Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region. This process is called digital switchover. The UK's old television broadcast signal (known as "analogue") is being switched off and replaced with a "digital" signal. Any TV set or video recorder that's not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes.
Get ready for Digital TV Switchover
The digital TV switchover is well underway in Wales and Digital UK have been running local roadshow events throughout Wales to offer practical advice for anyone who wants to know more about digital switchover in their area.
The digital switchover in Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales started on 3 March 2010. Advice Points are being set up in a number of locations across the Wenvoe Transmitter Group area. The Advice Point in Caerphilly County Borough is on 31st March and 1st April in the Caerphilly Tourist Information Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly.
What is Digital Switchover?
The the change in how television signals are sent and received across the UK has begun. Wales will be the first nation in the UK to complete the switchover, which will began in 2009 when the analogue signal was replaced with digital.
This process involves switching-off of the analogue terrestrial TV transmissions network, which has been in place since the 1930s, and replacing it with an all-digital terrestrial network. Currently, digital and analogue signals are broadcast simultaneously, but whilst the analogue signal is maintained, the digital signal can't be broadcast in full and at full power across the UK allowing everyone to receive a digital signal.
This process is happening in order to provide every household in the UK with the benefits of digital TV services and it will also enable the Government and Ofcom to free up the airwaves and launch new services in the future, such as High Definition TV (HDTV).
Over recent years the benefits of Digital TV have transformed the way we watch television in the UK. It has brought many more TV channels, improved picture quality, new ways of providing services and improved accessibility options for those with visual and hearing impairments.
The digital switchover is taking place TV region by TV region and for South Wales 2010 is the year when our transmitters will be switched over to digital. In order to be ready for this process, and if you haven't done so already, you will be required to convert your television equipment to digital. To do this you have 4 options:
- Obtain a digital box and plug it in to your TV (these are also now integrated in some new televisions)
- Subscribe to a digital cable service
- Subscribe to a digital satellite service
- Subscribe to a service which delivers digital TV through a telephone line
It is appreciated that not all of these services may be available in your area and by using the postcode checker at www.digitaluk.co.uk, you can find out your options.
Alternatively you can get advice from any electrical retailer and look for the digital tick sign indicating that they have goods or services designed to help people with the digital switchover.
When will I switch?
There are eight transmitter groups in Wales that will switch from analogue to digital TV at different times. When you switch depends on which transmitter group you are watching. For Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales, this process will begin on 3 March 2010.
Find out when you will be switching to digital
Switchover Help Scheme
The Switchover Help Scheme can help you make the switch to digital TV.
They can help you convert your TV to digital if you:
- Are aged 75 or over, or
- Have lived in a care home for six months or more
- Get (or could get) certain disability benefits
- Are registered blind or partially sighted
Take the eligibility check to find out if you're eligible for help.