A good idea in principle (Freeview)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	Freeview
Date:	28/11/08 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: One off payment

Disadvantages: Not very many channels, dodgy signal

In theory, Freeview is a fantastic invention - lots of different channels for a one-off payment. If you're like me and you hate paying monthly for things as it's so much hassle, Freeview could be a good option.

However, I have tried Freeview in various parts of the country - the north west, east midlands, and south west, and the signal has at best been mediocre. Even though my TV in Nottingham was new, the Freeview signal was terrible even when connected to a signal booster.

This had the effect of making so-called digital channels unwatchable.

Where I live now is currently much better, though it does have the annoying habit of going to a black, blank screen at the most exciting or interesting part of what I'm watching, and returning very conveniently at the beginning of the adverts (I swear they're doing this on purpose!). However, I don't have much choice here as I live in a shared house.

Another 'hidden' thing is that quite a few of the channels you get are actually radio channels - I don't know of anyone who 'watches' radio on their TV or why, when there are perfectly good radios and Internet connections around. Once you take off those and the standard channels rarely watched, there isn't a whole lot of other channels left and it's mainly beefed out with UK Food, Style, some sports channels and news channels etc.

It's been out a good few years now so you'd think they'd try to improve and extend the service a bit more, even if it's only optional things such as games and a bit more information about programmes and channels, but it looks like they aren't paying much attention to it which is a shame.

Summary: Buy it only if you have no other choice