Digital Television Switchover and you

How would it feel if you switched on your television set, all excited to watch your favourite local television program and be met with a blank screen? This is what is expected to happen soon, between now and 2015, when the analogue channel broadcast from more than a thousand transmitter sites will be switched off, replaced with digital TV and radio services.

Digital television switchover is the process of converting the Nigerian terrestrial television system to digital and this means the free-to-air market is coming to an end. Everybody television station will go on one platform. Once this digital switch off is put into effect, no one will be able to decipher any signal but putting an aerial outside anymore. Your television will no longer hook you up to NTA, AIT, STV, Channels and the likes. Countries like England, where this switch is complete switch, you cannot put an aerial outside and receive BBC; you must either have a free-view box or a skybox at home to be able to get the channels you want.

Why is it happening?

Broadcasting in digital format is a more efficient way to transmit television signals and frees up the airwaves for new services such as ultra-fast wireless broadband and mobile television. Switching the terrestrial television system to digital will ensure Nigeria keeps pace with other leading countries, many of which have already gone digital or are preparing to switch to digital broadcasting. Households in many parts of Nigeria are currently unable to receive Freeview services, so switching off the existing analogue broadcasting system will create the capacity necessary to extend coverage to the whole country.

What do you need to do?

Most people have already converted their main television to digital. Viewers are expected to ensure that their televisions are capable of receiving digital signals in order to continue receiving television services after switchover. Virtually any television, even the old black and white ones (monochrome) can be converted with a digital box. But it will be beneficial for anyone buying new television equipment to look for the ‘digital tick’ logo, which identifies equipment designed to work before, during and after switchover.

What are the different ways to get digital televison?

There are three main options for going digital:

• Convert your existing television with a digital set-top box (e.g. Freeview, Top Up TV, BT Vision –the last requires broadband connection)

• Get connected via satellite, cable or broadband television. This can be easily installed for you (e.g. DSTV, GoTV, HiTV, Startimes, etc.)

• Buy a new television with digital built-in features (e.g. Freeview, Freesat)

How much does digital television cost?

Prices for digital television vary, and you can be gotten from PayTV centers.

If you are getting digital for the first time or are converting secondary sets around the home the cost will vary according to the number of televisions and method of conversion.

What channels will you get?

Viewers choosing to get digital television via Freeview way will be able to receive a range of digital channels and services free via an aerial. Channel availability depends on where you live and which transmitter you get your signal from. Most households will be able to receive more than 40 Freeview channels via an aerial; 20 of the most popular channels will be available elsewhere.

What other equipment is affected by switchover?

After switchover, analogue recorders are expected to still play tapes and discs but will need to be connected to a digital television or one which has been converted with a digital box in order to record programs. Analogue recorders will also lose their independent recording function, that is, they will only be able to record the digital channel being watched. Viewers updating their recording equipment are recommended to look for a digital DVD recorder or a digital TV recorder that stores programs on a hard disk, which can also pause or rewind live television.

Do I need HD TV equipment for switchover?

No. There’s no need to buy HD equipment for digital switchover. Viewers choosing to do so should make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’ logo. HD services are currently available on satellite and cable.

Which TV channels are available on Freeview?

Channel availability depends on where you live and the type of transmitter you get your signal from.

Chima Michael Oleru