HD on Freeview Explored
Your questions on watching HD channels on Freeview answered by our UK podcasting team.
High definition channels on Freeview?
By the end of 2012, there will be four HD channels available over Freeview via a TV aerial.
These channels will be created by re-shuffling some of the existing Freeview channels, and by making use of improved technology to create the extra bandwidth needed.
The Freeview High Definition channels will become available between 2009 and 2012 as transmitters get upgraded for the UK Digital TV Switchover.
You'll need new equipment to be able to watch the four Freeview HD channels.
Your Freeview HD questions answered:
What HD channels will be offered on Freeview?
BBC HD and ITV 1 HD are live now. Channel 4 HD and Five HD will be online by 2012.
When will the Freeview HD channels become available?
These will come online gradually between 2009 and 2012. Here's the timetable as we understand it:
- Granada Region and London - 2nd December 2009
- Wales, Scotland and West Country regions - 2010
- Yorkshire, Central, Anglia and Meridian regions - 2011
- London, Tyne Tees and Northern Ireland Regions- 2012 (although some HD may come to London in 2010)
Will my existing Freeview box or TV be able to get Freeview HD?
Freeview's HD service will make us of a technology called DVB-T2, and use MPEG-4 encoding (not the MPEG-2) used with Freeview at the moment. This means that existing Freeview boxes, and TV sets with Freeview built-in, will not be capable of receiving Freeview HD.
Existing Freeview receivers will still be able to get the Standard Definition channels
Where can I get a Freeview HD box? And how much will they cost?
Freeview HD launched in December 2009, and the first Freeview HD box hit the market in February 2010:
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Humax HD Fox-T2 - The first UK Freeview HD box
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Alternatives? Sky's offering a free Sky+ HD box - over 35 HD channels and a built-in recorder. Details on Sky's HD site
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Want updates on Freeview HD?
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What will I need to get Freeview HD?
You will need a receiver capable of getting the HD service. These require a slightly different technology to the existing Freeview receivers. The first receiver, the Humax Fox HD T2 appeared in February 2010.
As well as a suitable Freeview HD receiver, you will need to be in a Freeview HD reception area, and have an HD-ready TV set.
Will there be a subscription cost?
No. Unlike Sky and Virgin's HD service, there will be no subscription cost for Freeview HD service.
Will I need a satellite dish to get Freeview HD?
No - Freeview's HD channels will be available via a TV aerial. If you want HD via a satellite, there's Sky HD (offering over 350 HD channels), or the more limited selection offered by Freesat
Got a question on Freeview HD TV that we can answer in our next podcast?
Call 0208 133 4567 or send us a message
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