TECH TIP: Digital TV For Free - What are the options?

As you are very likely aware the existing analogue TV system is gradually being switched off across the UK, with the aim of having everyone watching via a digital by the end of 2012.  You may have heard that it's possible to receive High Definition TV for free.

With analogue TV it was possible to setup your TV reception system in a fairly basic manner. In good reception areas you could get away with indoor set-top aerials and poorly configured outdoor aerials. Digital TV is much more sensitive to poor quality signals, so you will need to ensure that your TV reception system is up to scratch if you want a reliable setup.

There are a growing number of options when it comes to receiving digital TV.  So what are the options and what will give you the best digital TV setup for your home?

Freeview

Currently the most popular choice is the terrestrial digital TV service branded as Freeview. You can receive a Freeview signal via a regular TV aerial and either need a Freeview set-top box or a TV with a Freeview receiver built-in.  No subscription if required to receive channels via Freeview, although a paid for service is provided by Top Up TV for premuim channels and pay TV such as Setanta Sports.  Personal Video Recorder (PVR) devices are available that let you record, pause and rewind live TV.

One of the reasons Freeview is the most popular choice is that many households don't need to change much. If you are in a good reception area and you have a good quality, properly setup TV aerial you just need a Freeview receiver. What could be easier?

For those who either live in a poor reception area or don't have a good TV aerial that is setup correctly then it may need some time and money to be spent on upgrading your TV reception system to make it possible to Freeview digital TV.  If this is the case you may want to consider spending the time and money on a satellite TV system, with the benefits of more channels and more High Definition content.

For those in a no reception area you will need to look at satellite alternatives to receive digital TV.  See the options below.

If you need to upgrade your TV reception system to be able to watch Freeview channels you can find all the TV aerials and related equipment you need on the XtendedPlay website.

freesat (from BBC and ITV)

In May 2008 the freesat digital TV system was launched in a joint venture by the BBC and ITV. All of the main free to air channels can be received via freesat, including E4, Film Four, etc. There is no subscription for receiving freesat, you just need a suitable satellite dish and a freesat receiver.

A major advantage of freesat at the time of launch was that it provided High Definition channels for free (an HD receiver is needed), something that Freeview did not offer at the time. In addition the freesat signal covers the entire UK population, whereas Freeview covered 73% of the UK population in 2008 and aims to cover just 90% by 2012.

It is possible to record, pause and rewind live TV on freesat, like Sky+, but without the subscription.  You will need to purchase a Digital TV Recorder (DTR) capable of these functions to be able to do this.

The prospect of free High Definition TV means that freesat has become quite popular, with demand of freesat receivers outstripping demand at the time of launch.

With a bit of time spent reading up on the subject it is quite possible for the DIY enthusiast to setup a dish and receiver to pickup freesat.  Check out the XtendedPlay website for all the equipment you need to receive freesat digital TV in full High Definition.

Freesat from Sky - Free To View (FTV)/Free To Air (FTA)

If you don't fancy paying BSkyB a subscription to receive the free channels (like BBC, ITV, CH4, etc) then you may be interested to know you can watch over 200 digital TV channels and 80 radio channels without paying Sky a penny.  Obviously you will not be able to receive the premium channels and Pay TV without paying for it.  You just need to get a Sky receiver (or another digital satellite receiver) and hook it up to a dish, similar to the way you can receive the Freesat service from the BBC and ITV.  Viewing of a small number of channels (currently Sky3, CH4 and Five) require the purchase of a viewing card from Sky (£20).

At the time of writing there are no High Definition channels available via a Sky receiver without paying a subscription, but this may change in the future. The Sky+ recording functions also currently require a subscription to be activated.

With the easy availability of cheap second hand Sky satellite receivers (checkout eBay) this option can be a low cost way to receive digital TV. All you need in addition to the receiver is a suitable satellite dish, LNB, cables/connectors and a small amount of technical knowledge to hook it all up.

Check out the range of satellite TV equipment and accessories for receiving FTA/FTV with a Sky receiver on the XtenededPlay website.

Sources:

UK Goverment Digital TV Switchover website

freesat from the BBC & ITV - Official Website

Freesat from Sky - Official Website