Set up and tuning

Once you have connected up, there are still a few more things to do. Some set top boxes and digital TV recorders will guide you through the settings on-screen. For others you will have to use the on-screen set-up menu – this should be explained in the manual.

The first step is to tune in the channels. This may happen automatically when you first switch on or you may have to initiate it. The instruction manual will explain.

Tuning in may take a minute or two as it automatically scans, looking for channels. All being well, you should get about 80 TV channels and about 45 radio stations.

If you get significantly fewer then there are a couple of possible explanations. You may want to check your coverage with Freeview – it’s possible you may be getting only partial coverage. Or you might need to upgrade your aerial.

If you get significantly more than 80, it may mean that you are receiving signals from two different transmitters. You could find double entries listed on screen for some channels that you will need to delete. It’s likely to be a local problem. However many of the latest TVs have a system called Regional Preferences which takes care of this problem by asking you to choose the TV region you want.

Maybe get a local Registered Digital Installer (RDI), if one is available in your area, to adjust your aerial so the box ignores the weaker channels in the future. The RDI scheme is new so there are not yet many available. See the RDI website for listings.