Recording Explained

In New Zealand Freeview broadcasts on two platforms FreeviewHD - UHF and Freeview Satellite. Within each platform the broadcasters transmit the channels you view within a Frequency or Transponder (TP) this "Channel Group' or 'Frequency' is often a group of channels provided by one broadcaster e.g. TVNZ1 and TVNZ2 from TVNZ are in the same group.

There are different channels groups between Satellite and UHF.

A tuner can only be tuned into and receive one frequency at a time. However within each Frequency/Group there can be a number of channels, this affects what channels your Freeview Recorder can record or view at once. Another factor is whether you have a single tuner or dual tuner recorder.

Single Tuner Recorders - Satellite & Terrestrial

If you have a single tuner recorder, you can only record and watch the channels within one frequency/group at a time. While you are recording your single tuner recorder will not allow you to select another channel outside of that frequency/group, as this would disrupt the recording. Limiting the channels you can watch to the channels in that frequency/group for the recordings duration.

During recording, the channels available for you to watch depend on the channels the individual broadcasters provide within that frequency/group (see tables below for examples).

With some single tuner recorders, while recording you can also watch a pre-recorded program.

Examples of Single Tuner Recorders

Dual Tuner Recorders - Satellite & Terrestrial

A full function dual tuner recorder will give you a greater range of recording and viewing options. With two tuners available, this allows a dual tuner recorder to tune into and record from two separate frequencies/groups at the same time. Alternatively, you can record a single frequency/group with one tuner and watch any available channel with the other tuner.

During recording, the channels available for you to watch depend on the channels the individual broadcasters provide within that frequency/group (see tables below for examples).

When using both tuners to record, your dual tuner recorder will not allow you to select another channel outside of the selected frequencies/groups; as this would disrupt the recordings.

Examples of Dual Tuner Recorders

Satellite Channel Groups

Transponders for Broadcasted Channels on Satellite.

If you have a dual tuner recorder for example and you choose to record one Freeview channel from "12456" and one from "12483" (see above) you can only watch any other Freeview channel from those two groups. This is because with both tuners in your receiver tuned into those two frequencies you only have all of the channels on those two frequencies available to you.

If you choose to record or watch The Edge, Bravo+1, or Prime, because they are separate frequency's your second tuner can only choose ONE of the other Freeview frequencies, thereby limiting your channel options. Of course you can also watch a pre-recorded program while your receiver is recording.

The situation is basically the same with a UHF terrestrial dual tuner recorder on Freeview|HD via your UHF aerial. There are currently five frequencies used, but this may grow. And so you have the same situation but with the channels distributed differently between the frequencies. Your receiver will automatically stop you from changing to another channel if it is not available while recording.

Why Can I Not Record and Watch What I Want?

Single Tuner Recorders - Satellite & Terrestrial

Examples of Single Tuner Recorders

S7070RHD

T2100

S8100

Dual Tuner Recorders - Satellite & Terrestrial

Examples of Dual Tuner Recorders

S8300

T2200

S8200

Satellite Channel Groups

Transponders for Broadcasted Channels on Satellite.

12456

12483

12519

UHF Channel Groups

Terrestrial UHF Channel Groups

Frequency 1

Frequency 2

Frequency 3

Frequency 4

Frequency 5