Bad Digital TV Reception Areas

[admin_exported]

My mum wants to buy a new TV to replace her existing Sony 26inch CRT. The reception at her house is bad (e.g. typical problems with channel 5 and poor picture quality on her "cheap" Freeview box). I would expect reception to improve when digital TV reception is improved but I rhink this is 2 years away. Is there an option to get better digital reception sooner e.g. get an aerial engineer in, buy a Freeview box with greater sensitivity i.e. one of the Humax boxes, get a Sky box? She doesn't want to spend a lot now if things are going to get better anyway but she does want her new TV to provide a good picture and receive more channels with the better picture than the BBC 1& 2, ITV, and Channel 4 she gets at the moment..

 

[robjcooper]

Hi John,

It could just be your mum needs an upgraded aerial which a local specialist should be able to tell you. However, I live in Kingston upon Thames and I can't get either analogue or freeview signals and even a £600+ aerial installation could not be guaranteed to improve the signal. However friends living a quarter of a mile away get great signals with a basic aerial - so it's definitely worth a call to a local specialist who should be able to pop round and give you a free quote. Also have a look at other people's installations nearby and see if they have bigger/higher aerials with more elements than your mum's present one and if they have better pictures.Do avoid the temptation to fit signal boosters - if your signal's really rubbish, they'll not improve it - you'll just be spending money amplifying noise

Alternatively, she could try freesat or sky which if you have a clear sight line to the satellite and can install a dish will be much better. Freesat is free once installed and if she's not interested in the 500 channels of rubbish on Sky then that could be a good choice. If she is in a cabled area she could try Virgin Media.

Although the digital signal will be stronger after the switch over, if you live in a physically masked area like I do it will make no difference. The big hill between me and Crystal palace won't move !

Good luck

Rob

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Do not forget that there is also help from here if your mother qualifies for whatever reason.