Analogue television signals are being switched off in the next year in the UK are going over to digital. Digital is a stronger service allowing more channels through your existing TV signal. There is no charge for the signal as this works with your resident TV aerial.
A benefit of Digital TV is that it uses less broadcast space which means that after digital switchover, there will be more room for new services such as broadband, local TV and High Definition Television (HDTV).
Therefore, to keep your TV service, you will need to convert your TVs to digital before your area’s switchover date.
You will be able to enjoy lots of new ways to watch TV and interact with the digital services. Subtitles and audio descriptions offer more options that through the existing analogue system. On-screen TV guides are one of the best features of digital TV and allow you to quickly see what’s on the other channels. There is access to premium services such as movies or sports as paid options become available.
Points to consider :
How many TVs are there in your home?
Every TV you wish to watch will need to be converted to Digital after switchover. Any TV left unconverted will not work.
Do you video programmes at the moment?
Old style video and DVD recorders will still play back and record but only the channel you are currently watching. If you want to carry on recording, you should consider a digital TV recorder that will also convert your to digital TV.
Current TV aerial
The majority of rooftop aerials and some set-top aerials will be fine after switchover. If you decide to convert to a service like Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision shouldn’t need to convert your aerial although you might get a better quality picture if you bought a digital aerial.
Will switchover affect the radio?
The analogue radio signal is not affected by digital TV switchover.
TV Sets
Any modern TV will work with the digital system when a Freeview box is plugged into it.
SCART sockets are the standard connection used by a Freeview box but freeview HD boxes use other connections such as HDMI. As long as your current TV has the same sort of connection as your Freeview box, you won’t need to change it.
If you with to buy a new TV, make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’. The ‘digital tick’ means that it is designed to continue working after the switchover.
Get free information about digital switchover and find all the freeview related products in one easy to use place at Freeview Box.