Digital TV ask our expert

Ask our Expert

Digital TV expert Jon Ingram can answer your queries on anything, from choosing a digital TV service to dealing with your supplier. Email him on ourexpert@digitalchoices.co.uk with your questions.

Due to the high volume of queries it isn't always possible to reply to individual questions. However we publish replies to many questions on a weekly basis below.

Your digital TV questions answered...

Which HD TV provider offers the best value?

My subscription with Sky, which includes movies and sports channels, has come to an end - and I want to upgrade to HD. Which provider would offer the best value?

Why can’t I get Freeview HD on my HD TV?

I’ve had my TV set for a couple of years now, but one thing still baffles me. It’s supposed to be HD-ready and comes with built-in Freeview - but I still don’t get the Freeview HD channels. Do you know what the problem could be?

Do I need cable, Sky or BT Vision to bundle?

My TV is currently provided by Sky, while BT does my phone and broadband. I’d like to save money by bundling it all together, but Sky doesn’t do broadband in my area and I can’t get BT Vision either Cable is not available – any ideas?

Can I watch digital TV without cable or satellite?

I live in a conservation area of London. Virgin Media won’t serve here from Jan 2012 and a Sky dish wouldn’t get planning permission. Freeview reception is too poor. How else can I get digital TV?

What is Sky World HD?

I’m thinking about getting Sky, with sports and movies and I'm interested in Sky 3D. I’ve heard that to get all this I need to take the Sky World HD package, but I can’t find information on it anywhere?

How can I watch Formula 1 without Sky?

I have heard that Formula 1 races will be shown on Sky from next season - I have a Freeview+ box, is it going to be possible to watch the races live with the setup that I have?

What does HD-ready mean?

I've just bought a new, HD-ready TV but I can’t tell if the picture is any better. How do I know if I'm watching in high-definition?

Should I buy a 3D TV?

I already have a flat-screen TV but it isn’t high-definition so I'm thinking of buying a new model. Is it worth me spending the extra cash on a 3D TV?

I don't understand digital TV jargon

I want to upgrade my old TV, which is now more than 15-years-old, but when I started looking I just didn’t know what all the terms meant. Can you explain the jargon to me?

Does BT Vision have the same channels as Sky?

I currently have Sky TV with Sky Movies. I am considering switching to BT Vision, but I am afraid that I won’t have the same channels

What can I do with my internet-connected TV?

I just bought a new TV set, which is apparently “internet-connected”. I know this means I can go online with it, but what exactly can I do with my new TV?

Will movie channels get cheaper?

I’ve just read that Sky has been told it has too much control over the films shown on subscription TV channels. Does this mean the number of movies it has the exclusive rights to show might be restricted?

Can I pay in advance for my TV?

Is it possible to pay in advance for Sky or for Virgin Media TV without entering into a contract like you can with a mobile phone?

Why is my Freeview reception so bad?

I live in a village in West Sussex and I can receive Freeview channels but sometimes some of them are corrupted. Will this be fixed once the digital switchover is complete?

Can I get a short-term TV and broadband bundle?

I am moving into a new rented property and want to get a broadband and digital TV package. However, I only plan on being there for six months, so I don't want to get caught up in a long-term contract. What is the best option for me?

How can I watch TV on the go?

I’m a mad fan of Torchwood but I’m never have time at home to properly catch up. Is there any way I can watch the new series and other TV shows when I’m on the move?

I'm a SeeSaw customer - what happens now?

I've heard that SeeSaw is going to shut down. What’s going to happen to my account?

Can I get Sky Sports on BT Vision?

I'm thinking of getting BT Vision - but I want to make sure I can get Sky Sports first as I'm a big Arsenal fan. Can you help?

Virgin Media TiVo vs V+HD - which box should I choose?

I can’t decide whether to go for the latest Virgin Media TiVo set-top box or the cheaper V+HD service - what would you advise?

How do I set-up a TiVo WishList?

I’ve just got my new TiVo box through from Virgin Media and I've noticed there is a new WishList search feature in the planner menu. What is this and how do we use it?

How can I set my Sky box to record with my iPhone?

I have just upgraded to Sky+HD and the Sky engineer told me I could set the box to record using my iPhone. How do I do this?

What’s the difference between cable and satellite TV?

I want to upgrade to a subscription TV package. Both satellite and cable are available in my road, what’s the difference and which is better?

Can I get BT Vision without Freeview?

We live in an area which cannot get Freeview yet. Without having the access to Freeview, will we still be able to get BT Vision?

Multiroom alternatives for Virgin Media and Sky: what’s available?

When I had Sky, I used a digital video sender to watch TV upstairs without a second set-top box. Is this possible with Virgin Media?

Bad weather is affecting my TV - what can I do?

Whenever there is a period of cold weather, I lose channels. But then they return when the weather picks up. What can I do to stop this happening?

Will Virgin Media’s TiVo let me surf the net?

There are a lot of rumours flying around about Virgin Media’s new TiVo set-top box. I am wondering if it will have the ability to browse the web using the remote control?

How do I connect my laptop to my TV?

I want to watch the BBC iPlayer on my television. Please can you tell me how I connect my laptop to my TV?

What is a ‘simulcast’?

While watching a programme on Sky Atlantic the other day, it said that the show was also available on the “HD simulcast channel”. What does this mean?

Sky HD or Virgin HD - which is best?

I am disappointed with the lack of HD channels I can watch. A friend suggested I get a TV package from Virgin Media or Sky, as both offer more HD programmes. Which should I choose?
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Is the new Sky Atlantic channel on Virgin Media?

I like the look of the programmes being shown on the new Sky Atlantic channel but I’m a cable TV customer. Is it true that I can’t get Sky Atlantic on Virgin Media?

How do I record my favourite TV shows?

I’ve recently bought a TV with built-in Freeview and all I've been able to record onto my video recorder so far are the analogue channels. What do I need to do to record the other Freeview channels?
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Virgin TV or BT Vision: which is best?

I currently have Freeview but really want a new provider that offers catch-up on-demand services. Which would you recommend, Virgin TV or BT Vision?

What channel is Dog the Bounty Hunter on?

Now that Bravo has shut down, what channel is Dog the Bounty Hunter on for British viewers?

How can I watch Mad Men season 5?

We currently have Freeview, will we be able to watch Mad Man series 5 on a Freeview channel?

Can I put parental controls on my TV service?

Is there a way to block certain channels, or content of a certain certificate rating on my set-top box?

What do I need to watch Sky TV?

I watch a lot of TV and I’m thinking of getting a subscription to Sky but am not sure what is needed. Do I need to have a BT phone line and the internet, or can I get Sky without a phone line?
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Can I watch Sky Sports on Virgin Media?

I currently have a basic Virgin Media TV package with a cable phone and broadband service. I want to add Sky Sports for the cheapest possible price. What would you recommend?

What is Sky Anytime+?

I already have the full Sky package, including a Sky Plus box which is HD ready. What do I need to do now to receive Sky Anytime? I have also heard that Sky Anytime+ has just launched - what is this?
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Can I record movies to my set-top box?

I would like to record and store movies on my set-top box so that I can watch them over Christmas - but I don’t know how.

Can I get HD in my area?

I am not sure which HD package to choose, or what’s available in my area. Am I able to get Freeview HD where I live, or will I have to subscribe to a new digital TV package?

Should I choose Freeview or BT Vision?

I'm thinking of switching to digital TV and don’t want to spend a lot of money. Should I choose Freeview or BT Vision?

What’s the best digital TV movie service?

I’d like to sign-up to a movie service so that I can watch the latest films. But do I need a digital TV subscription?

How do I get Sky 3D TV?

I am already a Sky subscriber - how do I get Sky’s 3D TV? Will I need any special hardware? Also, what will the Sky 3D channel show?

Do I need a TV licence?

Would I need a TV licence to watch programmes being streamed from the internet? The licence fee is quite expensive, but I don’t want to receive a fine…

Can I watch Sky TV in more than one room?

Is it possible to get another Sky set-top box, so I can watch different channels in the different rooms? Would I also need a separate satellite dish? How much extra will this cost me a month?
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What’s the cheapest way to watch the Premier League?

The Premier League is starting in a few weeks, and I’d like to get a sports TV package that will let me watch my favourite team in action. Which provider offers the cheapest Sky Sports deal?
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