Wanna get a new aerial installed cos my tv hasn’t got an external aerial and uses just one of those crappy ones which ya have to fiddle with, no good for the freeview i got built into the tv, so has anyone had this done, rough price and any suggestions on who to use??
I always use Aerial Services who are based in Vauxhall. Dont have their number to hand, but Google might help. Spend £100 - 200 depending on what you need. Or buy one from Maplin and spend an entire week tuning it in.
I got this on recommendation: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5344008/Trail/searchtext>TELECAM.htm
I meant to buy it while sorting out getting an external areal fitted but never bothered as it works perfectly fine.
Can I piggy back your post Curtis?
Much the same situation except I have an ancient, cr*p, external aerial.
Do I get a better terrestrial aerial, a digital terrestrial aerial or a “free to earth” satellite aerial.
The first seems shortsighted, the second a bit more logical, the third costs a whole lot more but may be worth the extra long term.
As with Curtis, advice with ball park costs appreciated.
(No. Don’t suggest I do it myself, I’m too old for that stuff.)
In a nutshell -
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/best_aerial.htm
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/terindex.htm
But generally:
Go to a CAI approved aerial fitter if you want a good installation and don’t want to DIY.
External aerials work best. Log-periodic design aerials for low noise and less obtrusive looks (no reflector plate). Your existing external aerial might work fine. If it does leave it alone.
Indoor aerials in the loft next best but watch the positioning (metal tanks, foil insulation etc etc play havoc with signal).
Digi receivers don’t need high signal but do need low noise. A small indoor aerial with a high gain amplifier will amplify every electrical noise in or outside the house (fridge turning on/off, fluorescent bulbs, vehicles with poorly suppressed ignition systems driving by etc) and feed it to your receiver. The picture will break up badly unless you’re in a storming signal area.
Freesat uses the same kind of dish as a Sky box. Freesat will give you a few HD channels if you want that.
Second hand Sky dishes and boxes are cheap as chips from either an aerial installer or ebay/gumtree. Chances are if you ask around your mates/the pub you’ll get them free or for a pint. Card for subscription-free channels is a one-off £20 payment to Sky, but you’re missing a couple of channels like Dave, Motors etc that Freeview or Freesat give you for nowt.
Good quality cable isn’t expensive and better shielding helps noise resistance.