Going Digital: Do it now, or wait until nearer switchover......?

Partyanimal · 02-11-2007, 14:38

I don't watch much TV and have always found the main 5 terrestrial channels more than adequate for my needs. I don't currently own a set-top box, but I do realise that I will have to get one by 2011/2012 if I want to continue to receive terrestrial TV.

I was wondering whether it would be better to get involved now, or wait until nearer the switchover. Does anyone (someone in the trade, perhaps) have any clues as to whether supply of STBs will be able to meet demand if everyone who needs one leaves it 'til the last minute? Are there any members on here from Whitehaven with any issues on this front (eg "I wanted to buy a Humax 9200TB, but all I could get was a £17.99 single-tuner jobbie from ASDA...")?

Nigel Goodwin · 02-11-2007, 15:17

If you can currently get Freeview, then they shouldn't be too much of a shortage at DSO, because most people will already have boxes. But you may as well get one now, and get yourself some more channels for very little outlay.

If you're in an area currently not covered, then there's not much point buying a box yet - but bear in mind, you may be one of 100,000+ people all trying to buy boxes in a four week period!!.

carefree cook · 02-11-2007, 16:29

there will be no harm in getting a box now, like said already, you will recieve around 30-40 more channels plus DAB radio channels.

check your post code for digital avaliability at http://www.freeview.co.uk/home

slacker17 · 02-11-2007, 16:57

DAB Radio?

cy_bones · 02-11-2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by carefree cook

there will be no harm in getting a box now, like said already, you will recieve around 30-40 more channels plus DAB radio channels...

Digital radio through Freeview is not the same as DAB...

My advice would be if you can get freeview, then do. It will give you more time to get used to the way it works with the comfort of being able to revert back to your current channels / setup just by turning it off.

I expect that after using it for a while you will turn the box on even when watching one of your existing channels as the picture quality will be an improvement.

Philgo · 02-11-2007, 21:49

Might also be worth considering that you may need a new TV soon and that could have Freeview combined.

carefree cook · 03-11-2007, 11:49

im sorry i do not mean you would get full DAB radio stations. but if you scroll past freeview channel 300 onwards radio stations are avaliable. from radio 1 to the hits and local stations

Partyanimal · 05-11-2007, 11:01

Many thanks for your views.

I don't live in an "official" Freeview area, but having borrowed a STB recently I've proven Freeview reception is solid. However, the prospect of 30 or so additional channels holds no interest for me; let's face it - they're mostly crud anyway. Digital radio reception would be a plus, though.

I suppose the dilemma is knowing I will need to get one or more digital tuners at some point, but weighing up the pros and cons. Buy later, when things like the Freeview Playback features are properly embedded, more mature firmware, HD available (possibly); or buy now, and remove any doubt concerning supply shortages.

Nigel Goodwin · 05-11-2007, 11:07

For the price of a cheap FreeView box you may as well buy one now - there are a number of channels worth having amongst the 'crud'.

niall campbell · 05-11-2007, 11:32

plus if you buy a box now, you will know if you need another aerial or not

Buelligan · 05-11-2007, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philgo

Might also be worth considering that you may need a new TV soon and that could have Freeview combined.

Unless you have a seriously ancient TV you do not need a new TV to receive digital.

cy_bones · 06-11-2007, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buelligan

Unless you have a seriously ancient TV you do not need a new TV to receive digital.

I think the point being made was that the OP's current set may need replacing, not that it must be replaced.

RobAnt · 06-11-2007, 08:45

Some more salt in the wound, I'm afraid.

Don't forget that the BBC plan to put HD TV on to Freeview in the not too distant future.

When they do, anyone who wants it will find that they're shiny new Freeview boxes suddenly become obsolete overnight. Again.

If you can spare the £20 or so for a rudimentary box, you don't mind ditching within the next 2 years, get one. But I certainly wouldn't invest in a new TV with in-bult Freeview at the moment, unless I got a signed letter from the manager of the shop that it will be Freeview HD compatible & ready (not the HD Ready tag on good monitors)when broadcasts start.

The Digital Tick mark is only a "halfway house".

Also remember, if you want to get premium channels you need a box with a card slot. Most of the cheap ones don't have this.

Here in Plymouth I cannot receive ALL the freeview channels, either. Two of the muxes are running at very low power. I understand that once the switchover to digital is complete, they intend increasing the power very significantly - we can only hope it will be enough.

Gilson · 06-11-2007, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

plus if you buy a box now, you will know if you need another aerial or not

Thats totally wrong.

He may need a new aerial to get Freeview at the moment but after DSO the digital multiplex channels will increase considerably in power and move in many areas onto channels of similar and often the same frequency to the current analog channels.

It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK.

John259 · 06-11-2007, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilson

It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK.

And it's quite possible that before DSO his current aerial will also be ok.

John

Partyanimal · 06-11-2007, 16:16

The aerial side of things is a non-issue (I think!). I mentioned in post #8 that when I borrowed a STB and plugged it in, it successfully picked up a solid signal for all the main channels, plus E4, More4, ITV2/3, BBC3/4, etc, etc. The digital signal strength/quality should, if anything, improve when analogue is switched off.

I'm tending to agree with the idea of buying a cheapo single-tuner model now as 'insurance', and re-visit all upgrade options nearer DSO.

ntlhellworld · 06-11-2007, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnt

If you can spare the £20 or so for a rudimentary box, you don't mind ditching within the next 2 years, get one. But I certainly wouldn't invest in a new TV with in-bult Freeview at the moment, unless I got a signed letter from the manager of the shop that it will be Freeview HD compatible & ready (not the HD Ready tag on good monitors)when broadcasts start.

The HD broadcasts will be MPEG4. No current IDTVs or even STBs can decode that (apart from the one used for the BBC HD trials, and BT vision).

-Chris

timmillwood · 06-11-2007, 23:01

why wait?

niall campbell · 07-11-2007, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilson

Thats totally wrong.

He may need a new aerial to get Freeview at the moment but after DSO the digital multiplex channels will increase considerably in power and move in many areas onto channels of similar and often the same frequency to the current analog channels.

It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK.

but its NOT totally wrong

how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ?

the aerial may be good enough but what about the cabling?

loads and loads to go wrong and for £ 20 to buy a box and try it out is by far the cheapest solution

Gilson · 07-11-2007, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

but its NOT totally wrong

how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ?

the aerial may be good enough but what about the cabling?

loads and loads to go wrong and for £ 20 to buy a box and try it out is by far the cheapest solution

It IS totally wrong as what he would be testing now would be a totally different set of circumstances to what will exist after DSO.

If he buys a box now and it doesn't work are you saying that then he should get a new aerial and cables etc ? If he can get decent analog now then he will probably get digital after DSO.

The transmitter will be on the same mast as his present analog and low power freeview transmitters. There is little to go wrong. You are scaremongering.

See also post of John 259.

ianflo · 07-11-2007, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntlhellworld

The HD broadcasts will be MPEG4. No current IDTVs or even STBs can decode that (apart from the one used for the BBC HD trials, and BT vision).

-Chris

As the BBC has had its budget slashed the prospect of non sky/virgin HD has effectively bit the dust. There is no way the Beeb can afford to bang a satellite into space now. A satellite is the only way you'll get enough bandwidth for digital HD channels.

If people want hd they'll have to pay Murdoch at Sky. Waiting for non sky/virgin hd will be a very long wait.

ntlhellworld · 07-11-2007, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by niall campbell

how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ?

After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. If there is analogue now, there *will* be digital, hills or no hills...

-Chris

niall campbell · 07-11-2007, 14:40

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

niall campbell · 07-11-2007, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntlhellworld

After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. If there is analogue now, there *will* be digital, hills or no hills...

-Chris

well a lot of people will disagree

freesat from sky is a tremondous thing

you can get analogue signal in various degrees with snowy pictures to perfect, the op for £20 is better to get involved

Fishface · 07-11-2007, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntlhellworld

After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. -Chris

Might as well use a plastic coat hanger where I live.

02-11-2007, 14:38	#1
Partyanimal Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 785	Going Digital: Do it now, or wait until nearer switchover......? I don't watch much TV and have always found the main 5 terrestrial channels more than adequate for my needs. I don't currently own a set-top box, but I do realise that I will have to get one by 2011/2012 if I want to continue to receive terrestrial TV. I was wondering whether it would be better to get involved now, or wait until nearer the switchover. Does anyone (someone in the trade, perhaps) have any clues as to whether supply of STBs will be able to meet demand if everyone who needs one leaves it 'til the last minute? Are there any members on here from Whitehaven with any issues on this front (eg "I wanted to buy a Humax 9200TB, but all I could get was a £17.99 single-tuner jobbie from ASDA...")?

02-11-2007, 15:17	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	If you can currently get Freeview, then they shouldn't be too much of a shortage at DSO, because most people will already have boxes. But you may as well get one now, and get yourself some more channels for very little outlay. If you're in an area currently not covered, then there's not much point buying a box yet - but bear in mind, you may be one of 100,000+ people all trying to buy boxes in a four week period!!.

02-11-2007, 16:29	#3
carefree cook Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wilts or saas fee,Switzerland Posts: 421	there will be no harm in getting a box now, like said already, you will recieve around 30-40 more channels plus DAB radio channels. check your post code for digital avaliability at http://www.freeview.co.uk/home

02-11-2007, 16:57	#4
slacker17 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Essex Posts: 287	DAB Radio?

02-11-2007, 17:20	#5
cy_bones Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 1,659	Quote: Originally Posted by carefree cook there will be no harm in getting a box now, like said already, you will recieve around 30-40 more channels plus *DAB radio* channels... Digital radio through Freeview is not the same as DAB... My advice would be if you can get freeview, then do. It will give you more time to get used to the way it works with the comfort of being able to revert back to your current channels / setup just by turning it off. I expect that after using it for a while you will turn the box on even when watching one of your existing channels as the picture quality will be an improvement.

02-11-2007, 21:49	#6
Philgo Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 23	Might also be worth considering that you may need a new TV soon and that could have Freeview combined.

03-11-2007, 11:49	#7
carefree cook Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wilts or saas fee,Switzerland Posts: 421	im sorry i do not mean you would get full DAB radio stations. but if you scroll past freeview channel 300 onwards radio stations are avaliable. from radio 1 to the hits and local stations

05-11-2007, 11:01	#8
Partyanimal Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 785	Many thanks for your views. I don't live in an "official" Freeview area, but having borrowed a STB recently I've proven Freeview reception is solid. However, the prospect of 30 or so additional channels holds no interest for me; let's face it - they're mostly crud anyway. Digital radio reception would be a plus, though. I suppose the dilemma is knowing I will need to get one or more digital tuners at some point, but weighing up the pros and cons. Buy later, when things like the Freeview Playback features are properly embedded, more mature firmware, HD available (possibly); or buy now, and remove any doubt concerning supply shortages.

05-11-2007, 11:07	#9
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	For the price of a cheap FreeView box you may as well buy one now - there are a number of channels worth having amongst the 'crud'.

05-11-2007, 11:32	#10
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	plus if you buy a box now, you will know if you need another aerial or not

05-11-2007, 13:20	#11
Buelligan Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Forest/ish Posts: 330	Quote: Originally Posted by Philgo Might also be worth considering that you may need a new TV soon and that could have Freeview combined. Unless you have a seriously ancient TV you do not need a new TV to receive digital.

06-11-2007, 07:16	#12
cy_bones Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 1,659	Quote: Originally Posted by Buelligan Unless you have a seriously ancient TV you do not need a new TV to receive digital. I think the point being made was that the OP's current set may need replacing, not that it must be replaced.

06-11-2007, 08:45	#13
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Some more salt in the wound, I'm afraid. Don't forget that the BBC plan to put HD TV on to Freeview in the not too distant future. When they do, anyone who wants it will find that they're shiny new Freeview boxes suddenly become obsolete overnight. Again. If you can spare the £20 or so for a rudimentary box, you don't mind ditching within the next 2 years, get one. But I certainly wouldn't invest in a new TV with in-bult Freeview at the moment, unless I got a signed letter from the manager of the shop that it will be Freeview HD compatible & ready (not the HD Ready tag on good monitors)when broadcasts start. The Digital Tick mark is only a "halfway house". Also remember, if you want to get premium channels you need a box with a card slot. Most of the cheap ones don't have this. Here in Plymouth I cannot receive ALL the freeview channels, either. Two of the muxes are running at very low power. I understand that once the switchover to digital is complete, they intend increasing the power very significantly - we can only hope it will be enough.

06-11-2007, 10:12	#14
Gilson Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,145	Quote: Originally Posted by niall campbell plus if you buy a box now, you will know if you need another aerial or not Thats totally wrong. He may need a new aerial to get Freeview at the moment but after DSO the digital multiplex channels will increase considerably in power and move in many areas onto channels of similar and often the same frequency to the current analog channels. It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK.

06-11-2007, 10:46	#15
John259 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 14,291	Quote: Originally Posted by Gilson It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK. And it's quite possible that before DSO his current aerial will also be ok. John

06-11-2007, 16:16	#16
Partyanimal Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 785	The aerial side of things is a non-issue (I think!). I mentioned in post #8 that when I borrowed a STB and plugged it in, it successfully picked up a solid signal for all the main channels, plus E4, More4, ITV2/3, BBC3/4, etc, etc. The digital signal strength/quality should, if anything, improve when analogue is switched off. I'm tending to agree with the idea of buying a cheapo single-tuner model now as 'insurance', and re-visit all upgrade options nearer DSO.

06-11-2007, 17:26	#17
ntlhellworld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,649	Quote: Originally Posted by RobAnt If you can spare the £20 or so for a rudimentary box, you don't mind ditching within the next 2 years, get one. But I certainly wouldn't invest in a new TV with in-bult Freeview at the moment, unless I got a signed letter from the manager of the shop that it will be Freeview HD compatible & ready (not the HD Ready tag on good monitors)when broadcasts start. The HD broadcasts will be MPEG4. No current IDTVs or even STBs can decode that (apart from the one used for the BBC HD trials, and BT vision). -Chris

06-11-2007, 23:01	#18
timmillwood Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 631	why wait?

07-11-2007, 12:45	#19
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	Quote: Originally Posted by Gilson Thats totally wrong. He may need a new aerial to get Freeview at the moment but after DSO the digital multiplex channels will increase considerably in power and move in many areas onto channels of similar and often the same frequency to the current analog channels. It is quite probable that after DSO his current aerial will be OK. but its NOT totally wrong how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ? the aerial may be good enough but what about the cabling? loads and loads to go wrong and for £ 20 to buy a box and try it out is by far the cheapest solution

07-11-2007, 13:52	#20
Gilson Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,145	Quote: Originally Posted by niall campbell but its NOT totally wrong how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ? the aerial may be good enough but what about the cabling? loads and loads to go wrong and for £ 20 to buy a box and try it out is by far the cheapest solution It IS totally wrong as what he would be testing now would be a totally different set of circumstances to what will exist after DSO. If he buys a box now and it doesn't work are you saying that then he should get a new aerial and cables etc ? If he can get decent analog now then he will probably get digital after DSO. The transmitter will be on the same mast as his present analog and low power freeview transmitters. There is little to go wrong. You are scaremongering. See also post of John 259.

07-11-2007, 14:34	#21
ianflo Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Durham. Posts: 259	Quote: Originally Posted by ntlhellworld The HD broadcasts will be MPEG4. No current IDTVs or even STBs can decode that (apart from the one used for the BBC HD trials, and BT vision). -Chris As the BBC has had its budget slashed the prospect of non sky/virgin HD has effectively bit the dust. There is no way the Beeb can afford to bang a satellite into space now. A satellite is the only way you'll get enough bandwidth for digital HD channels. If people want hd they'll have to pay Murdoch at Sky. Waiting for non sky/virgin hd will be a very long wait.

DS Forums

Going Digital: Do it now, or wait until nearer switchover......?

07-11-2007, 14:35	#22
ntlhellworld Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,649	Quote: Originally Posted by niall campbell how can you say it will or will not work ? even if they attach the transmittor to a pylon it might not produce enough power to send a signal to his aerial through hills and to an aerial in his kitchen ? After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. If there is analogue now, there will be digital, hills or no hills... -Chris

07-11-2007, 14:40	#23
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

07-11-2007, 14:47	#24
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	Quote: Originally Posted by ntlhellworld After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. If there is analogue now, there will be digital, hills or no hills... -Chris well a lot of people will disagree freesat from sky is a tremondous thing you can get analogue signal in various degrees with snowy pictures to perfect, the op for £20 is better to get involved

07-11-2007, 14:52	#25
Fishface Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 675	Quote: Originally Posted by ntlhellworld After DSO, you will be able to get a freeview picture with a coat hanger in the back of the TV... just like you can with analogue TV. -Chris Might as well use a plastic coat hanger where I live.