What is digital switchover?
Between now and 2012 the government will turn off the analogue (traditional) TV broadcast service across Britain and switch over to a digital signal.
Digital broadcasts are subscription free and on top of the usual channels; provide improved picture quality, extra channels, access to digital radio through your TV and more! Digital broadcasts are available through Freeview and Freesat services.
People without the necessary equipment to receive a digital signal will lose all of their TV channels when the analogue signal is switched off.
What are my options for converting my TV to Digital?
There are a three ways to get digital television:
- Convert your existing TV with a Digital TV Receiver or Digital TV Recorder
- Buy a new TV - all our TVs come with built in digital TV receivers, providing a huge choice of channels through Freeview or Freesat.
- Join satellite or cable subscription services.
Remember, the Switchover will affect all TV sets, so you will need to ensure you have converted any TV set that you want to continue watching before your switchover date.
If you need to get new equipment look for TV sets, digital set top boxes and digital TV recorders that carry the 'digital tick' logo - this identifies products and services designed to work through switchover.
buynowOption 1. Upgrade my existing TV to receive digital TV
There are a few types of Digital Set Top Boxes, all will receive a digital signal for your TV, but some also provide other features:
- Digital TV Receivers: These will simply provide a digital signal to your TV, whether through your aerial (Freeview) or via a satellite (Freesat)
- HD Digital TV Receivers: Set top boxes provide a digital signal to your TV, and also subscription free High Definition channels, providing an amazing, clear, crisp and vibrant picture.
- Digital TV Hard Disk Recorders: : As well as providing a digital signal for your TV, these will allow you to record programmes to an internal memory. Some also provide two tuners, allowing you to watch one channel and record another! These are available in HD and SD.
For a video guide on how to connect a digital set top box, click here.
Option 2. Buy a new TV from Tesco
All our TVs come with a built-in Digital TV Receiver via Freeview or Freesat. We also have a number of TVs with subscription free HD channels built in, via Freeview HD or Freesat HD - allowing you to get the very best from your new TV straight away!
When does my house switch to digital?
The dates for when your home switches to digital will depend on where you live in the UK. The Switchover will happen in two stages to give people the chance to check their equipment, so it's important you are ready by stage one.
Anyone who already has a digital set top box will need to retune this at both switchover stages.
The table below will show you when your region is switching over.
| Region | Starts From | Region | Starts From |
| Border | Complete | Central | Complete |
| West Country | Complete | Anglia | Complete |
| Wales | Complete | Yorkshire | Complete |
| Granada | Complete | Meridian | 8 February 2012 |
| West | Complete | London | 4th April 2012 |
| STV North | Complete | Tyne Tees | 12th September 2012 |
| STV Central | Complete | UTV | 10th October 2012 |
To find out when you switch visit the Digital UK postcode checker at www.digitaluk.co.uk
Things to consider when you're switching over
What channels will I get?
With digital TV, you can enjoy the five traditional TV channels, plus lots more - with over 48 TV channels and 25 digital radio stations available depending on where you live. To find out which ones you are likely to receive visit the Digital UK postcode checker.
How many TVs do you have in your home?
Consider every TV set that you want to continue watching. Any TV left unconverted will not work after switchover, so don't forget about TVs in bedrooms and kitchens!
How will recording be affected?
If you currently own a video or analogue DVD recorder, it will continue to record and playback videos or DVDs, however it won't allow you to watch one channel and record another at the same time.
If you want to continue doing this, consider getting a digital TV recorder with a 'twin tuner' that will also convert your TV. The most popular type records directly onto a hard disk, but there are other options, including recorders that record onto DVDs.
Retuning
Switchover is a two-stage process. If you have, or are planning to get Digital TV, you will need to retune your Digital TV receiver or TV at each of the two stages of switchover, or if you find you have lost any TV channels
Returning regularly is good practice. This ensures that you keep equipment up to date, and that you have all of the latest channels. If you are not sure how to retune visit www.digitaluk.co.uk for instructions.
Is your TV aerial ready for the digital switchover?
Any roof top aerial in good condition is capable of receiving analogue and digital TV services. You don't need to have a 'digital aerial' for switchover. If you have good analogue reception now it is unlikely you will need to replace your existing aerial.
If you think you need to repair or replace your aerial contact our installation team on 0845 87 87 800, or click here for more information.
Help required?
If you have any questions, or want to find out more about the Digital Switch Over please call Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50, or visit Digitaluk.co.uk
If you have purchased a Digital TV Reciever/Recorder or new TV from Tesco and you have specific questions about the product, please call 0845 600 4411 or email for help and advice.
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*Tesco Bank Buy Now Pay later available on selected products. Available to over 18s and UK residents only, subject to status.