What equipment do I need?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to choose between the following:

• satellite digital TV

• ASDL digital TV

• cable digital TV

• aerial digital TV

Read on to find out what equipment you’ll need to get up and running with digital TV. Our impartial digital TV comparison service tells you which ones are available to you.

The UK’s satellite digital provider is Sky Digital. They provide all the equipment (apart from the TV):

• Sky digibox or Sky+ box or Sky HD box; plus
• Sky satellite dish on the outside of your home

If you want to go for satellite digital TV, there are about 200 channels to choose from and the equipment is either free or subsidised. You can choose to subscribe to Sky, or pay for a one off installation fee. If you choose not to subscribe, you will have around 78 channels to choose from.

In a few cases reception of the signal or installation of a dish may not be possible. This may be because the line of sight to satellite is hidden, for example by trees, high hills or tall buildings, or because planning laws do not permit you to put up a dish (for example, if your house is in a conservation area).

Freeview is free of charge - but it does require a DTT decoder or you can buy an integrated digital set. Freeview signals cover almost three quarters of the UK population and you get more than 30 extra free television and radio channels including your existing five terrestrial channels (e.g. the BBC). You get the option to add pay per view too. You need a good quality rooftop aerial and there are no further equipment costs unless you need a new aerial.

Top Up TV is available through new DTT receivers with card slots, integrated digital television sets with a CAM or legacy boxes from ONdigital/ITV Digital.

It offers a basic set of popular programmes for a competitive subscription fee.

A new aerial may be required as some aerials are old or damaged, and in some parts of the country, digital terrestrial signals use a different frequency or transmitter to the one you normally use for your analogue reception. The cabling which connects your aerial to your TV set may also need to be upgraded.

Where you live and the age and condition of your aerial and quality of the installation will determine whether you may require a new roof top or loft aerial to receive digital terrestrial TV (DTT).

Existing televisions can be upgraded to digital by adding a set top box (digital adaptor). The easiest way to connect is using a SCART socket. If your television does not have a SCART socket (some older sets don't), you must ensure that the adaptor you purchase has an RF Modulator, so you can use your existing aerial socket using an RF lead.

Cable television services are delivered to consumers via networks of fibre optic cables. The signals are decoded using a set top box, which is provided by the service supplier as part of a subscription package. Digital cable customers can also access telephone services and broadband internet services. Digital cable can carry around 200 services (TV and radio), plus interactive services. All Public Service Broadcasting channels (including Five) are available with any cable TV subscription package.

A fourth digital platform is starting to emerge through use of digital subscriber line (DSL) technologies based on the existing telephone network. The technology supporting this has matured. Kingston Communications already offer such services on their own dedicated telecom network in Hull. In London and Stevenage Home Choice provides television, broadband and video on demand services through ordinary phone lines. All public service channels are available from Kingston and Home Choice.