I've noticed that with TVs here too.
I think it's a little more than just software to save cost they have one basic TV unit with different tuner moduels that can be plugged in for different markets during manufacture. The TV itself will be exactly the same, the software will be the same but certain functions may be different. A French version will suport SECAM and French channel system. An Irish TV will incorporate a VHF and "Cable Hyperband" tuner as well as UHF. The UK version will simply have UHF etc etc.
As for the Manuals they're often very generic and badly written so may just include absolutely everything with **
** = Not applicable in the UK, Germany, Ireland etc..
Most TVs here auto tune the channel names too although get them slightly out of date.
They should read:
RTE 1, NET 2 (since 1988), TV3 and TG4
But you always seem to get:
RTE1, RTE2, TV3 and TnaG
Our sony TV seems to support just about everything in Europe.
It gives a list of countries and you just pick which one you're in. Seems to have no problems supporting SECAM or PAL I/B/G etc..
