Free high definition television in your home right now
When we first started writing about Freeview HD earlier this year, there was not a great deal of information to be had on when we could watch High Definition content on the terrestrial digital channels, where we could watch it, and indeed how we could watch it.
The good news is that all those questions now have answers, and the best news is that many people can watch Freeview HD right now, and national coverage is growing fast. This means that watching the 2010 World Cup in HD without a dish or subscription will now be a reality for around 50% of the population.
All you need to do is buy one of the stunning new generation of HD televisions that come with built in Freeview HD tuners, or pick up a Freeview HD box for your existing set. Even if you're not in a Freeview HD area yet, you soon will be.
What TV channels are available on Freeview HD?
Currently BBC HD and ITV1 are the two channels available on Freeview HD, and it is expected that Channel 4 HD will join the list a bit later in the year, along with S4C HD in Wales. Channel Five aims to launch an HD channel on Freeview in late 2010.
Not all programmes from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are broadcast in HD but there is an exciting range of content available, including wildlife documentaries and sport - most importantly the 2010 football World Cup.
As well as showing great looking HD content, many contemporary set-top boxes and televisions will upscale the standard definition television signal, so all of the other channels will look crisper, sharper and more detailed too.
When can I get Freeview HD?
It's already started for many people. At the time of writing, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and London can all receive Freeview HD, and by the time the first ball of the World Cup is kicked, it will be watched by viewers in Leeds, Bradford, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Shetland and Orkney too.
Freeview expect HD coverage to reach around 50% of UK homes by the end of March, with coverage extending to most major cities by the end of April. Freeview say they expect to have coverage of 98% of UK homes by the time the digital switchover is completed in 2012.
To find out if Freeview is now available in your area, just visit the Freeview website, key in your postcode and house number, and it will tell you if you can get Freeview HD.
What equipment do I need to watch Freeview HD?
You don't need to replace your existing HD television to be able to watch Freeview HD. There are a number of affordable Freeview HD set-top boxes on the market, so you can still take advantage of the HD channels without needing to break the bank.
Alternatively many new Full HD 1080p television sets come with a built in Freeview tuner. Some sets with built-in tuners have already been launched, and it is likely that before long it will be a standard feature on new televisions, so if you're in the market for a new set, make sure it has Freeview HD on board.
If you can't wait for Freeview HD to come to your region or you want to know about other HD TV services, take a look at the digital services explained page for a breakdown of the range of HD alternatives offered by Freesat, Sky, BT Vision, Talk Talk and Virgin Media.
How to watch Freeview HD
The Freeview HD signal can be picked up by your aerial just like any other terrestrial broadcast, and as with any other broadcast, your type of aerial will have an effect on reception. A roof aerial will offer the best reception, so it may be worth having one fitted if you don't already have access to one.
If you have a Freeview HD set top box, you'll need to plug your aerial into it with a regular aerial lead, and then plug that into your HD television set using an HDMI cable. Or alternatively, if your television has a built in Freeview HD tuner, just plug the aerial straight in and you're ready to go.
If you have a television with a built in standard resolution Freeview decoder, you will need to replace it or buy a separate Freeview HD receiver to get the HD signal.
If you are planning on buying a set-top box or a new television with a Freeview tuner built in, make sure that the unit you're buying will work with Freeview HD and not just the standard resolution Freeview signal.
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