Digital TVs
Digital TVs have a digital tuner built in. This will give you Freeview channels through your aerial. There are now digital TVs that also have a built in satellite freesat tuner. These also bring you freesat services from BBC and ITV via a satellite signal and must be connected to a satellite dish.
We’ve tested a range of 37" and larger, 32", 26" and 20" and under TVs to find the models that are easiest to use. For our recomendations see
For the pros and cons of digital TVs compared to other digital TV kit as well as features to look out for see Choosing your kit. See Connecting up for information and diagrams to help with connection and setting up. For information on what our tests involve see Test Methods.
LCDs are modern, slim panel TVs. LCD technology is improving and prices have been coming down. Plasma TVs are also flat panel but use a quite different technology. This was thought to be better than LCD technology, but LCDs are improving so the difference is less now.
High definition and 'HD Ready' TV?
Almost all new digital TVs are now ‘HD ready’, meaning that the screen is capable of displaying pictures from high definition broadcasts. But, you will also need an HD set top box, HD digital TV recorder, or a TV with an in-built HD tuner (Freeview or freesat) to actually receive and view HD channels.
HDTV channels are now available on freesat from BBC and ITV (non-subscription satellite), Sky (subscription satellite) and Virgin (cable) and on Freeview (aerial) in some areas. See their websites for service details Broadcaster and providers.