Buying guide for Freeview TVs and Digital Boxes and Freeview HD

The reason for this buying guide . . .

It's a minefield out there those for trying to choose the equipment that will make up their home entertainment package.

For Freeview viewers, the problems can multiply, simply because there seems to be no clear indication of what you are buying, whether it be television or a digital box.

For instance, there are plenty of Freeview "built in" televisions that say "HD Ready" or "Full HD", but that expression in itself can be confusing, by choosing one of these options does not in itself mean you will get a TV that will display the Freeview HD transmissions.

This guide sets out to help Freeview buyers to choose the right equipment, by asking the right questions. Please note you will not receive Freeview HD until your area switches.

Freeview Televisions

Standard

By far the majority of TVs sold still come under this category - this is where you have to be careful, especially if you are looking to receive Freeview HD broadcasts.

Many televisions are designated as being "HD Ready" and "Full HD" with Freeview "built in". If you have a HD DVD Player, Freesat, Sky (with subscription), or Virgin Digital HD Box you can watch them on this type of TV in glorious High Definition, but Freeview in HD may not be displayed.

A word of warning: Don't take it for granted that you will be able to watch Freeview in HD - for this you will require a Freeview HD receiver built in. Read on...

Freeview HD

You need to look out for this wording when buying equipment: "Freeview HD" as shown in this this logo:

These will have a receiver able to decode the Freeview HD transmissions. The technical terms for this type of receiver are DVB-T2, MPEG-4

Other things to look out for

Twin tuners - This will enable you to watch one programme whilst recording another.
Twin (or more) SCARTs - To be able to connect other equipment, i.e. DVD player or recorder.

In conclusion

Generally speaking "the more you pay for an an item the better it is" - yes that is true, but one thing you need to remember; there can be quite a difference in price between similar items, purely because of the manufacturers name - for instance Sony compared to Samsung. So shop around before making your final choice.

Freeview Digital Boxes

Very similar to the Television guide mentioned left, you need to be aware of the following...

When choosing your "digital box' there are standard boxes - HD Ready Boxes with "upscaling" and Freeview HD Boxes - don't be fooled into buying the wrong one. We will now examine them...

Standard Box

Is a basic box that will receive standard Freeview Transmissions. Some of these have built in DVD players / recorders or HHD (Hard Disk Drives) for recording.

The cheap ones are basic in all respects, just showing "now and next" information and others with a full "7-day Programme Guide"

HD Ready Box

Here is where you have to be very careful. This expression "HD Ready" has been around for a long time and can be very misleading in view of changes to the Freeview service within the last year.

Many have purchased "HD Ready" Digital boxes thinking they will be able to watch Freeview HD on them. But you cannot, as they are unable to decode the Freeview HD transmissions, as they have old technology. You have been warned!

Freeview HD Box

Freeview HD Boxes like the Television have a clear logo "Freeview HD" (see logo below). If you are not sure then ask if it has a DVB-T2 Tuner able to decode MPEG-4 signals. Remember if it does not have these features it will NOT receive and decode the Freeview HD transmissions, it will only show the programmes in 'standard format'

In Conclusion

Look out for the [digital tick] for approved Freeview equipment:

and this one if you require Freeview HD

Look out for: Twin SCART connectors and Twin Tuners (as already mentioned for TVs). It is so much easier connecting equipment together (called "daisy chaining") when there multiple SCART connectors. Also with two tuners you will be able to watch one channel while recording another, it seems to be a 'must' today - how did we manage in the past"

A printable guide click link

In the shop look out for this and similar logos:

Freeview hardware, look out for the [digital tick]

For HD (High Definition) equipment look for:

Questions to ask

TELEVISION & DIGITAL BOXES

Does it have a DVB-T2 tuner and
MPEG-4?
How many tuners does it have?
How many SCART connectors?
Is the Freeview tuner capable of receiving HD transmissions?
Does it have a built in HDD (hard disk drive)?

TELEVISIONS

Is it HD ready or Full HD?