What TV? Elderly person, basic TV, no aerial
Discussion
No TV aerial feed is available.
Internet connection is available.
They want to buy a TV that has the likes of freeview but it's essential that when they switch the TV on it switched into a TV channel, not a menu. All they want is Prog +/- and Vol +/-
Anything out there that fits the bill?
Internet connection is available.
They want to buy a TV that has the likes of freeview but it's essential that when they switch the TV on it switched into a TV channel, not a menu. All they want is Prog +/- and Vol +/-
Anything out there that fits the bill?
Sir Bagalot said:
They want to buy a TV that has the likes of freeview but it's essential that when they switch the TV on it switched into a TV channel, not a menu. All they want is Prog +/- and Vol +/-
You're/they're searching for a unicorn. Sorry, but there isn't anything off-the-shelf that fits the bill. The closest you're going to get is Sky Glass or Sky Stream. If you're not familiar with these, they're Sky TV delivered via the internet. Glass is Sky's internet only TV service built into a TV (no dish required). Stream is the same service but in a box to be added to an existing telly.
Although it needs no dish or aerial feed, you're putting all of your eggs in Sky's basket with Glass. They're the only people making the 'Glass' TVs even if you buy it from Currys or some other electrical retailer. The TV has no aerial input, but it does have some HDMI inputs. At the end of the contract period the TV is owned, but you'd/they'd need a set top box for Freeview/Freesat/Virgin cable if they decided to drop Sky as the TV provider.
The cost options are either to pay outright for the TV (43" £699, 55" £949, 65" £1199) and then enter a pay monthly contract for the TV and broadband services (from £26/m standard price, but there are offers), or choose a monthly deal for the TV + monthly TV & BB subs package. Either way, it's a fairly hefty financial commitment if all that's needed is Freeview TV.
The other thing is the useability. This is definitely not a simple ch+/ch- system. You can see how it works in various YouTube videos. Here's one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hHRG5t6Fn0
While we're listing caveats, it's important to say that not every channel available with Sky via dish is available with Sky via internet-only. More info
On the plus side, Glass and Stream does come with voice search, and the Glass TV can be made to switch on as soon as someone walks in the room. (Motion sensor feature.)
What's the issue with no TV aerial? It's unusual for a property to exclude this as a way to receive TV. Even if there's no aerial installed, there's usually either a satellite connection point for Freesat, or the option for the occupier to have their own aerial erected.
When you say no TV aerial feed available, is that because there's no signal, or no aerial erected in/on the house? If the latter, get an indoor aerial.
We have external aerial feeds into a couple of rooms, but not where I have my office. So, the TV I have there is just connected to an indoor aerial. It plugs into back of TV like a normal aerial and its stuck (inside) to an external wall. It works just great, gets HDTV and no probs at all. Was about a tenner via Amazon.
I'm making an assumption here - is low tech TV requirement for elderly folk? My parents are in 80's and wanted a new, low tech, TV. We bought a basic LG via John Lewis, got it delivered and paid for JL to install/show how it works in the most simple/basic way. It's great....turn TV on, it starts from last Channel that was watched, and they +/- Channel and +/- volume. Job done.
We have external aerial feeds into a couple of rooms, but not where I have my office. So, the TV I have there is just connected to an indoor aerial. It plugs into back of TV like a normal aerial and its stuck (inside) to an external wall. It works just great, gets HDTV and no probs at all. Was about a tenner via Amazon.
I'm making an assumption here - is low tech TV requirement for elderly folk? My parents are in 80's and wanted a new, low tech, TV. We bought a basic LG via John Lewis, got it delivered and paid for JL to install/show how it works in the most simple/basic way. It's great....turn TV on, it starts from last Channel that was watched, and they +/- Channel and +/- volume. Job done.
My mother-in-law has just got a new TV (only last week). It would turn on to a menu, but after much searching, I found the option to make it turn on the TV signal instead (she does not have an internet connection, so a menu is pretty useless anyway). It was buried about 4 menu levels down.
The option was called something like "Menu or Signal feed" - but if you don't have a signal feed I'm not sure how you'd make it come onto a picture (or even if that would be possible anyway) ?
The option was called something like "Menu or Signal feed" - but if you don't have a signal feed I'm not sure how you'd make it come onto a picture (or even if that would be possible anyway) ?
As Ezra suggests & for me too my indoor aerial works well for my needs & also gets me the basic HD channels as well. Admittedly I am in Central London, but worth a go or just return it back to Amazon?
Try something like the below perhaps?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Gain-Freeview-Aerial...
Try something like the below perhaps?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Gain-Freeview-Aerial...
Sky Stream. A small puck that connects to the internet and delivers pretty much all you’d get with a Sky Glass tv.
https://www.sky.com/tv/stream
https://www.sky.com/tv/stream
Sir Bagalot said:
For those that asked.
TV in Lounge is aerial fed.
New TV to go into bedroom where there isn't an aerial feed. I didn't think and indoor aerial would be any good but it's something we can try.
If there's already an aerial on the property, and there's no one else's permission required to run cable etc, then by far the simplest solution is to add a second TV point. TV in Lounge is aerial fed.
New TV to go into bedroom where there isn't an aerial feed. I didn't think and indoor aerial would be any good but it's something we can try.
The new TV will work like the existing TV - Simple
There's no "will it/won't it" which can be the case with an indoor aerial - Simple
There's no new system to learn like with Sky/Virgin/Catch-up TV - Simple
There's no "will the Wi-Fi wireless signal reach" - Simple
The house already has a TV licence, or gets it for free, so no additional bills - Simple
An aerial guy will install in half a day and tune the TV - Simple
No need to reinvent the wheel or do anything complex. They/you might be concerned about the cost of adding the second TV point, but even if it costs £100-£120, it's still massively cheaper than a year's subs to Sky or Virgin.
There could still be reasons why a second TV point is impractical such as the house having a rendered finish. But if there are no impediments and the only unknown is the cost for installation, then 20 minutes on the blower to a couple of local aerial guys will put that one to bed. Give them what they need. Give them what they asked for; a TV that works like the one in the living room, and keep everything simple.
Lucid_AV said:
Sir Bagalot said:
They want to buy a TV that has the likes of freeview but it's essential that when they switch the TV on it switched into a TV channel, not a menu. All they want is Prog +/- and Vol +/-
You're/they're searching for a unicorn. Sorry, but there isn't anything off-the-shelf that fits the bill. The closest you're going to get is Sky Glass or Sky Stream. If you're not familiar with these, they're Sky TV delivered via the internet. Glass is Sky's internet only TV service built into a TV (no dish required). Stream is the same service but in a box to be added to an existing telly.
Although it needs no dish or aerial feed, you're putting all of your eggs in Sky's basket with Glass. They're the only people making the 'Glass' TVs even if you buy it from Currys or some other electrical retailer. The TV has no aerial input, but it does have some HDMI inputs. At the end of the contract period the TV is owned, but you'd/they'd need a set top box for Freeview/Freesat/Virgin cable if they decided to drop Sky as the TV provider.
The cost options are either to pay outright for the TV (43" £699, 55" £949, 65" £1199) and then enter a pay monthly contract for the TV and broadband services (from £26/m standard price, but there are offers), or choose a monthly deal for the TV + monthly TV & BB subs package. Either way, it's a fairly hefty financial commitment if all that's needed is Freeview TV.
The other thing is the useability. This is definitely not a simple ch+/ch- system. You can see how it works in various YouTube videos. Here's one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hHRG5t6Fn0
While we're listing caveats, it's important to say that not every channel available with Sky via dish is available with Sky via internet-only. More info
On the plus side, Glass and Stream does come with voice search, and the Glass TV can be made to switch on as soon as someone walks in the room. (Motion sensor feature.)
What's the issue with no TV aerial? It's unusual for a property to exclude this as a way to receive TV. Even if there's no aerial installed, there's usually either a satellite connection point for Freesat, or the option for the occupier to have their own aerial erected.
Sir Bagalot said:
New TV to go into bedroom where there isn't an aerial feed. I didn't think and indoor aerial would be any good but it's something we can try.
I thought exactly the same for my TV in the office. But, for a tenner on Amazon - what the heck. Honestly, I was amazed. It's actually better reception than the proper aerial in the roof space. You can get ones that have long leads that stick on the window.
I had one of these for one room - no longer made but no doubt something similar will be available.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RCOJ6CA
Or if you have mains you can get amplified/boosted indoor aerials.
I had one of these for one room - no longer made but no doubt something similar will be available.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RCOJ6CA
Or if you have mains you can get amplified/boosted indoor aerials.
dickymint said:
What about an BT/EE Mini Box? Streams only and simple and clear EPG
On the plus side, the EE service does have a lot more HD versions of channels that are only available as SD via an aerial. There's also a couple of extra channels that it has in its Free-to-air selection that aren't on Freeview. (CBS Reality, and Reality Extra). Also, it doesn't need the +1 versions of channels since everything is streamed on demand. All of that said, it's still missing a heck of a lot of standard Freeview channels. After stripping out all the +1 and the regional variations for Scotland, Wales and NI, there's still about 50 channels missing. For example, Dave is missing. So are all the Great TV channels. Some you probably wouldn't be bothered about such as some shopping channels, kid's stuff, and GB News, but it's still short.
What it looks like is a lot of the channels that don't yet have streaming/catch-up services. This might change as time goes on, but is that something they'd want to wait for? I suppose they could make up the shortfall with some subscription channels. The full package from EE is around £70 per month if they don't mind the ongoing bills.
To conclude.
A feed from the lounge wasn't an option. It would be an unsightly cable running half way around the lounge, over a door, through a wall, half way round a bedroom and through a wall.
Can't access the ceiling and floor is concrete. I did ask the question before all the carpets went down because I could have made a channel@rolleyes:
Bought an indoor aerial and it works well enough if stuck to the window so the jobs a good un
A feed from the lounge wasn't an option. It would be an unsightly cable running half way around the lounge, over a door, through a wall, half way round a bedroom and through a wall.
Can't access the ceiling and floor is concrete. I did ask the question before all the carpets went down because I could have made a channel@rolleyes:
Bought an indoor aerial and it works well enough if stuck to the window so the jobs a good un
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