Digital Satellite TV FAQ's
What is digital TV?
Confused about the switchover and digital TV? We’ve got the answers to all your digital TV questions here, to help you make the switch from analogue to digital.
Over 89% of the UK already enjoys the benefits of digital TV (Ofcom, 2009), and with the switchover from analogue to digital due to be completed in 2012, you need to be clued up on the best way to upgrade your viewing experience.
The government’s digital TV rollout aims to ensure that everyone has access to digital services by 2012. But what is digital TV, and how do you get it?
What is digital television?
Digital television (DTV) is a more efficient way of delivering programmes, offering a high quality television service with improved picture clarity and sharper sound; so no more ghost images, distorted pictures or adjusting your aerial.
It also offers a host of extra benefits that you don’t get with traditional analogue TV, such as more channels and an interactive menu. You can also see what time programmes are on with the electronic programme guide (EPG).
The benefits of digital TV
Better picture quality and reception
Digital TV is a new, more versatile form of sending information. Using the digital satellite model, signals are more compact than the current analogue system; this allows for multiple channels to occupy the same air space that a single analogue channel currently resides in. Digital satellite television benefits from a better image and sound quality than analogue TV, and reception is less affected by the weather.
A greater number of channels
The streamlined nature of digital broadcasting means that more satellite channels can be received through the standard TV aerial. There are still many channels which still cannot currently get Five on terrestrial switchover will see the digital satellite signal boosted, providing more people with more choice and more channels.
Interactive features
The space-efficiency of the digital signal also allows for extras like interactive services, such as TV schedules, to be streamed in parallel with the standard channels. Most set-top boxes support an electronic programme guide (EPG), an on-screen TV guide which provides information on the programme you are currently watching, such as start/finish times and when the next programme is due to start.
Many EPGs also have features tailored for hearing and visually impaired viewers, including audio description, subtitles, on-screen signing and talking EPGs. Digital satellite subscribers with Sky satellite or Virgin can take advantage of other interactive services such as TV shopping, emails, games and banking - though this will depend on your subscription and set-top box.
When will I need to switch to Digital?
The government has decided that all TV reception in the UK will switch from analogue to digital by the end of 2012. Anyone who still has an analogue reception system after the switchover in their region will no longer be able to watch TV. When TV goes digital in your region will depend on where you live – in a few parts of the country it has already happened. Click here to find uot when your area switches.
How will this affect me?
There are 3 transmitter groups in the UTV region that will switch from analogue to digital TV at different times in 2012. When you switch depends on which transmitter group you are watching.
Can I record digital TV?
Using a Scart lead, you should be able to record satellite programmes broadcast on digital TV using a VCR in the same way you would normally. Some VCRs will be unable to make use of features such as time-shift recording with digital transmissions.
Many digital receivers have the ability to record and store digital TV on their own internal hard drives - these types of set-top satellite boxes are Digital Video Recorders, or DVRs. DVRs are also sometimes called PVRs (Personal Video Recorders) there is no difference between a DVR and a PVR, they are simply different names for the same thing.
Some DVRs, such as the Sky+ box, allow viewers to pause and rewind live TV as well as record for watching at a later date. The amount of live satellite TV that can be saved on a DVR varies, depending on the brand. The capacity of a DVR is usually measured in the number of hours of live TV that can be stored.
How do i get Freeview HD?
Simply plug your Freeview HD set top box into your HD ready TV and your existing roof top aerial. Or, if you’ve got an older television, you might want to replace it with a television with Freeview HD built in. Either way, once you’re set up you can watch all the channels free forever.
Do I need to upgrade my roof top aerial?
In most cases if you can already receive Freeview then your aerial will be able to receive Freeview HD. However, if you’re not sure then your our aerial installer will be able to advise you.
It sounds great, but how much Freeview HD cost?
Freeview HD boxes start from around £140 and this is a one-off payment, or you may choose to purchase a Freeview HD TV. There’s no contract or bills. You just buy today, watch today then it’s free forever.
What size TV do you think would best show high definition?
A 28 inch screen or larger will enable you to fully enjoy the vibrant experience of watching programmes in high definition. In general, the bigger the screen the bigger the benefit, but it’s also important to choose a screen that’s neither too small nor too big for the room that you and your family and friends like to watch TV in.
