Freeview is what's replacing the analogue signal as the basic free TV service everyone in the UK will be able to get (after 2012, that is), and consists of 47 TV channels (including regional variations), teletext services and 32 digital radio stations. This all comes free of charge through your regular rooftop aerial and all you need to watch it is a Freeview box, or a TV or DVD/hard disc recorder with digital TV Free view built in. If all you want to do is be able to watch TV and record one channel then you can buy a basic set-top box for as little as £10, however most people will want the ability to record one channel while watching another one, and use built-in timer functions, in which you'll want to invest in something a bit better.
Here are four quite different Freeview digital TV receivers...
7 Day Electronic Programme Guide - Digital audio out for home cinema connection - No recorder
Available from Tesco Direct £33.97
See all Tesco Digital TV Deals
Twin tuner - 80GB hard drive recorder - Pause & Rewind live TV with Timeslip
Available from Dixons £75.04
See all Dixons TV Deals. Use code 10DIGI for 10% off!
DVD Recorder - HDMI Output for HD TV - Timeslip - 7 Day EPG
Available from John Lewis £129.50
See all John Lewis technology deals.
160GB Hard Drive recorder - Twin tuner - USB connection to back up video to PC
Available from Amazon
The following channels are currently available on Freeview...