Indoor aerials

Is yours one of the 30 per cent of households in the UK today using an indoor aerial? If so, it’s most likely for a second or even third TV. But for just a few people, it will be the only way you receive a TV signal. How will switchover work for you? We have tested 44 indoor aerials. To see a test report select a model above. Here we also give information on:

• advantages of a rooftop aerial – see rooftop aerials
• best performing indoor aerials – see best indoor aerials
• what our tests involved – see test methods

For advice on trying an indoor aerial see pros and cons. For a step-by-step guide to set up – see setting up. For advice on other options – see extensions and for contact details of aerial manufacturers – see manufacturers contacts.

Rooftop aerials

You can’t beat a good rooftop aerial for TV reception. This is true for both analogue and digital TV. In fact, even more so for digital. That old grainy compromise you may have settled for in the past could simply translate into no picture if your signal is too weak.

Rooftop aerials are also less susceptible to disruption from passing traffic – indoors and outdoors, though bad weather conditions can still cause a problem.

If you want digital terrestrial TV now and already have a rooftop aerial, this may continue to work well enough once you switch. But you may need to upgrade it to get all the digital channels. This could depend on where you live – check with a local registered aerial installer see Industry Groups - Contacts.

If you live in an area that will not get digital terrestrial TV until switchover, or if you choose to wait until switchover, then chances are that you will be able to get all the digital channels without having to upgrade your rooftop aerial. There will be a few areas where you will need to upgrade because of a big change in frequencies from analogue to digital channels – yet to be announced.

Also wherever you live, you will need to replace a rooftop aerial if the signal strength is poor - because it was badly installed or because the cables or connections are corroded.

But, for many of us, a rooftop aerial is not an option – if you live in a flat, say, or you may be thinking about a second telly, and don’t want the hassle and expense of extension cables. That’s why we’ve put indoor aerials on test.

Indoor aerials

Indoor aerials for digital TV come in an incredible range of shapes and sizes. Prices also vary a lot – from £4 to £40 for the aerials we bought. So don’t just grab one off the shelf.

We bought all we could find in the shops – 44 different models in total. Then put each one through a series of technical tests and home trials.

Will a loft aerial do?
If you can’t have an aerial on the roof, you might be able to fit a big enough roof aerial in your loft. You probably won’t get such a strong signal as you will with a rooftop aerial, but it could be stronger than with an indoor one.
Surrounding houses and trees might block it and obstacles like roof tiles and that big water tank will cut back the signal. The signal strength may also be more vulnerable to weather conditions, for instance.

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