I would actually be quite tempted, as I am beginning to thing that the free stuff that is available is getting very poor. Unfortunately, we use a computer with a TV card in it as our television and I don't think this will connect to the box.

Why does it need an aerial if it is taking its feed from the internet?

The YouView box uses the aerial as it also has a Freeview receiver in it.
There are two types of boxes, one that can record (PVR/DVR??), one that can't.
So you could use the box to record internet and/or Freeview channels.
You also get an enhanced set of functions on top of the regular Freeview channel information. For example, the BBC Red Button / Text Service has the option of taking it's data from over the air or via your network connection.
The guide information for Freeview can also pull down information via the network enhancing that side too.
You also have the option of a Freeview App for various phones that if you have the PVR/DVR device, you can remotely set your device to record any programs whether they be Freeview or Network originated.

Another use will be more apparent during Wimbledon. Assume a match is being shown on BBC2 via Freeview but has to end for some reason, Freeview will allow you to jump to the BBC Sports App which will be streaming nearly every match online. i.e. you can seamlessley change changes without having to change 'sources' on your TV. I know, not exactly difficult to switch between TV & HDMIx via your TV remote. But the 'one box' solutions means you can use the YouView remote to access Freeview, Internet Channels, Enhanced Text/Guide and various Apps/Players.

Thanks .

I don't think I'll be signing up.

In reply to a post by philippercival:

I would actually be quite tempted, as I am beginning to thing that the free stuff that is available is getting very poor. Unfortunately, we use a computer with a TV card in it as our television and I don't think this will connect to the box.

Plug the aerial into the YouView box and plug the Youview box into your PC monitor (most monitors have HDMI these days). I think the YouView box has audio out ports for speakers too.

You can pick up a Youview box from ebay and use it as a Freeview DVR with the bonus of having all the terrestrial catch-up services. I picked up a Huawei DN370-T 3 years ago for £30, the HDD packed in a few months ago so I replaced that and it's working fine. Can be a little slow, but a dual tuner Freeview HD PVR for that price is a steal.

The much better DTR-T2100 are also available on ebay for ~£90.

In reply to a post by Oliver341:

Plug the aerial into the YouView box and plug the Youview box into your PC monitor (most monitors have HDMI these days). I think the YouView box has audio out ports for speakers too.

Unfortunately, neither the monitor, nor the projector we use with the computer have HDMI inputs and would be very expensive to change.

I do have a converter lead HDMI to VGA, which I bought to connect my raspberry Pi to a normal monitor. I could use that I suppose, but without lots of lead switching that would right off the current system. However if things break down, I will consider it for the next evolution.

In reply to a post by philippercival:

I do have a converter lead HDMI to VGA, which I bought to connect my raspberry Pi to a normal monitor. I could use that I suppose, but without lots of lead switching that would right off the current system.

The boxes also usually offer composite video and SCART, if that's of any use.

My original question was as to why it needed an aerial. Not because I was particularly interested in getting one.

The detailed explanation, as well as answering that, didn't suggest anything I might want it for. Plus I already have a 2-channel Freeview DVR, a Freeview TV, and Chromecast.

Quite happy with that. All I'm missing is legit Sky F1 at a sensible price. NowTV from Sky is a non-starter in that respect. The pirates are just about acceptable.

I hope the box they supply is decent, because some of the ones I have seen is so slow, it would annoy me.

I did think about it for about two mins, but to use it I would need a Tv licence
, like £5 a month extra on top of my broadband is not bad for a few extra channels. The only problem with these channels is that like a lot of channels on Sky they have far too many repeats, also can Plusnet cope with them, because the way their service have been for the last week I do not think it could.
Saying that Netflix was far better lastnight.,