Connect Multimedia

If you live on the Sunshine Coast and you'd like advice on how to set up your TV, Projector, Surround Sound System or Hi-Fi, don't hesitate to contact us on 1300 884 200 or email

As of the 1st January 2009, government legislation will allow the commercial free-to-air networks to broadcast an additional standard definition (SD) channel each, in addition to their primary SD channels, and their high definition (HD) channels. The total compliment of commercial, ABC and SBS channels are to be marketed under the Freeview brand name. They have been named so to complete against increasing market share of Pay TV operators in Australia like Austar and Foxtel. On the 1st of November 7 two started transmissions. Tune your TV to either 72 or 62 to receive this new channel. ABC3 on channel 23 started on Dec 4th and is aimed at children's programming.

How many channels will we be able to watch?

Depending on your TV reception, there will be 15 independent TV channels being broadcast simultaneously. Each having it's own TV shows, documentaries and/or news bulletins. Regional areas like the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland have will have access to more than the 15 available channels that is currently being advertised. The reason is, here we have local commercial TV networks for channels 7,9 & 10 as well as the metropolitan networks from Brisbane.

What programmes will be showing on these new Freeview channels?

Go! and 7 two are showing mainly re-runs of old TV programmes like I dream of Jeanie and Looney Tunes cartoons. There are plans for new programming aimed at the 18-39 demographic.

When are we likely to see these new freeview channels become available?

All of the Freeview channels are currently available using a digital set top box or TV with a high definition tuner built in. See below for more details.

What equipment will I need to pickup these new Freeview channels?

To receive all the Freeview channels, consumers will need an HD digital-set-top box, digital video recorder or an integrated digital television. Most new TV sets, less than one year old, have a digital tuner built in. This means when the time comes for us to tune in to these new channels, you'll simply just have to re-tune your existing TV or box to to pickup the new transmissions. If you live on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland and it all sounds too hard, give us a call on 1300 88 4200 and from as little as $120 we can call in and sort it out for you.

** To find out if you have a HD or an SD tuner in your TV or set-top-box, see if you can recieve ABC TV HD on channel number 20. If you get a message indicating that the service is not available, then it's most likely to be a SD box and you'll need to upgrade the box in order to see HD channels. If you can see ABC TV with a ABCTV HD logo in the bottom right corner then you have a HD tuner and your set to recieve all the channels currently being broadcast in your area.