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Thread ID: 145599 2017-12-13 20:22:00 New set top box ianhnz (4263) Press F1
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1443361 2017-12-13 20:22:00 Hi guys.
We have a satellite decoder box, to watch TV.
Its an older Hills and there's a lota channels we cant get, like Prime, etc.
Retuned a few times, but my friend Google says we gota get a new one..
Been thinking a Freeview Plus be good but being on a very fixed & tight income, pension, so not easy.
Was talking to a dear friend yesterday and today she brings us a printout about a new box called TV Surf Antenna, which sounds good, but can't see it working in NZ.
Anyone had any experience with this, or can offer a reasonable price alternative?

:thanks
Ian
ianhnz (4263)
1443362 2017-12-13 20:45:00 From what I could find out with a quick Google.
It is just an antenna, with a '30 mile range'
I don't think it is a set-top box at all.

And is for the US market, so might do little for you.
KarameaDave (15222)
1443363 2017-12-13 20:47:00 Hi guys.

Was talking to a dear friend yesterday and today she brings us a printout about a new box called TV Surf Antenna, which sounds good, but can't see it working in NZ.


sniff, sniff
if it sounds to good to be true......

Honestly, unless you have $ to risk it, get a NZ Freeveiw approved box.
Freeview boxes are reasonably cheap now.
Also many newer TV's have Freeveiw tuners built in . How old is the TV ?

And, do you have to use Sat.
Can you get Freeveiw via UHF ? Do you have a UHF arial, are you in a good reception area ?
Do you have half descent internet , Freeveiw via internet is a good option for old/missed progrrams (the freeveiw box connects to internet via wifi)

Start with the freeview website. The have a basic list of recommended/approved boxes.
freeviewnz.tv
1101 (13337)
1443364 2017-12-13 20:50:00 According to the freeveiw site, you should be able to get prime via Sat
freeviewnz.tv

Maybe your box just needs to be re-tuned to redetect available channels ?
1101 (13337)
1443365 2017-12-13 21:10:00 According to the freeveiw site, you should be able to get prime via Sat
freeviewnz.tv

Maybe your box just needs to be re-tuned to redetect available channels ?

No, since Prime changed it channel, a while back has not worked.
I have retuned manytimes, to no avail and had read a thread, somewhere that said that Hills said had to be replaced.
ianhnz (4263)
1443366 2017-12-13 21:12:00 Yes we have to use satellite as our aerial moved in a storm and landlord refused to retune.
Was quoted about $80-100 to get retuned and TV dont record.
ianhnz (4263)
1443367 2017-12-13 21:13:00 We are in Papamoa Beach and have to use Kamais for the TV, so well over the 30 mile ianhnz (4263)
1443368 2017-12-13 21:50:00 That surf antenna is just a regular amplified indoor aerial aimed at the US market where a lot of people apparently aren't even aware that there are free broadcast channels they can tune in to because they all use cable TV etc.
It has no relevance in NZ and probably would perform poorly even if it worked at all. Here's an add attempting to make us believe it's a review best-hd-antenna.com

The freeview coverage map page lists Papamoa as satellite only if I'm using it right freeviewnz.tv
Which means no to UHF and no to whatever the hell that surf antenna is. I've tried amplified indoor aerials here in Hamilton, they don't work. You need very good reception to even consider them. Might work in the CBD of a city with an infill transmitter.
dugimodo (138)
1443369 2017-12-13 22:01:00 sorry got that wrong freeviewnz.tv

A UHF aerial and a freeview capable TV or set top box would be the best option IMHO
dugimodo (138)
1443370 2017-12-13 22:53:00 Try the freeveiw forum, but post up ALL the relevant info
ie, exact model no/name of the freeveiw box, sat, when it stopped working, what youve tried , what channels you can & cant get
someone there may be able to tell you if it needs replacing or not. I would have thought it would be an all or nothing sort of thing with Freeveiw Sat ?

freeviewforum.co.nz

freeveiw also have contact details, try ringing them or emailing them


perhaps the Sat dish needs to be re-aligned ?

If you have reasonable internet speed, you can watch many things via internet with new freeveiw boxes .

Also, its not so simple to get on roof , to get aerials repaired or re-aligned now . Thats why sat dishes are now often bolted to the side of the house instead.
Due to NZ Health & Saftey laws, they would have to put up scaffolding if doing any work on a roof. The landlord could be held personally responsible if anyone he hires just goes up with ladder & walks around .
1101 (13337)
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