Freeview/Cable help

SurreySkate · 22-05-2008, 13:36

Having moved into a new flat there was no normal tv point in my bedroom, just a cable lead. I cut the end off the cable lead and attached a normal tv socket socket so it would plug directly into my TV. This works a treat and I get 1-5 clear as a bell and strangly QVC for some reason but no other digital channels.

I have tried to use a freeview box so that I can get all of the free to air channels but the box will not pick up any channels when I scan. I have even used a booster to increase the strength but still no joy.

Is there anyway I can get a freeview box to work from this cable lead or any other way of getting the free to air channels?

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 13:55

i dont understand are you on about using cable tv to get Freeview ?

danielf · 22-05-2008, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurreySkate

Having moved into a new flat there was no normal tv point in my bedroom, just a cable lead. I cut the end off the cable lead and attached a normal tv socket socket so it would plug directly into my TV. This works a treat and I get 1-5 clear as a bell and strangly QVC for some reason but no other digital channels.

I have tried to use a freeview box so that I can get all of the free to air channels but the box will not pick up any channels when I scan. I have even used a booster to increase the strength but still no joy.

Is there anyway I can get a freeview box to work from this cable lead or any other way of getting the free to air channels?

The freeview box wants input from a rooftop (preferably) aerial, not from a cable box (which I presume what you call the tv point is).

SurreySkate · 22-05-2008, 14:18

I don't have a roof top though and reception is too poor to use an indoor arial. Is there no way I can get freeview channels through the cable?

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 14:49

no there isint you cant use cable tv for Freeview, the same as you cant use satellite tv.

SurreySkate · 22-05-2008, 15:01

OK thanks, any idea what the best aerials are for picking up freeview? Also is worth getting a booster etc to help?

danielf · 22-05-2008, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurreySkate

OK thanks, any idea what the best aerials are for picking up freeview? Also is worth getting a booster etc to help?

If you are going to get a proper aerial, you might be better off looking into freesat rather than freeview.

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurreySkate

OK thanks, any idea what the best aerials are for picking up freeview? Also is worth getting a booster etc to help?

as your buying a new one get a high gain antenna & that should be enough unless your in a poor reception area.

---------- Post added at 15:19 ---------- Previous post was at 15:18 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

If you are going to get a proper aerial, you might be better off looking into freesat rather than freeview.

? why he said about Freeview, not freesat.

danielf · 22-05-2008, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

? why he said about Freeview, not freesat.

If he is going to have an aerial installed it will cost him money. It might be worth spending a bit more for a freesat kit for future proofing.

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 15:26

it doesnt cost much to get an antenna installed uno & you can do it yaself if you dont put it on the chimney.

SurreySkate · 22-05-2008, 15:34

I can't put an external aerial up as I only rent.

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 15:35

you could try putting one in the loft, however if your in a poor reception area this maybe a problem & a booster may help. try putting an antenna in the loft & see how you get on, then buy a booster if one is needed. let us know how you get on.

btw make sure that its a high grain antenna if your gonna try using one in the loft.

**Chris** · 22-05-2008, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurreySkate

OK thanks, any idea what the best aerials are for picking up freeview? Also is worth getting a booster etc to help?

You need to speak to a local aerial installer if you want the answer to this, because it depends entirely on where you live, where the transmitter is in relation to you, and how powerful it is, amongst other things.

Before you do anything, you should also speak to the factor, landlord, management company or whoever it is that maintains the block of flats for you, to establish what rules there might be, regarding whether you're even allowed to install a terrestrial or dish aerial on your flat wall. Sometimes the presence of a cable tv socket in your living room is an indication that this is the only thing you are allowed to have.

However, assuming you are allowed to mount an external aerial, Danielf has a good point - now Freesat has launched, and it is about the same price to get a Freesat dish installed as it is to have a terrestrial aerial professionally installed, you should think seriously about getting Freesat rather than Freeview. Freesat will, by the end of this year, carry as many channels as Sky, far more than Freeview, and it will be carrying HD (high definition) channels too, including ITV HD which you won't be able to get elsewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

it doesnt cost much to get an antenna installed uno & you can do it yaself if you dont put it on the chimney.

I'd think twice about putting up a terrestrial aerial myself, anywhere higher than about 8ft off the ground. Long ladder work is best left to people who are trained for it.

the-cable-guy · 22-05-2008, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

You need to speak to a local aerial installer if you want the answer to this, because it depends entirely on where you live, where the transmitter is in relation to you, and how powerful it is, amongst other things.

Before you do anything, you should also speak to the factor, landlord, management company or whoever it is that maintains the block of flats for you, to establish what rules there might be, regarding whether you're even allowed to install a terrestrial or dish aerial on your flat wall. Sometimes the presence of a cable tv socket in your living room is an indication that this is the only thing you are allowed to have.

However, assuming you are allowed to mount an external aeria

he's already said that he cant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

I'd think twice about putting up a terrestrial aerial myself, anywhere higher than about 8ft off the ground. Long ladder work is best left to people who are trained for it.

hence why i said not on the chimney.

**Chris** · 22-05-2008, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurreySkate

I can't put an external aerial up as I only rent.

Aha. Junk the above then. You can try the loft, as cable guy says, but only if you have access to the loft of course. Otherwise you're stuck either paying Virgin, or hoping you can get a decent Freeview signal with a set-top aerial. Which is unlikely unless you live right next to the transmitter ...

---------- Post added at 15:47 ---------- Previous post was at 15:46 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

hence why i said not on the chimney.

There are plenty of places on the side of a building that are more than 8ft off the ground but are not on the chimney. And I'd avoid all of them.