Freeview "data service" channels

27col

I am thinking of leaving Virgin and just using Freeview. However, when I look at the channel list on Freeview there are some channels listed as Data service. Can anyone enlighten me as to what this means and what is required to see these channels on Freeview. Or is it not possible.

penrhyn

They are accessed by the red button on various channels.
Text services and the like.

S0litaire

Data service can mean either:
Teletext type services
"Red button" alternate viewing stream

OR if the TV is a SmartTV and connected to the internet :
Streaming a TV channel via your Broadband line. This can be iPlayer channel or a pay-to-view channel.

Alias_Omega

Alternatives (Rabbit etc) load after a few seconds too...

Can be annoying if you scroll that high, then it wont change over until its loaded.

Ectophile

Many of the "data services" just require a normal Freeview box - which presumably you have. Just try typing the channel number into your remote, or select it in the guide, and see what happens.

Many are just teletext-type services. Some may be encrypted, or locked to specific types of box. If so, it will tell you.

27col

The TV has build in freeview and the message "data service" comes up on various channels when you scroll through on the menu screen. There is no other information on screen. I will try it again and make a note of the channel names.