Freeview HD - Your Questions Answered

From December 2009, Freeview started broadcasting in HD. Here, we answer your questions on Freeview's HD service.

 

When can I get Freeview HD?

• Freeview HD became available in the Granada TV region and in London from the 2nd of December 2009. The rol lout will continue into 2012. 50% of the UK was able to get Freeview HD by June 2010. See our Freeview HD Info page for a more detailed schedule.

 

What HD channels will be available on Freeview?

• BBC HD (broadcasting now)
• ITV 1 HD (broadcasting now)
• Channel 4 HD (broadcasting now)
• S4C (broadcasting now - Wales only)
• BBC One HD (expected to launch Autumn 2010)

Five HD was set to launch by 2010, but their licence was withdrawn by Ofcom in March 2010: Five loses HD licence.

 

Do I need a new TV aerial?

• If you're already able to get all of the Freeview channels, then you won't need a new TV aerial once Freeview HD is available in your area.

 

Do I need new aerial cabling?

• If you're able to get all of the Freeview channels with your existing aerial and aerial cabling, then you won't need new TV co-ax aerial cable once Freeview HD is available in your area.

 

Do I need a satellite dish to get Freeview HD?

• No. Freeview HD is received using a TV aerial, not a satellite dish. If you're looking for HD channels via a satellite dish, consider Sky's HD service or Freesat.

 

Do I need a new Freeview box?

• Boxes sold before December 2009 do not support Freeview HD. New Freeview HD boxes began to appear on the market in February 2010, starting with the Humax HD Fox-T2. Freeview HD boxes

 

Do I need a new TV set?

• To watch HD, you need an HD-Ready TV set. If you already have one of these, you should be able to connect a Freeview HD box to your HD-Ready TV. You'll probably do this using an HDMI cable.

 

I already have an HD-Ready TV with Freeview. Can I get Freeview HD?

• There are two types of HD TV sets - "HD-Ready" or "Built-in HD tuner". An HD-ready TV that can get Freeview that was made before November 2009 will almost certainly NOT be able to get Freeview HD on it's own. "HD-ready" means that it's capable of showing an HD image from a connected source (e.g. Sky HD box, Virgin HD box, Freeview HD box, etc). "HD-Ready" does not mean that it can receive HD channels via the built-in tuner. If you are looking for an HD TV set that can get Freeview HD without needing a separate box, look for a "Freeview HD TV" not an "HD-ready TV with Freeview". Freeview HD TV sets started to appear on the marker in April 2010.
  
  
• Why is this? Well, the technical standard for Freeview HD was only finalised towards the end of 2009. TV sets and set-top boxes before this date don't have the required hardware built-in. Freeview HD technology uses something called DVB-T2, whereas the standard Freeview system uses DVB-T. DVB-T2 equipment only went on sale in 2010. If your TV doesn't have a DVB-T2 chip, it can't get Freeview HD without being connected to a Freeview HD box.

 

How much will Freeview HD cost?

• There's no subscription - HD channels are free to view.
  
  
• You'll need a Freeview HD box or Freeview HD TV set. The first box on the market, the Humax HD Fox T2 had a price tag of £179 at launch.
  
  For the latest information, see our Freeview HD Receivers section

 

Where can I get a Freeview HD Box?

• The first Freeview HD box (the Humax HD Fox T2) was released in February 2010, and more set-top boxes and recorders were released over the following months. For the latest info, see our Freeview HD Boxes section.

Humax Fox T2 Freeview HD TV Box

 

Where can I get a TV set with built-in Freeview HD?

• The first TV set with built-in Freeview HD appeared in February 2010 - the Panasonic TX-P42G20B - this is a 42" plasma TV that also supports Freesat, Other TV sets soon followed.
  
  For the latest info, see our Freeview HD Receivers section

 

Will there be a Freeview HD box with a built-in recorder / PVR

• Yes. These started to become available in May 2010
  
  For the latest information on Freeview HD recorders, see our Freeview HD Boxes section

 

What resolution does Freeview HD broadcast in?

• Freeview HD broadcasts in 720p and 1080i

 

Does BT Vision support Freeview HD?

• No, not at this time. New BT Vision boxes may be released in the future

 

Does Top Up TV support Freeview HD?

• Top Up TV boxes do not support Freeview HD.

 

Is there a difference between SD and HD boxes?

• Yes - existing Freeview SD boxes don't contain the software or hardware needed to get Freeview HD (notable the DVB-T2 technology)

 

 

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Freeview Links:

• Freeview HD Boxes - Our list of Freeview HD boxes and recorders
• More on Freeview - Freeview Info
• More on HD - High Definition Explained
• Need help? Ask in our Freeview forum

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