Digital broadcasting is a new, more efficient way of transmitting television services. It allows much more information than before to be transmitted - offering more channels; interactive shopping, banking and entertainment channels; more widescreen and regional programming as well as higher quality pictures and sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
What benefits do I get by receiving Digital TV?

ANSWER:
Upgrading to Free-to-view Digital TV will give you all your existing TV channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, C4, C5) plus all of the other free to view channels.

Interactive services, giving you access to more information, home shopping, banking and games

True widescreen -

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 favorite programmes in 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

QUESTION:
What are the different Digital TV options?

ANSWER:
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 30 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.

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.

ITV Digital ( No longer Available )
ITV Digital is received the same way as Digital Terrestrial Free-to-view. This is a subscription service that offers more than 30 additional Pay TV channels.

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.

QUESTION:
Can I view different Digital channels in other rooms in the house?

ANSWER:
You will need a set top box for every analogue TV set, unless the house is equipped with a 'networking system'.

QUESTION:
Do I have to change my existing television to receive Free-to-view Digital channels?

ANSWER:
No, the Free-to-view channels can be received on your existing analogue television by connecting a Digital set top box to your TV set.

THE FREE TO VIEW SET TOP BOX AVAILABLE FROM 30th MARCH 2002 AT A COST OF £99.99

AN ESSENTIAL ADD ON FOR ANY WIDESCREEN TV TO ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE TRUE WIDESCREEN PICTURES AND ALL THE FREE TO AIR CHANNELS