Crap terrestrial reception- solution signal booster and/or Freeview box?

[cerebros]

The gf and i have now moved in together. Unfortunately, we're now in an area that appears to be crap for reception on all channels, although Channel 5 is the worst. (Ironically the one channel that we watch the least, ITV, is the only one that seems to be fully in tune).

We've spent some time trying different channel settings to no avail, so I'm wondering what our next move should be.

It's a rented property, so I doubt there's much we can do about the aerial or the cable run to the aerial sockets. I'm considering trying a signal boosterbut I'm not sure how much we should be looking to spend and what models to look at (ideally the one that does the job as cheaply as possible).

Alternatively, i suppose we could try a Freeview box, but will that be any good in the circumstances, even with a signal booster?

[pwiles]

Maplins are about your best bet for cheap boosters, I am not sure but if your terrestrial signal is that bad a digital box may not be much cop.

If you can do anything with the cable put a masted amplifier in, it is a signal booster but it goes in at the antenna end of the cable, you plug a second box in at the other end to power that one, again look in Maplins, not cheap as you may need someone to fit it (landlord?), but they are good.

[MarkE19]

Just because the analogue channels have bad reception does not mean you wont get good Frreview.
Try to beg/borrow/steal a Freeview box and try it out. If it then works you can go and get your own box, if not.........?

Mark.

[PhilipVass]

I would say get Freeview..if it doesnt work, take the box back

[Kevo]

Originally posted by MarkE19
Just because the analogue channels have bad reception does not mean you wont get good Frreview.


I can vouch for this....

My gf who lives in a flat used to get AWFUL analog terrestrial reception (Couldn't get C5 at all).

The flat is not a hi-rise and is completely surrounded by tall trees.

It's wired with the old fashioned single screen coax (whic is NOT recommended for digital they say).

BUT....

A friend of hers recently gave her an old Pace OnDigital stb and the pic quality is superb. She can now get C5 (crystal clear).

Even I was surprised as I had my doubts that she would get anything at all.

She's had no problems at all so far. Picture (and sound) is very stable, no breakups, freezing etc.

On the back of this, I too bought a Freeview box and am well pleased with the quality (as good, if not better than my Cable stb).

So, go for a Freevie box (as long as your Post Code area is covered you should be fine) :smashin:

[media guy]

See if your reception is worse than this

www.mediaguy.co.uk/221t/reception.html

If it is the same or better there is a good chance Freeview will work.

Graham

[cerebros]

OH MY GOD!

I think I've now discovered why we have crap reception - we don't have our own aerial!

Since we've got aerial sockets in two rooms, I just made the assumption that we'd got an aerial, but when I was out in the back garden last night, I turned round to look at the house and suddenly realised that there's no aerial.

I can only assume we're sharing with the other houses in our 4 house terrace, as the only house in it that has an aerial is the one right at the other end of the group.

If i can get hold of some ladders, I'm going to see if there's any sort of junction box in the roof where the feed comes in, as i guess a signal booster or something there might help a bit...

[hornydragon]

Get your own aerial fitted mate that should solve all your troubles!!!!

[cerebros]

Originally posted by hornydragon
Get your own aerial fitted mate that should solve all your troubles!!!!

As it's a rented place I'm not sure i want to go about paying out for an aerial when I might only be there 6 months if the landlord decides to sell up.

[hornydragon]

GEt the land lord to have one fitted. Worth a try! I had cable and the house next door same landlord didn't want cable so he fitted them a new aerial!!!! (Was 3 single girls sharing like)

[Squirrel God]

I live in flats and my aerial is shared with the entire block. Analogue terrestrial picture was pretty good (apart from Ch5). I run Freeview from the FM aerial socket and it's sweet as can be. But Freeview reception is independent of analogue reception.