Digital TV has transformed the way that we view television programmes with more choice than ever before via more providers and more choice of delivery method and interactive features. It can be received from a terrestrial broadcast using an aerial or a satellite dish, cable, phone line or the internet. There are also programmes that are available with and without a monthly subscription or contract. The type of programmes that you will receive will depend on how much you are willing to pay and the type of programmes that you want to view. On top of this there are also high definition channels that are free or monthly subscription charges or contracts.
There are free channels available from the BBCs and ITVs Freesat, Skys Freesat, Freeview, and Virgin Medias cable service if you rent a phone line. Monthly subscription services are available from Sky Digital, Virgin Media, BT Vision and Tiscali TV.
Freeview
Freeview is available in most areas of the country and is received using an aerial and a set top box or a TV with a Freeview tuner built in. In some instances it may be necessary to upgrade your existing aerial. Freeview offers 48 digital TV channels and 24 radio channels. There arent any other payments to be made once you have bought a suitable TV or set top box except for the mandatory TV licence which you have to pay for all options.
Up until recently there have been both the old analogue broadcasts and the new digital broadcasts in many areas of the country. The much advertised Digital Switch Over is currently switching off the analogue broadcasts area by area around the UK. This process should be completed during 2012. If you havent already opted to switch to the digital channels you will have to by the time your area switches to digital. You will need either a TV with a freeview tuner or a freeview set top box to use with your existing TV. The digital switch over will affect non digital TVs, Video Recorders and DVD recorders which will need either replacing with freeview equipped equivalents or a set top box connecting to each of them to receive freeview broadcasts. If you choose another method of receiving digital television broadcasts then you will need different equipment to connect to your TV.
The Digital Switch Over might not affect you if you are currently receiving all of your television programmes via Freesat, BT Vision, or Tiscali in which case you wont need to do anything.
Top Up TV
Top Up TV doesnt require any other equipment other than a card that slots in to the existing slot on your PVR set top box. The only charge is 9.99 per month without any monthly contract or tie in. With Top Up TV you will have access to On Demand programmes that are stored locally on the hard drive of your PVR that can be viewed when you choose. There is also a movie channel and a sports channel. Top Up TV doesnt require broadband or a satellite dish and can be received via your existing Freeview compatible aerial
Cable TV by Virgin Media
If you want to receive your digital television programmes by cable you will need to check that you are in an area where cable is available. Then you will need to choose which programme selection you want to pay for each month. The cable television provider will then install the cable to your house and provide the set top cable TV receiver box. You will need a cable TV receiver box for every TV you want to view cable TV on in your house. The basic package offers over 45 channels and is free if you rent a Virgin phone line. Over 165 channels are available for 19.50 per month if you rent a Virgin phone line. Often discounts are available for additional boxes but this can still be quite expensive.
There is also an On Demand service available from Virgin Media. Many programmes and films are available from an extensive library; many are available in high definition. Some of the programmes are free of charge and some are pay per view. With this facility you can decide what you watch and when you watch it.
Sky Digital TV
As with the cable TV option if you choose Sky Digital you will have to choose which programmes you want to pay for each month. Sky Digital Television broadcasts can be received by most homes in the UK and requires the installation of a suitably positioned satellite Dish.
Some housing developments and listed building have planning restrictions that prevent the installation of a satellite dish. Also if it is not possible to get an unobstructed line of sight from the required satellite dish fixing position due to other buildings or trees then it wont be possible to install Sky Digital.
Once the dish is installed you will be provided with a set top TV box that connects the TV to the satellite Dish. If you want to watch satellite TV on every TV in your house you will require extra set top TV boxes and possibly an additional dish. There will be extra charges for providing the additional equipment, installation and monthly fees albeit at a discount. This can work out to be quite expensive.
Sky digital often charge for the supply and installation of the set top TV box and satellite dish. The basic package of 200 channels costs from 16.50 per month and includes a free set top box and there is a charge of 60 for the installing of the dish. There are many channel options available from Sky Digital up to 630 channels of Digital Television channels and Digital Radio channels at 46 per month with installation for a non Sky Plus set top box of 60 and 30 for a Sky Plus set top box. Sky Digital also offers the greatest choice of high definition television channels for a further 9.75 a month.
Sky Digital also has an On Demand service that is available via the set top box and the internet. Sky Anytime is free of charge and offers a selection of films, documentaries, entertainment channels etc. Sky Box Office offers the latest films for a small charge on demand using the Sky Digital set top box. It is also possible access hundreds of films via your PC that you will have to download to your PC and then you can watch them on your PC or on your television. To watch them on your TV you will either need to copy them to a DVD Disc for playing on your DVD player that is attached to your TV or a you will need a Media Centre so that you can stream the data directly to your PC.
Freesat Television
There are two versions of Freesat. One is provided by a joint venture of the BBC and ITV and the other is available from Sky. They both need a satellite dish and a set top box however the BBC and ITV version also has the possibility of being viewed by a Freesat compatible television which the Sky version doesnt have. On both options the service is free once you have paid for the satellite dish, installation and the set top box. If there is already a satellite dish on your house that has spare connections on it then you can save on the cost of the satellite dish and installation. Of course the installation of a satellite dish could be restricted by the problems mentioned in the section above about Sky Digital TV.
The Freesat option from the BBC and ITV also offers a small amount of free high definition television broadcasts if the HD set top box is purchased.
Set top boxes that are compatible with the BBC and ITVs Freesat are available from around 49.99 or 129.99 complete with a dish and installation. There are in excess of 140 channels of programmes of different types that are available without any commitment or monthly subscription. If you want the HD version then you will have to pay 129.99 for the set top box or around 229.99 with satellite dish and installation. If you opt for a Freesat compatible television then you wont require a set top box just a satellite dish.
There are in excess of 240 standard definition television channels on Freesat from Sky, Sky Freesat is obtainable for an initial payment of 75 and then there arent any further payments required. High definition television channels are not available on Skys Freesat.
BT Vision TV
BT Vision is provided using a broadband connection and a BT Home Hub router which is then wirelessly connected to a wireless receiver which is connected to your television. The BT vision television service offers Freeview and an on demand service of entertainment and movies. If you already use BTs broadband then the Home Hub Router is supplied without any cost.
There are various options of program bundles of Kids programmes, sports, music and a number of films, that include 40 channels of Freeview, that are available from 13.70 monthly up to 19.57 monthly. However you dont have to subscribe for any of the bundles you can just use BT vision on pay per view basis each time you watch a programme or film. If you dont have BT Broadband then there is an installation charge of 29.36 for the BT Home Hub router and wireless receiver and another 29.36 for the supply of the equipment.
Tiscali TV
Tiscali television is only available in certain areas of the country via a phone line with broadband and possibly an aerial. The Tiscali television service offers in excess of 70 channels of digital TV channels and digital radio channels and in excess of 1000 on demand programmes, Movies and Music. The basic offering starts from 19.99 per month and includes 8Mb broadband and telephone line rental with on demand movies charged per view.
Fetch TV
Fetch TV is a Freeview PVR with a HD home media centre built in that can also download thousands of movies and TV shows via your PC. It has over 48 free channels of Freeview Digital TV and Radio without any subscription, monthly bills or contract tie in. The Fetch set top box interfaces with your computers hard drive to watch movies that you have downloaded to your PC. Fetch TV is available from 129.99 for the set top box.
IP Television and On Demand Television
There are many programmes and movies that can be downloaded via broadband to your PC and then you can copy them to a DVD disc or it can be wirelessly streamed to a media centre that is connected to your television. There are high definition programmes and films that can down loaded via the internet. Television broadcasters such as the BBC, Sky, ITV and many other UK and Worldwide television companies now have content that is available to be downloaded when you choose. Some of this content is free of charge and some chargeable.
Conclusion
The options are almost endless with so many choices. Some of these choices may not be an option but nonetheless the choice is greater than ever before with delivery by Cable, Satellite Dish, Phone Line, Broadband, and Aerial. Whether you are prepared to pay a monthly charge may narrow the options but if you are then you also have to decide if you are prepared to pay extra for HD television broadcasts. IP television offers an interesting possibility but is restricted by our creaking copper cables ability to deliver the content fast enough and reliably enough. To benefit from all of the advantages of Digital Television you will also need a high definition LCD television or Plasma television. - 20767
There are free channels available from the BBCs and ITVs Freesat, Skys Freesat, Freeview, and Virgin Medias cable service if you rent a phone line. Monthly subscription services are available from Sky Digital, Virgin Media, BT Vision and Tiscali TV.
Freeview
Freeview is available in most areas of the country and is received using an aerial and a set top box or a TV with a Freeview tuner built in. In some instances it may be necessary to upgrade your existing aerial. Freeview offers 48 digital TV channels and 24 radio channels. There arent any other payments to be made once you have bought a suitable TV or set top box except for the mandatory TV licence which you have to pay for all options.
Up until recently there have been both the old analogue broadcasts and the new digital broadcasts in many areas of the country. The much advertised Digital Switch Over is currently switching off the analogue broadcasts area by area around the UK. This process should be completed during 2012. If you havent already opted to switch to the digital channels you will have to by the time your area switches to digital. You will need either a TV with a freeview tuner or a freeview set top box to use with your existing TV. The digital switch over will affect non digital TVs, Video Recorders and DVD recorders which will need either replacing with freeview equipped equivalents or a set top box connecting to each of them to receive freeview broadcasts. If you choose another method of receiving digital television broadcasts then you will need different equipment to connect to your TV.
The Digital Switch Over might not affect you if you are currently receiving all of your television programmes via Freesat, BT Vision, or Tiscali in which case you wont need to do anything.
Top Up TV
Top Up TV doesnt require any other equipment other than a card that slots in to the existing slot on your PVR set top box. The only charge is 9.99 per month without any monthly contract or tie in. With Top Up TV you will have access to On Demand programmes that are stored locally on the hard drive of your PVR that can be viewed when you choose. There is also a movie channel and a sports channel. Top Up TV doesnt require broadband or a satellite dish and can be received via your existing Freeview compatible aerial
Cable TV by Virgin Media
If you want to receive your digital television programmes by cable you will need to check that you are in an area where cable is available. Then you will need to choose which programme selection you want to pay for each month. The cable television provider will then install the cable to your house and provide the set top cable TV receiver box. You will need a cable TV receiver box for every TV you want to view cable TV on in your house. The basic package offers over 45 channels and is free if you rent a Virgin phone line. Over 165 channels are available for 19.50 per month if you rent a Virgin phone line. Often discounts are available for additional boxes but this can still be quite expensive.
There is also an On Demand service available from Virgin Media. Many programmes and films are available from an extensive library; many are available in high definition. Some of the programmes are free of charge and some are pay per view. With this facility you can decide what you watch and when you watch it.
Sky Digital TV
As with the cable TV option if you choose Sky Digital you will have to choose which programmes you want to pay for each month. Sky Digital Television broadcasts can be received by most homes in the UK and requires the installation of a suitably positioned satellite Dish.
Some housing developments and listed building have planning restrictions that prevent the installation of a satellite dish. Also if it is not possible to get an unobstructed line of sight from the required satellite dish fixing position due to other buildings or trees then it wont be possible to install Sky Digital.
Once the dish is installed you will be provided with a set top TV box that connects the TV to the satellite Dish. If you want to watch satellite TV on every TV in your house you will require extra set top TV boxes and possibly an additional dish. There will be extra charges for providing the additional equipment, installation and monthly fees albeit at a discount. This can work out to be quite expensive.
Sky digital often charge for the supply and installation of the set top TV box and satellite dish. The basic package of 200 channels costs from 16.50 per month and includes a free set top box and there is a charge of 60 for the installing of the dish. There are many channel options available from Sky Digital up to 630 channels of Digital Television channels and Digital Radio channels at 46 per month with installation for a non Sky Plus set top box of 60 and 30 for a Sky Plus set top box. Sky Digital also offers the greatest choice of high definition television channels for a further 9.75 a month.
Sky Digital also has an On Demand service that is available via the set top box and the internet. Sky Anytime is free of charge and offers a selection of films, documentaries, entertainment channels etc. Sky Box Office offers the latest films for a small charge on demand using the Sky Digital set top box. It is also possible access hundreds of films via your PC that you will have to download to your PC and then you can watch them on your PC or on your television. To watch them on your TV you will either need to copy them to a DVD Disc for playing on your DVD player that is attached to your TV or a you will need a Media Centre so that you can stream the data directly to your PC.
Freesat Television
There are two versions of Freesat. One is provided by a joint venture of the BBC and ITV and the other is available from Sky. They both need a satellite dish and a set top box however the BBC and ITV version also has the possibility of being viewed by a Freesat compatible television which the Sky version doesnt have. On both options the service is free once you have paid for the satellite dish, installation and the set top box. If there is already a satellite dish on your house that has spare connections on it then you can save on the cost of the satellite dish and installation. Of course the installation of a satellite dish could be restricted by the problems mentioned in the section above about Sky Digital TV.
The Freesat option from the BBC and ITV also offers a small amount of free high definition television broadcasts if the HD set top box is purchased.
Set top boxes that are compatible with the BBC and ITVs Freesat are available from around 49.99 or 129.99 complete with a dish and installation. There are in excess of 140 channels of programmes of different types that are available without any commitment or monthly subscription. If you want the HD version then you will have to pay 129.99 for the set top box or around 229.99 with satellite dish and installation. If you opt for a Freesat compatible television then you wont require a set top box just a satellite dish.
There are in excess of 240 standard definition television channels on Freesat from Sky, Sky Freesat is obtainable for an initial payment of 75 and then there arent any further payments required. High definition television channels are not available on Skys Freesat.
BT Vision TV
BT Vision is provided using a broadband connection and a BT Home Hub router which is then wirelessly connected to a wireless receiver which is connected to your television. The BT vision television service offers Freeview and an on demand service of entertainment and movies. If you already use BTs broadband then the Home Hub Router is supplied without any cost.
There are various options of program bundles of Kids programmes, sports, music and a number of films, that include 40 channels of Freeview, that are available from 13.70 monthly up to 19.57 monthly. However you dont have to subscribe for any of the bundles you can just use BT vision on pay per view basis each time you watch a programme or film. If you dont have BT Broadband then there is an installation charge of 29.36 for the BT Home Hub router and wireless receiver and another 29.36 for the supply of the equipment.
Tiscali TV
Tiscali television is only available in certain areas of the country via a phone line with broadband and possibly an aerial. The Tiscali television service offers in excess of 70 channels of digital TV channels and digital radio channels and in excess of 1000 on demand programmes, Movies and Music. The basic offering starts from 19.99 per month and includes 8Mb broadband and telephone line rental with on demand movies charged per view.
Fetch TV
Fetch TV is a Freeview PVR with a HD home media centre built in that can also download thousands of movies and TV shows via your PC. It has over 48 free channels of Freeview Digital TV and Radio without any subscription, monthly bills or contract tie in. The Fetch set top box interfaces with your computers hard drive to watch movies that you have downloaded to your PC. Fetch TV is available from 129.99 for the set top box.
IP Television and On Demand Television
There are many programmes and movies that can be downloaded via broadband to your PC and then you can copy them to a DVD disc or it can be wirelessly streamed to a media centre that is connected to your television. There are high definition programmes and films that can down loaded via the internet. Television broadcasters such as the BBC, Sky, ITV and many other UK and Worldwide television companies now have content that is available to be downloaded when you choose. Some of this content is free of charge and some chargeable.
Conclusion
The options are almost endless with so many choices. Some of these choices may not be an option but nonetheless the choice is greater than ever before with delivery by Cable, Satellite Dish, Phone Line, Broadband, and Aerial. Whether you are prepared to pay a monthly charge may narrow the options but if you are then you also have to decide if you are prepared to pay extra for HD television broadcasts. IP television offers an interesting possibility but is restricted by our creaking copper cables ability to deliver the content fast enough and reliably enough. To benefit from all of the advantages of Digital Television you will also need a high definition LCD television or Plasma television. - 20767
About the Author:
For almost 2 decades Armadeus Cornelius has accumulated a wealth of knowledge in the electronics sector. For more details on Digital TV click his site http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk . If you want to save money then click discount plasma tvs or discount televisions uk
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