using ntl as a standard ariel
 

Hi, I was just wondering if this was possible. I used to have a 2nd box in my computer room but have had it taken out due to money being a bit tight. from the box on the wall there is a short cable that goes to a splitter, 1 of the ports on the splitter goes to the modem the other used to go to the tv box.

Can I use the left over ntl cable with an ntl supplied ariel adapter (little thing that screws in the end) converting it to a standard coax connection) to connect to a tv to get terestial channels?

Re: using ntl as a standard ariel
 

It may work, assuming that your area does carry the terrestrial signals 1-5.

There is a lot of dabate as to whether this can cause interference to your own or other signals. Some say that the cable plugged into the TV will have a proper resistance termination. Others that if it's done incorrectly then "noise" may be put back into the cable, degrading your own signal, and perhaps that of your neighbours. I suppose it's try and see.

Whatever you do don't try to remove the existing crimped screw threaded conector, just get an adaptor. You'll never make your own connection as well as the current crimped one.

Re: using ntl as a standard ariel
 

here is a pic of the connector i'm talking about

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7896/fe1gr3.th.jpg

Re: using ntl as a standard ariel
 

Yeah it'd do the job if the channels are broadcast on the cable, I'd want it filtered personally so that no rubbish gets back onto the network, but a lot of people successfully use this method.

Re: using ntl as a standard ariel
 

It works for me.

What i'd really like to know is would it pickup all the free to air channels when plugged into a freeview box?

Re: using ntl as a standard ariel
 

afaik, no, the frequencies for cable & 'native' freeview are very different, you either have one or the other, freeview is broadcast while cable tv has its own standards, the best you could hope for is 'terrestrial' channels 1-5, afaik, assuming the 'tap' in the green box hasn't been allocated to another paying customer?