How does digital cable TV work?
Digital cable TV is received via the fibre optic cable network of a digital cable TV provider. A compressed digital TV signal is transmitted along the provider's cable and decoded in your home via a set top box. This cable can also be used for phone and broadband internet access.
Who supplies digital cable TV?
In the UK, digital cable TV is provided by Virgin Media and on the Isle of Wight digital cable TV is supplied by Wight Cable.
Digital cable TV - coverage
As digital cable TV is transmitted via cables, to receive digital cable TV you must live in an area where a cable network is available. The area that digital cable TV covers is always growing and about 15 million homes in the UK already have access to digital cable TV.
To find out if digital cable TV is available in your area simply enter your postcode into the uSwitch.com digital TV comparison service . This will give you a list of all the digital TV providers available to you - not just digital cable TV - allowing you to compare each package and decide which one is the best.
Equipment required to receive digital cable TV
To subscribe to digital cable TV you do not need a TV aerial. Instead, your cable TV company will provide you with a suitable set top box and a cable phone line.
Key features of digital cable TV
- TV email
- pay per view (Front Row)
- Electronic Programming Guide (on-screen information)
- digital Teletext
- interactive services and games
- digital radio channels
- broadband access (optional)
- some specialist regional programmes
Digital cable TV and your home phone
The cables used to transmit digital cable TV signals can also be used for phone services, so it is well worth looking into the phone services that are offered by the digital cable TV providers. Some digital cable TV packages may include phone services or you may be entitled to discounts or special rates. The same applies to broadband, which is also offered by all three digital cable TV providers.
Switch on to digital cable TV
When you compare digital cable TV packages on the uSwitch.com digital TV comparison service you will be given the opportunity to view any home phone or broadband services that are available with each package - so you can save even more money.
Discover the benefits of digital cable TV - check availability and compare packages on the uSwitch.com digital TV comparison service. Finding the best digital TV couldn't be easier.