Hi @Dmo71, thank you for the clarification. I have investigated this and Freeview appears due to HbbTV functionality, and is comprised of all Australian free-to-air channels. HbTV allows for TVs connected to the internet to provide Guides and Catch-up Programs.
We would recommend directing your concerns to Freeview's support team directly, as this update is with Freeview itself.
A temporary fix to remove the Freeview info bar is to disable HbbTV data service. To do this, please follow these steps:
- From your Home screen, go into Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > here, click on HbbTV to disable it. This should remove the blue dot from the grey button. The Freeview info bar should no longer be there.
Hi @Henrique1177, to clarify is it the return button on your remote? Do the other buttons work as well? Please ensure that your TV software is up to date and that the batteries of your remote are working.
it is not a problem with the remotes. It is the updated software that has automatically installed a Freeview info bar on every tv channel. Since this software update we’ve lost the ability to quickly return to the previous channel we were watching by pressing the back button. The back button still works for all other functions. we’ve also lost the “currently watching” info that was activated by pressing the “enter” button in the middle of the circle - that also means we lost the quick scroll up/down to see what’s on other channels and pressing to the right to see what is coming up in next 24 hours. the enter button and direction buttons still work for all other functions. The update is terrible and causing a lot of people a lot of frustration.
I am having the exact same problem on the Q60R and Q80T. I’m aware of another 2 locals with the same issue as well.
You don’t realise how often you use that function until it disappears!! I rang customer service but they couldn’t really understand what I was explaining. I’ve done a full reset and the issue is still there. We just turned on the tv the other day and the new Freeview menu cropped up across the bottom of every channel and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to remove it, or to restore the “previous channel” function by hitting the “back” button. LOSING THIS FUNCTION AND THE DROP DOWN INFO (by pressing the centre of the circle on the remote) No longer able to use that to scroll up and down or forward several hours for a quick look instead of having to to the TV guide is Extremely frustrating!!
FOR the first time in years (and 5 smart tv’s over that time) I can’t recommend this tv anymore.
Hi @Dmo71, thank you for the clarification. I have investigated this and Freeview appears due to HbbTV functionality, and is comprised of all Australian free-to-air channels. HbTV allows for TVs connected to the internet to provide Guides and Catch-up Programs.
We would recommend directing your concerns to Freeview's support team directly, as this update is with Freeview itself.
A temporary fix to remove the Freeview info bar is to disable HbbTV data service. To do this, please follow these steps:
- From your Home screen, go into Settings > Broadcasting > Expert Settings > HbbTV Settings > here, click on HbbTV to disable it. This should remove the blue dot from the grey button. The Freeview info bar should no longer be there.
Can we please get an update from Samsung on this issue. I would expect a major brand such as this to do their own testing as this must be impacting all their high end models.
Directing us to free view is not a solution to your firmware compatibility with free view which your TV obviously supports
Hi @Putsmuts, unfortunately this Freeview menu bar update was a change made by HbbTV directly across most (if not all) Australian televisions, and so we are unable to change the way that it functions on our televisions.
As such, we have advised customers to express their concerns directly to Freeview's support team, as we are only able to provide the temporary fix of disabling Hbbtv.
However, we can understand that some users would like to continue using Freeview, so a way to return to the previous channel with your remote is:
- After changing channels and the Freeview Bar appears, wait 5-10 seconds for it to disappear > Press and hold Returnfor 5 seconds to stop the Freeview function of the button > Press Return again and this will take you back to the previous channel.
If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to let us know.
