Thread: Freeview EPG needs its own STB

The lengths the commercial stations goto to annoy the public and drain them of what ever money why have its shocking.

It turns out the Freeview (a simple term for digital FTA) EPG will not be made available to the current digital tuner software builtin to existing set top boxes or screens with built in tuners.

Freeview EPG won't be compatible with current TVs - News - TVs

Another interesting point made in that article is that when Ten launch their new 24 hour HD sports channel they are doing it at the expense of the current HD channel. In other words there will be no HD content from Ten unless its sport.

Freeview is the system running in the UK. It's not quite simply digital FTA. At its core, that's essentially what it is. However there is functionality above and beyond what you're accustom to with digital.

Freeview in the UK isn't HD yet though, unfortunately. The benefits are worth the cost of an extra/external tuner, however.

And to clarify, to the best of my knowledge, viewing the channels themselves will be possible using existing tuners (it is here). It's just "red button" functionality and the like that will require a new box if you want to take advantage of it.