Kris Marsh wrote:
> On 11/3/07, Jai Harrison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> Hey guys (and girls),
>>
>> I've been looking into FreeView today and the switch for my area isn't
>> until 2011 (a LONG, unbearable way away). Freeview.co.uk reports my
>> area is without any FreeView whatsoever while DigitalUK says that I
>> can receive some channels now.
>>
>> It also says I'll suffer from a poor reception, that an aerial upgrade
>> may be required and that I will have 47 TV channels/radio stations in
>> orange status ("variable reception"). These are as follows:
>>
>> * BBC ONE
>> * BBC TWO
>> * BBC THREE
>> * CBBC
>> * BBC NEWS 24
>> * BBCi
>> * BBC FOUR
>> * Cbeebies
>> * BBC Parliament
>> * The Community Channel
>> * BBC Radio 1 (radio)
>> * 1 Xtra BBC (radio)
>> * BBC Radio 2 (radio)
>> * BBC Radio 3 (radio)
>> * BBC Radio 4 (radio)
>> * BBC Radio 5 Live (radio)
>> * BBC Five Live Sports Extra (radio)
>> * BBC 6 Music (radio)
>> * BBC 7 (radio)
>> * BBC Asian Network (radio)
>> * Five
>> * QVC
>> * UK Gold (subscription only)
>> * bid tv
>> * price-drop.tv
>> * UKTV Style (subscription only)
>> * Eurosport (subscription only)
>> * SETANTA Sports (subscription only)
>> * Five US
>> * Five Life
>> * TopUp Anytime1 (subscription only)
>> * TopUp Anytime2 (subscription only)
>> * TopUp Anytime3 (subscription only)
>> * Teachers' TV
>> * Television X (subscription only)
>> * Teletext Holidays
>> * Teletext Games
>> * Heat (radio)
>> * Mojo (radio)
>> * UKTV History
>> * The HITS
>> * Dave TV
>> * Virgin 1
>> * TMF
>> * Ideal World
>> * Film 4
>> * ITV 2+1
>> * BBC World Service (radio)
>> * The Hits Radio (radio)
>> * Smash Hits! (radio)
>> * KISS (radio)
>> * Magic (radio)
>> * Q (radio)
>> * oneword (radio)
>> * SMOOTH RADIO (radio)
>> * Kerrang! (radio)
>> * 4TV Interactive
>>
>> What I would like to know is what my chances are of receiving these
>> channels at a "watch-able" quality. What exactly "variable reception"
>> means in terms of quality. How come there's no ITV or C4.
>>
>> I'm not easily able to attach an aerial to the roof but a friend
>> suggested this:
>> http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=115127&doy=2m11&C=SO&U=strat15
>>
>> I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. I figured that some people
>> on the mailing list would have a better idea than I do. Thanks for any
>> help any of you can provide me with :)
>>
>> Jai
>>
>
> Not entirely sure on what they define as variable, but I would suggest
> if you do decide to buy a Freeview box.. don't buy an aerial, as you
> may find your current aerial is fine.
>
> At my house, I find that if it rains, then the signal starts going
> bad. By bad, it goes a little blocky and stuttery - not unlike Real
> player ;-)
>
> Kris
>
I'd suggest getting a Freeview box from somewhere like Argos where they
offer the 14-day no quibble guarantee.
My dad was in the same situation, he lives in Teignmouth in Devon which
is on the coast. The local Teignmouth transmitter doesn't transmit
Freeview at all, however with a standard aerial and a Freeview box he
borrowed off me he was able to pick up something. With this in mind he
bought a digital aerial and was able to pick up Freeview from the Beacon
Hill transmitter in Paignton which is about 15 miles or so as the crow
flies.
Do you have any big towns or cities near you which can get Freeview?
It's possible you may be able to pick up a signal from their local
transmitter.
If all else fails, Lidl often do digital satellite kits which can pick
up the Free to Air channels off the same satellites as what Sky Digital
use. With a digital satellite receiver you should be able to get all
the BBC channels, lots of shopping channels and I think all the ITV
channels (although I believe Channel 4, E4, Film 4 and Channel 5 are
currently encrypted and can only be decoded with a Sky Digital box and
some sort of viewing card which the cheapest I think is about £20 from
Sky for a FreeSat card). It'll get all the more confusing when the BBC
release their FreeSat which is supposed to be truely free.
Rob
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