Freeview, Freeplay, Freely, YouView

[SoupDragon57]

@NigelB72 There was also an issue with the minimum spec for Freeview boxes. The mandatory spec meant full support for Freeview Play was required, so old models were discontinued and manufacturers were slow to bring out new kit, e.g. Manhatten.

There's no news on Freely set top boxes at this time, only TV sets. However, if this is intended to replace Freeview and Freesat, then an STB is inevitable... at some stage!

[Anonymous]

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@SoupDragon57wrote:

There's no news on Freely set top boxes at this time, only TV sets. However, if this is intended to replace Freeview and Freesat, then an STB is inevitable... at some stage!

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A STB yes, that has already been confirmed, but it isn’t clear if that actually means a PVR. I certainly wouldn’t be betting on one.

I think the era of recording via any platform, is coming to an end.

[SoupDragon57]

@Anonymous Thanks for that. Hadn't seen anything on STBs for Freely. Sadly, I fear you may be right about recording. The weirdest thing is that not everything that airs has something in catch-up. Some channels don't add the programme to catch up for days (Channel 4 with Car SOS). Real Shame... I'd rather be forced to watch the adverts than have no ability to record.

Not forgetting pause and rewind etc. All useful features.

[Midnight_Voice]

@gspearson 

You have a black YouView T1000 box? You will still be able to watch TV on it, record and play back. The internet features will be gone, and the thumbnails will lose their images, but the text on them will remain.

You have a later YouView box, a T-2xxx or T-4000? This will be completely unaffected.

[gspearson]

It's a T1010 - it is the guide I shall want - to be able to programme ahead.  The TV does all the  apps I need (actually there are none apart from Arte and YouTube).  

[Midnight_Voice]

@gspearson 

I think the T1010 is going the same way as the T1000, but the forward EPG comes from the broadcast system, so that should remain, and only the backwards part of the EPG will be lost.

[gspearson]

I agree with that.  However, I've taken your advice and bought a G4 on eBay to tide me through until teh new world arrives.  The daft thing is that there is very little via the aerial that we watch:  just BBC4 and Channel 4 - even so I have an outbreak of FOMO.

[gspearson]

I've had the G4 box for a week - it is neat and works very well.  However, the EE branding/EE version of the Freeview interface is very clunky (rows and rows of minipics) so I've reverted to my T1020.  I'll wait until 28 Febraury and see what happens.

No doubt there are settings that will conceal much of the EE **bleep**.

What do people who do not use BT internet use?

[gspearson]

It's not often my language gets "bleeped"! Sorry.

[zulu17]

Hi @gspearson  it may have changed a bit over the years but in simple terms YouView provides home screens and apps and EPG branding and channel list based on the ISP. So if EE or BT ISP you get the EE colours and logos plus the EE TV app included in the featured and full app list. TalkTalk ISP used/May still get their branding/colours, Other ISPs  you get a more neutral presentation minus the branding.

I suspect that when the T10xOs support is withdrawn they could opt to provide a home page minus the Apps so there would be no place to launch them from.