What is digital switchover?
Starting soon and ending in 2012, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region, as the analogue signal is turned off. This process is called digital switchover.
After switchover, all television in the UK will be digital. The UK’s old television broadcast signal (known as “analogue”) is being switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. Any TV set or video recorder that’s not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes.
When is digital switchover?
The process of digital switchover will take place between 2008 and 2012, TV region by TV region. The exception is Whitehaven, Cumbria, which becomes the first place to switch in October 2007.
What are the benefits of digital TV?
Compared to traditional TV, it brings many new ways to enjoy your TV:
Extra TV channels as standard
You’ll receive all your usual TV channels and many more
Subscription channels
Depending on where you live and how you choose to go digital, you will also be able to subscribe to additional channels which feature a variety of sports, films, news, documentaries, drama and much more.
Improved quality
Digital TV can improve the quality of your TV picture.
New features
Including on-screen TV listings and true widescreen picture. Plus, the red-button option lets you change views or games, great for sporting and entertainment events.
Access services
Some digital boxes have special features for people with visual and hearing impairments, such as audio description and subtitling.
What equipment will I need to get digital television?
There are several options to ensure you receive digital television:
Digital TV
There are two ways to get terrestrial digital TV:
- Upgrade your current set with a Freeview box or a DVD player or recorder with in-built receiver.
- Get a new television with built-in digital adapter (known as an integrated digital TV or IDTV).
Look for the Digital UK logo. This logo identifies TVs, TV recording equipment, and digital set-top boxes that are designed to continue working after the digital switchover.
Plus, don’t forget your video recorder: If you use a video (VCR) or a DVD recorder for recording you will still be able to record the channel you’re watching and play back tapes/DVDs. But, if you want to record one digital channel while you are watching another, you'll need a digital TV recorder with one or more digital tuners
Digital Satellite TV
You’ll need a satellite receiver and dish, provided by a satellite broadcaster such as Sky. Take advantage of our great Sky offers.
Digital Cable TV
You’ll need a connection to a cable system and the decoder box provided by the cable company.
Please note that your aerial may need to be replaced in order for you to receive the digital signal. You may also want to consider getting an amplifier so you can distribute the digital signal to several rooms in your home.