What do I need to receive Freeview HD?
You will need an additional set top box or new TV capable of receiving the new HD MPEG-4 broadcasts. The set top box or TV will carry the new Freeview HD logo to show it is compliant and capable of HD MPEG-4 broadcasts. Your TV must be HD ready to be able to display HD content.
When will it be coming to my area?
Freeview HD has already started. London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham will receive Freeview HD by the end of March 2010. A full commercial Freeview HD launch is planned for Spring 2010. Freeview HD is being switched on in advance and in parallel with the digital switchover rollout which is currently well under way and will be fully completed by 2012 across the whole of the UK. See our When Can I get it?section to see when Freeview HD will be available in your area it might be sooner than you think and might be before digital switchover is complete.
Will my existing ‘HD Ready’ set work?
Not without an external Freeview HD set-top box. A HD ready TV means that is capable of displaying HD content not receiving it.
What channels will there be?
BBC HD, ITV HD (early 2010), Channel 4 HD (early 2010), S4C (early 2010 – Wales only) and Five HD (to be added by late 2010)
You will also receive all the standard definition channels that are broadcast to your specific area as normal.
When will Freeview HD products be available?
The first HD set top boxes are expect early Spring 2010 with Freeview HD TVs available shortly afterwards.
How much will Freeview HD cost?
At launch expect set top boxes to be around £170, recorders PVR’s add another £100 and TV’s add another £100 to the price of existing TV’s. We expect to see these prices fall during the year as demand and supply are stepped up.
Will I need a new TV aerial?
If you can receive Freeview now with no problems you should be fine. If your Freeview reception is already poor it could well improve enough after digital switchover has happened in your area.
Does this mean my existing equipment is obsolete?
No all other Freeview standard definition channels will continue to be broadcast as they are now. You only need to invest in new equipment if you want to watch the new HD services on Freeview.
Why can’t my existing Freeview box can’t receive HD?
The existing Freeview (DVB-T) platform is based around compressed MPEG-2. The change of video format means that existing Freeview boxes and HD TVs with integrated digital tuners won’t be able to decode Freeview HD broadcasts. You need Freeview HD set top box which has a DVB-T2 digital tuner.
Is Freeview HD free?
Yes like Freeview, Freeview HD won’t require a monthly subscription or a subscription contract so after an initial outlay for a Freeview HD set top box or a new TV with Freeview HD built in there are no ongoing costs. At launch a Freeview HD set top box will cost around £180. This price will come down in time.
Will Freeview HD set top boxes and TV’s support BBC iPlayer?
An Ethernet (Cat 5) port is mandatory on Freeview HD equipment carrying the new Freeview HD logo this will allow future access to current (IPTV) online catch-up TV services including the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and 4OD services via your broadband connection for free.