How To Get Freeview | Aerialforce
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How To Get Freeview

Freeview
Jun-2020 / 5 min read

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Freeview is a subscription-free service that allows its users to access over 70 live TV and radio channels. It is the best television platform in the United Kingdom as it enables its users to receive 95% of the nation’s favourite TV. Unlike other subscription packages, Freeview does not require any monthly obligation. For this reason, most people consider Freeview as the ideal choice for their homes.

How To Get Freeview For Your Home

Freeview is available all around the UK so Freeview channels are easily accessible in your home. To receive these Freeview signals, you need a good TV aerial. Getting a good and compatible TV aerial is essential as it plays a vital role in the strength of your signal reception. TV aerials that have poor signal reception can lead to signal problems such as picture pixelation, missing channels, or stuttering sounds.

Aside from a TV aerial, you need a TV that is compatible with Freeview. Freeview may already be built-in if you just recently bought your TV. However, if your TV is older than 2010, chances are that a separate Freeview set-top box is needed. Once you have everything that you need, you are now ready to set-up your Freeview. Don’t worry because we will discuss below how to get freeview whether your TV has built-in Freeview or not.

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How to Get Freeview Using Your Freeview-ready TV

Here’s a guide on how to set-up a TV with built-in Freeview:

  1. Connect your aerial cable to the TV.
  2. Plug in the TV and turn on the TV using the TV remote.
  3. Tune your TV to find the available Freeview channels. You can usually find this option in the Menu or Settings, but different brands may have different settings. It is best to check the manual if you can’t find it.
  4. Wait for around 3 to 5 minutes. Once the tuning is finished, you can save the channels and start watching.

How to Get Freeview Using a Set-Top Box

Here’s a guide on how to set-up Freeview if you are using a set-top box or Freeview recorder.

  1. Connect your aerial cable to the set-top box or Freeview recorder. There is an aerial socket on the box which should be marked RF in, Antenna, Aerial, or Ant in.
  2. Connect your set-top box or recorder to your TV using an HDMI cable. The HDMI cable is usually connected to the port in the box marked HDMI 1. The arrangement of sockets may vary across products.
  3. Turn on the set-top box or recorder using its remote.
  4. Put your TV on standby.
  5. Turn it on using your TV remote. Make sure to go to the MENU and change SOURCE to HDMI. Most TVs will automatically detect your set-top box or recorder. If this does not happen, go to the AV1 channel using your remote control.
  6. Most boxes are ready to automatically start tuning. You can manually do this using the remote for the set-top box or recorder. You can usually find the tuning option in the Menu or Settings, but different brands may have different settings. It is best to check the manual if you can’t find it.
  7. Once your box is tuned, you can save the channels and use your set-top box remote to explore the range of channels.

Connecting to Freeview Through Wi-Fi

Internet connection is not a prerequisite to access Freeview. However, if you have a Freeview Play device and want to access catch-up on-demand content, you will need an Internet connection.

What is Freeview Play?

Freeview Play is essentially Freeview with added extra features and elements to TV viewing. Freeview Play allows you to watch catch-up on-demand programmes from CBS’ UK channel portfolio, which comprises CBS Reality, CBS Reality+1. CBS Drama, and CBS Action. Freeview Play also integrates a roll-back function that allows you to watch, pause, record, and rewind programmes that have aired in the past seven days. Freeview Play also gives you the option of topping up with subscription streaming services such as Netflix, NOW TV, and Prime Video.

Connecting Your Freeview Play Device To The Internet

Smart TVs now include the option to connect using Wi-Fi. To be able to access catch-up on-demand programmes, you should have an Internet connection of at least 2 mbps. You can connect your Freeview Play Device to your broadband using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet Cable. 

All Freeview Play devices have built-in Wi-Fi receivers, so connecting the device to your home broadband would be easy. However, you can also connect your Freeview Play device to your broadband using the Ethernet Cable for more reliable connection and streaming.

If you choose to use an Ethernet Cable, you should go from the Menu to the Network Settings of the device and select Direct or Ethernet connection. You will then be prompted to enter your home network details.

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How To Get Freeview Using Your Mobile Device

You can also watch your favourite Freeview shows wherever you are using your mobile device. You can watch live or on-demand by simply downloading the Freeview app from Google Play or App Store. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can now browse shows from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, and UKTV Play even when you’re not at your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I Get a Freeview Without an Aerial?

Yes and no. Technically you can still use your Freeview play device by connecting it to the Internet. However, you can only watch catch-up TV or TV on demand through this method. You wouldn’t be able to access Freeview’s digital terrestrial service since it is not yet currently available on the Internet. The only way to watch live TV from Freeview is to have an aerial.  

What If I Move House?

As long as there is a transmitting tower nearby, there are Freeview signals. You can take your TV, set-top box or recorder, and your TV aerial when you move to your new home. Just make sure to install your aerial again and set-up your TV system and Freeview as normal. Make sure to tune the channels again since channels may vary from one location to another.

What Channels are Available on Freeview?

Freeview allows you to watch at least 70 to over a hundred TV channels all at no monthly cost or contract. Freeview offers a lot of famous channels such as BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, ITV Channel, 4Seven, More4, etc. You can also access news channels such as BBC News in HD, BBC Parliament, Sky News, and RT (Russia Today) in HD. Lastly, there are also channels aimed for children such as CBBC and CBeebies, CITV, Pop, and Ketchup TV.

It is essential to note that channels may vary from one location to another. Your access to some channels may depend on the quality of your aerial. Channel lists also occasionally change, so make sure to update your equipment.

I can’t pick up any Freeview channels, what do I do?

If you are experiencing problems such as picture freezing and pixelation, noise, or total loss of signal, it is most probably a problem with your aerial. Make sure that your aerial is not broken and is properly installed. If you are in a low signal area, you may need to invest in a better outdoor aerial, as they are the best for picking up signals. If you are not confident in installing an aerial, we recommend you to ask for professional help.

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