To watch the digital channels through your aerial you will either need to buy a set-top box that plugs in between your television and aerial, or upgrade your set to an integrated digital television (IDTV).
Set-top boxes can be bought for as little as around £30 for the most basic equipment. More expensive boxes tend to have more advanced features like additional SCART and AV sockets, reminder functions and slots for Top-Up TV cards.
Set-top boxes are now more commonly found in supermarkets as well as electical retailers where you can also find IDTVs - look for the "digital tick" logo.
It is important to check you are capable of receiving a digital signal before buying equipment as some retailers will not accept set-top boxes for return after they have been turned on and gone through an installation procedure.
Approximately 80% of the UK is covered by the DTT network, and you can check if you are by using the Freeview postcode checker.
To check coverage in your area...
- text your postcode to 83331 (standard rate)
- call 0870 8809980 (national rate)
- or visit
http://www.freeview.co.uk/ on your PC.
Experience has shown that it is sometimes possible to receive a signal in areas the Freeview postcode checker says it is not. Vice versa, a positive result from the postcode checker does not guarantee you free from problems, and if you find this is the case, or you are advised you may need an aerial upgrade, check out the advice on our Common Problems page.
For Top-Up TV subscription enquiries...
- call 0870 0543210 (national rate)
- or visit
http://www.topuptv.com/ on your PC.
Make sure you can receive all six multiplexes clearly before taking out a subscription to Top-Up TV.
