|
|
 |
Digital TV |
|
|
|
 |
|
Digital television
More than 80 per cent of homes now receive digital television, and it's easy to see why. Digital TV offers more channels, more choice, new services and improved sound and picture quality. And digital TV offers more programmes in widescreen mode, bringing cinema-style pictures to the living room.
High-definition TV services are rolling out on some digital TV platforms and the Government has set out a timetable for the UK's switchover to digital TV, which starts this year.
Digital TV transmits sound and pictures as computer code, which means broadcasters can transmit many more channels than on the analogue service.
Pros
• Brings more channels and more choice to your TV screen
• Offers improved sound and pictures
• More widescreen programming
• Can be received through a variety of platforms: cable, satellite and terrestrial
• Existing sets can be used for digital TV
• Viewers can opt for a completely free service or a mix of free and pay TV channels
• Interactive services provide enhanced viewing
Cons
• A digital adapter, IDTV or cable or satellite box is required for digital TV reception
• Some areas may receive a weak DTT (digital terrestrial television) signal, requiring an aerial upgrade. Some areas cannot receive cable or DTT
• Digital satellite requires a dish to be installed, although a discreet installation may be possible
• Most digital TV equipment only allows you to record the digital programme you are watching, although some new digital recorders now offer greater flexibility (see below)
How do I receive digital TV?
There are three main ways to receive digital TV: through a rooftop aerial (digital terrestrial TV, or DTT), with a dish (digital satellite) or through a cable (digital cable).
The good news is that you can use your existing home television to receive digital TV, although digital TV sets are also available. You can also record digital TV programmes on your video or DVD recorder.
Digital terrestrial TV can be received via a digital set-top box that plugs into a home television, or with an integrated digital television (IDTV), which has a built-in digital tuner. You can also use a small digital adapter that plugs into a television.
There are even plug-in TV tuner cards that enable you to watch and record DTT channels on a suitably equipped computer - prices start from around £20.
Digital cable and satellite services are received through a set-top box connected to your television.
Find out more about suppliers of digital TV for the British market in our list of digital TV providers.
Digital terrestrial
Not all digital TV services are the same. Digital terrestrial TV can be received as a free-to-view service: once you have bought a digital set-top box (prices start from around £30) or an IDTV, there are no subscription charges for the basic channels.
The Freeview DTT service, owned by the BBC, BSkyB Channel 4, ITV and National Grid Wireless, offers more than 40 free channels, including the main terrestrial channels (such as BBC1, ITV1 and Channel 4) plus others that are exclusive to digital TV, such as BBC3, ITV2 and More4.
It also includes around 25 radio services from the BBC and commercial radio, plus interactive services (see below).
If you own a compatible DTT box, you may be able to receive around 20 extra subscription channels via the Top Up TV service for a monthly fee. These include the Discovery Channel, UKTV Gold, Cartoon Network and TCM, and are an optional upgrade in addition to the Freeview channel selection. There is also a dedicated Top Up TV+ set-top box, which combines the Top Up TV service, Freeview channels and a digital TV recorder in one box. You can also get optional pay-TV sports channels from Setanta Sports, although for this, you'll need a special viewing card (your Freeview box must have a viewing card slot) and also pay a monthly subscription.
At the time of writing, BSkyB was planning to launch a new digital terrestrial TV subscription service (subject to regulatory approval), which will offer a mix of Sky channels including, news, sport, movies and entertainment. If the new service goes ahead, viewers might require a new type of set-top box.
Digital cable and satellite
Digital cable and satellite services offer many more channels (in some cases, hundreds), which are a mixture of free and pay channels - the latter (which include film and sport channels) are paid for by subscription or on a pay-per-view basis.
The BBC transmits its eight TV channels on digital satellite clear or unscrambled, which means that digital satellite viewers can watch them without a viewing card.
The BBC also has national services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all 15 regional variations of BBC1 in England are available on digital satellite.
Freesat is the latest satellite service, an offering jointly from the BBC and ITV. You'll need to buy the dish but after that the channels are free to air. More details on the Radio Times guide to Freesat.
Digital TV through your telephone line
BT has launched BT Vision, a digital TV service offering more than 40 Freeview channels through a TV aerial, plus on-demand video content from a broadband internet connection. Users who sign up to the service get a free set-top box that can also store up to 80 hours of programmes. There's a £30 connection fee and you also need to subscribe to the BT Total Broadband service. Viewers get a mix of subscription and pay-per-view services. Programmes start from 29p each, and subscription packages, from £6 each.
Currently available only to people living in certain parts of London and Stevenage, Tiscali TV combines digital television with a high-speed internet connection and telephone line. Packages start at just under £15 a month and offer up to 80 digital TV and radio channels, as well as television on demand, where you can stop, start, pause, fast-forward and rewind broadcasts. You can also delve into a library of hundreds of TV series, 1,000 movies and over 5,000 music videos. All are available to watch when you want down your existing BT telephone line. Subscribers to SkyDigital packages can receive digital TV content via broadband.
Digital TV through your mobile
BSkyB offers Sky Mobile TV to subscribers of Vodafone's or Orange's 3G service. Viewers can receive more than 30 mobile TV channels covering, news, music, documentaries and entertainment. Sky has also launched, 24-7 Football, an on-demand service for subscribers to T-Mobile, O2 and 3 networks. Viewers can view match highlights (such as goals), archive material and interviews on their mobile phone.
Interactive services
Because the digital TV signal is transmitted as computer code, it is easier for broadcasters to offer two-way or interactive services that bring a new dimension to watching television. Most interactive services are accessed via the red button on your digital TV remote control handset.
An electronic programme guide, or EPG, is an on-screen listings guide that helps you plan your TV viewing. Digital text is an enhanced version of teletext services, with improved text and graphics.
Other services allow viewers to select items of interest from a menu composed of multiple video screens or see extra programme information (such as sports results or extra video material linked to a programme) simply by using the TV remote control. You can also play games on your TV. Digital cable and satellite TV may offer additional interactive services such as email, home shopping and tele-voting.
|
|
|
|
High Definition TV (HDTV)
With up to five times more picture information on-screen, HDTV offers amazing sound and picture quality. BSkyB and Virgin Media have launched HDTV services. There are also plans for HDTV services via the telephone line.
In order to receive HDTV, you'll need a special HDTV set-top box plus a HDTV-compatible TV. If you're buying a new flat screen TV, check that it has an official HD-ready logo. Some HDTV channels are free while others are paid for by subscription.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Recording digital TV
You can record digital TV channels on an ordinary video recorder or DVD recorder, but you can only record the digital channel you're watching.
However, there are hard-disk digital recorders (for cable, digital satellite and DTT services), also known as Digital Television Recorders (DTRs) or PVRs (personal video recorders), that allow you to record one digital channel while watching another - some can even record two different digital channels simultaneously. They also offer other useful features like the ability to pause a live broadcast.
Freeview Playback is a new standard for digital television recorders that have been endorsed by Freeview. Such recorders have a special logo and offer a number of features, including an eight-day electronic programme guide, live pause and rewind. The latest models conform to a standard called Group 2. These machines can automatically record all the episodes from an entire series with just one touch of a button, and they can also record TV programmes that are broadcast in two parts, for example, a film that is split by a news programme. If you have an older Freeview Playback recorder, it may be possible to upgrade it to the latest features - check with your manufacturer.
Digital TV reception
Digital TV technology is more robust than analogue technology and so digital TV pictures should be clearer and suffer from less interference.
However, where you live will determine whether you can receive digital TV - and the quality of the digital signal. In some parts of the UK, many homes can receive a strong DTT signal through their existing rooftop aerial, but in other areas viewers may need to upgrade or reposition their aerial. Some locations cannot yet receive DTT.
Your local electrical retailer should be able to advise you on DTT coverage and reception and there is also a postcode checker on the Freeview website (see below).
Note that cable TV is not available in all areas, and people living in listed properties or certain areas may require planning permission before having a dish installed on their home.
Digital TV is the future of television and the Government has announced plans to start converting the UK's TV broadcasting system to digital from 17 October 2007 (starting in Whitehaven, Cumbria), with the switchover completed across all regions by 2012.
Help with installation will be available for people over the age of 75, as well as those with certain disabilities or on certain government benefit schemes.
So if you want to buy for the future or simply want more choice on your television, then digital TV is the way to go.
Digital TV in your area
If you would like to compare the packages from different digital suppliers available in your area, or you'd like to sign up to receive digital TV right now, then let Radio Times help.
Radio Times TV listings
Check out our comprehensive online TV listings, including coverage of many of the television stations available on digital platforms.
Useful digital TV websites
www.bbc.co.uk/digital
www.btvision.bt.com
www.dtg.org.uk/consumer
www.dtg.org.uk
www.freesat.co.uk
www.freeview.co.uk
www.freetoview.co.uk
www.digitaluk.co.uk
www.topuptv.com
www.freesatfromsky.co.uk
http://tinyurl.com/32aouv
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Advertiser link |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EMAIL A FRIEND |
|
| Want to share this page with a friend? It's quick and easy! |
| Email a friend |
|
|
|
|
|
