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FREEVIEW

Freeview television allows you to access a host of digital TV stations, using your existing television and aerial equipment. Unlike other digital television receivers there is no subscription so, once you have purchased the box, there is nothing more to pay. In addition, so long as your existing aerial works fine now, it will work perfectly well for Freeview, so there will be no unsightly extra dishes or cabling.

Will I be able to receive Freeview?

Look here for a link to the Freeview website with postcode checker. http://www.freeview.co.uk/home

What channels are available?

All the 5 channels that "normal" TV provides are available in digital quality. In addition there are over 30 extra stations available covering a wide range of topics. There are several channels dedicated to news and politics, music, children's entertainment and home shopping. In addition to this you’ll also find many radio stations. Furthermore, BBCi is an interactive station that allows users information when they need it. For example, news and sport updates, cinema listings and even video clips are all available at the push of a button.

What other features should I look for?

Whilst some of the cheaper Freeview boxes do a perfectly acceptable job of receiving TV, there are certain features that may cost a little extra but are well worth looking out for. The first aspect to check is whether or not the unit supports the full range of channels. Some of the older designs won't give you the entire range of new stations. A digital output allows you to record straight on to a digital source such as DVD-R, for a hassle free and high quality recording. Twin Scart sockets mean that you won't find yourself running out of sockets on the TV, as other components can then be plugged in via the Freeview box.

In addition to this some Freeview boxes will now support Top-Up TV. This offers users the chance to see extra channels for an additional monthly fee. Look here for more information http://www.topuptv.com/index.html  and don’t forget to check that the Freeview box you’re considering is compatible.

Finally, as with all components, it's well worth investing in a decent quality lead between the box and TV. A properly screened Scart lead will greatly benefit the clarity of both sound and picture.