Are you ready?

The ‘Digital TV Switch Over’ started yesterday in Whitehaven, Cumbria with BBC Two going to digital and the switchover from analogue to digital will be complete in that area by November 14th, 2007.

But what does that mean for the Knowsley area? The Government is looking to switch this area over between September and December 2009 and the rest if the country will complete by 2012.

The UK’s old analogue television signal is being switched off and replaced with a digital signal. This will create a fairer situation in which everyone has access to a choice of affordable digital services. With digital TV, sound and pictures from the broadcaster are converted into ‘bits’ of information and sent through an aerial, satellite, telephone line or cable. This digital signal is then turned back into sound and pictures by a digital box or a digital television set.

Digital TV is also more efficient. It can carry many more channels than analogue and will free up spectrum that can be used for a range of services, such as more TV services in either standard or high definition, mobile TV, wireless broadband, local TV, wireless home hubs and many others.
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 as standard including BBC Three, ITV2, E4, More 4, S4C2, Sky News, Cbeebies, CBBC, CITV, ITV3 and FilmFour.
• Subscription channels
If you choose to take out a subscription, you can get many more dedicated channels including sport, films, music channels, and access to services that let you watch what you want, when you want.
• Improved quality
Digital TV can improve the quality of your TV picture.
• New features

Including on-screen TV listings, true widescreen picture and red-button interactivity.
Some digital boxes have special access features such as subtitles, signing and audio description for people with hearing or sight problems. For more information please call the RNIB on 0845 766 9999 or the RNID on 0808 808 0123.

The cost will vary depending on what TV service and TV equipment you choose.
Converting your TV can cost from as little or as much as you like depending on if you want to pay a monthly fee or a one-off payment. It also depends on how many TV’s you have in your house and if you want to convert them all.

Other influencing factors are recording equipment and aerials which could need replacing at switchover.

If you have any queries then log on to: www.digitaluk.co.uk