Digital TV Survey - Results so far

We're keen to get your opinions on digital TV, so we've been running an online survey. Here's a snapshot of the results we've had so far.

Digital TV Survey

If you want to see the full set of results, fill in our survey, and at the end, you'll see the full set of results. Take the Digital TV Survey.

 

Which digital TV service do you have?

We're keen to find out which digital TV service is the most common:

Which digital TV service do you have?

Are you ready for the Digital Switchover?

We asked how ready you are for the digital switchover:

Ready for the switchover

How do you record digital TV?

Are video recorders really dead? Have we moved over to the PVR? Here's what our respondents have to say:

Recording digital TV

Which Digital TV services do you use often?

Apart from watching telly, what features offered by digital TV do we enjoy using most?

Digital TV services

 

Which Digital TV services do you use often?

We also asked for your general comments on digital TV. What annoys you? How could it be improved? Here are a few of the responses we've received so far:

  • Too much compression reducing picture quality - I would be happier with less channels to get better quality on 'main' channels. Dolby Digital audio on Freeview would be good too.
  • Screen logos destroy recordings. Virgin introduced its little character which interferes with the programmes even at key story moments. Red buttons on screen also ruin recordings. Get rid of nonsense quiz shows and introduce HD TV for Freeview. Get rid of useless Sky perks and reduce the subscription costs instead. Cancel the immoral TV licence. Why must I pay up to £3,000 till I die for TV?
  • There are many channels but not much quality. Too many repeats too many "reality" sic programmes. Even BBC is becoming derivative. More means LESS much LESS.
  • Intermittent reception
  • Wish Freeview had a dedicated sports channel, other than that I think it's fine.
  • Picture quality is poor compared with analogue.
  • Far to many ADVERTISEMENT and far to frequent,some are to stupid and unreal to any semi intelligent,or intelligent people
  • Reception on Freeview(trees, sunny day,wind,etc)
  • Cost of sky subscriptions
  • Hardware reliability Software reliability
  • The following things annoy me : 1. Removal of TV guide from BBC red button services - a serious own goal. Did someone put George W. Bush in charge the week that decision was made? 2. Poor MUX allocation post switchover - virtually guaranteeing that whatever transmitter you use, you will lose Freeview services for at least a few days a year due to high pressure. 3. Too many non-channels (quiz/shopping etc.) that take up space that could be better used on other things.
  • Fewer channels repeating the same material over and over again and better use of archive material of films programmes from the past.
  • Signal low on some channels, not watchable in summer months.
  • bit of a monopoly -need Virgin to fibre optic a few more streets
  • It's brought the computer industry's disease of frequent forced premature renewal of equipment to TV viewing apparatus, thru the mechanism of an ever-changing transmission format. e.g. large MHEG files, split-NIT, 8k mode. Picture quality inferior (lower resolution) than analogue. Has allowed the (former) limits of taste and decency to be exceeded "under the radar", by hiding such content away on (new) little-known channel numbers. Enjoyed improved reception of (the then) Channel 5 since "switching" in 2002 - analogue reception of that station was very weak/poor in this area. Five-six years after launch, BBC4 has finally started airing the promised tranche of sci-tech and humanities programmes - a much appreciated addition to BBC TV output. Initially skeptical of the value of BBC News 24. However, given the various amalgamations, improved efficiencies and cross-platform usage of BBC news production, the case for it has improved. I frequently consult and find useful the DVB-T "Now and Next" information including the synopses. Ironically doing so, has prompted me to greatly increase my use of the analogue teletext version of same, on the household's "child" TVs when viewing analogue signals! (i.e. Ceefax p606, Teletext p120).
  • I would have a Full pay tv service(s) similar to the original On-Digital service. I detest Sport being interrupted by BBC Scotland for the Scottish Parliament etc., and STV opting out of ITV1 Schedules. Let BBC Scotland and STV have their own channel and leave BBC1, BBC2, and ITV1 available to all U.K. viewers. The Freeview platform should have all the available pay T.V. that other platforms have. Otherwise it will continue to lose viewers more rapidly. Freeview should embrace Pay T.V. and allow viewers to choose. Not everyone in the U.K. has the option of Satellite or Cable. I am a typical example. Due to outdated and ridiculous title deed regulations Sat. Dishes are banned. Cable is not available in my area. If any of these options were available, I would sign up immediately.

 

What features of the Radio and Telly site do you use?

On this site, we have a number of services to help with Digital TV advice. These include a forum, a news feed, a podcast and a newsletter. Do our visitors use these?

Radio & Telly Features

Results shown above were last updated in September 2009

 

For the full set of updated results, take the Digital TV survey.

 

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