I have a freeview box on an internal arial which picks up all channels (just about). Its a

Wharfedale is now mostly a name that just gets stuck on products made in various far east factories and it probably comes from exactly the same supplier as the Alba , hence the alternative product. It's not going to be of significantly different quality.

Different freeview decoders are sometimes more or less sensitive than each other and it sounds like your signal strength is probably borderline with your Alba just able to get a signal and the wharfedale just not

Get a refund mate, they didn't supply you the good for which you asked.

I agree with alex though that different chipsets are more or less sensitive and tbh you are better off paying to get a proper arial installed in the loft or an extra socket run.

HTH

get a decent aerial or move your areal higher to get better reception mate

Agree with bengie there - a proper aerial + booster of decent quality makes a massive difference for freeview, if you get that done you'll have a good picture, if not it will block like crazy most of the time

Wharfedale is now mostly a name that just gets stuck on products made in various far east factories and it probably comes from exactly the same supplier as the Alba , hence the alternative product. It's not going to be of significantly different quality.

Different freeview decoders are sometimes more or less sensitive than each other and it sounds like your signal strength is probably borderline with your Alba just able to get a signal and the wharfedale just not

Yes, Alba and Wharfedale are part of Bush plc. Bush manufacture all sorts of electrical products for Argos, Asda, Tesco etc. under many different brand names.

My freeview box is a Matsui but, like the majority of cheaper freeview boxes, is made in Turkey by Vestel.

The chip blew in mine some weeks ago (just before the warranty ran out) so I took it apart and then saw the Vestel name.

My Sony freeview box is OK, never freeze and change channel is fast, but it has some problem with programme listing recently, but got sorted out after a quick reset.

Yes, Alba and Wharfedale are part of Bush plc. Bush manufacture all sorts of electrical products for Argos, Asda, Tesco etc. under many different brand names....

Yes, ignore the badge stuck on the front. If you were to google carefully you could probably decipher what chip is in each specific player, but then when you buy from Argos they have the disclaimer "Product may be substituted for one that is cosmetically different" anyway

If performance is that bad, you might just have a knackered one so exchange it once. Then get a booster if you still have the problem

BTW our