Aerial from LIDL - advice needed

[sterankin]

Just got this TV here for a xmas present for my g/fs dad:

Buy Acoustic Solutions ASTV-36192C 19in HD Ready Digital LCD TV. at Argos.co.uk

Its got freeview integrated so was just wondering about an aerial. I bought an indoor digital (DVB-T) aerial from LIDL, I think it is amplified as it comes with a little black box with a red and green LED on it. The manual (which isnt the best English) talks about an optional 5V power supply if the receiver does not supply the 5V for the aerial.

It looks like this one from Argos: Buy Total Control Freeview Indoor Aerial. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for . except the one I bought has the extra small black box with the LEDs on it.

So my question(s): do I need a 5v power supply for this aerial? What is the power supply for and where can I get one?


I cant find the aerial on the LIDL website or I would post info about it
Thanks!

[terrorvis]

I'd guess the 5v is for the amplifier, so if it doesn't work very well unamplified, you'll need to find a 5v adaptor with the correct connector and polarity, or a multi voltage / connector one.

As you seem fond of Argos, this should do the trick...
Buy Masterplug 1200mA Multi-Volt Adaptor. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

[youravinalarrrf]

Stick your g/f's dad's postcode in here to see what sort of aerial is actually recommended/required to receive freeview at his address.

UK digital TV reception predictor

To avoid disappointment it might be best if you can check reception at the address before the big day.

A bit more info available at these sites
Freeview Problems solved?
Freeview Aerial Problems, Improve Digital Terrestrial TV Reception
Selecting and Siting your TV aerial

[sterankin]

Distance: 3 miles
Bearing: 275 degrees
Antenna: Set top

All should be good then> do I require the 5V supply then? I would love to test it out first but will be hard since her dad is alomst never out!

[Proppinupthebar]

These antennas described as digital annoy me. They aren't digital, they are simply a wideband antenna. Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) had to fit in around existing analogue TV, so had to use various frequencies spread across the available terrestrial bandwidth. Analogue TV had been setup around the UK so that narrow band antennas could be used. You used to need a particular group antenna to pick up your channels from the local transmitter.
A wideband antenna is a jack of all frequencies, not particularly good at picking up any particular frequency. All digital TV is carried by analogue carriers.
Anyway, I digress, moan over! 3 miles away from the transmitter should mean you can use a wet piece of string!

[sterankin]

string it is then!

[Proppinupthebar]

string it is then!

That's wet string. It has a different impedance!