Freeview HD Box - Available Next Week!

Freeview HD receivers will be available for purchase next week, namely from Humax (who were the initial manufacturers of the Freesat SD, HD & PVR receivers) and Bush.

The new Freeview HD set top boxes will decode the new DVB T2 signal broadcasted from your local digital ready transmitter. Although currently, only viewers receiving Freeview from Winter Hill and Crystal Palace transmitters can receive the new Freeview HD signal, others will soon follow and the service will be rolled throughout the United Kingdom, with the entire country able to receive HD broadcasts by the end of 2012.

If you have already purchased a Freeview TV which is HD ready, you will also unfortunately need to purchase the new DVB-T2 compliant Freeview HD set top box to decode HD broadcast.

Freeview HD - When, How, What, Where?

Freeview have recently announced the next phase of their free viewing platform, by introducing HD (High Definition) content via it's free television service. However, there is alot of confusion among consumers on how and when they will be able to watch these HD broadcasts.

Freeview HD was initially be introduced to the Granada region, with the Crystal Palace transmitter being upgraded soon after, however, despite these regions now transmitting the High Definition signals, no-one can actually watch/decode these transmissions (except those with the right computer equipment).

Any Freeview receiver or TV will require a decoder with the new DVB-T2 Tuner that will process the newer signal - however there is no television or receiver that currently retails to do this. Furthermore, any television that has been purchased which has an integrated Freeview tuner, and HD capabilities, will still require a separate DVB-T2 Freeview receiver when available to watch the HD channels!

However, once available, consumers will have a choice of Free HD broadcasts from channels such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and eventually Five.

Although there are only currently 2 regions already transmitting Freeview HD, many regions will have to wait until the complete digital switchover has commenced in their area to receive the new higher definition broadcasts.

Common Problems - Digital Set Top Box Crashed?

A common yet easily rectifiable problem when watching your favourite digital television programmes, is for your pictures to freeze or not appear, and your digital set top box (which is used for either Sky, BBC Freesat or Freeview systems) to stop responding to any commands to change the channel or enter the menu.

Digital set top boxes (or satellite receivers in general) are like mini computers, and are prone to crashing which is where the software fails to operate as expected and cannot be operated by traditional methods.

The solution to rectify this problem, and return either your Freeview, Sky or BBC Freesat satellite receiver to a functional state, a reset of the box will be required.

We have outlined below the necessary procedure to perform a reset:

For BBC Freesat, Sky Digital & Freeview Receivers:

- Unplug the set top box from the power socket for approximately five minutes. This allows the receiver to power down and clear it's memory

- Reconnect the set top box and allow the software approximately one minute to load itself correctly

- Take the receiver off standby mode by pressing the power button on either the box or the remote control.

- If successful, your digital television channels should be ok and watchable, and you should be able to change channel as expected.

If you have a Sky Digital satellite receiver and the above method didn't cure your problems, you may need to perform a 'system download' to force the box to download the latest software and channels.

To perform a system download for Sky, follow the instructions below:

- Unplug/Turn off the power supply powering the Sky digital(Sky, Sky+ or Sky HD) receiver.

- Hold you finger down on the 'backup' button located on the front of the receiver (Please note, holding the backup button on the remote control will not work)

- Reconnect the receiver or turn the power back on at the supply, whilst pressing down the backup button

- After approximately 15 seconds, lights should appear on the front of your Sky digital receiver, and a message on screen explaining a download is in process - DO NOT SWITCH OFF THE RECEIVER!

- Allow this process upto 15 minutes to perform fully. Once completed, the Sky digital receiver will automatically go to standby mode by default.

- Press the power button on your remote control, and your Sky digital viewing service should be resumed!

If the above procedures do not cure your home viewing problems, there may be something else in your digital system which could be causing a disruption to your service, such as, the satellite dish or aerial, cabling or even slight mis-alignment or your satellite dish or TV aerial. A visit from an highly trained Aerialforce engineer can help fully diagnose the fault, and implement a remedial course of action.