Explore the different methods to get the most out of digital TV
As the digital shift continues, there are a number of ways to ensure that you’ll be able to continue watching TV. Many people are still confused as to what the change is, and in particular why it is happening in the first place.
The digital transition that started earlier this year in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven has been reported to be progressing apace and is scheduled to be completed on time. However, many people are still not sure what the switch to digital TV means. This article will help explain ways you can safely switch to digital when the time comes for your region.
The switch won’t necessarily require you to buy a new TV, but if you’re shopping for a new one, rest assured, almost all new TVs will come with a built-in digital tuner. To be sure, make sure the digital mark symbol is present. This is a natural step in the evolution of televisions, as we no longer see large and bulky CRT televisions, but are now presented with rows of flat screen LCD televisions and PLASMA televisions. Having an integrated digital receiver also means that there will be more input jacks available to you as well versus some of the other alternatives.
The easiest and cheapest way to ensure you’re ready for digital channels is to invest in a digital set-top box. These retail from around £25 and are a simple one-time payment. Digital decoders connect to televisions via a SCART cable and only need to plug in the airline. A good TV signal will provide you with all digital channels, although you can also use an indoor antenna with these. A digital set-top box will take up one of the input slots on the back of your TV, so you may have to sacrifice one of your other AV components to accommodate it.
Cable and Sky customers will now be able to watch digital channels. However, there is a new satellite service that will provide not only digital channels, but also high-definition content. Freesat requires both a satellite dish and a set-top box, and there’s no need to pay a subscription fee either. Depending on whether or not you want high-definition viewing, a Freesat receiver box will set you back anywhere from £50 to £150. However, Panasonic have recently launched a new line of plasma TVs with Freesat receivers built in, which means you’ll only have to buy the installation of the satellite dish.
You may also be wondering what all this is for. After all, surely analog signals work fine the way they are? They do, but the signs also prevent us from doing much more. If you think of signals in terms of something physical, digital equivalents are much smaller than analog ones. By changing, we will be able to fit in more. There will be more channels available to watch, giving us more options and a clearer view. Potentially, it means more bandwidth space would be available for better communications and new media.
All in all, turning off analog TV signals is a good idea. It can be challenging, but every change comes with difficulties. The gains that are possible after digital conversion far outweigh the losses. In the meantime, be sure to check that your TV is digital-compatible, and if it isn’t, look into alternative methods of future-proofing your TV.
