If you have a new TV then you’re probably digital ready. But, if your TV is a few years old, then here are a few things you can do to get digital ready:

  • Keep your TV and attach a digital set-top box, or a digital video recorder.
  • Buy a new TV with an integrated digital TV tuner.
  • If you have subscription TV, you may already be ready for digital TV.

If you don’t know whether or not your TV already has a built-in tuner, check to see if you can receive ABC2 or SBS TWO. If you can see these channels, you are already watching digital TV and you don’t need to change or upgrade.

If you are receiving ABC2 and SBS TWO through your subscription TV service, you will need to check with your provider about access to other free-to-air digital channels. To contact a subscription TV provider to check your options, visit the media centre below.

Most analog TVs will be able to receive digital TV by connecting a digital set-top box or digital TV recorder. So, unless your analog TV is too old to be connected to a set-top box or digital TV recorder, it won’t need replacing.

Different TVs use different connections, so it’s important to check the connection points on your TV before you purchase a set-top box or digital TV recorder. Your local endorsed antenna installer or approved digital advisor should be able to supply you with the correct cabling. Use mySwitch to find endorsed antenna installers or stores with approved digital advisors in your local area.

Watching digital TV using a set-top box

A set-top box enables you to watch digital TV broadcasts on an analog TV. If you want to keep your existing analog TV, you'll need a set-top box to be able to see digital free-to-air TV after the switchover. Set-top boxes range from basic standard definition (SD) models to high definition (HD) models and may include electronic program guides and interactive features such as pausing and replaying live TV.

SD digital set-top boxes will allow you to receive only SD digital versions of all the current analog channels available in your area, plus any new SD channels. They will not provide you with any HD channels.

To receive both the SD and HD channels available in your area, you will need an HD digital set-top box.

Your local approved digital advisor will be able to assist. Use mySwitch to find your nearest retail store with an approved digital advisor.

Is there a difference between se-top boxes?

The main difference between set-top boxes is in their capability to provide either standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD) digital television. More sophisticated models have features such as an electronic program guide, and let you record programs to an internal hard disk drive or DVD. 

An SD set-top box will provide only SD free-to-air digital channels in your area.

An HD set-top box will provide all SD and HD free-to-air digital channels available in your area.

How much will a set-top box cost?

There are many different brands of set-top boxes available on the market. The type of set-top box you purchase will depend on your individual needs.

If you decide to watch free-to-air channels through a subscription television digital box, check with the provider in your area about the cost of monthly subscription.

Your local approved digital advisor will be able to assist. Use mySwitch to find your nearest retail store with an approved digital advisor.

What are digital TV recorders?

Digital TV recorders can receive digital services and record them, normally to a hard drive. They have many names, including digital video recorders (DVRs), personal video recorders (PVRs), digital versatile disk recorders (DVD recorders), hard disk recorders (HD recorders) or hard disk digital versatile disk recorders (HD DVD recorders).

If you would like advice about purchasing a digital TV recorder, your local approved digital advisor will be able to assist. Use mySwitch to find your nearest retail store with an approved digital advisor.

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