HDTV and a new aerial??

[xxconfusedxx]

my mrs has bought a new HDTV but cant seem to veiw any HD channels. its a full hdtv with built in freeveiw. my concern is that she will need a decent aerial to receive the hd channels, am i right? also, the current aerial is an outdated thing, probably decades old, and so is the coaxial cable. i have a high gain freeveiw aerial spare i intend to install in her attic, but is there a certain type of coax to be used with HD ?

please help as she is getting very upset over the whole issue, and im no expert, i hope you are!!!!!!!!!! thanks ppl x

[Buenchico]

Check the label on the box (or on the set itself).

If it's this one
http://mos.futurenet..../FVHD_logo-420-90.jpg
then the TV set is capable of displaying HD pictures AND has the necessary HD tuner (to receive HD channels on Freview) actually built into it.

If the label is simply this one
http://clearvisionaer...iew-hd-hdtv-1080p.jpg
then the TV set is capable of displaying HD pictures but it does NOT have an HD tuner built into it. It's only got an ordinary Freeview tuner; to view HD channels you'll need to purchase a Freeview HD set-top box.

Chris

[xxconfusedxx]

cheers both i will check, the box the tv came in has gone, i aint seen anything like you descrived on the tv itelf but then i dont know what to look for. she is also a virgin media customer who provide hd channels as standard but has an old vm box. i just wanna get some hd for her so she can see her tv the way she intended to, any more advice welcomed greatly!

[Buenchico]

If in doubt, just post the model number here and we'll look up the specification.

However, as my first post indicated, I strongly suspect that your wife has fallen into the trap of assuming that a 'full HD' TV set , with built-in Freeview, will receive Freeview HD channels. Confusingly, that's not the case; you need a set with 'Freeview HD' built into it. (Hundreds of thousands of others have made the same mistake).

[redman41]

You ned to get in touch with Virgin media so that they can upgrade her with a Virgin HD+ Box. You should be OK then.

[gingejbee]

Is there a manual? This will explain the HD capability and should have the relevant logo displayed.

[xxconfusedxx]

thanks all, seems weve fallen into the trap of a hd tv without hd freeveiew! what are her options to get hd on this tv? we feel silly now lol

[Buenchico]

Option 1:
Take the TV back and try to exchange it for a 'Freeview HD' set. (If the salesman advised your wife that the set could receive Freeview HD signals, then it's not 'fit for purpose' and you've got the right to a full refund. Otherwise any exchange will purely be a goodwill gesture from the retailer).

Option 2:
Get a Freeview HD set-top box. (Your TV can display HD pictures from ANY external source, such as a Freeview HD box, a Virgin HD box, a Sky HD box or a Blu-Ray disk player):
http://www.argos.co.u...1&searchTerms=5322408
(NB: Ensure that you connect such a box to the TV with an HDMI cable. If you use a Scart cable you'll lose the benefits of HD).

Option 3:
Forget Freeview altogether and upgrade your Virgin subscription to HD.

Chris

[xxconfusedxx]

cheers chris, thank you for you help!!!!!!!!!!!! iv spoken to her and it is just fv, no hd, shes gonna ring virgin tomm and ask. whats the price on a fvhd box? althoght she "dont want more frggin boxes" lol. are there any adapters that can decode hd or summat? my head is pickled! im off to bed! thank you all for taking the time to reply, thanks again!

[redman41]

If you require completely Free TV then it has to be Freeview or Freesat.
If you are already subscribing to Virgin Media, then you need to speak to them directly and have their Engineer round to upgrade your system to HD+.Having HD from Virgin will cost more than what you are paying now.

[xxconfusedxx]

thanks all weve sorted it now, after much deliberation on her part! she finally caved in and rang virgin for a v+ box, witch should sort all her probs. its coming tomm so peace at last lol, thank you all again for your help, much appreciated.

[redman41]

All's well that ends well as they say !