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Are you ready to go digital with your TV?
New Zealand television is going digital. This means the old way of getting TV signals through analogue will stop, and signals will then be received digitally (new technology).
The change from analogue to digital will happen between September 2012 and November 2013.
Why is this happening? Digital TV gives better-quality pictures, more channels, better sound, and more features such as on-screen TV guide.
When will I go digital?
September 2012 - Hawkes Bay and West Coast April 2013 - Rest of South Island September 2013- Lower North Island & East Cape November 2013 - Upper North Island
What do I need to do? If you already watch TV with Freeview, SKY TV, or TelstraClear – you are already watching TV digitally.
You are also already digital if you watch TV with devices like TiVo or Playstation3’s Play TV. This means you do not need to do anything.
If you do not watch TV with any of the above, you will need to buy some equipment so your TV can receive the digital signals. You will need to buy either a UHF aerial and set-top box OR a satellite dish and a satellite set-top box.
Each offer different things, and also depend on where you live in NZ. You do not have to buy a new TV, this is up to you.
Where can I get the equipment? Freeview, TiVo, SKY TV, TelstraClear and retail shops sell the equipment. The costs of the equipment (and installation) will depend on what you buy, and where you live.
If you want to watch only free-to-air TV, you will need to buy the equipment to watch Freeview (who provides free-to-air TV). If you need an UHF aerial or a satellite dish, you may also have to pay to have that installed on your roof. This will be a one-off cost.
If you want to watch pay-TV (such as SKY TV or TelstraClear), they will provide & install the equipment, with you paying a fee every month.
Can I install my digital TV equipment myself? In most cases, you will be able to set up for digital TV yourself. Most people will only need a set-top box, which can be easily installed by plugging it into the back of the television and connecting it to the aerial lead.
However, if you need a aerial or dish, you may want to ask a professional to install this, to ensure it is set up correctly.
What about captions/Teletext? Captions will still be available for some programmes on Freeview and TelstraClear. Teletext will also continue to be available.