[QQQQQ-Trek]

I don't know about the rest of the world but here in the UK we're all going to have digital broadcast TV by 2012. Every region slowly will have their analogue reception switched off and changed over to digital, no matter what.

I'm incensed by this because bo one seems to have given clear reasons why this is happening and the cost implications to Joe Public. Often it is a comment that better quality broadcast can be shown but this is rubbish. As most people with Freeview [current digital TV] is aware yes sometimes the quality is pin-sharp but quite often you get really nice definition of compression artifacts [those little squares you get in .jpeg pictures]. I personally think this is because when sending something digitally, like any wireless transmission, the more data the bigger the cost. Worst examples are football matches where it's practically impossible to follow the ball. I'm wondering if the sudden promotion of HDTV broadcasting isn't some cynical way of getting money for the broadcast quality already promised!

Additionally every TV in the UK will require a digi-box [if not already built in] to view TV, digital or otherwise. That's a digi-box for your big TV, one in the kitcehn or dining room perhaps. The portables in your kids rooms and if you're like my parents then one in the caravan as well. It will also need an aerial capable of receiving digital TV. You're talking about £50 for the two there and as the one in my bedroom attests quite often I don't get any signal whatsoever. Sure pensioners and some folks on benefits will get digi-boxes free but it's still a massive outlay, more boxes/cables/plugs [so much for carbon emissions].

Just wondered if anyone else shared my views and thought this wasn't quite discussed with us as a nation before implementation.

[Rndouglas]

I am kinda ambivalent on this really.

On the one hand I don't watch tons of telly and the one I have is HD ready with built in digital receiver so it doesn't really affect me. Apart from the exorbitant cost that they will demand. I suppose you could argue that the best way to fight this is to not watch anything - get rid of the box in the corner and do something else - but realistically that won't happen and the buggers know it.

This is where my other side kicks in.And that is how successive governmenst have relied on the fact that the British are so accepting of situations and just get on with things that they have been able to do what they bloody like. It is hard to see such brazen contempt for a nation being displayed by say, a French Government - whose workers go on strike, riot, blockade at the drop of a leg of English lamb.

I think this will also be accepted as part of a long list of self serving acts by this government.

Trying to ban 'samurai' swords
Invading Iraq
The opening of Super casinos
tax by amount of rubbish per household
microchipped rubbish bins to ensure you are throwing away only things you are allowed
black boxes in cars that spy on you and tax you at the same time
Toll charges on roads that the taxpayer paid to build
More and more fixed speed cameras even though the two counties who don't use them were the only two with reduced motoring accidents
more rights for criminals than victims

The list is almost endless.

And last thought. Governments hate discussing things with the electorate and holding referendums - they cannot control how things will turn out. Look at that fat idiot Prescott. He thought that because the Welsh and Scots asked for and got a separate Parliament that each region in England would want one. What happened, we sensible folk in the North voted a resounding NO - because we realised that would mean more politicians who would need paying so more taxes and then they would devise more policies which would need implementing so yet more taxes.

[DesautocaD]

I don't know too much about the whole switch to digital, nor do I even know the cost implications of it, but I think the US is supposed to start it's phasing out around 2008 for the analogue stations.

[Agitoligflise]

Dammit. Awooga Guy wanted to give you some +ve rep there Sats but he needs to spread some more around.






That is all.

[Zesavenue]

I don't know too much about the whole switch to digital, nor do I even know the cost implications of it, but I think the US is supposed to start it's phasing out around 2008 for the analogue stations.

We've had digital TV in the Tilt household for about seven years now - first with SKY and now with Telewest. Analogue broadcasting gives us five channels of variably signal quality - I wouldn't want to go back to that. Freeview doesn't seem that terrifying a concept - once you've bought the box. No-one I know who has freeview has had to change their existing aerial.

[AndreasLV]

I couldn't give two hoots about it. I've got a nice big telly with a built in digital reciever, so I'm sorted. As will anyone else be buying a telly and prepared to spend a vague amount of cash on a half decent one.

I don't watch loads of telly per se, but getting Film 4 for free is great, so maybe I'm even all for it. I watched Time Bandits on film 4 last night, so you're going to have to do bloody well to convince me its a bad idea.

[sisuarmalmicy]

I am actually watching digital TV already. I have however not been affected since the signal to our TV is still analogue.
All TV-broadcasts will be digital in Sweden as of February 2008. More than half is already converted.
The main benefit as I have understood is better image and the ability to pack channels tighter, allowing more channels. Also it will probably open for more advanced options which I have not looked in to

The "one box per TV" is a bit problematic, but only until TV manufacturers start putting digital receivers in all TV:s. Yes, you will have to buy a new TV. But new technology means new equipment, so I see no problem really.

[9mm_fan]

weve just got a digi top box thingy
i havent played with it yet, as i dont watch that much telly
one thing that bugs my mum is you can only record the channel you are watching, but im used to that with my telly/video combo thing

[mr.supervideogoodfd]

there are several ways of piping a tv signal through the house without having to buy a freeview box for each one

they vary from quite expensive to very cheap (diy required)

try a google search

its coming whether you like it or not so I dont see the point of bemoaning it ?

[Alliopeti]

Dammit. Awooga Guy wanted to give you some +ve rep there Sats but he needs to spread some more around.






That is all.

Thanks for the offer - so 'cos i am so nice I have reciprocated.

[inofindy]

Don't get me wrong the choice of digital TV is great. And if it is piped through from your main aerial you can get good reception. However TV channels choose what level of compression they send so you may not always get the vaunted quality.

A lot of TV's do come with digital receivers built in but for those who don't it's a bit much to start paying for extras, granted they are getting much cheaper. Bottom line is that if you want to watch telly in 2012 you will have to have a digital receiver no matter what. I find that attitude bullying [or racist, I'm so confused over that issue in the past week or so].

I'm not against digital TV, I'm against it's foisting upon us and the merits which haven't totally been explained or justified. Maybe I just missed the info. Interesting to hear what's going on in other countries though.

[pokerbonuscod]

Don't get me wrong the choice of digital TV is great. And if it is piped through from your main aerial you can get good reception. However TV channels choose what level of compression they send so you may not always get the vaunted quality.

A lot of TV's do come with digital receivers built in but for those who don't it's a bit much to start paying for extras, granted they are getting much cheaper. Bottom line is that if you want to watch telly in 2012 you will have to have a digital receiver no matter what. I find that attitude bullying [or racist, I'm so confused over that issue in the past week or so].

I'm not against digital TV, I'm against it's foisting upon us and the merits which haven't totally been explained or justified. Maybe I just missed the info. Interesting to hear what's going on in other countries though.

Perhaps you like having a limited selection of 4 and a half channels, but I prefer to have 30 foisted upon me.

[feroiodpiop]

What's this TV you talk about?

[Cinzomzm]

I'm not against digital TV, I'm against it's foisting upon us and the merits which haven't totally been explained or justified. Maybe I just missed the info. Interesting to hear what's going on in other countries though.

More channels, better quality, using less airwaves.
There are no arguments for keeping analog TV...that's a bit like insisting still using morse-code.

[Edwardthe_third]

by 2010 all broadcasting in spain is to be digital and no more analogic. right now there are about 30+ free digital channels whilst there are only about 10 analogic.

i can tell the image quality on the digital broadcasting is much much better.... so seems like all resistance is futile...

[OnerePeepsy]

weve just got a digi top box thingy
i havent played with it yet, as i dont watch that much telly
one thing that bugs my mum is you can only record the channel you are watching, but im used to that with my telly/video combo thing

I have a freeview box with a hard drive recorder - you can record 2 things at the same time and also watch a 3rd channel, plus other stuff like pausing live tv/rewinding live tv etc. Obviously costs a bit more than your standard set top box but definitely worth it.

Also, definitely agree with The Great I Am - free Film4 is awesome.

Cheers

[purchasviagra]

There are no arguments for keeping analog TV...that's a bit like insisting still using morse-code.

It's going to confuse the hell out of a load of (non tech-savvy) old people. Some will slip through the net and they'll be without TV for a while. And the media will cooly and calmly report on the ensuing problems.






That is all.

[skupaemauto]

Perhaps you like having a limited selection of 4 and a half channels, but I prefer to have 30 foisted upon me.

No, I want the 30 channels but I want the quality promised by going digital and not see compression artifacts every five farts. When I watch through analogue it may have more noise but at least it doesn't fit and start, maybe I just have a weak signal but surely the benefits of digital should get around this - it's not like I live in a cave.

Additionaly if you have a receiver with a digital recorder it needs the dual tuners to be able to record and watch another program. If you just have a cheap digibox it's generally a single tuner and then that's record what you see which in my book is actually going backwards technology wise. Whereas before my video recorder had it's own built-in tuner and therefore could record something other than what I was watching.

Part of my point is there is an awful lot of legacy electrical hardware that is being made obsolete. I'm all for change but it seems wasteful. Lucky the WEEE directive has come into force just in time for the mountain of old kit that'll be chucked. Not everyone can afford to upgrade but then some will bin perfectly good TV's and videos to get a top of the range setup to take advantage of it.

[vioppyskype]

It's going to confuse the hell out of a load of (non tech-savvy) old people. Some will slip through the net and they'll be without TV for a while. And the media will cooly and calmly report on the ensuing problems.
That is all.

I love it when the media report on how things like this are confusing the nation, then they interview people and none of them seem to find it confusing...

[ballerturfali]

Not everyone can afford to upgrade but then some will bin perfectly good TV's and videos to get a top of the range setup to take advantage of it.

Yeah, but that is true with lots of things. Apart from most other people in my age group I switch mobile phone quite seldom (I'm on my third since 8 years back). The phones I threw away worked perfectly fine for just calling people. But they lacked a lot when it came to advanced features and usability.
My guess is you have had your share of mobile phones as well