Flatscreen
The analogue signal is being switched off region by region throughout the UK; this has started already and will be completed in 2012. To find out when your region is switching visit www.digitaluk.co.uk. Once your region has switched to digital you will not be able to receive any analogue TV channels, this doesn’t mean however that you will have to start paying a subscription. There are several ‘free to air’ digital services available one of which is Freesat. Once you have purchased a Freesat box (starting at around £45) and had it installed you will be able to receive over 140 channels including BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 as well as many new ones all on your existing television set.
2. Is the radio going digital as well? Catlady
Digital radio is a slightly different story to digital TV. Currently there is no fixed plan with regards to switching off analogue radio, however some stations have already started broadcasting in digital – This is known as DAB. In addition to having a wide selection of TV channels Freesat also has a great range of radio services available with more being added all the time.
3. I had intended to just buy Digi boxes for now until the TVs actually need changing, but have been told that I won't be able to use my existing video recorder with just a Top box - is that correct? Snail
No. Freesat HD boxes have 2 SCART sockets, one to connect to your television and the other to connect to your video recorder. Connecting in this method does mean, however, that you would have to watch the channel you are recording. If you wanted to be able to watch one channel whilst recording another you would need to buy two boxes – or better still look at purchasing Freesat+. Freesat+ has a built in recorder and allows you to pause, rewind and record live TV. You are also able to record one channel whilst watching another, or even record two channels at the same time whilst watching something you recorded earlier.
4. Hello James, TV in Wales is often difficult, Channel 5 does not appear in many parts of the country. At Tywyn, Gwynnedd, I was not able to obtain digital in my caravan. Possibly understandable? but last weekend only at Ludlow, not far from the Wrekin transmitter, digital was not available. A booster was needed to get terrestrial channels. No trouble here in Newport, Shropshire. A lot of publicity over "get ready for the switch-over", fine, but a lot of the country has difficulty in getting the basic five. Stardust39
You have highlighted one of the biggest problems for Digital Terrestrial Television (television received via an aerial) and that is coverage, particularly in more sparsely populated regions, rural or hilly areas. Freesat uses satellites to distribute the television signal and therefore does not suffer from the same problems. Provided the satellite dish has a clear line of sight to the satellites you are guaranteed reception of over 140 channels (including Channel 5). Better still, the Freesat Grundig HD digital box can work off of a 12V power supply and is perfect for use in your caravan. It even remembers your postcode so will deliver your local news to you wherever you are in the country.
5. What is Freesat exactly? Is it like a Freeview box, do I need both? Svenson67
Freesat is a digital satellite television service set up by the BBC and ITV. Once you have purchased a Freesat box and had it installed you will have access to over 140 channels. You only need one digital solution for each of your televisions, and so it is not necessary to have both Freeview and Freesat.
6. Will I need to upgrade my current television to use it? Honey
No. You can get Freesat on your existing television by purchasing a Freesat digital box (starting at around £45), you will need to get a satellite dish installed (this can be arranged through your Freesat retailer) and the installer will connect the digital box up to your existing television before showing you how to use it.
7. Can we get more channels on Freesat than on Freeview? Svenson67
Freesat has over 140 channels, with more being added all the time. Currently Freeview quote up to 48 television channels and 24 radio services.
8. Will I have to keep re-tuning it like I do on Freeview? The Browser
No. Once Freesat has been installed there should be no need to re-tune. As new services are added they will automatically appear in your on screen guide.
9. What will the signal be like? At the moment I keep losing my digital signal on Freeview, the image goes pixellated and disappears. Honey
Because Freesat uses satellites to distribute the digital signal it has a much greater coverage across the UK. This means that Freesat is far less likely to suffer from reception problems.
10. What do the Freesat boxes cost to buy, and do you have to get it installed at an extra cost? Honey
There are several different types of Freesat products available:
- Freesat: 140 channels - starts from around £45
- Freesat HD: 140 channels plus some HD services – starts from around £120
- Freesat+: 140 channels plus HD services and the ability to pause, rewind and record live TV - startsfrom around £250
Installations vary depending on which product you buy, but typically they cost around £80.
And that’s it once you have all the equipment there are no contracts and no monthly bills.