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Freeview HD - final dates
The dates include the relays unless otherwise specified.
- Winter Hill (Manchester) NOT RELAYS, at switchover 2 December 2009
- Crystal Palace (London) NOT RELAYS, advanced service 2 December 2009
- Pontop Pike (Newcastle and Tyneside) NOT RELAYS, advanced service February 2010
- Black Hill (Glasgow, Central Scotland) NOT RELAYS, advanced service February 2010
- Emley Moor (West Yorkshire) NOT RELAYS, advanced service March 2010
- Lichfield (Birmingham) NOT RELAYS, advanced service March 2010
- Winter Hill RELAYS (Liverpool, Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire), late service March 2010
- Wenvoe (Cardiff, Newport), March 2010
- Kilvey Hill (Swansea), late service March 2010.
- Blaenplwyf (West, Central Wales), March 2010
- Stockland Hill (Exeter, Devon, Somerset, Dorset), late service April 2010
- Carmel (Carmarthenshire), late service April 2010
- Mendip (Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucetershire), late service April 2010
- Long Mountain, Moel-y-Parc, Preslei, late service June 2010
- Llanddona (Anglesay), late service July 2010
- Beacon Hill, Caradon Hill, Huntshaw Cross, Redrith (Devon, Cornwall), late service August 2010
- Caldbeck (Cumbria), late service October 2010
- Douglas (Isle of Man), late service October 2010
- Selkirk (Scottish Borders), late service November 2010
- Fremont Point (Channel Islands), December 2010.
All the other transmitters will have Freeview HD at switchover.
The "advanced service" is on unknown frequencies, so it is possible that there might be different coverage to standard Freeview and a wideband aerial might be required. The advanced services will move to their correct frequencies at switch-over.
You will need an HDTV and a new Freeview HD box to view the service, and a roof top aerial will be essential.
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We are covered by the Caldbeck Transmitter, which we believe will be modified to FreeviewHD in October 2010. We have a standard Digital box, and a digital aerial which is not - we believe - set up for HD. Would we still be able to watch standard Digital channels after changeover, as we could not afford to replace the aerial and box, being on low income (benefits). Please advise. (map)
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Mr & Mrs Osborne: There isn't a single bit of kit out there anywhere that can receive Freeview HD yet, but there soon will be.
You don't need a new set or aerial, just the transmitter in-service and a Freeview HD box.
You don't need a new set or aerial, just the transmitter in-service and a Freeview HD box.
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Which will provide the best HD picture quality - Freesat, or Freeview when it comes ?
Thanks
Paul
Thanks
Paul
Posted by Paul (7 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 12:33PM 
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Paul: There is capacity on Freesat for better pictures, but I suspect they will be comparable . You can see Freesat HD today, and we won't really know how good Freeview HD is until it arrives tomorrow.
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is HD available in my area on freeview Warrington WA 3 post code
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Hi Brian,
Could you tell me if viewers in wales will get channel4 hd as well as s4c hd on freeview as i am having trouble getting conflicting info on this.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
Could you tell me if viewers in wales will get channel4 hd as well as s4c hd on freeview as i am having trouble getting conflicting info on this.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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unsworth, HD is broadcast from winter Hill on Freeview but no receiving equipment is available yet!
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So far, Freeview is a joke round here. No reception until Sept 2011 and when it does arrive, we can look forward to less than half the number of channels many folks can receive now. Not much use for folks who live in properties that can't have a satellite dish.
Very disappointing. I would have thought it should have been a given that everyone would eventually be able to receive ALL the Freeview channels, not just the lucky ones.
Very disappointing. I would have thought it should have been a given that everyone would eventually be able to receive ALL the Freeview channels, not just the lucky ones.
Posted by Steve (4 posts) on Monday 25 January 2010 7:48AM
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Steve: The commercial operators have decided it costs too much to broadcast to you. In these cases you receive the cross-subsidized public service channels only.
It's not a joke, it is the commercial reality of the situation.
Why not get Freesat today, you will get all the channels you will in 2011? Freesat | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002
It's not a joke, it is the commercial reality of the situation.
Why not get Freesat today, you will get all the channels you will in 2011? Freesat | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002
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Brian's correct Steve.
Although Freesat probably isn't quite as good as the full Freeview service (No Dave, Five USA etc.) it's a damned sight better than Freeview Lite and has channels that aren't on Freeview at all. I know if I was in a Freeview Lite area, and didn't have Sky, I'd go for it.
There are also some very good Freesat HD PVRs, like the Humax Foxsat and the new models from Sagem and Grundig.
Although Freesat probably isn't quite as good as the full Freeview service (No Dave, Five USA etc.) it's a damned sight better than Freeview Lite and has channels that aren't on Freeview at all. I know if I was in a Freeview Lite area, and didn't have Sky, I'd go for it.
There are also some very good Freesat HD PVRs, like the Humax Foxsat and the new models from Sagem and Grundig.
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What's all the complaning about Freeview not getting the whole lot of channels? As I have said before, all we had with analogue was FOUR or if you were lucky FIVE channels any more channels is a bonus! At no extra cost to your licence fee. Any way who wants any more, most of the people I talk to are quite happy with FIVE. When installing TVs as soon as you go to CH6(ITV2) you see confusion come over there face, and they say "I'm fine with five channels don't tune in ant more" and when you tell them there are umpteen more the first thing they is "how much will it cost me?" when you say "nothing" they say "I don't want all those channels".
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Iain Davies: That certainly was the argument right back at the beginning. It is one of the reasons that many people don't like Sky/Virgin very much is the endlessness of it all.
I'm happy most of the time to use the iPlayer to watch good things and listen to music or the radio the rest of the time...
I'm happy most of the time to use the iPlayer to watch good things and listen to music or the radio the rest of the time...
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Some good points, chaps, and thanks for answering. My main gripe is that some of the channels I'd love to view (such as Film Four) will not be available to me. Freesat would indeed solve my limited viewing problems, but we live in a bedsit that's part of a Grade 2 listed building and the local council have refused permission for a dish. As we can't afford to move for the forseeable, Freesat is not currently an option. I do understand now why we have only been granted a limited Freeview service, but it does seem a little unfair. Of course, if you are in a position to get all the channels, there's really no problem.
Ah well, life wasn't meant to be easy, I guess. Thanks again for explaining.
Ah well, life wasn't meant to be easy, I guess. Thanks again for explaining.
Posted by Steve (4 posts) on Monday 1 February 2010 8:49PM
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Steve: You have not been "granted a limited Freeview service", the digital public services have the same coverage as they had analogue.
The commercial operators are free to provide services where they want, and they have chosen not to do it from any more transmitters after switchover.
The commercial operators are free to provide services where they want, and they have chosen not to do it from any more transmitters after switchover.
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Thanks very much, Briantist.
Yes, "granted" was perhaps the wrong word to use.
I can see now that the commercial operators have done an excellent job and clearly aren't in a position to ensure everyone has the same choice.
Thanks for explaining, mate.
Yes, "granted" was perhaps the wrong word to use.
I can see now that the commercial operators have done an excellent job and clearly aren't in a position to ensure everyone has the same choice.
Thanks for explaining, mate.
Posted by Steve (4 posts) on Tuesday 2 February 2010 7:21AM
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Steve: It's just a question of cost-benefit analysis. The commercial operators can run from the existing 81 sites, three multiplexes on each and cover 90% of the population.
They were given the option of extending their services to the other 1074 transmitters, but as these cover only 8.5% of the population it's just too expensive for them.
http://www.ukfree.tv/fullstory.php?storyid=1107051024 No new full Freeview transmitters | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002
They were given the option of extending their services to the other 1074 transmitters, but as these cover only 8.5% of the population it's just too expensive for them.
http://www.ukfree.tv/fullstory.php?storyid=1107051024 No new full Freeview transmitters | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002
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When is the Oxford transmitter transmitting HD freeview.
Posted by Simon Dale (1 post) on Friday 5 February 2010 2:01PM
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It appears that the Channel Islands are not going to get other than very limited Freeview channels. Considering that they are not part of the UK, why do they have to give up channels to the British Government to sell? They have currently four analogue channels, why can't they use all four for Freeview?
Posted by Doug (1 post) on Saturday 6 February 2010 5:21PM
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Doug: It is down the commercial operators to provide the service, and they declined to do this as the number of viewers in the channels islands is so low compared to the transmission costs.
The commercial operators are not required in law to act uncommercially.
The commercial operators are not required in law to act uncommercially.
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Simon Dale: At switch-over, Wednesday 30th March 2011.
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Doug: Apparently they ARE using all four channels for Freeview.
It isn't going to be a gradual switchover in the Channel Islands - we will go from having analogue on 16 November to having Freeview on 17 November.
It isn't going to be a gradual switchover in the Channel Islands - we will go from having analogue on 16 November to having Freeview on 17 November.
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Ryan Morrison: There are three multiplexes on all the transmitters, with the fourth frequency going into the Digital Dividend.
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Briantist: Thanks, didn't realise that.
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Ryan Morrison: Please see The great digital dividend sale | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002 for details.
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I HAVE A HDTV WITH BUILT IN FREEVIEW IF I BUY A SUITABLE TV ARIEL AND PLUG INTO THE TV SET WILL I STILL NEED TO BUY A SET TOP BOX AND RETUNE TO PICK UP DIGITAL TV.IAM AT PRESENT A SKY SUBSCRIBER WITH H D SKY DIGI BOX IM GOING TO CANCEL MY CONTRACT WITH THEM SO INFO WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED THANK YOU (map)
Posted by JAMES FULLERTON (1 post) on Friday 12 February 2010 9:32PM
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JAMES FULLERTON: Yes, you still need a Freeview HD box. No existing TV anywhere in the world can pick up Freeview HD.
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I can see 34 Sony Freeview HD Bravia TVs - mind you they're in the £1400 - £2600 price range at...http://www.sony.co.uk/compare/tv-projector/
Posted by ChrisB (3 posts) on Wednesday 28 April 2010 5:24PM 
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ChrisB: Or you can use a Freeview HD box with an existing HDTV...
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Hi, what does stockland Hill LATE service april 2010 mean, will the notice to retune come up automatically on freeview receivers, if it does and we retune I understand that we will loose our local bbc service and receive london regional
Posted by skudds (3 posts) on Friday 30 April 2010 7:43AM
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skudds: Stockland Hill didn't get the Freeview HD service at switchover, it was delayed until last week.
Of course you won't get London services! You will get your local ones, as before.
Of course you won't get London services! You will get your local ones, as before.
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Hi! I'm bit confused. 2 questions. I live in Torquay TQ2 6HX. On www.freeview.co.uk it said to me that this area wont be covered with Freeview HD until September. So no World Cup in HD? 2nd thing that confuses me is the equipment involved. At the moment I have 2 TV-s that are HD ready with HDMI ports. I also have regular SD Freeview boxes. I can see all channels. So do I only need to get Freeview HD box or is there something that needs to be upgraded on the aerial as well? I do not get along with my Landlord atm. Would love to see World Cup in HD....
Posted by Rayray (2 posts) on Tuesday 18 May 2010 11:29PM
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Rayray: for some reason they didn't start up the HD service from Beacon Hill when Freeview HD launched. It is due to launch in September.
Could be something like the regional services weren't ready, and you don't quite get the same regional service from Beacon Hill as from Stockland Hill.
You should only need to get a Freeview HD box. The HD multiplex uses the same frequency that BBC One analogue used to use, so there really shouldn't be any need to change your aerial.
Stockland Hill is unlikely to be receivable where you are. (map)
Could be something like the regional services weren't ready, and you don't quite get the same regional service from Beacon Hill as from Stockland Hill.
You should only need to get a Freeview HD box. The HD multiplex uses the same frequency that BBC One analogue used to use, so there really shouldn't be any need to change your aerial.
Stockland Hill is unlikely to be receivable where you are. (map)
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Thx Mike.
Will get the Freeview HD later on then after the World Cup. Will wait some time till the prices will drop even further on Freeview HD boxes. Would invested in one of them right now to see World Cup in HD. But its ok. Thx for ur reply though.
Will get the Freeview HD later on then after the World Cup. Will wait some time till the prices will drop even further on Freeview HD boxes. Would invested in one of them right now to see World Cup in HD. But its ok. Thx for ur reply though.
Posted by Rayray (2 posts) on Thursday 20 May 2010 4:07PM
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does the tv switch over affect radio transmitters (map)
Posted by james (1 post) on Friday 2 July 2010 9:51AM
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james, NO!!!
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I live in West Moors, Dorset. We can currently receive all the freeview channels even though the freeview website tells me i shouldnt be able to getany of the BBC channels. The same site tells me that my postcode wont get freeview HD until 2012, yet Dorset seems to have been getting freeview HD since the end of April. I'm confused which to trust,a nd dont want to buy a freeview hd telly only to get upscaled SD pictures.
Posted by Marcus Hutton (1 post) on Wednesday 14 July 2010 11:14AM
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Marcus Hutton: The postcode predictions sometimes tend to be a little conservative. If you are able to receive a signal from Stockland Hill or Mendip - both offer coverage to parts of Dorset,you will be able to view the Freeview HD channels.
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Marcus Hutton: I have just tried a West Moors postcode in the DUK checker. It shows Mendip as an alternative signal source with marginal coverage on the HD mux, so it is a matter of how well you can receive Mendip.
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