Switchover News February 2008
Posted on 5th February at 11:44 AM, Posted by: Digital UK
- DAVID SCOTT TAKES HELM AT DIGITAL UK
David Scott, former Deputy Chief Executive of Channel 4 and member of its original launch team, has been appointed Chief Executive of Digital UK.
Mr Scott, 53, took up his post on February 1 and will be in overall charge of the switchover programme which will see analogue terrestrial television signals phased out region by region, from 2008-2012. He takes over from Ford Ennals, who led Digital UK since it was established in 2005 and oversaw the first switchover in Copeland.
- CURRYS, DIXONS & PC WORLD STORES GO ALL DIGITAL
DSG international plc has stopped all orders of analogue televisions and will move to a 100% digital range in stores once existing stock has been cleared. The electrical retailer is the market leader in UK television sales and in the last 12 months has sold approaching 2 million sets. DVD recorders featuring analogue tuners will also be removed and buyers of remaining analogue sets will be offered the option of a digital box to ensure that the televisions are capable of receiving digital broadcasts once switchover takes place. More from DSG International
- PRAISE FOR SWITCHED ON LANDLORDS
Digital UK has launched the Homes Set for Digital scheme, recognising housing providers and managers taking steps to provide digital television and information about switchover to residents. Organisations with a Switchover Action Plan can use a new certification mark showing their commitment to providing quality homes and services. According to research published by DCMS last year, around one-third (34%) of social housing providers in the UK’s first regions to switch don’t have a plan to be ready in time. Digital UK estimates that even fewer private landlords may be making preparations for the change.
- ANDY BURNHAM REPLACES PURNELL AT DCMS
Following a cabinet reshuffle, Andy Burnham has been appointed Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the MP for Leigh in Lancashire, has described the new position as his ‘dream job’. Mr Burnham, 38, once worked as a research assistant to Tessa Jowell and was special adviser to Chris Smith, Labour’s first culture secretary. He is also a keen football fan and has written two books on the subject. Burnham replaces James Purnell, who moves to the Department for Work and Pensions.
- TOURISM SECTOR MUST PREPARE FOR SWITCHOVER
Three-quarters of UK hoteliers and B&B owners say that availability of television is important in letting their rooms, yet a majority are unprepared for the forthcoming switchover to digital TV and run the risk of their guests being stuck with blank screens, according to research released by Digital UK.
Forty-seven per cent of those questioned said that they had not switched to digital yet. Fifty–four per cent of those who have not fully converted their properties to digital TV said they have no plans in place to do so. The figures were particularly high in the Border TV area, West Country and Wales – which are the first UK regions due to switch. More from Digital UK
- COPELAND POSITIVE ON SWITCH TO DIGITAL
Following the UK’s first switchover in Copeland, new research reveals residents are overwhelming positive about digital TV. A survey carried out by Digital UK showed that 94% of 189 homes interviewed after the switch felt positively or neutrally about switchover, while 95% thought digital TV services were better or the same as analogue. When making the move to digital TV, approximately 40% of homes with analogue TV chose Sky while 60% opted for Freeview. To mark the success of switchover, Digital UK presented a grant to help establish a digital inclusion project run by Age Concern North West Cumbria, which will provide advice, assistance and training in new technologies for people of all ages.
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Posted on 13th February at 04:46 PM, Posted by: Digital UK
With regards to picture distrubances - distorted pictures are not a condition of digital TV. With weak signals digital TV will normally break up into mosaic blocks before disappearing altogether. If you are not suffering from the latter it sounds like you are still watching analogue.
Intermittent picture disturbances can be caused by impulse interference from neighbouring electrical devices e.g. fridges, central heating and digital telephones or even external factors such as lawn mowers and taxis.
The digital TV signals are currently being transmitted at a reduced power, this is so they do not swamp the analogue signals that also need to be broadcast. After switchover when we have turned the analogue signals off, we are able to maximise the power of the digital TV signals.
If you have an amplifier on the aerial system they can generate interference that integrated digital televisions will try to interpret and this may result in poor/ distorted pictures.
To find out when your area switches to digital TV and what services you will get after the switchover, visit our postcode checker at http://www.digitaluk.co.uk