Do you have to get channel 5 to be able to get freeview?

Question

I have checked freeview postcode checker and it says i can receive digital...but someone told me you have to be able to receive channel 5 for free view to work...is this true?

Answer 1

There's no connection with receiving C5 and any Freeview transmissions which are completely different.

Answer 2

I think in theory you need to have channel 5. The way I understand, Channel 5 is only broadcast from main masts, not relay masts. If you need to find out what sort of mast you are on, then look at the outside aerial - if the bars that stick out lie horizontal, it gets its signal from a main mast. If they lie vertical, the signal is from a relay.

However, in practice, freeview can be picked up on some relays, depending on whether there is a fluke signal. If you can see anything where channel 5 is, then freeview should be OK. The best thing to do would be to borrow a freeview box and plug it into your TV and see if it picks up anything.

I did a postcode check and it said I could, but we have both main and relay serving our town. So, my local store checked and said I couldn't, since I was on the relay mast. But I got a freeview box anyway - I had tuned TV to Ch5 and got a very very faint reception. Got a brilliant freeview picture, and while the signal isn't as strong as it could be, it is great, hardly any breaking up, but once the changeover has begun all masts should get freeview and the signal will be better anyway - it is currently only half strength.

Answer 3

No.

We could never receive Channel 5 on the analogue signal.

We can receive over 70 Freeview channels with perfect clarity.

Answer 4

Rubbish - in my area, Channel 5 signal is too weak and unavailable but most other main channels are fine for most of the time.

Answer 5

not at all, as long as you have an ariel into your house which most ppl do, you can get freeview no probs.gud luck settin it up.