Question
I have an HD ready TV with Freeview internally, and I would like to know if I can get HD channels? My TV is a Toshiba 19 inch widescreen HD Ready LCD.
Submitted online by George
Similar question: “I have just bought am HD Ready TV with in-built Freeview, but I can’t seem to get HD channels?”
Our Answer
To get BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD on Freeview, here’s what you need:
- A TV that supports HD
- A Freeview HD receiver (this could be a set-top box, or a TV set that has built-in Freeview HD)
- A TV aerial capable of getting Freeview
- To be in a Freeview HD coverage area
Many newer TV sets come with “Freeview HD” built in, but many TV sets labelled “HD Ready” don’t have a Freeview HD receiver.
Check your TV’s packaging or manual, and look for one or the other expression:
- “Freeview HD” – If your TV has Freeview HD built-in, then it’s capable of getting the Freeview HD channels.
- “HD-Ready” – If your TV has Freeview built-in and is labelled as “HD Ready“, then it doesn’t have an HD receiver built in.
What does “HD Ready” mean?
An HD Ready TV means that the TV is capable of showing HD, but it doesn’t have an HD receiver built-in. This means that in order to watch HD TV, you need to connect an HD Receiver box.
Examples of HD Receiver boxes include:
- A Freeview HD set-top box
- A Freesat HD set-top box
- A Sky+ HD satellite box
- A Virgin V+ HD cable TV box
If you want to get Freeview HD on your “HD Ready” TV set, see the list of Freeview HD Set-top Boxes
I have just read with interest the distinction between Freeview HD and HD Ready which doesn’t have a receiver built in. My TV is HD Ready, so does this mean that if I get a DVD player with upscaling I would not get the full benefit from it, over and above the scart which I am currently using?