There are a number of types of aerials
currently used for TV.
These are pointed towards the
transmitters to get the strongest signal.
VHF (Very High Frequency) with a few large
elements.
• The double element (dipole) receives the signal.
• The longer element behind reflects the signal.
• One or more shorter elements in front direct the
signal onto the dipole.
• The more front elements, the stronger the signal
that is received.
These are in two sizes, for different sets of analogue
channels (Channels 1 – 3, Channels 4 – 9).
The larger size is shown here.
VHF aerials will no longer be used after the
change-over.
UHF (Ultra High Frequency) aerials are required for Channels 21 – 69.
These are needed at present for some analogue channels:
Central (Ch. 40), Maori (Ch. 44), Prime (Ch. 56), Trackside (Ch. 60).
A UHF aerial is required for Terrestrial Freeview (Channels 46, 48, 50, 51).
Note the number of front elements in these examples (more mean better
reception).
A dish is required for Satellite Freeview.
The dish is a reflector which receives the signal and reflects and focuses it
to the receiver in front of it.
The dish is pointed towards a stationary satellite to get the strongest signal.
Terrestrial Freeview provides better picture quality (HD = High Definition), which
is available on some programs on some channels.
If you currently have a UHF aerial and receive a reasonable picture for Prime and
Maori channels, then use Terrestrial Freeview.
Otherwise use Satellite Freeview.
This will be necessary if you are not in an area where Terrestrial Freeview can be
received (e.g. too far from the transmitter, behind hills).
If you already have Sky Television, you can have both Sky and Satellite Freeview
from the dish, or you can have Sky with the dish and Freeview Terrestrial with a
UHF aerial.
After having Terrestrial Freeview installed you may find that the picture often
“breaks up”. In this case you may need a line amplifier, or a better UHF aerial, or
you may have to use Satellite Freeview.
It is best to have an aerial installer check your location and install a suitable aerial
or satellite dish before you purchase Freeview.
Information about reception in
your location can be found at
www.freeviewnz.tv/get_freeview
UHF Reception
From Te Aroha
Normal Freeview receivers can’t record programs, but there are receivers (for both
Terrestrial and Satellite Freeview) which can record TV programs.
These receiver, with internal hard drives for recording, are called “My Freeview”.
Crystal clear, digital
quality pictures and
sound
More TV channels
than analogue
One-off set up cost,
then no monthly fees
8-day on screen TV
guide
Some programs in
high definition (HD)
Record an entire
program or series at
the touch of a button
Record one show
while watching
another
Pause live TV
Record in high
definition
Radio Channels
Connecting Freeview to a TV
This will depend on the input connections on your TV set.
Rear of Freeview Terrestrial receiver is shown.
Aerial Cable (RF In)
Component Video (Green/Blue/Red)
AV (Audio L/R, White/Red) Composite or Coaxial
Video (Yellow)
S-Video
Optical
HDMI
USB
(software
upgrades)
ENET
(Network
connection)
Best quality: HDMI and Component
Poorer: Composite Video and S-Video
Power cable
Rear of two Satellite Terrestrial receivers
Component Video
(Green/Blue/Red)
R/L Audio
(Red/White)
Composite Video
(Yellow)
Aerial Cable (RF In)
Scart Output
Many TVs now include Freeview (the example shown is one of these).
These have Terrestrial Freeview, and can’t be used with a satellite dish.
Inputs on this set: 3 HDMI, 1 VGA (from computer), 2 sets of Component
Video, 2 sets of AV (Audio L/R, Composite Video), S-Video, Aerial
Outputs: 1 set of AV (to connect to VCR recorder), Headphones.
A DVD player (below the TV) and aerial are connected.
Connecting Freeview to Your TV
LCD or Plasma TV
Terrestrial Freeview
HDMI Cable
LCD or Plasma TV
Component Video
Terrestrial Freeview
+ Audio L/R cables
LCD or Plasma TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video cable
Terrestrial Freeview
LCD or Plasma TV
S-Video cable
+ Audio L/R cable
Terrestrial Freeview
CRT TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
Terrestrial Freeview
CRT TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
RF In
RF Out
Video Recorder
Terrestrial Freeview
Antenna cable
LCD or Plasma TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
Satellite Freeview
CRT TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
Satellite Freeview
CRT TV
Satellite Freeview
Scart Cable
CRT TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
RF In
RF Out
Video
Recorder
Satellite Freeview
Terrestrial Freeview
Aerial cable
Projector
Component Video to VGA cable
Amplifier
Speakers
Terrestrial
Freeview
Audio L/R cable
Viewing Freeview programs with a Projector
Projector
Freeview
DVD Player
Amplifier
DVD Players are attached to a TV or Projector in the same way as Freeview
(except that only some projectors have HDMI).
Note the grey bars above and below the picture (see “Aspect Ratio” later)
LCD or Plasma TV
Freeview
Terrestrial
HDMI Cable
Sky
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
LCD or Plasma TV
Audio L/R +
Composite Video Cable
Freeview
Satellite
Sky
Splitter
The input is selected using “Source” on
the remote.
A menu appears on the TV screen
DTV = Digital TV
ATV = Analogue TV
AV1,2 = input from VCR or DVD player
Component 1,2 = input from DVD player,
Freeview, or other decoder (e.g. SKY)
D-SUB = input from computer
HDMI 1,2,3 = input from DVD player,
Freeview, or other decoder (e.g. SKY)
The channels which are available are automatically located and
listed when you first switch your set on — it’s quick and simple.
The channels (from 21 to 69) are scanned, and as Freeview
channels are located they are listed.
Note that when switched off the unit is still on stand-by, and is
using electricity (possibly 1 Watt or more)
Get into the habit of switching the TV and Freeview off at the
wall when not being used.
On/off, selection of channels, menus, and many other
functions are available on a remote.
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Remotes for Freeview Recorder (left)
and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Remotes for Freeview Recorder (left)
and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Remotes for Freeview Recorder (left)
and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Exit
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Exit
EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Remotes for Freeview Recorder (left)
and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Exit
EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Coloured buttons
Remotes for Freeview without Recorder
(left) and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Exit
EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Coloured buttons
Teletext
Remotes for Freeview Recorder (left)
and with Recorder (right).
Channel selection buttons
Channel Up/Down
Volume Up/Down
Cursor buttons and OK/Enter
Mute
Menu
Exit
EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Coloured buttons
Teletext
TV/Radio
etc.
Electronic Program Guide
When the EPG button is pressed,
“Loading” appears in the screen.
The current and following programs
for that channel appear.
The picture is reduced in the top
right.
Below the picture there is a brief
description of the program.
Clicking on the ▲ or ▼ buttons on
the remote shows earlier or later
programs that are not shown on
the screen.
Clicking on the ► or ◄ buttons
shows other channels.
Clicking on the
or
buttons shows the programs Next
Week or Next Day.
Recording with My Freeview Recorder
When a program is selected in the Electronic Program Guide,
clicking on the
button records the program.
A button on the remote opens the “Record List” which lists
programs to be recorded.
Another button opens the “Play List”, from which the programs
can be played.
Aspect Ratio
Analogue Standard TVs (and most computer
monitors) have an Aspect Ratio (Width:Height)
of 4:3.
The sides of full widescreen pictures are cut off
when broadcast on analogue channels.
Freeview TV is Widescreen, with an Aspect
Ratio of 16:9 (note that 16:9 is 4²:3²).
This is the Aspect Ratio of newer TVs, and some
computer monitors, especially laptops.
When Freeview TV is on a screen with 4:3 ratio,
the full picture is seen (but is smaller), and
there are grey bars at the top and bottom.
44cm
If you have a 29” (measured corner to
corner) TV with 4:3 Aspect Ratio, the
picture size is 59cm by 44cm.
59cm
33cm
A widescreen Freeview channel
picture with the same width (59cm)
is only 33cm high.
This picture on a 29” TV with 4:3
Aspect Ratio is the size on a 26” TV.
59cm
Some older programs shown on Freeview
TV may have been recorded in 4:3 ratio.
There will be grey bars at each side on a
Widescreen.
On a 4:3 screen there will be grey bars on all
sides.
You can enlarge the picture using “Zoom”
on the remote.
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
• Screen definition (pixels)
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
• Definition (pixels)
• Whether Interleaved (i)
or Progressive (p)
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
• Definition (pixels)
• Whether Progressive (p)
or Interleaved (i)
• Aspect Ratio
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
• Definition (pixels)
• Whether Progressive (p)
or Interleaved (i)
• Aspect Ratio
• Teletext
Information
Information about what is currently on a channel is shown for a few seconds when
the channel is selected.
This includes:
• Channel
• If High Definition (HD)
• Name of the program
• Current time
• When the program began
• When the program ends
• Amount of program (bar)
• Definition (pixels)
• Whether Progressive (p)
or Interleaved (i)
• Aspect Ratio
• Teletext
This information can be found at any time by pressing the “Info” button on the remote