TV is an important part of our modern lives and therefore a factor to consider when it comes to interior design. When designing a sitting room or lounge your first decision is probably whether your TV will take centre stage or whether it will be discreetly hidden away in cabinetry except when in use. Many opt for the former as a large flat-screen TV can give an impression of luxury and opulence in the right setting. Having decided on your type of television and site your next consideration is where you will get your TV signal from. Everyone is probably aware that we are in a digital age and TV is in the process of converting to digital in order to provide the best quality viewing experience for the consumer. In the UK television services are in the process of converting completely to digital, region by region. You can upgrade your existing TV to receive the new signal, but for many this is an ideal time to purchase a new TV set that is ready to receive digital services.
When it comes to digital tv providers there is a bewildering choice, and much will depend on whether you are going to receive the signal through a traditional type of terrestrial aerial, or by some other means such as satellite or cable. The other consideration will be cost, and this can vary widely, depending to a large extent on whether your TV service is bundled together with broadband and/or the telephone. All options will give a greater choice of channels than ever before, but some services such as cable, may not be available in certain areas as yet.
If you are using a terrestrial aerial you can receive Freeview with a suitable digibox provided you are in an area that can receive the broadcast signal and you can check this online. With a suitable Freeview receiver and TopUpTV viewing card you can increase the number of viewing channels you can watch for about £8-10 per month.
If you have a simple satellite receiver and adequate size dish you can receive Free to Air channels which include all the normal BBC and ITV programs for free. These days though, our expectations are higher than ever and many families like to be able to view a wider choice of channels that include light entertainment, documentaries, cartoons, sports, films, and drama, and are therefore happy to pay a monthly subscription fee for this. The biggest provider is Sky with over 600 channels, and a clever choice of packages depending on your interests and needs. Sky, like other paid TV services can offer a bundled package that incorporates broadband plus telephone, and for many this can prove the best and most economical deal.
BT has entered the market fray with BT Vision, which will give you more than just the basic Freeview service at much less cost than Sky. BT Vision combines live TV transmission from Freeview with on demand TV programs and films. You also get a box that allows you to record TV via a broadband connection. You have to have your broadband from BT to get the TV tuner and service.
If you live in a part of the country that’s served by fibre-optic cable, you may be able to get high quality digital TV from Virgin, included in a package together with high speed broadband and home telephone.
TV providers are in sharp competition with one another so it is worth exploring all the possible deals before committing, and checking what your contract terms will be.
