Due to the sheer complexity of the transmission network across the UK, it is not possible for the digital switchover to happen immediately. Almost 2000 transmitters need to be upgraded to support the delivery of digital TV which involves a considerable amount of engineering effort to plan, install and commission. The digital switchover process is therefore being phased in across the UK by TV regions. DigitalUK, the organisation behind the digital switchover sends out regular communications by post and TV/radio/press advertisements informing you as to when you will need to switch to digital. All of the main central transmitters have already been converted to broadcast digital. The switchover work in the main is about converting the 1800 relay transmitters around the UK on a region by region basis to improve coverage, particularly in rural areas as well as physically switching off the analogue TV service.

Although you will get exposed to a vast amount of information regarding the phased switchover to digital TV, you may probably find that FREEVIEW^TM is already being broadcast in your area from the main central transmitter in your region. Check your post code here to see if you can already receive FREEVIEW^TM where you live.

The actual events for each regional switchover will vary region by region.Digital UK will provide more detailed information regarding how the switchover will occur in your area.

Recording FREEVIEW^TM (or indeed any other digital TV service) can be difficult. Not all VCRs/DVDs can record digital channels. You can record what you are watching with a FREEVIEW^TM box and some digital ready televisions. You can even set up some FREEVIEW^TM boxes (including those from TVonics) to switch on at the appropriate time, automatically tune to the desired channel, and deliver the digital TV output to the VCR. You will of course need to set up your VCR manually to switch on and record at the appropriate time and expected duration of the programme.

You may have seen advertisements about Sky+, but you have to pay a monthly subscription for this.

Now you can always record any FREEVIEW^TM programme for free. Watch and Record digital TV minus the contract! Better yet, rather than being restricted to a meagre 40 hours of recording, you can select FREEVIEW+^TM recorders that can record over 6 times the amount. Now with the ability to record a whole series, you can select every episode of your favourite TV programmes to be automatically recorded at the touch of a button . Your TV does not need to be switched on. You can even leave your FREEVIEW+^TM recorder on standby to save energy, and it will wake up at the appropriate time to record your programme and then go back into standby waiting to record the next programme.

Another great feature of FREEVIEW+^TM is the ability to pause live TV. Simply press pause on the remote and the machine will freeze the programme at that point and record up to 2 hours worth of the programmes on the channel you are on. When you are ready to watch TV again, simply press play to resume watching from where you left off. This enables you to watch TV that is being broadcast during the day/night delayed by the amount of time you were busy doing other things. Making it even easier for you, we provide an additional feature that lets you rewind live TV if you forgot to press the pause button.

• Records in full broadcast quality. Unlike your VCR or DVD-Recorder, FREEVIEW+^TM hard disk recorders record in full broadcast quality without any image degradation. There is no difference between watching live FREEVIEW^TM and a recorded FREEVIEW+^TM programme visually or audibly.
• Records Subtitles - Record the subtitles as well. You can then optionally select them when you play the programme back.
• Watch as many times as you like without degradation.
• No need to find a blank tape.
• The onscreen library lists your recordings, lets you find out when they were recorded, and from which channel and provides the ability to read the programme synopsis. You can sort them by size, age or programme name.
• Fast forwards and reverse smoothly.
• Skip forwards/backwards 30 seconds.
• Watch the recording from the point you stopped watching it last time.
• Skip to the start or to the end.
• Automatically adjusts the start and end recording time if the TV-schedule has changed due to for example a news bulletin or an earlier program running over-time.
• Playlist - Select a group of programmes to play sequentially one after the other. Great for planning an evening's TV entertainment or for archiving the selected programmes to a VHS tape or DVD via the second SCART connection.

If your TV has a spare available SCART socket, this is the most optimal way to obtain the best digital TV quality.

If you have a VCR or DVD-Recorder, you will most certainly be better off with a Twin SCART FREEVIEW^TM receiver. The second SCART delivers a copy of the digital channel for recording by your VCR or DVD Recorder. Although it is not typically possible to record one digital channel whilst watching another, with a FREEVIEW+^TM box you can watch and record different channels at the same time.

You can convert an older TV set which does not have a SCART socket by selecting a FREEVIEW^TM box with an integrated RF modulator. An RF modulator transforms the selected digital channel you wish to watch into the equivalent of a broadcast analogue TV channel, so it will work with older TV's. Simply tune your existing television to the FREEVIEW^TM box in the same way you tuned in to view your VCR and you are all set to enjoy FREEVIEW^TM on your existing TV without a SCART.

You can obtain help to convert your television if you are:

• aged 75 or over
• you get (or could get):
• attendance or constant attendance allowance, or mobility supplement, or disability living allowance
• registered blind or partially sighted

TVonics is a supplier of Switchover Help Scheme approved FREEVIEW^TM boxes and FREEVIEW+^TM digital TV recorders. Over the last two years we have worked closely with the BBC and government departments to develop and offer scheme approved FREEVIEW^TM boxes and FREEVIEW+^TM digital TV recorders. For the first digital switchover, our FREEVIEW^TM and FREEVIEW+^TM products were exclusively provided to the eligible residents of Whitehaven and Copeland district in Cumbria.

We are delighted to announce that our products have also been selected for users living in the Scottish Borders region which will switchover in November 2008.

We supply two scheme models to EAGA PLC who operate the scheme for and behalf of DSHS Limited:

The MDR-300 FREEVIEW^TM box and the DTR-FP1600AD Freeview+ digital TV recorder.

The MDR-300 is exclusive to EAGA and offers Full digital tick compliance as well as compliance with the scheme CRR specification. Please contact EAGA PLC if you are eligible for the scheme.

We are able to offer the DTR-FP1600AD FREEVIEW+^TM digital TV recorder direct. The DTR-FP1600AD supports Audio Description (when broadcast) for both Live and Recorded TV. Please note that the DTR-FP1600AD does not support series recording features. The same memory in the system is used instead for AD processing.

www.helpscheme.co.uk

• Call the help scheme free on 0800 408 5900.
• Lines are open Monday to Sunday between 8am and 9pm.
• Textphone users call us free on 0800 408 5936.
• Email info@helpscheme.co.uk

Or you can write to them at :

Freepost
Switchover Help Scheme
Richmond House<
Metro Riverside Park
Watermark
Swalwell

NE11 9SZ

www.eaga.com