Do I need to buy a new TV?

 

One of the more common questions we get, with a simple answer: No!

 

Your existing TV set will be just fine after your region goes digital. You don't need to replace your TV, you don't need to buy a high-definition set, and you don't to throw out your portable TV sets.

 

Newer TV sets come with a built-in digital TV tuner - these are often referred to as Digital TV sets or Digital-ReadyTVs. What that means is that they have a built-in Freeview receiver, so if you live in a Freeview coverage area, you'll be able to watch up to 40 digital TV channels without buying a set-top box.

 

My TV doesn't have a built-in Freeview receiver.

 

Fine - Your TV is an analogue TV set that's capable of getting the five standard TV channels via a TV aerial. To get digital TV, all you need to do is connect it to a set-top box that can get digital TV. That could be a Freeview, Sky Digital, Virgin Media or BT Vision set-top box. A basic Freeview box costs from £20 and will give you over 40 digital TV channels. We explain the differences between these services on our Digital TV page.

 

Connecting a set-top box

 

If your TV set has a SCART socket, you can connect a SCART cable from the output of your digital set-top box into your TV's SCART socket, then watch via the "Line in", "AV" or "Aux" button on your TV's remote control.

 

If your TV has no SCART socket, see our "No SCART" FAQ entry.

 

Why buy a new TV?

 

Older TV sets use a Cathode Ray Tube to display pictures. Many new TV sets are either LCD or Plasma TV sets, and many have built-in Freeview receivers, support High Definition, offer better picture quality, are slimmer, and use less power than the older CRT sets. You don't need a new TV for the digital switchover, but if you're thinking of replacing your TV, make sure you go for one with a digital tuner built-in. Perhaps pay a trip to your local Comet or Currys to check out the latest TV sets on offer and see how they compare to your existing TV. More on buying a new TV.

 

 

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