What is wrong with the aerial connection?

Question

I have just moved to a house recently in Berkshire. I have alwayse used sky in my old house before so there is no proplem on reception. When I moved to the new house, I tried to use the old TV by firs just turning it on. After failing to get anything I connected to the arial socket in the house but the auto tuning system cannot find signal. I bought a new 19" LCD TV lately with freeview. Again, there is no signal from the aerial. I tried several socket in the house. The same thing happened. Can you help? DO I need to get someone to install a new aerial. How much that would be?

Answer 1

Some of the answers give good information. It is very likely that the house aerial system is old and/or damaged.

Please DO NOT mess about with boosters. These things were great for analogue tv signals but, unless you're willing to pay a LOT of money for one with built in signal conditioning, they're really not worth it for digital.

This is because they only amplify the rf signal. Digital tv requires not only a strong signal (high Strength) but also a very undistorted one (high Quality). A simple booster amplifier will not remove distortion and may even make it worse.

If you can't fix it yourself then you should expect to pay a professional installer about £120. This will get you a proper high-gain aerial, pointed in the right direction for your local transmitter and give you a new downlead which will be double-screened to the latest specification.

This is not much to pay compared to the cost of your tv and DVD equipment, and will make sure that you get the best from your kit.

The professional will also be insured in case he falls off his ladder or damages your roof.

Answer 2

Do it yourself . but an aerial and fix it to the chimney.

Its a very easy job.

Answer 3

It might be that the antenna or booster is not connected to the socket. I suspect that you are not that technically minded so you should get somebody in to look at it.

Answer 4

There may be a couple of factors involved here...

1, is Freeview available in your area... check http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability to see if its even available.

2. if Freeview is available then you may need the aerial upgrading. cant really help with the cost... check the Yellow Pages/Phone book for local aerial installers and check their prices.

Answer 5

First check your reception with  http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodecheck...

you will then need to make sure you are able to receive reception. if not get your aerial checked sometimes you get temporary fault on local transmitter and you can check by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/transmitt... where you will have idea if there is any planned transmitter work before you spend your money on aerial.

Thanks

Answer 6

If you have a new digital aerial it is likely to cost,in the region of £200 depending on how many rooms you want connected.