D-day looms for TV viewers still stuck in the analogue age in UK

Are you baffled by the big digital switchover? Neasa MacErlean from the Sunday Observer explains how it will work!

Many of us find the idea of switching over to digital television daunting. Some are overestimating the costs involved: figures to be released on Friday by Digital UK (which is handling the switchover) show that the average person thinks the cost of getting the new equipment is double the actual price - £68 rather than the actual £30 to £40 price tag for a 'digibox'. Others whose digital signal is still far from perfect are bewildered as to why the government should think this will improve their TV reception.

Whitehaven in Cumbria, the area chosen to be the guinea pig for the rest of the UK, will have its analogue signal turned off in October, and the rest of the UK will follow between 2008 and 2013. Many of us will lose our terrestrial channels unless we act before then. Here is a quick guide to how it might affect you.

When does the switchover happen?

In 2008 in the Borders area; in 2009 in Wales, Granada and the West Country; in 2010 in the West, STV North and STV Central areas; in 2011 in Central, Yorkshire and Anglia; in 2012 in Meridian, London, Tyne Tees and Ulster; and in 2013 (probably) in the Channel Islands.

Why?

Throughout the developed world, governments are moving to digital TV because it enables more channels to be broadcast, picture and sound quality can be much better and it offers 'interactive' options, such as using your TV to send emails, make benefit claims and surf the net. But if the digital signal is to be strong enough, the analogue signal has to be turned off.

I already have Sky, cable or Freeview. What do I need to do?

Nothing (but see below if you have more than one set or a video or DVD recorder).

What if I don't have Sky, cable or Freeview?

Either sign up to one of these services or get a digital TV (and maybe upgrade your aerial) by the time of your local switchover. SkyDigital costs between £15 and £42.50 a month, with a minimum 12-month contract period, and includes free installation and equipment. In many parts of the country there is also the option of cable - starting at £11 a month. In some areas, it is possible to get digital TV through your phone line (starting at £17.99 a month). Many households are taking the cheap option of paying £30 or £40 for a Freeview digital decoder box which is connected to the TV set and gives free access to digital. A similar scheme, Freesat, is available from Sky for an installation charge of £150.

Although there are big gaps in Freeview coverage now, 98.5 per cent of the population will be able to get it by the time switchover occurs. (The other 1.5 per cent live mainly in remote locations where they probably get a poor analogue signal anyway.) With Freeview, you keep your old TV but may need a new aerial.

If you buy a new TV now, you will probably be offered a digital one. 'We would not offer customers anything else,' says John Hutchinson of Hutchinson's Hi-Fi and Vision in Cheltenham. In most parts of the country, a digital TV will work both before and after switchover (your supplier should do a postcode check for you).

I know nothing about technology. Where can I get help?

Speak to your local electrical shop or search for specialists via the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers Association (www.retra.co.uk) or the Confederation of Aerial Industries (www.cai.org.uk). Nearer the time, charities such as Help the Aged and Age Concern will be encouraged to provide practical help. Other useful sites are www.digitaluk.co.uk and www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/digital.

Is there a scheme to help people with little money?

Yes. About seven million households will qualify for a free box and installation - mainly those aged 75 or over, recipients of attendance allowance or disability living allowance, and those who are registered as partially sighted. These people should be contacted 'well ahead of the switchover in their region', according to Digital UK. 'The box they will offer is great,' says David Sinclair of Help the Aged. His only reservation is that it cannot be used to send emails, for instance.

Will there be shortages of equipment and specialist advisers?

Quite possibly. In Whitehaven, residents have been urged to buy their equipment six months ahead. Retailers expect demand to double over the switchover period. There could also be shortages of specialists such as aerial fitters, which could bring 'cowboys' into the market.

I live in a block of flats with a shared aerial. What happens?

One in six households is estimated to be sharing an aerial. There is no legal obligation on landlords to do anything, but Digital UK is encouraging them to do the decent thing (even if they pass the costs on to tenants). Ideally, tenants would be consulted to decide between the aerial options. A more expensive aerial will give access to more channels, including those in foreign languages.

I have more than one TV. What do I do?

Every set will have to be digital or be connected to a digibox. (An analogue TV without a digibox could still be used to watch videos or DVDs.)

What about my video/DVD recorder?

If it is digital, fine. If it is analogue, you can still use it to record programmes, but only on the same channel that you are watching. If you want to record on a different channel to the one you are watching, you'll need a digibox for the recorder. 'I think people could get quite upset about this,' says Hutchinson, who thinks there are a few practical issues of this type to resolve.

How likely is it that I'll need to upgrade my aerial?

One in 10 households - about 2.5 million - are expected to need an upgrade. If your neighbours need aerials too, consider going together to an aerial specialist and asking for a discount.

What about high-definition TV?

Watchdog Ofcom is currently consulting on whether HDTV should be made available free via Freeview after switchover. With the 2012 Olympics being held in London, this could become an emotive issue since HDTV is currently only available via Sky or cable. Organisations such as Retra have told Ofcom that the Olympics' host nation should be offering HDTV for no extra charge.

How do I dispose of my old equipment?

Digital UK is keen to stress that you can convert old TVs through a digibox rather than getting rid of them. But if you do go for a new digital TV, your supplier should take your old one away. From July, council refuse departments will be less likely to take away old electrical equipment.