Digital Tv Uk - Are You Ready For It?

By Author: digitaltvtrends
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UK has planned to switch over to digital TV signal from the existing analogue TV signal between the years 2008 and 2012. With the use of digital TV signal, UK residents will be in position to receive and enjoy better service ranging from TV, Broadband and Phone within a single connection.
The digital switchover, UK has created a lot of myths and confusion amongst the citizens what they are actually required to do and what additional purchases they have to make in order to enjoy digital TV in their homes.
For enjoying digital TV, you need to go for a digital terrestrial set top box which converts the signals so received again into audio and video format which can be viewed on to your television set. A digital set top box removes the need of using CD and DVD recorders for recording your favorite programmes as you can pause and rewind Live TV, record at the press of a button and even record a whole series at once. In case you have a Television set which receives more than 5 channels, you need not go for a new television set. If at all, you wish to go for a new TV, make sure it carries the digital TV tick sign or ...
... you could even go for a HD ready TV.
These set top boxes are provided by various Digital TV service providers such as Virgin Media, Sky TV, BT Vision, Freeview, Tiscali and Top Up TV. These TV service providers provide you with the set top boxes and variety of TV packs which you could pay for them as per your choices. At the same time, they also provide related services such as broadband and phone, thus providing you with a cost effective Bundle of services. The digital TV HD service airs TV signals in High Definition format which means better picture clarity and vibrant colours and better sound quality which makes watching TV truly enjoyable.
Currently digital switchover has been initiated in areas of West, and later this year , STV North & STV Central regions will experience the digital switchover. In the coming year 2011 and 2012 areas of Anglia, Central & Yorkshire and London, Meridian, Tyne Tees & Ulster will switch over to digital TV signal. Looking back, the digital switchover process was first initiated in the year 2007 with Whitehave followed by Border in 2008 and in the year 2009, Granada, West Country & Wales switched over to digital signals.
As per the figures released by Ofcom, almost 80% of UK households are enjoying digital TV and it is ever more likely that the numbers are going to increase in the near future. The impending World Football tournament in South Africa could encourage more people to switchover to digital TV especially their HD service.
The UK government is doing its level best to ease the digital switchover process and has put up many websites and centres to guide the residents through the switchover. A noteworthy initiative here, is the Switchover Help Scheme which provides help to aged over 75 years, live in a care home for six months or more or are registered blind or partially sighted. The Help over scheme provides you with easy to use digital equipment, home delivery and installation services upon request, helpline and advice and lastly with a 12 month digital TV aftercare service as well.