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Big digital TV switchover starts | Big digital TV switchover starts |
(40 minutes later) | |
More than 130,000 homes are poised to become the first in Wales to begin the permanent switch to digital television. | More than 130,000 homes are poised to become the first in Wales to begin the permanent switch to digital television. |
The process of turning off traditional analogue TV signals for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot begins at midnight. | The process of turning off traditional analogue TV signals for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot begins at midnight. |
It means that viewers who do not have digital will not be able to see BBC Two from Wednesday, and then they will lose all channels within a month. | It means that viewers who do not have digital will not be able to see BBC Two from Wednesday, and then they will lose all channels within a month. |
The rest of Wales will follow later this year and early next year, with every home going digital by March 2010. | The rest of Wales will follow later this year and early next year, with every home going digital by March 2010. |
Digital UK said 90% of homes in Wales already had digital TV and were able to receive some 20 channels, rather than four or five on analogue. | Digital UK said 90% of homes in Wales already had digital TV and were able to receive some 20 channels, rather than four or five on analogue. |
Emyr Byron Hughes, regional manager for Digital UK in Wales, said: "The UK is going digital, the US has already gone digital, some European countries as well. | Emyr Byron Hughes, regional manager for Digital UK in Wales, said: "The UK is going digital, the US has already gone digital, some European countries as well. |
"It's all about more choice and better use of the available frequencies but mostly about choice." | |
DIGITAL SWITCHOVER, 2009-2010 Transmitter: Kilvey Hill; area served: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot area: 12 Aug - 9 Sept 2009Preseli; south west Wales: 19 Aug - 16 SeptCarmel; parts of south and central Wales: 26 Aug - 23 SeptLlanddona; north west Wales: 21 Oct -18 NovMoel y Parc; north east Wales: 28 Oct -25 NovLong Mountain; parts of east and central Wales: 4 Nov - 3 DecBlaenplwyf; parts of west and central Wales: 10 Feb - 10 March 2010Wenvoe; Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales: 3 - 31 MarchSource: Digital UK | |
The latest figures from Digital UK suggest 95% of people in south Wales are aware of the switchover and 76% of people know what to do. | The latest figures from Digital UK suggest 95% of people in south Wales are aware of the switchover and 76% of people know what to do. |
Analogue viewers have also been reminded with on-screen captions about the need to convert. | Analogue viewers have also been reminded with on-screen captions about the need to convert. |
The first stage of the switchover will see BBC Two cease broadcasting in analogue and the first group of Freeview digital channels becoming available. | The first stage of the switchover will see BBC Two cease broadcasting in analogue and the first group of Freeview digital channels becoming available. |
Four weeks later, the remaining analogue channels will be permanently switched off and replaced with additional digital services. | Four weeks later, the remaining analogue channels will be permanently switched off and replaced with additional digital services. |
After the Kilvey Hill transmitter, the next to switch will be Preseli, covering south west Wales, on 19 August followed by others throughout the year and early 2010. | After the Kilvey Hill transmitter, the next to switch will be Preseli, covering south west Wales, on 19 August followed by others throughout the year and early 2010. |
The last in Wales will be Wenvoe, serving Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales, on 3 March with the whole process completed by April. | The last in Wales will be Wenvoe, serving Cardiff, Newport and south east Wales, on 3 March with the whole process completed by April. |
Wales will be the first nation in the UK to go completely digital. | Wales will be the first nation in the UK to go completely digital. |
But Consumer Focus Wales has previously warned of potential confusion leading to people being overcharged when changing. | But Consumer Focus Wales has previously warned of potential confusion leading to people being overcharged when changing. |
Spokesman Gareth Price said: "Most people won't need new equipment beyond a digital Freeview box on top of their TV. But if you do, get more than one quote, compare prices and use a reputable trader." | Spokesman Gareth Price said: "Most people won't need new equipment beyond a digital Freeview box on top of their TV. But if you do, get more than one quote, compare prices and use a reputable trader." |
Help scheme | |
Older and disabled people are able to use a special scheme to help them make the switch. | Older and disabled people are able to use a special scheme to help them make the switch. |
Gareth Earle, regional project co-ordinator for the Switchover Help Scheme, said: "People are eligible if they're aged 75 or over, if they're on certain disability benefits, if they're blind or partially sighted, or if they have lived in a care home for six months or more. | Gareth Earle, regional project co-ordinator for the Switchover Help Scheme, said: "People are eligible if they're aged 75 or over, if they're on certain disability benefits, if they're blind or partially sighted, or if they have lived in a care home for six months or more. |
"Everyone who is eligible will be contacted by us and the standard option for most people will be £40." | |
Kitty Phillips from Neath said older people such as herself relied on television and would be lost without it. | Kitty Phillips from Neath said older people such as herself relied on television and would be lost without it. |
"It helps people of my age and it helps people who are very lonely," she said. | "It helps people of my age and it helps people who are very lonely," she said. |
"It brings life into the home when I can't get out. I couldn't be without it if I tried. I love my TV, I always have. | "It brings life into the home when I can't get out. I couldn't be without it if I tried. I love my TV, I always have. |
"I enjoy every programme and I practically watch it from morning until night." | "I enjoy every programme and I practically watch it from morning until night." |
The Digital UK helpline is 08456 50 50 50 (08458 48 48 48 for Welsh speakers). | The Digital UK helpline is 08456 50 50 50 (08458 48 48 48 for Welsh speakers). |