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View Full Version : My experience with Freeview|HD aerial


felix
21-07-2008, 11:51 PM
We got a big TV, so I got Freeview to go along with it.
The UHF aerial on the roof is broken (can only get analog Maori TV in black and white with lots of noise), so I bought a $15 "Custom Indoor Colour TV Antenna" (pic1) from the Warehouse. It sucks. We tried placing it at many different locations and tweaking the rabbit ears and turning the knob for hours but still couldn't get satisfactory reception. A few times it seemed to work, but once you walk away from the antenna, the picture started to break up. (Contrary to what I have read, digital TV is not a binary work/doesn't work thing. You can get a picture with lots of blocks if the reception is not good.) I took it back for a refund.

I then tried the "15-inch Television Antenna (sku.5174)" (pic2) from online shop dealextreme (also ~NZ$15, free shipping). It is much better. I randomly placed it on the window sill and immediately got two multiplexes working (TV3/4/Maori/Parliament). I had to try putting it at various angles before it picked up TV1/2/6/7. This aerial is small, sleek and doesn't have wires sticking out of it at odd angles. Analog TV didn't work though.

So if you need a Freeview aerial, don't waste your time on the Warehouse one, just buy it from dealextreme.
Injuised
21-07-2008, 11:56 PM
Why didnt you just replace the broken UHF aerial on the roof
Apsattv
22-07-2008, 12:05 AM
Well generally any type of "Bunny ears" of the telescopic extending rods type and pretty much useless on UHF freqs. Unless you live under the transmitter.

All Freeview|HD is on the UHF band.

Are you saying you spent $399 on Freeview|HD and then $15 on the antenna?:rolleyes:
felix
22-07-2008, 12:20 AM
Why didnt you just replace the broken UHF aerial on the roof
Because I can't reach it (the VHF aerial is in the way) and asking someone to fix it will probably cost more.
kiwisteve
22-07-2008, 09:02 AM
don't waste your time with an indoor antenna !!
kiwisteve
22-07-2008, 09:04 AM
I just don't understand some people , they spend all that money on a big set and a DTT box then use an indoor antenna with rubbish reception or a faulty or incorrect outdoor antenna !!
cyril
22-07-2008, 09:52 AM
My new XR8 got four flat tyres, those lowsy gits wanted $25ea to repair, found some of those yellow no flat ones at the tip, way cool :), much better cornering, neat screaching sound.

Cyril
Injuised
22-07-2008, 05:26 PM
Because I can't reach it (the VHF aerial is in the way) and asking someone to fix it will probably cost more.

Get rid of the VHF you dont need them anymore and put up a UHF and feed it direct to your STB .
Digital
22-07-2008, 07:39 PM
When I worked at Dick Smith Electronics a few years ago, we used to sell the bunny ears and they'd come back the next day complaining that they don't work. They'll work but to a point, some are better than others and it all depends how much you pay.

Best idea is to put up a new UHF aerial on the roof and be done with it, no stuffing around and you get crystal clear reception.
wiilliiss
13-01-2010, 04:07 PM
bought a jaycar 43 el aerial that looks identical to the old aimco 343. came with this rubbish "balan" which didnt work inspite of its shiny f connector. made up a cable balan for a 15db increase. why do manufacuters produce such rubbish?
kiwisteve
13-01-2010, 04:18 PM
Found that even on VHF half wave coax balun works fine
yes its amazing how many of those are faulty , open circuit tracks etc :D:D
brunzy
13-01-2010, 09:33 PM
bought a jaycar 43 el aerial that looks identical to the old aimco 343. came with this rubbish "balan" which didnt work inspite of its shiny f connector. made up a cable balan for a 15db increase. why do manufacuters produce such rubbish?

A PC Balun is reccommended for DVB-T.
Better interference rejection

What did you expect buying an antenna from Jcar :)
wiilliiss
14-01-2010, 01:24 AM
rejection of what interference?
aerial looked just like the aimco ax 343 and apart from some different element spacing works quite ok on 48-59 with a home made balan.
the ax 343 used to go fairly well on the analogue channels although wasnt keen on 27 to about 33 when it was starting to get into its stride.
krs
14-01-2010, 07:56 AM
Quality is needed more than quantity for good DVB-T reception.
brunzy
14-01-2010, 01:13 PM
rejection of what interference?
aerial looked just like the aimco ax 343 and apart from some different element spacing works quite ok on 48-59 with a home made balan.
the ax 343 used to go fairly well on the analogue channels although wasnt keen on 27 to about 33 when it was starting to get into its stride.

Impulse