Initial Freeview logo licensees named

Stephen Withers
Monday, 27 April 2009 09:58

Business IT - Technology

The first list has been released naming vendors whose digital TV gear will carry the Freeview logo. But will that logo be something that buyers actually want to see?

The use of the Freeview logo on STBs has been controversial since the idea was floated.

The main problem from the consumer's perspective is that Freeview has said it will not licence the logo for use on devices capable of ad-skipping.

Since all the channels carry commercials of one form or another (even the ABC plugs books and DVDs available from its shops), you can see why they don't like ad skipping.

But a lot of viewers do.

So when Freeview's licensees start using the logo on their wares, I'd expect to see a situation similar to the one we saw with the DVD player region coding fiasco a few years ago.

You'll buy a Freeview-loged device that won't allow ad skipping. But the salesperson will slip a photocopied sheet into the box so you know how to re-enable that feature.

Or you'll use Google to search for the model number to locate the instructions you need.

After all, it's not as if these devices are being built specifically for the Australian market. The miracle of software means one piece of hardware can be readily configured for specific markets, giving the economies of scale that have delivered us such affordable home electronics.

So, which are the initial vendors to throw their hats into the Freeview ring? Find out on page 2.