Freeview - get free to view channels
- Avoid High monthly charges for digital tv by getting freeview
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Freeview
- buy it here at BT shop - great price.
Why get Freeview?
Apart from the obvious benefit of getting up to 30 great channels
to choose from, digital TV also gives you:
- Better picture and sound
- Improved Teletext services
- Interactivity
- Onscreen channel guide
- Future-proofing
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72% of the UK population can receive Free-to-View Digital TV, depending
upon where you live.
Click here to check
against YOUR postcode. See consumer info and "can I receive
digital at my postcode"
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Will Freeview work with my old ITV Digital box or iDTV?
We believe that most ex ITV Digital boxes and iDTVs will run the Freeview
services although this is dependent on the type and age of your equipment.
If you want to check if your box or iDTV will support all the Freeview
services please contact your retailer or manufacturer. If you have not
yet retuned to receive the Freeview services please see our retuning advice.
Will I have to replace my existing TV?
No. The digital TV adapter just plugs into the back of your existing TV
and converts your digital signals into analogue. If you want to, you can
buy an iDTV (integrated digital TV) which can also receive Freeview. For
more information on aerials and reception click here.
Can you give me more information about the equipment I need?
For more information on equipment click here.
Will I get my existing local programmes?
Yes. In Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland some broadcasters also provide
extra services as well - see What’s On for more details.
Can I get subtitles?
Yes. Check the instructions supplied with your equipment for how to receive
them. Broadcasters are responsible for providing subtitles to programmes
on their channels so for more information about availability on particular
channels or programmes please contact the channel concerned using the
links on this site. Please contact your manufacturer's helpline if you
have difficulty setting up your equipment to receive subtitles or channels.
Will I be able to get pay channels with Freeview?
No, there are no plans for this.
Can I get Freeview abroad?
No. Freeview is only available in the UK.
What if I move house?
You can take your adapter or iDTV with you, but will need to check the
new postcode to be sure you can receive signals in your new location.
What does Freeview cost?
Watching Freeview costs nothing. The adapter required to enable your television
to receive Freeview costs under £99. If you need a new rooftop aerial
or extra connection leads, there will be a cost associated with this.
Your local electrical retailer will be able to advise you further. Some
retailers offer a survey from around £30 and may refund the charge
from the cost of installing a new aerial. A new aerial costs from £80.
Why may I need a new aerial?
A new aerial may be required as some aerials are old and damaged, and
in some parts of the country Freeview signals use a different frequency
or transmitter to the one you normally use for your analogue reception.
Isn’t ‘Freeview’ misleading because I have to buy new
equipment?
Freeview is called that because it’s television that is free to
view - not pay TV. The one-off equipment cost is for the adapter or integrated
set. You then receive over 30 digital channels and interactive services
with no further payment unless you require an aerial survey and / or upgrade.
It’s a one-off upgrade - like buying a TV set to watch television,
or a computer to surf the internet.
What is the cost of an aerial survey and who can carry them out?
Your local electrical retailer will be able to arrange a survey should
your aerial need one. Please ask for a quotation. Some retailers offer
a survey from around £30 and may refund the charge from the cost
of installing a new aerial. A new aerial costs from £80.
Can an upgrade be done without a survey?
We recommend that you get your aerial surveyed.
What is length of time for a survey and upgrade to be done?
This is dependent on local demand but normally within a few days.
Will the channels on Freeview change at any point?
The channel line up will change in the future and Freeview viewers will
need to carry out the retune.
Can I watch Freeview using a portable set-top aerial?
A small number of households may be able to use a set top aerial. This
only applies if you live in a coverage area close to a transmitter, but
reception would still be unreliable and so we strongly recommend that
you use a roof or loft aerial for good reception.
Is the quality better with Freeview?
You should have an improved picture in areas where there is poor quality
analogue reception. In some areas of the country you will receive significantly
improved Channel 5 reception. You can also get Widescreen broadcasts.
What do you mean by ‘widescreen’?
Broadcasters can transmit wider cinema-style pictures with digital signals.
On analogue TV you don’t normally see the whole widescreen picture.
If you have a widescreen TV and watch analogue broadcasts you’ll
have noticed that it stretches the picture to fit the screen. Digital
widescreen, on the other hand, broadcasts the whole or ‘true’
widescreen picture. If you don’t have a widescreen TV, you’ll
be able to set your adapter to adjust the picture to fit your existing
screen.
Do I need a widescreen TV set?
No, but with so many programmes being broadcast in widescreen format,
you won’t get the full benefit unless you have a widescreen TV.
Can I view digital channels on all TVs in my house?
Yes, if you have a digital TV adapter for every analogue TV that you have.
Alternatively, you can also distribute analogue pictures from a digital
TV adapter (or iDTV) via an RF distribution system if you have one. Your
retailer can tell you more about RF distribution systems. Check that you
buy an adapter with an RF modulator.
How do I record Freeview channels on my video?
All equipment is different so you need to refer to the instruction books
for your VCR and adapter or integrated set for help and contact your manufacturer
if you have trouble. You can record a Freeview digital channel, but you
can’t watch a different digital channel at the same time.
Does Freeview give you Internet access?
No.
What interactive services are available on Freeview?
Digital text and enhanced TV, including additional video streams for events
such as Wimbledon, Open Golf etc. will be available through Freeview.
I’ve heard that the Government plans to shut down analogue TV.
When will this happen?
This will only happen when certain criteria are met relating to the availability,
affordability and take-up of digital services.
Does Freeview have a parental lock facility?
No. All programmes are broadcast without viewing restrictions. You may
be able to control what can be viewed with some adapters and iDTVs depending
on their specification.
Why do I get 'blocking' on my digital pictures?
In most cases this will either be caused by a reception problem, such
as too low a signal, or some kind of interference. In either case an aerial
installer should be able to advise on how your reception might be improved.
An aerial testing service may be offered by your retailer. If not, we
suggest you contact a local aerial fitter who is a member of the Confederation
of Aerial Industries or ask your retailer for help finding one.
What if I need further information?
If you have any more queries please contact your local electrical retailer.
Why isn't QVC available on Freeview in Wales?
Because in Wales an additional channel, S4C, is available on Freeview
which means that at present there is not enough capacity to broadcast
QVC. However work is underway to try to find a way to broadcast QVC in
Wales as well in the near future.
Freeview
digital reciever
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