D-Day for west and central Wales

10th February 2010 is D-Day for thousands of TV viewers in west and central Wales as the digital switchover is implemented.
Analogue BBC Two was turned off permanently Shortly after midnight and engineers started switching on Freeview signals at twelve relay transmitters serving more than 8,000 homes.
Viewers in these areas will be able to receive Freeview digital channels for the first time from today.
The changes also affect existing Freeview viewers whose BBC channels have moved to new frequencies. Any missing channels can be restored by retuning Freeview boxes and TVs.
The second and final stage of switchover at the Blaenplwyf transmitter group will take place on 10 March, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently. On this date,
further Freeview channels from ITV, S4C, Channel 4 and Five will also become available from relay transmitters for the first time.

What’s Freeview+ ?

By admin on January 30, 2010

Freeview+ is just the name given to digital TV recorders that are combined with a built-in Freeview receiver.

To be called Freeview+ and bear the logo players must include the following features :

* At least 8 Day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)
* Series Link (one timer to record whole series)
* Record split programmes as one programme
* Offer to record related programme
* Record alternative showing if there is a time conflict
* Schedule changes updated in standby (e.g. scheduled recording starting early)
* Accurate recording (equivalent to PDC – programmes are recorded based on signals from the broadcaster rather than scheduled time) – since this is based on signals from the broadcaster, the broadcaster can prevent recording by sending nonsense signals as a form of copy protection, as already happens on music channels. This can be circumvented by specifying a timer recording instead of a programme recording or by routing the player through a traditional VHS recorder.

Twin or single tuner ?

By admin on January 30, 2010

If you already have a freeview box or your TV has a built in Freeview digital tuner a Freeview Recorder with a single Freeview tuner will let you record one channel while watching another.
If you don’t have a freeview box or a digital TV then you’ll need a twin tuner Freeview recorder which will let you watch one digital channel while recording a different digital channel.

Freeview Recorder