Freeview digital terrestrial

What is Freeview? www.freeview.co.uk
This is known as Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) and is received through your standard TV aerial. Freeview launched in October 2002, as the successor to onDigital/itvDigital.
All channels are free to watch, there is no installation or subscription cost and no engineer needs to visit (although an aerial upgrade may be needed if your current aerial isn't suitable). Channel line-up is more limited than Sky TV and cable, however there are a number of subscription channels on Sky Digital, that are free on Freeview!



Freeview or Sky?
Freeview really is an easier and cheaper alternative to Sky Digital, all you need is Freeview box. This is connected to your existing TV and aerial. You make just one payment from around £60 for your box. That's it, just plug in the box and you have digital TV and radio. There are many Freeview receivers on the market, however only a handful have a built-in Common Interface (CI), this is a socket into which a CAM (Conditional Access Module) is inserted if you should ever decide to increase your viewing choice with a subscription to Top up TV. Alternatively, if you are considering buying a new TV, why not buy a Digital TV from brands like Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony and Toshiba with a box already built-in. With everything integrated into one TV there's less wiring and only one remote and you can enjoy the full benefits of widescreen programmes. Ask your retailer about Digital TVs and other integrated products.Again check to see if there is a Common Interface (CI) built in to the TV.

What channels are available through Freeview?
Click HERE for Freeview's TV and Radio line-up.

Will I have to replace my existing TV?
No, the Freeview box 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/Topup TV.

Can I view Freeview on more than one TV?
Yes, if you have a box for every analogue TV in the house. Alternatively, you can also distribute analogue pictures from a box (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 a box with an RF modulator.

Do I have to use a Widescreen TV?
No, however with so many programmes being broadcast in widescreen format, you won’t get the full benefit unless you have a widescreen TV. The full picture of a widescreen broadcast can be seen by changing the picture format in your Freeview box to Letter Box mode.

Freeview reception & Aerials
Most homes in the U.K. are now covered by Freeview's signals. Use The Freeview Postcode checker to see whether your postcode can receive Freeview. If you are in coverage you should be able to receive Freeview with your existing rooftop or loft aerial, provided they are in good condition. In some parts of the country Freeview signals use a different frequency or transmitter from your existing analogue service and therefore Freeview recommend you fit a “wideband” type of aerial. The Postcode checker tells you if this applies to your area.If you live in a flat or a similar building which has a shared communal aerial system you may be able to receive Freeview services via your existing communal aerial. You should check with your landlord or local housing authority to see if your aerial system has been upgraded for digital reception.

Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)
Personal Video Recorders (PVRs), also called Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), are becoming more common and cheaper to buy.PVRs have all the technology in a box already built in, so you can watch the full range of Freeview TV and radio channels; in addition PVRs can record programmes digitally without the need for a tape, and can also pause live TV.

Can Freeview be received abroad?
No, Freeview is only broadcast through ground based (terrestrial) transmitters and is not available via satellite. It may be possible to receive Freeview in coastal areas of mainland Europe close to the British coast where analogue reception is possible. There are no confirmed reports at present. To view British TV abroad, choose digital satellite.

Top Up TV
In February 2004, the head of Freeview, Matthew Seaman, quit to form a new enterprise, Top Up TV, with the aim of adding new channels to the existing free channels available on Freeview.
These new channels became available on a subscription-basis, on the 31st of March 2004.Topup TV is only available on Digital Terrestrial (Freeview) and is not available via satellite.

What equipment will you need for Top Up TV?
To view Top Up TV, you need a subscription card, and therefore a set-top box or digital TV with a Common Interface (CI) slot. Most of the Freeview receivers released in 2002-4 don't have the Common Interface required for the Top Up TV viewing card and CAM module, and can't be used to receive Top Up TV.
When Top Up TV launched, only the old ITV Digital/On Digital boxes had what it took to access Top Up TV, and they'll needed an over-the-air software upgrade before the service could be used.There are however, a number of receivers and digital TV's available, which are capable of Top Up TV reception. The first set-top box dedicated for use with Top Up TV is the Thomson DTI2300 - This became available in mid-August 2004.Old onDigital / itvDigital receiver with a card slot are still obtainable via eBay, these will require an over the air software upgrade. Digital TV's with a Common Interface (CI) slot, may require a Top Up TV CAM (Conditional Access Module).