Digital TV Explained

In accordance with the Government initiative, UK is undergoing a digital switchover

programme wherein the entire country is switching over to a digital TV format phase by phase, region by region. Digital TV Switchover simply means the opting for a digital TV signal format for airing TV programmes over the existing analogue TV signal format.

TV viewers UK will have to convert their television sets to digital ones before the switchover of their area happens. In order to receive digital TV signals, you should check your existing television set if it has a SCART socket else, you will require to go for a digital box with a built in RF modulator. If you wish to go for a new TV set, you should look out for a digital tick on the TV screen or the box which means it will function after the digital switchover.

Digital TV recorder or a DTR is a set top box which allows you to record one channel while you watch another channel and also pause and rewind Live TV as well. You need to go for DTR only if you wish to record and store programmes while you watch another channel else your video and DVD recorders will function in the same fashion but they will record only what you watch.

Digital TV Recorders are supplied by various Digital TV service providers. Once you sign up for a particular digital TV service, you get their digital TV recorder and once connected you can enjoy watching, recording and storing digital programmes. Most popular DTRs or digital TV boxes are Vision+ Box from BT, Standard Sky Box, Sky Plus Box and Sky Plus HD Box from Sky while Virgin Media provides the V+ Box.

In UK, digital TV is provided by BT Vision, Sky, Virgin Media, Tiscali and few others in the subscription options while those with a one-off payment include Freesat, Freesat from Sky and Freeview. These digital TV service providers offer digital TV packages which are flexible and customizable as per personal preferences and requirements. At the same time, they offer discounts, offers and other bargains such as free installation or free DTRs or discounts on packages and TV packs and so on.

Most UK residents are apprehensive about the digital TV switchover and additional costs to be borne. But switching over is not at all expensive and depends upon number of TVs you wish to convert to digital, the type of digital TV service provider you wish to opt for, the type of Digital TV Box you go for and lastly the TV packages you wish to opt for. Moreover you can also go for telephone services and/or broadband services from the same TV provider and get a customized service bundle for yourself.

UK government runs a special Switchover Help Scheme for a certain section of people such as elderly people over the age of 75 years, those who have lived in a care home for more than 6 months, those who are registered blind or partially sighted and lastly who receive either disability allowance or constant attendance allowance or mobility supplement.

Digital TV and its switchover process is a good and worthwhile decision taken by UK government. With digital TV signal in place, people can watch more and better quality TV programmes and also enjoy more services such as wireless broadband, local TV and High Definition Television (HDTV) as it occupies lesser band width as compared to analogue TV.

Digital TV Explained

By: Janny Walter

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