Switch to Freeview (Freeview)

Member Name: Leannie1000

Product:	Freeview
Date:	26/10/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, easy to install

Disadvantages: Not as many channels as Sky

Freeview is a way of getting digital channels for free (sort of) - if you're buying a new TV and don't want to fork our for Sky or other subscriptions then a lot of new tellies have Freeview built in. You can also get Freevew plus and other various packages. Or you can buy a set-top box, which is what I have. It cost me £15 and that was a couple of years ago.

It's dead easy to work, just pop the start lead in and get tuning. This only takes a few minutes so no bothering with engineers and there are instructions on the screen. The box is tiny too. I've always had good reception. You can get about 100 channels, though a lot of them are radio or text. You can get ITV2, BBC Three, music channels, news channels and E4 and Film Four as well as the usual five channels. It's not got as many channels as you would get if you subscribed but for an one-off £15 then I really do think it's good value. I have had Sky before and to be honest you never watch half the channels but with Frreview I do. It's very easy to work, so good for older people as we move towards the digital swichover and good for those who can't afford to pay out every month.

There are a few rubbish channels, like shopping ones (I hate them!) but you get them on any digital TV! You can't record or pause etc like you can with packages unless you buy a more expensive box. There a few options there so look around if that's what you want to do. I've never tried it so no idea how good it is.

All in all, I think Freeview is great. It's cheap, it's easy and you can get access to digital TV and more channels for just a few quid, which can only be good!

Summary: Freeview is good!