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Important contact numbers:

Digital UK: 08456 505050

Helpscheme: 0800 40 85 900

What is Digital Switchover?

Digital Switchover is the process started by the government to give everyone the chance to view a greater range of television channels – one aspect of a 'digital dividend'. After switchover, everyone will be able to view at least 18 TV channels.

What does it mean for me?

Over the course of 2009, the analogue television signal will be switched off in the South West, and replaced by a new high power digital service. If you currently receive a reasonably good analogue picture, then you should be able to get as good a picture with a digital system, but you will have to have a digital set-top box for each television in your house in order to receive television after your switchover dates. 

Don't I need a new television as well?

You don't need to have a new television – nearly all televisions (including black and white sets and portables) can be converted with the addition of a set top box. However, you can choose to buy a new television, with digital built in. If so, make sure you look for the digital tick logo which shows that it's ready for switchover.

What are the options to convert?

Digital television through your aerial is the option described above. You can also choose to use a satellite service – either through subscription or a free-to-view solution like Freesat. Finally, in some areas of the county, you have the ability to choose a cable television service. You should have had leaflets from Digital UK delivered to your home explaining these in a bit more detail, or else look at the Digital UK website.

The South West switchover map

When does it happen?

The South West is served by five major transmitters, and each of these switches over on a different date.

Beacon Hill: Switchover starts 8 April; switchover ends 22 April
Stockland Hill: Starts 6 May; ends 20 May
Huntshaw Cross: Starts 1 July; ends 20 July
Redruth: Starts 8 July; ends 5 August
Caradon Hill: Starts 12 August; ends 9 September

There are some areas on the fringes of the South West, where local reception problems mean that neighbours in the same street get their terrestrial signal from adjacent regions. The only sure way to know which transmitter group you get your signal from is to read the special announcements which appear on your television from time to time.

Why are there two dates?

Essentially this is to allow all those people who can't receive digital television until switchover to check their systems out whilst there are still some analogue services to watch.

I get my pictures from a relay transmitter. Will they get converted?

Yes they will. All the relays across the South West get changed over to digital at the same time as their main transmitter. However, some of them need some extra work on the day and so may not be fully working until the afternoon.

What happens then on switchover day?

On the first date, BBC2 gets switched off just after midnight, and is replaced by the BBC suite of channels. There will be some disruption to all TV services overnight, but for those watching the main transmitter this should all be sorted by 6am. For anyone watching a relay station, this will be the first chance to watch digital channels. On the second date, a few weeks later, the other analogue channels are switched off, and the full range of high power digital services are switched on.

The BBC's digital website has more advice

I already have a digital TV, so am I OK?

If you're already watching digital on your television, then well done. You're almost there! On each of the switchover dates, you'll need to retune (or re-scan) your digital receiver to make sure you can still receive the channels. There are a few old digital set top boxes that can't receive the new high power signals – to check if yours is one of them, view the list at digitaluk.co.uk/2kequipment.

I already watch digital television, but it breaks up sometimes. Why is that?

The existing digital transmitters are low power to avoid interference with the analogue services. Once switchover happens, the digital power is turned up – by up to 20 times – and the signal is also being made more robust, so picture break-up (caused by a weak signal) and interference problems will be reduced. If you are still having problems after full switchover, then that's the time to get your aerial checked out.

Do I need to get a new aerial to be ready for digital?

The short answer to this is no. In 95% of cases, your old aerial is expected to be perfectly OK for digital signals, and in any case, the best advice is to wait until switchover before doing anything. Also, despite what the marketing says, there is no such thing as a digital aerial. If you do need to get your aerial checked, always choose a reputable local tradesman, or look for the digital tick logo.

Where I live has a communal aerial system. What do I need to do?

Generally, your landlord will have to make sure the aerial system is set up for digital. There are some specialised systems which need to have some slight changes made for digital, and so it's best to seek advice from your landlord.

My TV is all ready, but what happens to my video recorder?

Many video recorders can't receive digital signals. They are effectively a television set without a screen, and so they need to be converted, just like a television. The best thing to do is to buy a digital television recorder, which are very easy to use, and will enable you to record all your favourite programmes. Don't forget that if you need to convert your television as well, some recorders will do that job for you as well, and allow you to watch one programme whilst recording another. These are called twin-tuner recorders. You will, of course, need to keep your old video recorders so you can play your old tapes.

I use CEEFAX to keep up to date with the news, but can't get it through my set top box.

CEEFAX is a service provided on the analogue transmitters, and so it disappears with the analogue signals. However, all is not lost. There is a service called BBCi on the digital system which brings you many of the same pages of information. You access this whilst watching a BBC channel by simply pressing the text button on your digital remote control.

What about my transistor radios?

There are no changes being made to radio transmitters. This switchover is all about digital television.

What help is available for those who need it?

There is an official help scheme, available to many people. Everyone eligible should have received a letter from the scheme, asking if they want help provided, but if you haven't received a letter and want to find out more, then ring the Helpscheme on 0800 40 85 900.

Where can I get further advice?

The main source of further help is DigitalUK. You can contact them by phone on 08456 505050, or on the web at digitaluk.co.uk

There is also advice at bbc.co.uk/digital

For the Helpscheme, go to helpscheme.co.uk