Digital TV Selector

What is the digital switchover?

The way you watch your favourite TV programmes is changing. The government will turn off the traditional analogue TV signal, region by region, between 2008 and 2012, to allow all TV services to go digital. Any TV that is not converted to receive digital when the digital switchover happens will no longer be able to receive TV programmes. If you haven’t got digital for every TV in your household yet, don’t worry – our guides will help you choose the right service for you.

Why is the digital switchover happening?

At the moment, some households still cannot access channel five and around one in four homes cannot get digital TV via their aerial. The digital switchover aims to make it fairer for everyone, as only by switching off the old analogue signal will it be possible to increase the digital signal to cover parts of the country that cannot receive it at the moment and to deliver additional services such as HD TV.

Going digital means a lot of great benefits for everyone:

• Better picture and sound quality
• Extra TV channels at no extra cost, plus other channels available on subscription
• The provision of terrestrial HD TV channels
• Digital radio channels
• Access to a range of interactive services (via the red button on your remote)
• On-screen TV listings including a guide to the coming week’s TV programmes

All in all, going digital is good news for everyone, and if you haven’t already got digital it’s not difficult to switch either.

When is it happening?

To make sure the digital switchover causes as little disruption as possible, the analogue transmitters are being switched off one by one throughout the UK. This process started in 2008 and the UK will be fully digital by the end of 2012. The date you need to be ready for the digital switchover depends on where you live. The map below will give you an idea of when your area is switching to digital, but you should receive a specific date nearer the time:

Who will be affected?

By the end of 2012 all the analogue transmitters will be switched off, so every TV in the UK will need to be digital. This includes all household TVs and any TVs in public areas, such as schools, hospitals and pubs.

If you are uncertain or confused about what you need to do, don’t worry as you’ll find lots of useful advice on this website to help you make the right choice for you. Just browse through the guides, as we cover everything from the basics of digital TV, to a comparison of the best deals available from all the leading providers so you can be fully informed and decide what is right for you.

How will this affect me?

The digital switchover in your region will occur overnight on a set date. Don’t panic, you will be informed this date well in advance. Once the region has switched over, equipment that is designed to receive only analogue signals will no longer receive TV pictures. You must make sure you have a digital service for all your TV sets by then, whether you choose to get a simple Freeview set top box or a subscription service like Sky or Virgin Media

If you already have a digital service on all your TVs then you don’t have to do anything. If you haven’t got digital on any or all of your TVs, you will need to take a few simple steps to get a digital service so you are prepared for when your region switches over. To find out more about the options available to you, click here

If you have a video recorder you will lose almost all of its functionality. It will continue to play back video tapes but unless it has a digital tuner you will only be able record the channel you are watching on your set top box.

If you want to continue recording your favourite programmes you will almost definitely need to get a digital TV recorder, also known as a PVR (Personal Video recorder). Digital recorders offer many more features than a VCR or DVD Recorder such as far superior picture and sound quality (as good as the original broadcast) it easy to use and browse your library and with the press of one button you can set it up to record an entire series. These only cost a little more than a standard Freeview set-top box, from as little as £75, or are offered as part of a package with the premium providers like Sky+ or V+ from Virgin Media.

Want to be able to watch your favourite programmes when you want? Click here to see the latest deals on digital recorders with Amazon.

How much will it cost?

Going digital will vary in cost depending on the service and equipment you choose. You must convert all your TV sets, so you will need a set top box for each; or if you choose to go for Sky or Virgin Media, the provider will give you the option to get the same service on all of your TVs, for an additional monthly fee.

You should not have to buy a new TV, but in some circumstances you may need to get a new aerial fitted if reception is weak in your area.

More FAQs about the digital switchover

How will I know when my area is switching to digital?

The map will give you an idea of when your area is due to switch to digital. The official date will be communicated to you well in advance, and a few months before the digital switchover happens, captions will appear on your analogue channels reminding you to connect to digital.

Why is the digital switchover happening region by region?

The digital switchover is happening in stages to ensure there is minimum disruption. Over 1,000 transmitters have to be converted to digital.

What’s the difference between analogue and digital?

Analogue is the traditional method of delivering TV services. If you currently only receive a maximum of 5 TV channels on your TV you are using analogue. Like FM radio, analogue TV works by transporting the picture and sound information as an analogue signal, which is then received by your TV aerial. Although we have used analogue for a number of years, it is subject to interference, which is why you may experience snowy or ghost images or distorted pictures. Also, the amount of bandwidth assigned to analogue TV restricts the resolution, the picture quality and ultimately the number of channels you can receive.

Digital TV is the new way of delivering TV services, and has a number of advantages over analogue, the main one being more TV channels.  Digital means the TV signal is converted into ‘bits’ of information or data, sent through an aerial, telephone line, satellite dish or cable, then converted back to sound and images by a digital tuner or TV in your home. Since digital is a more efficient method, more information can be sent in the same amount of time, and the images and sounds received are of a much better quality. This method also allows broadcasters to supply extra features, such as HD (High Definition), cinema style Dolby surround sound, multiple language audio, text services, and more.

What channels will be available due to the digital switchover?

By switching to digital, almost every household will be able to get Freeview channels, in 2007 only 73% were able to. You will get access to up to 48 free channels including BBC Three, ITV2, E4, BBC News, Dave and Film4. New HD channels may become available too.

I can’t get Freeview at the moment, what does the digital switchover mean for me?

The digital switchover is happening so almost everyone will get Freeview. By switching off the old analogue signal, the power for digital signals can be increased; so all households that can get analogue will be able to get digital.

If I don’t do anything, what will happen?

If you do not have digital TV and do not get it when your area switches over, you won’t be able to watch TV. You must make sure every TV, including those in bedrooms or the kitchen, is connected to a set top box or replaced with a TV that has a digital tuner

Is there any financial help?

A Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been set up to give support to people aged over 75, those with significant disabilities, or are blind or partially sighted; and households with a very low income. The scheme will cost eligible households £40 (free for those on Income Support) for basic equipment to convert one TV to digital, with a new aerial if required; and help with the installation and using digital for the first time. If you are eligible for this scheme, you should be contacted before your region switches to digital, if you would like information leaflets you can request them by calling 0845 234 0399.

What features does digital TV offer for those with sight and hearing problems?

Some digital boxes have special access features such as subtitles, signing and audio description for people with sight or hearing problems. For more information you can contact the RNIB on 0845 766 9999 or the RNID on 0808 808 0123.

Will switching to digital affect my TV licence?

No, the TV licensing requirements for digital television are the same as for analogue, you will continue to pay it as before.

Will I need to buy a new TV?

No, not unless you want to. Most TVs can be converted to digital with a digital set-top box. If you bought your TV after 1996, it will probably have a SCART socket on the back, which allows it to be connected to a digital set-top box.

SCART is the most common method of connecting audio-visual equipment together, and has become the standard connector for TVs, VCRs, games consoles etc.

If you need to buy extra SCART leads, Maplin have a great range.

If your TV does not have a SCART socket, don’t worry, you just need to make sure you buy an ‘RF Modulator’ or a digital box with one in built, as this means you can connect using the small round aerial socket in your TV.

If you need to buy a RF Modulator you can buy one online with Maplin.

What equipment will I need?

If you choose to get a subscription service with the likes of Sky or Virgin Media, for example, then they will provide you with the equipment you need. If you choose to get a basic service, you just need to buy a set top box which will give you access to Freeview, and it’s very easy to install yourself. But you can choose from an array of equipment from basic set top boxes to a digital hard disk recorder, visit Amazon to see the latest deals.

What do I do if I have more than one TV?

You will need to convert every TV in your household, meaning that each one will need to be able to receive a digital signal, normally via a digital set top box. Some digital TV providers even offer you the option to watch their services around your house using special equipment.

If you already have Sky, you may find that their Multiroom option is best for you, for an additional charge this will get you the Sky digital service on all of your TVs. If you are already with Virgin Media, they also offer a similar service to multiroom.

Will I need a new aerial?

Most households will not require a new aerial. Generally, if your TV reception is good now, you should be able to get a good digital signal after the switchover. If your TV reception is poor then you should consider getting it replaced.

What if I live in a block of flats?

If you share an aerial then this may need to be converted to receive digital television, but this is the responsibility of your letting agent or landlord.

Will analogue radio be affected by digital switchover?

The analogue radio service is unaffected by the digital TV switchover. But the digital switchover does mean that everyone with a television will be able to benefit from digital radio which they can listen to through their television set.

I have a HD TV, will I be ready for digital?

HDTV provides a sharper screen image than standard definition pictures. An HD-ready TV does not necessarily include an integrated digital TV and vice versa, so look for the ‘digital tick’ logo. HDTV services are already available via subscription satellite and cable and may be available in the future on other platforms, including Freeview, but this would require you to buy a new box.