BFBS Multi-Channel TV

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT = Freeview)

Going to Iraq or Afghanistan?
Now you can watch BFBS TV in your tent!

Watch the Iraq pre-deployment video here.

Watch the Afghanistan pre-deployment video here.

BFBS DTT transmitters operate at the COB in Iraq and 4 camps in Afghanistan, so that with a digital TV, or any old TV and an inexpensive ‘Freeview’ box, you can watch the six BFBS channels anywhere there’s a power source. No longer will you be limited to a TV attached to a satellite dish in a communal area. You can even watch on your laptop or PC with a DTT USB stick.

BFBS TV has been aware for some time that the communal viewing arrangements in operational theatres like Iraq and Afghanistan don’t ideally suit our viewers’ needs. If the TV in your Mess tent is permanently tuned to sport, and you’d quite like to watch Corrie, it’s been tough luck. But with DTT – digital terrestrial television – that’s set to change.

If you can take a small TV with you on deployment to the COB in Iraq, or Kandahar Airfield, Camp Bastion, Laskar Gar or FOB Price (Gereshk) in Afghanistan, you’ll need a ‘Freeview’ box (unless it’s a digital TV) which cost from £30, and of course an external aerial, from about £5 up to £25. If you are taking a laptop, a USB stick to let you watch DTT costs around £35. This will also require an external aerial and co-axial cable. You may also want headphones so you don’t annoy your tent-mates. If it’s too late for you to buy before you go, all these items are available on the internet from websites like Amazon, who will post to BFPO addresses, and are under the 2kg BFPO limit.

Until now, Multi-channel BFBS Television has only been available via Cable systems or Direct-to-Home satellite systems. To view on a cable system relies on a cable outlet being available where you are and where you want it; and to view on a satellite system requires a satellite dish to be mounted and set-up. DTT lets you watch what you want - when you want.

The BFBS DTT service is available in;

More detail on Receiving DTT...

This depends on how you are going to watch TV, the most popular being;

TV Sets

DTT ready TV sets - More and more TV sets are now being sold with DTT tuners. If you already have one of these you just need an aerial.

Analogue TV sets - The currently common analogue TV set will require a Digital TV set top box and your TV will need to fitted with a SCART connector. There are many of these set-top boxes on the market with all major electrical and electronic high street retailers stocking a selection. The on-line store, *Amazon, stock various small units which, including the packaging, weigh in at the BFPO small parcel limit of 2kg or less.

To receive BFBS TV you do not need a digital box with a 'Top-Up TV' slot but if you want to use the box when you get back to the UK and you think you might subscribe to 'Top-Up TV' then consider one with a card slot. The set-top box will require an aerial and should connect to your TV set via a SCART cable. This cable is normally supplied with the set-top box - but do check.

Laptops

For viewing Digital TV on most modern laptops, there are USB stick DTT receiver adapters available. These can mostly be sourced on-line and again we have found that *Amazon can supply them. You may also want to purchase a set of headphones and you will need an aerial and cable.

Aerials

The BFBS DTT transmission systems are being designed to be powerful enough for a signal to be picked up on reasonable quality aerials in the major accommodation areas. However, other factors, including the type of building in which you are accommodated, can affect the signal strength.

With Digital TV the picture quality is high unless the signal is weak. It is therefore recommended that a good quality indoor powered antenna is obtained, although there may be occasions where the picture suddenly becomes pixelated or black due to the distance from the transmitter or as a result of the accommodation building type. An outdoor antenna will be needed in these situations.

Aerials are available from most major electrical and electronic high street retailers. *Amazon also carries a selection (the BFPO 2kg weight limit applies).

On return to the UK or Germany, your set top box can still be used to receive local digital TV channels.

*When ordering items through Amazon to a BFPO destination, please pay particular attention to their instructions concerning addressing, which can be found here.

( SSVC/BFBS is not responsible for the content of external sites)