TV aerial

[bobbie22]

I posted this earlier, but I think the thread has ended, so here goes again. I have freeview on my TV also have SKY. I have an aerial which does not work, so I cant get freeview on TV. I would like to get rid of SKY, and probably will have to get a new aerial. Please does anyone know the approximate cost of an aerial? Thanks

[Everhelpful]

£60

[AlBags]

plus fitting (at retail prices) £100 ish.

I would get someone like a local handyman with ladder to take a look.
It may be that the entenna is not suitable for Freeview tho.

[mumsie_wumsie]

If you have your SKY switched off, but keep your dish, you will still receive all the free programs through the sky dish.I have done this and get BBC1,2,ITV1,2,3,CHANEL4 ,E4,CHANEL 5,etc. I also have an aerial which did not pick up the freeview chanels before the switchover, but now works fine and get all freeview through my TV.. Hope this makes sense....

[scotman]

Did the aerial ever work?
You may need to check that it is pointing at the transmitter for the digital signal. It may have moved or digital may be from a different transmitter to the old analogue signal.

[Buenchico]

If you end your Sky subscription you'll still be able to receive all of these channels. (You don't need a 'Freesat from Sky' card. Simply leave your old card in the box):
http://en.wikipedia.o...channels_at_28%C2%B0E

Given that you've said an indoor aerial won't work at your location, for terrestrial TV reception (Freeview) you'll need a decent aerial, such as this one:
http://www.maplin.co....eband-tv-aerial-22523
(An aerial fitter should provide new cabling at the same time).
You might get someone to do the job for around £80 (including supplying the actual aerial) but £100 is probably a more realistic figure.

Chris

[mumsie_wumsie]

Buenchico, can't see where bobbie22 says he has an indoor aerial...????? He may have an aerial on his roof, like I have, which before switchover did not pick up freeview chanels. Now the analogue has gone, my aerial picks up freeview fine. He may not have to pay out any money at all. I didn't.

[Buenchico]

Mumsie_Wumsie:
Bobbie22 wrote: "I posted this earlier, but I think the thread has ended".
Looking at Bobbie22's profile, that thread seems to have disappeared but I was assuming that it was the one that I read earlier from a poster who had Sky but also wanted Freeview (but who couldn't get it as an indoor aerial wouldn't work at his/her location).

I may well have got it wrong but the fact that Bobbie22 has "an aerial which does not work" seems to suggest that he/she is either the same person whose post I read earlier, or someone who could benefit from the same reply.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Buenchico, if that is the case, then I stand corrected!!! I did not see the earlier post, and went by the content of the present one. I agree an indoor aerial will not work to get freeview, but IF bobbie22 does have an outdoor one, then it possibly will work.

[scotman]

It is possible, albeit unlikely, to get Freeview with indoor aerial. I know this because that is how I receive it. I do need a booster for the signal. I assume I must have a very clear line-of-sight to the transmitter.
Obviously most people will need an outdoor one.

[bobbie22]

I really appreciate all your answers. I still dont know what to do for the best. My aerial on the roof does not work, never has, and thats why I had SKY. I think that apart from a few programmes, there is nothing worth watching. My question now is. If I cancel SKY and keep the dish, will I be able to pick up freeview without buying a new aerial? Sorry to sound so confusing

[Buenchico]

Let's start by separating 'Freeview', 'Freesat', 'Freesat From Sky' and generic 'Free To Air' satellite reception.

Freeview is an entirely terrestrial service. Without a functioning aerial you can't receive it. End of story.

Freesat requires a special set-top box, which will cost you around £30 at Argos (but you can continue to use your existing dish):
http://www.freesat.co.uk/

Freesat From Sky (which, confusingly, isn't the same thing!) can use your old Sky box with a special card in it (which Sky will sell you for a one-off payment of £25).
http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/
(NB: Ignore the prices on that page. The bit about just paying £25, and using your existing equipment, is on the FAQs page).

However both of those services simply receive the 'Free To Air' transmissions from a group of satellites collectively known, from their location, as "28 degrees east". All that you get in addition is the electronic programme guide provided by either Freesat or Freesat From Sky, as well as access to some interactive services if you choose Freesat From Sky. If you can do without those things, you can simply continue using your old Sky box (with the expired card still in it) and you'll still receive all of the channels listed in my first (Wikipedia) link above.

Chris