[namey]

Hi

I recently bought a Samsung DVD recorder (DVD-SH893M) with freeview box. Up until now I have been watching TV using a Virgin Media box. When setting up the Samsung it was not able to pick up any digital channels - the support line told me I would need a digital aerial.

Does this sound right? Some people (not necessarily techies) have told me they watch freeview and do not have a digital aerial.

Also, if I wanted to take the freeview signal to a TV in the bedroom what would be the best way of doing this. (There is already an aerial there.)

Many thanks

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by namey

Hi

I recently bought a Samsung DVD recorder (DVD-SH893M) with freeview box. Up until now I have been watching TV using a Virgin Media box. When setting up the Samsung it was not able to pick up any digital channels - the support line told me I would need a digital aerial.

Does this sound right? Some people (not necessarily techies) have told me they watch freeview and do not have a digital aerial.

Also, if I wanted to take the freeview signal to a TV in the bedroom what would be the best way of doing this. (There is already an aerial there.)

Many thanks

There's no such thing as a digital aerial (there is no definition of this term so anyone can claim the aerial they are selling or fitting is digital), because pre dso the digital signals are weak you may need a better performing uhf aerial, the improvement is nothing to do with the signals being digital as far as the aerial's concerned it's just a uhf carrier. What aerial you currently need depends on the transmitter and your location. If you put your postcode here and then copy the reply url to a post then you should get some reasonable advice. (You might not get Freeview till DSO and in some cases never)

UK digital TV reception predictor

Once you have a reasonable signal you can feed multiple TV's

[namey]

Hi

Thanks for replying. I thought the digital aerial thing sounded a bit wrong.

Here's the URL:

UK digital TV reception predictor

Thanks

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by namey

Hi

Thanks for replying. I thought the digital aerial thing sounded a bit wrong.

Here's the URL:

UK digital TV reception predictor

Thanks

Wow you are lucky any reasonable aerial will do for Bluebell Hill. Best aerial for you is likely a log-periodic and you should have plenty of signal to split the signal with a passive 2 way splitter. Surprised your existing one does not work, check the plugs before spending any money.

Example log-periodic

ATV`s Choice Of Aerials

Example splitter - use the F type

Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales

You might even get away with a set top aerial if you have a window on the wall facing Bluebell Hill

[namey]

Hi Graham

Thanks for replying. When you say plugs do you mean the 'plug' on the TV aerial that goes into the back of the telly/free view box etc? Or should I be checking something else as well?

At the moment I'm getting good reception (if the aerial goes straight into the TV and without using any freeview box etc) upstairs but the downstairs reception is not quite as good. Would this affect the dvd recorder/freeview box in terms of picking up a digital signal?

Thanks

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by namey

Hi Graham

Thanks for replying. When you say plugs do you mean the 'plug' on the TV aerial that goes into the back of the telly/free view box etc? Or should I be checking something else as well?

At the moment I'm getting good reception (if the aerial goes straight into the TV and without using any freeview box etc) upstairs but the downstairs reception is not quite as good. Would this affect the dvd recorder/freeview box in terms of picking up a digital signal?

Thanks

Bit confused as to how your 2 tv's are connected to an aerial. Normally you would fit a splitter usually in a loft and connect the 2 tvs to the splitter chaining the signal through a freeview box if the TV has one. With a weak signal you would need an amplified splitter, in your case a passive splitter as linked should be fine. The plugs I meant are the Belling Lee plugs which are a very old design and need the centre core soldering to give a reliable connection.

How to wire a Belling-Lee connector

I always use F connectors as they are easier to properly fit and buy converters where needed to fit into Belling Lee sockets.

How to fit F Connectors to coaxial cable