Digitize

Digital Television, Satellite & Cable Information

I have produced this guide, hopefully to give you a clearer understanding of UK digital television.

The UK has entered  the age of digital television. This year, TV viewing has change forever with the launch of digital services on terrestrial, satellite and cable TV. It will offer more choice, better picture and sound quality to a potential 70% of the U.K. population from 24 transmitters, and rolling up to 90% of the population by the end of 1999. There will be services such as PAY PER VIEW, home shopping and banking.

1. What is digital broadcasting ?

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; some widescreen programming; more regional programmes as well as higher quality pictures and sound.

There will be three types of digital broadcasting.

Digital Terrestrial.

Digital Terrestrial Channels will be transmitted through the current TV transmitter network. You may need a new TV aerial, and you will need a new digital TV or a new set top box. Viewers can look forward to more channels operated by the BBC, ITV,Channel 4,Channel 5, and S4C as well as about 15 channels from British Digital Broadcasting BDB (a consortium between the two biggest ITV companies - Carlton TV and Granada TV). Up to 30 channels in some areas.

Digital Satellite.

Digital satellite channels will be beamed down from a new Astra digital satellite. You will need a
new smaller digital dish and set top satellite receiver or TV with built in digital satellite receiver.
Viewers will eventually be able to receive up to 250 channels, the majority operated by BSkyB.

Digital Cable.

Digital cable channels will be transmitted via the existing cable TV lines. You will need a new digital cable set top receiver linked into your current TV or new digital TV with built in cable.
This service will be operated by the major cable organisations and will eventually offer up to
250 channels.

Digital Terrestrial.

2. Why Should I Buy a Digital Receiver.

Digital TV can improve the picture quality over the existing analogue TV and will offer an enormous increase in consumer choice and interactive services.

Better Picture and Sound Quality.

Digital TV has the ability to offer better quality pictures and CD-quality sound. The new technology also offers a solution for those viewers whose TV viewing suffers from poor quality reception. There will be no ghosting or picture noise.

Interactive Services.

Services include a choice of shopping, banking, holiday and travel, games, learning on-line and sport. There will also be the opportunity to subscribe to the Internet and E-Mail via the TV.

3. New Digital TV or Set Top Box.

There are two ways of receiving digital TV:

A: A new TV with the digital circuitry built-in - It's much more convenient and removes another black box.
B: A set top box that plugs into your existing TV just as a video recorder does today and will give you digital terrestrial.

4. I'm Happy with The Current Channels. Do I Have To Upgrade?

No. The current analogue service will continue for many years "So they say"??. It is estimated that it may be anything up to 20 years before it is switched off. (Revised 14/7/99 Transmitters in the UK will be turned off A.S.A.P. possibly in under 10 years).

5. How Many Programmes will be in Widescreen Format?

Initially, 30% on average of prime time programmes will be in widescreen gradually increasing to
90% by 2005. Remember, classic programmes will only ever be able to be shown in their original format (4:3), Although some channels will only show programmes in the widescreen (16:9) format.

6. So Will I Need a Widescreen TV?

No. You can watch widescreen programmes on either * 4:3 or 16:9.

* 16:9 Widescreen TV screen format (16 unit wide by 9 units high).

* 4:3 Widescreen TV screen format (12 unit wide by 9 units high).

7. When Will Digital TV Begin?

8. Will All of the UK Receive the Digital Channels?

Digital Terrestrial

It is available in the main population areas of the UK now!! - other areas will have to wait for completion of the nation-wide upgrade programme.

Digital Satellite

Yes.

Digital Cable

Will be available, subject to the local operators agreement to all cable subscribers from this November (1999) ? "It is said".........

9. How Much Will the New Equipment Cost?

TV's with built-in digital receivers will cost around £200-£400 more than the equivalent analogue sets. Set top boxes are now "FREE"  (more or less) subject to subscription )) and subject to change daily))!!!

10. How Will I Know What's on the Different Channels?

An easy to use on screen guide, available at the touch of a button will show you all of the
programmes on any channel that you watch. You can select a programme to watch later and the guide will remind you just before the programme is about to start. It will also provide a fuss free way of selecting programmes to be recorded while you are out.

11. Can I Record Digital Programmes on my Current Recorder?

Yes. The VCR will record in the same way as it currently records Satellite/ONdigital programmes. If you want to watch a Satellite/ONdigital  programme and record another channel, that is NOT possible. With Satellite and ONdigital you can   only record what you are watching............you can however record terrestrial stations via your TV aerial.

" Useful Telephone Numbers and Web Addresses "

BBC

BBC Reception Advice.................. 08700 100 123 ............... www.bbc.co.uk/reception

BBC Information Office................. 08700 100 123 .............. E-mail: reception@bbc.co.uk

Broadcasters/Platform Providers

ONdigital Prospect Enquiries......... 0808 100 0101

ONdigital Customer Activation...... 0870 600 1616

ONdigital Customer Services......... 0870 600 9696

Sky Digital Helpline........................ 0870 240 2000 ............... www.skydigitel.co.uk

Sky Non Digital Customer Access.. 0870 243 8000

Cable Hotline................................... 0990 111 777

Manufacturers

Nokia General Enquiries................. 01793 556 000 ............... www.nokia.com

LG Electronic Help Desk................ 01753 500 470 ............... www.lge.co.kr

Grundig General Enquiries.............. 0181 324 9400 ............... www.grundig.co.uk

Pace General Enquiries.................... 01274 532 000 .............. www.pacemicro.com

Sony Customer Helpline................... 0990 111 999 ................ www.sony.co.uk/digitaltv

Tosiba Digital Hotline....................... 01276 694 283

Philips Consumer Helpline................ 0181 665 6350 ............. www.sv.philips.com

Panasonic Customer Support............ 0990 357 357 ............... www.panasonic.co.uk

Retailers

ONdigital Retailers Helpdesk........... 0870 600 5656

Tandy General Enquiries................... 01922 434 000

Granada Digital Hotline..................... 0800 056 2772 .............. www.granadahome.co.uk

Comet Nearest Store Information....... 0500 425 425 ................ www.comet.co.uk

Thorn Information............................... 0800 328 1208 .............. www.radiorentals.co.uk

Dixons Nearest Store Information..... 0990 500 049 ................ www.dixon-group-plc.co.uk

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Every effort has been made to ensure that all details were correct at the time of release: 30/11/98