Freeview Channel Listings

Just_Passing_Bi

Hi all,

As I've dumped Virgin TV, I'm looking for a new TV, howeer, I'm not very good with technology, can someone explain the difference between built in programmes, freeview / now TV / Smart TV

The main channels I watch are mostly news including CNN / documentaries / CBS channel's,

Neil_Jones

Just_Passing_Bi said:

Hi all,

As I've dumped Virgin TV, I'm looking for a new TV, howeer, I'm not very good with technology, can someone explain the difference between built in programmes, freeview / now TV / Smart TV

The main channels I watch are mostly news including CNN / documentaries / CBS channel's,

Freeview is the default, all modern TVs have it.  A Smart TV is just basically multiple services in one place - typically iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5 Amazon Prime, Netflix and Freeview Play - some TVs have more or can add more, but most smart TVs will have at least  Prime, Netflix and maybe Play and almost certainly the PSB catch-up services.

Now TV is at nowtv.com - a few Sky channels at a fraction of Sky prices, cheaper and no contract but lacks flexibility of the main Sky Q package for recording and what not.  All on demand and live channel streams.  Could make a nice complement to Freeview, as this will give you National Geographic and Discovery.  CBS Reality and Drama are on Freeview, but CNN is only available as an online stream or on Sky/Freesat/Virgin.

KxMx

Now TV will be available via the Now TV app which you can download onto the TV from the TVs app store. 

Do check compatibility as I don't think it's available on absolutely all smart tvs.

If it isn't then you can get a NOW TV stick (I think it is rubbish) or roku box (brilliant, very simple & easy to use) and have it on there, connected to the TV's HDMI source and watch that way. 

J_B

Just_Passing_Bi said:

As I've dumped Virgin TV, I'm looking for a new TV ...................

Not sure why you need a new TV just because you've dumped Virgin

Neil_Jones

KxMx said:

Now TV will be available via the Now TV app which you can download onto the TV from the TVs app store. 

Do check compatibility as I don't think it's available on absolutely all smart tvs.

If it isn't then you can get a NOW TV stick (I think it is rubbish) or roku box (brilliant, very simple & easy to use) and have it on there, connected to the TV's HDMI source and watch that way. 

There isn't a lot of choice for Now TV on Smart TVs - Samsung 2015 or later, Sony 2016 or later, "selected" LGs (and partly nobbled on some of the older ones anyway as they can't use the Hayu pass, presumably hardcoded to four passes), Hisense Rokus (?) and a handful of JVC units.  No Panasonic or Toshiba either "at the moment".

Easiest solution for Now TV if the OP wants to go down this router is either a Roku box, the Now TV stick or an Amazon Firestick if their TV doesn't support it.

flashg67

Do you need a new tv? You could just try a Roku box which is easy to use and will add smart tv functionality to your current (or new) tv, including access to Now TV
I prefer this method now because  I had a 2015 LG smart tv until recently and they stopped supporting one of the apps I used (Netflix I think) so basically rendered the smart part of the tv useless for me. Easier & cheaper  to replace an add-on tv box, than a whole tv. Tech moves pretty fast so for me it makes sense to be able to update using the least hassle/expense option

Just_Passing_Bi

flashg67 said:

Do you need a new tv? 

No, not necessarily, the TV now (Hitachi) is about 10yrs old, it doesn't have any of todays features, Freeview, Smart TV etc., etc.,

I was thinking of buying a new TV that includes freeview / Smart TV

I'm not that good with technology, is a Roku box just a simple plug into the TV?

Neil_Jones

You need to work out what you want to watch.

If you have no interest in watching Prime or Netflix, stick with what you have.  my 10 year old TV has Freeview on it, I would be surprised if yours doesn't, unless its much older.  You can still get Freeview  boxes that connect to the TV often via SCART which will give you access to those channels if that's all you want.

If you have potential interest in Prime/Netflix/Now, you don't necessarily need  a new TV for that.  A Firestick will give you all that functionality, you just need a HDMI port and a power socket.

Just_Passing_Bi

Thanks Neil, someone mentioned Roku, I mostly watch CBS, discovery, News chanels.

I don't have any interest Prime/Netflix/Now TV

poppasmurf_bewdley

Samsung smart TV's have what is called TV Plus.  This is an additional number of internet channels, which now included CNN and other news channels, plus movies, sport, etc.  About 100 channels in all, all accessible from the Freeview TV Guide, from 4000 upwards. 

Google TV Plus for more info.    

Jenni_D

Just_Passing_Bi said:

flashg67 said:

Do you need a new tv? 

No, not necessarily, the TV now (Hitachi) is about 10yrs old, it doesn't have any of todays features, Freeview, Smart TV etc., etc.,

I'll go out on a limb here and say that your TV does have Freeview. It's the standard - all TVs have Freeview (unless it's a specific model with Freesat instead). It might not have Freeview HD, but it'll have Freeview.