A standard aerial can make a significant difference to the quality of the TV viewing experience. A TV aerial is a structure made of metal designed to receive VHF and UHF signals. The TV channels broadcast these signals via specialist transmission towers, which are mainly placed on the roof of the TV stations or any other high ground such as a hill.
Your aerial receives signals which are then converted into visual and audio by your TV set.
We will look at the available option for outdoor tv aerial Freeview in the UK to you that we believe they are top in the market. If you are looking for an outdoor TV aerial or thinking about upgrading one, we are here for you.
The following are the areas we will focus on:
Table of Contents
What is an outdoor TV antenna
If you have an excellent TV set, you will enjoy TV features such as high-quality images. You may want to have an incredible reception as well to match your television. Notwithstanding the stylish design of your telly and quality sound system, if your favourite programmes appear in snowy-quality pictures, you will not enjoy the watching experience and your TV set.
To make sure you have the best viewing experience, you need to enable your telly to receive great reception. You can enable it by facilitating it with an outdoor aerial. Most aerial manufacturers strive to design the best aerials for the best reception with crystal clear signals.
Freeview has 15 HD channels and 70 standard channels of free information and entertainment. Freeview is available to anyone; all you need to do is to set an aerial to receive its signals. If you can not set up an aerial, you can set up for Freesat. In some cases, indoor aerials are the only option, especially if you live in city environments. Outside the city, outdoor aerials tend to perform better than indoor ones.
Understanding aerials (the basics)
First, you should know that there is nothing like a digital TV aerial; this is just a marketing term used by brands to sell their products. In a nutshell, aerials are devices designed to detect radio waves and transfer them to your television. Different aerials are created for different purposes and situations, and for this reason, you should choose an aerial that will suit your needs.
Understanding aerials (the technical stuff)
We have already established that aerials pick radio waves up. These radio waves are then broadcast in frequencies commonly referred to as bands. Bands are subdivided into channels, whereby each one of them uses its designated purpose.
The whole idea of how frequencies work is easy to visualise when you think of an old-school television. An old-model TV has some physical dials where you turn them a bit at a time to travel along with the frequency of the channel you want to watch. With time, old TV models have been replaced by modern ones, but whichever the case, when you buy a new TV or move to another area, your TV will have to scan for TV channels available.
Aerials purpose is to receive the frequency which is broadcast by a digital TV. Such frequencies include the Ultra High Frequency (UHF), subdivided further into 21 to 68 channels.
Choosing the right TV aerial
When choosing an aerial to buy, you will need to either pick an outdoor or indoor television aerial. You can also opt to purchase either an amplified or non-amplified television antenna. If you are not sure of which aerial to buy, the following factor will help you when choosing one:
1. Polarity
Television services are either vertically-polarised or horizontally polarised broadcast. Your aerial mounting will depend on the transmitter; it should point to the transmitter direction and the service broadcast polarity. When looking for an aerial, you should consider which type of aerial will work well for the TV services you need.
2. Aerial Group
For better frequency reception, an aerial can be designed to receive a particular range of frequencies. Grouped aerial is a term used to refer to such kinds of aerials. Group A aerials receive broadcast services between channels 12 to 37. This used to function well for quite some time; however, some channels migrated to 5G and 4G services. For this reason, many television services have been squeezed into fewer channels.
Right now, a good number of transmitters are using frequencies that are different from the ones that have been in use for a good number of years. This means that you could be using a grouped antenna that is less effective for the current frequencies. When choosing an aerial, choose one that will cover all frequency ranges because it is very difficult to know which group aerial is best for you. If you want an aerial that can receive a specific range of frequencies, seek a professional for advice.
3. Location
Some aerials work better in certain places than others. Also, you will not need an outdoor aerial in some locations as the indoor one will be enough to receive the required signals. When buying an aerial, you should always consider your location and seek advice on what kind or type of aerial will work best.
An outdoor aerial height is at its best height when raised to 10 m without anything between it and the transmitter.
What do you need for Freeview?
1. A Freeview TV, box or recorder
If you got your TV after 2010, you might have bought it with a built-in Freeview. All you have to do is connect an aerial to enjoy your favourite programmes.
If your TV is an HD one, you will enjoy watching up to 15 HD channels. Also, with this device, you can pause a programme, rewind it or record it live; all you need to do is upgrade to Freeview play recorder. In addition, if you choose a Freeview Play device, you can enjoy some benefits of a live TV and access on-demand and catch up content in one place.
2. An aerial
To access Freeview, you will need a proper aerial pointing the transmitter direction. Indoor aerials can pick up Freeview, but outdoor aerial is more effective for the best results.
We would advise you to get a professional aerial installer because they will help you determine the perfect aerial for your location by suggesting the available options in the market.
3. A TV licence
Everyone in the UK who watches broadcast TV must renew their TV licence on an annual basis. It does not matter what type of TV you own because it is a must-have licence. Once you pay for your TV licence, there is nothing you are required to pay on top to enjoy Freeview.
4. An internet connection
If you prefer watching some digital terrestrial Freeview television channels, you do not need an internet connection. However, if you own a Freeview Play device and you prefer on-demand and catch-up content, you will need to have an internet connection.
Our best outdoor aerials for Freeview
Product description
This aerial has a 21st-century design. This aerial means bulky outdoor antennas will be a thing of the past because it has SLx DigiDome. The innovative technology enhances full reception in packed-close and modern design for easy installation. The design also prevents your roof from cluttering.
The reception of this aerial is 360. It is crafted using a unique Omni-directional technology that receives all the available digital television signals within your locality. The aerial can receive both UHF and VHF frequencies. Also, the aerial can receive all-digital signals available such as HD Freeview channels.
The aerial package includes a 10 m Coax Cable, Wall Bracket, Fixings, Cable clips, and Amplifier.
Main features
Below are some of the product features that made it appear on top of our list:
- Setting up the aerial is relatively straightforward; the user guide is included and easy to follow.
- It has an in-built 4G filter which helps in removing interference and channel disruptions caused by signals from mobile phone 4G.
- The product is from a well-established British manufacturer renowned for high-quality electrical accessories. So, when buying this product, you will have much confidence in it.
- It is built using Omni-directional technology, which has 360° reception. You will not need to keep rotating your aerial for it to face the transmitter.
Why we have chosen it
The product appeared on top of the list because of its design: Omni-directional technology, which facilitates 360° reception. Most outdoor aerials in the market lack this feature, and for that reason, it is our best outdoor aerial.
Also, SLx is a manufacturer that is well known for quality electrical accessories. We read reviews on the product, and most of them are excellent. Most TV owners are satisfied with the services offered by this aerial.
Read reviews
The good thing about reading product reviews is that you get first-hand information about users’ experiences. We may give you information about the product and how it helped us, but others might have a different opinion about the product.
This aerial has both negative and positive reviews, and we encourage you to read all of them to make an informed decision before buying one.
Product description
Loft & Outdoor Digital TV Aerial, SLx 27887K4, was manufactured in 2013, and it continues to help people upgrade their TV watching experience. It has 32 elements, an integrated 4G filter, a wideband UHF digital aerial, and a fixing kit.
Integrated 4G helps in reducing unwanted interference on your television programmes by 4G mobile phone signals. Frequencies used by phone communications and TV aerial transmissions collide to cause some disruptions on your TV, which result in sound and picture breakup.
The unit contains one tilting aerial clamp, one L cranked pole, one mounting bracket, fixing clips, a 10 m digital coax cable, and a coax plug.
Main features
Below are the main selling points of the Loft & Outdoor Digital TV Aerial, SLx 27887K4 digital aerial:
- The aerial receives all locally available digital television signals: 100% reception.
- It has an integrated 4G filter which reduces channel loss and interference on your television from 4G mobile phone signals.
- Following the user guide provided, you can easily assemble your aerial without complications.
- This aerial allows you to access 70 TV channels, more than 30 radio stations, and 15 HD channels, all without any subscriptions.
- The product is also from SLx hence there is enhanced buyer confidence.
Why we have chosen it
The aerial is amongst the best selling products in the outdoor realm. It can receive 100% available signals within your locality, which means that you will enjoy all the 70 channels, 15 HD channels, and more than 30 radio stations in Freeview Play.
With its integrated 4G filters, you will enjoy your TV viewing experience as mobile phone signals will cause no 4G interference. We could not ignore this feature as it is usually annoying when sound and image breakup when you are watching your favourite programme.
Read reviews
If you want to know more about the area from the user experience view, you should rush to the reviews section of the product. Here, you will get both praise and criticism for the product. From the reviews, you will get unbiased feedback on the product as each reviewer has a different opinion about the aerial.
Product description
This aerial is suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation. If you want an enhanced home entertainment system without any form of interference, this is the aerial for you. The aerial ensures you get clear images and quality sound from all available signals in your locality.
The aerial kit comes with a wall bracket and a pole for mounting your aerial outside or inside your house. You can mount the aerial on your wall, loft, or fascia. Also in the installation kit is a 10 m coax cable, aerial pole, connectors, waterproof rubber boot and a mounting plate.
The aerial is equipped with a 4G filter which removes 4G mobile phone signals from interfering with your viewing. The aerial has a frequency range of uhf470-790MHz with an impedance of 75Ω, and the aerial is perfect for strong UHF signals reception.
Main features
Why is this product attracting more customers in the market than others? And what has the manufacturer done to make the product unique in the aerial market? Well, the following points will answer those questions:
- The aerial is created with waterproof material, and it can withstand even the harshest weather conditions.
- The design and the materials used to make the aerial make it more solid and easy to install.
- It has an excellent reception that allows it to receive 4K Ultra digital Freeview television signals such as a BT TV.
- The aerial is 4G filtered; hence no interference when watching your TV.
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation, making it flexible.
Why we have chosen it
The aerial has 48 elements and an excellent reception of a 4K Ultra HD digital Freeview signal. Using this aerial, you will receive high-quality images and sound, which you may not get with other aerials.
Another reason why this aerial product had to be on our list is the material used to design the aerial. The aerial is durable as the material makes it waterproof even to resist the heaviest weather conditions. This feature allows the aerial to serve you for long without any maintenance as everything that makes it will not be affected by external conditions.
Read reviews
The aerial has some of the most fantastic reviews. Yet, you will also find some critics of the product. Appreciating both sides helps you make an informed decision when buying any product. Follow the main points that reviewers focus on to see if they match what you are looking for in an aerial.