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The Switchover explained
- Why is it happening?Digital is now the best technology for broadcasting TV. To make sure we all receive it, the digital signal needs to be available everywhere. After the switchover, almost everyone (at least 98.5% of the UK) will be able to receive digital TV through a conventional aerial.What do I need to do?If you receive more than five channels, your TV is probably digital. If not, you will need to connect to a digital set-top box, or replace it. This applies to all the TVs in your home, as well any other recorder (video or DVD) that you use to record from the TV.Do I need a new TV?No, but if your TV is still analogue, it won't work after the switchover unless you convert it with a separate digital set-top box.Will my recorder still work?After the switchover, video and analogue DVD recorders will still work as before, but will not be able to record any digital channels. Your best option is to upgrade to a digital recorder that allows you to record onto a hard drive, a DVD or both.Whatever you choose, make sure your new equipment has a DVB symbol and the 'digital tick' logo. This means it's designed to work before and after the switchover. Also, you will need to re-tune your digital products regularly to get the latest channels/services.
- View More: Samsung The Switchover explained
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Retuning Guide
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The Digital Switchover is about to happen in my area, what do I need to do?
- When your area switches to digital, you will need to retune your TV in order to receive the digital channels.
Click here to view the retune guides:
If a retune has not worked, please be advised to use the ‘Shipping Condition’ function to reset your TV.
- View More: Panasonic The Digital Switchover is about to happen in my area, what do I need to do?
- When your area switches to digital, you will need to retune your TV in order to receive the digital channels.
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Why, since the 'Digital Switchover', has my TV picture started to break up and show a 'blocky' picture? The sound is also crackly!
- 1: You may need to retune your TV.
2: If the signal in your area has dropped after the switchover, please try a mains powered booster.
3: How old is your house Aerial? It may need updating. Please consult with an Aerial Specialist to check your current aerial system.
- View More: Panasonic Why, since the 'Digital Switchover', has my TV picture started to break up and show a 'blocky' picture? The sound is also crackly!
- 1: You may need to retune your TV.
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Since the Digital Switchover has happened, I can not record TV programmes
- If you have a DVD Recorder with built-in Freeview, you will need to retune your DVD recorder after the switchover.
Please click here to access retune guides for your model
- View More: Panasonic Since the Digital Switchover has happened, I can not record TV programmes
- If you have a DVD Recorder with built-in Freeview, you will need to retune your DVD recorder after the switchover.
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What is the digital switchover?
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The digital switchover is a process that has started across the UK. All analogue channels will be turned off on a region by region basis and will be replaced with a newer and stronger digital signal.
When do I switch?
Depending on your area, you will have certain dates provided by Digital UK to let you know when your area is changing over. The switchover will take place in two stages. Full information about the switchover in your area can be found at the digital uk websitehttp://www.digitaluk.co.uk.
How do I switch?
During, after and even sometimes before your area switches over, you will need to retune your digital equipment to receive the new channels and services. For infromation on how to retune your Philips TV or DVD recorder click here.
- View More: Philips What is the digital switchover?
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How To Retune?
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To find the correct retune information for your model of TV select your TV from the drop downlist below. (Your model number can be found at the back of your TV on a white sticker click here to see example), or by pressing 123 654 quickly on your remote control.)
Get E-mail instructions
Visit our contact page to get help with retuning your TV.
Have any questions?
I have the wrong regional Service?
I have retuned but still have no channels?
How do I reset my TV to factory settings?
I am missing the RED BUTTON interactive menu?
- View More: Philips How To Retune?
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Upgrade Solutions
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We have a wide range of digital products
Some TV's older than 10 years may not have a built in digital tuner and will not work after the analogue channels have turned off. If your TV has a SCART connection, you can simply connect a digital set top box to continue to enjoy the digital services.
To check to see what models of TV's and digital equipment are not supported after the digital switch over click here to view the list.
Need a Set Top box?
- View More: Philips Upgrade Solutions
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Switchover Updates
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Regions affected
Due to important transmission changes from 01- 04 November in many northern cities such as Manchester and Birmingham, you may experience a loss of some or all digital services on your TV. If your area is listed in the table below you will need to retune your TV after the date provided to regain full digital TV services.
Huntshaw Cross COM4, COM5, COM6 01/11/11 Storeton COM6 01/11/11 Sutton Coldfield COM6 01/11/11 Angus COM6 02/11/11 Caradon Hill COM5, COM6 02/11/11 Fenton COM6 02/11/11 Keelylang Hill COM6 02/11/11 Rumster Forest COM6 02/11/11 Angus COM5 03/11/11 Brierley Hill COM6 03/11/11 Keelylang Hill COM5 03/11/11 Redruth COM4, COM5, COM6 03/11/11 Rumster Forest COM5 03/11/11 Winter Hill COM6 03/11/11 Malvern COM6 04/11/11 London switchover dates announced
London will go digital on 4 April 2012, in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Analogue BBC Two will disappear in London and neighbouring parts of Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex and Surrey on 4 April 2012. The remaining analogue channels-BBC One, ITV1, Channel Four and Channel Five-will then be turned off on 18 April 2012.
London's switchover will be the biggest in the UK, affecting nearly twelve million viewers and extending Freeview coverage to all parts of the capital and neighbouring areas for the first time.
- View More: Philips Switchover Updates
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Can I watch analogue TV after the switchover has completed?
- No, Once the digital switchover is completed all analogue channels will be turned off and will be replaced with the new digital channels.
- View More: Philips Can I watch analogue TV after the switchover has completed?
- No, Once the digital switchover is completed all analogue channels will be turned off and will be replaced with the new digital channels.
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I am subscribed to a cable TV service such as Virgin Media/ Sky, will I still need to retune?
- No, as long as you are using the provided set top box your services will be unaffected. However, if you do want to use digital freeview in the furture through an aerial you may want to connect to your roof aerial to retune and keep up to date with the switchover in your area.
- View More: Philips I am subscribed to a cable TV service such as Virgin Media/ Sky, will I still need to retune?
- No, as long as you are using the provided set top box your services will be unaffected. However, if you do want to use digital freeview in the furture through an aerial you may want to connect to your roof aerial to retune and keep up to date with the switchover in your area.
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I want to upgrade my equipment, who do I contact
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If you would like to upgrade your TV, or digital set top box you can call us for free on 0800 331 6016 or call our partner distributor Dutchwest on 01434 32 32 32. You can also visit http://www.dutchwest.co.uk.
To upgrade your aerial and other freeview equipment, such as cables and connections you would need to contact Digital UK direclty for recommendations as each area has their own set of requirements when installing the new digital equipment. You can call Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50 or visit http://www.digitaluk.co.uk.
- View More: Philips I want to upgrade my equipment, who do I contact
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Will I need a seperate Digital Box
- Depending on the age of your TV, your TV may not have a digital tuner that is compatible with the new digital signal. If your TV has a SCART connection you can simply connect a digital freeview box to your TV to continue to enjoy the benifits of digital TV. We would recommend the DTR230 digital box, available to purchase from £30. Click here to view the information on our partner distributors website.
- View More: Philips Will I need a seperate Digital Box
- Depending on the age of your TV, your TV may not have a digital tuner that is compatible with the new digital signal. If your TV has a SCART connection you can simply connect a digital freeview box to your TV to continue to enjoy the benifits of digital TV. We would recommend the DTR230 digital box, available to purchase from £30. Click here to view the information on our partner distributors website.
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My TV does not have a SCART Connection, can I still use a set top box?
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Depending on the connections your digital set top box and your TV has, you may still be able to connect your digital receiver to your TV
If you need help connecting devices to your TV click here to view our online connectivity guide or click the chat button at the top of the page to chat with an online advisor who can help confirm what type digital product is suitable for your Philips TV.
- View More: Philips My TV does not have a SCART Connection, can I still use a set top box?
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How often do I need to retune my TV?
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On, or after both of your two switchover stages in your area, or if you have lost any TV channels or services
You will be given two retune dates from digital Uk. You would need to retune your TV at these dates provided. Sometimes, even before, during and after these dates you may have to retune your TV again if the signal around you is being worked on in surrounding areas.
If you are experiencing any problems with your signal you may need to try retune first to resolve the problem before contacting digital Uk.
- View More: Philips How often do I need to retune my TV?
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I have tried retuning but I am still having problems
- Below is general troubleshooting that is known to resolve the majority of issues experienced after and during the digital switch over. If you are still experiencing a problem after trying the steps below, contact digital UK as you may need to check the services available in your area.
- If you have selected "channel update" or "add channels". Turn off these settings and do a full retune.
- Not all channells are available in all areas. To find out what channels you get in your area go to the predictave postcode checker on the digital uk website atdigital.co.uk/postcodechecker
- Switch over is in two stages, inbetween there may be times when you have low signal in your area while digital uk are working on the signal. Try retuning, and if you still experience a problem contact digital UK direclty at their website for more information.
- If your area has completed the switch over and you are not receiving any digital services or analogue signal. Please check the lost of affected equipment that will no longer be supported after the digital switchover. You can view this list at digtiluk.co.uk/troubleshooting
- If you are still having problems in your area you may need to have your arial inspected to ensure that it is pointing to your local transmitter. After the switch over your transmitter may change, contact digital UK to keep up to date with the services in your area. Http://www.digitaluk.co.uk
- View More: Philips I have tried retuning but I am still having problems
- Below is general troubleshooting that is known to resolve the majority of issues experienced after and during the digital switch over. If you are still experiencing a problem after trying the steps below, contact digital UK as you may need to check the services available in your area.
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I have the wrong regional Service?
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During and after the switch over the new digital signal transmissions will be at a higher level than before. Meaning that depending on the area you are in, your tuner may tune into services from surrounding transmitters or replays.
Reposition your channels
If your tuner is tuning
You may want to set up your favourites to store your channels in a menu to easily access your correct regional services and favourite channels.
Or you can manually tune in the channels by following the instructions in the user manual for your TV.
Remove amplifiers
As the signal will be stronger after the digital switchover, if you are using any equipment in your home to boost or amplify the signal, you may want to try removing these as they may no longer be necessary and in many instances may cause you to receive other regional services.
Turn off over night update channel scan
If your TV has this option in the settings menu, turn off the automatic over night update scan as during the switchover as services are changing, this may minimise the number of times you will have to retune your TV if you keep loosing channels and digital services
- View More: Philips I have the wrong regional Service?
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I have retuned but I still have no channels?
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Depending on your area you may be inbetween the two stages of the switchover, or there may be a signalling issue in your area.
During the switchover you may experience loss of channels and services, or unavailable services for a period of time if Digital UK are working on the transmitter in your area.
Check your post code for any service distruptions
Visit http://www.digitaluk.co.uk and enter your post code and house number on the right hand side of the page. You will then be directed to you an online page that will notify you if you are in the progress of the switch over or if there is any planned engineering work being carried out in your area.
Reset your TV to factory settings?
Follow the reset guidelines below:
If your TV has a menu button on the side or the top of the TV, you can reset your TV by following the instructions below. If your TV does not have a menu button on the side or top, the reset instrucitons can be found in the menu options for your TV. Please refer to the user guide for your TV on how to find the exact instructions.
To reset your TV using the "MENU BUTTON" follow the instructions below
- Hold down the menu button on the top or side of your TV for at least 10-15 seconds
- An on screen menu will appear asking you to enter the time, date and location settings
- Follow the onscreen instrucitons, and once completed your TV will reset to factory settings
Did the reset resolve the problem? If not please contact us on the free phone number 0800 331 6015 and we will be happy to help you, or you can click above to contact a live chat advisor.
- View More: Philips I have retuned but I still have no channels?
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