Anyone Recommend A "box" To Get A Television Working?

[sandyRoe]

I just want something basic.

[Buenchico]

I suspect that I'm not going to be the only one struggling to understand your question, Sandy:

In what way isn't the TV already 'working' (or what do you want to add to its functionality)?

[sandyRoe]

I'm looking for a set top box. I used to have Virgin Media and was paying for lots of channels I never watched.
So I'm looking for a box to plug into the TV and receive the 5 basic channels.

[bhg481]

Doesn't your TV have its own tuner Sandy? Or is it an old TV with only an analogue tuner?

[Zacs-Master]

If it’s a device which doesn’t receive a signal itself, then it’s merely a monitor rather than a Tele vision.

[Buenchico]

Have you got a roof-top aerial (or possibly a loft aerial or other indoor aerial if you're in a strong signal area)? If so, and you've got a modern telly (which includes anything sold within the past decade, and possibly in much of the preceding decade), simply plugging the aerial cable into the back of your set, going to 'Source' on the remote control, selecting 'DTV' (or similar) and then running a full channel scan (via the 'Menu' button on the remote control) should get you about 70 TV channels (plus about 15 HD channels if you've got a set with an HD tuner built in) and about 30 radio channels.

If you've got a very old (analogue) telly , but still with a decent TV aerial, any Freeview set-top box from Argos (or similar) will get you the same range of channels.

If you've not got a TV aerial then the simplest option might be to get one installed. (Otherwise there are internet options available. Details on request).

So exactly what have you got now?

[sandyRoe]

The TV is about 15 years old. It worked well with Virgin Media but I cancelled the service.
If I was to buy a new set what would I need to get it going?
I really have very little knowledge of things technological.

[hc4361]

If you bought a new tv, you'd only need a roof top aerial.

[-Talbot-]

For what a new TV costs nowadays I would treat yourself to a decent sized smart telly

[murraymints]

welcome home Sandy xx

[Gromit]

Buy an Amazon Fire stick, assuming you have a HDMI slot.

[anneasquith]

Nice to see you home safe sandy, treat yourself to a big new television :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Sandy - hope you're well.

Never ask for anything basic on here. :-)

I'd get a roof top aerial and check the high street stores for a TV in your budget.

[hc4361]

Assuming your aerial is okay and you are otherwise happy with your tv you could try a freeview box or a Now box
http://www.nowtv.com/tv-box?referrer=nowtvbox1&DCMP=KNC-Brand-nowtvbox1-Googleshopping-NOWTV-NC-Google&DCMP=KNC-Brand&gclid=Cj0KCQiArYDQBRDoARIsAMR8s_QVWI8aCg1bU11mw9OzlK4RxNRR_O2XH9_Iiwf-X97wUKXBW_lnDMUaAhIuEALw_wcB

The Now box (and similar) need a stable and quick internet connection, the freeview box just needs a good aerial

[hc4361]

Or a freeview box with a built in recorder, like this one:
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/digital-and-smart-tv/set-top-boxes/humax-hdr-2000t-freeview-hd-recorder-500-gb-21653452-pdt.html

[Buenchico]

It would help us to know three things, Sandy:

1. Have you got a TV aerial on the roof of your house (Or possibly in the attic), or can you install one?

2. What's the make and model of your TV set? (It will be on the back of it).

3. What type of input socket(s) have you got on the back the telly? Just Scart
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/scart-connector-332015.jpg
or HDMI
http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//9000/300/10/4/159314.jpeg
as well?

If you've got a TV aerial (obviously with a cable leading to where the telly is) and your TV set has a Freeview tuner built in (as it might have, at that age), you don't need any extra equipment.

If you've got a usable TV aerial but your TV set hasn't got Freeview built in, you simply need a Freeview set-top box (for about £15 from Amazon) to plug into a Scart socket.

If you've not got a TV aerial, the best way forward would be to get one installed. Otherwise you'd need to use a device capable of receiving live TV over the internet (together with a relevant app). However that would require you to have a TV set with an HDMI socket (not just Scart) and an internet connection without data limits.

You provide the information and we'll provide the answers!

[Old_Geezer]

In the absence of more detail, I'd suspect you can't get it working with an aerial at present so you need a freeview box (or equivalent). In which case your local supermarket likely has some cheap & cheerful ones.

However if the TV doesn't have anything other than the standard aerial socket then you may be better off buying a new set in preference to messing about with DTV converter boxes.

[Buenchico]

^^^ O_G:
Sandy's telly must at least have a Scart socket, otherwise he couldn't have used a Virgin Media box with it.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah. I know nothing about Virgin boxes ;-)