Question:
HELP!
I am considering the purchase of a Freeview box for my Dad's birthday next week... (anyone any recommendations?)
However, I just looked into getting one from Argos (!) and am disturbed that they're excluded from their 14-day exchange.
I know little about these boxes since I have cable - but I think I am right in my assumption that it is not 100% guranteed "plug-and-play" with an existing aerial, right?
If that's the case, and my Dad's aerial is not compatible, what needs to be done to rectify it? I know that his aerial right now only receives the four main channels - he is not able to get Ch5 is that is an indication?
Obviously I don't want to buy from Argos (or anywhere for that matter!) and be stuck with a box that won't pick up a signal from the existing aerial and be in a situation where I am unable to return it...
TIA!
Have a look herehttp://www.freeview.co.uk The first page gives you an option to enter your postcode to check for reception.
Having used the postcode checker for my Area (Using the Sandy Heath Transmitter, near bedford) it told me I should be OK.
Having got the box and plugged it in I could only get 8 channels. After calling On Digital as it was then they arranged for a new antenna for £25.00 or there abouts.
The digital transmittions are transmitted on different groups called Mux's, my antenna could only pick up one mux group. The new antenna fitted was a wide band high dain thing and was double the size of the old one and has diaganol spikes instead on the plain flat cross's.
After installation I get all the channels without break up.
Originally posted by TP2K
HELP!
I am considering the purchase of a Freeview box for my Dad's birthday next week... (anyone any recommendations?)
However, I just looked into getting one from Argos (!) and am disturbed that they're excluded from their 14-day exchange.
I know little about these boxes since I have cable - but I think I am right in my assumption that it is not 100% guranteed "plug-and-play" with an existing aerial, right?
If that's the case, and my Dad's aerial is not compatible, what needs to be done to rectify it? I know that his aerial right now only receives the four main channels - he is not able to get Ch5 is that is an indication?
Obviously I don't want to buy from Argos (or anywhere for that matter!) and be stuck with a box that won't pick up a signal from the existing aerial and be in a situation where I am unable to return it...
TIA!
I would suggest that you buy a wideband UHF aerial from Argos, the one for around £17.99 as that is the one I bought when I got my first digibox.
At first I only had an indoor aerial and it picked up a few channels but not all. Some people won't even pick up any of the channels on an indoor aerial as it all depends on how far you are from a main transmitter and how clear a signal is getting through as things such as tall buildings and trees affect the signal.
I fitted the wideband aerial in the loft as I didn't have a tall enough ladder to roof mount and it worked a treat! Did a channel re-scan and got all existing channels.
I suggest that you try it with your dads normal aerial first to see if you get all the channels. For some reason channel 5's signal is even stronger than my normal terrestrial signal. Fed through the digibox, the picture is superb. :)
Hope this helps.
Good luck and happy viewing.
Fred :)
I am considering the purchase of a Freeview box for my Dad's birthday next week... (anyone any recommendations?)
However, I just looked into getting one from Argos (!) and am disturbed that they're excluded from their 14-day exchange.
I know little about these boxes since I have cable - but I think I am right in my assumption that it is not 100% guranteed "plug-and-play" with an existing aerial, right?
If that's the case, and my Dad's aerial is not compatible, what needs to be done to rectify it? I know that his aerial right now only receives the four main channels - he is not able to get Ch5 is that is an indication?
Obviously I don't want to buy from Argos (or anywhere for that matter!) and be stuck with a box that won't pick up a signal from the existing aerial and be in a situation where I am unable to return it...
TIA!
Answers:
Have a look herehttp://www.freeview.co.uk The first page gives you an option to enter your postcode to check for reception.
Answers:
Having used the postcode checker for my Area (Using the Sandy Heath Transmitter, near bedford) it told me I should be OK.
Having got the box and plugged it in I could only get 8 channels. After calling On Digital as it was then they arranged for a new antenna for £25.00 or there abouts.
The digital transmittions are transmitted on different groups called Mux's, my antenna could only pick up one mux group. The new antenna fitted was a wide band high dain thing and was double the size of the old one and has diaganol spikes instead on the plain flat cross's.
After installation I get all the channels without break up.
Answers:
Originally posted by TP2K
HELP!
I am considering the purchase of a Freeview box for my Dad's birthday next week... (anyone any recommendations?)
However, I just looked into getting one from Argos (!) and am disturbed that they're excluded from their 14-day exchange.
I know little about these boxes since I have cable - but I think I am right in my assumption that it is not 100% guranteed "plug-and-play" with an existing aerial, right?
If that's the case, and my Dad's aerial is not compatible, what needs to be done to rectify it? I know that his aerial right now only receives the four main channels - he is not able to get Ch5 is that is an indication?
Obviously I don't want to buy from Argos (or anywhere for that matter!) and be stuck with a box that won't pick up a signal from the existing aerial and be in a situation where I am unable to return it...
TIA!
I would suggest that you buy a wideband UHF aerial from Argos, the one for around £17.99 as that is the one I bought when I got my first digibox.
At first I only had an indoor aerial and it picked up a few channels but not all. Some people won't even pick up any of the channels on an indoor aerial as it all depends on how far you are from a main transmitter and how clear a signal is getting through as things such as tall buildings and trees affect the signal.
I fitted the wideband aerial in the loft as I didn't have a tall enough ladder to roof mount and it worked a treat! Did a channel re-scan and got all existing channels.
I suggest that you try it with your dads normal aerial first to see if you get all the channels. For some reason channel 5's signal is even stronger than my normal terrestrial signal. Fed through the digibox, the picture is superb. :)
Hope this helps.
Good luck and happy viewing.
Fred :)
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