Very off topic question about cable TV

RaglanSurf

RaglanSurf

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Does anybody know if there is a cable tv cable coming into a property if you can just connect any old cable tv box to it and get basic terrestrial tv even if you're not signed up for cable tv?

And will it work with a Sky box?

Thanks
 
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Doubtful, I would have thought you'd need their decoder to view any signal coming in.
 
I doubt it, they would disconnect the cable at the box in the road
 
andy0306 said:
Doubtful, I would have thought you'd need their decoder to view any signal coming in.
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Thanks Andy, that's what I was worked about. If I can just find an old Virgin/NTL box will that work?

A friend of mine has moved into a rented flat and saw the cable and assumed she had an arial, went out and bought a new telly and now can't watch anything so I'm just trying to find a work around for her. The cable comes from a box marked NTL, which i believe was incorporated under the Virgin umbrella, she is only going to be there for a short time so doesn't want to get tied into a contract and also doesn't want to spend out getting an arial put up on a rented flat and theres no chance that a small set-top arial will work as she's in a bit of a black hole as far as the signal goes.
 
I used to work for a couple of cable companies, As a re-possessor/ dis-Connector

You used to be able to get 1-5 through the cable aerial...Unless it was disconnected it the cabinet. Which they should have done as a live cable with nothing on the end can inject noise into the network.

So I doubt she will have any luck.
 
Is there not a communal Ariel on the roof of the flats?

I doubt it's been disconnected, they can control the signal without the need for that. When I've contacted Virgin (formerly NTL ;) ) for any issues, they have been able to stop/start the signal.
 
mattyg said:
You used to be able to get 1-5 through the cable aerial...Unless it was disconnected it the cabinet. Which they should have done as a live cable with nothing on the end can inject noise into the network.
Click to expand...

Or I'm completely wrong :whistle:
 
mattyg said:
I used to work for a couple of cable companies, As a re-possessor/ dis-Connector

You used to be able to get 1-5 through the cable aerial...Unless it was disconnected it the cabinet. Which they should have done as a live cable with nothing on the end can inject noise into the network.

So I doubt she will have any luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt, I'll see if I can find a box and test it for her but if that's the case I don't hold out much hope for her.

andy0306 said:
Is there not a communal Ariel on the roof of the flats?

I doubt it's been disconnected, they can control the signal without the need for that. When I've contacted Virgin (formerly NTL ;) ) for any issues, they have been able to stop/start the signal.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately no communal arial :( She'll just have to watch DVD's :D
 
andy0306 said:
Or I'm completely wrong :whistle:
Click to expand...

Not Completely. They can send a hit to the box to turn on/off channels but they will/should hard disconnect at the cabinet. We used to get £5 per box and £5 per disconnect. Disconnects were easy pickings as you didn't have to wait until people were in. So they were generally done first
 
she can watch bbc/itv/channel4 on the internet if she has broadband...but if she is only goping to be there a short time i doubt she has that either :(
 
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