Posted 16 October 2020
Philips Ambilight Freesat - CURRYS FALSE ADVERTISING FREESAT ON THEIR TVs...
Hi, hoping someone can help.
Just installed our TV to the satellite dish to use Freesat function. It's installed 700+ channels (many unavailable) and they are in no useful order, also not showing any channel icons. I've followed all the instructions I can find to get the option to create a 'Favourite channels' list but the option just isn't there in the menu. So right now the function is pretty useless and we've had to plug the old Sky box back in.
Can anyone help please?
Just installed our TV to the satellite dish to use Freesat function. It's installed 700+ channels (many unavailable) and they are in no useful order, also not showing any channel icons. I've followed all the instructions I can find to get the option to create a 'Favourite channels' list but the option just isn't there in the menu. So right now the function is pretty useless and we've had to plug the old Sky box back in.
Can anyone help please?
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sorted byIsn't technology wonderful. Frustrating as hell - but wonderful! (edited)
That made me laugh.
I'm not a complete tech idiot but not mega clued up either.I got that menu from following the instructions, after choosing Satellite from the source so I should be in the right mode and everything happens as stated, except from favourites not being in the list.
Tis very odd and a little frustrating, but things are never as simple as they seem... also considering that I did but the TV in 2020, what could possibly go wrong
Brilliant thanks I'll have a read
I've contacted Currys for help, so will let you know what they can tell me. Thanks
I contacted them via Messenger they looked into the manual but couldn't help, so they have advised I call the know how team or they've given me a link to run trouble shooting with Currys, I've just not got around to either yet.
If everyone contacts Philips about this loss of feature, they'll have to do something about returning it. As the favourite feature's within their details of the TV, as selling feature as you mentioned Haylhoo. If that feature's not available, then it means they're false advertising & can be reported to trading standards.
Ah I see your model's different to mine, I've got the Philips 58PUS8505/12 TV & it doesn't mention Freesat in specs - it only says satellite connector. I checked your model of TV too on Philips website, there's no mention of Freeview or Freesat in the specs of both our models of TV. So I've no idea where Curry's got that info from, as all makes of TV have Freesat OR Freeview installed - never BOTH at the same time.
Good luck with getting a Freesat box from Curry's though, seeing as it appears a misrepresenation on their behalf caused the confusion.
Try looking again on your TV, it appears the favourites option on my model TV has returned & I didn't even realise it! I have now created a list of favs, might have been a silent update in the background & Philips have caved in to demand.
It should be back, hopefully & good luck with trying to take on these corporate clowns.
This is mine, it has Freesat and Freeview.
In the TV's setup instructions it shows me how to create a favourites list but when I do it the option isn't there
currys.co.uk/gbu…tml
How odd? It does appear that the model in question is Freesat tuner enabled. Have you tried Curry's helpline? Not the same; I know; but when I had an issue with a fridge, they were very helpful.
The only other thing I can think of is that sometimes the manual covers several variations of a particular model. There isn't anything like an asterisk that says something like "Only on model xxxx" ? If I can find the manual online I'll take a look but it sounds as if you've covered that already.
Thanks. The TV has a setup instructions thing in the TV menu, I've not seen anything that says about different models, it's just there.
Perhaps I'll drop Currys a line as suggested.
Thanks
I take it it's the "Create Favourites List" that you don't have in the "Options" menu?
Correct, the option is missing
Don't know why it's sideways sorry
Do bear in mind that it won't be in the "main" menu - but a sub-menu after you have pressed the sequence of buttons (step 2 & 3) above. Then, other "options" may then be available for selection. Many newer Tv's have so many options that they are buried in sub-menus.
Sorry if I sound condescending but I have no idea of your 'technical' level. You could be mega clued up - or you could be like my Mum who sometimes needs help to turn something on! Hehe.
It was a sky dish used with the box. It says it's using satellite Astra 28.2e whatever that means 🤷
Could be an initial setup issue that is making this particular option unavailable. Some talk on AVForums of a similar ilk which suggests regional issues when tuning/installing channels but; to be honest; if you have channels stored then I would have expected the menu option to be there. Perhaps; if no joy from Curry's; pose the question on there?
avforums.com
I do notice that your remote has a "List" button. What happens if you press "List" and then the "+ Options" button? Might bring up something to do with favourites?
avforums.com/thr…67/
Different model but might be of interest.
It does sound like a more widespread issue for many Philips customers. Plenty similar questions from other members - albeit differing models. A hasty read through suggests it is a 'recognised' problem by Philips and they are investigating. Sounds like it's related to some sort of regional programming issue. Somewhere, I noticed that if a certain option is set to "Uk" it wipes "Lists" and disables the "Favourites" option.
Sorry but it looks as if it's going to be a waiting game to see if a firmware update fixes the issue. As I said previously - technology, eh?
Thanks for all your help. I'll update if I manage to find a fix
As I said over on the other thread you posted on, I don't believe these TVs have the Freesat UI and I think it's an error on the Curry's website.
Hi, what did Curry's say about whether the tv had Freesat or not?
I read on another thread that Curry's had admitted it was a mistake and that it definitely doesn't have Freesat, but can't remember where I saw it.
Oh really. Well no mention of this in my conversations. If you do happen to stumble across it again I'd be grateful if you could let me know please. Thanks
Will do
tpvcrmplus.force.com/Phi…_US
No chat agents available yet, there's also Philips Facebook page to message. It's so infuriating, because I've followed all the advice via the help section as yourself.
facebook.com/Phi…UK/ (edited)
I've contacted Currys via a Chat and requested they supply me with a Freesat box so that the TV has the function as advertised, and it was one of the functions we selected that particular TV for. We don't want them changing the TV as it's all wired in plus we really like it apart from this issue. With any luck they'll comply, I don't think it's too much to ask as the TV info was their error if the function doesn't intact exist. I'll post when I get any response to this.
Further to my post, I found out the favourite feature was removed from the newest update & has something to do with the Freeview function installed. This is the info I followed from a poster, the favourite option returned - but the ITV Hub app doesn't work as they stated. This can be got around though, if you cast the ITV Hub app from your phone or via the webpage.
"The Favourites option has been disabled in the latest firmware because of some kind of certification problem with Freeview Play. You'll probably find your current favourites list(s) is deleted soon and you'll lose the option altogether - this is what happened to me.
You can get the Favourites list (and a PiP option) back if you reset the TV and during setup set the language to English and the location to 'Other' which will disable all the Freeview Play features.
This means you'll lose BBC iPlayer and All4, but ITV Hub and My5 remain available. It also means you'll get a faster Android TV because it seems the Freeview Play crap was slowing it all down a bit. Personally I don't miss the Play stuff (I just use a Fire Stick to get BBC iPlayer) and I'm enjoying a nippier and more bug-free TV than I had before.
You can always reverse the procedure if it doesn't work for you - just be aware you have to fully reset and rescan for all the available channels each time, so it takes a little while."
Thanks. This mentions Freeview, but I'm looking at Freesat - does this issue relate to both?
I don't want to lose the apps as I use them and smart TV functionality is another reason for choosing this TV.
No response from Currys yet...
The make of Philips doesn't have Freesat built in, only the facility to pick up satellite channels. Freeview's built into the TV though, but when installing the TV you must choose UK & region UK to access it. That's when Freeview kicks in, but choosing "Other" rather then "UK" for region blocks Freeview access. Hence the favourites option returns, because the UK update for the TV deleted the favourite channel choice. A pain in the backside I know, but as I said - Freesat was never available on Philips only Freeview.
With Chromecast built in though, it's easy enough to cast all local TV apps like ITV Hub, My 5, BBC iPlayer, All 4 etc. Until Philips decides to bring the favourite channel option back in an update, there's only the way I suggested to bring it back.
I mentioned in my OP that the TV was advertised by Currys as including Freesat so this is the issue I have with them, I bought it with that in mind. So I'll see what they have to say about supplying me with a Freesat box, which we would be happy with. It seems to be false advertising on their part even if it was an error in the info so I won't let it drop.