2025 updates
Photograph: Shutterstock
Freeview is on a very sad decline.
I'm trying to get this site back into shape.
Would a "contact your MP" function be useful - based on your Freeview transmitter?
Ofcom Report: Future of TV distribution.
Help with Freeview, aerials?
Monday, 26 May 2025
C
Constance Hawthorne8:30 AM
Alresford
Hello! Could anyone recommend me a Freeview box and aerial?
| link to this comment |
Constance's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Chris.SE1:25 PM
Constance Hawthorne:
Your location has line of sight to the Hannington transmitter (assuming you have no nearby tall buildings or trees very close by on that line) which is at compass bearing 348 degrees (slightly N of NNW).
You'll need a Group K aerial with med-high gain mounted with its rods horizontal.
You'll also need suitable mounting brackets etc for the chosen installation point.
Don't let any one tell you that you need a Group B, T or Wideband as all those have responses above C48 which is now used by many Mobile phone masts and can give interference to Freeview reception if such signals are received.
You may also need a Free filter to block such signals as you are surrounded by a number of mobile masts close by. Your postcode should have received a postcard from Restore TV.
See https://restoretv.uk/postcards-not-sure/ put in your postcode to check, then contact them for a free filter.
Is this aerial installation something you are going to do yourself, or get a professional installer to do?
I'd suggest something like a Blake 28-element Group K log periodic
https://www.blake-uk.com/28-element-log-periodic-group-k-aerial.html but it'll depend on where it's going to be mounted, you might need the higher gain 56 element BUT make sure its a Group K as other variants are available which you don't want!
A professional installer should be able to supply the correct item and ensure it's installed correctly.
What do you mean by Freeview BOX? Do you not have a TV that can receive Freeview? What make/model of TV do you currently have?
| link to this comment |
Sunday, 1 June 2025
C
Constance Hawthorne7:50 PM
Alresford
Chris.SE: Not exactly, my Sky Glass has an aerial port, but it only really gives you basic Freeview with no red text button services. Now, being the good old Freeview geek I am, I generally prefer Freeview set top boxes (generally the older one with MHEG support) where it is more convenient I also plan on viewing the BBC RB secret menu, because you know, BBC early widescreen tests testcard. I do already have an aerial installed as I'm not the first person to live in my house, although the cables that feed the aerial wall plug needs to be fixed, and I'd rather have a professional repair it because generally don't have the tools (I have the technical and safety knowledge, though, but I'm not qualified) to do, and even if I was qualified, I don't really have the time to since I have to look after my three children.
| link to this comment |
Constance's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Constance Hawthorne7:51 PM
Alresford
(And yes, I do realise I made some spelling mistakes, please excuse me.)
| link to this comment |
Constance's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 3 June 2025
C
Chris.SE1:07 AM
Constance Hawthorne:
Hi Constance, ah, I see your "predicament". But I have one bit of sad news, the tescard is not on the secret menu anymore - well I can't get it on my LG that has MHEG support, and I know others can't get it either.
I think your best bet will be to look on places like eBay for a suitable box, especially if you can find one with MHEG-IC (so it will have WiFi) which means you can get the Freeview Streamed Channels.
I don't thing there's any new/current boxes out there that might be suitable, but then I haven't double checked.
I've not had any boxes since DSO days, so don't really have any idea what's out there any more.
I don't know if there are any that have MHEG and HbbTV to the latest standard as there's a couple of streamed channels now using the latest HbbTV standard and not MHEG :(
My LG doesn't have the latest HbbTV so I can't get those particular ones.
As a Freeview "geek", you will of course know to check out the spec. of whatever you see thoroughly and ask the seller questions about any detail not given as well as try and check a manufacturer's website. Regrettably these days I'm finding tech info about older equipment of all sorts is becoming more difficult/impossible to find, very annoying!
If I have a moment I'll try and do a search. Let me know if you find something. I'll post if I think I've found something that may interest you.
| link to this comment |
C
Constance Hawthorne8:34 PM
Alresford
Chris.SE: No problem. I may be fairly young and I may have only been in this weird Freeview geek club for a few years, but I've seen worse. I'm at least glad I got to see the testcard just once when I was 9. (phew, I don't think that decade and a half since then would go this quick) I'll try to find something that fits my taste best, just as long as I get to have MHEG Red Button.
| link to this comment |
Constance's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Constance Hawthorne8:46 PM
Alresford
I'll see if I can dig out some stuff from 15+ years ago back to the young days of me and Max's Freeview geekness that might be stuffed somewhere, and I'll see if that'll help me find a good box or anything.
| link to this comment |
Constance's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Select more comments
Your comment please!