Digital TV Switchover Help For The Elderly And Disabled
The traditional analogue television
signal will be turned off region by region up until 2012 to allow
all TV services to go digital. Any television not covered to
receive digital when the switchover happens will no longer be able
to receive TV programmes.
Going digital means a lot of benefits for
everyone:
- Better picture and sound quality
- Extra channels at no extra cost, plus other channels available
on subscription
- The provision of terrestrial an High Definition (HD)
channels
- Digital radio channels
- Access to a range of interactive services
- On-screen services including a guide to the coming weeks TV
programmes
Switchover Help Scheme
A Switchover Help Scheme aimed at helping older and disabled
people is run by the BBC. Digital TV is explained clearly and
simply, installation is done in your home and the installer will
ensure you are happy with how it all works.
Am I eligible?
The scheme helps everyone who:
- is aged 75 or over, or
- has lived in a care home for six months or more, or
- is registered blind or partially sighted, or
- gets (or could get)
- Disability living allowance, or
- Attendance or constant attendance allowance, or
- Mobility Supplement, or
Will I have to pay?
There is a £40 standard offer payment which
includes:
- Easy-to-use equipment
- Help with installing the equipment
- An aerial check and replacement if needed
- A demonstration and someone you can call for help
This service is free if you get pension credit,
income support, employment support allowance or income-based job
seekers allowance. There are other options available at an extra
cost.
You must have a valid TV licence (free if you
are over 75) to get help.
Avoiding the rogue traders
Rogue traders are seeing the digital switchover as an
opportunity to mislead residents on what new equipment they
require. Here are a few tips to keep them at bay:
- There is no such thing as a digital aerial. Most existing
aerials are fine for receiving digital TV. The Registered Digital
Installers Licensing Body (RDI-LB) is the UK's only official body
to register licensed digital aerial and TV systems installers
- Look for an installer using the digital tick logo (followed by
the 8 digit identification number) and check they are a member by
visiting the Registered Digital Installers Licensing
Body website or by calling 01353
644040
- Nobody from Digital UK or any other organisation linked to the
switchover will call at a house unless a prior appointment has been
made by the householder
- Do not have work carried out by any aerial installer who calls
uninvited or who fails to show proper identification. Use
contractors recommended by family and friends and get at least two
written quotations. If you are over 65, contact Age UK (formally
Age Concern) on 01354 696650 for a list of
registered traders
- Do not pay for work upfront and always agree price, payment
arrangements and start / finish dates before work commences
- People who are not satisfied with work or feel they may have
been overcharged or the victim of a rogue trader, should call
Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
More information
For further information about the digital
Switchover Help Scheme call
free on 0800 40 85 900. Lines are
open 8am to 9pm, seven days a week. If you are using a mobile phone
then call rates may vary.
Please also use the phone number for
switchover information in a different format such as:
- Large print
- Storybook format
- British Sign Language
- Audio
- Braille
- Another language
If you have a hearing difficulty or find it
difficult to speak, contact the free textphone
service on 0800 40 85 936.
Buying new equipment to receive digital
You do not need a new TV to get digital -
almost any set can be converted using a set top box. However, if
you are thinking of getting a new TV, you can buy an Integrated
Digital TV (IDTV) which has a digital receiver built in - look out
for one with the digital tick logo.
Remember any additional equipment that you
purchase will add to your household energy use and running costs.
It is therefore worth exploring the energy ratings of the various
models before buying one.
The Energy Saving Recommended logo guarantees
that all endorsed products are the most energy efficient in their
category so will cost you less to run and help reduce
CO2 emissions. An Energy Saving Trust endorsed set-top
box will consume around 50 per cent less electricity than a typical
set-top box.
When you have finished watching your TV,
remember to turn it off rather than leaving it on standby. More
than £915 million is wasted in the UK every year by people not
turning appliances off standby.
For more information on energy efficient
digital receivers and IDTVs visit the Energy Saving
Trust website or call free on 0800
512012.