Digital TV switch 'no big deal'

ISLANDERS are being told not to panic over the eventual switchover from analogue to digital TV in March 2013. Last year the States committed itself to the switchover. The Channel Islands will be the last jurisdiction which tunes into British TV to make the change because a shortage of frequencies means digital signals cannot currently be received via an aerial.

Soundtrack owner Barry Dodd said: 'The majority of TVs can pick up a digital and analogue signal.

'Most people are aware that there will be a change but don't know all the facts. It's not a big deal, even if you have a TV that only picks up analogue, you can attach a digital box, which is very small and cheap. It's important that people don't panic about it as it's six years away and it's very easy to make the change.'

Digital UK, an independent organisation, is coordinating the change and will oversee the process one region at a time.

Last month, Copeland in Cumbria was the first to make the change and other regions will follow between now and 2012.

When the switch-over happens, islanders will need to have digital equipment to continue watching TV.

If a set already receives more than five channels, it is probably compliant.

If not, the TV must be connected to a digital box or be replaced.

Research released recently by the WRVS showed that despite lots of publicity about the switchover in Cumbria, 10% of the over-65s were still unaware of what they needed to do to continue viewing.

Age Concern acting chairman Roy Trustum said he thought some of the island's elderly would struggle with the change.

'I would have thought that elderly people who live on their own could suffer because they would not necessarily know what to do,' he said.

'It would be ideal if some explanatory leaflets were given to us at Age Concern and other organisations.

'If elderly people could have it explained to them in plain English, I think that would help a lot.'