You are here:
Digital TV Swithcover
You may have heard on the news about the swithchover to digital TV and are wondering how this will affect you!
We have put together the following information to help you.
What is digital TV switchover?
Switchover is the process of converting the UK’s terrestrial television system to digital. Between now and 2012, analogue channels broadcast from more than a thousand transmitter sites will be switched off region by region and replaced with Freeview digital TV and radio services.
When is the switch over date in Barnsley?
The third quarter 2011 (July to September).
What is Berneslai Homes responsible for?
Berneslai Homes is responsible for homes served by communal aerials. We have 1873 communal Aerial properties and over 1000 have already been converted with 850 still to do. We have plans and funding in place to do these over the next three years and before the switch over date.
Tenants who are not on a communal Aerial will have to make their own arrangements for switch over.
What do I need to do if I am not on a Berneslai Homes Communal Aerial?
You will have to see if your TV is capable of receiving a digital signal in order to continue receiving television services after switchover. Virtually any TV, even black and white ones, can be converted with a digital box. Anyone buying new TV equipment should look for the ‘digital tick’ logo (below) which identifies equipment designed to work before, during and after switchover.
What are the different ways to get digital TV?
There are four main options, depending where you live:
- Through an aerial (eg Freeview, Top Up TV, BT Vision*), either through a digital box or a television with an integrated digital tuner (an iDTV)
- By satellite (eg Sky, Freesat)
- Through a cable (eg Virgin Media, Wight Cable or SmallWorld)
- Over broadband (eg Tiscali TV)
*Requires broadband connection
A postcode checker on the Digital UK website tells you which options are available in their area now and after switchover.
How much does digital television cost?
- Freeview digital boxes start from approximately £25
- Integrated digital televisions start from approximately £100
- Freesat from Sky costs approximately £150 (includes installation)
- Freesat from BBC/ITV costs from £49 for a standard box and £80 for installation
- Subscription (eg Sky, Virgin, Top Up TV) starts from approximately £10 per month
- Digital television recorders start from approx £100
- A standard new roof aerial normally costs £60 to £180
Note: If you have a damaged aerial you may need to replace it to receive Freeview signals.
What help is available for vulnerable tenants?
If you are:
- aged 75 or over;
- getting attendance, constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or disability living allowance; or
- registered blind or partially sighted
Help is at hand through the national Digital Switchover Help Scheme which is designed to provide practical help for those people who have the most difficulty in making the switch to digital TV. The scheme asks that you contribute £40 towards:
- providing easy-to-use equipment that suits your needs
- help with installing equipment in your home
- fitting a new dish or aerial, where we can, if it is needed to make the new equipment work
- an easy-to-understand demonstration of how everything works
- and someone you can call for help while you're getting used to things.
For further information on the Help Scheme please call them free on 0800 408 5900 or e-mail info@helpscheme.co.uk.
Further Information
You can contact Digital UK helpline on Tel: 08546 505050 or visit their website www.digitaluk.co.uk. Digital UK are an independent not for profit organisation set up by the main UK broadcasters to implement digital switchover. You can also read the Digital TV Press Pack.