Samsung Smart TV .. no Freeview .. is this correct ? 16 October 2020 at 7:50AM in TV MoneySaving 20 replies 41.6K views

WLM21

Our bedroom TV has just packed in, funnily enough (not) just after the warranty expired.
Anyway, we are going to get a new TV and fancied the Samsung, although always been a Sony family up until now
My wife only really watches Freeview which was built-in and worked fine on the old TV. I see now that Samsung TV's don't have this feature, which is strange. is this correct and some even say 'normal' terrestrial channels are not even available. 
I'm guessing a cheap set-top Freeview box would solve this problem .. is that right .. any suggested brands
Looking for a 43" or 40" TV  .. The Samsung TU8000 series was the original plan.
thanks for any advice / input

Norman_Castle

Normal terrestrial channels are the old analogue signal which is no longer transmitted. I'd expect tv's to have a digital tuner which will receive freeview, some will also have freesat. No need for a set top box. Read the specifications of the tv you are interested in.

[Deleted User]

 We have 43in and have Freeview. Other problems though, the tv clicks non stop. Apparently it's the plastic contracting when it heats! waiting for repair man to write a report so John Lewis will replace it with a different tv 

 You cant record on it even with a hard drive 

mobileron

Get the Sony with android os,6 years warranty at Richersounds, i believe you are getting confused with no Freeview.
Its now called Freeview play.     https://www.freeview.co.uk/moving-freeview-play

JJ_Egan

First Samsung i find

Tuner/Broadcasting

• Digital Broadcasting DVB-T2CS2
• Analog Tuner Yes

wongataa

WLM21 said:

I see now that Samsung TV's don't have this feature, which is strange. is this correct and some even say 'normal' terrestrial channels are not even available.

All televisions you will buy in the UK will receive UK television broadcasts.  They receive Freeview.

WLM21

mobileron said:

Get the Sony with android os,6 years warranty at Richersounds, i believe you are getting confused with no Freeview.
Its now called Freeview play.     https://www.freeview.co.uk/moving-freeview-play

OP here .. thanks for all the replies
Never thought about Richersounds ... I knew they used to be big on HiFi but 6 year guarantee with a TV .. wowzer.
Will investigate ... have always bought from John Lewis.
Which Sony ?   read some reviews which say the sony TV flickers .. although my lounge TV, a Sony KDL40R483B has been fine

mac.d

wongataa said:

WLM21 said:

I see now that Samsung TV's don't have this feature, which is strange. is this correct and some even say 'normal' terrestrial channels are not even available.

All televisions you will buy in the UK will receive UK television broadcasts.  They receive Freeview.

Is this definitely the case with new Samsung TV's, or is it just that they get freeview under another name as Samsung's TVPlus feature? If you use the filters on Richer Sounds and select Freeview or Freeview HD it no longer shows any Samsung models, and checking the specs of one (Samsung UE43TU8500) on John Lewis, it shows the digital tuner as TVPlus, not Freeview.

WLM21

mobileron said:

Get the Sony with android os,6 years warranty at Richersounds, 

I have never bought anything from Richersounds .. is their customer services OK if anything does go wrong.
I have had a couple of problems with John lewis / Bainbridges over the years and they have always been great to deal with.
One time my late father's microwave broke and he was getting home help (dementia early stages) and they lent him a brand new one while his was being repaired. When the original was repaired (under warranty) they just told him (well me really) to keep the loan one.

[Deleted User]

mac.d said:

wongataa said:

WLM21 said:

I see now that Samsung TV's don't have this feature, which is strange. is this correct and some even say 'normal' terrestrial channels are not even available.

All televisions you will buy in the UK will receive UK television broadcasts.  They receive Freeview.

Is this definitely the case with new Samsung TV's, or is it just that they get freeview under another name as Samsung's TVPlus feature? If you use the filters on Richer Sounds and select Freeview or Freeview HD it no longer shows any Samsung models, and checking the specs of one (Samsung UE43TU8500) on John Lewis, it shows the digital tuner as TVPlus, not Freeview.

 It definitely receives freeview. But google samsung smart tv clicking, before you buy. 

victor2

mac.d said:

wongataa said:

WLM21 said:

I see now that Samsung TV's don't have this feature, which is strange. is this correct and some even say 'normal' terrestrial channels are not even available.

All televisions you will buy in the UK will receive UK television broadcasts.  They receive Freeview.

Is this definitely the case with new Samsung TV's, or is it just that they get freeview under another name as Samsung's TVPlus feature? If you use the filters on Richer Sounds and select Freeview or Freeview HD it no longer shows any Samsung models, and checking the specs of one (Samsung UE43TU8500) on John Lewis, it shows the digital tuner as TVPlus, not Freeview.

I've been looking at the Samsung TVs myself and was also puzzled by them disappearing from the list of TVs when you select must have Freeview HD on the Richer Sounds website. I have since spoken to two Richer Sounds reps and both have checked it out and reassured me the Samsungs do get the Freeview channels through a regular aerial connection. It's not in the specs because the TV guide is unique to Samsung (and their TV Plus system) and comes through the TV's internet connection. Something to do with the requirements to be able to claim Freeview in the specs.

It convinced me enough to go ahead and order a new Samsung TV, which should come shortly.