Red Button FAQ's

Back to FAQ's

Who can receive the Encore via the Red Button on Freeview?

Most Freeview connected TVs and set top boxes can receive the service. The best way to check is to make sure your device is connected to the internet, either by a wire to the router or on WiFi and then to go to Talking Pictures on Channel 82 and see if you see an Encore logo underneath the channel bug.

Who can receive the Encore via the Red Button on Freeview?
How do I connect my TV to the internet?

Go into the settings of your TV and find ‘Network’, then select your WiFi and enter the password to connect. Alternatively, some TVs can be cabled directly into your router.

How do I know if my TV can connect to the internet?

Most modern TVs can connect to the internet, check the settings of the TV and look for ‘Network’ or similar. Also, some TVs come with a sticker that says “Freeview Play Ready”, which means it is definitely able to connect to the internet.

I have a YouView set top box, will Encore work on this?

Unfortunately, YouView isn’t compatible with Encore at the moment.

How can I tell if my device is compatible with the service?

If the device is connected to the internet and the red ‘Encore’ logo appears on channel 82 then you can connect. Unfortunately, some older TVs can connect to the internet but don’t run the right technology to be compatible. If you are a real tech guru then you need to find out if your TV is HbbTV compatible, which is the technology used to launch the service. Also, some TVs come with a sticker that says “Freeview Play Ready”, which means it is definitely able to connect to Encore.

How do I access Encore on my connected TV?

When on channel 82, simply press the red button on your remote control to launch the service.

How do I access Encore on my connected TV?
Why does it take a long time to load?

It’s complicated! The first time the service loads in a new area it has to download all of the posters and information and this can take some time. Once this is done, and more people are using the service, the load time should be just a couple of seconds.

Why does it take a long time to load?
Why do I see “GDPR stuff”?

It’s a bit like loading a website with cookies. We need to be able to send information over to you and you are essentially giving us permission to do so.

Why do I see GDPR Stuff?
How do I watch subtitles?

If the show has subtitles then there will be a blue “CC” logo in the film’s information page. Simply press the blue button on your remote control and subtitles will be enabled.

How do I watch subtitles?
How long is content available for?

It varies from title to title. Generally content in the Limited Release carousels are on the service for 7 days, due to licensing agreements, however most of the content is available 24/7/365!

Why do you sometimes only have one episode of some series available at a time?

This will be to do with the licensing agreement in place between Talking Pictures TV and the rights owner.

Where would I find content that I have missed on the channel?

New content will appear in one of three places: the “New to Encore”, “Limited Release Films” and Limited Release TV”, which are the top three carrousels when you enter the service.

Where would I find content that I have missed on the channel?
Where can I watch film collections such as The Cellar Club or The Footage Detectives

There are lots of carousels of content on the service. You can scroll down through these using the arrow keys on your remote control.

Why is some content that airs on the channel not available on Encore?

Not everything comes with the right license to allow us to put it on a catch up service.

How do I pause?

Press the “OK” button on your remote control and press it again to resume

How do I pause?
How do I search for content?

Press the yellow button on your remote control, when on the home screen of the application, and you will be taken to the search function. Use the arrow keys, on your remote, to enter your search term and then move to the “OK” button to start the search.

How do I search for content?

 

How do I search for content?
What if I want to browse films/TV shows from a certain era?

If you go to the Search function (green button on the home screen), then you can search by year e.g. 1949 or by decade e.g. 1940s or 40s

How do I access complete TV series from the homepage?

Press the yellow button on your remote control and you will be taken to the TV series page. Click into a series to see all the episodes.

How do I access complete TV series from the homepage?
Why is there advertising on the service?

It’s important to us that the service remains free and showing advertising allows us to do this.

How do I go back a page?

Press the back button, or on some remote controls it is a left facing arrow , and you will be taken back to the previous page.

How do I go back a page?
How do I get back onto the channel itself?

Press the “exit” button on your remote control or press the red button again to exit the application.

How do I get back onto the channel itself?
Can I pick up a show from where I left off?

At the moment it isn’t possible to resume a film if you have left the film’s page. We are working on this for the next phase of Encore.

How long after broadcast is new content available on the Encore Red Button service?

Once a show has aired on the channel, it will be on the service within an hour and often quicker.

Encore doesn't work on my Smart TV anymore.

If you usually watch Encore via the Red Button service on your smart TV, but it's no loner working, it's worth unplugging your TV from the mains for 60 seconds and then plugging it back in again. It may sound cliché, but this can clear your TV's cache and amend a lot of anomalies. If you continue to have problems, please contact support@tptvencore.com

My Hisense/TLC Roku TV isn't playing films properly

We are aware of a recent software update for these TVs that has affected some of these models' ability to communicate with our Red Button service. Feel free to contact us at support@tptvencore.com if this is happening to you, or contact Hisense/TLC to let them know.

Back to FAQ's