DIGITAL TV

Receiving Digital Television

Whether you choose to receive digital services through terrestrial, cable or satellite, you will need a set top box (or an integrated digital television set). DBC has received a lot of feedback about digital services and it is clear that not all set top boxes can receive and display subtitles on all channels.

When you buy (or rent) the set top box you should ask for a demonstration of subtitling and how you can call it up on the screen. You should make it clear to the supplier of the set top box:

that you are buying (or renting) the box on the clear understanding that it will display subtitles to your satisfaction;
that you will expect the supplier to exchange equipment or give you a refund if it does not meet your requirements.

BBC1, BBC2, ITV, C4 and C5 programmes will be available on both analogue and digital services until the government gives the order to switch off analogue. But that won't be for some years yet! You will need to subscribe to receive special digital channels and decide which subscription package best meets your requirements.

DBC cannot advise on suitable equipment to buy or rent but we are always interested to receive feedback about equipment as well as about programmes!

Recording Digital Programmes

The good news is that you don't need a special video recorder to record digital terrestrial programmes. All you have to do is make sure you have selected subtitles and press record. BUT you can't watch one digital channel and record another digital channel.

You CAN watch an analogue channel (i.e. a channel which you watch without using your set top box) and record a (different) digital channel from the set top box.

To record Sky digital, until Sky change from the teletext system to a dedicated digital system, you will need a VCR that can record subtitles.