Other

What is Internet TV?
Internet TV gives you the opportunity to access a limited number of internet based applications on your TV through your home network. Some manufacturers offer only a few applications while others offer an opportunity to download many more. There may also be a selection of games and general information applications (news, weather, etc) available. However, we have found that web browsing is not particularly easy on a TV, particularly when using the remote control for navigation.

Can I get BBC i player on my TV?

BBC i player is the service that lets you catch up with BBC radio and television programmes from the past week. You download or stream programmes then listen or watch again. The picture quality is not as good as live broadcast but you can catch up on programmes you’ve missed.  Most people use a computer with a broadband internet connection to access the service. However, you can also access it on your TV via the subscription Fetch TV and Virgin Media TV services and most recently through the non-subscription freesat services – but only on certain compatible products and finally through an internet Tv (see above). As of spring 2010 these included the Sony Bravia range of freesat digital TVs and Humax range of freesat digital TV recorders. Over the year more compatible freesat products are expected to become launched. See the freesat website for details. For more information about using i player see the BBC website. Channel 4 and ITV also provide catch up players.

How do I get digital TV via my computer?
It is possible to buy digital TV receivers for a PC or laptop. These come either as a simple plug-in USB device or as a card which is fitted inside the PC. Software supplied with the device allows you to tune in and view the channels, view the on-screen TV guide and text services. They also allow you to record programmes on to the computer hard drive, so effectively act just likehard drive digital TV recorder. You will need experience in installing computer software – it does not always work first time.

Where can I get instructions for my STB – I’ve lost them?
Some manufacturers have copies of their instruction manuals available on their websites.  Note down the exact name and model number of your product and see Links for details of all manufacturer’s websites and customer helplines for products we have tested.

How do I connect my Hi-Fi to improve the sound from my TV?
See our Hi-Fi connection diagram.

How do I get teletext on a digital TV?
The single, old style analogue teletext service has been replaced by a variety of new text services on digital TV. Different channels now broadcast different text services, including the BBC's red button text services, ITV's teletext and Teletext holidays.

To access the BBC's red button interactive and text services, press the red button on your remote. To get ITV’s teletext service press the 'text' button on your remote, or on some models a button showing horizontal lines.

Which models have digital audio output?
Details of the audio specification of all the iDTVs, set top boxes and digital TV recorders is given in the ‘AV connections’ section of each product’s detailed test report (linked from the summary test report).