Freeview DVB-T in the UK

Freeview and digital terrestrial broadcasting in the United Kingdom (DVB-T)
Starting in 2007, and ending in 2012, all TV in the UK will go completely digital. This process is called digital TV switchover and it's going to happen TV region by TV region. At the moment the DVB-T coverage is about 73% of the population and this covers nearly all major cities and towns, plus a large proportion of rural areas. (note that current analogue broadcasting coverage is 98.5%) The Channel Line up is further down the bottom of this page.

OK 73% is a lot but before ordering anything can you receive it?
We recommend that you check the DTG website link below and enter your post code,
http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/coverage.html

You can also check on freeview.co.uk (again using the postcode function) both sites will tell you if your area is currently served by the transmissions, in some areas Freeview is now your only option for terrestrial television, the UK government has started to authorise the switch off of analogue transmitters in some areas. DVB-T stands for digital video broadcasting - t for terrestrial or (i.e. via an aerial).

One of the less common questions we get but one which does occur due to the nature of some elements within our site, is do the Freeview boxes work in Spain, the answer is Yes, but don't expect the UK line up this would be practically impossible to achieve, maybe some radio hams and boffins can prove otherwise, but it's simply not possible for the rest of us - what you do get is the Spanish equivalent DVB-T service and the boxes are interchangeable. (France also offers a similar service as do many other European countries, some standards vary from country to country but generally DVB-T boxes for Europe follow the same standard).

Another question we've had was is the Freeview box a suitable replacement for a broken NTL box, in terms of set-top boxes and digital TV services it isn't suitable as a replacement, NTL boxes are cable boxes annotated as DVB-C -i.e. C - for cable, so although a user may use a Freeview box in a house which was receiving cable broadcasts, it is by no means the same - Freeview is is an alternative and it is delivered by a different transmission medium.

The retro Freeview logo is a trademark of DTV group.

Now you've had the overview, what about the set-top boxes, and channels..

(If you are having difficulty ordering any products from this page we can take your order via the telephone.)

Set Top Boxes and Equipment - (UK ONLY - other destinations on request only)

To make it simple for you we offer the following products delivered direct to your door, naturally you must ensure that you are in a coverage region and that you have a suitable antenna, in many cases your existing aerial will be good enough, but some people will need replacements, depending on the signal quality/strength you may even need an external aerial - however if you were able to receive on-digital when it was operating then you will have no problems. We have also selected a few indoor antennas which are good for many users, but cannot be guaranteed, in some areas you may even need an outdoor antenna, and may even need to engage the services of a local antenna installer.

INFORMATION
The Viola Scarty 1 is a scart connector with integrated digital terrestrial tuner (e.g. Freeview in the UK). Includes full functions such as an infrared remote control and an EPG.

The Scarty 1 can work on both 12 and 230 Volt power supplies, making it ideal for use at home or when travelling (for example caravanning).

FEATURES
- Digital terrestrial TV/radio reception
- Suitable for all free-to-air DVB-T broadcasts
- 7 day Electronic Programme Guide
- User-friendly menu system with Auto Install
- Remote control system
- Made in Germany

65.73GBP + 5.27GBP shipping (in stock) - UK delivery - EU delivery

Watch over 30 channels Freeview digital TV on your PC or laptop with this USB 2.0 digital TV receiver, just plug and play. Supports HDTV reception, with Real-time and schedule recording.

Features:

- Use Computer as a Hard Disk TV/DVD Recorder.
- Support Playback of DVD Disks.
- Listen Over 20 digital Radio Stations.

System Requirements:
- USB 2.0 Port/ Windows XP or 2000/ CPU 800 MHz or higher/ Memory 256 MB or more/ VGA 8 MB RAM

Clearance item - our normal price was £39.49 GBP

Delivered direct to your door for only £29.49 GBP + £2.00 GBP Postage and handling (UK ONLY)

Specifications

- Supports free-to-air and encrypted DVB terrestrial programmes
- OSD in German, English, Italian, French, Turkish
- Common Interface slot
- Parental lock
- 2 Scarts (TV, VCR/decoder)
- RS232 port for PC connection
- Pre-programmed channel lists
- 7 day Electronic Programme Guide
- Dolby Digital AC3 optical and electric outputs
- 4000 TV/radio channel capacity
- Tuner loopthrough
- Auto-installation
- Time Shift function
- 80GB integrated HDD
- PVR control via EPG
- ISIPRO System: Automatic channel updates
- S-VHS phono output
- 16 digit VFD-display
- Integrated teletext
- Sleep timer
- Made in Germany

Product Description

The Thomson DTi Freeview receiver not only gives you access to the 30+ Freeview channels, but is also the first set top box fully enabled to receive the TopUpTV service that offers even more channels at a non-contract, low cost of just �7.99 per month (subscription required).

For the Freeview channels you simply need the box, for the Top Up TV service you just add the card (currently �7.99 per month plus a connection fee of �20.00).

Specifications
- Up to 30 TV and radio channels from Freeview
- Compatible with TopUpTV (no CAM required)
- No contract needed!
- Twin SCART sockets
- RF Modulator
- Digital text and now/next guide
- In any room on any TV
- Stylish silver compact design
- 7 day Freeview EPG
- EPG with preview panel
- Simple: no dish, no cable required
- Digital picture and sound quality

Along side Freeview are parallel broadcasts from providers such as TopupTV and Setanta sports, Sky 3, Sky News and Sky Sports 3 are withdrawing from the platform in the summer time of this year.

Television Channels

1. BBC One (regional variations)
2. BBC Two (regional variations)
3. ITV1, STV or UTV [14]
4. Channel 4 (except Wales) or S4C Digidol (Wales only)
5. Five
6. ITV2
7. BBC Three
8. Channel 4 (Wales only) or TeleG (Scotland only)
9. BBC Four
10. ITV3
11. Sky Three
12. UKTV History
13. More4
14. E4
15. ABC1� (not available in Wales)
16. QVC (reduced hours in Wales)
18. The Hits
19. UKTV Bright Ideas
20. Ftn
21. TMF
22. Ideal World
23. bid tv (reduced hours in Wales)
24. price-drop tv
28. ITV4
29. Film4
30. E4+1
31. ITV2+1
32. Film4+1
35. Five US
36. Five Life
37. SmileTV
70. CBBC Channel
71. CBeebies
75. CITV Channel
80. BBC News 24
81. BBC Parliament
82. Sky News
83. Sky Sports News
86. S4C2 (Wales only)
87. Community Channel�
88. Teachers' TV�
97. Television X� (Pay-per-view)

Text and interactive services

100. Teletext
101. Teletext Holidays
102. Teletext Cars
103. Teletext Games
104. Teletext on 4
105. BBCi
108. Sky Text / NHS Direct

Radio stations

700. BBC Radio 1
701. BBC 1Xtra
702. BBC Radio 2
703. BBC Radio 3
704. BBC Radio 4 (FM version)
705. BBC Radio Five Live
706. BBC Five Live Sports Extra
707. BBC 6 Music
708. BBC 7
709. BBC Asian Network
710. BBC World Service (English language European version)
711. The Hits Radio
712. Smash Hits
713. Kiss 100
714. Heat
715. Magic 105.4
716. Q
717. Oneword
718. 102.2 Smooth Radio
719. BBC Radio Scotland (MW version; Scotland only), BBC Radio Wales (Wales only) or BBC Radio Ulster (Northern Ireland only)
720. BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (Scotland only), BBC Radio Cymru (Wales only) or BBC Radio Foyle (Northern Ireland only)
721. Mojo
722. Kerrang!
723. talkSPORT
724. Clyde 1
725. Premier Christian Radio
726. U105 (Northern Ireland only)
727. Virgin Radio
728. Heart (England, Wales and Southern Scotland only)
729. Radio Music Shop (England, Wales and Southern Scotland only)

� Channel does not broadcast for its full hours on Freeview.

DVB-T UK channels which are not part of the freeview package but stand alongside and can be viewed with an appropriate receiver and subscription card. Top Up TV has indicated that Top Up TV Anytime will provide 90 hours per week, equivalent to 13 hours per day, of downloaded programmes. The service broadcasts a variety of programmes from the following television channels:

* UKTV Gold
* LIVINGtv
* Hallmark Channel (UK)
* Discovery Factual
* Cartoon Network
* Toonami
* Boomerang
* Disney Channel (UK)
* Nickelodeon
* Bloomberg
* Animal Planet
* UKTV Style
* UKTV Food
* Life & Times
* TCM
* British Eurosport
* Discovery Lifestyle
* MTV
* Paramount Comedy

Plus additional service:

* PictureBox Additional Monthly Charge.
* Setanta Sports Additional Monthly Charge.

One of the less common questions we get but one which does occur due to the nature of some elements within our site, is do the Freeview boxes work in Spain, the answer is Yes, but don't expect the UK lineup this would be practically impossible to achieve - what you do get is the Spanish equivalent DVB-T service.

Another question we've had was is the freeview box a suitable replacement for a broken NTL box, in terms of set-top boxes and digital TV services it isn't suitable as a replacement, NTL boxes are cable boxes annotated as DVB-C - what freeview is is an alternative.

The retro freeview logo is a trademark of DTV group.

This page first published April 2007 and last updated on 1st May 2007 updated frequently.