New FREELY TV vs Freeview and Freeplay TV - Do i need a new TV . . .

Peppa537

JSmithy45AD said:

Peppa537 said:

The Freely app, as far as I can make out, will only stream channels that are already available via their own apps/catch up services. Talking Pictures TV etc won't be on there. People are better off just getting a firestick and downloading these channels own apps onto it (BBC iplayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and and UK Play) rather than buying a new TV for Freely, especially until how it will work longterm with all channels is known. 

No, it's to replace Freeview (and Freesat) when they're finally turned off for live TV and especially the public service channels such as the BBC and ITV channels. They'll also (hopefully) incorporate the catchup services into one app that works seamlessly.

Yes but live TV isn't being switched off for a while. To start with it will just work with some channels that are already online. There's also confusion as to whether there will eventually be an app you could put on existing tv or firestick. I hope so, and I hope it works well and includes all channels but I think it's a few years away from doing everything we need. There is also currently a TV launcher app you can use on Apple TV boxes that incorporates all your catchup services seamlessly.  Mind you most people to start with will have freeview or freesat live tv as well as Freely. 

Peppa537

JSmithy45AD said:

Maxwell008 said:

Thanks JS and La5.
I'm currently looking at the Hisense U7 Series that has Freely.
I hope it is pushed out to other brands this year.

As previously, I wouldn't sweat it about getting a Freely TV right now although if you're getting a new TV then it won't hurt I suppose. Just be aware that there's no guarantee it'll still work for Freely in 10 years time when the transmitters are turned off.

I completely agree. If it's like the Freesat Arris box it will be a disaster. I read they couldn't even get the Freely sound to work to show the media at the press launch for ages. 

Neil49

I read recently that Freely will only be available by being built into the television. You won't be able to get a separate box like you can with Freeview and Freesat nor will there be an app to download to an existing tv.

Given that switchoff of current offerings is so far away I think it's too early to be jumping onto the Freely wagon. 

J_B

Maxwell008 said:

Thanks JS and La5.
I'm currently looking at the Hisense U7 Series that has Freely.
I hope it is pushed out to other brands this year.

We have a Hisense 'budget' TV purchased in 2016. It won't upgrade the latest C4 app

Maxwell008

J_B said:

Maxwell008 said:

Thanks JS and La5.
I'm currently looking at the Hisense U7 Series that has Freely.
I hope it is pushed out to other brands this year.

We have a Hisense 'budget' TV purchased in 2016. It won't upgrade the latest C4 app

I was referring to the Hisense 55U7K model 2023, however I feel your pain in regards your TV.
I had a Tv that lasted 15 years, now they only last 5 or 6 if your lucky lol

J_B

Maxwell008 said:

J_B said:

Maxwell008 said:

Thanks JS and La5.
I'm currently looking at the Hisense U7 Series that has Freely.
I hope it is pushed out to other brands this year.

We have a Hisense 'budget' TV purchased in 2016. It won't upgrade the latest C4 app

I was referring to the Hisense 55U7K model 2023, however I feel your pain in regards your TV.
I had a Tv that lasted 15 years, now they only last 5 or 6 if your lucky lol

It works perfectly - just have to use the firestick for C4 catch up

des147

My findings are that the Freely service will at launch be available to 2024 Hisense Tvs and recently struck a deal with Vestel Most TVs produced by Vestel are sold under licensed brand names such as Toshiba, Hitach, Polaroid, JVC Bush, Alba and many own brand labels.

As far as an app is concerned EveryOne TV the company behind Freely have mentioned nothing but considering their brief was to make Freely widely available for older and low income people so it would seem an obvious evolution of the service rather force people to go buy new TVs. 

I did read an article where a representative of EveryOne TV mentioned a Set Top Box will become available just not at launch of service.

Its not just a case of TV via UHF transmitter shutting down 2034 forcing people to switch but each and every day many Ariel's on rooftops fail and people will find it far easier and cheaper to migrate to the internet version of Freeview then install a new twig on roof be it in the form of a £40 box or even better a free widley available App for smart TV Firestick ect.

Then their are those who will migrate quicker as they want more HD varients of chs, services like Virgin stream, Sky Stream, EE TV offer HD versions of ITV2,3,4 BBC News and many many more and who knows maybe soon UHD free chs. TV via an Ariel simply cannot provide these due to a complete lack of frequency bandwith.

Also households with families who only had Freeview in 1 room due to only one Arieal with no disrubtion systems or planning to get distribution systems will migrate as they'll find it cheaper to multi room with Set Top Box or the App.

Sadly I dont see a Freely App comming in the immediate future as these early deals struck with Hisense and Vestel will see them wanting a return by way of sales seeing their TVs been the few select brands to have the service embedded into firmwares. I think we'll see the Freely Set Top Box before an App.

Who knows pressure from the a powerful environmentalist lobby concerned with Set Top Box electronic waste can force Every One TV to speed up the downloadable App availability.

longrt

At present the Quest channel on both Freesat and Freeview is not available for free on line. Pity really, because I like to watch the likes of Salvage Hunters, the Restorers and Wheeler Dealers. Maybe they'll be included in the Freely package.
Will Freely finally take the opportunity to police a fair way of financing public service programs? I suggest this could be simply done by entering  your licence number, name and address, which would enable up to say 4 or so receiving devices at your address. This would of course take time to 'bed in' as long as Freesat and Freeview channels remain alongside on 'free to air' platforms.

Checkpoint_Charlie

Can anyone confirm if the range of Hisense U7 TVs you can buy right now are Freely enabled? They seem to imply that they are but I haven't seen a spec that specifically lists it. Also seen a lot of references to 'Freely will be available on new TVs coming out this year' so that doesn't clarify if any existing ones cover it. 

Maxwell008

Checkpoint_Charlie said:

Can anyone confirm if the range of Hisense U7 TVs you can buy right now are Freely enabled? They seem to imply that they are but I haven't seen a spec that specifically lists it. Also seen a lot of references to 'Freely will be available on new TVs coming out this year' so that doesn't clarify if any existing ones cover it. 

Hi Charlie its a clock and dagger at the moment for some reason lol
lots of people are also waiting patiently for some real news and details of what when and where they can purchase a Feely friendly TV.
Rumour has it the Hisense U7N will be all signing all dancing,, fingers crossed.
The is meant to be a Major role out but I've seen nothing yet . .  .