Digital TV offers many benefits over normal analogue TV. There are more channels, high standards of picture and sound quality, wide screen pictures, electronic guides which tell you what programmes are on now and later, and interactive services including digital text, and games.
What is Digital Terrestrial TV - DTT
DTT is receiving digital TV signals through an aerial. Digital TV can be received using a normal rooftop TV aerial. You will need a set-top box to go with your existing TV set, or you can buy a new digital TV set (iDTV) which is designed to pick up the new digital signals automatically via a built in set-top box.
In some areas you may find that your existing TV aerial is not good enough to pick up digital TV signals. In this case, you may need an aerial upgrade and you should contact an aerial installer. You can check you are covered by a digital TV transmitter by clicking here.
On the DTT platform you will continue to receive the five existing analogue channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and five) plus up to 30 free channels via the Freeview services.
Freeview is a free digital service providing up to 30 free digital TV channels, over 20 digital radio stations plus a new whole world of interactive services. It’s broadcast from transmitters and received via a rooftop aerial. It works like traditional TV but because the signals are Digital you need a set-top box or a digital TV to view them.
Top Up TV is the new Digital TV service through your aerial that offers 10 of the most popular channels, including E4, The Discovery Channel and UKTV Gold, for only £7.99 per month plus a small connection fee. And with Top Up TV, customers are not obliged to sign a 12-month contract; they can simply subscribe on a month on month basis.