Finding the best Digital TV Package for you
Finding the best digital TV package for you and your family of course depends on just what you want from your digital television service. It might be the basic ability to watch the relatively limited range of familiar channels broadcast by what is known as “terrestrial television” or it could be the choice for a whole range of different television and radio channels, High Definition television (HDTV), information services, telephone services and internet broadband services. These are all components of some of the digital TV packages that are currently being rolled out across the country.
Whether you choose a basic package or one with all the whistles and bells, however, one thing is certain: you will need either a digital television (with the digital tuner already built into it) or a set-top box, “digibox” or STB, to covert an older-style analogue television. This is because the existing analogue signals are being progressively switched off as the country’s regions switch over to digital broadcasts. The switchover is scheduled for completion during 2012.
In addition to the television content you want, finding the best digital TV package for you will also depend on the digital service providers in your area. There are essentially four main types of service provision and each will determine, to one degree or another, the range of content choice your package will be able to offer:
Free-to-air
Also known as “terrestrial television” this is the core service that will continue to offer such familiar channels as the BBC’s (1, 2, 3 and 4), ITV’s (1, 2 and 3), Channel 4, Five, S4C and E4. There is no monthly subscription required to view these channels, but simply the digital television’s in-built tuner or a set-top box. Current service providers are Freeview, BT Vision and Freesat.
Digital satellite
Digital television is also broadcast by satellite and reception of these services requires the installation of a mini satellite-dish to receive the signal and set-top box, together with the provider’s viewing card, to decode it. Sky is currently the principal provider of satellite services and will offer a complete installation package with all the necessary equipment for receiving and decoding the broadcasts.
Digital cable
Just as the name suggests, this relies on the use of a cable network, along which providers can pass not only digital television signals, but also telephone and broadband internet services. Clearly, you would need to live in an area where one or other of the cable providers has installed a cable network to subscribe to these services. Currently some 15 million homes in Britain have access to digital cable television (and related services).
Digital broadband internet
The fourth means of delivering digital television is via a high-speed broadband network using telephone lines. Connection requires a telephone line, set-top box and modem. Although this system naturally enables a home connection to the internet, digital broadband internet television is not the same as watching television on a home computer via the internet. Instead, it lets you watch television programmes as and when you watch them, rather than waiting for them to be broadcast. Therefore, you can stop, pause, rewind or fast-forward the programmes.
Summary
Finding the best digital TV package for you, therefore, is a question not only of content, but the choice of delivery system and the availability of your chosen system of delivery in your area.
