Can we improve on ntl analogue?

[TianoPerl]

Hi folks - we recently moved into 7th floor flat in South East London & because we dared to move into a "communal building", we were told by ntl that all we could get/have was analogue tv & dial up internet. It is THE MOST FRUSTRATING situation ever! We've been thinking about getting Freeview box but are worried we won't get all the channels. Can anyone suggest any solutions? Does anyone have any advice?

Ta very much in anticipation

TianoPerl

[handyman]

You wont get any freeview channels through the ntl service using a freeview stb.

[Jon M]

You need an external digital specification aerial if you're going to use a freeview box. Some standard aerials may get you a weak signal but I can't vouch for it.

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by Jon M

You need an external digital specification aerial if you're going to use a freeview box. Some standard aerials may get you a weak signal but I can't vouch for it.

A good starting point is to pop your (op I mean ) postcode in here
http://www.freeview.co.uk/
and see what it says about the channels you may recieve.

A communal aerial may also be a problem.

[MovedGoalPosts]

In most blocks of flats you are reliant on the communal aerial and other wires installed, for both TV, but also phone and broadband. This in part depends on the attituide of the freeholder as to what is available. Any upgrade or even the basic installation, has to be the subject of an easement (legal right) for the service to be run. For companies like ntl, the hassle in arranging the easements, as well as physically carryi8ng out the upgrade, can be just too much effort.

Upgrades in blocks of flats can have a significant cost, especially if the cabling previously fitted, needs replacement. Original cables may have been installed by the freeholder, not a cable co, during some refurbishment, for the cable co to subsequently attach their bits at either end.

As Diili says even if there is a communal terrestrial aerial, this too may not be capable of supporting the extra signals needed for freeview.

Worse, you may not be able to install your own aerial if that is visible from the outside of the building. This may be prohibited by both the terms of your lease/rental agreement, and Town Planning Laws. Thus you become reliant on whatever the communal supply allows.

[TianoPerl]

Hi folks - again - thanks to those of you who have given me the courtesy of a reply. I have NO intention whatsoever of doing ANYTHING illegal. Am merely checking out stuff that I've picked up on my internet travels. Will obviously have to contact our local borough to find out when and if they intend to upgrade our aerial to IRS.

Cheers. TianoPerl

[TianoPerl]

What is/was stranger than strange is that when the ntl engineers came to set us up here, they could very clearly and easily pick up digital tv and were mystified when ntl HQ told them we couldn't have it........

Roll on the roll out, I guess

[Jon M]

Threads merged, no need for a new thread just to say thanks for the replies

I'm glad you've got no intention of doing anything illegal
Lets hope your flats can get something soon.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by TianoPerl

What is/was stranger than strange is that when the ntl engineers came to set us up here, they could very clearly and easily pick up digital tv and were mystified when ntl HQ told them we couldn't have it........

Roll on the roll out, I guess

And as such BB?

[Rillington]

I lived in a communal flat situation with one TV aeriel providing Tv for 25 flats. was amazed when I plugged in my DTT box and found it worked spot on. Obviously it depends where you live as you may not get Freeview anyway but it is worth a try.

Many flats can only get analogue cable due to previous wiring when the fltas were built and will not be able have a digital service due to the internal wiring. This may be one reason why ntl is not wanting to turn off its analogue service because it knwos it will loose vast numbers of subscribers.

It is a surprise that you are unable to get a broadband connection however. Maybe you can get a broadband connection via ADSL?

[TianoPerl]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

And as such BB?

Que????

TianoPerl

[Chrysalis]

I am baffled on the digital status myself, I can have broadband and that has been linked a few times to digital tv capability yet ntl say not available. You have even had a engineer said it actually works which takes it further.

This last week all the flats in my building got junk mail from ntl selling digital special offer, and I got one with my bill as well, if I ring and ask for it to be told not available will be very annoyed.

[TianoPerl]

The irony is that we are going to get the DLR to our area quicker than ntl are likely to pull their fingers out and provide us with digital and broadband!!!

Wish to god there were alternatives but Home Choice isn't value for money. Top Up TV seems crap. And that great dictator Sky does not offer 3 for £30 like Telewest or ntl do.

Ho hum TianoPerl

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by TianoPerl

Que????

TianoPerl

AFAIU - if you can get a digital TV service to a property, then you can get a BB service to it. The biggest problem to your property may be that while the digital signal inbound can be distributed to all properties, the distribution system stops the return path, signals being sent from the cable modem or set top box back to the network.

[jrhnewark]

Originally Posted by Jon M

You need an external digital specification aerial if you're going to use a freeview box. Some standard aerials may get you a weak signal but I can't vouch for it.

Just to clarify, there's no such thing as a 'digital aerial' - don't want any confusion! It's just that sometimes, aerials designed for analogue reception aren't also designed to pick up the frequencies on which local DTV signals are transmitted.. hence the need to sometimes have a new aerial fitted.