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Freeview

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5 Apr 14th, 2008 

35 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
good amount of channels

Disadvantages:
need a good aerial

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Quality of service

Range of packages

Range of channels

RyanC92

RyanC92

About me:

back online more regularly

Member since:10.02.2008

Reviews:39

Members who trust:18


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.

How to install freeview


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
  1. Unpack your equipment, and lay everything out in front of you.
  2. Place your Set top box to the area you want it, and connect your existing aerial to the back of your freeview box.
  3. Connect your Freeview box to your TV using a scart lead, and plug into the scart socket at the back of your television set
  4. Connect the power adapter to the back of your set top box, and power but connecting to your mains supply.
  5. 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 

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Comments about this review »

pgn0 07.03.2009 08:29

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



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