The flip from an analogue signal to a digital television signal has been underway for the last three years and is planned to be completed by 2012. That said, many people are experiencing issues with the switchover and a sizeable proportion of this is because they are to not completely understanding what exactly is occurring.
Tv signals can reach the home by any one of four options. There is the standard aerial that most individuals have, then the satellite dish that Sky subscribers use, then there are cable possibilities, and finally people have been able to use their internet network to watch their tv programmes.
The changeover solely impacts upon people who watch the television through an aerial, all the rest is unaffected. Aerials are tuned into receivers, these are separated into nearly 100 groups which have been changing over one at a time.
Thus, there are main transmitters, and local relay transmitters, and the volume of channels you get depends on whether you are nearer to a primary or a relay.
If your aerial is tuned to a relay receiver you can expect to get about 15 digital tv channels, if your aerial is tuned into a primary receiver you can expect to receive as many as 40.
This all counts due to the fact that the signals from the receivers overlaps, so you may well have more than one in your region. This should give you the decision of which you tune into after the changeover takes place, accordingly it's important which ones are near you. This information is quite easy to get on the internet.
It should be said, significant parts of the country do not enjoy solid signal, and this is not likely to change when the switchover takes place. In this situation it's easy to get Sky Freeview, which uses the Sky satellite system to give you all the digital channels you would get if you were tuned into a principal transmitter. It should be said the price of the hardware installation is close to £150.
If you're not sure about any of the details of the switchover, particularly when your part of the country is expected to change, visit the Digital UK website. Or, for additional details on Sky Freeview, make sure you take a look at Sky.com.
Stuart Milton regularly comments on how technology is changing the entertainment industry. He is a freelance journalist and recommends you enjoy the digital switchover with Sky.
Nov 20, 2011
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