Freeview, launched in October 2002, has proved to be one of the fastest-growing ways of picking up digital television. Freeview is run by DTV Services, a consortium founded by the BBC, BSkyB, National Grid Wireless (formerly known as Crown Castle). ITV and Channel 4 joined in 2005, each taking a 20% stake, alongside the similar holdings of the other members.

What equipment do you need?
The system uses a rooftop aerial to pick up the signals. In strong signal areas you may get away with a set-top or a loft aerial. You will also need a Freeview adapter (also called a set-top box (STB), receiver or digibox) costing between £25 and £100, or an integrated digital TV (iDTV) with a built-in Freeview adapter. You may need to upgrade your TV aerial.
 You do NOT have to change your existing television. The adapter enables ordinary TV sets to receive digital signals. Set-top boxes have different features and connections - so check out what you need in terms of connections (such as Scart sockets), before you buy. Owners of OnDigital or ITV Digital set-top boxes have been able to use them to pick up Freeview services by simply retuning them to the new transmissions. Even so, the latest set-top boxes offer better sensitivity and more features.

What does Freeview cost?
There is no contract to sign and there are no subscription charges, unless you decide to subscribe to Top Up TV Anytime. The only costs are those of a standard UK TV licence, the set-top box, and a new aerial if necessary.

What is Top Up TV Anytime?
Top Up TV was launched in March 2004. The service carries subscription channels on the Freeview DTT network.

Are you covered?
Although the signal strength has been improved, only about 80% of households are covered. Check with BBC Reception advice, your TV retailer, or if you have internet access, log on to Freeview’s web site - http://www.freeview.co.uk/, or the Digital Television Group’s site - http://www.dtg.org.uk/ - and perform a postcode check to see if you are covered. The coverage prediction will err on the side of caution. If there is doubt as to whether you will get a signal you should check with a local aerial installer for advice before you buy a Freeview adapter. Some retailers offer a survey from around £30, but may refund the charge from the cost of installing a new aerial. An aerial upgrade can cost between £80 and £300. Alternatively check using a friend’s or neighbour’s Freeview box connected to your existing TV aerial and linked to your television.

Aerial and cable
It is essential if you are in an area of marginal reception that you use a good aerial and high grade double screened satellite-quality cable. If you live in an area with a reasonable signal you may be able to get good reception using a loft, or even a set-top aerial.

Freeview transmitter Improvements The BBC has recently signed a deal with Arqiva to upgrade much of the Freeview digital transmitter network (see News story). As this is done, and analogue transmitters are turned off, the power and coverage of Freeview transmissions will improve. However if you adopt Freeview before switchover you may find that your digital signal is not as good as your current analogue one.

Freeview Multiplexes
A multiplex is simply a bundle of channels transmitted together. The Freeview adapter separates the multiplex into individual channels which are then listed individually in the on-screen programme guide.

Why is the multiplex operator important?
There is a trade-off between the number of TV and radio channels carried and the strength and quality of the signal. Two systems are currently in use. 16-QAM, with the most robust signal, is used on multiplexes 1, B, C and D. 64-QAM, able to carry about 25% more channels per multiplex, is used on multiplex 2 and A. If you are receiving Freeview, but find that some channels are unreliable or unavailable, it is likely that they are on the less robust 64-QAM multiplexes. See page 145 for the multiplex details.

What stations are available?
 The number of digital channels is likely to increase when more frequencies are released for digital terrestrial television following analogue switch-off.

What other services are available?
As well as TV and radio channels, Freeview also gives access to digital text pages and home shopping services. Interactive TV features are supported, with the option to get further information such as sports reports and statistics by pressing the red button on the Freeview remote control.

Can you get high-definition TV on Freeview?
Apart for a very localised trial in the London area Freeview does not carry HD signals. Eventually when analogue TV transmissions are switched-off after 2012 there may be spare capacity that can be used for HD. Until then, if you are after HD your best bet is Sky or cable.

Freeview – Pros
The key advantage of Freeview is that the main channels are all subscription-free. Once you have paid for the equipment there are no monthly subscription charges. The range of channels covers most popular UK national networks, including the new BBC digital ones, and a number of other interesting channels.  All the BBC radio channels are also available on Freeview - in some cases in higher quality than they are on DAB digital radio.