Freeview is a supplier of Digital TV within the United Kingdom which requires no subscription, and no annual contract
History of Freeview
Freeview was originally launched on October 2002 at 6am, after it took over the DTT licence to broadcast on the 3 multiplexes which were from the defunct ITV digital service, and ONdigital. As part of a survey, undertaken in 2007, it was revealed that over 36% of the UK were receiving freeview, as a source of their digital TV. In the future, High definition programming is expected to launch on the freeview platform
Equipment
There are various different set top boxes available, which acts as a freeview receiver. The price of these varies, some as cheap as £10! However, nowadays, freeview offer a new type of set top box, called FREEVIEW PLAYBACK, which enables you to pause, rewind freeview. This box is of course, more expensive that normal set top boxes.
Ways to receive freeview
There are currently
two ways to view the freeview service. These are either
Digital set top box
Digital Television with integrated Freeview
Coverage and reception
Around 73% of the UK can receive Freeview broadcasts, however, as the digital switchover gets into further progress, the availability of Freeview will increase. Reception depends of the strengh of your aerial you use in which to receive the freeview signal
Featured Channels
The purpose of freeview is that you have access to over 30 free digital television channels, and free radio . The channels available on the freeview platform, are : Television 1. BBC one (regional variation) 2. BBC two ( regional variation) 3. ITV one ( regional variation) 4. Channel 4 ( except wales) 4. S4C ( Wales only) 5. Five 6. ITV 2 7. BBC Three 8. Channel 4 (Wales Only) 8. TeleG ( Scotland Only) 9. BBC Four 10.ITV 3 11. Sky THREE 12. UKTV History ( does not broadcast its full hours on freeview) 13. Channel 4+1 14. More 4 16. QVC (reduced hours in Wales) 18. The Hits 19.Dave 20.Virgin 1 ( does not broadcast its full hours on freeview) 21. TMF 22. Ideal World 23.bid tv ( reduced hours in wales) 24. price-drop tv 28. ITV 4 29 E4 30 E4 +1 31. ITV2 +1 32. Film4 35.Five US 36. Five Life 37. Smile TV (does not broadcast its full hours on freeview) 42. Nuts TV 43. Gems TV ( does not broadcast its full hours on Freeview) 44. Jewellery Channel ( does not broadcast its full hours on freeview) 45. National Lottery Xtra 70.CBBC Channel 71. Cbeebies 75. CITV channels ( not available in wales) 80. BBC news 24 81. BBC Parliament 82. Sky News 83. Sky Sports News 86. S4C2 ( Wales only) 87. Community ( does not broadcast full hours on freeview) 88. Teachers TV ( DOES NOT broadcast its full hours on freeview) Radio 700.BBC radio 1 701.BBC radio 1 xtra 703.BBC Radio 3 704.BBC Radio 4 (FM version) 705.BBC Radio 5Live 706.BBC Radio 5Live Sports Extra ( only available on freeview) 707.BBC 6 Music 708.BBC 7 709.BBC Asian Network 710.BBC World Service 711.The Hits Radio 712.Smash Hits Radio ( not available in wales) 713.Kiss 100 714.Heat 715.Magic 105.4 716.Q 718. 102.2 Smooth Radio 719. BBC Radio Scotland ( MW version;Scotland Only) 719,BBC Radio Wales ( Wales Only) 719. BBC Radio Ulster ( NI only) 720. BBC radio nan Gaidheal ( Scotland Only) 720. BBC Radio Cymru (Wales Only) 720. BBC Radio Foyle ( NI only) 721. Mojo ( Not available in wales) 722. Kerrang 723. talkSPORT 724.Clyde 1 725.Premier Christian Radio 726.U105 ( NI Only) 727. Virgin Radio 728. Heart 106.2 ( N england, S England, Wales, S Scotland,Mann only) 728.100.7 Heart FM ( West Midlands only) 728.Heart 106 ( East Midlands Only)
Availability
Freeview may not be available in your area, so a postcode check at www.freeview.co.uk will sort out that worry for you. If Freeview is available in your area, you still may not receive it, as your aerial may not be strong enough - in that case an aerial upgrade would be.required. This is a common problem for people with freeview, and to why they do not get all the channels they are supposed to
Why to choose freeview
Freeview is the option for all the people who do not wish to pay a monthly subscription for digital TV, like Sky and Virgin Media. Freeview offers a selection of channels from different genres, to make sure you have as much wide a variety as possible. Freeview is also for those people who want to pay litle for installation and equipment, as the equipment is really inexpensive, and installation is so easy, just a matter of plugging box into the wall,and connecting your existing aerial into the back of your freeview box.
If you have freeview, then there are two ways to set up. If you have a television with built in freeview, simply follow the on-screen instructions until you get a channel scan,and you should be all set. If you are using a Digital Set top box, then follow the instructions below
Unpack your equipment, and lay everything out in front of you.
Place your Set top box to the area you want it, and connect your existing aerial to the back of your freeview box.
Connect your Freeview box to your TV using a scart lead, and plug into the scart socket at the back of your television set
Connect the power adapter to the back of your set top box, and power but connecting to your mains supply.
When powered for the first time, you will be instructed to perform a channel scan. This is to find all the channels in the freeview network. Dont worry, your box will clearly guide you in the right direction
Recommended?
I do recommend freeview to users you do not wish to pay for a subscription for digital tv, since the switchover is really close. Freeview is also recommended by me, simply because you can install it in minutes, and the equipment is really inexpensive, and really easy to use, and that they all feature an EPG ( Electronic Programme Guide) letting you know, visually, what is coming on
FAQ'S
Q. I have bought the equipment, and do not get all the channels I am supposed to? A. It is most likely you need an aerial upgrade, as it appears your aerial cannot pick up the signal. I find moving the wires around can infact help pick up the channel
Q. I am confused about the switchover. What do I need to watch freeview? A. To watch freeview, you musthave an aerial, and either a TV with built in freeview, or a Digital Set Top Box, which can be purchased from most electrical stores, and larger supermarkets
Q. Is freeview really free? Q. Yes - you only pay for the set top box which you use to watch freeview. No monthly payments or contracts!
More about Freeview
To find out more about the freeview service, visit: WEB : www.freeview.co.uk
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Nice, comprehensive review! I approached my review of getting FreeView service for the first time by reviewing the FreeView box I bought - "Free of you at last!" - http://tinyurl.com/d2pral
mightymuffin 04.05.2008 21:57
Nicely reviewed x
carysb 26.04.2008 18:29
I love my Freeview - but struggle to get BBC1 & 2. C
Apr 14th, 2008
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (80%):
helpful by (17%):
