Indoor aerial reviews: FAQs
How do I know if I can receive Freeview?
If you don’t already own a digital Freeview set-top box or IDTV (that’s a TV with an integrated digital tuner), check you’re actually in a coverage area on the Freeview website. Coverage and signal strength will increase as the old analogue TV signal is switched off between 2008 and 2012.
If I get a good analogue reception, will I get good digital reception?
As a rule of thumb, if you have good analogue reception, the main digital channels should be fine too.
How do digital signals differ from analogue signals?
Digital TV signals differ from the old analogue signals in two significant ways, making your choice of aerial crucial. Firstly, a weak analogue signal often means grainy pictures and annoying interference. This may be irritating but is sometimes still watch-able. However, a weak digital TV signal often means no picture at all.
Secondly digital TV channels are broadcast in groups called multiplexes, instead of individually (as on analogue TV). If a group can’t be received, that means missing out on a dozen or more channels. Fortunately our Best Buys are good at picking up both weak signals and a wide spread of channel groups.
What’s the best location and angle for my indoor aerial?
If you can manage to find a spot, we find it’s usually near a window, at head height. Check your aerial is horizontally or vertically angled to match your local transmitter. The position of the roof -top aerials in your neighbourhood will be a good indicator.
Will a Best Buy indoor aerial always work?
A Best Buy indoor aerial maximizes your chances of getting a decent picture but is no guarantee of success. Where you live, the size of surrounding buildings and the position of the aerial all play their part.
What is a multiplex?
Digital TV and radio stations are grouped and transmitted in bundles called multiplexes. There are six multiplexes altogether. If you can’t receive a multiplex you will miss out on all the channels it carries.
| Digital TV and radio transmission bundles | |
|---|---|
| Bundle | Channels |
| Multiplex 1 | BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC News 24, BBC THREE, BBC R Scot (Scot.), BBC RnaG (Scot.), BBC R. Ulster (NI), BBC R. Foyle (NI), BBCi (105), CBBC Channel, Engineering Channel 1 |
| Multiplex 2 | CITV, Channel 4, ITV-1, ITV-2, ITV-3, ITV-4, E4, Film Four +1, Heart (England and Wales), More 4, Radio Music Shop (England and Wales), Teletext (100) Teletext On ITV, Teletext On 4, Teletext Cars, Teletext Games, U105 (NI Only) |
| Multiplex A | ABC1, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, Bid TV, Cartoon Network, British Eurosport, Five, Five US, Five Life, Heat (not Wales), Mojo (not Wales), QVC, Price-Drop.TV, Teachers TV, Top Up Promo*, Tele-G (Scot.), TCM, TUTV Anytime 1, TUTV Anytime 2, TUTV Anytime 3, TVX, UK Style, UK Gold |
| Multiplex B | BBC Four, BBC News i., BBC Parliament, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, BBC 7, BBC 5Live, BBC 5 Live SE, BBC Asian, BBCi, Cbeebies, Community Ch, Engineering Channel 2, 301, 302 |
| Multiplex C | E4+1, Premier, Sky Text, Sky News, Sky Three, Sky Sports News, talkSPORT, UKTV History, Virgin 1215, 3C |
| Multiplex D | BBC World Service, Film Four, FTN, Kerrang, Kiss, Ideal World, Magic FM, OneWord, ITV Play, Q, Smash Hits, Smooth FM, The Hits, The Hits Extra, TMF, The Hits, UK Bright Ideas, 4TV |
Where’s my nearest transmitter?
The Freeview digital network currently covers 80% of the population thanks to a mix of high-power main transmitter and smaller low-power relay transmitters.
What are my alternatives if I can’t get good Freeview reception from an indoor aerial?
Consider wiring extensions from your rooftop aerial or install a video sender. For about £50 this transmits the signal to other TVs equipped with receivers. If you haven’t got a roof-top aerial, it may be worth getting one installed. Try the Confederation of Aerial Industries for further advice. Freesat from Sky or Freesat from the BBC and ITV are non-subscription digital satellite alternatives.