The Digital Switchover

London and the South East will go fully digital for TV from April 2012.

What does this mean? It means that the Analogue transmitters which have served us for nearly 50 years will be switched off and you will no longer be able to receive television on the analogue system.

Digital television had been around for about 14 years and, all TVs, DVD players, video recorders and PVRs bought since the last 5 years will be able to receive the digital service.

What do I have to do?

If you already have Cable, Freeview, Freesat, or Sky, you don’t haveto do anything as you are already receiving digital television.

If you can only receive the terrestrial TV channels, i.e: BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, you need to prepare yourself for the digital switchover.

In most cases, all you need to do is buy a Freeview digital set top box and a SCART cable, follow the instructions and set it up.

Check that your TV has a SCART socket. If it doesn’t, make sure your Freeview box has an RF modulator.

You might need an aerial upgrade. Check the picture on your existing TV; if it’s grainy, snowy or has ‘ghosts’ on the picture, you will need an aerial upgrade. In most cases, however, your existing aerial will support digital television.

Remember: there is no need to throw out your old television and buy a new one. All televisions manufactured after 1964 are capable of receiving Freeview.

Contact us if you need help with preparing for the digital switch.