Digital TV is the future

If you have your own aerial

• Viewers in Denmark need to be ready to receive digital signals on 1 November 2009
  If your TV cannot receive digital TV you will either have to buy a new TV of a digital decoder. See advice on buying TVs
• Go for DVB-T and MPEG-4
  DVB-T: This means you should have a TV or a digital decoder marked DVB-T. This ensures that you can receive digital signals. MPEG-4: TVs or digital decoders should have the MPEG-4 standard so they can be used after 2012. The standard is also required to watch the new free channels in Denmark (including DRHD, DR-K and DR Ramasjang) from November 2009.
• Foreign decoders
  Because decoders are configured to suit individual countries, there can be problems when viewing subtitles if you buy a decoder abroad. It can also be more difficult to update the software in the decoder.
• Look for the Energy Saving Label
  Buy a decoder displaying the Energy Saving Label. This ensures that your decoder will not use more power than necessary.
• Buy a decoder that suits your requirements
  Advanced decoders often use a lot of electricity – also on standby. Very few of them have an on/off switch which cuts the power completely. The rest should be switched off at the wall plug if you want to avoid standby consumption. If you don’t need all the extra functions available with digital TV such as interactive services and surround sound, it might make sense to buy a digital decoder with a card reader.
• If you want to receive subscription channels
  If you want to watch subscription channels in Denmark, your decoder needs to be approved by Boxer and must have a card reader or equivalent. Find Boxer approved decoders with a card reader displaying the Energy Saving Label here (only in Danish).
• Digital TV solutions from Boxer for reception via an aerial
  Boxer advises that you use its approved equipment if you want to take advantage of digital TV solutions offered by the company. Find more information about Boxer and Boxer approved digital decoders and TVs with built-in digital decoders at www.boxertv.dk. (in Danish)

If you have cable TV or a shared aerial

• You don’t need to buy a new TV or a digital decoder
  This analogue signal will continue  for a few years alongside the digital signal. So you will only need to buy a new TV or a digital decoder if you want to watch digital TV (e.g. the new free channels or digital channel packs).
• Go for DVB-C to start with 
  In most situations you will need a TV or digital decoder marked DVB-C. But ask your aerial provider. In some cases you may need DVB-T.
• Foreign decoders
  Because decoders are configured to suit individual countries, there can be problems when viewing subtitles if you buy a decoder abroad. It can also be more difficult to update the software in the decoder.
• Look for the Energy Saving Label
  Buy a decoder displaying the Energy Saving Label. If your TV distributor supplies the decoder, ask for a box with low power consumption which meets the Trust’s recommendations for decoders with card readers or advanced decoders. This ensures that your decoder will not use more power than necessary.
• Keep an eye on standby consumption
  Advanced decoders often use a lot of power – also on standby. Very few of them have an on/off switch which cuts the power completely. The rest should be switched off at the wall plug if you want to avoid standby consumption. You should buy an advanced decoder if you want to use all the extra functions available with digital TV such as interactive services and surround sound.

If you have a satellite dish, broadband or fibernet (IPTV)

• Then you already have digital
  Your decoder is typically supplied by a satellite TV distributor, but you end up paying the electricity bill. It's worth finding out how much power the decoder uses. Depending on the type of box you need, ask for one with low power consumption which meets the Trust’s recommendations for decoders with card readers or advanced decoders.
• Go for DVB-S
  This means you should have a TV or a digital decoder marked DVB-S.