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Getting digital television

From 2012, all television signals will be digital. Find out about how you can get digital TV in your home. You can also get help and advice by calling the Digital UK information line on 08456 505050.

Find out about getting digital television

You can get a digital TV signal through:

  • an aerial - this is called digital terrestrial TV
  • satellite television
  • a cable television connection
  • a telephone line - broadband or digital subscriber line

Not all options are available in every area. Some areas won't be able to get digital TV through an aerial until after switchover - and some won't be able to get the service through a phone line. If you want to find out what choices are available in your area, you can ask your local retailer or use the postcode database at the Digital UK website.

When you've decided how to get a digital TV signal, you'll need to decide what to do with your TV set. Every TV set that you want to continue to use to watch TV will need to be considered. You have two choices:

  • you can convert the TV set you have at the moment by plugging a digital box into the back of the set - nearly all TVs can be adapted this way
  • you can buy a new TV set with a digital box built inside it (called an integrated digital TV set - iDTV). This will give you all the free digital TV services that are available through an aerial

For practical advice about choosing digital TV products, visit the Ricability website. Ricability is an independent consumer research organisation.

Aerials

Most households won't need a new aerial.

If you choose to get digital TV through an aerial, most households won't need a new one. If you have reception problems with your old aerial you'll need to check if the TV aerial and installation are suitable for digital television.

Check with your local aerial installer. Look for an installer who belongs to the Confederation of Aerial Industries. Since 2006 recommended installers are recognisable by the 'digital tick' logo - find this on the Digital UK website.

Sharing aerials

If you share your aerial with others (for example if you live in a block of flats), then you may have a communal TV provided as part of the house contents. If so, this may need to be adapted to receive digital TV. Your landlord or managing agent should be aware of this. Ask them for more information about what they are doing.

More information

Digital UK is the independent not-for-profit organisation that is co-ordinating the UK switchover to digital television. It will be launching a large scale support programme to make sure that everyone knows what they need to do, and when.

You can call the Digital UK information line on 0845 650 5050, or you can access more information from Digital UK.

Digital TV options in your area

Digital switchover will increase the digital TV options available to all households. But you'll need to check which options are available in your area by asking your local retailer or checking on the Digital UK website.

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