Freeview....

[Amber-Rose]

I recently bought a tv with 'Freeview'. My only channels are the ITV, BBC1 and 2, Channel 4 and 5, More and ITV 1+ and ITV 2. Looking in the papers there are a lot more channels I should get on Freeview. Do I need to buy a Freeview Box?
Thank you!

[Buenchico]

You need to improve your aerial system.

Digital channels are broadcast in 'bundles' (called 'multiplexes), with each 'bundle' using a different frequency. In a perfect world you should have a different aerial for every frequency used (which would mean dozens of aerials on every roof!). That's clearly impractical, so all aerials only provide a 'rough match' to the incoming frequencies. Your aerial is good enough at pulling in the signals on certain frequencies but not on others (so it's only providing your TV with strong enough signals for one or two 'bundles' of channels).

If you were able to receive some channels intermittently (or with occasional picture break up) I'd suggest trying a cheap signal booster but, since most of your channels are missing altogether, you also certainly need a better aerial.

Look for an aerial fitter with the 'CAI Plus' logo and get him to fit something like this
http://www.maplin.co....eband-tv-aerial-22523
or this
http://www.maplin.co....ital-tv-aerial-221124
(A decent installer will probably change the cable at the same time)

Once the new aerial has been installed you'll need to retune your TV. (If there's a choice between 'adding' or 'replacing' channels use the 'replace' option. That forces your TV to start completely afresh).

Chris

[Andyvon]

Hi Amber,

We bought a Freeview box a couple of years ago for the bedroom TV which my wife likes to watch. It cost £23 from Tescos I remember and it's got 48 channels. We already had an aerial on the roof but the aerial man came, checked everything then extended it into the bedroom for £70. We've just had our analogue signal switched off here and we had to re-tune the box on the 28th September. We now have 48 channels again and they are much clearer than before.

Like Chris says, you need a good aerial and you have to tune the box. It searches for channels automatically. You just find the scan and search function with the remote control, press 'Automatic Search' and it does everything itself in about 2 minutes then it's ready to go. Good luck.

[gingejbee]

By "tune the box" , Andy (in your case) means "retune the TV" - after having aerial improved.

[Giggsie]

we don't get all the channels available on freeview.Check your coverage here by putting in your postcode. http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability

[237SJ]

Do you live in a hilly, rural area? I went to stay with some relatives of mine last year and although the area has already gone digital and they had all the right equipment, they could only get about half of the channels.

[Andyvon]

You're right Gingejbee. I didn't read the question properly - sorry!

Try re-tuning your TV then Amber. You should be able to do that with the remote control and Automatic Search.