Freeview NZ to use DVB-I

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Freeview NZ to use DVB-I

1 | 2 | 3

6112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1476

Trusted

#3493262 18-May-2026 10:22

Behodar:

davidcole:

So is DVB-I hardware? Or could an existing TV get support for it via firmware upgrade?

Or could I view it on a PC with the right software?

Edit: after a bit of searching, it looks like DVB-I is just a glorified TV guide.

must be more than that, I'd assume it's a bit like DVB-T/DVB-S but the "tuning parameters" will be some urls to get the video stream. And yes an EPG component as well

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

wellygary

8934 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5477

#3493268 18-May-2026 10:34

"There is no doubt we love streaming live TV, and Freeview NextGen makes this simpler than ever"

So I can't actually choose the programmes??, Its just another way to deliver a product that is rapidly becoming obsolete,

Live linear TV is a dying horse, the content that people want is now being served up on apps that allow consumers to stream what they want when they want it...

davidcole

6112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1476

Trusted

#3493269 18-May-2026 10:37

I disagree, just being able to run something on and it just goes with whatever is there, still hold some appeal in situations (fm radio etc).

No faffing about goign to this app and that app, and choosing what to watch. i dont want to do that all day every day, but do use that option.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80950 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41720

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3493276 18-May-2026 10:52

In addition to a TV having DVB-T (terrestrial) and DVB-S (satellite) sources, DVB-I (internet) is another source.

DVB-I is not "streaming" as in it's linear, just like if you are watching a TV show on a TV with an antenna plugged to it.

It's more than just a guide.

The TV needs to support it, just like a TV needs to support DVB-T or DVB-S.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19159 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16484

Lifetime subscriber

#3493287 18-May-2026 11:29

So will there be any DVB-I boxes, like Android boxes, that just use the TV as a dumb display panel?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80950 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41720

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3493288 18-May-2026 11:36

Rikkitic:

So will there be any DVB-I boxes, like Android boxes, that just use the TV as a dumb display panel?

It could exist, like the old SKY boxes used to connect to the satellite antenna.

But it all seems to indicate DVB-I will be an integral part of the TV, like DVB-T is.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

MikeAqua

8205 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3959

#3493313 18-May-2026 12:26

So is DVB-I like the Samsung-TV-Plus that comes installed on Samsung TVs?

Mike

gzt

19022 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8113

Lifetime subscriber

#3493314 18-May-2026 12:28

Does it really mean anything more than those brand TVs will be the first to ship with the app. I mean what can't you get with integration that you can get from an app?

Edit: while acknowledging integration has all kinds of broadcaster and platform side advantages..

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19159 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16484

Lifetime subscriber

#3493315 18-May-2026 12:31

I am very happy with my elderly Sony Bravia TV. 1080p meets my needs perfectly fine. I am not about to purchase a new TV just for this.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80950 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41720

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3493316 18-May-2026 12:33

MikeAqua:

So is DVB-I like the Samsung-TV-Plus that comes installed on Samsung TVs?

Not quite. Like Samsung TV it uses the internet to stream content to the TV.

Unlike Samsung TV, it's linked to the TV broadcast.

It's like opening the TVNZ+ app or browser page and streaming the live TV. The difference is that you won't need an app, as the TV itself will have the smarts for it, like it already has for the broadcast via aerials.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80950 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41720

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3493318 18-May-2026 12:35

Rikkitic:

I am very happy with my elderly Sony Bravia TV. 1080p meets my needs perfectly fine. I am not about to purchase a new TV just for this.

If you have Freeview terrestrial (as in you can get broadcast TV with an antenna), great.

If not, you can add a Fire TV stick, Google TV Streamer or Apple TV and just use the live streaming. Or if you buy a new TV it will be built-in, just like the antenna support already is.

Also, there is no mention of retiring the terrestria or satellite options.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Apsattv

2467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 731

#3493381 18-May-2026 13:36

A big concern would be that its very likely to have DRM on it. There is fuss in the U.S at the moment with DRM being added to their newish ATSC3 standard.

Remember the fuss when Freeview started over "non Freeview Approved" devices

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19159 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16484

Lifetime subscriber

#3493399 18-May-2026 14:08

Apsattv:

A big concern would be that its very likely to have DRM on it. There is fuss in the U.S at the moment with DRM being added to their newish ATSC3 standard.

Remember the fuss when Freeview started over "non Freeview Approved" devices

What would they be trying to protect? Most FTA content here is pretty boring.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Apsattv

2467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 731

#3493407 18-May-2026 14:13

All content as dictated to by the content owners, including sports and future 4K offerings.

DVB-I is on demand stuff as well as Linear.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19159 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16484

Lifetime subscriber

#3493408 18-May-2026 14:14

freitasm:

If you have Freeview terrestrial (as in you can get broadcast TV with an antenna), great.

If not, you can add a Fire TV stick, Google TV Streamer or Apple TV and just use the live streaming. Or if you buy a new TV it will be built-in, just like the antenna support already is.

Also, there is no mention of retiring the terrestria or satellite options.

I wish I could still get DVB-T. The wind twisted my antenna out of alignment, I am too feeble to fix it, and there is no way I am prepared to pay to have it done on my second story roof at my rural address with all the over the top OSH nonsense these days. So I now just have satellite and streaming, which works fine.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

1 | 2 | 3