Case 1--- DTV in UK
cctv.com 11-17-2004 14:23
What are the options?
The options open to you if you want digital tv in your home are:
路 Sky Digital (the older Sky analogue no longer exists). You'll need Sky to install a satellite dish, drill holes in your wall, and give you a digibox that plus into your TV. You'll also need to plug the box into your phone line, as a condition of subscribing. This is so that the box can use interactive services and to dial Sky to verify payment for pay-to-view films. See Radio & Telly's Sky page for details.
路 Cable. If you're served by a cable operator such as Telewest, Kingston or NTL, they may be able to provide you with a cable TV package, as well as phone services. Again, you'll need an engineer visit to connect you, and a set-top box.
路 Freeview. This is known as Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) and is digital TV received through your standard TV aerial. Freeview launched in October 2002, as the successor to onDigital/itvDigital. All channels are free to watch, and no engineer needs to visit (although an aerial upgrade may be needed if your current aerial isn't suitable). Channel line-up is more limited than Sky and cable. In 2004, TopUp TV appeared adding a number of extra channels on a subscription-basis
路 Homechoice. Available only in certain parts of London at the moment, the Homechoice service offers a range of TV channels and movies on demand, as well as high-bandwidth Internet and email access. The service is delivered using a standard BT telephone line, using a special decoder box. As of July 2004, offering 1000 movies, 60 channels of digital TV and up to 1Mb broadband. If you're in the London area, get more details at homechoice.co.uk
What is Interactive TV?
Most providers offer some kind of interactive service. Think Ceefax and Teletext, mixed with the Internet. Information on demand, plus two-way services over your phone line, such as email, online shopping and banking. Sky TV viewers are encouraged to "press the red button" to get interactive, and try the news, offers, games, features, and pay services of their interactive offering, SkyActive. Alternatively, check out BBCi, the Beeb's excellent interactive service
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