Live TV without aerial?

[JTench]

Hi all - can anyone help a complete novice?

Have just moved into a new house but can't see any aerial outlet in the sitting room, even though the house has a big antenna on the side. There is just an ethernet outlet with a "NOW TV Master Microfilter" attached.

We previously had the Freeview channels in our old flat, and thought we'd be able to just plug in our coaxial cable and go. Is there a way to get "live TV" when there's only an ethernet outlet, or are we stuck with "on demand" for now? The house was built in the 60s so I don't really understand what previous owners did without an aerial outlet in the pre-streaming days?

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[JohnD]

Look at the roof and in the loft. Can you find an aerial? What shape is it?

(Edited)

A 1960s house might just possibly have been built with cable TV but more likely an aerial and co-ax, which might have been tacked to the outside wall and entered through holes drilled in window frames near the TV position. You might find marks on skirting boards where it was clipped. It was not normal to sink TV or phone cables into the wall until much later.

If the house has been renovated all traces may be gone.

 

[JohnD]

P.s.

You can try an indoor aerial. These can be put on top of the TV or on a nearby shelf. They are not very good but depending on your location they may pick up an adequate signal. You can look up the compass bearing of your nearest transmitter (I do not have the link to hand)

BTW there is no such thing as a "digital aerial" for terrestial TV. My house has a 30 year old aerial in the loft. When I lived in the country I bought a loft aerial and a reel of co-ax and propped it up in my main room until I got round to installing it. I put it on a shelving rack. If you have a wife she may consider that unsatisfactory.

I use my house Broadband for digital channels and TV on demand.

 

[securespark]

I'm not sure about the NOW outlet.

But Freely TV is coming onto the market with more brands. This will provide Freeview type TV without an aerial but via ethernet.

May not suit you, but worth a look.

 

[securespark]

If you have a wife she may consider that unsatisfactory.

Like an Opel Rekord straight 6 2 litre in pieces on the dining table....

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The Now outlet is merely a splitter to enable someone to attach a phone to one outlet and the internet router to the other.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Look at the roof and in the loft. Can you find an aerial? What shape is it?

He said there's an antenna on the side of house, @JTench maybe post a photo, you mean a traditional TV aerial? See if you can follow the cable and where it enters the house ....