Freeview HD

[divegirl]

Hi, I am thinking of getting rid of Virgin as my cable provider and was wondering what I would need to do to get a Freeview HD box up and running?
Is it just a case of having the appropriate ariel fitted? I have no external ariel right now and obviously buying a a new box....the tv is HD ready.

Lisa x

[ChuckFickens]

Pretty much yes...

Unless you live virtually underneath the transmitter you'll need a decent quality, wideband aerial, then just plug a freeview HD box in and away you go.

[commoner]

I have a Sony SVR-HDT1000B 1TB Freeview HD Twin Recorder which was a bit pricier tha I wanted but glad I paid the extra for the twin tuner so that I can watch one program and record another a the same time....plus other benefits.

I live in a good reception area so I am still using my 20 year old rooftop aria with little boosterl...you will need an outdoor that is pretty certain but once that is installed the box should virtually install it'self.....you have to plug it in and switch on first though ;-)

[divegirl]

Cheers, thought as much...I'm just sick and tired of paying for a service I don't use. We only ever seem to watch the same old channels and the kids have grown out of Disney etc.
The only thing I'll be gutted to lose is on demand so it may be worth paying out for a box that records.

Lisa x

[stoofur]

Are they transmitting Freview HD in your area?

[divegirl]

Yes they are....checked it here.....

http://www.freeview.c...-Box/%28product%29/hd

Lisa x

[modeller]

In view of the fact you don't have an existing aerial you might consider going for the Freesat or the Skybox . In both cases you just have a dish which is mounted low down on the house or even leaning against the fence. In both cases there is is no monthly payments unless you want extra services.

I have both and it doesn't cost me a penny.

[modeller]

I should ad the term HD ready is a bit of a con . All that means there is a socket into which you can plug an HD box. As you probably know HD boxes are far more expensive that the normal Digi Boxes and there is a very limited amount of HD broadcasts available.
If you go into Comet they have a booklet that sets out the options . My friend recently had a Sky box and dish fitted for a one off payment of about £40.
Sky hope you will then sign up for one of their opional packages, but he didn't . Neither did I . The Freesat box and dish was more expensive.
Several flats with balconies near me have their dishes just standing on their balconies. You have to be facing east for that to be suitable.