Hidden content in the freeview signal?

[geordiejohn]

Just an idle thought, satellite transmissions have content that normal Sky/freesat receivers don't pick up, feeds, channels not in the EPG, I imagine there is more but my knowledge isn't great!

Does freeview have anything similar? I appreciate the bandwidth for freeview is much smaller than satellites.

 

[ozumo]

There used to be a test card you could access via a combination of channel changes & button presses. There's still a 'secret' menu but it's nothing interesting.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Transport streams will carry various additional signals, that can be used for enabling / disabling the reception to certain devices, PCMCIA modules and cards for example, delivery of UHD when the receiving device does not have the correct front tuner/demodulator , plus any key that might be required for subscription beyond the broadcast (eg hotel payTV systems, adult content or breakfast ordering from the room).

There is also 'private data' packets within the stream, though I've not looked too closely at what it might be able to delivery if accessible.