The Digital SwitchoverTelevision in the UK is changing from the current analogue system to digital transmission only. This means that unless you adjust your television to receive digital signals you will not get any TV channels in future. This is called digital switchover. It happens between 2008 and 2012. After switchover, as well as the current channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five), you'll have an added choice of digital channels including BBC 3, BBC 4, ITV2, ITV3, E4, More4, CBBC, Cbeebies and BBC News 24.
The digital switchover will mean that more people will be able to enjoy the benefits of digital TV and will make a wide range of digital television options more affordable. Digital switchover will make sure the best available technology is in use. It will also make space for new services like high definition TV and broadcasting to mobile phones.
What is digital TV?
Sound and pictures are converted into a digital format and compressed, taking up less space when transmitted than they needed in the old analogue transmission system. This allows more channels to be sent out. Digital signals are picked up by standard aerials, satellite dishes or through cable. They are decoded and turned back into sound and pictures using a separate set-top box, or a digital decoder built into your television. The second way is known as an integrated digital TV set or iDTV.
Why go digital?
You can receive more channels from the public service broadcasters (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five) as standard, with the option of paying for further digital channels, and a range of extra benefits such as interactivity (often through the red button), on-screen TV listings and wide screen pictures. Depending on how you choose to receive digital TV, you could get a wide range of information services and interactive features too.
Digital TV picture is clearer. In most cases digital TV can improve the quality of the TV pictures and delivery of sound. Digital television can be received in more ways. Digital TV is more flexible than the old analogue television system as you can pick it up on digital cable, digital satellite, digital terrestrial or broadband/DSL. Digital TV offers specific services for viewers with sight or hearing impairments, such as audio descriptions and subtitling. Feedback from older people involved in digital trials has been very positive, and shows that they liked features like the electronic programming guide, something that gives easy-to-read programme information at the touch of a button.
The switchover – practical points
You will get plenty of notice before services in your area are affected and plenty of advice on what to do through various media - but you could start thinking about your digital TV options today. Going digital can be simple and inexpensive. Most households have a choice of options and can weigh up the services they want against what they want to spend. Most existing TV sets can be adapted with a digital box, with basic digital boxes starting at around £40. Alternatively you can replace your old TV with one that has a decoder built into it, known as an integrated digital TV set or iDTV. Between two and ten per cent of households are likely to need a new aerial. Again, there are a large variety of available options. If you need a TV licence today, you will still need one after digital switchover. The cost is the same and you don't need a separate licence to watch digital television.
You will be able to use your current video recorder unless you want to record one programme while watching another, when you will need to get a digital recorder. The range of digital recorders (often called 'Personal Video Recorders' or PVRs) is expanding all the time. Every TV set in your home that you want to use to watch TV broadcasts can receive digital TV. Any TV set that you use only to play back videotapes or DVDs, or with a games console, will not need to be converted.
The digital switchover is happening and is happening now and by 2012 you will need to switchover to a digital supplier and adjust your TV to receive the digital signal before the deadline date. |
