Starting in 2008, Britain's TV broadcasts will go digital. By 2012, all TV signals will be digital, and analogue TVs and videos will no longer work without extra equipment. If your TV can only receive the five basic channels, it's probably analogue, so you might want to think about upgrading.
Why is Britain going digital?
Digital broadcasts mean more channel choice. At the moment, a quarter
of British homes can't receive digital TV and have to rely on the analogue
TV signal, which takes up a lot of space on the airwaves! So the analogue signal
is being phased out to make the extra channel choice of digital available to
all areas of the UK. You won't miss anything – it will include all your
usual channels, plus dozens of extra ones from entertainment to sport to movies.
Going digital carries other benefits too. A digital signal carries more 'intelligence',
enabling interactive features like the red button on your remote that gives
you headlines, sports results, weather forecasts, games, and extra information
about your favourite shows.
What do I need to go digital?
You can receive digital broadcasts in several ways. If you have a Freeview box, a Sky dish, cable TV or BTVision, you're equipped already – these technologies receive digital signals and display them on your TV.
However, your current TV may not be giving you the full benefits of clear, sharp digital images – especially if it's a few years old. So to get the most from the digital switchover, we recommend buying a new digital-ready TV.
Look out for the digital tick.
Any TV, set top box, or recorder with this logo is designed to work during
and after the switchover, so you can relax. And there's no need to wait until
2012 – many of the extra channels are available today.
When will the switchover happen?
Different regions of Britain will start receiving digital broadcasts at different times – but the whole country will be covered by 2012.
This map shows you when digital broadcasts begin in your region.
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Argos guide to digital audio
- Introduction to TV and Recording
- Flatscreen TV and High Definition explained
- Digital recording explained
- See our Jargon Buster for further explanation of technical terms
- Confused by the switchover? Check out the facts
- www.argos.co.uk