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Set-Top Box Or Not? - Are You Digital Ready Australia?

By: Chris Spink

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Australia is set to go digital. Analogue television signals will be phased out and replaced by digital between 2010 & 2013 (this will happen at different times in different areas of the country).

If you haven't already then you will need to make some decisions regarding what you will do for your television viewing. This has prompted a lot of questions on what to do and how much will it cost to become digital compatible. The transition could be less than $70 and the benefits are immense. See the article 'differences between analogue and digital'

Option one - purchase a Digital ready TV

You can replace your analogue TV and buy a digital ready television, which includes a digital tuner. You then choose whether to get High Definition (HD) or Standard Definition (SD). The quality of the picture you receive relates to things such as how many pixels your television has etc but this article won't go into that. You will then be able to receive all the free to air TV programs. There are a huge variety of sizes to choose from and then you need to decide whether you prefer plasma, LCD or LED and vary in price accordingly.

Pros New TV and digital ready Cons

This can be an expensive option if your currant TV is still perfectly good need to dispose of old TV which is a waste and environmentally unfriendly

Option two -purchase 'set-top box' - that works as a receiver only

The set top box converts digital signals in a form that can be received by your existing analog television. The set top box is simply connected to your existing television by a cable. To enjoy digital television all you have to do is invest in a digital set-top box that converts the signal, so the cost can be quite minimal.

The decision to buy a set top box and keep your currant television may be based on budget or some people may just prefer to be environmentally friendly and minimise waste and not to discard a perfectly good television.

Pros Economical and environmental option

Option three- purchase 'set-top box' with hard disc drive (HDD) and recording capabilities

You can buy a set top box with hard disc drive (HDD) which enables you to record your favourite TV programs directly on to the hard disc drive (no need to use DVD's or VCR's). The HDD set top box acts like a library of recorded programs and depending on the model you purchase, some have two hundred hours of memory or more. Some HDD set top boxes such as TiVo can be programmed to let you know if there are any TV shows with your favourite actors or directors. Most set top boxes also have various features such as 'time shifting' which is similar to fast forward, but it is done in segments e.g. 30 seconds or 1 minute for you convenience. This allows you to skip advertising or quickly move to the next recorded program. It can also pause live TV, if you get interrupted by the phone etc and also allows you to rewind after the pause to see bits of the program again. It can be programmed to record your favourite shows on a weekly or daily basis.

Pros

Economical and environmental option

Hard disk drive recording capabilities with a couple of hundred hours of memory

No need to record on to an actual DVD disc ( unless you want too keep it in your collection)

Can be programmed to record daily or weekly programs

For further information check out the Australian Government site http://www.digitalready.gov.au/ or call the information line on1800 20 10 13.

Good luck with your choice and happy digital TV watching!

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Chris Spink www.digital-set-top-box.com.au Set-Top boxes at discount prices!

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