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Digital Switchover

Why is the Digital Switchover happening?

All television in the UK is going digital because digital is much more efficient, it can offer more channels, widescreen pictures and the possibility of high definition. It is also less prone to reception problems like the ghosting and noise which can produce fuzzy pictures.

Current digital terrestrial (Freeview) coverage is restricted by the need to prevent the digital services from interfering with the existing analogue pictures. Therefore digital coverage cannot be extended further until analogue is switched off. As this happens the power of the digital services from the main stations will be significantly increased and the analogue-only relay stations will become digital-only relays. These two factors will fill in the current gaps in digital coverage. So, if you currently live in an area where there are no digital terrestrial signals, you may well get them after the digital switchover.

When is the Digital Switchover going to happen in the UK?

As an extensive publicity campaign has been running for some time, most people now know that digital switchover is happening between 2008 and 2012. It is being done region by region according to the timetable shown below. When each main station is switched it follows that all its dependant relays will also be switched at the same time.

What are the Digital TV Frequencies and when is the Switchover in the Central area?

The present and future Digital TV frequencies are listed below for the Central area which includes the West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stratford upon Avon, Nottingham, Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, South Nottinghamshire, North Shropshire, South Cheshire, Herefordshire, north Gloucestershire, south Shropshire and Malvern.

The Digital Switchover in the Central TV area, which we service part of, will be occurring during the year of 2011, probably around September.

The vast majority of homes in our service area are covered by the main Sutton Coldfield transmitter.

Why have I lost some Digital TV Services from the Sutton Coldfield Transmitter?

A temporary transmitter mast is being used at Sutton Coldfield to maintain services and minimise disruption to viewers and listeners while essential upgrade work is carried out on the main mast ahead of switchover in 2011. The temporary transmitter mast will provide TV coverage for West Midlands viewers while further work is carried out. The temporary antenna has been tested and is functioning as expected – providing both analogue and Freeview services to the 2.1m homes served by the Sutton Coldfield transmitter group.

Digital UK are aware some viewers have reported trouble receiving some Freeview channels. Digital UK would like to apologise to viewers experiencing any problems with reception but can assure them that the work will be completed as quickly as possible and services returned to normal. In some cases, reception problems may be exacerbated by damaged aerials. Viewers experiencing a loss of service may wish to consult an aerial installer. We recommend viewers contact a Registered Digital Installer or an installer who is a member of a recognised trade body.

Digital UK expect that TV services will revert to the main antenna in summer 2010. Switchover in the Central TV region is due to take place in 2011 when Freeview coverage will be boosted to reach 99 per cent of households.

Taken from the Digital UK web site

Why am I missing some Digital TV channels such as Five & ITV3 since the end of September 2009?

Since Wednesday 30 September 2009 you should have retuned your Freeview Digital TV or Set-Top Box, otherwise you will have lost some channels such as Five and ITV3.

Further information on how to retune the Panasonic TV's that we sell can be found on our FAQ's page. The majority of people should not have a problem in retuning providing you follow the instructions. However, if you do get into difficulties we do offer a setting-up & installation service.

Further details & assistance can be found on the TV Re-Tune web site.

Further Information:

Digital UK    Digital TV Group

Further information: Digital TV Group

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