What is digital television and why use it?

There are many benefits to digital television, such as receiving more TV channels and special interactive features that can help disabled people. From 2012 all UK television signals will be digital.

How does it work?

Sound and pictures are converted into a digital format and compressed. This takes up less space when transmitted than they needed in the old system. This allows more channels to be sent out.

Digital signals are picked up by standard aerials, satellite dishes or through cable. They are decoded and turned back into sound and pictures using a separate set-top box, or a decoder built into your television. The second way is known as an integrated digital TV set - or iDTV.

Why use digital television?

Television in the UK is changing between 2008 and 2012 from the current analogue system to digital transmission only. This means unless you adjust your television to receive digital signals you will not get any TV channels in future. This is called 'digital switchover'.

Digital TV offers more choice

You can get more channels from the public service broadcasters.

There is also a range of extra benefits such as interactivity (often through the red button), on-screen TV listings and wide screen pictures. Depending on how you choose to receive digital TV, you could get a wide range of information services and interactive features too.

Digital TV is clearer

In most cases digital TV can improve the quality of TV pictures and sound.

Digital television can be received in more ways

Digital TV is more flexible than the old analogue television system as you can pick it up on digital cable, digital satellite, digital terrestrial or broadband/DSL.

What benefits are there for people with disabilities and older people?

Digital TV offers specific services for viewers with sight or hearing impairments - such as audio descriptions and subtitling.

Feedback from older people involved in digital trials has been very positive. It shows they like features such as the electronic programming guide. This gives easy-to-read programme information at the touch of a button.

Find out more about digital television

The Help Scheme

The Help Scheme is run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government and can help everyone who is eligible disabled, aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or anyone who has lived in a care home for 6 months or more with everything they need to switch one TV to digital.