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Digital switchover

Get ready for digital switchover?

TV in the UK is going digital, and the existing analogue TV signal will be switched off in London on April 2012. Switchover means that almost everyone will be able to receive digital TV through their aerial.

BBC2 (analogue) will be switched off on 4 April and replaced by an enhanced digital signal. Then the same will happen to BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on 18 April. Virgin Media will also be withdrawing their remaining terrestrial channels on 31 March.

CityWest Homes has been working hard to give you access to a digital signal. We have been upgrading existing communal aerials and installing new communal aerials on blocks with ten properties or more. This programme is due to be completed by the end of March in preparation for switchover.

This means that if you are connected to a communal aerial, you will be able to receive a digital signal and access the five traditional channels and up to 40 Freeview channels via a Freeview enabled TV. Older TVs will require a Freeview set-top box, which can be purchased for about £20.

Additionally, we are looking at helping residents in blocks with nine or fewer properties get access to digital signal so long as we can gain access and there are no local planning issues (such as being in a conservation area or have listed building status). We are also looking at upgrading existing communal systems that are not 2012 compliant.

Helping you to switchover 

CityWest Homes and our contractor SCS Limited have set up a free phone service to answer your questions about digital switchover. They will also be able to talk you through re-tuning your television.

Call 0800 3777 490

The phoneline will be manned by our contractor SCS Limited from 7am – 7pm, Monday to Friday. The emergency link office (020 7286 7412) will take out of hours requests and SCS will respond within normal working hours. This is a free phone service from a landline. Calls from a mobile will be charged at the normal network rate.  

Each estate office will have a ‘digital champion’ who will be able to answer your queries about the changes.

Additionally, you can obtain more information about the digital switchover at the official Digital UK website or call 08456 50 50 50.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to do anything for the digital switchover?

• If you are watching TV from freesat or Sky on all your sets, then you don’t need to do anything.
• If you are watching TV from an aerial for Freeview, Top up TV or BT Vision you will need to do a full retune on both switchover days. Contact 0800 3777 490 if you need help re-tuning your TV. 
• If you receive only four or five channels on your TV, then you are likely to be watching analogue TV and will have to convert your TV to digital with a set top box. If your TV has digital built in, it needs to be tuned to the digital section of the set. 

 

How can I test if my TV can receive digital TV?

If your television can receive ITV4 then it is accessing a digital signal and you should have nothing further to worry about.

Do I need to buy a new television to go digital?

No. Almost any TV can be converted using a digital set top box and these cost from about £20.

I have tried to retune my digital TV equipment but I’m not getting TV, could there be a problem with the aerial?

Most aerials should be fine. CityWest Homes has upgraded existing communal aerials and installed new communal aerials in properties with 10 flats or more to ensure residents get an enhanced digital signal. Those with a Freeview enabled TV or Freeview set top box should get the five traditional channels plus up to 60 Freeview channels.

The digital signals come back on at different times during the day depending on your transmitter, so some people may find that they don’t have a service until the afternoon.

We would suggest that you try a full or manual retune later in the day.

Why has BBC2 disappeared?

You are watching analogue TV and at the first stage of switchover BBC2 is turned off (on 4 April). This applies to both TVs and recorders. You will need to re-tune your television at this stage. 

The second stage of switchover, on 18 April, will turn off BBC1, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, replacing it with an enhanced digital signal. You will need to re-tune your television at this stage too. 

I’m missing digital channels. What should I do?

If you are watching digital television through an aerial you will need to retune your Freeview, Top up TV or BT Vision equipment. Using the menu you need to do a full retune, not an auto-tune or add-on channels (it may be called factory reset, default settings or similar). Many TVs will take you to a screen telling you to ‘press OK to delete all channels’, that’s fine. You will need to press OK, so that the memory can be reloaded with the new channels.

I’ve tried to do a full retune but it hasn’t worked and I am getting the wrong regional news service, what do I need to do?

You will need to do a manual retune using the channel group frequencies for your desired transmitter. These can be found at digitaluk.co.uk/manualretune

Do I need a new aerial to get digital TV?

Most people in the London TV region won’t need to replace their existing aerial to get digital TV signals after switchover. Some viewers may need to re-align their existing aerials to point towards another transmitter to maintain a digital TV service. To check whether a property will need a wideband aerial, or the aerial needs to be re-aligned, enter its postcode at www.digitaluk.co.uk.

Is my radio affected by the switchover?

No. Radio services aren’t affected but you may find that you can now get a range of radio channels through your TV.

Is there any help available?

The Help Scheme can help people over 75, anyone who gets a disability allowance, anyone who is registered bind or visually impaired, or who lives in a care home. If you think you qualify, but haven’t received an information pack or you want to take up the offer, call 0800 40 85 900 or visit helpscheme.co.uk.

There are a number of roadshows and local advice points offering switchover assistance. Information about their locations can be found at digitaluk.co.uk/find_help

For more information about digital switchover, visit the official website at www.digitaluk.co.uk or telephone 08456 50 50 50. If you have any questions about your communal aerial, please contact your local estate office.