Digital TV

If you do not have digital TV at present, you can still receive the 5 main terrestrial channels through an analogue signal. The 5 main terrestrial channels are: BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

From 2008 the analogue signal will be switched off. That means that anyone without digital TV will not be able to receive a signal. The switch over process will be completed
in 2012.

Why is the digital switchover happening?

• Greater accessibility: Some people cannot receive all the terrestrial channels with the analogue signal. It is common for households to be unable to receive Channel 5. Digital TV will ensure that all households will be able to receive all free to air channels.
• Greater choice: There are more channels available with digital TV. There is a range of free to air channels available that you do not need to pay for. There is also a wide range of subscription based television channels available.
• More efficient: Digital TV is a much more efficient way of transmitting the television signal. This will free up valuable airwaves for new technology such as mobile and high definition (HD) television.

What do I need to do?

There are various options available for you to receive the digital TV signal:

• Sign up to a digital TV package: Sky Digital, NTL, Telewest and Homechoice are the leading subscription based digital TV providers in the UK. For a monthly fee you can receive up to 400 digital TV channels.
• Get a free to air set top box: You can receive digital TV without signing up to a subscription package by buying a set top box. This is otherwise known as Freeview. Freeview set top boxes are available from £35.
• Buy a television with digital TV built in: Some modern television sets can receive the digital TV signal without the need for a set top box. Similarly DVD players and video players can have digital TV built in. These will give you the free to air digital channels but if you want to receive a wider range of channels you will still need to sign up to a digital TV provider, such as Sky Digital, NTL, Telewest or Homechoice.

There are four main types of digital television: satellite TV, cable TV, digital terrestrial and via broadband internet.

Satellite TV

The most popular method is satellite TV. Sky, the UK's largest digital television provider, uses satellite TV. The signal is beamed to your house via satellite. You will need a "minidish" to receive the signal and a "digibox" to decode the signal so that you can watch it on your TV. This equipment is available from Sky.

Cable TV

Digital cable television is available from NTL and Telewest. Telewest or NTL will install a fibre optic cable into your house. You will need a set-top box to decode the signal. This is available from Telewest and NTL.

Digital Terrestrial TV (Free to Air)

You can receive free to air digital channels through a set-top box or integrated digital television. A popular provider of free to air digital TV is Freeview. You can buy Freeview set-top boxes from sites like Comet.

Via Broadband Internet

Sending digital television via a broadband internet connection is the newest method of transmitting digital television. The most popular provider of digital television via broadband is Homechoice. You receive a set-top box which connects to your telephone line. The set-top box then connects to your television set and computer, allowing you to enjoy broadband and digital television. This is otherwise known as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

There are four main benefits of Digital Television: More TV channels, improved accessibility, interactive services and improved picture quality

More TV channels

Because digital television is more efficient than analogue television, a much greater number of channels can be transmitted. One of the main benefits of digital television is that even a basic package will provide you with wide range of channels to enjoy.

Improved Accessibility

With digital television, greater access is possible for the visually and hearing impared. Sign language and audio description services are often available. Subtitle services are also often available.

Interactive Services

A range of interactive services are available with digital television including: more information about a programme, Teletext, program guides, gaming, banking, shopping and betting.

Improved Picture Quality

The quality of the digital picture and sound is of a higher quality than that from an analogue signal, so you will enjoy a much better viewing experience.

With Digital Television, sound and pictures are transmitted in digital format by compressing them into tiny bits of information. The signal is then received by a dish or aerial and decoded by a set top box or decoder and displayed on the television.

Digital TV buyers guide