Chris asked

7th August 2010

I have a new HD Ready TV with built in Freeview but I cannot get or even seem to register any of the HD channels when scanning. I'm plugged in to an outdoor rooftop aeriel although I don't know how old it is... could this be the reason?

If the old aerial is able to pick up standard-definition Freeview successfully it should also be suitable for Freeview HD.

In order to receive Freeview HD you also need a high-definition capable tuner/decoder. If your TV is relatively new you may well find in contains a inbuilt HD tuner, but if you only have a standard-definition Freeview tuner built-in you would need to purchase a separate HD capable decoder box as the high-defintion channels cannot be decoded by a stadard defintion Freeview box.

The final piece of the puzzle is that must also live in an area of the country where digital switchover has already taken place, as that frees up space that can be used to accommodate the new HD channels. You can confirm/check if and when you will be able to receive Freeview HD here:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch

Frank asked

7th August 2010

Will I be able to get Sky Sports on Freestat in the near future?

Sadly I don't think you can expect Sky's sports channels on Freesat any time soon. While they are on other platforms like BT Vision and Virgin Media these are paid for subscription services, for which a significant proportion of the monthly price is the cost of buying access to these type of channels, in this case from Sky.

While I'm sure some form of billing system could be set up for the Freesat platform I'm not sure there would be a sufficiently high number of potential customers to make it viable initally or that Sky would even allow it, as it would be a very simple downgrade option for their existing customers who only wanted a few specific channels.

Barbara asked

30th July 2010

I have an early Sony LCD TV, which is allegedly HD Ready but doesn't have an HDMI input. It does have a component input instead. My PVR is one of the ones that recently lost its 14 day EPG, so I need a new one and would like to get Freeview HD now it's available.

There are a few HDMI to component convertors around, from a cable for a few pounds, to an HDFury with a mains powered box for over £100. Any ideas what kind of converter will work, and whether HDCP will (now or later) get in the way of me receiving Freeview HD? I'm getting very confused!

My understanding of the specification for Freeview HD boxes is that "Receivers shall not provide any functional analogue HD component outputs", which isn't so say you won't find such a box, but it may be tricky!

An HDFury should do what you need it to but I don't think you can expect to find an equivalent solution for much less as you need need an active device to convert the digital input signal to the analogue output you're after.

Another option that may be open to you depending on circumstances may be to get a HD satellite box and dish as an alternative source of an analogue HD output.

Steve asked

28th July 2010

I have a Sony dvd recorder RDR-GXD360 connected to a PANASONIC TX-L37G10 LCD TV.

The problem is that when in dvd mode the screen is black and white not colour. Any recordings are also black and white with no colour. How do I get the colour back?

Until a few days ago the picture and recordings were in colour. I have rerun seup, but this makes no difference.

It sounds as though your DVD recorder may be outputting video using the North-American NTSC standard rather than the PAL system used in Europe so I'd have a hunt around its menus and see if the setting has been changed accidentally/somehow. Also if there's a 'progressive scan' button on the remote try toggling that, and if it's not that double check the connections are all correct and secure.

Andy asked

1st January 1970

I live in Crediton, Mid-Devon, and have BT Vision HD box. When/how can we see HD broadcasts?

Thanks for your question. You can find how to change the settings for your BT Vision box so you can watch on-demand HD content here if you haven't already done so:

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12260/related/1/c/348

The question as to when you will be able to watch high-definition Freeview is a little more tricky because as I understand both types of BT Vision box in use at present only support standard-definition Freeview programming. As I understand a new HD capable box is due sometime this year but I don't have any information on when exactly or if upgrades will be offered to existing customers.

Ravi asked

24th July 2010

I would be grateful if you can let me know how to connect the new Virgin V HD box to my LG RZ 32 LZ55 model TV - HD Ready (year 2006) to get High Definition.

The V HD box has a HDMI port and a Scart socket. It also has a optical audio port and a test port (I am not sure if it works!) The TV has a DVI input apart from the scart sockets. There are several HDMI to DVI connection cables I am not sure which one to choose. Also how can we get audio from the V HD to the TV.

As best I can tell, and as you indicate yourself your TV appears to be HD Ready so should sufficiently compatible to connect to the HDMI output on your Virgin box. All you should need is just about any HDMI cable (no need for an expensive one as the signal is digital!) and a male DVI to female HDMI adapter. If you happen to already have a DVI cable you can use that and get an reversed adapter, but if you're buying new you'll likely be able to reuse and HDMI cable over a DVI in the future.

HDMI carries audio but DVI cannot so you'll need another adapter for the sound, I believe you should have a pair of RCA phono inputs on your TV so you'll just need a SCART to phono adapter and a cable to connect up your audio.

Ken asked

18th July 2010

Can you tell meif I require a different TV ariel to receive HD programmes. I am in the process of having a new ariel fitted, and my TV is able to receive HD ie. it's HD Ready?

If you're current aerial is able to receive standard definition Freeview programming the same aerial should also be suitable for Freeview HD.

In order to watch in high-definition in addition to having a high-definition capable television you also need a high-definition tuner as standard definition tuners are not compatible with the high-definition signals. You may well find if you have purchased your television relatively recently that it contains a built-in Freeview HD tuner whereby it's simply a matter of connecting to your aerial. If your HDTV only contains a standard definition Freeview tuner you will need to purchase a separate HD decoder/set-top box and connect that between your aerial and television.

The final prerequisite is that you live in an area of the country where digital switcher has taken place and high-definition transmissions have begun. You can check this at:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch

Adriaan asked

10th July 2010

What do I need to change channels on my HD Decoder from my bedroom to my siiting room?

Thanks for you're question. Your first option is an infra red sender/transmitter at which you aim your remote, it then converts the signal in to radio waves which can pass from room to room, whereupon the signal is converted back to infra red by another transmitter aimed at your device. This method either requires you to take your original remote with you when you move rooms or to purchase a second one for your additional room.

The other similar alternative is an RF remote that learns the infra red control signals from your device and using radio waves instructs a remote infra red transmitter which of the learned signals to send out to control your device. This type of remote will likely be a little more expensive but you do end up with a dedicated remote control for each room.