Checking "TV" socket before buying Freevidw HD STB

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Checking "TV" socket before buying Freevidw HD STB

ruderger

53 posts

Master Geek

#151915 9-Sep-2014 20:23

Hi, we're renting in a complex, our unit has a wall socket labelled TV and a feed from a dish, I can't see the roof to check for UHF aerial. We've been using the dish for sky, but will stop sky this week. My TV does not have a built in freeview tuner, without a STB is there any way to check the signal from the TV socket? Should I still be able to get any channels if there was a uhf signal? Not sure if trackside still works? I get nothing. Thanks.

sbiddle

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#1125338 9-Sep-2014 20:45

There are no analogue broadcasts, so if you don't have a DVB-T capable TV or a DVB-T or DVB-S STB it's impossible to watch anything.

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ruderger

53 posts

Master Geek

#1125352 9-Sep-2014 21:19

Ok, I guess borrowing a freeview hd box is the best option, then buying if I get signal.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1125426 9-Sep-2014 23:07

Yes, that is what you should do.

First, it might be worth asking the person you are renting off.

robjg63

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#1125512 10-Sep-2014 07:48

ruderger: Hi, we're renting in a complex, our unit has a wall socket labelled TV and a feed from a dish, I can't see the roof to check for UHF aerial. We've been using the dish for sky, but will stop sky this week. My TV does not have a built in freeview tuner, without a STB is there any way to check the signal from the TV socket? Should I still be able to get any channels if there was a uhf signal? Not sure if trackside still works? I get nothing. Thanks.

If the feed comes from a dish then a freeview hd(terrestrial) STB wont work. You would need a freeview satellite box. Freeview satellite is not HD, its standard definition.

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Jaxson

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#1125518 10-Sep-2014 07:59

Borrow someone else's freeview hd box/freeview HD equipped tv first if you can.

What type of TV do you have by the way?

If you have had sky successfully then you know you at least have a working satellite set-up. $100 at the warehouse will get you a freeview satellite box.

As everyone above has mentioned, to get freeview uhf/fd/landbased then you'll need a UHF aerial and need to be in a suitable reception area.
Just having an outlet called TV is no guarantee that there is a UHF aerial attached at the other end.

Depending on your preferences then freeview satellite could be an easy solution. If you weren't paying for Sky HD then it will look much the same as Sky did.

bfginger

1250 posts

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#1125551 10-Sep-2014 08:35

I think a wired UHF signal is something you can reasonably expect those body corporate fees to pay for if you're in the Freeview HD broadcast area. If you're close to a broadcast mast or have line of sight to one you may be able to receive UHF with a good indoor aerial.

You're better off buying a dual tuner PVR than a simple receiver. Satellite Freeview is not just SD but poor, lower than DVD quality SD so you'll need UHF for a quality picture. CUE TV is only on the satellite outside of the South tohug so you could get a cheap satellite receiver for that if you want it.

ruderger

53 posts

Master Geek

#1125613 10-Sep-2014 10:34

Thanks, I should have mentioned a satellite STB is my fall back option, hoping terrestrial will work.
TV is a Sharp Aquos bought in 2008, HDMI, composite etc, no freeview.

I'll have a better go at tracking the TV socket cable today, there is a splitter just outside out window. And will hopefully have a DVB-T box or usb unit to test out the signal today.
Thanks everyone. Will also contact landlord, obvious, but didn't think of that.

JonnyCam

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#1125684 10-Sep-2014 12:21

You could just ask your neighbors, surely they watch TV?

ruderger

53 posts

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#1125990 10-Sep-2014 18:27

The TV socket is connect to this aerial

dcole13

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1126010 10-Sep-2014 18:40

ruderger: The TV socket is connect to this aerial

I'm pretty sure that is a type of UHF aerial, so as long as it's pointed to the correct place FreeviewHD should work, though I would check with a friend that has a decoder

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B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1126024 10-Sep-2014 19:12

ruderger: The TV socket is connect to this aerial

Yep. That's a horizontally polarised UHF phased array. Just get a UHF STB and it should work fine.

cyril7

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#1126031 10-Sep-2014 19:24

Assuming its pointing at a suitable TX, my guess is, ...... it is

Cyril

ruderger

53 posts

Master Geek

#1126088 10-Sep-2014 20:15

Good news everyone. I got a USB DVB-T from a mate, I can pickup freeview. I'll get myself a STB now (I'll look at the other posts for suggestions).
Thanks.