This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6753719.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
TVs 'dumped after digital switch' TVs 'dumped after digital switch'
(1 day later)
Millions of TVs and videos will be dumped following the switch-over to digital television, a survey suggests.Millions of TVs and videos will be dumped following the switch-over to digital television, a survey suggests.
Eight million machines - enough to fill 100 Olympic swimming pools - will be ditched, according to the poll of 2,500 UK adults. Eight million machines - enough to fill 100 Olympic swimming pools - will be ditched, it estimated, based on a poll of 2,500 UK adults.
Almost half of households do not know that VCRs will not work in the same way when the analogue signal stops. Almost half of households do not know video players will not work in the same way when the analogue signal stops.
One in five video recorders will be abandoned, possibly causing environmental damage, says uSwitch.com.One in five video recorders will be abandoned, possibly causing environmental damage, says uSwitch.com.
When the signal changes viewers will no longer be able to watch one channel while recording another, the independent switching service explains.When the signal changes viewers will no longer be able to watch one channel while recording another, the independent switching service explains.
The company estimates that the cost of replacing these VCRs with digital recorders will exceed £1.1bn.The company estimates that the cost of replacing these VCRs with digital recorders will exceed £1.1bn.
'Shattering' impact'Shattering' impact
Of the 25 million TV sets yet to "go digital", nearly five million are incapable of receiving a digital signal.Of the 25 million TV sets yet to "go digital", nearly five million are incapable of receiving a digital signal.
The national bill to make TVs work will exceed £2.2bn.The national bill to make TVs work will exceed £2.2bn.
Fifteen per cent of households plan to throw their old sets away, the poll of 2,599 UK adults shows.Fifteen per cent of households plan to throw their old sets away, the poll of 2,599 UK adults shows.
Steve Weller, head of communication services at uSwitch.com, says: "Not only is the switch-over costing the nation significantly more than the low cost of a Freeview box, but the potential environmental impact of the discarded VCRs and TVs is shattering."Steve Weller, head of communication services at uSwitch.com, says: "Not only is the switch-over costing the nation significantly more than the low cost of a Freeview box, but the potential environmental impact of the discarded VCRs and TVs is shattering."
Authorities need to educate people about the change plus set up collection and recycling schemes, he adds.Authorities need to educate people about the change plus set up collection and recycling schemes, he adds.
Whitehaven in Cumbria will be the first place in the UK to switch to digital in October.Whitehaven in Cumbria will be the first place in the UK to switch to digital in October.