Freeview Plus Launch date today 2nd September 2014

**OSIRUS** · 02-09-14, 02:28 PM

I just seen it on the ABC lunchtime news that Freeview Plus will be launched tonight (2/9/2014)

the interview was with Freeview Plus "CEO" & she said it will initially be available on New TV's, & Freeview Plus STB's & PVR's are coming

This is the Freeview Plus website:

here is all I can find so for about the launch date today

& this a review a couple of weeks ago ......

**Tiny** · 02-09-14, 05:53 PM

That's classic, who the hell is going to buy a Freeview certified TV for that.

Oh I know who, the mindless millions of morons that think they're getting something special & they deserve it.

**hoe** · 02-09-14, 06:37 PM

Doesnt seem to be working yet, my new lg uhdtv is on the compatability list.....

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**SpankedHam** · 02-09-14, 06:39 PM

I'm sure everyone will be glad to hear that with the arrival of this additional layer of junk the MHEG related PIDs on ABC now consume around 345 kbit/sec. That's 345 kbit/sec that could otherwise be used to give, say, ABC2 a better picture.

**OSIRUS** · 02-09-14, 07:59 PM

here is the freeview plus website (running slow ATM) (Channel Seven News just said it will be launched within about half an hour at about 6:45pm tonight ....Sydney Time)

& it looks like only Sony & LG support it ATM (pretty poor for a launch ..... if only two TV manufactures supported ATM)

**Thala Dan** · 02-09-14, 08:10 PM

You can put lipstick on a pig.....but it's still a pig.

**pheggie** · 02-09-14, 09:30 PM

Another article

**hoe** · 02-09-14, 09:37 PM

Hmm, still no go here....
Msybe its 6.45 wa time......

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**Hillsbysa** · 06-09-14, 02:28 PM

Anyone got this going yet ? Tried my Hbbtv enabled box, see the Freeviewplus app, but all I get is a menu saying 'channels', 'hide' and 'exit'. A few days ago it went further than that with an 'epg' button. I assume they are having issues with the implementation. Anyone with feedback on this ?

**Mr 672A** · 06-09-14, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Hillsbysa

Anyone got this going yet ? Tried my Hbbtv enabled box,

I wonder if any plugins will be available that would allow boxes like the Vu duo2 to have this free View Plus. I remember reading somewhere on the Blackhole image used on the sat boxes and Hbb services.

**gordon_s1942** · 06-09-14, 04:22 PM

I see you need a 'Broadband Connection' and a 'GOOD' digital reception, I thought there were only 2 types of Digital reception, a 100% or ZILCH !!!!!!
Correct me if I am wrong but other than those 'Smart TV's', very few of any brand (Media STB's excepted) have the ability to connect to the internet directly.

**Hillsbysa** · 06-09-14, 05:46 PM

**gordon_s1942** · 07-09-14, 03:14 PM

Very Interesting reading and it sounds sounds fantastic but like all its big on ideas but short on the details.
Obviously the internet connection will be a major factor for this and outside Metro areas its still very hit and miss along with the data costs involved to access this.

**Xplorer** · 08-09-14, 12:31 AM

Website shows that FreeviewPlus is now here, but only for certain areas and only for certain channels.

What puzzles me when looking over the FAQ, is that the new service will only be available on devices if they are certified "FreeviewPlus" products.
I bought a brand new SmartTV 7mths ago, going by the following QA from their website, it may be useless.

If that is the case, there wouldn't be too many happy people knowing that their recent TV purchase may not be compatible.
I'm unable to check, hoping others can look into it further.

Q: I have a TV which I bought last year and I'm connected to the internet, but I cannot see the FreeviewPlus service. Why can't I see the FreeviewPlus service?
A: Only FreeviewPlus certified products bearing the FreeviewPlus logo will have the service.

**mtv** · 08-09-14, 01:35 AM

Yep... there'll be a lot of people who will have purchased 'non compatible' TV's recently.

Here's a list of freeview plus compatible equipment.

Too bad if it's a program on the WIN network, as WIN is not a member of freeview/plus.

Personally, I don't like freeview, with all its 'locked-in' features like skipping, etc.

**gordon_s1942** · 08-09-14, 04:51 PM

Looks like 'Freeview' have managed to circumvent the Consumer Affairs people this time if they can claim only those 'Approved' Freeview badged appliances can receive their programing because the last time they did that, they had to remove the claim in relation to Digital Television as it was false advertising.

My guess is that there will be costs to receive these programs along the track because they wouldnt be going to all this trouble just to give it away free.

**Smacca** · 09-09-14, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by mtv

Too bad if it's a program on the WIN network, as WIN is not a member of freeview/plus.

Or Prime7/GWN7, who also recently pulled out.

**gordon_s1942** · 10-09-14, 01:38 PM

Maybe they (the channels) have realised that after all the hype and flag waving getting people to buy Digital TV's which many were not happy about, and want to introduce services that cannot be received on their new TV's without spending more.
The majority of TV viewers arent Geeks and Freaks and are really not interested in all the bells, whistles and gadgets and all they want to do is turn the TV on and there is something to watch.

**TVguy** · 10-09-14, 01:58 PM

The regionals were never going to jump on board with HbbTV. Too much investment for little return. As a concept, I think it's a great idea and from all the testing I've seen so far it works well. As far as needing "Freeview Approved" labelling is concerned, I think you will find that is not necessary to seek certification in order to incorporate the functionality in a product.
Gordon, it's very difficult to postulate what "the majority of TV viewers" want to do. The added flexibility of HbbTV gives those rusted on FTA viewers the opportunity to not be bound to TV scheduling.

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**SpankedHam** · 10-09-14, 05:09 PM

Given that Freeview has held a very tight grip on the reigns to date, WRT being able to show the Freeview brand let alone being able to access Freeview facilities, I'd be quite surprised if being able to load the Freeview hbbtv applet wasn't reliant on the receiver being Freeview certified, ie if the box can't return the appropriate string when queried, as per the Freeview EPG applet, the applet will refuse to run. Only certified boxes are permitted to be able to return the 'secret string' and I have no doubt at all that Freeview would go after any manufacturer that tried to see a receiver that returned the secret string without being approved.

There may be a grace period where hbbtv compliant receivers without the secret will be allowed to run the applets, ie until Freeview and the manufacturers get their act together but after that, if it ain't on the approved list, it ain't workin'.

Time will tell.