10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 1 How do I go digital? There are three different ways to get digital TV in your TV region and they re listed in this fold-out section. You need to check availability in your area, by visiting digitaluk.co.uk, calling Digital UK on 0845 6 50 50 50, by contacting the providers directly or asking an electrical retailer or supplier. Have a peek under here If you need to know more about the digital TV switchover: Visit digitaluk.co.uk/border Call us on 0845 6 50 50 50 Look at Teletext page 106 Go to Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) at cai.org.uk Ask your electrical retailer or supplier Your guide to the digital TV switchover Keep this important information about your area Digital UK is working with the public service TV broadcasters: Digital UK is also working with consumer groups including: Border (IOM) 05/06
10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 4 The digital TV switchover. In a nutshell. You may have heard that the UK and Isle of Man s TV broadcast system is switching to digital. We ve sent you this booklet to provide you with easy independent advice on what it all means for you. This friendly little robot is Digit Al, who will be your guide during switchover. Remember if you don t switch you ll lose your programmes! What s happening? The UK s old analogue television broadcast signal 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. What is digital TV? Digital TV is the latest way to broadcast pictures and sound. It gives you all your usual channels and access to many more such as BBC Three, ITV2, E4 and Sky News. It can also give you better picture and sound quality. If your TV receives more than 5 channels (not including regional variations) it s probably already digital. All your TV sets will need to be set for digital. The old TV signal will be switched off starting in 2008 This guide is brought to you by Digital UK, the independent, not-for-profit organisation leading the switchover process. Look for the digital tick logo If you are thinking of getting new TV equipment look for the digital It appears on products and services that are designed to work before, during and after switchover. Digital UK is working with Call us on 0845 6 50 50 50 * Visit us at digitaluk.co.uk The digital switchover logo is a Certification Mark. *Calls charged at BT rate of 3p per minute daytime and 1p per minute evenings and weekends. Rates may vary for calls from non-bt lines.
10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 6 I ve seen the future of TV and it s digital Switchover in the Border TV region You can see what digital options are currently available in your area by using our postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk or by calling 0845 6 50 50 50 You may live in an overlap area (indicated in light pink on the map) where you can receive a signal from more than one TV region. You can check your TV region by seeing which ITV news service you receive or on Teletext page 106. Make sure you know what TV region you re in Why are we switching to digital TV? Switchover makes it fairer. Today over two-thirds of UK homes have digital TV. However, one in four cannot get it via their aerial, and many still cannot receive Five. Only by switching off the existing analogue broadcasting system is it possible to boost the digital TV signal and provide people with a greater choice of affordable digital options. Digital TV is also more efficient. It frees up airwaves that could be used for innovations such as mobile TV or high definition TV. A world leader in broadcasting. Moving to the best available technology will ensure the UK continues as a world leader in broadcasting.
10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 8 What do you get with digital TV? You ll receive all your usual channels and many more channels as standard, featuring documentaries, news, drama, films, childrens programmes, comedy, music and much more. Plus extra services including the interactive red button and digital radio. Additionally, there are services such as subtitling and audio description for people with hearing and sight impairments. And if you choose to take out a subscription, you can get many more dedicated channels including sport, films, music and access to services which let you watch what you want, when you want. All your usual channels plus loads of extra channels and services as standard NEW NEW
10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 10 What do I have to do? How do I get digital TV? First, you need to choose how you want to get your digital TV signal. How do I know what to buy? Look for the digital Through an aerial (Freeview, Top Up TV) By satellite (Sky, freesat from Sky) Through a cable (Wight Cable) Then choose whether you want to make a one-off payment or pay by monthly subscription. There s information on all the companies who provide digital TV in your region in the fold-out section at the back of this booklet. Do I need a new telly? You don t need a new TV, just a digital box. However, if you are thinking of upgrading your current set and you want digital TV, look for the digital And don t forget your video or DVD recorder If you use a video (VCR) or DVD recorder for recording then you will need to adapt it with a digital box, or replace it with a digital recorder that has a digital box built in, sometimes called a PVR. Look for the digital tick logo Will I need a new TV aerial? Most households won t. However, if you have Freeview and have checked that you can receive it in your area and still can t get reception, you will need to find out if your existing TV aerial and installation are suitable. Ensure that your aerial installer is a CAI member or Registered Digital Installer carrying the digital Do not use an aerial installer who calls at your home uninvited. What if I can t get Freeview now? Shouldn t be a problem. Even if you can t get it now, after switchover just about everyone will be able to receive Freeview. However there s no need to wait until then to go digital. To find out how to get other non-subscription digital TV services, such as freesat from Sky, please look at the back of this booklet. Where does high definition (HD) fit into all this? If you re considering getting new HD ready TV equipment be sure it has the digital tick logo as well as the HD ready logo. To receive programmes in HD you need to receive an HD service, currently available on cable and satellite with an HD compatible box. Call us on 0845 6 50 50 50 Visit us at digitaluk.co.uk
10142_Doordrop_Isle-of-Man_165x165 18/4/06 10:59 Page 12 A helping hand s here for those that need it most The ways to get digital TV Names of the digital TV providers How much does it cost? * What equipment will you need? What channels do you get? Contact details Will there be extra support for anyone? If you are aged 75 years old or over, or receive either an Attendance Allowance or a Disability Living Allowance, you will be given special support. If you are eligible you will be sent more information well before your area goes digital. Rest assured, a digital installer will not arrive at your home without your prior knowledge. Assistance will be given at your request and by appointment only. If you have a hearing impairment contact us using Typetalk on 0845 234 0380. Through an aerial With a satellite dish One off payment: Digital boxes from around 30 to 250 ** Digital TVs available from 300 to around 3,500 ** Monthly subscription of 7.99 per month plus 20 connection fee One off payment of 150 Monthly subscription from 15 to 42.50 (Includes standard installation and free equipment on all packages) A digital TV or a digital box connected to your TV *** Up to 30 digital TV channels No extra equipment needed as long as your digital box or digital TV has a card slot Satellite dish, digital box and viewing card Satellite dish, digital box and viewing card 11 additional subscription channels Over 120 standard digital TV channels Over 120 standard digital TV channels plus over 200 additional subscription TV channels Freeview 08708 80 99 80 www.freeview.co.uk Top Up TV 08700 543 210 www.topuptv.co.uk Freesat from Sky 0870 6 06 11 11 www.freesatfromsky.co.uk Sky 0870 2 42 42 42 www.sky.com If you need this information in large print, audio, Braille or in another language, please call 0845 234 0388. For more information on audio description call the RNIB on 0845 766 99 99. Through a cable Monthly subscription from 14.50 per month. (Includes standard installation and equipment, plus cable phone line rental) Cable connection and digital box Up to 150 standard TV channels plus additional subscription TV channels Wight Cable 08000 70 60 50 www.wightcablenorth.com Information for landlords and tenants can be found at digitaluk.co.uk Not all services available in all areas. *Prices as of March 2006. **The more expensive products tend to have enhanced functionality. ***An aerial upgrade may be required which can cost between 80-150. Not all services available in all areas.