What is Digital TV?
Digital TV is a way of transmitting the pictures and sound which make up a TV programme, together with other services like text and interactivity. It gives many advantages over the 'analogue' television transmission system that we have been using for nearly seventy years.
Switchover
In September 2005 the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell outlined the timetable for Britain's switch to digital television. Starting in the Border region in 2008 the system used to transmit terrestrial television for nearly 70 years is being replaced by a completely new digital network.
DTV Reception Checker
A centralised and authoritative reception database for digital television on all platforms is maintained by Digital UK on behalf of the broadcasters. Use the box above to check your reception.
What is Widescreen TV?
Widescreen is the term used to describe the picture format of digital television broadcasts.
The ratio 16 x 9 (sixteen by nine) refers to the ratio of picture width to picture height.
Widescreen TV provides a more natural match for the human field of view.
