Editing Freeview (UK) (section)

==Reception equipment==

===Receivers===
[[File:Digitalfreeview.jpg|thumb|A modern Freeview receiver set-top box ([[Philips]]/[[Pace plc|Pace]] DTR 220) being used to receive digital television on an older analogue television set (branded [[Wharfedale (company)|Wharfedale]])]]
To receive Freeview, either a television with an integrated digital tuner or an older analogue television with a suitable Freeview-branded [[set-top box]] is required.

===Aerial===
[[File:Freeview aerial-Freeview Aerial Installation.jpg|thumb|An outdoor aerial being used for Freeview transmissions]]
An [[Television antenna|aerial]] is required for viewing any broadcast television transmissions. For all transmissions indoor, loft-mounted, and external aerials are available. In regions of strong signal an indoor aerial may be adequate; in marginal areas a high-gain external aerial mounted high above the ground with an electronic [[amplifier]] at its top may be needed.

Aerial requirements for analogue (the old standard) and digital reception in the UK are identical; there is no such thing as a special "digital aerial", although installers and suppliers often falsely say one is necessary.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7667221.stm BBC: Digital switch advice 'shocking' ] 9 of 14 installers gave bad or misleading advice, suggesting that people are likely to need a new aerial for digital switchover ... 5 told the mystery shopper they would need a "digital aerial", when in fact there is no such thing.</ref> As the signal degrades, the analogue picture degrades gradually, but the [[Cliff effect|digital picture holds up well then suddenly becomes unwatchable]]; an aerial which gave poor analogue viewing may give unwatchable, rather than poor, digital viewing, and need replacing, at a cost of typically £80 to £180, most of which is fitting cost. An aerial intended for external use may be fitted indoors if there is space and the signal is strong enough.<ref name="caifaq">{{cite web | url=http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/faq.asp | title=Frequently Asked Questions | publisher=Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd | access-date=22 June 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625213137/http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/faq.asp | archive-date=25 June 2006 | url-status=dead }}</ref>