The UK leads the world in digital television. Millions have already gone digital to keep themselves better informed and take part in the changing world around them.
It offers better pictures and sound. It also allows for new enhanced and interactive services - and when combined with a telephone line, it can offer an even larger range of activities.
Interactive services include health advice, shopping, education, holidays, text messages, e-mail, auctions, games, and food delivered to your home. Interactive television can give extra control to viewers, offering extra involvement such as joining in quiz shows, or choice in coverage from sports events.
How does digital television work?
Sound and pictures are transmitted as a stream of data which enables several television channels to be carried in the same space used by a single traditional analogue channel. A set-top box, or a television with an in-built decoder, known as an integrated digital television set, turns them back into sound and pictures. The signal comes through one of three systems: terrestrial (received by a TV aerial), satellite dish, or cable.
How is Britain switching to the new technology?
The switch-over will be a gradual process; for digital terrestrial, some viewers may choose to buy integrated digital TVs immediately, but by using a set-top decoder you can continue using your existing set. Some viewers may choose to convert to digital via satellite or cable, which will not be affected by terrestrial switchover.
The Government wants to move to digital transmissions completely as soon as possible, starting as early as 2006 and completing the switch by 2010. However it has set out crucial tests that must be met before the Government can decide whether to switch off the analogue signal. These are:
- Everyone who can receive the main free-to-view channels on analogue television now - that’s around 99.4 percent of the population - must be able to receive them digitally.
- Consumers must not face unacceptable costs when converting. Prices must remain within reach of people on low or fixed incomes, particularly the elderly.
- As a target measure of affordability and accessibility, 95 per cent of households must have digital equipment.
How is the government achieving this?
Working in partnership with stakeholders, it has devised a Digital Television Action Plan covering all the areas of implementation. A Project Manager is overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the Plan, and three task groups are looking at specific areas. The Digital Television Stakeholders’ Group is open to all those with a primary interest in digital television, including broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers and consumer organisations. It plays an important role in helping us achieve the objectives set out in the Action Plan.
Is the Government listening to what the viewers want?
The consumers organisations are represented at the highest level of the Digital Television Project on the Steering Board, which is chaired by Ministers.
A trial of full conversion to digital television, the Go Digital project, was recently conducted in the Midlands to help the Government and industry to understand better the practical and social issues which people face in switching.
Over the next year, the Government will be commissioning more in-depth research on the needs and concerns of consumers, and to make sure that these are addressed in the Action Plan.
How will I know which television sets can receive digital terrestrial services?
They should carry a the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) logo.
Will I still be able to use my video recorder?
If you can receive digital broadcasts, you can record digital channels, but you will not be able to watch one digital channel whilst recording another unless you use a second decoder, or a decoder with two tuners. Manufacturers are developing digital video recorders, which will eventually replace the current analogue VCR machines.
Will switching to digital affect my television licence?
If you have a television in your home, you will still need a television licence The cost is the same for digital or analogue viewers.
Useful websites
- DCMS (external link)
- Digital TV Website (external link)
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