Rich Fiscus
8 May 2008 9:57
The majority of the news about digital television (DTV) here at Afterdawn seems to revolve around the upcoming transition in the US. While that's understandable given our large American audience, we could learn a thing or two from how the UK is handling a similar, if infinitely more organized, shift from analog to digital signals. Just this week regulators at Ofcom confirmed that high definition channels will become available over Freeview in some areas starting next year. By the time the transition is complete (in 2012) the HD channels should be available across the entire UK.
In order to take advantage of the new content viewers will need a HD capable set-top box, and of course they'll need a HDTV as well. If you're in the UK and considering the purchase of a new HDTV you may even be able to find one with an integrated HD tuner to avoid the additional cost of a separate receiver.
For those who don't want to wait for free terrestrial HD there's a new satellite service called Freesat that launched earlier this week. It already includes BBC HD, and will be adding ITV HD when it launches. Standard definition Freesat receivers are priced from £49 (plus any installation fees), whie prices for HD receivers currently start at at £150. Eventually a £120 HD receiver is expected.