Catching The Worm

 

In September 2005 it was confirmed that "Switchover" was going to take place.
Switchover is when the analogue TV signal is replaced with a digital one.

As this means TVs and recorders which have not been converted or replaced with digital equipment will no longer receive a TV signal, it is important that everyone is aware of how to prepare.

The government is providing a "Help Scheme" for those aged over 75 and over, people with significant disabilities and people who are registered blind or registered partially sighted, but what about the rest of the UK? 

 

They have said it take will place from 2008 to 2012 and by ITV regions, so you need to thinking about it now when buying new equipment.

2008 Border
2009 West Country, Wales, Granada
2010 West, Grampian, Scottish
2011 Central, Yorkshire, Anglia
2012 Meridian, London, Tyne Tees, Ulster

You have a few options, either buy new digital TVs and recorders to replace all your existing equipment and after switchover use an aerial or convert the ones you have.
 
By "convert" we mean attach them to a digital set top box, such as Freeview, Sky or Cable. If you opt to buy new, make sure you look at the digital symbol.
 
The switchover is expected to take weeks for one region with pre warning messages before it happens and not all channel switching at the same time.
Once it has happened the TV will need to be retuned before you can take advantage of the better quality images and extra channels.