Digital TV is more reliable and digital TV delivers a clearer picture, especially if it's high-definition digital TV (HD). In addition, digital TV offers far greater choice than analogue TVs five channels. There are literally hundreds of digital TV channels covering every subject you can think of from movies to motorsport and documentaries to drama.
Digital TV is just a different way of sending TV pictures and sounds to your home. Analogue sends TV signals through the airwaves only, but digital TV compresses the signal and sends it in a number of ways - satellite, cable, phone line, etc - with no interference. Digital TV is also a catch-all word for both the equipment you need to receive the digital signal and the content you receive, in terms of digital TV packages.
Don't forget, our digital experts are on the phone to answer any questions you have too!
Can we help you with impartial advice about digital switchover?
There are three options when digital switchover reaches your area and the time comes to get digital TV - you can choose satellite digital TV from Sky or Freesat; cable digital TV from Virgin Media etc; or terrestrial digital TV (received through your existing TV aerial) from Freeview, BT Vision etc. There are also internet based digital TV solutions to watch on your Pc or TV.
The digital switchover is happening right now, and the analogue to digital switchover will be completed by 2012. So far the digital switchover timetable is in the early stages. Whitehaven in Cumbria was the first place to switch in October 2007, and the UK will be completely digital when the switchover finishes with Tyne, Tees and Ulster in 2012.
The digital switchover will make TV access fairer for everyone, as channels become more universally available. Digital TV will give you more channels than analogue, and the picture quality can be better too. But you have to convert all the TVs in your home; otherwise you won't be able to watch TV anymore.