Improving TV aerial reception

dnpark38

I use iPlayer and other catch services would have thought recording would not be needed these days.

JSmithy45AD

@LeafGreen You're going to have to see if you can work out where the TV socket cables go to, especially if you've got sockets upstairs. Is there a roof aerial or is it (or they perhaps) in the loft? Pull off the front cover and see if there's two cables going up or whether the socket is already a splitter. Try and trace where the cables from the aerial go, you find boosters or splitters up there as well (none of which is ideal but may be necessary).

Personally I'd buy a Firestick and junk the terrestrial service entirely and use the Apps.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049089#Comment_82049089

Not needed, but still handy to be able to record terrestrial TV progs and skip over the ad breaks.

PVR came "free" with BT TV, now that's been given up not going to be spending ££ to replace it.

sheenas

Do you have decent internet. Your old school approach has all the classic issues. Moving to a modern tv with apps and use the apps, sky if you must. No boxes,cables, recording or signal issues. Been doing this six year will few issues.

Rodders53

OP writes asking for advice on how to fix a UHF TV reception issue and many here want to lecture them on how streaming is so much better…

If only it were.

Annoys the :censored: out of us when watching Prime and they throw the exact same ads at us multiple times during an episode of Good Doctor or anything else we choose to watch on there. Recording terrestrial and satellite avoids ads at no cost.

Freely seems another "design by mostly non technical committee" from the same bunch who did You View from what I've read. School reports would be "Could do better"!

dnpark38

OT

Can't help wondering how the OP manages to watch all the recordings.

I like the Catch up of iPlayer etc. most times one can watch the next episodes in advance not wait 8 weeks to find out who the bad guy was.

PHK

How old is the aerial? A good quality aerial will last about ten years outside, maybe 20 in a loft.

An aged aerial gives a weaker signal with more interference.

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049505#Comment_82049505

We're on the MSE site, it's possible that either using an up to date existing smart TV or perhaps paying the £25 for a 4K Firestick currently charged is the better option.

It's probable that anything being watched on Prime isn't available via Freeview and if the ads annoy you can always dip in and out of ad free.

Streaming is the better option by far so the comparison and recommendation is more than fair.

debitcardmayhem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049609#Comment_82049609

So you say… money saving site, OP may not have an internet service that is usable,. certainly not free, and they may wish to record from "live" programmes. Yesterday certain ISPs around here were down for a couple of hours couldn't watch the news nor the mindless daytime drivel (who would ?). Yes streaming is the way to go, but not everyone wants it or can get it.

If the OP had asked how to change the spark plugs on their VIVA would it be acceptable to say get a Tesla they don't need spark plugs?

Rodders53

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049555#Comment_82049555

OP's aerial is in the loft and loft aerials will be infinite life barring mechanical damage from pests (to cables) or when moving items in/out of loft storage. Good quality aerial installs can last 25 years outside… UV damage to cables and connection boxes, so letting water in are the main 'killers' of them. (Bacofoil X and contract aerials are not 'Quality' and will degrade sooner; possibly less than 10).

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049609#Comment_82049609

Money saving is to fix the dodgy cable connection. Could cost nothing but time.