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Freeview EPG arrives, but…

Freeview's new Electronic Programme Guide finally arrives much later than promised, with sexy features -but only if you purchase new hardware.

Freeview has announced details of its long-awaited Electronic Program Guide (EPG) which comes with lots of sexy features that have previously only been available to Pay TV viewers.

The new Guide will begin transmission today and is available for use in hardware that carries a “Freeview EPG” branding.

The Guide offers on-screen programming and recording information and allows viewers to see a grid of Free to Air Networks in one easy snapshot, similar to the styles used in Pay Television. It includes the ability to have video streaming and text capability, enabling viewers to continue to watch TV whilst checking out upcoming TV shows. It also features a Series Link.

The EPG also includes:
* Seven day program guide
* CRID system (Content Reference Indicator) – allowing intuitive recording of shows (with PVRs)
* Program reminder functionality
* Detailed program information
* Parental Lock system
* One touch recording (with PVRs)
* Watch and record different channels at the same time (with twin tuner PVRs)
* Pause and rewind live TV (with PVRs)
* Record a series using ‘series link’ functionality (with PVRs)
* Ethernet connection
* Common “buttons” for remote controls from each manufacturer.

Recording information will be synced with actual showtimes, so that those viewers who have recording hardware won’t suffer at the hands of late start times (ironically, imagery of the Guide in press material includes Hey Hey It’s Saturday, which rarely finishes on schedule).

Freeview CEO Robin Parkes said: “The new Freeview EPG will give viewers broad functionality that has been developed in response to consumer demand for more program information, easier navigation and improved recording capability.

“The Freeview EPG will provide a consolidated platform for the consumer when navigating Freeview channels, and will also provide consistency of experience across multiple digital TVs in the home, so that the consumer only has to learn the navigation once.”

However, the EPG is arriving much later than its promised May 2009 delivery date and is not backwards-compatible. It is only available with new hardware that carries a “Freeview EPG” logo, which have previously been unavailable to consumers.

This contradicts a statement by Freeview in November 2008:

To receive all 15 Freeview channels, along with the Freeview EPG, households will be able to purchase digital set-top boxes to work with their existing analogue television sets. These boxes will be badged with the Freeview logo and available in stores next year.

Viewers who purchased Freeview branded logos but are now unable to receive the new EPG have every right to be angry.

Current EPGs supplied existing STBs, PVRs or digital TVs will still continue.

Compatible hardware is on sale from July with the new “Freeview EPG” logo.

The EPG will officially launch to consumers in September with a new TV commercial.

More info: www.freeview.com.au/epg

40 Responses

  1. So, why can’t I receive this on my Windows Media Center machine? I noticed over the last few weeks that the channels all now have the Red/Blue/Green/Yellow buttons, but Freeview decide I have to use the “Guide” button? WMC supports MHEG, which I think is what this new guide (and the Red (etc) buttons) uses. It seems the only thing stopping WMC from using this guide is the fact that Freeview use “Guide” for their MHEG application, rather than the standard coloured buttons.

    I have emailed Freeview, but I expect the reply will just tell me I have to completely give up my Windows Media Center setup and purchase a “Freeview EPG”-branded PVR.

  2. Hang on, what were the people buying with a “Freeview” branded box then? Except for less functionality, what exactly did this ‘brand’ provide?
    Certainly I was under the strong impression the EPG was the selling point of these boxes, and I’m fairly certain it’s the only reason that many other people bought them.
    If there is nothing that discerns then from the non-freeview boxes, then why would manufacturers want to cripple their boxes?
    I’m sorry, but it is doesn’t matter what the advertising said, this is misrepresentation of the product and it’s features, and I imagine would make a good case in court or consumer affairs.
    I didn’t believe it was worth buying these ‘crippled’ boxes just for a better EPG, and I’m certainly glad now I didn’t!

  3. I’m with the panasonic lovers. I have 5 HD TV’s and a DVD HDD Twin HD Tuner and can’t be happier. Freeview is a load of bull when you look at its UK counterpart. Everyone look at freeview.com and see how much we’re getting ripped off compared to them! But i will point out Freeview Australia is good in a way that all its channels have a HD counterpart, with in the UK their currently only being 3. That is the only good thing i have to say about Freeview. As soon as Austar get more HD channels i’m upgrading and forgetting about free-to-air channels cause there is just no comparison

  4. That is just so wrong and misleading, surely those that bought freeview compliant PVRs when they first came out have the right to bring a class action suit against Freeview for deliberately misleading and false advertising.

    Basically those with freeview equipment from last year not only lose out on ad skipping and transfering recordings to a computer, but they also miss out on the only reason anyone would buy a freeview recorder, The EPG!

    Well, I’m just glad I have a panasonic HDD/DVD recorder, their epg is the best I’ve seen. You can scroll by channel (as opposed to time) and see a listing of programmes for that day. Sony, which is supposed to be good, has a poor epg in comparison. Same goes for LG and samsung. Haven’t tried any others so I can’t speak for them.

  5. Not a single manufacturer I can see on their site has a product that is currently available with the EPG. Way to go Freeview, maybe work with the industry so that the EPG is usable when you announce it.

    I also hope Freeview get pulled up for the misleading information in their press release. Most of the features quoted are actually features of PVRs. Not really features of an EPG. Worst offender is “ethernet connection”. I always thought this was in the device hardware not a piece of software. I must have been wrong ;-).

    Freeview = Failure.

  6. George, Brenton and Goonies,

    I too have panasonic equipment and agree that the panasonic EPG is really good, not only ccan it be seen how George described it with the channels down the side and times across the top, it can also be viewed with the channels across the top and times down the side so that you can see 7 shows from the one channel at a time.

  7. Just goes to show the lack of planning behind the whole free view thing. The whole branding was dumb, it was all rushed and low and behold they can’t deliver what they promised. People have every right to be upset and they should refund the branded devices or offer firmware upgrades or something for free.

  8. The Panasonic EPG actually has all of those features, including a Grid view … which has only been available to Pay TV viewers? Where did they get that information? It’s clearly just a ploy to trick ignorant viewers into thinking that the EPG they already have is outdated and inferior to this one.

  9. The ability to shift recording times to suit over running programs on the fly is a first in terms of EPG’s. It’s probably worth the wait, but agree with you David that this should have been out a year ago and there should have been more clarification on the branding.

  10. I’m sorry but my Panasonic EPG kicks butt over any other EPG I have seen.
    Mine is the one with the channels horizontally accross the top, then the show times vertically down the screen. and it has No lag.

  11. surely, there should just be a firmware update to those hardware already bought with the Freeview logo otherwise it’s an entirely waste of money to buy new hardwares just for the EPG.

  12. Well I would have to agree with the comments so far that this isn’t fair for people who purchased freeview branded equipment being told this is the way to go for any current or future enhancements etc. What about the people in Mildura for example who loose the analogue signal in a couple of days to bad will have to use pre Freeview EPG equipment.
    Let’s hope someone reads the blog’s out there and maybe they will look at it to include older set-top box’s,tv’s and PVR’s.

  13. This is brilliant, why didn’t anyone think of this 10 years ago? On wait just about everyone in the world did and has been using one ever since.

    1. Mojoman: If u bought a PVR without a Freeview branding I don’t think you have much cause to be unhappy, it was never promised to you. However there is an issue with those who bought Freeview brand hardware under the promise it would include the EPG. It is now only available for those with “Freeview EPG” branding which go on sale in July.

  14. While it’s good that it’s finally here – why all the damn restrictions and hoops to go through just for a tv guide? Doesn’t sound like free-viewing!

    And i hope that guide will be customised by manufacturers as it looks stuck in the 90s.

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