Digital TV Switchover
2011-12 sees the most of our area being switched over to digital TV. We are one of the last areas to be switched over but that does not necessarily mean that you cannot watch digital TV and benefit from a wide choice of viewing now.
What's currently available? This depends on the type of equipment used.
Through an aerial
Trade name/supplier e.g. Freeview
Notes: a set top box (STB) costing from around £20 can be connected to TVs with a scart socket.
Through an aerial and a phone line
Trade name/supplier e.g. BT Vision
Notes: like Freeview but with pay per view options. Contact BT for further information
Through a phone line
Trade name/supplier e.g. Tiscali TV
Notes: digital aerial required for some functions. Contact Tiscali for further information.
Through a satellite
Trade name/supplier e.g. Sky Tv, Freesat from Sky
Notes: either subscription or a one off payment to Skys Freesat service
Trade name/supplier e.g. Freesat BBC / ITV
Notes: one-off cost for equipment and installation. (note, no Five Life, or Five US).
Through a cable
Trade name / supplier e.g. Virgin Media
Notes: no aerial or satellite dish required.
If you are interest in specialist programmes or High Definition (HD) programmes check to ensure these are available with your chosen provided.
How will this impact you? Are you ready?
If you don't pay a service charge towards the upkeep of a communal aerial, you will need to decide how you are going to receive digital TV. If you currently have a TV aerial that provides a good analogue picture then this should in most cases be able to support digital Freeview reception both now and after switch over.
Non-communal aerials and satellite dishes will be your responsibility. If you decide to have satellite or cable installed check with your housing officer to ensure that you get the necessary permissions first.
Are we ready?
Over the past few years we have been up grading existing communal aerial systems to ensure that these will support freeview reception. Our new-build schemes are built to be freeview compatible, and some schemes have had either Sky or Sky+ installed (these attract an additional service charge to our residents).
Whilst we currently have no plans to install communal satellite systems where a communal aerial installation is provided, we will consider requests from individuals or groups of residents.
If you are considering cable or satellite and you currently receive TV via a communal aerial, please contact your housing officer as there are a number of options and issues that will need to be addressed.
We are currently carrying out checks to existing communal aerial systems to check digital compatiblity. If you are a resident of a communal block and you find that the aerial system does not support digital reception following purchase of a freeview box, please contact our Customer Services Centre (contact details below) to arrange for the necessary work to be carried out.
We can ensure that the socket in your home is working correctly. Any further advice or technical support on receiving digital TV can be obtained from Digital UK, telephone 08456 505050, http://www.digitaluk.co.uk
