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Frequently Asked Questions

What is digital television?

Digital technology provides a more efficient way to deliver television than with analogue transmissions. It enables the same services to be delivered in less space with greater clarity. The freed bandwidth that digital brings can be used for other services and in the context of digital TV this can be more television and radio channels plus enhanced or interactive service

The word 'digital' is used by a wide variety of industries to indicate the use of new technologies. In the case of television, digital relates to the way the programmes are processed and transmitted. Computer technology is used to convert sound and pictures into a digital format and to compress them, using as few bits as possible to convey the information on a digital signal. This technique enables several television channels to be carried in the space used by the current analogue signals to carry one channel. The digital signal can be received by standard aerials, satellite dishes or cable but have to be decoded and turned back into sound and pictures by using a separate set-top box, or a decoder built into your television (an integrated digital set).

How do I receive digital television?

Essentially, there are four ways you can receive digital television today

Satellite - To receive digital satellite signals in the UK you will need a set-top box to use with your existing TV set or a new digital TV set designed to receive the digital satellite signals. You will also need a dish on the outside of your house. Digital satellite signals reach to the vast majority of UK homes, but in a few cases reception may not be possible. This may be because the satellite is hidden from your home by trees, high hills or tall buildings, or because planning laws do not permit you to put up a dish (for example, if your house is a listed building).

Cable - In this case, digital services are relayed through a cable laid below the ground that passes between the cable operator and your home and a set top box provided and located there by the operator.

Terrestrial - This is the closest match to conventional analogue services. The network of land based transmitters around the country transmits signals to household aerials. The aerial signal needs to be connected to a Digital Adapter (set top box) or to an Integrated Digital Television (a TV which has the adapter built inside) to view the services offered. Many will be able to use existing aerials to receive digital services but some may need to have new aerials or cabling installed to receive all services. For clarification check your post code.

Broadband DSL - A fourth digital platform may emerge through use of digital subscriber line technologies based on telephony network cabling. Kingston Communications already offer such services on their own dedicated telecom network in Hull and Video Networks are rolling out their Home Choice service in the south-east of England. However, these services are not available nationally and there are technical limitations restricting roll out on other networks currently.

What benefits does digital television offer me?

Common benefits offered on all DTV platforms (Satellite, Cable & Terrestrial) include:

Improved picture (e.g. no ghosting effects, true widescreen)
Better audio performance (CD quality, surround sound).
More TV and radio channels
Various degrees of enhanced and interactive services. These can include electronic programme guides to relay "now and next" or 7day programme schedules, information services, different camera angles / soundtracks, games, sms/chat and email to digital subtitling and audio description services to assist the hearing and visually impaired.

These facilities vary between platforms according to the available levels of bandwidth and the commercial running of services by the relevant operators.

All three platforms have their own merits and subject to your home being covered by associated transmissions you should consider which is the closest match to your personal needs before opting to purchase the necessary equipment. For more help on how to get services contact the following or go to your preferred local electrical retailer:

Will I still be able to receive the current free-to-air channels?

Yes. You will be able to receive the current free-to-view channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, S4C and Five on digital terrestrial and cable. All of the BBC's channels (including digital) are also available free to air on digital satellite. ITV, Channel 4 and Five are available on all subscription packages on digital satellite.

Do I need a new television set to receive digital television?

Existing televisions can normally be upgraded to digital by adding a digital adaptor (set top box). Visit your preferred local retailer for more information on available products and how to connect them.

I have more than one TV; do they all need converting for digital?

Any TV that is to continue to receive broadcasts after switchover will need to be converted for digital. There are various means of doing this to include adding an individual set top box/ adapter. However, routing signals from one digital receiver to other TVs is also possible, especially for viewing the same digital channel simultaneously on all of the TVs. In addition new digital products are coming to market that can enable individual digital channels to be viewed on different TVs at the same time. Visit your preferred local retailer for more details or view the web links below:

How will I know which television sets can receive digital services?

The Government, with industry and stakeholders, is considering a number of measures, including:

clear labelling of TV sets setting out what equipment consumers will need to receive digital signals; and
a consumer information initiative.

The Digital TV Market Preparation Group, a task group of the Digital TV Action Plan, in consultation with the industry and other stakeholders, has already looked at the need for an information initiative.

The aim of any future information will be to set out clearly the choices for consumers, either to buy a digital adaptor or an integrated digital TV, in preparation for the digital switchover.

It will inform consumers that analogue TV sets will require a digital adaptor to receive TV broadcasts after the analogue signal is switched off.
In the meantime, look for the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) mark as carried by the majority of integrated digital TVs either through a screen sticker or badge imprinted on the TV fascia surround.

Will I still be able to use my video recorder?

If you can receive digital broadcasts, you can record digital channels. Most of your VCR’s functionality will remain unaffected after Switchover.

You can play existing recordings, or pre recorded videotapes
You can watch a programme on digital and record that programme as you watch it.
You can set your VCR to record your favourite programme when you are out, providing you set your digital tuner to the correct channel.

However, each VCR has its own analogue TV tuner separate to that in the TV set (that's why you can change channels with your video remote control). Unless your VCR has an independent digital tuner you will not be able to record one digital channel whilst viewing another digital channel at the same time.

If this functionality is important to you, you may need to invest in a new recording device before digital switchover. Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) such as Sky+, the Thomson 1000UK, TiVo PVR and the Pace Twin Tuner PVR provide this functionality and also avoid the need for a separate set-top box for the TV set. Other solutions are being introduced including low cost digital adaptors for VCRs and VCRs with an inbuilt digital tuner. With these products you will still need a separate set-top box for your TV set.

Your local retailer will be best placed to advise you on the options available.

What about TVs and VCRs not located in homes but in likes of hotels, hospitals, pubs, airports etc?

All existing TVs planned to be used after digital switchover will need to be converted to digital Television - via an adapter/set top box or replaced by an integrated digital TV carrying a digital adapter inside. Similarly VCRs, especially those aimed at continued multiple timer recording or recording of a different TV channel to that being viewed will also need to be updated or replaced.

The above applies equally to current products located in non-domestic installations as well as in all homes. Non-domestic installations would include those, such as in Schools, Universities, Libraries, Places of Work, Hospitals, Day Care Centres, Nursing Homes, Out patient clinics, Shelters, Pubs, Railway and Airport waiting lounges, Caravans, hotels, bed and breakfasts, youth hostels, central government departments, prisons, leisure centres, armed forces establishments and local government.

Those who hold budgets for organisations that provide television to customers or purchasing televisions will need to consider the impact of the Government's plans for switchover on their budgeting. They should factor the said plans and the benefits of digital television into their purchasing decisions and budgeting for such purchases.

Care should be taken to consider the quality of the existing TV cabling within establishments when planning budgeting/purchase decisions. Many non-domestic installations are old and possibly based on long cable runs and/or connection to various switches, plugs and adaptors. Such may not be compatible with digital services and require replacement or upgrading.

Will I need a dish or new aerial?

To receive digital satellite TV in the UK you will need a set-top box to use with your existing TV set or you can use an integrated digital television with the satellite decoder built in. You will also need a dish on the outside of your house. Digital satellite signals reach to the vast majority of UK homes, but in a few cases reception may not be possible. This will be because the satellite is hidden from your home by trees, high hills or tall buildings, or because planning laws do not permit you to put up a dish (for example, if your house is a listed building).

Dependent on where you live and the age/condition of your existing aerial installation, you may require a new roof top or loft aerial to receive digital terrestrial TV.

About three-quarters of homes in the UK with a rooftop aerial should be able to receive digital TV, although in a sizeable minority of cases a new aerial will be required. This will be either because the digital channels are outside the band of channels the aerial was designed for, or because the aerial and the downlead are in poor condition. Very often in these cases an aerial which has seen long service can pick up a reasonably acceptable analogue signal but will not work with digital.

Set top aerials supplied with portable TVs such as telescopic, loop varieties as well as other TV top aerials are unlikely to work effectively in many cases. Some households may be able to use such a device but typically only if located in a coverage area close to a transmitter. Reception may still prove unreliable, for example from susceptibility to weather or atmospheric changes, and therefore connection to a digital enabled roof or loft aerial would be recommended for better reception.

We strongly advise that you contact an installer through the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) on telephone 020 8902 8998 or via www.cai.org.uk .

Why might I need to have the aerial cabling in my building changed?

Changing the aerial alone may not be sufficient, problems can be encountered through the cabling that runs from it and the TVs. Digital TV signals are transmitted at much lower power levels than analogue services and as such are more prone to interference from other sources. Low quality cables or extension devices with inadequate screening, poor installation techniques and or excessive cable length can generate such interference. Older aerial installations in excess of 20 years of age are likely to include some of these elements or suffered from weathering over time which again can block digital reception.

For more information visit www.freeview.co.uk or contact the Confederation of Aerial Installers (CAI) on telephone 020 8902 8998 or via www.cai.org.uk .

What if I live in a block of flats and have a communal aerial?

You should ask your landlord about the options available to you for receiving digital television. A leaflet - Digital TV Information for Landlords - was published by DCMS in January 2002, following discussions with the Local Government Association, the Housing Corporation, National Housing Federation, the ITC and other Government Departments to find ways of ensuring that landlords and tenants are informed about the options for receiving digital television. The leaflet enables landlords and tenants to make an informed decision on how to go for satellite, terrestrial and cable when upgrading to digital TV receiving equipment in multi-occupancy housing.

Will switching to digital affect my television licence?

A television licence is needed to watch analogue or digital television. The cost is the same and a separate licence is not required to watch digital television.

What will I have to pay for digital television?

You may have to pay to upgrade your equipment and/or for installation of digital equipment. If you want to pay for additional channels, you can subscribe to BSkyB for digital satellite, or to the cable company (ntl, Telewest or Wight Cable) in your area. In some areas a broadband television service is provided by Home Choice or Kingston Communications. On digital terrestrial, the TV and radio channels offered by the Freeview service are free to view but you can pay for more channels from Top Up TV.

Prices for digital equipment depends on which broadcast platform you opt for and the services being offered. These can vary from time to time or special offers may be in place. For the latest information visit your preferred local retailer or contact:

Does the Government plan to subsidise people that can't afford set-top boxes?

There are no plans to subsidise digital set top boxes.

Can everyone get digital television?

Practically everyone in the country who can get television services now should be able to get digital television either via an aerial, or by cable or by satellite. Your television retailer, Freeview , BSkyB or your cable operator (NTL or Telewest ) will be able to advise you about reception of digital services in your area. The digital broadcasters have established a database to predict the reception of Digital Terrestrial Television according to individual consumers' Post Codes. This can be accessed through the Digital Television Group (DTG) website: www.dtg.org.uk or from Freeview: www.freeview.co.uk

What provision has been made for visually and hearing impaired people?

All public service broadcast channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4,Channel 5 and S4C) carried on digital terrestrial television must provide subtitling, sign language and audio description services. The Communications Act 2003, which came into force in January 2004, extends these requirements to digital cable and satellite services.

More information about the targets can be found on the DCMS website at www.culture.gov.uk/broadcasting

Do I have to switch to digital television?

Analogue services will continue for some time, but the Government intends to switch over fully to digital transmissions. The Government wants to do this as soon as possible and it is currently expected to happen as early as 2008-2012. Digital broadcasting makes more efficient use of the limited amount of available spectrum than the current analogue system. Switching to digital transmissions will free up a number of spare frequencies which could then be used for improvements in the digital service or for other uses such as mobile communications.

In 1999 the Government said that it had a role in setting out clear criteria for any move towards digital switchover and that it is its primary responsibility to ensure that consumers are fully informed and effectively protected, particularly those who simply want to continue to receive free-to-air channels. Two crucial tests were set out, which must be met before the analogue signal is fully switched to digital;

firstly everyone who can currently get the main public service channels is able to do receive them on digital signals and;
secondly that switchover is an affordable option for the vast majority of people - as a target indicator, 95% of viewers must have access to digital equipment.

However there is now a much clearer picture of the technical switchover process and the Government knows that, for example, the coverage criteria cannot be achieved before switchover. Therefore what needs to be done is to clarify and develop the criteria and to reflect them in ways which are measurable and meaningful.

The Government has set up the Digital Television Consumer Expert Group to help to do this. Their advice will feed into the preparation of the public consultation which the Government will launch next spring.

How will the Government stay in touch with viewers' concerns?

The Government is doing this in a number of ways. Consumers are represented, by organisations such as the National Consumers' Council, the Consumers' Association, the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, RNID and RNIB, on a number of the task groups who are carrying out the actions in the Digital Television Action Plan.

The Digital Television Consumer Expert Group, announced by the Government in June 2003, will:

Help review the criteria towards switchover;
Prepare a report on consumer concerns for inclusion in next year's public consultation paper;
Bring together evidence on consumer awareness, attitudes and needs on digital broadcasting; and
Give their views on communications with consumers, equipment and installation issues, issues relating to the transitional stages and implementation of switchover, and any regional issues.

Ministers will take the views of the Expert Group into account in making any key decisions relating to switchover.

The Group, chaired by Michelle Childs of the Consumers' Association includes the Consumers' Association, the National Consumer Council, the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, ACRE, Age Concern, Deaf Broadcasting Council, Sense, RNIB and RNID. The Group will consult other consumer groups on issues of particular relevance to them.

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