Lancashire's digital switchover begins today (From Blackburn Citizen)

Lancashire's digital switchover begins today

9:40am Wednesday 4th November 2009

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THE majority of homes are ready for the digital switchover.

For those who aren’t, you need to get the correct equipment, or you will lose the first of your channels.

From today the analogue signal – the traditional five-channel service through an aerial – in the Granada region starts being switched off.

But it is being turned off so the digital replacement, capable of broadcasting more channels, can take over.

First to go today will be BBC2, followed by the remaining terrestrial channels on December 2.

Lancashire folk need to get a digital-ready television or a digital box to be able to receive the new signal.

There are massive benefits to switching over, including a raft of new channels for no extra cost via Freeview and a much clearer picture.

Jo Waters, Digital UK’s Granada regional manager, said: “By December 2 anyone who hasn’t switched will lose all channels and won’t be able to watch Coronation Street, Eastenders or the X Factor.

“We have had digital for a very long time and it is nothing to be frightened of.

"The switchover has gone well in Border, Wales and the West Country regions and we expect the same here.

“It is not hard and there is lots of help available. We don’t want to scare people – we just want people to get ready and not to forget to get a set top box.”

Today 3,500,000 televisions will begin the switchover but Digital UK bosses said 97 percent of residents in the Granada region had already gone digital.

Digital UK says switching over is easy, but stressed all televisions in the home must be converted individually.

There is no need to buy a new television as almost any TV set can be converted for digital, even black and white ones.

For those who are yet to change there are three main ways to convert a television: * Buy a Freeview box. The cheapest on the market is £20. Your television aerial connects to the Freeview box.

* Via cable TV offered by Virgin.

* Through satellite from Sky or non-subscription service Freesat.

Ms Waters said there would be big improvements for many residents.

She said: “The switchover has happened to make it fairer, as at the moment not everyone can get digital through their aerial.

“Most people receive their transmissions through the big transmitter in Winter Hill, near Bolton but due to geography – the area has lots of hills and valley – not everyone receives the signal directly from it.

“In areas such as Ramsbottom, Darwen, Bacup and Haslingden residents receive their signal through relay transmitters which often give a poor quality analogue signal.

“The digital switchover should solve this problem and these areas will be able to get Freeview for the first time.”

Despite the apparent ease, it is expected that a number of people, particularly those unfamiliar with technology, may struggle to set up a Freeview box.

Ms Waters said: “There is some help available under the Switchover Help Scheme.

“People who are eligible for help will have been written to and should receive letters reminding them of the help available to them, but applications must be returned by January 2.”

Analogue video and DVD recorders will continue to play back tapes and discs but will only be able to record the channel being watched.

A twin tuner digital TV recorder will allow viewers to watch one channel while recording another.

For further advice, contact Digital UK, the independent, non-profit body in charge of switchover by visiting their website www.digitaluk.co.uk or contact the helpline on 0845 6505050.

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