Is there a pro side to purchasing a new TV with free-view pre built in?

If you already have cable, it it possible to just switch off the free-view, I thought perhaps that there may be cases when some folks may close their cable account for whatever reason, and just may want to use free-view instead, therefore having it pre built would come in handy.

You don't have to use the built in Freeview tuner at all. And most (all?) modern TV sets will remember which external source (ie cable box) they were switched to when they are put into standby.

just get Freeview HD

Yeah, but I forgot to say I already have cable, would that make a difference?

no it wont make a difference , but your future proofing yourself

you can either get a computer monitor with no tuner , or get a 1080 p telly with Freeview HD

Right, so get a freeview TV anyway, that's what your saying.

I still think some I see in stores often don't look that smooth picture wise, but then my cable picture is really good, so I presume that would show up likewise on a new flat screen LCD HD Freeview TV.

When the analogue signal gets switched off does this mean that the aerials on rooftops will not be used? therefore it's the built in free view that would do the business for non-cable customers? or are the original transmitters used to carry the free-view signals only?

Do you require a free-view box for those TV's with free-view apparently built in?

I found this from http://www.switchhelp.co.uk/freeview.html

Digital TV set - Known as an IDTV, these are TV sets with a built-in Freeview receiver. Most brand new TV sets on sale in the UK are "Digital TV Ready" and come with a built-in Freeview receiver.

You'll be hard pressed to find an LCD or Plasma TV that doesn't have a Freeview tuner installed.

And it makes no odds to any other equipment that you might want to connect, cable boxes, satellite boxes etc.

Freeview comes in through the same aerials that analogue TV does BTW.

You still need an aerial for Freeview probably the same aerial will be fine though not always. The best thing to do is get Freeview then try the current aerial.


You don't have to get a separate box though I would advise most people to get a Freeview PVR whether the TV has Freeview or not. The convenience and ease of use of a PVR makes it pretty much indispensable after a short while.

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder, would I still require a Free-View PVR? and anyway I currenty have Virgin Media cable, and can record programmes with the Panasonic DVD recorder.

If you only use cable (or Sky) then DSO has no effect on you.

Now it's just which TV to choose from, I actually prefer to go for Sony Freeview HD, but wondered if it's best to wait till new models come in.

You may find that your DVD recorder will record whatever is being shown on the TV by a Scart socket ( AV ) . What you are looking for is a square beside the Scart socket that has an arrow in and out of it . This means the signal is bi-directional .

I have gone from Sony to Panasonic and I am very pleased with it. The TV I have is a G 20 series. You may find that ( probally will ) that the TV and DVD recorder will talk to each other , one remote etc

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...508/index.html

Sonys are still a good make , and it was very close to choose. My choice was based on USB recording to a hard drive, ethernet connection for DNLA for NAS hard drive to be accessed like a Media Centre controlled by TV. My TV has Freesat built in and is another option for reception problems with Freeview.

If all your channels are okay just now on freeview , then just get Freeview .............. any channels freezing or pixellating then you are best with cable or Freesat. Compared to Sky , Freesat gives a poorish picture ............... you would be advised to see for yourself.

Freeview HD , 1080 p and HDMI inputs are what you are after. Other things would be nice, but the price will go up.

Try and get a 46 " is my advice to you. Stick with a recording device like Virgin + since your on cable. Record one channel while watching another is a godsend.

So will my Sky work normally if my new TV has a built in freeview box?

Sony and Panasonic are both bringing out new models

Look out for 2010 models at reduced prices. With Freeview HD being introduced last year

You mean to look for this at the back of the TV beside the scart input?


Ah, you mean my DVD recorder will work on the TV too if the TV is a Panasonic?

I still have the analogue aerial plugged in even though I use Virgin Media cable, this gives me the opportunity to watch another channel if I want to while recording from cable, so to be honest I wouldn't be using free-view that much, however when I do view using the aerial the screen isn't in proper wide-screen mode, and if I make it cine screen some of the top and bottom is chopped, like I say it's handy if I need to view a different programme while recording another.

If I record something on the V+ Box, am I then able to record that to DVD using my DVD stand alone recorder?

Yes. Just the same as it does with your old TV with a built in terrestrial analogue tuner

yes to everything

whats your budget ?

If I want to record it as it is being shown live I can use my DVD recorder for that too?

Approx £500

think this is your cheapest option , but is more of a computer monitor at 1024 x 768

http://www.johnlewis.com/231186691/P...x?source=63258 £ 549

http://www.johnlewis.com/230962787/Product.aspx £ 700 , FULL 1080 p

I would up the budget to the 1080 p one . you could try the LG or lesser make ?

http://www.johnlewis.com/231188573/Product.aspx

however the Panny switches channels etc to record of freeview for your channels. I dont know what other make models do so........................ but someone will

you could go for a cheaper TV , but get a PVR with twin tuner and Freeview HD................ ? but might be same price

If you want future-proofing, I'd wait until 2012/2013/2014
when TVs will have the following Built-In

Freeview HD Tuner
Freesat HD Tuner
Youview service - due to launch sometime in 2012
Plus of course SD, HD and 3D Pictures

And any new inventions

Some new Sony 2011 models are already out, presumably all are now Freeview HD?, even though as a cable user Freeview HD is pretty meaningless to you.