A guide to Digital Switchover

by Dell Sat 11 Sep 2010, 2:31 pm

Elderly and disabled people living in the Channel Islands are being told to watch out for Switchover Help Scheme information packs that explain how they can get extra help to convert to digital.

The switchover reaches the Channel Islands on Wednesday 17th November.

Islanders that are eligible for help should receive their first letter and information pack between 26th July and 13th August. Details about how to apply, an explanation of all of the available options and prices will be clearly set out in the information pack.

Caroline Byng, Regional Manager for the Switchover Help Scheme in the Channel Islands said: "Switchover is coming soon and people can start to get ready now. I'm focused on making sure that all older and disabled members of our community know about help they can get from the Help Scheme - there is no need to worry because help is available. All you need to do once you receive your information pack is to either give us a call or return your completed form."

76 year old Dorrie Martin from St Helier is one of those people eligible for assistance through the Help Scheme. She said: "Now the packs are being sent out in the Channel Islands, I would advocate the use of the Help Scheme – it's definitely worth taking up."

Eligible people in the Channel Islands will be offered freesat equipment and installation as standard. Most people aged 75 and over, eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or living in care homes will be asked to pay £40 towards the standard offer of help.

For £40, they will be given equipment to switch one TV per household to digital. They will be able to have that equipment installed if they want it, a demonstration of how it works and a free phone number to call for a year after switchover. If they’re eligible and also on income-related benefits, the help will be free.

Eligible people need to respond to get the help. Completed information pack forms can be returned by post to the Help Scheme, or, to make it even easier to apply, eligible people can also choose to call the Help Scheme free on 0800 408 7654. More information is available from helpscheme.co.uk.

Equipment has been chosen to be easy to use, and contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. All installers are vetted, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.

Terrestrial television in the Channel Islands is provided by the Fremont Point transmitter in Jersey and seven 'relay' masts in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. All of these transmitters will switch from analogue to digital TV in a two-stage process starting in November 2010.

Latest Transmitter Works Information

FREMONT POINT 24th August There will be a shut down of all channels between 00:01 ~ 06:00

FREMONT POINT 25th August
There will be a shut down of all channels between 00:01 ~ 06:00

FREMONT POINT 3rd ~ 6th Sept During this time there will 1 short break in transmission of up to 15 mins between 09:00 & 17:00

FREMONT POINT 8th ~ 10th Sept During this time there will 1 short break in transmission of up to 15 mins between 09:00 & 17:00

After switchover, virtually all households in the Channel Islands will be able to receive Freeview digital channels for the first time. Viewers who get their TV signal from the Fremont Point transmitter (on Jersey) or one of its seven local relay transmitters across the Islands will see their choice of terrestrial channels increase from four to around 15.

This is the latest information regarding ITV HD (High Definition) transmission within the Channel Islands.

Terrestrial:

When the terrestrial television services are switched from analogue to digital in November, a frequency will be available for an HD service carrying an ITV Channel Television signal.

However the original planned date for the digital switchover in the Channel Islands was early 2013.

The infrastructure that BT in England need to put in place in order to carry an HD signal to the islands is not planned for completion until closer to the 2013 date.

Channel Television is currently exploring other ways to bring this signal to the islands.

Satellite & Freesat:

Anyone who has a Freesat HD box can currently view all ITV HD output by choosing channel 103 and then selecting the red button option whenever that button is shown.

All HD programmes shown by ITV are available in this way.

Programmes which have been produced in Standard Definition and upgraded for the HD channel are not available through this channel.

Sky:

The cost of providing an HD service on Sky is currently prohibitive.

Channel Television does understand that some viewers are keen to watch HD programming and are currently in discussions to find a viable way to bring HD to the viewers of the Channel Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Digital Television?
Digital television is a new way of broadcasting television signals. It is different from today's way of doing it, known as 'analogue'. In analogue broadcasting the signal is in the form of a continuous wave form whereas a digital signal is in the form of discrete bits of information.

What benefits will digital television provide?
Digital television is better than analogue for many reasons, such as:
- It provides clearer, sharper pictures with no interference.
- It provides a better sound quality.
- It offers a widescreen format, like you see at the movies.
- It offers a 'now and next' feature displaying the names of the programs that are on now and next.
- Digital television is very flexible. You can watch television, surf the internet or even do some home shopping. It also offers different types of viewing such as widescreen or sometimes a choice of multiple camera angles (of
the Grand Prix for example).

What happens to my existing analogue tv?
The addition of a digital-to-analogue converter in the form of a set top box (digibox) will allow viewers to continue to receive digital transmissions with their analogue sets.

What new equipment do I need to buy?
A fully integrated Digital Television or, a set-top box decoder (digibox) to convert the digital signal back to analogue form for existing analogue televisions. There are a selection of cost options from one off payments to monthly subscriptions.

Do I need to buy a new antenna, satellite dish or cabling?
The change to digital has been designed in a way to minimise costs to consumers and it has been ensured as far as possible that customers will not have to buy an additional antenna. In the majority of cases, existing antennas will be adequate to receive digital television transmissions as long as the antenna is in a good condition and has been properly installed.

What is an Integrated Digital Television Receiver (IDTV)?
This is a television set which contains all the components necessary to receive and display digital transmissions. Integrated digital television receivers will generally be distinguished by wide screens, high level audio capability and high resolution displays. They will not need a set top box (digibox).

What is High Definition Television (HDTV)?
HDTV is the premium version of digital television, offering picture and sound quality which is much better than today's analogue television and more like that of the cinema. HDTV will require a widescreen digital receiver that is capable of receiving and displaying a HDTV signal.

The Channels available
After switchover, virtually all Channel Islands households will receive approximately 20 of the most watched Freeview channels and text services. These will include the public service channels BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4 and Five, plus associated digital channels such as ITV2, E4 and BBC Three. Viewers can use the postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk to check their digital options.

Technical information
To continue watching tv via an aerial after switchover, viewers will need to convert their television using a digital box or make sure they have an integrated digital set. Subscription and non-subscription digital TV services are also available via satellite (Sky and freesat) and cable (Newtel).

With a digi box viewers in the Channel Islands should receive the following Channels:

BBC 1,2,3, CBC , BBC News 24, BBC I and BBC Parliament. ITV 1 Channel Television , ITV 2,3, and 4. Channel 4 , E4 , More 4 and Channel 4 plus 1. Channel 5. (This list could change nearer to the switch, and it could be the case that more channels become available free to view.)

Source: http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=382762

Are you ready for the Digital switchover?

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