: Now and Next | Electronic Programme Guides
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Now and Next

If you have ever used the TV Now and Next screens on Ceefax or Teletext, you will be familiar with the basic idea of an electronic programme guide.

If you have ever used the TV Now and Next screens on Ceefax or
Published on by on UK Free TV
If you have ever used the TV Now and Next screens on Ceefax or Teletext, you will be familiar with the basic idea of an electronic programme guide.

On almost all digital television systems you can (usually by pressing a directional key whilst watching a channel) pop up a box over the bottom of the television picture showing the now and next for the programme you are watching. Normally you can use the directional keys to view the names and start times of programmes on other channels.

Unlike with teletext, this box will usually disappear automatically within five to ten seconds. If this doesn't happen there will be a "back up" or "TV" key that will remove it.

Also unlike teletext, when you see a programme you want to watch, you can press the central "OK" or "select" to view it.





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Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Dave
Wednesday 26 July 2006 3:27PM
I use freeview on Panasonic TX32. My EPG only ever shows now and next. I assumed this was a limitation of the TV but Panasonic say NO - it is down to the data being transmitted. Can I get more information on my EPG or is it only now and next on freeview?
Briantist
Wednesday 26 July 2006 4:12PM
Freeview has three types of EPG: the now and next information, a built-in seven day EPG and also the 14-day 4TV program guide. Some boxes are able to update their internal software, but some are not, and the same applies to integrated televisons. The software must be transmitted when you attempt to upgrade it, you can find out when your model will be able to download and update at www.dtg.org.uk link icon DTG: Engineering Channel Download Schedule
Briantist
Wednesday 26 July 2006 4:17PM
I just looked and three TX32 models are listed for Mon to Wed this week, so you have just missed them. They will be on again within a month...
Dave
Wednesday 26 July 2006 5:16PM
Thanks Briantist
Boko
Wednesday 24 October 2007 7:49AM
Ceefax EPG nightly Download - I have just downloaded the latest EPG to my Mum's Thomson Freeview box. It turned out to be the Ceefax EPG ....BUT the box now wants to stay on standby each night to download or have you wait 10mins when you switch it on.

It even says that you now have to leave it on standby. So this is entirely expected behaviour.

She isn't going to be happy! And what about switching everything off to save the planet?

What is going on? Can Anyone help?
Briantist
Wednesday 24 October 2007 10:35AM
Boko: If you want autoamatic downloads during the night, leave the box on standby. Such boxes are designed to use as little power as possible when in standby mode.
Rich
Tuesday 6 May 2008 1:08PM
Hi, interesting site. I've searched for info on my question and can't see answer so here it is. I'm using an Amstrad/Sky box with Freeview card to receive the FTV channels abroad and it works well. However I understood that the receiver had to be left on at the time (at least standby) in order to stay validated. Is that the case? I'd love to turn it off as even in standby mode it seems to draw a lot. I've never actually dared to turn it off in case it loses its validity although with a one-way link I'd presume that it'll always stay validated, it's just that there may be downloads to catch up on with the box once turned off after 'missed' downloads. Any light you can shed would be much appreciated. And yes, I gather that the way forward would probably be to go for FreeSat - I may do that but obviously this means the further expense of buying another box.
Brgds, Rich
Briantist
Tuesday 6 May 2008 1:55PM
Rich: No, you do not need to leave the reciver on all the time.
chris
Tuesday 2 March 2010 1:56PM Bath
I have a Pioneer analogue DVD recorder that can record to hard disc or DVD.

When we go digital at the end of this month (I'll get a Freeview twin tuner with integral hard disc) can I (and if so, how) download form the freeview box through my analogue recorder onto a DVD. (eg a film I want to keep on a separate DVD)
LutonFan
Tuesday 2 March 2010 8:21PM
chris- Yes, this should be possible. Ensure you connect a scart lead from the output socket of the freeview box(normally marked vcr) to the input socket of the dvd recorder.

Assuming your TV has enough scart sockets, also connect a scart from the output socket of the dvd to the tv, (in order to 'see what you are doing')

Selct AV2( or Panasonics equivellent) and you can then archive onto dvd.

Hope this helps.
LutonFan
Tuesday 2 March 2010 9:21PM
chris- sorry, I meant Pioneer, I have Panasonic on the brain
Andrew
Wednesday 26 October 2011 12:42PM
just 1 question, why is there no time signal
shown on a Wednesday
Briantist
Wednesday 26 October 2011 2:09PM
Andrew: I'm really not sure what your question means...
sharon hampton
Friday 13 July 2012 11:31AM
I have a digifusion fvrt 100 but i cant get it to work is this because of the changeover it is now too old to pick the signal
Mark Fletcher
Friday 13 July 2012 2:41PM Halifax
Sharon Hampton.Yes due to the fact that the Digifusion FVRT 100 does not support the 8k mode in switched over regions.

So in effect it no longer works in your location which has switched over already.

Please see InView EPG death-boxes.
paula birks
Saturday 22 September 2012 8:34PM
hi all. i have an Lg that did display tv guidon freeview for days ahead, now only NOW and NEXT cant figure out why. LG 37LK450U is th model. can anyone help please. Paula
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