Freeview - UK Digital TV

This page provides information about the Freeview TV service, including information on how to get Freeview, help with reception, and answers to common questions

What is Freeview?

Freeview is a Digital TV service that allows you to watch extra channels via your TV aerial. You don't need a dish, and there's no subscription - all you need is a Freeview set-top box.

Freeview offers around 40 channels of TV and 25 radio channels... the channels are subscription-free, there are no ties or contracts, and no installation costs. Just buy a set-top box for free access to the Freeview lineup...

What channels do I get on Freeview?

Below is a summary of the channels on offer to Freeview users:

The FrequencyCast podcast features Freeview news and chat. Listen online or download to your MP3 player 60 second teaser | Get via iTunes | Latest Show | More Info

How do I get Freeview?

Here's what to do if you're looking to get Freeview's extra channels:

1. Check Coverage - To receive Freeview, you must be in range of a Freeview transmitter. To check this, enter your postcode at www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker. More on Reception
   
   
2. Box - If you are in a coverage area, you'll need to get a free-to-air set-top box. Boxes cost from around £20 and can be bought from high-street stores such as Dixons, Comet, and Currys. Shopping online for a set-top box is often the best route, as there are some good bargains to be had. For help choosing, see below.
   
   
3. Connect - Plug your new Freeview set-top box to your existing TV aerial. Connect another lead into your TV's SCART socket, and you should be ready to go. Follow the instructions supplied with the set-top box, and scan for available Freeview channels.

The cost? There's no subscription costs, or rental agreements, so the one-off cost for the set-top box is all you'll pay for the extra channels.

Freeview set-top boxes

There's quite a range of set-top boxes, with differing features and styling. Here are a few things to consider when buying a Freeview box:

• Price: From around £20 - no subscription or ongoing costs.
  
  
• Connectivity: All boxes have a single SCART socket as standard, for connection either to a TV or video. You may want to consider improving your options with a second SCART socket that allows connection to both a TV and video recorder. If connecting to a TV or video that doesn't have a SCART socket, you need to look for a box that has a modulated output (that can transmit TV on a special channel that you can tune your TV or recorder into).
  
  
• Features:Basic boxes tend to support Freeview's interactive services and subtitles. More expensive boxes come with two-week electronic programme guides, built-in games and programme timers. At the top-end, boxes have DVD recorders, and hard-disk recorders. Recorders with hard-disks built in (known as PVRs) support live pause, and many allow you to record one digital channel whilst watching another.

If you're looking to buy a Freeview receiver, take a look at our set-top box page for the full range of UK boxes. Below, you'll find our 'Quick Picks' - three different types of box, to suit differing budgets:

Radio & Telly's Freeview Quick Picks
Basic, easy-to-use, low-priced Freeview box with 2 SCARTs, the Matsui DTR3. Currys £24.99	Freeview, hard-disk recorder with video-on-demand. Box free to BT Total Broadband customers. More	The Humax PVR-9200TS box includes a hard-disk recorder that hold 160 hours of TV. Martin Dawes & Dixons £155

Interactive services

Freeview offers digital services, such as programme listings, digital teletext and games. Check out BBCi on channel 105 for an example of the text services available. Below are some screenshots of Freeview's text and interactive services (click the image to get a larger version):

Teletext Weather

BBCi News Multiscreen

Channel 4 Listings

Freeview problems?

• Problems receiving Freeview? See our Freeview reception page
• Problems connecting your Freeview box? See our Freeview connection page
• Other Freeview problems or questions? See our Freeview Help page
  
  
• If your question isn't answered, please leave a message in our Freeview forum

Freeview Links

• Freeview set-top boxes - More on the available boxes
• Freeview forum - Discuss Freeview and set-top boxes with others
• New to Freeview? - Considering Freeview? Read on...
• Freeview FAQ - Our page containing answers to common Freeview questions and problems
• BT Vision - Freeview receiver, hard disk recorder and on-demand content... free box!
  
• Freeview - the official Freeview site
  
  
• Accessories - Including signal boosters to improve your Freeview signal
• Cables and connectors - From our Accessories shop
• Digital TV - The Digital TV options explained
• On Your PC - How to watch Freeview on your desktop
• TV Listings - Information on Freeview listings / guides to help schedule your Freeview viewing
  
  
• Freeview Channels - List of the Freeview channel numbers plus multiplex lineup
• DTT Transmitters - Technical information on the UK DTT network, frequencies and multiplex allocation
• DTG postcode checker - See if Freeview is available in your area
• Wolfbane's TX info - Transmitter coverage maps for UK digital TV
• BBC Transmitter work - Check for problems with your local digital transmitter
• DTG software upgrade schedule - Information on over-the-air software upgrades
  
  
• More Freeview links on our TV Links page

The FrequencyCast podcast features Freeview news and chat. Listen to our free shows online or download to your MP3 player 60 second teaser | Get via iTunes | Latest Show | More Info

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