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TV Aerials

How To Improve Your TV Reception

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tv reception

Imagine being all pumped up and ready to watch the newest episode of your favorite show, or the game that’s coming up on TV. You’ve got an entire spread of snacks ready on the coffee table, and you’re already comfortable on the couch. You’ve been waiting for this moment for so long! So, you grab the remote to turn the TV on. But, alas, you can’t make out anything that’s happening or being said on screen because the TV signal is poor. Or in worst cases, you’re not seeing or hearing anything at all! 

Frustrating, right? Well, you’re not alone. Everybody hates poor tv reception. And nothing’s worse than your tv aerials acting up just exactly when you need it. 

Thankfully, getting it up and working again isn’t as difficult as you may imagine. So, here are some ways you can fix your tv reception issues:

Restart your Set Top Box

Sometimes, people think they’re having reception issues when they’re actually not. Restarting your device is always the first step in troubleshooting. Like all electronic equipment, your set top box’s system will encounter some hardware limitations that will cause it to act out (i.e. freeze, show no video, show no audio, compromise signal quality, etc.). Most of the time, in cases like these, all you need to do is turn off your device for a few seconds before powering it back on. 

If this does not work, give checking your TV a try. Make sure all the plugs and cords on your device and your TV are all connected snugly and properly. Can you see and hear everything on your TV clearly yet? If not, move on to the second step. 

Find out if it’s an isolated or an area-wide issue

Don’t get too frustrated, mate! If restarting your set top box doesn’t work, then maybe try to figure out if the problem isn’t on your service provider’s end. They could just be doing some maintenance work. Service interruptions aren’t very uncommon, after all. 

Now, if someone in your area using the same service provider is encountering the same issues with Freeview, Freesat, Virgin Media, Sky, or whatever service provider they’re using, then there’s nothing else you can do but wait for the signal to resume or to improve. However, if you find that your problem is isolated to you, then there could be something wrong with your digital receiver. 

Speaking of isolated issues, also make sure the problem isn’t isolated to the specific channel you’re watching. Just like your service provider, they could also be doing some maintenance work of their own.

Reposition your digital receiver

Whether you’re using a digital tv aerial receiver or a satellite dish, its positioning directly affects the signal strength that is being received from your TV transmitter.  Positioning problems may possibly have been caused by factors like weather conditions (i.e knocked off position by the wind) or local and geographical interferences (infrastructures, trees, etc) that can weaken the signal that gets you. Sometimes, it could also be a frequency interruption, which means something is intercepting the radio waves coming from the TV transmitter. Either way, this can be solved with moving, repositioning,or modifying the elevation of your digital receiver in order to keep it aligned with the tv transmitter or transmission tower. 

Accessing your digital aerial receiver, however, will usually require you to hire a professional or climb up the roof yourself, so if you are planning on doing the latter, be sure to follow all the safety measures before taking on this task yourself. 

Based on the Health and Safety Executive’s book on Health and safety in roof work, here are some safety measures you should consider:

  1. Use any equipment that could help you prevent any kinds of falls 
  2. Make sure your roof is stable enough to carry your weight
  3. Find a way to access your roof safely (i.e ladders, scaffolds, stair towers, roof access hatches)
  4. Do not attempt to work alone and get someone to help you in getting on and getting off the roof
  5. Consider the time and current weather conditions before climbing the roof
  6. Look out for any kind of electrical wiring or electrical equipment and any loose objects that may cause you to trip or fall
  7. Make sure any kind of distractions are out of the way

If repositioning your tv aerial or satellite dish does not improve your signal strength and signal quality, you may have to consider the possibility of having to replace your digital aerial receiver or satellite dish. 

Replace your digital receiver

Now, you’re probably considering replacing the receiver yourself in order to save yourself a few pounds. However, replacing your tv aerial is much more complicated than repositioning it slightly. This will require you to move about the roof, and it will involve a lot more tools and a lot more equipment. 

It is, then, much more advisable to hire a professional to verify the need to replace your receiver, and to do the job itself. What you need is someone who is adequately trained to conduct any kind of work on the roof. They will also have all the necessary equipment needed to fix your tv reception issues.

Additionally, learning the basics of installing a digital aerial receiver or a satellite dish will take some time. This means if you’re eager to get your TV up and running immediately, then it’s very much ideal for you to hire a professional instead.  

Look, you don’t need to pressure yourself into doing a job that other people are professionally capable of doing. You simply have to find an aerial expert you can trust, and soon you’ll be ready to hang out and relax on your couch like this whole thing never happened. 

Meanwhile, for those who have indoor antennas, here are some tips you can follow to improve your digital tv reception:

Quite similarly to a digital aerial or satellite dish, you will have to position your indoor antenna on or near a window that is facing the direction of the nearest TV transmitter. This helps you ensure a clearer line of sight to your TV transmitter, given that there are no obstructions between it and your antenna. Otherwise, keep your antenna as elevated as possible. 

Will I Need a New TV Aerial to Receive Freeview?

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Will I Need a New TV Aerial to Receive Freeview?

Although the highly publicised digital switchover is well under way, there is still quite a bit of confusion about exactly how peoples’ TV signals will be affected by the process. Of course, people who receive their TV channels via satellite or cable service don’t need to be too concerned as their digital signals are taken care of by their service providers. But what about Freeview customers who get their TV signals from standard TV aerials?

Well, the chances are that if you currently receive a decent Freeview signal then your TV aerial should still work after the switchover. Even if you don’t get a great Freeview signal at present, you still may not need to buy a new aerial. This is because the current Freeview signal is not strong enough in some parts of the UK for standard TV aerials to pick it up. The Freeview signal will strengthen after the digital switchover, so even more homes will then be able to watch it without having to buy a new aerial. It is estimated that less than 10% of homes will need a new TV aerial to receive Freeview after the switch to digital.

A digital compatible television aerial, combined with a digital television and Freeview set top box installation will ensure your home is ready for the digital switchover. If you are looking for aerial fitters to fit a digital TV aerial, get in touch with Aerial Force and our aerial installations fleet will be able to match your needs.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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TV Aerials – Repair or Replace?

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TV Aerials - Repair or Replace?

TV aerials often go on the same list as kettles, computers and microwaves, under items you’ve no idea what to do with when they break. Luckily, our engineers are well practiced in carrying out aerial services and repairs of all kinds, be it an upgrade to boost signal quality or re-fitting a Sky dish damaged by a falling tree branch.

Any number of factors can cause fuzzy, frozen and pixelated images, or perhaps even a complete lack of signal. If you’re experiencing difficulties with your digital TV reception, the answer needn’t necessarily be a new system. TV aerials and receivers can sometimes be thrown out of whack by a variety of environmental or accidental circumstances.

In the case of your TV signal becoming damaged or lost, our engineers can perform a full diagnostic screening of your current TV system (both digital and analogue) in order to gauge the best option for your TV viewing.

If you’ve already made the switch to digital, there’s a good chance that we’ll be able to carry out aerial repairs on your existing system. However, if you’ve not made the jump from analogue to equipment capable of receiving a digital signal, our engineers are likely to suggest installation of a new aerial.

We offer a same day call-out service, and in such circumstances our aerial fitters operate under the policy of making sure you’re offered the cheapest option regardless. For example, you may think your digital TV aerial needs replacing, but our aerial repairs team just might be able to get it up and running in no time.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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Don’t Put Up With Signal Problems

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Don't Put Up With Signal Problems

Sometimes, TV signals completely cut out, meaning you are unable to watch anything on the box at all. Obviously, in such cases you would quickly get in touch with experts capable of conducting digital aerial repairs, satellite dish repairs and other such things.

If you did not, you would miss out on all the great viewing opportunities available.

However, when problems with your reception are more minor, you might simply put up with them. For example, you may experience poor quality picture, pixelating or freezing. This can be extremely frustrating.

You should not try to live with these difficulties but rather get in touch with us here at Aerialforce. As well as specialising in aerial installations, our specialist team are masters of digital aerial repairs and satellite dish repairs.

When you get in contact with us, we will respond quickly and perform a repair at your property, ensuring that your set is working exactly as it should. This means you can take full advantage of all the services you receive. In most cases, we can be at your property the same day you call us, meaning your experiences of fuzzy and unpredictable viewing will be over before you know it.

Once we have found the fault, we will fix the issue and because our vehicles are fully equipped, you will not have to wait for us to come back for a second visit. Indeed, we can even provide you with a signal booster or upgrade your system to improve your reception during the same visit.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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Digital TV Aerials: Do I Need to Switch?

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Digital TV Aerials: Do I Need to Switch?

If you carry on using your existing TV, you will need to go digital in one way or another. If you haven’t made the switch, once the analogue signal is turned off across all areas of the UK in 2012, you won’t be able to watch television any more.

What are My Digital TV Options?

Depending on where you live in the UK, your choices for digital TV services include: satellite digital TV, ASDL digital TV, cable digital TV and aerial digital TV.

You may need to look into digital TV aerials, since some aerials are old or worn, and in some areas, digital terrestrial signals use a different frequency or transmitter to the one used for your analogue reception. The cabling connecting your aerial to your TV set may also need upgrading.

Where you live and the age and condition of your aerial and quality of the installation will be factors in determining whether you need a new aerial to enjoy digital terrestrial TV.

At Aerialforce, we can help prepare you for the digital switchover, and supply a range of digital TV aerials as well as other products. See our website for more information about our cost-effective solutions, and to arrange a free site visit. Call us on the free number, or book an appointment online. We use only local, fully experienced aerial installers.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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What Cables Do I Need for my TV?

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What Cables Do I Need for my TV?

There could be many different reasons for you to check out this informative guide on what cables you need for your TV – perhaps you’ve bought a new piece of AV equipment, or you’ve recently had a new TV installation. You may have also decided to have a look where all the cords are and wondered whether you really need them all. Whatever the reason, this TV cable guide is going to help you figure out exactly what you need to make your TV work.

Visual and Audio Cables

The cables we’ve outlined below can offer both audio and visual features for your television. Let’s take a look:

Component Cable:

If you want a great picture quality on your TV, then you’ll want to get a component cable. It’s actually five cables, and they are red, blue and green.

RCA or Phono:

This is the final type of audio and visual cable connection, and is a yellow connection that is used for stereo sound. If your equipment doesn’t come with an HDMI connection, then you’ll want one of these as they are the next best option. They also serve to help replace SCART cables, which is also the purpose of HDMI.

HDMI:

this is one of the most common TV cables available. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, and it is responsible for providing your TV with high definition quality as well as a good audio connection between your TV and audio equipment. HDMI cables are being improved on all the time, so you may want to consider updating yours if it’s an older model.

SCART:

This is what HDMI cables used to be – however, they can still be relevant in certain circumstances. You may want to use them if you’ve still got a DVD player or even a VCR. They are easily recognisable because they have a big, bulky connector at the end.

Visual Cables

Now that we’ve covered audio-only cables, let’s take a look at visual only options:

DVI:

This stands for digital video connection cable that is capable of producing HD video. It is compatible with HDMI for your TV – however, it is an older version, so a lot of modern TVs don’t come with a DVI connection.

S-Video:

This type of visual cable is not the most popular, however there will be some scenarios where it could come in handy. Because it’s an analog connection, it can help to differentiate the brightness and color of your TV so that you get a high picture quality. However, if you have an RGB, you can easily get a much better picture quality, which is why these cables aren’t too popular.

Audio Cables

We’ve talked about cables that provide both audio and visual features. Now, let’s take a look at cables that provide audio features only:

Phono:

You will recognize the phono cable because it will come with a white and red lead. These are used to link the TV to an audio sound system. This will give you stereo sound, and each cable is used for a speaker.

Auxiliary:

This type of cable is used in the headphone jack of your television. It’s used to connect sound to soundbars, but because it only offers one sound channel, its use is limited. Another downside is that some TVs will mute the sound on the screen when you’re using a cable like this.

Optical:

This is the most common audio connection currently – if you’re not using HDMI to with your audio, this is your next best option. It is a fibre optic cable that sends its signal through light and is great if you have a surround sound audio system.

Coaxial:

This audio cable is a cross between a phono and an optical and is used for stereo sound. It’s a digital connection and is typically thicker than most audio cables to protect it from interference with other digital signals. This is another cable you’ll want to get for surround sound.

Other Cables

Now that we’ve covered the basics in all three categories, let’s take a look at any other leads you may need for your TV setup:

Ethernet:

All modern TVs come with an ethernet input, which allows you to stream the internet on your TV. While many TVs these days are compatible with WiFi, a lot of them still come with this connection so you can stream the internet on your television.

RF Leads:

This is the cable you need if you want to watch a live TV broadcast. If you’ve got a TV aerial socket, you will need a cable like this to connect it to the TV. Most modern TVs have this connection.

USB:

If your TV is modern, then it should have a couple of USB inputs where you can connect a USB cable. This can be used to watch a number of different things, from family videos to still photos. USB inputs are also great for upgrading things on your TV.

What Cable Does my TV Aerial Need?

To ensure that your aerial fitting goes smoothly, you need to consider what cable does your tv aerial actually need. Generally speaking, you’ll need a TV aerial plug. This is a connector that’s used to link coaxial cables with one another, as well as link them up with terrestrial roof antennas. This is your best bet at having a working TV that’s connected to the TV aerial so that you can pick up the correct signals for your region.

You might also be interested in knowing more about freesat dish installation – if so click on the link for more information.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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Why is My TV Aerial Not Working?

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Why is My TV Aerial Not Working?

If you’re familiar with the no signal message popping up on your TV from time to time, you’ll be familiar with the frustration that comes with it. What’s even worse is not knowing what is causing it and having to try and figure this out for yourself. Let’s take a look at some common causes of this message and what you can do to get your TV working again.

Why is There No Signal on My TV?

Of course you’ve experienced the ‘no signal’ message on your TV, and there’s a good chance that you had no idea why it was saying this. Well, there’s good reason for this, because the ‘no signal’ message could mean a whole host of issues. What this means is that you’re going to have a challenging time figuring out exactly what the issue is so that it can be resolved.

Another issue to complicate things is that just because your TV is telling you it’s got no signal doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re without signal completely. The TV itself is programmed to display this message whenever there is a general problem, whether it’s related to the signal or not.

This means that in order to get to the bottom of the problem you will have to do a bit of investigating yourself because the ‘no signal’ display message doesn’t reveal too much.

How Do You Check if a TV Aerial is Working?

Power Supply Unit or Amplifier is Turned Off

Both of these features should be on your TV if it’s a modern model. If you do, they could be the cause of the problem. With this in mind, it’s worth checking that they’re connected and working properly. Disconnection is another common issue that has a simple solution.

Check Your Aerial Cable

While this sounds like a solution that’s too simple to be true, it could be the answer. One of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure that your aerial cable is connected at the back of your TV. If something has been taken out of the TV by someone, then you may just have to simply plug it back in.

While this sounds incredibly simple, it could end up saving you time and money – you don’t want to get someone out only to have them plug a cable back in.

TV is on the Wrong Input or Source

This is another incredibly common issue, and unfortunately, all it takes to experience this problem sometimes is pressing the incorrect button. Again, if you’ve pressed the incorrect TV input and you’re getting the same message, this doesn’t necessarily mean your TV doesn’t have a signal.

It means that your TV isn’t getting a signal from the input that you’ve selected. For example, if you have selected HDMI1 and you’ve got the DVD player connected, all it means is that the DVD is not on because you’re not getting a signal from the DVD player.

Because every TV is a different model and make it can be hard to figure out how to get around this, however, the solution can actually be incredibly simple, which we’ll cover in a little bit.

TV Needs a Tune

If you’ve just moved to a new location and you can’t get your television working, then it could be the result of an untuned TV. In your new location you’ll have a brand new transmitter that you’ll need to connect with – because in each region the frequencies are different. Your TV isn’t going to automatically connect to the right one, which is why you’ll need to help it find it.

Faulty Aerial or Antenna

While a lot of these issues may sound obvious, they’re definitely worth checking to help save you both time and money. In saying this, though, checking for a faulty antenna should be your last resort. This is because you’ll need to access the roof to do so.

Even if your aerials are all looking as they should be, there can still be an issue with them. There are factors to consider like an aerial installation that didn’t go to plan or even damage from water. Additionally, if you’ve had the same aerial for a long time it could be on its last legs.

Faulty Aerial Cable

If you have a TV aerial that’s mounted to the wall, you run the risk of there being a fault with the lead that connects the antenna socket to your TV. You may even have a low-quality factory made lead that can lose signal easily even if they’re not faulty or broken.

How to Fix Your TV Aerial

Now that we’ve covered a number of reasons why your TV aerial isn’t working, let’s take a look at the solutions:

Power Supply Unit or Amplifier is Switched Off

For this issue, simply plug it back in and make sure that you have the aerial output and input around the right way. It’s worth noting here that if you’ve been trying to retune your TV while the signal was off, then it’s likely you’ve lost any stored services from your TV.

Checking Your Aerial Cable

To fix this issue, look behind your TV to make sure that the aerial is properly in place. If it isn’t look for where it is loose and plug it in if you find it.

TV is on the Wrong Source or Input

To fix this issue, you’ll need to locate the button that switches inputs from one to another on your TV. It will usually be called ‘input’ or ‘source.’ Once you have found this, press it, and you will be shown a list of input selections to choose from. While there may be many options, the ones you want are DTV or TV. Click on either one of these, and they should take you back to where you need to be.

TV Requires a Tuning

The modern TV makes this an incredibly easy fix. All you need to do is find the tune menu on the TV and set this to ‘autotune’. It can then scan through all the local services and land on the right one for your TV and region. You may need to manually tune it if the autotune is picking up unreliable signals, but generally speaking, this should fix the issue.

Faulty Antenna or Aerial

For this fix, we recommend replacing the aerial. If you’re not sure what aerial to buy, do a bit of research online and remember that you will need to mount the new aerial accurately so that it corresponds with the transmitter being used.

Faulty Aerial Cable

We recommend fixing this issue by purchasing a high-quality cable that you can use to make your own aerial cable, so you don’t keep losing the signal. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that can help show you how to make your own high-quality aerial cable.

Luckily, with the growth of satellite TV and the increased demand for installation of Freesat dishes, it’s possible you can avoid these issues!

Book Online

Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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What is the Best TV Aerial?

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Aerial installation

What is the Best TV Aerial?

If you haven’t had to replace your TV aerial for a while, you may be a  bit stumped about where to even begin. First, you have to figure out whether you need an inside TV aerial or an outside one. Additionally, there is even the option of having a TV aerial in your loft. The choices can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve written this article to help make the decision process a little bit easier.

Let’s take a look at what the different types of aerials are out there and which one is going to be best for your home. 

Having an Aerial Indoors

An indoor aerial is going to be the easiest aerial to install because you don’t have to attach it to a wall or mount it like you would have to if it were an outdoor aerial. An indoor antenna is recommended for houses that are close enough to a transmitter that the aerial doesn’t need to be located outside. Generally speaking, this is going to be within 15 miles.

In saying this, it’s essential to check the reach that your indoor aerial has before you purchase it because indoor aerials can vary from one another. As you can imagine, outdoor aerials have a better range, so you should only consider an indoor aerial if you’re really close to a transmitter.

Choosing a Loft Aerial

A lot of the time these days people prefer not to fill up their modern home with junk, whether it’s in the living room or on the roof, which is why people opt for a loft aerial now more than ever. When you start to think about it having your antenna in the loft seems like the perfect place for it. In saying this, though, it’s still important to make sure you put it in the right place, and it’s got a good reach.

Something worth noting at this point, however, is that if you have a metal roof, it’s not advised that you place your aerial in the loft. 

Having an Outdoor Aerial

You may have already guessed that it would be best for you to choose an outdoor aerial if you live a bit further away from the transmitter, e.g., more than 15 miles away. This is going to ensure that you get the best reception you can. Just like indoor aerials, outdoor aerials can vary when it comes to their range, so it’s important to check this before you make your purchase.

Most outdoor aerials available on the market are made to last in all different types of weather conditions, and most come with a traditional look so unless you’re looking for something unique and modern most outdoor aerials are going to look pretty similar. 

Amplified Aerials

So, what is an amplified aerial, and why would you need one? Well, it all seems to be to do with the part of town that you live in. Again, if you live closer to a transmitter, then you probably aren’t going to deal with too much interference. This means that you won’t have to get an amplified aerial, because a traditional version will do just as well.

However, if you live a bit too far away from the transmitter for this, and there are other things getting in the way of your signal e.g., Wi-Fi, then you may want to go with an amplified aerial that guarantees good signal. 

Interference of LTE

LTE is otherwise known as 4G, and it’s the network that your mobile phone uses to get the internet when it’s not connected to the Wi-Fi at home. LTE is related to your TV aerial because a lot of the time they’re going to use the same bandwidth, which means that you could deal with some interference. A lot of the time you can find TV aerials that have been made with an LTE filter in place, so if you think your antenna is going to deal with this kind of interference, it’s crucial to choose one that comes with this type of filter.

Finding the Perfect TV Aerial

Before you embark on your aerial choosing journey, make sure to refer to this article so that you can figure out precisely what type of aerial you need based on where your home is located and what kind of interference you could end up experiencing. It’s also important to know where you want to place your aerial so that you can accommodate accordingly.

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Please complete the enquiry form below, and send your details to our customer service team. Once you have completed this form, one of our engineers will contact you to discuss your requirements further and to arrange a suitable appointment.

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