
If you decide the time has come to buy a new TV, it’s worth looking at the growing range of integrated digital TVs (iDTV) – that is a TV with a digital tuner box built in. This will give you Freeview channels through your aerial - if your area has gone digital - and most still give you analogue services as well. There are also now (late 2008) iDTVs with a built in satellite tuner. These bring you freesat from BBC and ITV digital TV via a satellite signal and must be connected to a satellite dish.
Nearly all iDTVs are widescreen and you can get flat panel LCD or plasma or traditional CRT models, although the choice choice of CRT models is now very small [see our jargon buster for all these terms]. Remember, with digital TV, all the major channels and new programmes are broadcast in widescreen format.
iDTVs cost from about £200 upwards. A top of the range model
could cost thousands.
On iDTVs with a common interface slot or module, you can also subscribe
to additional services such as Top up TV. You can also connect
an iDTV to set top boxes to receive satellite, cable or phone based
services if you want these, just as you can with any TV.
To find out which services are available in your area, see our contacts list for Digital UK contact details.
For what to look for in a digital TV recorder, see Features to look for. For all test results, go to iDTVs test reports.
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