What do I need to get Freeview BBC HD TV?

Are you still watching BBC in SD? I believe for most of you, the answer is NO.

Of course it should be no, it’s the HD time. Freeview HD transmissions were switched on in December 2009. By the time the digital switchover is completed in 2012, 98.5% of the UK should be able to receive Freeview HD.

So what is/are needed for BBC HD, to be specified, to get Freeview BBC HD?1.Freeview signal:

* What’s Freeview HD?

Freeview HD is a television service that offers HD channels available via your existing TV aerial, all for free. It’s available in a set top box that you will need to connect to an HD Ready TV. Or, if you don’t have an HD ready TV, then TVs with Freeview HD built in are also available very soon. Plus, you also get access to up to 50 SD digital channels and radio stations. And all for free.

Freeview HD is simple to set up; just plug in, and with no monthly bills, you just buy today, watch today then it’s free forever.

* Any aerial needed?

YES.

Freeview HD uses the new DVB-T2 standard. DVB-T2 is the second generation of digital terrestrial TV and uses the H.264/MPEG-4 format. The UK is the first country in the world to adopt DVB-T2 for an over-the-air HD service.

More about DVB-T2, here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T2

2. Well, my area is Freeview signal covered, so I can just enjoy BBC HD simply by turning my TV or PC on?

* If you have a TV with Freeview built in, YES.
* In case you prefer to watch on PC

A DVB-T2 TV tuner card is necessary, like the TBS6280 PCI-E DVB-T2/T Dual Tuner Card.

TBS6280 is a Freeveiw TV Tuner Card which supports watching or recording two different channels from two different frequencies simultaneously.You can watching UK Freeview SD and HD channels on your PC with it.

Wait- but why a TV tuner card?

You have your TV and set top box in the living room, what if you also need to watch Freeview BBC in bedroom or workroom?

Problem solved with a TV tuner card, you just need to have the card installed in your PC, also, you could turn it into a HTPC (Home Theater PC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_PC).

Moreover, with the dual tuner card (TBS 6280), you can enjoy two channels from two different frequencies simultaneously, which is fairly convenient.

And here some tipps regarding to BBC HD:

Will BBC HD still show BBC One programmes?

Yes. BBC HD may provide additional opportunities to see some BBC One HD programming through narrative repeats and selective use of programmes from our HD archive. However, the proportion of BBC One programming within the schedule will go down

Which channel is BBC One HD on?

Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

BBC HD can be found on these channels:

Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin Media channel 187.