TV Used to be so simple

Once upon a time watching TV was simple. You bought a TV, you plugged it in, you fiddled around with an aerial and you got a reception. You only had a few channels to choose from and you knew what to expect.

Those days are long gone. With the introduction of satellite dishes and digital channels it’s all got a lot more complicated. But it doesn’t need to be baffling or impossible to understand. More choice does not need to mean more problems.

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Your options

When it comes to making the most of your TV you have a few options. You can sign up to a package from a provider such as Sky or Virgin where you pay a monthly subscription to watch certain channels. You usually will pay this provider for your landline and internet connections as well which can help keep things simple.

Packages can be increased or decreased at any time, and usually with the press of a button or a quick and easy telephone call to one of their contact centres.

However, we all know that one package does not necessarily fit all so it is becoming increasingly popular to view television in alternative ways. For example, you can now purchase set top boxes which plug straight in to your TV and allow you to watch specific channels. For a one off charge (to cover the cost of the box itself) you can access a variety of different channels, and not have to worry about making any further monthly payments.

Often the choice of channels available will be limited, but let’s face it, who needs 1,000 channels anyway?

When it comes to watching via one of these boxes there are some things that you do need to consider. The set up itself is very straightforward, you literally just have to plug the box in and the rest is self explanatory. However, you will have to purchase a specific aerial to help ensure that you have the necessary reception to be able to view the channels on offer.

So where can you get TV freeview aerials from?

There are numerous places, from high street stores like Aerial Services (usually the same one you purchased the box from in the first place) to online options. You can even source second hand ones via sites such as eBay, Gumtree or perhaps even Freecycle. This can make it an even more cost effective option for you if you are looking to view on a budget.

When it comes to deciding what is the best solution for your television and family it is always worth taking the time to do the research first. This will help make sure that you have the best package for your family, and the best cost for your bank account.