be suitable.
This one looks a reasonably priced pair, and the amplifer is USB powered so should be suitable for use in a caravan where you might not have mains power:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amplifier-Powerful-Adjustable-Reception-Power%EF%BC%88Black-01%EF%BC%89-Black-01/dp/B0GD79Y3W6

knightstyle

We tour with our old tiny caravan and it has an amplifier built in currently in the woods, tall pine trees, at Sandringham site wifi is useless even though we paid for it and mobile OK for calls but not for downloads, 1 bar on 4g. I might go for a better amplifier, thanks for the link.

Rodders53

What caravan aerial make and model? The omni ones are complete rubbish… The directional Status 530/550 is better, and can be canted over to Vertical polarisation for relays. All will have amplifiers built in.

Sandringham has two Caravan sites:

Caravan and Motorhome (CMC) Sandringham Estate Site, PE35 6EZ postcode… they state TV reception is poor and booster aerials are required… Recently refurbished and they seem to have failed to provide wired TV to the power bollards (as is done at some other sites).

Freeview prediction tool says Kings Lynn relay is most likely (it was, partly, built to give the Queen the correct local News), then Belmont or Waltham (rather than Tacolneston or Sandy Heath) … so manual tuning and using the TV / PVR signal meter while adjusting the aerial is likely necessary.

Camping & Caravan Club, PE35 6EA postcode… is Kings Lynn or Belmont with the others less likely. So again manual tuning and checking.

Satellite reception can be obscured by trees and other outfits or buildings on site. So while freesat may work careful pitch selection for line of sight is essential.

Sensitive PVRs: The Humax HDR-Fox-T2 had a good reputation. Later ones allegedly slightly poorer.

Freesat PVRs none are currently being made… although Manhattan may have a new design out soon (allegedly).

knightstyle

Thanks R53, we are on the caravan and motorhome site, it is almost new and really nice. The caravan is an old Swift Charisma with a basic omni amp/splitter and we don't have a signal strength meter.

As I said above I think we are going to get a better amp and see if that helps.