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Freeview reception - all about aerials

Your ability to receive all the Freeview transmissions depends on the suitability of aerial: the design style, "group" and its physical location.

Your ability to receive all the Freeview transmissions depends
published on UK Free TV

Updated 8th January 2014.

Your ability of receive all the Freeview transmissions depends on the suitability of aerial

  • the design style,
  • the "group", and
  • its physical location.

Standard type - Yagi aerial



The standard type of TV aerial is known as the Yagi aerial. It is mounted on a pole, and consists of a rod with a reflector (shown green) at the back and many spiky elements (in grey) at the front. The connecting cable connects to the element nearest the reflector, known as the driver (shown in blue).

These Yagi aerials are directional and so pick up signals best from a transmitter that the rod points towards. The more elements the aerial has, the better it picks up a signal and becomes more directional.

A standard-type aerial is all that is required for digital TV reception in most places. These antennae have between 10 and 18 elements and a single reflector. These are recommended for new installations for good digital television reception, but will more often than not function perfectly in good reception areas.

Typically these aerials are designed to receive only some transmission frequencies - see "groups" below.

High Gain aerials



These aerials are designed for poor digital reception areas, and have two reflectors. For maximum signal strength, some digital high gain aerials have up to 100 elements. Since the switchover to digital-only transmissions back in October 2012, most UK households now have good quality digital TV signals.

A more expensive aerial is only required where the signal strength is low, but can often provide the whole Freeview reception where it might otherwise be impossible.

The CAI (that represents aerial installers) has four standards for digital TV aerials. The highest standard "1" is for homes on the fringes of coverage areas, intermediate standard "2" is suitable for use within the coverage area; minimum standard "3" is for good coverage conditions.

These aerials can be either wideband, or receive only selected frequencies - see "groups" below.

Grid



You may haved used a 'Grid aerial' for analogue reception, but as they are generally unsuitable for Freeview reception, they have now generally been replaced by the Yagi type. However in some places a Grid aerial installation may work for Freeview: otherwise replace with a standard Yagi aerial.

Indoor

Indoor aerials are generally not suitable for Freeview reception. In areas of good signal strength it is often possible to receive some transmissions. Even where an aerial works, people often find that may get interruptions to their viewing (or recording).

Loft mounted

Loft mounted arrivals are not generally recommended for Freeview reception, as the roof tiles and plumbing will degrade the signal. Some compensation for this loss of signal can be made by using satellite-grade cable to connect the set top box to the aerial.

Positioning

The best position for a TV aerial is mounted outdoors, as high from the ground as possible, pointing directly at the transmitter. The signal can be blocked by hills and tall buildings. It should be positioned away from any other aerials.

Horizontal or vertical?

The transmitter will either use vertical mode which requires the elements of your aerial to be up-down, or horizontal mode which requires them to be level with the ground.

Groups

Both analogue and digital television is transmitted the same group of transmission frequencies (known as channel 21 through to 60). A coloured marking on the aerial shows the group.



To create the best possible analogue picture, TV transmissions from adjacent transmitters have been designated to several different groups of frequencies. By using an aerial that receives only the channels in the correct group, the analogue picture can be kept free from interference.

To receive Freeview transmissions from the same transmitter it has been sometimes necessary to use frequencies that are not part of the transmitter's normal group. When this has occurred, the aerial will need to be replaced with a "wideband" aerial (also known as group W) - one that covers every group.

As Ofcom is planning to move the TV frequencies again - perhaps as soon as 2018 - it may be wise to use a wideband aerial if you can to ensure you can keep viewing Freeview for many years to come.

Help with Television sets?
Why are all TVs on sale not digital?1
Do I still have to pay for a TV licence?2
I had perfect channel 5 reception - until I got a digital TV box!3
I Have a Pocket Tv For taking out so I can keep up with news and sport. Will thi4
The pictures from my digital box are all green!5
In this section
Loft aerials1
Do I need to buy a booster?2
How to receive Freeview on your PC3
Indoor aerials4
Whole house digital TV5
Connecting it all up6

Comments
Saturday, 25 February 2012
P
peter whiting
11:30 AM
Liphook

peter whiting: yes thanks I just found the transitter pages.

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peter whiting's 2 posts GB flag
peter's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

11:31 AM

peter whiting: In general in the UK, main (large area) transmitters are horizontally polarised and relays are vertical, but there are exceptions.

On the basis of the prediction at your location by Digital UK Tradeview (click the link next to your posting), you are likely to be getting your TV from Rowridge.

Rowridge is the only main station in the UK to have a vertical element and this will be introduced at switchover for the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) services and on 18th April for the commercial (COM) services.

Rowridge is presently horizontally polarised only. The strength (power) of the PSBs will match the coverage of the current analogue both horizontally and vertically. The vertical components of the PSB signals will be introduced at their respective switchover dates. They are 7th March for BBC A (which carries all BBC standard definition TV and radio) and 21st March for D3&4 (which carries ITV1, C4, C5 and some others) and BBC B (which carries all HD services including those of ITV and C4).

The COMs will remain on low power 18th April on which date they will move to their final switchover channels and the vertical elements will be introduced.

The power of the PSBs will be 200kW horizontally and vertically, but the power of the COMs will be 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically. Thus, those living further away from the transmitter might find that switching their aerials from horizontal to vertical will improve reception of the COMs.

The idea is that in order to receive PSBs no changes need be made to aerials. In some circumstances, changes need be made, but this will only affect reception of the COMs.

link to this comment
Dave Lindsay's 5,724 posts GB flag
J
JASBIR
5:12 PM

how to receive HD freeview on a already built in freeview inside a tv?This tv is mounted into the wall and i have not been able to receive my free 50 channels.
Do i require a indoor aerial or do i need outdoor aerial. we already have skybox and a cable connection to the tv in the lounges.
Please can you advise me how to connect my hd freeview?


link to this comment
JASBIR's 1 post GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

5:40 PM

JASBIR: The answer depends on the model of TV you are using plus whether or not the Sky box you are using is an HD type?

You will also have to provide your location (pref: post code) so that your reception possibilities can be checked on.

Further advice given based on reply.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Sunday, 26 February 2012
D
DE
11:10 AM

Hello
I've purchased a Panasonic TV which states that it is 'Full HD'so I assumed that I would be able to receive a HD picture via the Freeview unit within the TV - but this is not so.
Can someone explain the difference between a HD Ready TV and A Full HD TV.
I am in an area which can receive a good quality digital signal.
Thanks for any views you are able to give.

link to this comment
DE's 2 posts GB flag
M
Mazbar
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:43 PM

De there are lots of different types of hd full hd is 1080p , hd ready can be 720, 1080i if you want freeview hd it will say freeview hd on the box otherwise you will have to get an external box of either sky hd or freesat hd or freeview hd hope this helps ps just check bbc 1 hd is on channel number 50 on freeview so check that first

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Mazbar's 384 posts GB flag
S
Steve P
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:59 PM

DE To receive HD TV you need both

A Screen which can display it, and
A tuner which can detect and convert the HD transmissions.

The standards for the tuner were only recently set, so a lot of TVs capable of displaying HD signals have inbuilt tuners that only do standard definition.

If that is you you need a HD tuner box

Unless the TV can be upgraded? Anyone know if this is ever done?

link to this comment
Steve P's 1,173 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

3:59 PM

DE: It would have been of assistance if you had stated the model number of the Panasonic TV in question plus of course your location, this for purposes of verifying that you are actually in an area where HD is presently being transmitted, because not everywhere has it as yet.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
C
cal wale
6:46 PM

After a retune to attempt to cure recent problems with pixellation i can no longer tune in to the hd channels. Signal and quality levels of 80%+ type 2 hi gain aerial being used aimed at tacolnston 25 miles away.
Any idears

link to this comment
cal wale's 1 post GB flag
Dave Lindsay
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:52 PM

cal wale: See:

Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you

link to this comment
Dave Lindsay's 5,724 posts GB flag
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