| Residents of both the USA and the UK can expect | | | | control pad. |
| to be dealing with the digital switchover within the | | | | Another huge advantage of digital television is that |
| next couple of years. What this means is that region | | | | digital data takes up less bandwidth, meaning more |
| by region, analog signals (also known as terrestrial | | | | channels can be broadcast at the same time. This |
| TV) will stop being broadcast and viewers will need | | | | gives viewers much more choice in what they watch |
| to buy an HDTV (High Definition Television) in order | | | | and allows for follow up channels which broadcast the |
| to watch the new digital signals being broadcast. | | | | same programmes as their namesake, just an hour |
| The differences between analog signals and digital | | | | later. |
| signals are quite stark. On a basic level, analog | | | | With all television signals comes the issue of |
| television screens fire a picture onto the screen a | | | | reception. The most common way to receive digital |
| whole frame at a time. Digital television, on the other | | | | signals is through Digital Terrestrial Television, or DTT, |
| hand, either fires all the odd lines at one time | | | | where the binary code data is picked up via an aerial. |
| followed by all the even lines (interlaced scan mode | | | | Aerial signals, however, are subject to poor reception |
| at a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels), or one | | | | which results in a poorer quality picture and audio (e.g. |
| line at a time (progressive scan mode at a screen | | | | blockiness) which is why there are alternative ways |
| resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels). To an untrained eye | | | | of receiving Digital signals such as through an optical |
| digital interlaced and analog scan modes have little | | | | DSL cable (IPTV), via P2P internet connection, or via |
| differences. However, progressive scan modes do | | | | digital satellite. The main advantage with IPTV, P2P |
| improve the quality and smoothness of motion. | | | | connection and digital satellite are that the signal is |
| The most commonly used digital television standard in | | | | likely to be stronger, the binary code complete and |
| the UK is Freeview, which provides a number of free | | | | therefore the picture and sound quality much better. |
| digital channels with a set top box, though most new | | | | It is widely agreed that the audio and picture quality |
| televisions now have Freeview built in. The latest | | | | of Digital TV is a great improvement on Analogue |
| development is Freesat, which provides Freeview via | | | | TV, but this is not where the differences end. |
| a satellite dish and additionally will provide a number | | | | Viewers receiving Digital signals have the opportunity |
| of HD channels. | | | | to receive more channels, interact with them and get |
| One of the main advantages of Digital TV for | | | | a lot more out of their viewing. While it might seem |
| viewers is that broadcasters are able to embed digital | | | | that the team driving the Digital Switchover are giving |
| data into the streams, such as programme | | | | the public little choice over how they watch |
| information and interactive channel menus (e.g. Press | | | | television, it cannot be denied that the advantages of |
| the red button now). This data is read and executed | | | | Digital TV hugely outweigh those of analogue and |
| by a computer system in the television and made | | | | that the switch will benefit everyone involved. |
| interactive via infra red on the viewer's remote | | | | |