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Going Digital

Thinking of buying a new television? It would be wise to do your homework before you spend your hard earned cash. Check your favourite retailers’ websites to see what’s available and perhaps even have a look at TradeMe.

At the moment you can choose between traditional analogue television sets or high definition digital Freeview television.

Both are free to air so you pay nothing other than the initial set up costs to watch television. You’d be hard pressed to find stores selling new analogue televisions, since Freeview is already on in parts of the country, but the analogue television signal will be switched off between September this year and November next year. If you do find an analogue television for a good price is very aware that it is cheap for a very good reason - you might not be able to use it for long.

That said, if you own an analogue television and see no need to replace it with an all bells and whistles digital set you could upgrade it to receive the digital signal by buying a Freeview receiver, also known as a set top box. You can get them from electrical retailers for between $100 and $200 - but check compatibility with your television’s particular make and model before you buy.

As well as finding extra channels on the Freeview service in crystal clear high definition, as well as an on screen television program guide, you’ll also inherit the ability to pause live television as you make nip to the loo or make a cup of tea.

The first regions to go completely digital, the Government website www.goingdigital.co.nz says, will be Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast of the South Island on September 30, 2012. It will be then that the analogue signal is turned off. By then approximately Norsewood to Tutira, in Hawke’s Bay, will go digital and Haast to Karamea, on the West Coast, including Murchison, St Arnaud and Maruia. By the end of 2013 all of New Zealand will be watching digital TV and there will be no analogue signal. The rest of South Island, east of and including Arthur’s Pass, south of Haast and north of St Ardaud, will go digital by on April 28, 2013. The Lower North Island, Wellington to Awakino is Taranaki, south of Taumaranui, Ruapehu and East Cape, will go digital on September 29, 2013. The rest of the country, the Upper North Island, will have to wait until November, 2013.

You will need a Freeview capable television or set top box, Sky or Telstra Clear to continue watching television after your area goes completely digital. If you have more than one television around the house, you'll need to make sure each one can receive a digital signal. About 80 per cent of the nation has already made the switch to digital.

For more information on the changes, what to expect and when, visit www.freeviewnz.tv