Digital TV Customers’ Reception Dilemma

The launch of ONdigital, the new face of British Digital Broadcasting, has again given rise to speculation over the compatibility of the various receivers on the market with the different services available .

It is understood that customers wanting to receive digital television will be given a choice of two options. The first is a set-top box, which can be plugged into people’s current television set to receive digital television.

Secondly, customers can buy a digital television. According to ONdigital, it and leading television manufacturers are currently collaborating to produce open standard integrated televisions (idTVs) for sale in the autumn. These will be capable of receiving all the digital terrestrial services from the BBC, ITV, C4, C5 and ONdigital.

The set-top boxes are expected to cost in the region of £200, whereas the specialised TV’s are set to start selling in the Autumn for about £1000, although their price is expected to halve within two years.

There has been speculation in the past as to whether either of these two receivers will be able to receive both ONdigital services and those provided by BSkyB (see Newsline)but a spokesperson from ONdigital commented today: “We and BSkyB are working together to make sure that you can get all the programmes with the same box.”

ONdigital: 0171 819 8000