| Digital TV is a means of transmitting | | | | Set Top boxes vary in costs depending on |
| picture and sound to your TV set. It is | | | | the service you require. Non |
| done by converting the pictures and | | | | subscription services such as Freeview |
| sound into computerised bits of | | | | require a one off payment to purchase |
| information and compressing it, then | | | | the equipment in order to receive more |
| transmitting it from as transmitter to | | | | than 30 free channels and other |
| your aerial. The signal is then | | | | features. Subscription services vary in |
| converted back into pictures and sound | | | | cost depending on the level you wish to |
| by your TV using a decoder. Digital TV | | | | subscribe to, Top up TV provides limited |
| provides the potential for hundreds of | | | | additional channels for a small charge |
| channels and services via a TV. This is | | | | which can paid flexibly each month. |
| because the digital signal is | | | | Others such as SKY and NTL can provide a |
| compressed, meaning it takes up less | | | | much wider selection of services but the |
| space in the airwaves, unlike the | | | | charges are much greater and often |
| analogue system. | | | | require a 12 month subscription. |
| Where as the old analogue system could | | | | The Digital Switchover is the process by |
| only provide 5 channels, on digital you | | | | which all television in the UK switches |
| can potentially have access to hundreds | | | | to a digital signal. Analogue signals |
| of channels, as well as extras like a | | | | are inferior to their Digital |
| 7-day programme guide and interactivity. | | | | counterparts and as a result are going |
| The main benefit of Digital TV is the | | | | to be phased out. In order to make sure |
| increase in picture quality; digital | | | | that everyone in the UK can receive a |
| signals produce a much better picture | | | | digital signal it has to be available |
| and higher quality sound. Ghosting | | | | for free everywhere. Presently this is |
| images and crackling pictures are a | | | | possible in only 74% of UK homes, in |
| thing of the past, and the best bit is | | | | order for the rest of the country to |
| its available to almost everyone. | | | | receive digital signals the existing |
| In order to receive Digital TV on your | | | | analogue signal must be switched off. |
| television you will have to replace or | | | | After switchover at least 98.5% of |
| adapt it (unless you have a recently | | | | people will be able to receive digital |
| purchased TV). Some brand new TVs come | | | | TV via an aerial. The switchover will |
| featuring integrated digital Freeview | | | | begin in 2008 and end in 2012, and will |
| (IDTV), which means they are able to | | | | happen one region at a time. In order to |
| display Digital signals without the use | | | | make sure that you're ready for the |
| of a separate box. If your TV doesnt | | | | switchover you will need to make sure |
| have this feature then you will need to | | | | your TV can receive and process digital |
| attach a set top box to any TVs you wish | | | | signals, either via an integrated tuner |
| to adapt using a SCART lead. | | | | or set top box. |