Only getting a handful of freeview channels

vaughanie89
vaughanie89 Posts: 6 Forumite
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in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
Just moved house and after retuning both tvs (one on ground floor other on 2nd floor) both tvs are picking up about 6 channels on freeview and that is it. They are the same channels on both tvs. Tried doing freeview through the TV and through a youview box and same outcome for both. Think the previous owner had a sky q box, do we need to get sky to watch TV? Thanks.
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  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,883 Forumite
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    Do you have an aerial on your roof, or in your loft?

    https://www.freeview.co.uk/support/living-with-freeview/aerials-and-reception#YaAWirfzVLak0f0Q.97
  • vaughanie89
    vaughanie89 Posts: 6 Forumite
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    Yes it's in the loft
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,883 Forumite
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    vaughanie89 wrote: »
    Yes it's in the loft

    If your signal is strong, the loft may be ok.

    Enter your postcode and house name or number below to find the channels available via an aerial where you live.

    Read more at https://www.freeview.co.uk/channels-at-your-address#liFB5JeQkIGxb63T.99
  • maninthestreet
    maninthestreet Posts: 16,127 Forumite
    First Anniversary
    Try the following:

    1) Remove aerial feed to tv/digibox
    2) Perform a full retune of tv/digibox
    3) Replace aerial feed to tv/digibox
    4) Perform a full retune of tv/digibox
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  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,357 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    If the previous owner used Sky, the aerial may date from pre-digital days and be a group aerial designed for analogue transmissions (or be generally knackered). To pick up all the Freeview muxes you may need a wideband aerial.
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  • Norman_Castle
    Norman_Castle Posts: 11,871 Forumite
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    vaughanie89 wrote: »
    Think the previous owner had a sky q box, do we need to get sky to watch TV? Thanks.
    Freesat might work.

    https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/using-your-existing-satellite-dish/
  • ic
    ic Posts: 3,291 Forumite
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    I had a similar problem. Many moons ago used freeview before HD was available, then flirted with Sky and Virgin for a few years before deciding to by MSE and go back to freeview. Found I didn't get all the channels so upgraded the aerial. The existing aerial just wasn't set up to cover the full bandwidth that freeview is now broadcast on. Result was a stronger signal and all the channels. Cost about £70 to have installed with new cable run to the TV.

    An aerial will struggle in the loft, and would be much better mounted on the roof. Was probably fine as you're discovering for the main channels, and was also a cheaper/easier option - especially if DIYing.

    Also check you don't need a 4G filter - https://at800.tv/
  • Wassa123
    Wassa123 Posts: 393 Forumite
    How far away is the aerial from the tv aerial socket?

    We have a 3 floor townhouse with the aerial in the attic another floor up.

    The signal from the aerial itself is great but by the time it reaches the aerial socket in the living room the signal is pretty weak. We had to buy an aerial booster(about £20 or so) which boosted the signal.

    Buy a signal tester first to find out whether it's the aerial, the cable, or the distance of the cable.
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 9,984 Forumite
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    You may not be able to get the full range of Freeview transmissions from your local transmitter as it may not be transmitting everything. The house we'll be moving to in a couple of years is like this, it's picking up from a small transmitter.

    Check with your neighbours and see what their situation is.
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  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
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    If possible take a TV into the loft and connect it directly to the aerial. Make sure the aerial is pointing in the correct direction. If you don't get many channels then you know that you need an aerial upgrade. Find a reputable local company to fit an external aerial of the correct group. Or do the research yourself and DIY (if you can do it safely).
    If you get a good signal in the loft, then you might be ok just upgrading and replacing your aerial cables. A lot of houses have crap cabling. Upgrade to WF100 and if there are any splitters to send the cable to multiple rooms, replace them with powered distribution amplifiers.
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