Freeview on DVB TV?

Xaccers · 28-04-2008, 15:50

I've gotten myself a new 32" telly to keep me entertained while on my laptop in the backroom, and also to use as a monitor (which it does amazingly well).
Now I get BBC1,2,ITV1,Ch4 perfectly running a lead from the aerial socket in my bedroom.
However, I can't pick up any digital channels at all.
I've tried with a portable aerial which a mate used to use with his freeview, and still no joy.
I am right in thinking that a DVB telly can recieve freeview and I don't need another box right?

BenMcr · 28-04-2008, 15:57

Yup, but you also need to make sure that the aerial socket is recieving it's signal from the local TV transmitter.

With you being in Milton Keynes, it is a possibility that you are actually getting an analogue feed from Virgin, which don't carry the Freeview signals

King Of Fools · 28-04-2008, 16:00

Have you checked your house number and postcode?

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

(Choose "I am in the aerial installation trade" for more detailed information on predicted coverage)

Xaccers · 28-04-2008, 19:00

Cheers for that guys, yes getting it from the antenna on the roof, ours is an older house so not linked to the Virgin analogue system (thankfully).
Apparently my transmitter is Sandy Heath (38Km away) which figures as I'm getting Anglia TV.
I should also have a good chance of getting DTV, but no matter what I do with the portable digital aerial the telly just will not find any signal.

nicke261192 · 28-04-2008, 20:07

You have got it on the Digital TV channel and not the TV channel havnt you. Try the sources menu

You might be on analogue and need to switch to digital mode

King Of Fools · 28-04-2008, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Cheers for that guys, yes getting it from the antenna on the roof, ours is an older house so not linked to the Virgin analogue system (thankfully).
Apparently my transmitter is Sandy Heath (38Km away) which figures as I'm getting Anglia TV.
I should also have a good chance of getting DTV, but no matter what I do with the portable digital aerial the telly just will not find any signal.

If you are on Sandy Heath then your house most likely has an old Band A aerial but you would need a wideband aerial to receive Freeview.

Unless the indoor aerial is very good and amplified, you are unlikely to get a Freeview signal on it either (can you get an analogue sign through it?)

28-04-2008, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Of Fools

old Band A aerial but you would need a wideband aerial to receive Freeview.

How strict is this? Is it are dependent (as in distance from the transmitter?)
My aerial's been up there for 13 years so likely an old one (i.e. not wideband?) but I can get all the freeview channels great.
I'm about 30 miles from Winter Hill transmitter.

King Of Fools · 28-04-2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by kryogenik

How strict is this? Is it are dependent (as in distance from the transmitter?)
My aerial's been up there for 13 years so likely an old one (i.e. not wideband?) but I can get all the freeview channels great.
I'm about 30 miles from Winter Hill transmitter.

That would be because Winter Hill analogue and digital both use Band C/D aerials.
For Sandy Heath, analogue was in Band A but the digital signal is not.

28-04-2008, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Of Fools

That would be because Winter Hill analogue and digital both use Band C/D aerials.
For Sandy Heath, analogue was in Band A but the digital signal is not.

---------- Post added at 22:17 ---------- Previous post was at 21:45 ----------

Sorry Xaccers - wasn't a hijack - thought there might have been some similarities with our aerial setups. Seems not.

Xaccers · 29-04-2008, 13:34

No problem at all, this is really interesting

If the house wasn't rented, or rather if the landlord wasn't trying to sell up, I'd replace the aerial.
Oh well, looks like just the 4 channels for me then.

altis · 29-04-2008, 13:56

Come 2010, when the Anglia region switches over entirely to digital, you'll probably get a descent signal. Until then, DTV is only available at a low power from a few main transmitters.

You might also want to try the digital reception predictor part way down this page:
http://www.wolfbane.com/articles/tvr.htm

It will give you the option of several transmitters and you can compare it with analogue reception.

Xaccers · 29-04-2008, 14:32

Hmm, tempted to get this http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...21121&doy=29m4 and take it with me when the house is finally sold (if it's ever sold).

ntluser · 29-04-2008, 21:03

Do you have Freeview built in to your new TV?

If not how are you accessing Freeview?

Xaccers · 30-04-2008, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntluser

Do you have Freeview built in to your new TV?

Yes...

Aerial is on a pole on the chimney. Had a look up there from the back garden, thought about installing a new wideband one, came to mysenses quick sharp

Will live with the 4 normal ones (oh and pester housemate to sort out Sky so I can watch it via broadband).

ntluser · 30-04-2008, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Yes...

Aerial is on a pole on the chimney. Had a look up there from the back garden, thought about installing a new wideband one, came to mysenses quick sharp

Will live with the 4 normal ones (oh and pester housemate to sort out Sky so I can watch it via broadband).

I'm just surprised that you only have the four basic channels.

I have an old JVC CRT IDTV with Freeview built in. When I turn the TV on ( without it being connected to Virgin) I just get the main 5 terrestrial channels from the Winter Hill transmitter.

However, by pressing a button on my remote handset I can switch from ordinary terrestrial TV to Freeview, which gives me access to a lot more.

Might be worth inspecting the handbook which came with your TV.If it works it could make life a bit more bearable while you wait for your housemate to sort out Sky.

Hope this helps.