Indoor aerials for Saorview

TouchingVirus

I've a grandparent who lives in an apartment complex (in Dublin 12) that I'm trying to get set up, she's fed up with UPC. There's no outdoor aerial available and as far as I'm aware the coax coming in to the house from the UPC point won't have the necessaries. That really only leaves one option (unless I'm missing something) - the indoor aerial. Are indoor aerials/rabbit ears any good for Saorview?

winston_1

Yes you are missing something. Having an outdoor aerial installed either off your own back or reminding the landlord that this is 2013.

The so called rabbits ears are not suitable, they are VHF aerials, Saorview uses UHF. You may, if you are one of the lucky 10% of the population, be able to use a UHF indoor aerial. Get one that looks like a small outdoor aerial, not a loop or anything fancy. Don't get one with a built in amplifier, they don't work. One from a €2 shop will be as good (or bad) as anything costing a lot more.

BionicRasher

I use an indoor rabbits ears type antenna and get perfect saorview reception. It would be worth a try but I presume no guarantee that it will work.

(btw my antenna is inside a wardrobe and it is about 10 years old so it's not a new fangled one)

winston_1

tui0hcg wrote: »

I use an indoor rabbits ears type antenna and get perfect saorview reception. It would be worth a try but I presume no guarantee that it will work.

(btw my antenna is inside a wardrobe and it is about 10 years old so it's not a new fangled one)

One person using the wrong sort of aerial successfully is not a very good sample. Bit like the 102 year old 20 a day smoker, it proves nothing.

As I said only 10% can use indoor aerials, and somewhat less than that can use the wrong sort of indoor aerial.

BionicRasher

winston_1 wrote: »

One person using the wrong sort of aerial successfully is not a very good sample. Bit like the 102 year old 20 a day smoker, it proves nothing.

As I said only 10% can use indoor aerials, and somewhat less than that can use the wrong sort of indoor aerial.

I am using something similar to this an it worksfine. Its not the wrong type of aerial as it obviously works.
Not sure where you are seeing the 10% stat but these seem to work fine for some people.

As per the OPs original question
Yes indoor aerials can be good if you are in a strong reception area and if there are issues getting an external aerial set up then I dont see the harm in trying an indoor aerial to see if it works
A friend may have one you can borrow so you can test results before you purchase

winston_1

tui0hcg wrote: »

I am using something similar to this an it worksfine. Its not the wrong type of aerial as it obviously works.
Not sure where you are seeing the 10% stat but these seem to work fine for some people.

So, you are one of the 10%.

Loop aerials like you have are poor aerials, the fact that it works means a bit of wire would also work in your area. Like I said the best ones are ones that look like small outdoor aerials. You were ripped off.

Earlier you said you were using a rabbits ears, now you are saying you are using a loop. Did the rabbits ears not work after all?

The Cush

tui0hcg wrote: »

I am using something similar to this an it worksfine. Its not the wrong type of aerial as it obviously works.
Not sure where you are seeing the 10% stat but these seem to work fine for some people.

RTÉNL's estimate is much higher at 50% of the population capable of indoor reception

It will be possible for over 50% of the population to receive SAORVIEW with an indoor portable aerial. However on a house to house basis there are many factors than impact on the effectiveness of a portable aerial. For example the orientation of your house, the location of the television in the house, the construction materials, the insulation materials, the proximity to neighbouring houses, walls and obstructions will all impact reception.

BionicRasher

winston_1 wrote: »

So, you are one of the 10%.

Loop aerials like you have are poor aerials, the fact that it works means a bit of wire would also work in your area. Like I said the best ones are ones that look like small outdoor aerials. You were ripped off.

Earlier you said you were using a rabbits ears, now you are saying you are using a loop. Did the rabbits ears not work after all?

I said I was using a rabbits ears type of antenna. Similar to saying that I clean the carpet with my hoover but in fact I have a Dyson and not a Hoover.
I wasn't ripped off as this was purchased over 10 years ago and worked with the old set up and now working on saorview so it's been a bargain!

Anyway all I am suggesting is that these indoor aerials might work for the OP so no harm in testing it out so that they can decide on what is required.

winston_1

In my understanding rabbits ears are a VHF V type aerial, a loop is a UHF circular quad type aerial. Completely different, but if it works for you OK.

iba

TouchingVirus wrote: »

I've a grandparent who lives in an apartment complex (in Dublin 12) that I'm trying to get set up, she's fed up with UPC. There's no outdoor aerial available and as far as I'm aware the coax coming in to the house from the UPC point won't have the necessaries. That really only leaves one option (unless I'm missing something) - the indoor aerial. Are indoor aerials/rabbit ears any good for Saorview?

If the TV is saorview compatable then thes will probably work. Purchased in Lidl for about €10 they work on my saorview TV and Im based in Dublin. Picture is perfect.

winston_1

Another overpriced loop aerial with a pointless amplifier that will only add its own noise. As I have said in post 2 "Don't get one with a built in amplifier, they don't work. One from a €2 shop will be as good (or bad) as anything costing a lot more".

watty

The Euro bargain shop "rabbits ears" are rubbish though. Cutting off the aerial and peeling back the cable to the plug to make two wires gives a better signal.

You need the €6 to €14 Mini-Yagi aerial as an Indoor (two to four rods reflector, flat "dipole loop" connected to cable and 3 single director rods

||_I_|_|_|       
|| I | | |       ==>   TX direction

Side view for Vertical polarised OR top view for Horizontal

TouchingVirus

So I bought a UHF/VHF rabbit ears from Argos - watty & winston_1 are right, it was rubbish. From Three Rock to D12, not a hint of a signal. We'll look at the mini-yagi or a small external one next I think. Thanks for all your help

iba

winston_1 wrote: »

Another overpriced loop aerial with a pointless amplifier that will only add its own noise. As I have said in post 2 "Don't get one with a built in amplifier, they don't work. One from a €2 shop will be as good (or bad) as anything costing a lot more".

Who is your post directed at?

iba

TouchingVirus wrote: »

So I bought a UHF/VHF rabbit ears from Argos - watty & winston_1 are right, it was rubbish. From Three Rock to D12, not a hint of a signal. We'll look at the mini-yagi or a small external one next I think. Thanks for all your help

If you are now going down the route of an outdoor type aerial, I can confirm that this one works in Dublin

http://sat-planet.ie/Saorview/dtt_saorview?product_id=156

In addition, it doesnt even have to put put outdoors, it can be just left in an attic. I know you are talking about an apartment, but some aprtments do have attics and if not, it might work on the apartment's balcony

Skull Murphy

iba wrote: »

Who is your post directed at?

I would think it's directed at yourself, yours being the previous post. It isn't necessary to use quote every time you reply, y'know.

iba

Skull Murphy wrote: »

I would think it's directed at yourself, yours being the previous post. It isn't necessary to use quote every time you reply, y'know.

Well if it is directed at my post he is factually incorrect when he says 'They dont work' as they most definilty do work and I should know coz I use them and secondly I would not consider €10 as overpriced.

Regards

winston_1

Indeed it was directed at iba. I had already advised against both a loop and an amplified indoor aerial as not being any better than a bit of wire or a €2 type. Then he posted that exact thing.

Let me say again an amplifier on an indoor aerial is a waste to time, money, and electricity. An amplifier is designed to overcome the loss on a long length of cable and has to be at the beginning of that cable. With an indoor aerial with 1 metre of cable it will amplify both any signal and noise and add a small amount of its own noise. So you will be no better off. If there is a good signal anyway it will work, but so would the aerial without the amplifier. If there is a poor signal the amplifier won't help in that position.

Sorry for any confusion.