Freeview HD Coverage check

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Tockly

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 29633 13-Jan-2009 22:12

Is there anyone in the Upper Hutt area that would be able to come round to my place and tell me if I can/cannot get a Freeview HD signal?

I have checked on the Freeview site and I am listed as "unlikely" but have been told that I may still get a signal. Thinking of ditching Sky (Don't really wanna spend the $90 a month).

Just would like to know one way or the other before spending money on a Media Center PC (loving Windows 7).

Happy to make payment in amber liquid if required.

PM me if you are able to help me out.

C

mattstutter

49 posts

Geek

# 189435 14-Jan-2009 08:55

Do you currently have an aerial on your roof? And if so, can you get Prime via Analog UHF? If so, in my experience you'll be sweet. And I had, for 6 months, one of the flaky ET units.... Sounds like the other tuners are even better again!
My Prime (via analog UHF) is almost unwatchable snow on my 40" LCD... So it doesn't even have to be great reception.

Tockly

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 189436 14-Jan-2009 08:56

No nothing on the roof at the moment. Only a Sky dish.

Thats why I would like someone to check before I spend money getting one installed.

mattstutter

49 posts

Geek

# 189464 14-Jan-2009 10:55

Fair enough - can't help you there ;-) Could always break out a pair of bunny ears and see what you get.... I helped my partners parents who live in Trentham (just next to the race track) and with bunny ears we couldn't get much. They ended up going for a SAT freeview install, the install guy wasn't that keen on the DTT service and it was very early days for the DTT service when they were shopping.

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 189483 14-Jan-2009 11:46

Tockly: Is there anyone in the Upper Hutt area that would be able to come round to my place and tell me if I can/cannot get a Freeview HD signal?

I have checked on the Freeview site and I am listed as "unlikely" but have been told that I may still get a signal. Thinking of ditching Sky (Don't really wanna spend the $90 a month).

If the Freeview Coverage Check says that you are "Unlikely" to receive Freeview|HD, then it is still quite possible that you will be able to receive it (that certainly applied in my case), but you will almost certainly need a decent roof mounted UHF aerial to do so.

So it's unlikely that anyone could drop-in with suitable equipment and test your Freeview|HD reception.

Next step might be to start asking close neighbours if they can receive Freeview|HD - that would give some indication, and it's a lot cheaper than an experimental UHF aerial installation.

Of course, if HD broadcasts aren't that important to you, you could always go for satellite-based Freeview using the existing Sky dish. An added plus for that course of action is that, in general, satellite receivers are proven technology while some Freeview|HD receivers are a bit unreliable.

Brunzy

882 posts

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# 189500 14-Jan-2009 12:47

mattstutter: Fair enough - can't help you there ;-) Could always break out a pair of bunny ears and see what you get.... I helped my partners parents who live in Trentham (just next to the race track) and with bunny ears we couldn't get much. They ended up going for a SAT freeview install, the install guy wasn't that keen on the DTT service and it was very early days for the DTT service when they were shopping.

Not sure why,should'nt be too many problems for DVB-T in Trentham

Brunzy

882 posts

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# 189501 14-Jan-2009 12:48

Tockly: No nothing on the roof at the moment. Only a Sky dish.

Thats why I would like someone to check before I spend money getting one installed.

I may be able to assist,where in Upper Hutt are you?

Tockly

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 189525 14-Jan-2009 14:20

I'm up in Riverstone Terraces.

But I have just talked to City Aerials and they have done some tests up there and got nothing. Seems that we are in a complete dead spot. Bugger...

mattstutter

49 posts

Geek

# 189528 14-Jan-2009 14:24

Brunzy: Not sure why,should'nt be too many problems for DVB-T in Trentham

No, from my search on the freeview page it said likely as well, which came up on the site after the fact tho. I'm guessing the installer didn't want to do a DTT install, why I'm not sure I didn't speak to him. He did get 100% on the SAT install tho, great levels there!!
They do only have a CRT widescreen, so the HD wouldn't have been an immediate benefit - don't think that telly has a component in either....

Brunzy

882 posts

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# 189584 14-Jan-2009 17:05

Tockly: I'm up in Riverstone Terraces.

But I have just talked to City Aerials and they have done some tests up there and got nothing. Seems that we are in a complete dead spot. Bugger...

I havent done any up there but I would probably agree with CA
The only chance may be if you were in the newer part away from the hill(ie nearer UH City)

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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# 189591 14-Jan-2009 17:42

There are transmitter sites on Fitzherbert (above Naenae) and also on the top of Haywards co-sited with Vodafone. You can't get line of sight coverage to either.

I know a guy who lives there who's had no luck - it appears that if you are very close to Moonshine Rd and the hill you are pretty well shielded. If you're further North then you can apparently could get a signal in some parts but this doesn't seem to be guaranteed. I think experimentation with a box or signal strength meter and a good aerial is probably the only way you will answer the question!

I'd be interested to know why Climie was never considered for a site, it would have delivered great coverage to Upper Hutt as well as the Wairarapa.

Tockly

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 189601 14-Jan-2009 18:32

As I am directly above Moonshine Road I guess my chances are nil.

Does anyone know if there are any plans to place a transmitter on Mt Climie?

Brunzy

882 posts

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# 189629 14-Jan-2009 20:46

Tockly: As I am directly above Moonshine Road I guess my chances are nil.

Does anyone know if there are any plans to place a transmitter on Mt Climie?

Extremely unlikely.

It is possible you may get a bounce signal,but there would be no guarantee of stability.

I did quite a few years ago in Pinehaven for TV3 Ch11 Kaukau

cyril7

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# 189632 14-Jan-2009 21:09

Mt Climie is not on the list for the 2nd tier transmitters, so if you cannot get anything off Fitz or Haywards infill then you are unlikely to get anything at all, makes that Sky dish increase in value somewhat

Cyril

Tockly

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 189831 15-Jan-2009 19:06

Big ups to Cyril7 for coming out and checking....

As suspected it's a no go....Bugger back to DVB-S and no HD!

I have to say that it sucks that you can't get HD off the satelite.