The future is digital

Digital transmissions have started
The Danish Broadcasting Corporation and the TV2 channel now transmit DR1, DR2, TV2 and TV2’s regional TV programmes digitally, and these broadcasts can now be picked up by an ordinary TV2 antenna; you do, however, need to have a digital TV or a digital decoder. Decoders can be purchased separately, from EUR 94.

Analogue transmissions to cease in November 2009
Around 500,000 households in Denmark with either their own antenna or a connection to an antenna network can now watch DR2 on the digital network. From November 2009 everybody will have to switch to the digital network when analogue transmissions cease.

Offers many advantages
The digital network provides better pictures and sound, an electronic programme guide, the option to select or deselect subtitles, sign language interpretation, genuine 16:9 format and interactivity.

Digital decoders and digital TV
The digital TV signal cannot be viewed on a traditional TV. In order to view digital TV you must have a digital decoder, which converts the digital signal to analogue. The box is connected via a scart or antenna plug. According to tests of selected products by the Trust, these boxes use EUR 8-27 worth of electricity per year.

Boxer TV distributes channel packs in Denmark
Boxer TV is an authorised distributor of channel packs in Denmark. Therefore, if you want to be sure of being able to receive the TV signal after November 2009, and again after the large channel offering in 2012, without having to replace your decoder unit, then you should delay buying a digital decoder until Boxer TV has approved the new equipment.

For more information on digital TV packs in Denmark go to Boxer's website (in Danish).

Power consumption of digital decoders
Many decoders use nearly as much power in standby as they do when on. You can save standby power by turning off the unit at the mains socket or by using an AutoPowerOff plug bank. However, it can take a few extra seconds before the decoder is ready again after you switch it back on.

Reception quality
In Denmark, the digital signal is transmitted on the UHF frequency via the existing TV2 network of transmitter towers supplemented by new auxiliary transmitters. Most viewers will be able to receive the new digital signal on an existing TV2 antenna; however, the antenna direction will need to be adjusted in a few locations in Jutland.

Many viewers will also be able to receive digital TV with a new type of indoor aerial.

Extra information on programmes
Digital TV transmissions allow you to view more information about programmes. The simplest decoders provide information on the current and following programme, but the more advanced units with EPG (electronic programme guide) and possibly MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) can display even more information on future programmes and help you find your favourite shows.

Screen display in 16:9 format
Digital TV is transmitted in 16:9 format so the screen display is wider than the normal 4:3 format. You therefore get the best picture if you have a 16:9 TV. If you don’t have one of these your screen will have black bars above and below the picture.

Some digital decoders have problems with subtitles
DR and TV2 transmit subtitles separately and you can choose whether you want to view them or not. Unfortunately some decoders have problems showing subtitles correctly and in some cases the unit will need to be updated in order to show subtitles.

Interactive TV services
DR and TV2 will transmit additional information on DR extra and TV2 Extra about programmes, news, background information, sport, weather, etc. This requires a decoder with MHP (Multimedia Home Platform). There are, however, currently very few boxes with MHP in the shops.

Better picture quality with HDTV
Digital TV transmissions offer the prospect of much better picture quality with HDTV (High Definition TV). In Denmark it will be possible to watch DR and TV2 in HDTV after analogue transmissions cease in November 2009.

To enable this facility you will need an HD Ready TV with a special HDTV set-top box or an HD TV.

Better sound with surround sound
Audio quality will also be better because, if programmes have been produced in this superior format, sound will be transmitted as Dolby 5.1 surround sound. However, the TV needs to be specially designed to receive this enhancement. Sound is also transmitted as a normal stereo signal.

Software updates
Digital decoders have built-in software which may have been improved after you purchased the product. At some point it will be possible to update the software via the aerial signal, a feature which is also known as OTA (Over the Air).

This is an easy way to rectify faults and acquire new features; please note, however, that this facility is not yet available in Danish digital transmissions.

Foreign decoders
Digital TV has been available for several years in other European countries such as Germany, Sweden, the UK, Finland and Holland and prices of digital decoders are therefore lower than in Denmark.

On the other hand, because the products are adapted to suit individual countries, there can be problems when viewing subtitles. It can also be more difficult to update the software in the decoder.

Pay-per-view channels and card readers
At some point after the end of 2009 it may be possible to purchase access to several TV channels. This will mean that decoders will need a card reader and that you buy a card for a pay-per-view channel.

Foreign channels
It is already possible for viewers in eastern Denmark to pick up Swedish digital channels. Viewers in Southern Denmark can also receive German channels.