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How FAQs

  • How much will it cost?

    There is a range of options to suit all budgets, including low-cost monthly subscription packages or a simple one-off payment for a digital box or free-to-view satellite services. Most importantly, you do not have to buy a new television set unless you want to, because with very rare exceptions, all current TV sets can be adapted by connecting to one of these options. The more expensive products and services tend to offer more channels and services as well as enhanced functionality.

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  • Can I get any help?

    As well as Digital UK, advice is available from your electrical retailer, TV rental company or from the companies who supply digital television.

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  • Can I get anyone to install the new equipment for me?

    If you're getting new equipment then your retailer or TV rental company will be able to arrange to have equipment installed for you, although there may be a charge for this. If you subscribe to digital television (cable, satellite or through a telephone line) the company will install the equipment for you as part of the package. You may also be eligible for additional help if you are aged over 75 or are registered disabled. If you are eligible for this additional help you will be contacted nearer the time of switchover in your area.

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  • How will I know if I am getting a legitimate service from traders?

    People should be aware of traders that might seek to cash in on digital switchover by offering unauthorised advice, services and goods, faulty equipment or overcharging for services. If you require an aerial upgrade to receive digital TV, you should contact the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries), who will be able to provide you with details of a qualified installer in your local area. Always look for the 'digital tick’ logo when buying digital TV products.

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  • Will there be assistance for those in need of help?

    The Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been set up to provide eligible households with the help to convert one TV to digital. You are eligible for the scheme if you, your partner or dependent child are:

    • aged 75 years old or over,
    • are entitled to one of the following allowances: Disability Living Allowance (including where the qualifying person is a child), Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA) under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme and CAA and War Pensioners Mobility Supplement under the pre-2005 War Pensions scheme
    • are registered as being blind or partiallly sighted

    The scheme will costs eligible households a subsidised amount of £40 for the basic equipment and help, unless you are eligible and receive either Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in which case the help will be free.

    The help includes:

    • Equipment to convert one TV to digital, and a new aerial, if needed, if you live in a house (this will be determined by the Help Scheme)
    • Help with installing the new equipment and learning how to use it

    The Help Scheme digital box is not just a standard digital box. The equipment has also been designed with easy access features such as subtitling, and audio description. The Help Scheme includes installation, demonstrations and technical support. Find out more

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  • How much should a new aerial cost?

    Installation of a standard new roof aerial is likely to cost between £60 and £180. Additional sockets cost around £45. Upgrades to communal aerial systems may result in increased service charges. Make sure your aerial installer carries the 'digital tick' logo or is registered with the CAI.

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  • How much will the Help Scheme cost?

    The scheme will cost eligible households a subsidised amount of £40 for the basic equipment and help, unless you are eligible and receive either Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in which the help will be free.

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  • How much will it cost to convert my whole household?

    It depends on the following questions:

    Are you planning to convert your exisiting TV?

    If so, digital boxes are from around £30 to £130 each.

    Would you like to buy an Integrated Digital TV?

    The cost of a digital TV is from around £100 to £3,500.

    Do you need an aerial upgrade? 

    If you have a good analogue picture now it is likely you will have one after digital switchover. However, if you have a poor quality picture you may need an aerial upgrade, this can cost between £80 - £150.

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  • How will I know whether my aerial needs work in advance of switchover?

    A minority of homes will need a new aerial. As a rule of thumb, if you get a good analogue signal now, you should be able to get a good digital signal after switchover. If you have a poor analogue signal, you should consider having your aerial checked by a local Registered Digital Installer (RDI). See below for more details.

    Alternatively, you can do an aerial test on any of your tv sets at home.

    To find an istaller in your area visit www.rdi-lb.tv or call our call centre on 08456 50 50 50. If there isn't an Registered Digital Installer near you, then you can look in the Yellow pages for an installer with CAI or IDSC trade association qualifications.

    All RDI members are security checked and aerial experts. They have had a criminal records check and have achieved an NVQ or SVQ qualification.

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  • How do I know which transmitter affects me, and therefore when I will switch?

    From summer 2007, Digital UK will have in place a postcode checker - more advanced than the existing one - informing viewers which local transmitter they are likely to be receiving their television signal from. In the meantime, you can visit Ofcom to check their transmitter maps or consult a local aerial installer.

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  • How do I request large print, audio or Braille leaflets?

    Please call 0845 234 0388.

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  • Will I have to throw out my TV, especially if it's old?

    No. With very rare exceptions, all TVs can be converted to digital with a digital box - even black and white ones.

    If your television was manufactured after 1996, it will have a Scart socket. This means it can be connected to a digital box with a Scart lead, which is the best quality connection.

    If your TV does not have a Scart socket on the back, and has only a small round aerial socket instead, you can still adapt it for digital. Just make sure you ask your retailer for a digital box with an “RF through loop” adaptor or "RF modulator" built in. This means the box can be plugged into the small aerial socket without the need for a Scart lead (please note that the signal with an RF through-loop or RF modulator will not be as good as the one through a Scart socket). These typically start at about £25. Check a price comparison site such as www.pricerunner.co.uk for the best deals.

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  • Will my video recorder still work after switchover?

    After switchover, VHS video recorders can be used to play back tapes as before and record one digital channel at a time.

    They won't, however, be able to record one digital channel while you are watching another. For this you'll need a digital TV recorder (DTR) with two or more tuners (such as Freeview Playback, Sky+ or Virgin Media V+).

    Digital TV recorders are much easier to use than video recorders, provide higher quality pictures and offer features such as the ability to pause and rewind live TV, or record an entire series at the click of a button. For independent advice on the best digital TV recorder to buy, see the report from Ricability

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  • Will I need a new TV aerial?

    Most households won’t. Only a minority of homes will need a new aerial. As a rule of thumb, if you get a good analogue picture now, you should be able to get a good digital signal after the switchover.

    If you choose to get digital TV through an aerial now and have reception problems even though you are in a current coverage area (to check this use the postcode checker), you should consider having your aerial checked by a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), also recognised by the digital tick. If there isn't an RDI in your area, look for a member of the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI).

    Search for a Registered Digital Installer in your area or call us on 0845 6 50 50 50.

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  • Will a set-top aerial work for Freeview?

    Usually a rooftop aerial is more reliable for Freeview boxes. However, if you have good reception now, a set-top aerial may work in certain circumstances. Please see the survey from Ricability which provides advice on set-top aerials.

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  • Will Freeview work with my old ITV Digital box or digital TV?

    We believe that some ex-ITV Digital boxes and digital TVs will run the Freeview services although this is dependent on the type and age of your equipment. If you want to check if your box or digital TV will support all the Freeview services please contact your retailer or manufacturer.

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  • I have a portable television. What do I need to do to go digital?

    You will need to get a digital box at a one-off cost. Look for the ‘digital tick’ logo and ask a retailer for more information.

    Whilst the vast majority of televisions can be converted to receive a digital signal, your television needs to have either a scart or RF input. An example of this kind of portable TV is DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting).

    Unfortunately if your portable television does not have either of these inputs it cannot be converted to receive digital television.

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  • What is the Digital Tick logo?

    The ‘digital tick’ is a certification mark that appears on products and services that are designed to work before, during and after switchover. It will also be seen on badges worn by retail staff who are trained to answer questions about digital TV switchover, and is used to identify aerial installers accredited as Registered Digital Installers (RDI).

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  • Should I buy an integrated digital TV (iDTV)?

    Not necessarily. TVs with integrated Freeview receivers are becoming more and more common and will eventually become the norm. The specifications and prices of new TVs are entirely the responsibility of the manufacturers. However, we are working closely with the industry to ensure they have all the assistance they need. A list of certified digital TV equipment can be found at: http://www.digitallogo.co.uk/company_search.php

    Will a DIY digital satellite kit prepare me for switchover?
    Digital satellite services are not affected by switchover. DIY satellite kits bought over the counter provide access to a large range of channels from the UK and abroad but cannot receive Channel 4 and Five, which are currently broadcast in encrypted format. Subscription packages or Freesat from Sky are the only satellite services currently providing access to the main public service channels, BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five.

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  • What is Freesat from Sky?

    Freesat from Sky involves a one-off payment of £150 to Sky for the purchase and installation of a Sky dish, receiving box and viewing card. No ongoing subscription is involved.

    Freesat from Sky customers have access to around 120 channels (including all those from the BBC (including regional variations) and ITV, and most from Channel 4 and Five).

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  • I live in a flat and share my aerial with others. What do I need to do?

    If you share your aerial with others then you may have a communal TV system. If so, this may need to be adapted to receive digital television. Your landlord or managing agent should be aware of this and be making plans – ask them for more information.

    You could ask them to look at our Property Managers' Guide to the digital TV switchover website which will give them all the information they need to prepare for switchover.

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