Digital TV switchover is on its way. The way you receive signals for your TV is changing.

What is the digital switchover?

The digital TV switchover is the process of turning off the UK's analogue TV signal and replacing it with a digital signal.

When will I switch?

In Wakefield, we are watching television from the Emley Moor main transmitter. In September 2011, Emley Moor's analogue signal will be switched off and West Yorkshire will be served solely by a digital signal.

This will be done in two stages:

• 7 September 2011
  Analogue BBC Two will be switched off and new, higher power BBC channels become available on digital.  This means that:
  • If you haven’t switched, you’ll lose BBC Two
  • If you have Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV you’ll need to re-tune your equipment
    
• 21 September 2011
  All the remaining analogue channels will switch to digital and the remaining digital channels will become available. This means that:
  • If you haven’t switched to digital, you will lose your TV service
  • If you have Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV you’ll need to re-tune your equipment again

• Find out more information about the Emley Moorswitchover

How do I switch?

You will need to think about all of the TV equipment in your home when preparing for the digital switchover. Which of your TVs are already digital and which will need converting?

Am I already digital?

If you already have more than the five standard TV channels on all your TV sets, then you are probably ready for switchover. However, if you only have digital TV on your main set, you’ll need to think about converting any others. If you have satellite or cable for all your TV’s you are not affected by switchover.

Do I need to buy a new television?

You do not have to buy a new TV for the digital switchover. Almost any TV can be converted with a digital box, even a black and white one so there is no need to buy a new TV unless you want to.

Most digital boxes connect to a TV using a SCART cable. If you do not have a SCART socket on the back of your TV you will need to ask for a digital box with a built in RF modulator to connect through the aerial socket.

If you decide to get new TV equipment, make sure it has the ‘digital tick’ logo, it looks like this:

This is a certified mark signifying that the equipment will work through and after switchover. It appears on products that are designed to continue working after switchover.

And remember, most people will not need a new aerial. If you are getting a good picture now, you should be fine for switchover. You can do a simple home aerial check by going on to page 284 of Teletext on any analogue channel.

• Find out more information about how to go digital

Connections and re-tuning

What happens if I already have digital TV?

All households with a Freeview TV or box will need to re-tune at both stages of switchover and from time to time to keep receiving channels and services.

• Find out more information about re-tuning your Freeview TV or box
• Visit the TV re-tune website
• Around three months before switchover, every household will be sent a detailed switchover guide, which includes advice on retuning Freeview equipment

 Switchover Help Scheme

The Government have set up the Switchover Help Scheme to help you make the switch to digital TV.

The scheme can help you convert your TV to digital if you:

• are aged 75 or over; or
• get or could get Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement; or
• have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
• are registered blind or partially sighted

The Help Scheme will soon be writing directly to everyone aged 75 and over and eligible disabled people to offer them practical help to change one TV set to digital. It is important that people respond to receive help.

The Help Scheme has written directly to everyone aged 75 and over and eligible disabled people to offer them practical help to change one TV set to digital. It is important you respond to receive help.

The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government: visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call free on 0800 40 85 900 for more information.  If you or a family member has hearing difficulties you can contact the free textphone service on 0800 40 85 936

Check now for more information or to see if you could be eligible

Wakefield and District HousingTenants

Find out about the work WDH is doing to prepare for the digital switchover by accessing their digital switchover web pages.

Recycling

You don't have to get new TV equipment for the switchover. Almost any TV can be converted to digital with a digital box. If you want to buy new equipment, please make sure you dispose of your old TVs and recorders responsibly. Old TVs and recorders may contain materials and chemicals that can harm the environment, including lead, dangerous phosphors and glass.

Dumping them on the street or putting them out with your general household rubbish means they end up in landfills where they are hazardous and will pollute the environment.

How do I dispose of old TV equipment?

• Recycle your old TV equipment at any of our Household Waste and Recycling Centres
• If you require your old TV to be collected, we can also do this, but you will be charged.  Click here for further information about the Council’s Bulky Refuse collection service.
• If you have old or redundant Sky equipment, go to www.sky.com/environment to find out how Sky will help you recycle if for free.
• If you have old Virgin Media equipment, the Virgin Media Collection Teams can pick-up and re-use or recycle your old equipment. Simply call the Virgin Media customer service team on 0845 840 7777.

Avoiding scams

There are always people who use clever and persuasive tactics to try and make a fast buck on the back of something new, like digital switchover.

If you think you’ve been ripped off, or paid a deposit to a trader you’re now worried about, or suspect there’s a rogue trader working door-to-door in your area, call the Consumer Direct helpline (08454 04 05 06). Calls cost 4p per minute from a BT landline; from mobile and non BT lines call costs may vary.

Consumer Direct can also give you advice on your cancellation rights and getting any unsatisfactory work put right. To find out how, visit the Consumer Direct website. If you prefer face-to-face help and advice go to your local advice agency or Citizens Advice Bureau.

Check on the Consumer Direct website, your local Citizens Advice Bureau, or library to see if there’s a scheme in your area.

Tips for avoiding scams

• Remember that no one from Digital UK or Switchover Helpscheme will call unexpectedly without an appointment.
• Demand identification from uninvited callers – and call the company to check they are who they say they are.
• Don’t agree to any work on the spot. Take time to think about what work (if any) you want done.
• Only buy goods and services you need for switchover from reputable retailers and traders that carry the digital tick logo
• If an offer seems too good to be true – in a leaflet, advert, by phone, email or personal approach – it probably is. Be wary and read the details of the deal carefully.

Councillors

• Find out how you can help your constituents by downloading our Digital Switchover sheet in 'Downloads'.

Further information

The Digital UK website -www.digitaluk.co.uk - contains information about the switchover.

• Call the Digital UK contact centre on 0845 6 50 50 50
• Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 7pm, Sat 9am - 5pm
• Extended opening hours on switchover dates.

There is also a service for deaf callers, the number for this is 0845 23 03 80. Information in large print, audio, Braille or another language is available from 0845 234 0388.