Freeview also certifies televisions, set-top boxes and personal video recorders (PVR) which meet its standards.

[3] Digital terrestrial television commenced in Australia on 1 January 2001, in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth using DVB-T standards.

[6] The introduction of channels replacing the previous high definition simulcasts led to complaints that regular programming was no longer broadcast in high-definition.

[8] An ABC release stated these groups are shareholders of Freeview,[9] though a company search revealed all shares were owned by the Nine Network.

[13] Part of the Freeview initiative is to certify set-top boxes as capable of receiving free-to-air digital television broadcasts (both standard and high definition).

Although certification requirements have not been formally released, Phase 1 Freeview devices will be high-definition, and capable of more advanced video encoding (MPEG-4).

The Freeview advertising for their 17-channel platform and certified products, combined with the Australian government's commercials warning of the closure of analog TV transmissions, was intended to help consumers buy appropriate devices.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia added Freeview compatibility to the PlayStation 3's PlayTV digital television tuner in October 2009 with the 1.21 firmware update.

The update disabled ad-skipping, reduced fast forward and rewind speed to 30x and removed the ability to copy recordings to other devices.

[16] To obtain Freeview certification, devices must include at least one high-definition digital tuner, supporting the HD formats of 576p, 720p and 1080i.

In July 2009, Freeview signed a licensing deal for MHEG-5, the traditional information grid pattern EPG which is covered under patents owned by Macrovision.

While Freeview runs a FreeviewPlus certification program, any HbbTV compatible television equipment can display the apps.

[30] With the exception of WIN Television services and in some regional areas, most digital channels broadcast the Freeview EPG.

Through Freeview, the free-to-air broadcasters have signed a new initiative for an industry-wide video hub – details of what content will be carried is unknown.

A consultant has been commissioned to advise on vendor partnerships, and ABC's iView technology is the frontrunner to deliver the service.

Each network offers access to its catch-up TV library via its apps, plus it is possible to scroll back in time through the green button on-screen guide to view catch up programs.