| Digital UK, the independent organisation set up to manage the digital television switchover, says people living in areas that can’t yet get Freeview are still being advised to purchase a digital TV because it will show analogue channels now, and digital channels after the switchover.
Between 2008 and 2012, television services in the UK will go completely digital region by region.
In each of these regions, the old analogue television signal will be switched off — and the digital signal boosted — meaning that almost every home will be able to receive digital television through an aerial.
Around 35,000 people in Dundee and north-east Fife are currently served by the Tay Bridge transmitter, which only carries analogue signals.
The broadcasting industry watchdog Ofcom has confirmed this situation will not change until the official digital switchover, which is due to take place in the Grampian area in 2010.
A number of televisions being sold in the UK are still analogue, although the majority of the newer flat-panel displays now have a digital tuner.
According to Digital UK, retailers are phasing out the sale of analogue boxes, but are not required to do so under European law.
The company indicated it was likely that manufacturers would begin to phase out analogue set production towards the end of 2008.
Joe Smithies of Digital UK said, “Over a quarter of homes throughout the UK — and a similar proportion in Scotland — can’t get Freeview now, but after switchover almost every area will.
“We can’t extend Freeview coverage any further without turning off local analogue signals, because the two interfere with each other — hence the reason for switching over.
“Until 2010 — when switchover happens in Dundee — people will have to wait if they want digital TV through their aerial.”
He went on, “Although every analogue set can be adapted for digital, we strongly advise people buying a new TV to get a digital one, for peace of mind and simplicity during switchover.”
Richard Stuart, manager of the Sony Centre in Union Street, Dundee, said all Sony televisions for sale in the shop receive both analogue and digital signals.
He explained, “If a customer comes to our shop to purchase a television, we would recommend they buy one with both a digital and analogue tuner.
“It makes sense, especially with the situation we have in Dundee.”
James Cowie, branch manager at Shop at Panasonic in Whitehall Street said, “What we’ve found is most people want to buy digital televisions — whether or not they are able to receive the signal.
“People are preparing for the digital switchover, and those who can’t receive the signal at the moment are signing up with cable providers out of necessity until such a time as they can choose to watch Freeview.”
The shop currently stocks one analogue television, it is the cheapest model in the store and the price difference between this and the cheapest digital television is around £400.
Mr Cowie also warned people not to be duped by seemingly modern flat panel televisions.
He said, “The problem is that supermarkets are selling these televisions for next to nothing, and people are not aware that they’re not Freeview ready because there is no-one to advise them.” |
