Last week we talked about the technical launch of Freeview’s new HD service – technical because nobody can really access the service as the boxes are not yet commercially available. Although the launch was a success there could be bigger problems for consumers with misleading labeling leading some consumers to believe they’ve already picked up a HD capable Freeview box.

While genuine Freeview HD boxes won’t be around until next year due to component shortages there are already boxes on sale that use the phrase ‘HD’ when talking about Freeview boxes. These are often standard Freeview boxes that include things like HDMI ports or hardware upscaling, but certainly won’t support the new Freeview service when it launches nationwide next year.

When the time comes that HD boxes are available on the market the first thing you should do is check the box packaging or website for some sign of the official Freeview HD logo, which is quite distinctive. You can also check the technical specifications of the product for any sign of DCB-T2 which is the technology needed to receive the broadcasts.

Any product claiming to be a HD receiver of Freeview before the service sees a full launch is very likely to be fake. Alex Lane, editor of consumer blog WotSat said:

“As Freeview made clear on Wednesday, the short supply of components for the new DVB-T2 transmission system means no receivers will go on sale until January. Eagle-eyed Wotsat readers soon noticed a few ‘Freeview HD’ products on sale already. These are not compatible with Freeview HD – at best they’re designed for the French TNT HD service, which uses a different HD broadcast format; at worst they’ve just got an HDMI socket and aren’t HD in any way.”

Sigmatek and some developers of products that have previously used the HD title in their name have since renamed their products, but make sure to keep your eye out especially with cheaper and unbranded products online. Let us know in the comments if you find any other Freeview boxes that claim to be ‘HD compatible’.


Written by: Pete, who runs a website about SEO Agency