Question about setting up Freeview HD in Dunedin

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notoner

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#109051 11-Sep-2012 16:34

I purchased a LG LED TV recently for our house that we just moved into, hoping to get Freeview HD from our place in Fairfield, Dunedin. When we moved in, I found that the house does not have a UHF aerial - rather, it has a VHF aerial and a sky dish.

I set up the TV and started tuning and lo and behold, I've managed to get digital TV, as well as analogue TV. It's been going okay for a while but I have a couple of questions:

1. When the digital switch over happens in Otago in April 2013, do I stop getting digital TV because I don't have an UHF aerial?

2. I'm at a fringe area of Dunedin - that is, I am likely to get Freeview HD with a high aerial. Should I get a signal booster as it was recommended by the TV/aerial installation company? I preferably would like to not get a signal booster as I fear it would exacerbate the installation process.

Thanks for the help and apologies if they are stupid questions!

cyril7

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#684477 11-Sep-2012 16:43

Hi, I am not familiar with coverage in Dunedin, but obviously the VHF antenna is doing the business, but probably poorly. What kind of signal and error levels is the TV reporting.

If you do nothing, when analog turns off nothing will change with respect to the digital channels. I would however recommend you get the correct UHF antenna as the response of the VHF antenna will be unpredictable in the UHF band, further its quite probable that the existing cabling is RG59 which is not really suitable for UHF digital reception so will need replacing also.

If a booster is required then I dont see it exacerbating the situation, simply adds a small layer of work for the installer and of course a cost. But the installer should be able to determine if it is or not needed.

Cyril

Gilco2

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#684482 11-Sep-2012 16:59

notoner: I purchased a LG LED TV recently for our house that we just moved into, hoping to get Freeview HD from our place in Fairfield, Dunedin. When we moved in, I found that the house does not have a UHF aerial - rather, it has a VHF aerial and a sky dish.

I set up the TV and started tuning and lo and behold, I've managed to get digital TV, as well as analogue TV. It's been going okay for a while but I have a couple of questions:

1. When the digital switch over happens in Otago in April 2013, do I stop getting digital TV because I don't have an UHF aerial?

2. I'm at a fringe area of Dunedin - that is, I am likely to get Freeview HD with a high aerial. Should I get a signal booster as it was recommended by the TV/aerial installation company? I preferably would like to not get a signal booster as I fear it would exacerbate the installation process.

Thanks for the help and apologies if they are stupid questions!

well obviously the vhf aerial must be doing good job for you to get FreeviewHD.
If you are not having any problems with Freeview then you dont need another aerial.
When the switchover happens next year, the only change for you is you will not have analogue anymore. Your FreeviewHD will carry on with no changes

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