In order to receive digital television each household will need to transfer from analogue to the new digital services by installing a digital set top box or a TV bearing the HD Ready logo. Once this is done customers can begin to enjoy viewing programmes with sharper images, clearer sound and overall better quality from a choice of UK providers, including Sky TV, BT Vision, Virgin Media, and Freeview.

An immensely popular choice of provider is Sky TV who have over 50 HD channels‡, the largest number provided in the UK. This set top box is capable of recording programmes or indeed entire series at a time, as well as offering live pause which allows you to rewind and fast-forward television as you like. It can store up to 80 hours of standard definition TV or 30 hours of High Definition TV. Sky+ allows customers to record 2 shows at once while they watch a third previously recorded programme.

Similarly, the BT Vision+ Box also allows viewers to pause, rewind, and record live TV while it can additionally store up to 80 hours of recorded Freeview material. Much like Sky TV, 2 shows can be recorded at any one time but they also allow you to watch a programme as it airs on live television. They offer 4 packages, known as PictureBox, Sports, Music and Kids, with a combination of some or all available.

Virgin Media are equally designed to pause, rewind and record live television, in addition to storing up to 80 hours of standard definition TV. They offer a choice of 3 standard packs of varying channel quantities, and also provide customers with the choice of hand-picking specific additional channels, such as movies or children’s shows.

In contrast, Freeview offer a range of nearly 50 different channels and numerous radio stations for your entertainment. They offer an effective and simple viewing experience but retain the high image quality; however, as a free service they do not cater to various features like live pause, rewind and record, nor do customers have to decide on a specific viewing package.

To facilitate the viewing of digital television and to maximize overall performance, all customers are required to select a specially designed digital package. This may be an HD pack or a premium entertainment pack, allowing people to view a vast selection of popular British and International series or films, in addition to the mandatory installation of a set top box. Sky, BT and Virgin Media are all leaders in the digital market, and equally offer a combination of premium services in broadband and telephony as well as their provision of great TV offers.