What is digital television and how can you get it?

What is digital TV?

Digital TV refers to the method of transmitting programmes to your TV set.

Benefits include improved picture & sound quality, and more choice. However, the main advantage is user interactivity such as additional information that is broadcast simultaneously with a TV programme or choosing the view by selecting a camera angle.

The current analogue method of transmitting TV signals will be suspended and will be replaced with digital transmission in the next 5 to 8 years. The Government's target is between 2007-2010.

See if NTL cable is in your area. Click here to use their post code checker

How can you watch digital TV?

Either buy a digital decoder to attach to your existing analogue TV or purchase a digital capable TV.

In most instances you will be able to receive some free to view digital programmes via your existing TV aerial (terrestrial digital TV).

However, if you would like to have more choice then subscribe to one of the service providers via satellite (BSkyB), cable (NTL, Telewest), or terrestrial.

Satellite, Cable or Terrestrial?

A) Satellite

• provides access to a large choice of channels for TV and music.
• 'near-video-on-demand' (NVOD) services available, which enables flexibility in the time (usually to within 15 - 30 minutes) films or special events are viewed.
• 'Open' service, provided by SKY which gives access to internet shopping sites.
• full Internet is not accessible via the TV

To receive digital signals you need a digital receiver, such as Digibox a decoder attached to a telephone socket a satellite dish attached to your home

B) Cable

• provides the greatest choice of digital channels
• allows access to the Internet
• may also enable cheaper phone calls (via the cable provider)

To access cable TV, a cable TV operator must be operating in your area. There are many parts of the country that are not yet served by a cable TV operator. See if NTL cover your area here

C) Terrestrial

You will require a digital receiver or digital capable TV

Terrestrial is easy to implement as in most cases your existing aerial will work.Check with freetoview.co.uk to see if your area is able to receive digital terrestrial TV.

As with the satellite & cable, there are free to view and pay channels

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