Freeview Digital signal problems

[philp]

First I must appoligise if this question has been asked before. I'm just trying to decide my best course of action. Up to last March I received freeview using a digital arial. Unfortunately they did something to the transmitter and I'm now lucky if I can get just channel 5. We dont watch much TV, so I did nothing about it. However certain members of the family have started asking if we can get the TV working again. Anyway to cut a long story short...could I solve this problem by getting a freeview dish? Some of my neighbours are going over to cable, so its not just me thats having this problem. I just want freeview or freesat or whatever. So my question is if I went out and got a HD satilite dish and installed(suitably oriantated) where my previously working arial was(on roof) is this a possible solution to my problem or might I just be waisting my money? Perhaps I should just wait till 2012?
I live in Poole in Dorset. I used to use successfully the IOW transmitter.
Thanks for your help

 

[Lazarus]

Getting Freesat is certainly an effective solution.

There is no such thing as an HD Dish.

Where you live, a small "Sky" dish will do the job just fine.

Then, decide how many Freesat Receivers you will ever need and equip the Dish with an LNB that has one output for each Tuner: A PVR Box has two tuners, and other boxes have one.

Even if you only want one box at this stage, consider fitting a Quad Output LNB

PS: The LNB is the lumpy thing on the end of the Dish arm!

It is not that difficult to install and align your Dish, but you might better satisfy the family's voracious need for results by getting someone to install it for you.

 

[Topper]

Welcome to the forum philp

Ok lets get the terminology correct first

Freeview is the digital terrestrial transmissions known as DVB-T

Freesat is the digital satellite transmissions known as DVB-S

A dish pointed at a terrestrial transmitter will achieve nothing.

There is no such thing as an HD dish, there are dishes and lnb's there are no differences for SD or HD regardless of the hype that is put about by marketing dummies

You can install and receive Freesat now tomorrow as soon as you have your equipment. All you need is line of sight to the blue sky above and the satellite at 28.2/5 East. There are plenty of dish installation tutorials on the forum

Plenty to read here

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/dish-setup-single-sat-multi-sat-motorised-systems/


edit must type faster

 

[pgh13]

Satellite is a good idea where you are. Poole is a bit of a problem area for terrestrial reception and I don't think you'll get a full set of channels even in 2012 .

 

[rolfw]

Have you tried ringing a local aerial installer to find out why you are now getting no channels?

 

[Channel Hopper]

There was a thread on this just over a year ago.

Poole (and really anything West of Cowes) is known for its problems, both analogue and digital. I would not hesitate to recommend a dish and receiver as the best solution.

 

[rolfw]

Yes, but according to the original poster, this was a previously working aerial, so surely would be sensible to investigate this.

 

[philp]

Thanks everyone for your comments and help... I feel a little bit more educated now. The reason that I have not contacted a local TV installer is that since what happened in March several people around us has had problems...in fact several are going over to cable. To be perfectly honest even when the arial was working there were days when the signal would break up which could be very annoying. From what you have all said I think that it would probably be very sensible to go for a dish. It sounds like it should work. I will give it a go; thanks again for your very valuable advise!!!!

 

[Topper]

You are welcome, that is what we are are here for

 

[pgh13]

Dish doesn't need to be mounted high up. It just needs an unobstructed view of the Southern sky.