When people see a message that there is no signal on the screen of their TV, they usually assume that that’s why their television doesn’t start with the auto-setup activity. But, how can you be sure that your TV aerial is working or not?

Check If the Issue Is with Your TV Or Cable

Two options can help you find out whether your TV aerial is working. Both of them are very effective so choose the one that’s best for you.

Test Your TV Aerial Cable

First of all, the simplest and most convenient way to test and check whether the aerial socket or TV are experiencing some problems is to check whether everything is fine on another TV. If you have a second TV in your home, connect it to the aerial point that you find problematic. After that, wait for the scanning of TV channels.

Another way to check the TV aerial is to take the TV to a socket that you are sure is working correctly and perform a test. If the TV can get a signal and identify the channels on another socket, you can rest assured that your TV is fine.

Test Your TV Signal

The following method is to test the television signal. This may be a more complicated option, but it works just fine. The answer to this problem is an aerial tester. TV aerial installers use these small devices, and they can conduct aerial and signal tests efficiently. There are many inexpensive home aerial testers that you can buy online or in electronics stores. A typical tester of this kind comes with LED lights that can show you the strength of the signal. You don’t need any special knowledge or training to use a tester like this. The only thing you will probably need is an F-plug because it usually comes with an F-plug connector.

If you’re having problems with your TV reception and you’ve explored all options, then it may be time to contact a professional. For all your TV aerial needs and wireless access points, please get in touch.

Test Your Aerial Signal Strength

Another thing you might need to do is to check the digital aerial signal strength. Here, you will be trying to find out whether the signal is low or high.

Low & Weak TV Signal

If you have a weak digital TV signal, the results are apparent. The television picture breaks, and you experience image distortion on the screen, and muted sounds, to mention a few. All these signs point to disturbing frequencies. To confirm the weak signal, you can check your configuration settings and at the signal strength information panel. You can also get a signal message on the screen. In some TVs, the signal strength is shown in percentages. So a lower percentage typically implies a weak signal. In other television sets, this is shown in dB. If this is the case, a signal strength of 50 dB is optimal, and anything less than 45 dB could cause problems.

First, try to find out what’s causing the weak TV aerial signal, and see how you can improve it using passive techniques, such as switching cables, aligning TV aerials, or a simple tuning solution.

You can also, you can connect a high-gain tv aerial or TV amplifier to improve signal strength. However, this isn’t recommended as it can sometimes lead to signal overload, which will be explained in the next point.

Too Much Signal – Signal Overloading TV

As the name states, signal overload is when the TV receives too much signal. This can overload TV tuners, other technical equipment and ultimately cause tv channels to break. In the end, signs of weak TV signal and too much signal are identical on the TV. Believe it or not, too much signal is a thing. Digital signals can be too strong in specific locations and weak in others.

The good part about signal overload is that it’s easier to resolve. You can do this by adding an attenuator, preferably within the signal path. Once you connect it, this reduces satellite signal input to the right level. Attenuators also come with an adjustment interface, onto which you can adjust to different levels of attenuations. You can drop to 3dB, 7dB, or up to 12dB, depending on the level you want to drop the TV signal. After this, your television should be working properly.

Use An Aerial Tester

Finding the right tv aerial signal can be very frustrating, especially when using an over-the-air antenna. But the process can be made easier in a couple of ways.

First, you could use a compass. This helps you in finding the right direction in which to face your Antenna. This process also involves the use of a mobile app.

The second option is to with an over-the-air signal strength meter. As the name implies, this meter indicates the strength of the signal based on the direction you point it, and this meter is plugged in line with the OTA antenna. This ensures that you are getting a strong signal from the transmitter, or at the very least, somewhere close to it. Position the tv aerial until the meter indicates the strongest signal. The LED lights will show this.

How Can I Make My Antenna Signal Stronger?

It is recommended to face your antenna towards the broadcast tower whose signal you want to strengthen. The signal strength highly depends on the angle that the Antenna faces the transmitter.

Before you check the Antenna, make sure that you reset your tuner. In most TVs, this process can take anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes. This may be the only thing required to strengthen your signal. This is because a tuner typically converts incoming signals into a signal easily recognized by your TV, and these signals change every so often, which can interfere with the signals.

Resetting your TV will rescan the channels and likely pick up relevant signals, which means less interference. If the channels don’t scan, you probably have a different service problem in your hands, and this may be time to contact help.

Check Your TV Antenna

If resetting doesn’t improve the reception, it’s time to check your Antenna. The main reason why there is a low signal mostly comes down to the Antenna. Your TV antenna shouldn’t be blocked or hidden under anything. There has to be a clear line of sight to the broadcast towers to transmit the frequencies easily. As such, make sure your Antenna is elevated and not obscured. It is recommended that your Antenna is raised from 10 to at least 20 feet from the ground. You can place it on top of a tall object in your house, a wall, or on the roof. If you have an interior television antenna, a wall will be fine. Also, make sure the Antenna isn’t faulty. It could also be that the plug is loose.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Sometimes the weak digital television signal could be the result of bad weather. Cloudy weather is very common when it comes to disturbing television signals. This is why watching TV during a storm is very difficult, if not impossible.

This is because the clouds interfere with the television signal between your Antenna and the satellite or transmitter. So if there is an overcast outside, you might need to wait for the sky to clear up.

There are occasions when you could get problems with your TV reception. For instance, you may get a pixelated or blocky picture or maybe missing channels. In many of these situations this is just a temporary issue that goes away on its own and in other situations, there’s usually a simple solution.

However, there are some cases when you may need professional help. Experts advise the use of true professionals whenever you need to maintain a rooftop aerial. However, some of the most common TV reception problems you can probably fix alone so here’s what you can do:

Splitters/amplifiers

If you’ve purchased an aerial amplifier prior to switchover to Freeview due to a weak signal or some other reception problem, you probably won’t need this amplifier anymore. In fact, amplifiers and splitters often cause reception difficulties and they can overload TV equipment. Simply remove them and check the results.

Cables and aerials

Inspect the aerial and confirm that it is in a good shape and secure. In addition, inspect the external cabling and sockets as well as other cables that go to your TV. In some cases, bad reception is caused when the external aerial is not in the right position and doesn’t point to the right transmitter. Additionally, bad weather can cause damage to the aerial.

Signal overlaps and transmitters

Many people can get signals from different TV transmitters. This depends on their location. For instance, you might receive a signal from a regional station that you actually don’t want to watch. Some pieces of equipment are set to receive weaker signals instead of stronger signal and they do this automatically. If you want to solve this problem, just set the receiver on manual retuning. Furthermore, there are situations where aerials are not aligned to the appropriate transmitter. Keep in mind that the size of the transmitter sometimes doesn’t play the main role.

Internal interference

There are many home appliances that can cause problems. The power fluctuations affect the reception. Washing machines, refrigerators, fluorescent lighting systems, tumble dryers and even lawnmowers can cause this type of disruption.

If you’ve tried everything and you still can’t get a good picture then give us a call, and we’ll be happy to arrange an inspection.

If all else fails please contact Aerial Services!

The vast majority of households have a TV but not all people access the same shows and channels in the same way. Some may be using cable TV, an option that requires a monthly or yearly subscription to a cable TV provider. In addition, there are people that use dishes and antennas like Satellite TV or DirecTV.

Satellite dishes and aerials don’t work in the same way. They use different methods to get programming on a TV. For instance, aerials pick up special radio waves emitted by television stations. The type of waves that will be received and the range is closely related to the aerial. On the other hand, satellite TV picks up radio signals from satellites located in the orbit. So, broadcasters are directing their signals into the orbit, the satellite receives them and reflects them back to our planet where our satellite dishes receive them. In order to turn these waves into programming, we need decoder boxes. Let’s have a quick look at what you should know before buying a TV aerial or a satellite dish.

First of all, satellite dishes can receive a signal from satellites and the decoders are used for decoding the signal. Aerials can pick up two kinds of signals – UHF (Ultra high frequency) and VHF (Very high frequency) – they can receive either just one of these signals, a combination of these signals and HD signals.

All the programming that you can receive with an aerial is completely free. This is the reason why users have access to a relatively small number of channels compared to satellite or cable. Satellite dish and similar cable companies make a profit from monthly or yearly subscriptions and of course, you will have many more channels and far more choice if you select this option.

Finally, the cost of satellite dishes and aerials are different with aerials clearly being cheaper. The same goes for the installation process – it’s much simpler to install an aerial compared to a satellite dish.

For more advice about aerials and satellite dishes, please contact us now.

Home automation was something that many people dreamed about in the 1970s and 1980s, but today this dream has become reality. What is even better is that home automation is no longer considered a luxury and almost every homeowner can use it. Without any doubt, home automation is a smart investment that brings many different benefits to homeowners – improved security, better temperature control, saves money and time and provides convenience etc. Thanks to the rapid progress in the field of technology, manufacturers focused on home automation have designed some great solutions that are easy and simple to use. But, even though this process is simple, this doesn’t mean that you won’t need some guidance when you are trying to get started with home automation. Let’s highlight a few things that every new user should know.

First and foremost, you must have a controller and understand its importance. While it is true that many modern home automation systems can be controlled directly from a smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop computer remotely, it is also true that many of them still need an ordinary controller. This controller usually comes in the form of the main control panel placed strategically somewhere in your home. This is a good option because you will have two options to control the processes in your home.

Next, you will have to get access to a network so you can send messages from the controller directly to the devices found in your home. The majority of home automation systems rely on Wi-Fi connection or a Bluetooth connection. The connection you choose is directly associated with the way in which you want to use this system. For instance, if you want to control the device from your workplace, you will require Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth.

Each of the devices you have must have a specific method that they will use to receive their instructions. Many of the devices today have wireless connectivity. However, there are some devices that don’t have such options and you will probably have to make some further investments to prepare them for home automation.

For more advice about getting started with home automation, please contact us now.

If you can’t or don’t want to install a rooftop aerial, you can use an indoor TV aerial to get the most from your Freeview channels. The location of your home, the position where the aerial is placed and the size of the buildings around your home will affect the signal so this will need to be taken into consideration. Let’s see what you can do to setup an indoor aerial and get the best picture.

Here is our guide to setting up the best indoor aerial

1. 1. 1. First of all, select the most suitable aerial for your home. Indoor aerials are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Opt for popular indoor aerials if you want to increase the chances of great reception. It is also a good idea to ask the supplier whether you can return the aerial if it doesn’t work for you because it can sometimes be a bit of trial and error.

1. 1. 2. Once you have an indoor aerial it is time to set it up. Simply put the cable in the back of the television or set top box. Don’t forget that there are multidirectional aerials, but the majority of them will need to be positioned in vertical or horizontal alignment to start working. You can use the experience of your neighbours to guide you– check their rooftop aerials and notice their direction.

1. 1. 3. Next, you should place the indoor aerial to achieve the best reception. Find some of the popular channels and start going around your home with the aerial in your hand to determine the best position. According to many aerial specialists, the best position is to place them close to a window at a height of 160-180 cm. If the windows are far from the TV, you will need to use extension leads.

1. 1. 4. Digital TV channels are mixed in six separate bundles also known as multiplexes which are available on different frequencies so you will need to take some time to find the right frequency.

1. 5. Finally, once you determine the best position for your aerial, you need to fix this position so that the signal remains constant.

For more advice about indoor aerials, please contact us now.

Why should you pay for TV provided by Sky, BT, Virgin media or other popular networks when you already have a Freeview option?

Thanks to the emergence of digital TV, people now have the chance to watch multiple channels with excellent reception. Freeview is now providing great content to every household in the UK regardless of its location. However, Pay TV is following the latest trends too. In this blog we will discuss the benefits of Pay TV and why it is sometimes better to use Pay TV than Freeview.

Freeview can provide about 80 TV channels (12 of them HD channels) and almost 30 radio stations. Channel 4, Channel 5, IV channels and BBC are some of the channels you can get with Freeview. This is a significant number of channels, but if we compare it to Pay TV, the selection is still very limited. For example, the cheapest Sky package comes with 280 TV channels and more than 60 radio channels. Of course, the more expensive packages have additional channels and most of them are also HD. Freeview tends to provide more outdated movies and TV shows, while Pay TV gives you the latest blockbusters and the latest seasons of popular TV shows. When it comes to sports, Freeview users can still watch the Olympics, ordinary football matches, tennis etc. However, Pay TV is the place where you can watch the best Champions League matches, exclusive events, and many other high profile sports events such as the British Open, which are no longer available on terrestrial channels.

Most of the Pay TV options today provide set top boxes. With the help of these boxes, users can record, rewind, pause, and interact. In other words, with their help, you won’t miss any content provided by the TV channels. You can even schedule a recording or use a TV archive that lasts for days.

In addition, Pay TV providers usually provide attractive packages and exclusive deals which include phone and broadband. Instead of paying separate bills for these services, you will get one bill for everything you use making it more convenient and cost effective.

For more advice about the variety of Pay TV options, please contact us now.

Watching TV shows and movies has always been one of the favourite pastimes for people of all ages. In recent times, we have witnessed a great advancement in technology which has led to the creation of some fantastic new TV equipment to watch entertainment on. But, in order to enjoy all these benefits, you must have an excellent sound and picture. There’s little point buying expensive TV equipment if the signal you are receiving is not up to scratch so if you’re having problems with your picture and sound, it might be time you got some professional help. So why exactly should someone hire a professional aerial installer?

This is a legitimate question because the installation of a new TV aerial and cable can be conducted without professional help if you know what you’re doing. However, by hiring a professional aerial installer you will have the peace of mind that the job had been done properly and that you’ve made the right decision. For starters, a real professional in this field will determine whether you need a new TV aerial in the first place. Sometimes it may just be down to the positioning of your aerial or maybe you just need some signal boosting equipment.

Furthermore, a professional installer can help you save time. They have installed hundreds of TV aerials over the years which mean that this is just a routine task for them. They won’t leave any room for mistakes and they will finish this job in a much quicker time than trying to do the job yourself. Instead of wasting hours doing this yourself, you can focus on more important things and leave this task to a professional.

In addition, professional aerial installers can save you money. If you are not sure what you are doing, you might choose inadequate TV aerial and components needed for proper installation. In addition, professionals have the tools and equipment and know which materials are the best. They will cause a minimal mess and finish the task in a timely manner. Aerial installation can also be dangerous so you need to work with a company that has all the correct insurances in place to do the job.

Need help with your aerial? Don’t try to do it yourself….call in the professionals!

Streaming boxes and sticks are some of the most popular tech gadgets available today. They provide high resolution entertainment and streaming of the most popular movies, TV shows and games and people can’t get enough of them. There are many different streaming boxes and sticks on the market, so how do you choose? In this blog we will provide brief descriptions of the top 3 streaming sticks and boxes today.

1. Google Chromecast

Even though the old Chromecast was a reasonable success, the new model is much more sophisticated and advanced. It takes just a couple of minutes to plug and install the device which works with the help of USB power. The new Google Chromecast is much faster and while loading is not instantaneous, the streaming is still faster than loading a website on your smartphone. Another great thing about this device is that you can use your mobile device as a controller when playing games. Many users agree that the enhanced Wi-Fi reception is another big plus for this device.

2. Amazon Fire TV Box

Just like Google, Amazon has decided to come up with a second model of their streaming box. This time, the streaming box has more features and it is much faster too. For instance, it supports 4K videos. When you a close look at the design of this box, you will notice that the design is more or less the same which is not a surprise because it always looked good anyway.  However, this device now comes with 8 GB storage space which is expandable so you get more bang for your buck.

3. Apple TV

It’s no surprise that Apple, as one of the most innovative companies in the world, also follow this trend. The latest Apple TV model is a little bit heavier and thicker, but all that matters is what’s under the hood. Even though it doesn’t have 4K support you can freely watch 1080p videos. The great Siri Remote will also improve your viewing experience. It has a storage space of 32 and 64 GB and 2 GB RAM so it’s pretty decent!

Still not sure what to go for? Get in touch and we will give you our advice.

Watching TV is one of the most relaxing activities that we do and whenever we want to chill out, it’ s usually in front of our favourite programmes on the box. However, this relaxing experience can be ruined If you have a poor TV signal. As a matter of fact, if you have a TV that loses signal on a regular basis or has low-quality picture, you will get irritated and even more stressed! The good news is that there is a solution. Let’s take a quick look how you can improve a poor TV signal.

To start with, you can invest in upgrading and updating the aerial. The vast majority of people think that purchasing a product that is labelled as aerial will spare them from any inconvenience, but that’s not correct. TV signals are separated into two main frequency types: UHF and VHF. The majority of problems related to poor signal is related to the broadcast location and frequency (in)compatibility. An aerial upgrade should be able to solve this issue.

Another good option is to use a pre-amplifier. If you are redirecting the signal from the antenna to more than one TV and the signal worsens, you should use a pre-amplifier to enhance the signal.
The next advice is fairly simple – you should test the wiring. This is a very frequent problem in British homes. People have loose cables or outdated cables and as a result of that, the signal is poor. A simple test of the wiring should indicate whether you need to change the cables or not. If you live in a new home, test the socket faceplate.

There are also signal boosters available on the market. They are helpful in areas where the TV reception is poor in general.

Finally, if everything else fails, you should consider bringing in a professional aerial company such as Aerial Services. We can complete a thorough diagnostics test to identify why the signal is so poor and advise you on the best course of action to take. Contact us now if you need our help.

Most of us are big fans of movies and TV shows so for those of you who want to enjoy brand new and popular TV shows and films, having a streaming service subscription is a must.

There are many streaming services like this in the UK, but two of them dominate this market – Amazon Prime Instant Video and Now TV. If you check their programming you’ll see that they have some outstanding content available. You can watch whenever you feel like watching and you can watch as many hours as you want. Even though both of these options are good, you should do a bit of research and see which one suits your needs the best.

To start with, Amazon Prime Instant Video which was once known as LoveFilm until Amazon bought it, has hundreds of new movies and TV shows. They also have their own unique programming. The fact that the annual subscription allows you instant shipping for Amazon products and access to Amazon Prime Music are also some of the things that make Amazon Prime Instant Video so attractive.

Amazon Fire and smart TV users have access to Ultra HD resolution while all other users have access to full HD resolution. Users can download some videos to their devices and watch them later. In order to try it you can use a one-month free trial. The only downside is that there are only annual subscriptions and users who have Apple TV, Chromecast, Windows smartphones or iOS mobile devices with iOS 6 or earlier can’t watch the content.

Now TV

Now TV started three years ago and it soon became the favourite streaming service for many British families. It is owned by Sky. Many people prefer Now TV, because they can pay for only specific TV channels instead of paying for an entire package. The contracts are shorter, there are some exclusive deals and you don’t need additional equipment. Sky Sports and Sky Movies are available to all users.

Still not sure? Give us a call and we will do our best to advise you.