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Frequently-asked Questions (FAQ)
What extra digital channels can I receive without paying an additional subscription?
In addition to BBC1 and BBC2:
- through your aerial (digital terrestrial), up to 38 further TV and radio channels can be received (including ITV1, C4 and five)
- using a satellite dish (digital satellite), more than 60 further channels can be received, plus 55 radio services
Do I have to change my existing television to receive free-to-view digital channels?
No, the free-to-view channels can be received on your existing analogue television by connecting a digital set top box or digital adapter to your TV set.
Do I need a dish or an aerial?
For digital Satellite a 'minidish' is required, for which there will be an installation charge.
For digital terrestrial your existing aerial may be suitable, but in some areas a new aerial and aerial cable may be necessary.
What benefits do I get by receiving digital TV?
Upgrading to free-to-view digital TV will give you your existing BBC TV channels (BBC1, BBC2) plus all of this, subscription-free:
- around 40 extra TV channels including BBC News 24, BBC THREE, ITV2 and digital radio
- interactive services, giving you access to more information, home shopping, banking and games
- true widescreen
- on-screen programme guides, making it easy for you to find what you want to watch
- better picture and sound quality
- high quality text and graphics
- more access to services for the visually impaired and the hard of hearing
- clear, recordable subtitles
Can I still receive all the channels that I get at the moment if I change over to Digital?
Yes, except for local community TV stations which are not available on digital.
Can I view different digital channels in other rooms in the house?
You will need a set top box for every analogue TV set, unless the house is equipped with a 'networking system'.
What are the different digital TV options?
The main difference between the options is the way the digital signal is received.
- Digital Terrestrial Free-to-view. This is a non-subscription service through your roof-top aerial that offers up to 14 channels of TV including digital text services. You'll need to buy or rent a new integrated digital TV set or set top box. An aerial check or upgrade may be required.
- Top Up TV. This is a pay TV service that operates in the same way as the digital terrestrial free-to-view services and provides extra channels. This service will not work with all DTT set top boxes as a viewing card slot is needed.
- Digital Satellite Free-to-view. This is a non-subscription service via digital satellite that offers more than 40 free-to-view channels. You'll need to buy or rent a satellite minidish and set top box.
- Sky Digital. Sky Digital is received the same way as digital satellite free-to-view. This is a subscription service that offers over 200 further pay-TV channels.
- Digital Cable TV. Digital cable television is only available to digital cable subscribers, and only in certain parts of the country. Contact Telewest, ntl, or the cable company serving your area.
- Broadband or IPTV. Television through your telephone line is only available in certain parts of the country. Contact Home Choice (opens in a new window).
If I start as a free-to-view customer, can I take up pay-TV services later?
Yes. On digital satellite. Contact Sky or consult your retailer for advice.
Some digital TV adapters for DTT cannot be upgraded to Top Up TV's pay-TV service, but others can. Check before you buy. All idTVs are upgradeable.
Will digital television work with my existing video recorder?
Yes, but if you're recording a digital channel, you can't watch another digital channel at the same time. It's also possible to record and replay programmes in widescreen using your existing VCR.
Many digital PVRs allow viewing of one digital channel while recording another digital channel.
Will digital television work with a portable set top aerial?
Only in some cases. This will be more common when improvements are made to transmission strength and digital coverage.
Does digital television offer interactive services?
Digital satellite, digital terrestrial and digital cable television offer a variety of interactive services.
These can include enhanced TV programmes as well as digital text, email, shopping, banking, games and betting. Some services are free-to-view, others require connection to a telephone line.
Check with individual operators or ask your retailer/rental company for details. Note that some DTT digital TV adapters do not offer interactivity.
Does digital TV give you internet access?
Internet services can be provided via any TV set - analogue or digital - by the addition of a separate set top box, which then requires connection to a telephone line. Digital cable subscribers are provided with limited access to the internet.
What's the difference between a widescreen TV set and a standard TV set?
A widescreen TV set has the correct screen shape for digital widescreen broadcasts, for enhanced enjoyment of your favourite programmes. Only digital television offers true widescreen.
Do I need a widescreen TV set?
No. You can view digital widescreen programmes using a standard set, but with so many free-toview programmes now broadcast in digital widescreen, a widescreen TV set gives you the best viewing experience.
I already have a widescreen TV set. Why do I need Digital as well?
Only digital TV offers true widescreen pictures. On analogue TV you don't normally see the whole widescreen picture, and your widescreen TV has to stretch the picture to fit the screen. Digital widescreen pictures are the right shape for your widescreen TV. Adding a set top box will allow you full enjoyment of your favourite programmes in true widescreen and give you more free-to-view services.
Do I have to get digital TV?
Analogue terrestrial services will continue for some time to come, but the government eventually intends gradually to switch over to digital transmissions, between 2007-2012. So if you're buying or renting a new TV set, you should think about switching to digital.
What does the DVB sign mean?
DVB stands for 'Digital Video Broadcasting' the worldwide standard for digital TV. Any set-top box or digital TV that carries the DVB kitemark will meet this standard, and will be able to receive digital broadcasts from digital terrestrial, digital satellite, or digital cable.