The UK is steadily switching its TV system to digital transmission and reception technology. This offers more services, both free-to-view and pay, better reception quality, full widescreen, and interactive features. Some people receive it by cable, but most receive it through the air to an aerial (whether satellite dish or conventional roof top).

Digital satellite requires a new parabolic dish. While most of its users subscribe to pay-TV and receive subsidised equipment, it is possible to receive digital TV by satellite without being a subscriber. In that case a retailer will sell you the receiver and dish and you will need to pay an installation charge of about £100. You can get more information about the UK's leading digital satellite service provider from the Sky Digital web site.

Freeview TV is digital television through a conventional roof-top aerial. For this technology, new digital TV adapters, as well as integrated digital TV sets (IDTV), are available on the market, without any obligation to subscribe to pay TV unless you wish. Digital terrestrial transmission is designed to work, in the main, with existing roof-top aerials in good condition, but some households will need a new roof-top aerial. It depends on several factors, especially:

• Where you live
• Which frequencies are used at your local transmitter
• The nature and condition of your current aerial installation

Think ahead!

If you are having work done on your aerial, for any reason, you might like to think about upgrading it for digital. Many installations can be made digitally compatible now for the progressive switch to digital that lies ahead.