Analogue TV switch off

The_Nickster

When analogue TV is switched off will the current freeview set top boxes still be able to receive freeview digital channels through the aerial or will everybody have to have a satellite dish, cable or broadband to receive TV?

I ask because my neighbour insists that once analogue is switched off his Freeview STB will be useless and he will have to get a satellite dish, cable or broadband at additional expense. His argument is that freeview is broadcast currently as an analogue signal and it is the STB that converts the signal to digital.

I think this confusion needs to be cleared up once and for all because now he has got me confused!!!.

chalky_bertie

Excellent question, and can't wait for reply, as I have a STB because i'm not paying a monthly subscription ON TOP of my TV licenece, however I see SKY have brought out a one-off-payment channel just like Freeview but with a load of more channels (mainly rubbish).

CLICK HERE

gizmoleeds

When analogue is swtiched off digital TV (ie. freeview will definitely 1,000,000% still work. It is only analogue that is being turned off, and we will all have to have freeview.

Your neighbour is very confused! :rotfl:

There is some information here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4247622.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4248774.stm

sra

When the current analogue is switched off, freeview will still work. You might even get more channels - Depends on what the government ends up doing with the old signal space.

They could probably fit in hundreds of freeview channels if they wanted to - but it probably all depends on where they'll get the most money from

mike_paterson

The Freeview terrestrial digital system is what is replacing the terrestrial analogue system. Eventually the analogue transmitters will be switched off, but the digital signals will remain.You and your neighbour need not fear (unlike me who cannot receive terrestrial digital (Freeview))
Regards
Mike

rchddap1

The analogue and digital signals are different. If you have an old analogue aerial then you may need to change that (don't quote me though). But they can switch off the analogue without it affecting the digital freeview customers (I assume providing they have a digital aerial)

gizmoleeds

sra wrote:

They could probably fit in hundreds of freeview channels if they wanted to - but it probably all depends on where they'll get the most money from

From the BBC Q&A:

Once analogue is switched off those frequencies could be sold off for other uses, however media regulators Ofcom say no decision will be made about what to do with the analogue spectrum until after a conference with their European partners next year.

One possibility is that they could be used to send television signals to mobile telephones.

gizmoleeds

rchddap1 wrote:

The analogue and digital signals are different. If you have an old analogue aerial then you may need to change that (don't quote me though). But they can switch off the analogue without it affecting the digital freeview customers (I assume providing they have a digital aerial)

The aerial issue with freeview is largely a myth spead by lawyer-friendly disclaimers. In a very small proportion of cases the current aerials people have are not strong enough to receive the digital signals (usually with indoor aerials).

However, advertisers feel obliged to point out that an "aerial upgrade may be needed" on all their adverts to prevent customers complaining if they can't get a signal.

rchddap1

Fair enough...my bad.

mike_paterson

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/tv/reports/dsoind/dso_report/dso_pe/intro?a=87101 gives more info too.

Joe_Bloggs

@ mike_patterson Clearly you are not able to receive digital terrestrial signals. Do you know the reason why ? Are there processes in action that will enable you to receive digital TV that you are aware of ? Geography and intervening hills between aerial and transmitter may be a factor.
J_B.