Freeview or live TV with just a Smart TV

w12ee3e

My parents were tired of VM ripping them off so they've gone with just a broadband and phone line package with another provider. They have my Smart TV but it's unclear how they can watch anything other than TV on demand through it. They want to watch the regular freeview channels in addition to TVOD, any thoughts?

The ariel in the building is is not practical, comes in through a bedroom and it's unclear if it works. Old fashioned TV ariel would be pointless as it;s a basement.

Farway

I've not checked but don't the commercial "hubs" such as five live, My4, ITV hub, GBnews & even bbc Iplayer have live version via them?

for instance https://www.itv.com/hub/itv

And You tube versions as well for some

It would take abit of homework but very do able

flaneurs_lobster

Are you able to plug the ariel cable into the TV to check it out? Proper Freeview service needs terrestrial feed into Freeview decoder in the TV to get the 200-odd channels available.

As @Farway says, the popular (and GB News) TV apps have live TV available as well as on-demand programmes. 

w12ee3e

Did someone mention GB 'news'… ? I don't think that counts 😂

[Deleted User]

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Neil_Jones

Deleted_User said:

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Then you're doing something wrong because you can get all the Freeview channels... on a Freeview TV.  All TVs sold since I think 2008 have had Freeview built in.

flaneurs_lobster

Neil_Jones said:

Deleted_User said:

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Then you're doing something wrong because you can get all the Freeview channels... on a Freeview TV.  All TVs sold since I think 2008 have had Freeview built in.

This is smart tv w/ Freeview built in, and no access to TV antenna feed?

mobileron

Best thing is to get the aerial people to fit a new lead to the new tv,will resolve all your issues.

Farway

Deleted_User said:

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Perhaps ínvestigate a ROKU device to plug into the TV, you'll have to do your homework if ROKU and the other channels have agrrment in place for the app to be used, but surely they can't physically watch the hundreds of channels anyway as many are jsut old repeats or shadowing another one?

Roku come in various types & are often on offer. IMO beat a firestick etc becuse they are not limited to source

https://www.roku.com/en-gb/

[Deleted User]

Neil_Jones said:

Deleted_User said:

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Then you're doing something wrong because you can get all the Freeview channels... on a Freeview TV.  All TVs sold since I think 2008 have had Freeview built in.

Sorry should have added 'on demand' on freeview. 

molerat

Deleted_User said:

Neil_Jones said:

Deleted_User said:

You cant get all the freeview channels on a smart tv, apart from bbc, itv, 4, and 5, which all have on demand.  The other channels are individual apps you have to download which can not be downloaded onto the smart tv!  I have only had my smart tv for around a month as I couldnt get a basic tv anywhere. Not impressed with it as I expected to get all the freeview channels!

Then you're doing something wrong because you can get all the Freeview channels... on a Freeview TV.  All TVs sold since I think 2008 have had Freeview built in.

Sorry should have added 'on demand' on freeview. 

With a Freeview TV you get as broadcast channels via an aerial, it is simply an "ordinary" TV that receives the digital multiplexes.

A Smart Freeview TV will aso have access to various viewing apps over an internet connection but the major apps are often limited to a few that the particular manufacturer has set up with broadcasters and can be dropped at a whim.

With a Freeview Play TV you get as broadcast channels via the aerial plus on demand and catchup via an internet connection

To get a fuller range catchup and on demand with a non  Freeview Play TV you need an add on internet receiver such as Roku, Firestick or other device.