Britain retunes its DTT receivers

On the 30th September the arrangement of the channels on the UK’s DTT multiplexes were changed making it necessary to retune sets and STB’s. Many of the modern receivers now do this automatically but for others it just meant finding the setup menu, using the remote control and selecting retune.
The retune enabled more homes to receiver Channel 5 but was mainly done to clear multiplex B and distribute its services amongst the other multiplexes. Multiplex B is now free to become the container for HDTV services using DVB-T2 and programming coded in the MPEG-4, H.264. AVCodec.
HDTV services will commence on a region-by-region basis as the digital switchover takes place. Although trial services are already taking place in London, the first region to switch over will be the North West on the 1st December 2009.
Many viewers will not see the benefits of HD until switchover but it is anticipated that 50% of homes will be covered by the time of the World Cup next June and 60% by the end of 2010
Source: Broadband TV News
Item added: 6th October 2009