How do I switch to Digital TV for the Switchover?

If you get BBC1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 using a TV aerial, and you don't have a Freeview box or TV set, when your area "goes digital", you may no longer be able to watch TV.

The old analogue TV service is being switched off between now and 2012 across the UK, and if you don't have a digital TV service yet, you need to take action!

 

What are the options?

If you don't have a digital TV service yet, there are four options:

• Freeview - This uses a TV aerial (in most cases your existing TV aerial will be fine). You will need a Freeview receiver - new TVs have these built-in, otherwise you'll need to buy a set-top box for around £20. With Freeview, there is no subscription. More: Freeview basics
  
  
• Satellite TV - Sky offers the widest choice of TV channels, but you'll need to pay a monthly subscription. Alternatively, there's a free-to-view satellite service called Freesat. You will need a satellite dish and a decoder box. More: Satellite TV Basics
  
  
• Cable TV - If your house is in a Virgin Media area, you can get Digital TV, phone and Internet on subscription using their cable network. More: Virgin Media Basics
  
  
• TV over Internet -In some cases, you can watch TV over the Internet, either on a computer, or on a TV connected to a special set-top box

What do you need to do?

• Pick one of the options listed above
• Purchase the appropriate receiver - the cheapest option is to get a Freeview box
• Connect a Digital TV receiver to your TV

Remember: As well as your main TV set, you also need to consider other TV sets in the house, portable TV sets, as well as any video recorders or DVD recorders that you may have.

 

CHEAPEST OPTION: Freeview If you have a decent TV aerial, Freeview is likely to be the cheapest option. Here's what you need to know: Freeview uses a TV aerial, just like analogue TV Freeview boxes cost £20 upwards and connect to your existing TV (normally using a SCART lead) There's no subscription - just the one-off £20 for the box You need to be in a Freeview reception area. Buy a Freeview box from £20 from Currys, Tesco and Comet More information, plus help: See our Freeview Page

 

 

Other Links:

• Digital Switchover Checklist - How ready are you?
• Digital Switchover Day - What you need to know
• Why are we switching? - Understanding why we need to switch