I have recently come into the 21st Century and got a digibox. I installed it ok, but I can't get BBC1.?

Question

I can't get BBC2, BBC 3, Channel 4 and Five. No Five US either. None of these appeared in the channels list. What do I need to do? The box itself isn't the most expensive make. Do I need an upgrade?

Answer 1

Sounds like you have an Ariel problem.

Answer 2

Are you using a small home ariel, or an outdoors one? The most likely cause is a lack of signal strength in your area, or that the ariel that you are using isn't good enough to pick up the signal.

At your areas "switchover" date, signal power will be increased and you should notice a difference, but Id'd definitely persue the ariel route.

Answer 3

You may have to do a re-installation. In the Menu you should be given the choice under Installation of doing a re-install, Adding New Channels, doing Manual or Automatic Searches for new channels.

The reason for this is that sometimes channels get erased from the memory so you will need to put them in again.

You should have been given a booklet with the machine and the instructions on how to do all this on yours should be under Install or Re-install.

If I were you I would try an Automatic search for new channels and see what it comes up with.  

Answer 4

Unfortunately, Freeview reception is still not 100% across the U.K., even though some areas have had their analogue broadcasts switched off.

You might be in an area where reception is poor.  You made need a high gain aerial to receive all the available channels.  Check the Freeview website for current coverage.

It should be pointed out, that 200,000 cheap Freeview boxes have become totally obsolete in the last few weeks, due to a transmitter upgrade in the West Midlands.

This won't affect you directly, but it is  a good indication of why I keep saying, "Buy cheap, buy twice"...

Answer 5

Sounds like you are only getting a few of the digital channel bouquets (bunches). The channels are clumped together and if a bouquet is missing then you get the symptoms you've described. As the respondent above says it's all in the aerial although you might want to try an aerial amplifier which you can get at most decent electronic retail outlets or Maplin. They cost about a tenner.