Digital TV at C. Farmer Ltd.
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There
are two competing Digital TV systems in the UK, Sky Digital (via satellite)
and FreeView (via terrestrial broadcasting). Here is a table comparing
the two systems.
| Sky Digital | FreeView |
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Due to our location in the Derbyshire Dales we only have reception of Sky
Digital, so we don't recommend FreeView, reports from other dealers where
it is available suggest it's prone to reception problems, with picture
freezing and 'blocking' commonly occurring. There is now a new version of the
Sky Digital receiver available, the Pace Sky+ which is called a PVR
(Personal Video Recorder), this extends the system with a new range of
facilities - it has a built-in hard disk recorder (no tapes), and will allow
you to record one programme while you watch another, or even pause a live
programme. As it records the original digital data stream you get no loss of
quality, recordings are exactly the same quality as the original programme -
it's far easier to use than a conventional VCR, and looks to be the way of
the future. The original Sky+ PVR's included a 40GB hard drive, new ones now
include an 80GB one, giving twice the recording time. There is also a more
expensive version available, the Sky+160, which has a 160GB drive, doubling
the recording time again.
At long
last there seems to be more details appearing about the Analogue Switch-Off,
and in the Yorkshire and Central areas this will take place in 2011. The
sequence of events will apparently go like this:
- BBC 2 analogue will disappear, and be replaced by a digital multiplex providing the normal terrestrial channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, CH4 and CH5).
- This situation will continue for ONE MONTH, during which time it's important that viewers change over to the digital signal, buying set-top boxes as necessary.
- After the one month is up, all the other analogue services will be turned off, and more digital multiplexes added - however, many relays won't carry the full range of multiplexes - it seems likely that the Derbyshire Dales will lose out yet again!.
- If you didn't upgrade to digital in the preceding month, you now have no terrestrial TV reception!.
As
a major Sky ASA Dealer we can supply and install Sky Digital systems from
Pace and Thompson, including the Pace Sky+ PVR. As an
independent retailer we are able provide your choice of box (there is no
choice of box direct from Sky!), and our service is done locally, by
engineers and installers who are familiar with the area. Call in our
showrooms at Matlock and Bakewell, and see how Sky Digital can revolutionise
your viewing pleasure.
Sky HDTV - HDTV is 'High
Definition Television', a new exciting format offering the first increase in
television broadcast quality since colour first started in 1967. The new
service is only available via satellite, requires a new type of Sky+
PVR and an HD Ready TV, either Plasma, LCD, or LCD projector. The service started
in May 2006, and initially will only provide a limited number
of channels - the new Sky+HD has a 300GB hard drive, will cost £299, plus a
£10 per month subscription fee paid to BSkyB for the HD service, on top of
the normal Sky subscription payments. We have HD
demonstrations with live Sky HD running at both shops, so you can see the picture quality
that HD can provide.
To
tune in all the 16 ITV regions, select our ITV Page
for details, or for programming the Sky remote to work your TV, consult our Sky
Remote Page.
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| E-mail Service | Last updated 07 October 2008 | E-mail Sales |