Digital TV Benefits

Better picture quality and reception

Digital TV is a new, more versatile form of sending information. Using the digital model, signals are more compact than the current analogue system; this allows for multiple channels to occupy the same air space that a single analogue channel currently resides in. Digital television benefits from a better image and sound quality than analogue TV, and reception is less affected by the weather.

A greater number of channels…

The streamlined nature of digital broadcasting means that more channels can be received through the standard TV aerial. There are still many channels which still cannot currently get Five on terrestrial TV – switchover will see the digital signal boosted, providing more people with more choice and more channels.

…and interactive features.

The space-efficiency of the digital signal also allows for extras like interactive services, such as TV schedules, to be streamed in parallel with the standard channels. Most set-top boxes support an electronic programme guide (EPG), an on-screen TV guide which provides information on the programme you are currently watching, such as start/finish times and when the next programme is due to start.

Many EPGs also have features tailored for hearing and visually impaired viewers, including audio description, subtitles, on-screen signing and talking EPGs. Digital subscribers with Sky or Virgin can take advantage of other interactive services such as TV shopping, emails, games and banking.

To ensure that these benefits are enjoyed by all...

...the Government is committed to achieving switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high quality free-to-view and subscription television. This will happen region by region, with estimated dates for switchover clearly defined so that viewers are aware of when the old signal will be turned off in their area.

Using a Scart lead, you should be able to record programmes broadcast on digital TV using a VCR in the same way you would normally. Some VCRs will be unable to make use of features such as time-shift recording with digital transmissions.

Many digital receivers have the ability to record and store digital TV on their own internal hard drives – these types of set-top boxes are Digital Video Recorders, or DVRs. DVRs are also sometimes called PVRs (Personal Video Recorders) – there is no difference between a DVR and a PVR, they are simply different names for the same thing.

Some DVRs, such as the Sky+ box, allow viewers to pause and rewind live TV as well as record for watching at a later date. The amount of live TV that can be saved on a DVR varies, depending on the brand. The capacity of a DVR is usually measured in the number of hours of live TV that can be stored.

Digital users will also be able to receive High Definition TV, or HDTV. HDTV sets can display greater detail than normal. An HD image is sharper and more lifelike, and creates a better impression of depth than a standard image.

There are currently two types of HDTV sets; 'HD Ready' and 'HD Compatible.' The HD Ready logo ensures that the TV has the minimum screen resolution and compatible HDMI or DVI sockets in order to receive and display HDTV. HD Compatible sets have to have the necessary HDMI or DVI sockets to receive digital but don't have to have the required display resolution to display HDTV.

Having an HDTV set also allows you to enjoy the superior picture and sound quality afforded by new high-definition video formats such as HD DVD and Blu-Ray.