Our TV Box Pro is the only box where you can watch your favourite shows in two ways. Either over the internet or using an aerial, whichever works best for you.
To make sure you get the best experience from EE TV, here’s all you need to know about the differences between the two modes.
Internet Mode
This is available for the TV Box Pro and TV Box Mini. TV picture quality relies on your broadband speed. You must have a BT Smart Hub within 5 metres of your TV box if connecting via WiFi.
Benefits
- the TV Box Pro allows 2 recordings at the same time
- the most popular free-to-air channels are available. Find out more on our free-to-air channel guide page
- no need for an aerial.
Recording BBC programmes in Internet mode
BBC programmes that you record in Internet Mode will play automatically from the BBC iPlayer App. This means that you'll always get your full recording (even if you set the recording after the programme has started) and in the highest quality. Finding programmes you love will also be easier, as iPlayer has features such as 'more like this', as well as showing you previous or future episodes of what you have recorded.
Before you start recording:
- you’ll need an account with the BBC to watch your programme
- not all programmes are available on the BBC iPlayer, like regional news, films and sport events. If a recording isn’t in iPlayer, it will be shown as unavailable
- it can be up to 15 minutes until your programme is available after it’s finished. This depends on whether the programme was pre-recorded or broadcast live
- programmes will expire and availability may vary. Programmes like news bulletins may expire after 24 hours, while other programmes like dramas and documentaries will be available for up to 365 days.
Skipping ITV adverts in Internet Mode
When you watch live and recorded ITV shows in internet mode you can no longer skip the adverts, just like the ITVX app. You’ll still be able to pause, fast forward and rewind ITV shows, but you won't be able to fast forward though the adverts. An ITVX Premium subscription is ad-free for on demand content, but it won't let you skip adverts on live TV or recordings.
Channels missing in Internet mode
The most popular free-to-air channels are available. However, you’ll notice U (previously known as UK TV), + 1 and the Radio and Music Channels are not in our free-to-air channel guide page. You’ll still be able to access these programmes by using that channel’s app, which can be found in the Main Menu.
Aerial Mode
This is the recommended option for customers with broadband speeds of less than 22 Mbps. To find out how to test your broadband speed visit our Broadband speed help pages.
With aerial mode, picture quality relies on the strength of the signal coming through the aerial. You must have a working aerial. If you need help to order and install an aerial visit our EE TV aerial help pages.
Benefits
- allows up to 4 recordings at the same time
- access to the full selection of Freeview channels available at your address
Confirm the TV mode you're using
There are two ways to find out which mode you’re in:
- by checking whether you have an aerial plugged in, see EE’s Getting Started Guide to see where your aerial would be installed
- if you can’t get to the back of your box, check which mode you’re in by going to Settings from the Main Menu, then selecting TV Channels. If there’s an option to retune the channels, then you’re in Aerial mode.
How to switch between modes
Switching requires a reset which will delete your existing recordings and log you out of all of your apps.
If you're switching to aerial mode, plug in your aerial. If you're switching to internet mode, unplug your aerial.
To go ahead with the switch:
- Go to the main menu by pressing the Home button on your remote
- Select Settings
- Go to Information and Reset, then select Factory Reset
- You will see a warning that your recordings and information will be deleted
- If you wish to continue, enter the numbers shown on screen, using your remote
- Follow the set up process. When prompted to select the TV Channels Mode, choose either Stream TV Channels from the internet or Stream TV Channels from an Aerial