The digital switchover marked the end of an era, but it may be that freeview TV has a shorter lifespan than its analogue predecessor because Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is rapidly gaining ground.
IPTV uses an internet connection to deliver your favourite shows, negating the need for an antenna to receive a signal. Until recently it wasn’t a very realistic proposition but with the rapidly increasing broadband internet speeds we’re now enjoying this is a distinct possibility.
The introduction of YouView is another step toward this internet TV future. YouView is a hybrid freeview/IPTV box, it can receive a freeview signal like normal but also provides an easy and cheap way to access the on-demand services of BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
And TalkTalk is now offering YouView boxes to customers who sign up for its TalkTalk TV packages, giving you a huge discount on the RRP and potentially saving a bundle over competing television services.
How does YouView work?
YouView combines a freeview receiver, digital video recorder and some clever software in a box which can be connected to the internet as well as your TV antenna.
Using this box of tricks you can watch and record TV (just like Sky+ or Virgin Media TiVo) but also jump straight to previously broadcast shows by going back in time on the programme guide.
YouView works in the background to deliver older shows via the catch-up services of the terrestrial channels, beaming them through your TalkTalk broadband line.
It’s the best and easiest way to view on-demand TV without having to use a laptop or computer. The box itself contains a large hard disk and is made by Humax, you can find plenty of reviews online showing off all its many features.
How do I get YouView TV with my TalkTalk broadband?
If you’re considering a switch from another provider like O2, Sky or BT then you simply need to go through the usual procedure for swapping providers, but using the TalkTalk TV package offers shown above to sign up.
This bundle deal gives you TalkTalk unlimited broadband, a TalkTalk phone line and a YouView box. Aside from the regular monthly costs the only thing you’ll need to pay is a one-off £50 setup fee. That’s a big saving compared to buying a YouView box separately as they retail for £299, and can also work out much cheaper than other deals for pay-TV subscriptions.
The only other thing you need to consider is how you’ll get the internet connection to your television.
If your TalkTalk broadband router is in the same room you just need to run a network cable into the back of the YouView, but as the box does not support Wi-Fi you may need to find alternate ways of setting it up if the router is elsewhere. The cheapest, easiest method is a powerline networking kit which uses your home’s electricity lines to create a network.
