What is Digital Switchover (also known as DSO)?

[BGonaSTICK]

From the Digital UK website:

Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region. This process is called digital switchover.The UK’s old television broadcast signal (known as “analogue”) is being switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. Any TV set that’s not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes.

What are the benefits of digital TV?

Compared to traditional TV, it brings many new ways to enjoy your TV:

Extra TV channels as standard - You’ll receive all your usual TV channels and many more as standard including BBC Three, ITV2, E4, More 4, S4C2, Sky News, Cbeebies, CBBC, CITV, ITV3 and FilmFour* (*from July 2006).

Subscription channels - If you choose to take out a subscription, you can get many more dedicated channels including sport, films, music channels, and access to services that let you watch what you want, when you want.

Improved quality - Digital TV can improve the quality of your TV picture.

New features - Including on-screen TV listings, true widescreen picture and red-button interactivity.

Access services - Some digital boxes have special features for people with visual and hearing impairments such as audio description and subtitling. For more information on audio description call the RNIB on 0845 766 99 99.

How does it work?

With digital TV, sound and pictures from the broadcaster are converted into ‘bits’ of information and sent through an aerial, satellite, telephone line or cable. This digital signal is then turned back into pictures and sound by a digital box or a digital TV set.

More information from Digital UK at http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/

[Robbo]

Switchover Timetable by ITV region

Border - Starts in  November 2008 and ends around the middle of 2009.

Granada - Will be completed during the last three months of 2009.

Wales - Will commence in July 2009 and be completed by March 2010.

West Country - Will be completed by June 2009.

West Region and STV North - To start in 2010.

STV Central - To start in 2010 and finish in 2011.

Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian - Will start in 2011.

London, Tyne Tees and Ulster - Will start in 2012.