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Technology: The Digital Switchover

Digital Television

Television is going completely digital. Switching the UK to digital-only TV is called digital switchover. The process countrywide started in 2008 and will be complete in 2012. It is being done by ITV region. The Border region switchover took place in 2008; Yorkshire region will be in 2011; and the Tyne Tees region in 2012. When you get digital TV you will still get all of the channels that you see today, depending on how you choose to get digital TV you will get many extra services. Nearly two thirds of UK households are already receiving digital TV.

First you need to choose how to receive digital TV?

Through an aerial; by satellite; by cable; or through a telephone line. Not all services are available in every area so ask in store for more details about what is available here.

What about the TV?

You can keep your current TV and plug in a digital box (e.g. Sky, Freeview) or you can buy a new Integrated Digital Television (see in-store).

There are a number of options open to you:

SKY (Digital TV via a satellite): This offers the largest range of channels, with an unrivalled range of sport, music entertainment and kids channels. You will need a satellite dish and a set-top box. You will also require a telephone line, as the box is plugged into the line and it is a condition of subscribing. This is so that the box can use interactive services, or dial Sky to verify payment for pay-to-view films and sport. If you subscribe to Sky+ it will change your viewing forever. You can watch one satellite channel while recording another satellite channel, record programmes without videotape (onto the built-in hard disk), record two different channels at the same time, and pause/rewind live TV. Sky is also available as a HD package which allows you to view Sport, Movies and more in High Definition.

Freeview (Digital TV through an aerial): Onceyou have purchased your Digital TV or Freeview box, all channels are free to watch, there's no installation or subscription cost, no contract, and no engineer needs to visit (although we may recommend an aerial upgrade if your current aerial isn't suitable). Freeview offers around 50 channels of TV and radio . Freeview viewers can opt to subscribe to a small number of extra channels in addition to the free channels - the subscription service is called TopUp TV. To check whether you can receive Freeview please click here.

freeSat: freesat is a relatively new digital satellite TV service, and available to almost all households across the UK. For a one-off payment for a digital box, satellite dish and installation, freesat will offer you more than 80 TV channels. If your TV is HD–ready, freesat will also give you access to the world of High Definition programmes…subscription free!

Digital Radio

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting): Digital radio gives a wider selection of stations, better reception and a greater ease of use. No need to remember radio station frequencies, you can search by name. The sound is near CD quality and the choice of music should suit everybodys taste. We have the latest radios in stock so please pop in for a demonstration.

To check what stations are available where you are please click here.

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