Freeview

[zipadeedodah]

I wanted to get Freeview, however having put my postcode into the thing on the website, it says I am not able to receive it.  A while back, someone brought their own Freeview box over, and got it going on one of our TV's.  Here comes my questions....

1. Do you either get all of Freeview or nothing - is it possible to just get a few channels come up when searching?

2. Why would someone have got Freeview in our house before?

3. Would it be OK to buy a box from somewhere like Dixons, and then take it back if it didn't work?

Thanks very much!

[twiglet4frog]

chances are u will only get some channels and not all, it all depends on the antenna and whether u get a decent signal or not. If u have already had one working at your house then chances are the signal in your house is enough to receive most if not all the channels. My family have one in an area that cant receive it and they still pick up approx 12 of the 30+ channels no problem.

My advice is that u buy a very cheap one from Argos or Dixons (about �30ish ) and if it works great, if not and they wont refund it then u havent lost too much. hope that helps?

[Buenchico]

Answers, numbered as per your questions:

1. No. With some postcodes the information which you get on the website is in the form, "You should be able to receive A, B, C, etc. . . . and you may be able to receive X, Y, Z, etc". (This is the case for my own location although I can actually get all channels).

2. The information provided on the website tends to be 'over-cautious'. Assuming that you've got external aerials (rather than loft-mounted ones) in your area, step outside and look at the aerials on the roofs in your street. You'll see that some houses have got very simple aerials with just a few elements, while others may have 14, 18, 24 or even 48 elements to their aerials. You'll all have the same postcode, so the website assumes that each house has only got a fairly basic aerial (and that the cabling connected to it is in an 'average' condition). So, if you've got a 'better-than-basic' aerial (and good quality coaxial cabling) you may well be able to receive Freeview when the website suggests otherwise.

3. No. I've heard potential customers asking this question in several stores and the answer has always been in the negative. I took a gamble when I bought mine because the only channels which the website said I should definitely get were the same ones as on analogue TV! The way I looked at it was "Well, if it doesn't work now, it will when they improve the transmitter".

Questions answered, now a suggestion: Look around for what appears to be a good value box and then see if it's reviewed here:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/reviews/
This might help you to choose a box.

Second suggestion: Contact the person who's got the box which you've seen working in your house and ask him what the make and model is!

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[zipadeedodah]

Thank you very much, both of you.  I guess if I want it, it's worth a try! As you said twiglet, havn't lost alot if it doesn't work..and as Chris says, if they do improve the transmitter, I'll have it anyway. Thanks guys.

Zip x

[gastwo]

Have you considered the satellite option? Once you have paid the initial installation cost, you dont have to subscribe to Sky - a �20 card lasts three years and you get all the freeview channels (plus a load of rubbish - but the reception is excellent)

[wideboy]

I was told that we couldn't get Freeview by our postcode but because we were at the top of a hill I was pretty sure we would get it. Two tests are:- the ability to get Channel 5 ,and to get a strong teletext signal (no blocks etc). It's definitely worth a try, though as gastwo says, the satellite option can now be a lot cheaper than it used to be.

[matt_london]

Buy from Tesco and they will refund if 

you can't receive it. How do I know? I 

bought one there myself 2 months ago and

had to take it back.

Matt