Do I need a signal booster?

[BrabusMog]

I have just put a TV in a room that doesn't have Sky. The Freeview signal only picks up half the channels ie BBC Four, Film 4, Viva (WTF?), ITV4, Dave-ja-vu etc etc but no BBC Three, E4 et al.

Would a signal booster help me pick these up or are they just a waste of money?

The TV is connected to an aerial socket in the room.

[darkmark07]

It might be worth a shot, but normal boosters that you plug in by the TV simply amplify ALL the signal, i.e. the rubbish as much as the useful bit.

Not saying it won't help, but no guarantee I'm afraid...

Might be worth checking the cabling / connections as a first step - you're more likely to find improvments there.

[sy534534]

This might sound stupid, but have you checked the socket is actually connected to the external ariel? I had exactly the same issue, and after getting up on the roof and trying to redirect the ariel, I discovered the cable had snapped in the attic!

[jmorgan]

Check all connections. Where possible check the cabling. Sounds like you are only getting certain muxes so ask the neighbors if they are having issues. Try another receiver. I would do the cheap and free first. If you do feel the need for a booster then try argos so you could return it if it does not work (if they do the refund on the item, sometimes they do not on certain items). See if you aerial is pointing the same way as the others and orientated correctly.

Also, have a look in here
http://www.ukfree.tv/txlist.php

Pop your post code in and see what coverage is like at the moment.

And this
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/whatandwhy

[Morningside]

Do you have a good signal to start with? How old is the aerial and cable? A lot of people replace the aerial with a 'digital' one and leave the 20 year old multi-joined, moldy green cored one.

As mentioned a signal booster will amplify everything including all the noise. Mast head pre-amps are best and also a booster in the loft close to source would be best.

Also, ask other people around you. Do they also get problems as you could be on a marginal location. Have you checked:
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

?

[anonymous-user]

You can run a coax from the back of the Sky box to bedroom etc, If it is just to watch the end of the Movie in bed... Regarding signal boosters-buy from Argos so you can take it back if/when it does not work!

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 3rd May 08:55

[GTIR]

Morningside said:

Do you have a good signal to start with? How old is the aerial and cable? A lot of people replace the aerial with a 'digital' one and leave the 20 year old multi-joined, moldy green cored one.

?

Do you mean if the old aerial is still up there it'll effect the signal of the new one?

[Morningside]

GTIR said:

Morningside said:

Do you have a good signal to start with? How old is the aerial and cable? A lot of people replace the aerial with a 'digital' one and leave the 20 year old multi-joined, moldy green cored one.

?

Do you mean if the old aerial is still up there it'll effect the signal of the new one?

No. and yes. If you have an old aerial up there it is possible to get some reflections off it.

I mean a lot of companies (or owners) will replace the old aerial for a brand spanking new 'digital' aerial but forget to replace the coax.
Proper TV installers should replace all the way though and also align using a meter. But I have seen a lot of 'point this way and hope' installers. Plus, did it have a mast head amp installed? (small black round(?) box).

And here is another classic. Mast head pre-amp installed but no PSU at the TV end making it pointless - Found a lot when new people move in and the old owners take the PSU box with them.

Also seen the otherway round, people who have the mast head PSU and yet nothing at the top end. Its hard to convince people that the box near their TV is doing nothing.

Remember that just adding a preamp WILL amplify everything including noise so if you coax is lossy (or cheap crap) you will amplify all that noise from the aerial to the amp.

[BrabusMog]

Thanks guys.

The aerial picks up London and Meridian regions on analogue. I tried a first time installation (for about the millionth time) and noticed that it only finds the London channels. I have moved the TV around different rooms of the house and it is the same for all of them. I am led to believe this is because I live in a valley?

So, with this in mind, I am probably being optimistic but it seems like a signal booster might be worth a bash. Otherwise, I'll have to settle for both the Babestation channels but no More4 in the bedroom!

[Morningside]

You live in a Valley? Do you pick up the main transmitter? Some sub transmitters are slow to change over to digital and some transponders are reduced in power until the switchover.

Anyhow, you lot are lucky. I purchased an all singing freeview box with HDD recorder over 2 years ago and still cannot use it as the transmitter is slow to switchover - I now dread the idea that some boxes will not take the new updates.

Edited by Morningside on Monday 3rd May 10:23

[BrabusMog]

Morningside said:

You live in a Valley? Do you pick up the main transmitter? Some sub transmitters are slow to change over to digital and some transponders are reduced in power until the switchover.

I am supposed to pick up Hannington by the looks of the sites, but I assume I am getting Crystal Palace. The odd thing is, that about three or four years ago I had a Freeview box (too poor for Sky multiroom at the time) and it picked up signal for all the channels most of the time. Said box is now defunct so I cannot test if this works again.


Edit - not Hannington, I meant Guildford!

Edited by BrabusMog on Monday 3rd May 10:25

[alxce]

Just on the off-chance, whereabouts are you ? I am about 30mins from Guildford and I have a brand new one of these (just needs a mains plug) you can have for £10 if its practical to come collect it.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MXSLX6G.html