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What is switchover?
Digital TV switchover is the biggest change in television since the introduction of colour. Analogue signals are about to be switched off and replaced with new digital services. This will make Freeview available for the first time to thousands of homes watching local ‘relay’ transmitters in areas such as Ballycastle, Lisbellaw, Newcastle and Armagh. Viewers in many areas will also be able to receive Republic of Ireland services (TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two) via either Freeview or Saorview. (See ‘Getting digital TV’.)Digital UK is the independent organisation set up by the broadcasters to lead the switchover. It provides an advice line and website to help with general questions about getting digital TV and preparing for the switchover.Denis Wolinski, Digital UK’s National Manager for Northern Ireland, says: “Switchover will change forever how television is broadcast. I’m delighted that, very soon, viewers who have previously been unable to get Freeview services will be able to do so for the first time. Most people are well prepared; but for those who still have questions, we are here to help."
How will switchover happen?
Switchover will happen in two stages. If you currently receive your TV signal through an aerial, in either analogue or digital format (e.g. Freeview, Top Up TV, BT Vision), you will need to make a note of the information below. Televisions connected to a cable or satellite service are not affected by switchover.
Stage one – 10 October 2012:
In the early hours, analogue BBC Two will be switched off and replaced with a new digital signal. Local ‘relay’ TV transmitters will also start to broadcast the BBC’s other digital channels for the first time. Readers switching to digital for the first time via Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision will now be able to set up their equipment. Homes already watching these services should retune their digital boxes or IDTVs.
Stage two – 24 October 2012:
All remaining analogue channels will be switched off and replaced with additional digital services. Everyone watching Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision will need to retune their equipment again to receive all available channels.On both dates, these changes will happen overnight. For most viewers, services will be restored by the morning. Households receiving their TV signal from local relay transmitters will receive new digital services later in the day and should tune in for the first time or retune from this point. After switchover, most viewers will be able to get TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two via an aerial, either from Freeview in Northern Ireland (HD equipment required) or via Saorview – the Republic of Ireland digital TV service.
How to retune
Viewers watching Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision will need to do a full retune of their equipment at both stages of switchover in order to continue receiving services. You should retune from time to time in order to keep your Freeview box up to date. Sometimes channels move around – so if you should lose access to several channels, try retuning to restore them.
To do a full retune your Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision equipment, follow these steps (these instructions are a guide only – each product works slightly differently).
1. Make sure your Freeview TV or box is on and in digital mode. Press ‘menu’ on your remote control.
2. Select the ‘set up’ or ‘installation’ option. If you see picture icons, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.
3. If you are prompted for a code, try 0000 or 1234.
4. Select the full retune option. This is sometimes called ‘first time installation’, ‘factory reset’, ‘default settings’ or ‘shipping conditions’. Do not select ‘channel update’ or ‘add channels’.
5. Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if you want to delete all your channels, don’t worry this is normal.
6. Channels will automatically be installed. This may take a few minutes and your equipment may shut down and restart
After a retune, if you are not receiving your preferred regional service, you are likely to find your preferred services further down the channel list. If you want to make your preferred services easier to find, you can either use the ‘favourites’ list or ‘channel settings’. See your instruction manual for more details.
If you find you are missing some channels or your equipment has stopped working, visit digitaluk.co.uk/retuning for more information. If you can’t do this yourself, you might want to consult friends or family who could do it for you, or otherwise call out an installer (see ‘Common questions’).
To watch a short video showing you how to retune, and for specific retuning instructions for the most popular Freeview products, visit digitaluk.co.uk/retuning
Getting digital TV
If you only receive five or fewer analogue channels through an aerial on any of your sets, you’ll need to think about converting them for switchover – otherwise you risk being faced with a blank screen once analogue signals are switched off.
There are three main ways to go digital:
• Convert your existing analogue TV using a digital box (e.g. Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision).
• Have a digital TV service, such as satellite or cable TV, installed for you. Providers include Sky, freesat and Virgin Media.
• Buy a new TV with digital (Freeview or freesat) built in.
Remember, almost everyone will be able to watch Freeview after switchover – even homes currently out of coverage. You can check the options for going digital in your area, and what channels will be available through your aerial, using the postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk. Extra channels are available through other digital TV services, such as satellite or cable.
Virtually any TV set, including black and white ones and those without Scart sockets, can be converted using a digital box.
How do I get TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two?
The Republic of Ireland channels TG4, RTÉ One and RTÉ Two are widely available in Northern Ireland via an aerial, satellite and cable.
After switchover, when analogue TV is turned off, most people will be able to get these services via an aerial, either from Freeview in Northern Ireland or via Saorview. Technical differences between Freeview and Saorview may affect the equipment you need and the channels you can receive. On Freeview, the channels will be broadcast in standard definition but HD equipment will be required to receive them. Digital UK recommends discussing your options with a retailer before purchasing any new equipment.
Viewers can use the postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk to check channel availability in their area. For more information on Saorview, visit saorview.ie or call 0844 8008 752.
Common questions
Where can I get face-to-face advice on switchover? Digital UK has been working closely with charities to organise local advice points during switchover. These will be staffed by trained volunteers and are open to everyone. There are also Digital UK roadshows in the region. To find out where your local advice point or roadshow will be, visit digitaluk.co.uk/northernirelandevents or call 08456 50 50 50.
What about my video recorder? After switchover, video and analogue DVD recorders will still play back and record, but you won’t be able to record one channel while you watch another. If you want to continue doing this after switchover, the simplest way is to get a digital TV recorder. These also allow you to record a whole series at the touch of a button, and pause and rewind live TV.
Will I need a new aerial to receive Freeview? Most rooftop aerials will be fine after switchover, but a small proportion of aerials are likely to need replacing to receive Freeview. In certain areas, changes to the frequencies used to broadcast TV mean viewers may need a wideband aerial in order to receive all the available channels.
Digital UK recommends that you wait until after switchover to see if your aerial needs replacing in order to avoid having unnecessary work carried out. You can check whether your existing aerial is likely to be suitable for receiving digital by visiting the aerial test page on teletext page 284.
Where can I find a good aerial installer? Look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI) with the ‘digital tick’ logo. Go to rdi-lb.tv or call Digital UK on 0845 650 50 50 for more information. If you can’t find an RDI locally, look for someone with Associate RDI or CAI Plus status – or ask your local electrical retailer.
What channels will I get? Which channels you receive will depend on which transmitter you receive your signal from. Viewers served by a local ‘relay’ transmitter will receive around 15 Freeview channels for the first time. These will include BBC One, BBC Two, UTV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, plus all the other channels from the BBC (those funded by the licence fee) and some other services from the public-service broadcasters.
Viewers served by a larger ‘main’ transmitter will receive these channels as well as some extra services from commercial broadcasters. These extra channels are also available via satellite. You can check which Freeview channels are available in your area by using the postcode checker at digitaluk.co.uk, or by calling 08456 50 50 50. This also gives you information about satellite and cable options in your area.
The Switchover Help Scheme
Thousands of people in Northern Ireland have already taken up help from the Switchover Help Scheme. Run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government, it’s an official scheme which makes switchover easy for older and disabled people by giving practical help to switch one TV in their home.
People are eligible for the Help Scheme if they are:
• aged 75 years or over;
• eligible for attendance or constant attendance allowance, or mobility supplement, or disability living allowance;
• registered blind or partially sighted;
• or have been living in a care home for six months or more.
If you’re eligible, you will be offered equipment that’s easy to use, delivery or installation and a demonstration of how to use it, together with a choice of options. We will also check your aerial and upgrade it where we can, if it’s needed. There is a freephone number to call for help while you get used to things.
Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the standard offer of help. For eligible people on income-related benefits, it’s free. Eligible people can also choose from a range of other Help Scheme options, sometimes at a higher cost.
If you know an older or disabled person who might still need help to switch to digital TV, you could lend a helping hand and give them the message about the Switchover Help Scheme. Even if they have digital TV already, they can get help to switch another TV set in their home.
All you need to do to get the help is respond to the information pack which has been sent to every eligible person’s home. But you must respond to get the help. The Help Scheme will close for applications in Northern Ireland on 24 November 2012.