Different varieties of Freeview

Annie1960

The freeview box on my small tv is coming towards the end if its life.

I've had a look online at new boxes, but am unclear if the difference between freeview plus, and freeview play.

I think I may have freeview play on the main tv in the sitting room, but I can't freeze live broadcasts or rewind. However I can use catchup.

In my old box upstairs I can record, freeze live broadcasts and rewind. This seems to be freeview plus.

Can anyone let me know if you can get a freeview play box where I could also freeze and rewind live tv, as well as record? Or do I need to get another freeview play recorder for this?

Argos used to do great guides where they explained the differences between various gadgets, but I couldn't find one for freeview.

Thanks for any help with this.

Neil_Jones

Freeview (just plain Freeview) is a bog standard receiver and the suite of channels you receive.

Freeview Play is just Freeview with bundled on-demand access (so iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, etc) integrated.

Freeview Plus is basically Freeview with a hard drive recorder.  Similar to Sky+, except not as fancy.

RumRat

Humax make the box you want...Freeview Box Recorders | HUMAX-United Kingdom (humaxdigital.com)
I have the Aura, which took some getting used to after the 4000T I had for a long time, but, I quite like it now.

flaneurs_lobster

Neil_Jones said:

Freeview (just plain Freeview) is a bog standard receiver and the suite of channels you receive.

Freeview Play is just Freeview with bundled on-demand access (so iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, etc) integrated.

Freeview Plus is basically Freeview with a hard drive recorder.  Similar to Sky+, except not as fancy.

@Neil_Jones has all the information you need but here's the official website for Freeview.

https://www.freeview.co.uk/

Lists some Freeview Plus boxes but I'm guessing their inclusion is paid-for and therefore the selection is not exhaustive.

dc_scotland

Manhattan models may be worth a look at.  I recently replaced my old Panasonic recorder with one and find it excellent:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861708
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861715

Annie1960

dc_scotland said:

Manhattan models may be worth a look at.  I recently replaced my old Panasonic recorder with one and find it excellent:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861708
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861715

It looks like this has Freeview Play as well as Freeview Plus.

It says it has BBC iPlayer, but does it also have other channels such as itv and channel 4 on catchup?

Neil_Jones

Annie1960 said:

dc_scotland said:

Manhattan models may be worth a look at.  I recently replaced my old Panasonic recorder with one and find it excellent:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861708
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8861715

It looks like this has Freeview Play as well as Freeview Plus.

It says it has BBC iPlayer, but does it also have other channels such as itv and channel 4 on catchup?

As I've already alluded to, Freeview Play is Freeview with on-demand bolted on.  So if a device has Freeview Play it will have all the on-demand options that are included inn Freeview Play.  Otherwise it wouldn't be Freeview Play

https://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview-play might be of interest.

J_B

Neil_Jones said:

As I've already alluded to, Freeview Play is Freeview with on-demand bolted on.  So if a device has Freeview Play it will have all the on-demand options that are included inn Freeview Play.  Otherwise it wouldn't be Freeview Play

https://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview-play might be of interest.

I tried to look on the FV website but got a little confused, sorry.

Can I get FV Play with a dish (and internet) or do I need an aerial plugged in too?

Neil_Jones

You don't need a dish for Freeview.  Just an aerial.

Internet will be required for Play (and other internet activities), otherwise it isn't Play, its just Freeview.

Grey_Critic

***Can I get FV Play with a dish (and internet) or do I need an aerial plugged in too?***

The dish is for FreeSat - Aerial is for Freeview. Internet is nothing to do with it. My TVs are both Internet Enabled and connect via my Broadband Router.

J_B

Neil_Jones said:

You don't need a dish for Freeview.  Just an aerial.

Internet will be required for Play (and other internet activities), otherwise it isn't Play, its just Freeview.

We clarify my question, sorry.

 I have a freesat TV (with internet) do I need an aerial too for FV Play, or not?

Neil_Jones said:

Internet will be required for Play (and other internet activities), otherwise it isn't Play, its just Freeview.

Grey_Critic said:

***Can I get FV Play with a dish (and internet) or do I need an aerial plugged in too?***

The dish is for FreeSat - Aerial is for Freeview. Internet is nothing to do with it.

My query was about FV Play .....