Digital Television Switchover
When, What, How?
On 30th March, the BBC 2 analogue channel will be switched off in Cambridgeshire, followed by the remaining analogue channels on 13th April. From then on, if you aren't set up to receive digital, you won't be able to watch your television.
This can be a worrying prospect, and at Cambridgeshire County Council's Trading Standards Service we want to ensure that you know where to go for advice.
How will it affect me?
If you have Sky TV, Freesat from Sky, Freesat or Virgin Media you don't need to do anything (but note, additional TVs in the house may be affected). If you have Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV you will need to re-tune your television 5 times in 2011. Guidance on re-tuning can be found on Digital UK's website (below). Alternatively you can pay a trader to re-tune it each time.
If you currently have five channels or fewer, you have three options:
Option 1: get a digital box. If you get a good analogue picture through your aerial now, you could purchase a Freeview set top box. Other options are satellite services 'Freesat from Sky'or 'Freesat'. Once purchased, these do not have a monthly fee. For even more channels, consider a monthly subscription service from Sky, BT Vision or Top Up TV. Your existing TV should work fine with any of these, provided it has an aerial or Scart socket.
Only Freeview requires an aerial, and in most cases, if your current analogue picture is OK, your aerial should work fine with Freeview. If you do need a new aerial, contact the Registered Digital Installers Licensing Body on 01353 644040 or visit www.rdi-lb.tv for a list of registered installers.
Option 2: buy a new Freeview recorder with twin tuners. This will receive digital television, acting as a digital box, and is also a recorder, allowing you to watch one channel while recording another. After the switchover, if you don't have a digital recorder, you will only be able to record the channel you are watching.
Option 3: buy a new television that has a built in digital tuner. Look for -
Where can I go for advice?
You can contact Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50 for advice or visit their website www.digitaluk.co.uk. If you have a hearing or speech impediment, contact the textphone service on 0845 2340380.
What is the Help Scheme?
A Help Scheme is available if you are 75 or over, have lived in a care home for over six months, get certain disability benefits or are registered blind or partially sighted. If you are eligible you should have received a letter from the Scheme, but if you are in any doubt, contact the scheme on 0800 4085900 or visit www.helpscheme.co.uk.