UK HD TV digital services, of both freesat and Freeview, are undergoing Digital TV changes. It is advisable to choose a TV from the major brands only. One should do this because your television receiver may need to have a software update during its useful life.
.HD via Freeview has completed its trial and has been made public. The roll out program covers 98% of the UK population. The first roll out is due in the next couple of months and the complete service will be rolled out when full switchover happens in 2012. At this time 98% of the UK population will be able to receive HD Freeview.
Find out when this will happen in you area: Freeview HD
What do you need to receive Freeview HD?
Make sure that your area is withing t
he roll out plan for the HD upgrade. Roll out timescales are subject to the transmitter engineering implementation plans so it is worth checking your transmitter region/area. You can click upon the link above to check for this.
HD TV via Freeview comes from all the main providers: ITV, Channel 4 and BBC. Your HD viewing pleasure for dramas, soaps and documentaries. When the 2010 World Cup comes 50% of the population will be able to receive HD TV via Freeview. In late 2010, Five HD aims to launched on Freeview HD.
When will Freeview HD rollout be complete? By the 2010 World Cup, 50% of the UK population. When the full digital switchover occurs in 2012 almost all of the UK population will be able to get Freeview HD.
The first areas to receive Freeview HD will be:
Newcastle
Leeds
London
Glasgow
Bradford
Birmingham
Freeview HD services will commence in the following areas due to digital switchover:
Cardiff and Swansea
Manchester
Other switchover areas should be able to receive Freeview HD by the end of November 2010. Check out your region
You will nee some HD receiver equipment:
Freeview+ HD recorder - available Spring 2010
Freeview HD box - available early 2010
The above will enable you to receive and decode the HD signals. In addition you will, of course, need a TV for viewing the HD channels - either HD Ready or Full HD TV. If you are planning to get a HD TV then the simplest solution is to go for a 1080p HD TV and have it connect to your receiver via an HDMI cable.
Some built in Freeview HD digital LCD TVs are expected to be available by Easter 2010 You need to look for only approved Freeview HD logo products. Freeview LCD HD TVs will be able to receive the HD as well as normal high quality digital TV channels. Make sure that your aerial is upto the job before expecting to be able to receive Freeview HD TV.
Freeview is free over the air digital TV with 50+ channels of TV entertainment coming to you via your TV aerial. All this with no monthly contract cost or subscriptions. Digital radio channels are also carried with better sound quality and additional channel information.
While progress is made towards digital switch over you will need to check your coverage. The complete roll out of digital TV will be be completed by 2012. You will need a digital box (digibox), digital TV or digital recorder and of course a decent aerial system. A local freeview installation specialist can make sure that you have an aerial system which renders a quality signal for reliable and trouble free TV channel viewing.
Freeview relies upon an aerial but there are other alternative to obtaining free over the air digital TV. Freesat is an additional service using a satellite dish.
Your choice of Freeview or freesat depends upon your preferences, availability of each service and how many HD TV channels you wish to receive.
