Digital TV in the UK got off to a bad start, when ITV Digital (on
Digital) close down because of its sport sponsors wanting too much money
(Greedy lot) :) luckily the licence was quickly taken up and a new Digital
network lunched named Freeview.
The Digital TV Group (DTG) is the industry association for digital
television in the UK, an independent body facilitating the rapid roll out of
digital television and convergence across the communications industry.
Its membership consists of the BBC, BSkyB and OFCOM to Sony, Philips and
Panasonic; Dixons and Comet through to the Consumers' Association, RNIB and
RNID. Its agenda covers all aspects of future technology, public affairs and
the setting, promotion and interpretation of standards.
The DTG was formed in 1995 to set technical standards for the
implementation of digital terrestrial television in the UK and now
encompasses all digital TV platforms and convergence issues on a world-wide
basis.
In addition to the now successful freeview, there is a new company
offering additional channels for a small cost, Top Up TV provides a decoder
card than can be used with old Itv Digital boxes, or supply you with a new
box, or Conditional Access Module (CAM) for your TV
As someone who invested in a Digital TV when they first started, I have
recently bought a CAM for the new top up TV channels. Although I don't think
its something I would continue with for a long period, as more and more free
channels come to Freeview its unlikely you would want to pay for more.
Will Freeview work with ITV Digital box or iDTV
Yes !, or you can buy new digital convert boxes for about £40
What Free channels will I get (25/01/2005)
What channels come with Top Up TV
Will I need a new Arial
Probably not, but you might not get all the channels
listed, in my location they tell me that its not yet available, however
I pick up "All" of the channels with very little problem, I did put up a
better Arial. So you wont really be able to tell unless you try. Since
all parts of the country will eventually be covered, and they will close
down the existing analogue channels, you cant loose out anyway.
Analogue TV Switch Off
Regional Order TV Region Proposed Date
1st Border 2008
2nd West Country 2008
3rd HTV Wales 2008
4th Granada 2009
5th HTV West 2009
6th Grampian 2009
7th Scottish TV 2009
8th Central 2010
9th Yorkshire 2010
10th Anglia 2010
11th Meridian 2011
12th Carlton/LWT 2011
13th Tyne Tees 2011
14th Ulster 2011
15th Channel 2012
