Aerial or internet for TV?

[JohnHatter]

New ProBox owner,  is there any difference is signal quality for Freeview TV when using aerial or internet ?   I assume they are both 1080i but wanted to check.  Thank you

[moonie2014 · Accepted solution]

Picture quality is far superior in IP mode, more channels in HD, even the SD channels are better quality. However, not all Freeview channels are available in IP mode. 

[NigelB72]

I agree with @moonie2014 .. SD quality is much better in IP Mode and HD channel quality is better as they're 1080p rather 1080i

[phil_allen]

Agreed, much better quality, fewer channels (Dave & Food Channel were biggies for me). I had a problem where whenever network connection was lost, it was never recovered without rebooting the box and any recordings scheduled didn't happen so I swapped back to aerial.

Such a shame really, I know it would have been a bit more difficult technically but a blended solution that used IP when available, aerial when not would have been ideal - don't forget that even under an aerial solution, there's a good few channels higher up the channel numbers that are already delivered over IP.

[JohnHatter]

Interesting, I have a a good aerial signal from Crystal Palace, I set it up both ways, couldnt see much difference on HD channels which is all I watch. So opted for aerial, partly because I didnt want to be relying on Broadband connection, and because I can record 4 programs at once.

[NigelB72]

@JohnHatter interesting because BT push the terrestrial IP channels out at a higher bitrate, lower compression and higher resolution than Freeview so technically it is better. 

[JohnHatter]

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I’ll have another look, maybe it’s my eyesight 🙂.  

[JohnHatter]

Another question...if the ProBox is set up to  receive Internet (better) signal, does it put the same “better” signal out through the RF pass through to the TV? 

[David500]

No. The RF pass through to the TV only passes the aerial signal, if an aerial is connected to the STB, to the TV.