Why still produce analogue TVs.

[modeller]

In view of the fact the last TV analogue signal will be turned off in April when will manufacturers stop producing them or maybe they have and they are just flogging off all their current stock.
Another point although you can buy TVs with built in Freeserve why can't you get built in Freesat ? Which may in fact replace Freeserve in the future anyway. Freeserve only came in to enable us to use our rooftop aerials.

[twix123]

I have a Panasonic Viera TV with both Freeview and Freesat!

[Buenchico]

I assume that you mean 'Freeview', not 'Freeserve' (which was an internet service provider).

As Twix123 has indicated, Panasonic are introducing a range of Freesat TVs, with the 32" Viera DT30 model leading the way. (The delay in producing such sets may be due to licensing agreements with Freesat UK).

It's unlikely that analogue TV sets will stay on sale much longer. They'll probably disappear as soon as the whole of the UK can access Freeview AND the whole of Ireland can access Saorview (since the UK and Ireland represent a combined market for TV manufacturers, as they share the same broadcast systems). However manufacturers might wait until other countries using the 'PAL I' system (e.g. Hong Kong and South Africa) also switch off their analogue transmitters before removing analogue tuners from their ranges designed for such countries.

Chris

[modeller]

Thanks twix I've just looked at the advertisement. Did you win the Lottery and get the 65 inch one ? I see it is also 3D ? How about Hd I imagine that would require a separate box for either SKY or Freesat/serve. ? How do you get on with the glasses ?

[modeller]

Yes I did mean Freeview. I've never heard of Saorview is that Gaelic for Freeview. ?

[Buenchico]

Freeview is the trading name of a company (DTV Services) which is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Arqiva (who own the transmitters). That company negotiates contracts with other providers (such as UKTV, which is a commercial arm of the BBC working in partnership with an independent company) for the supply of services from channels such as Dave, Really and Yesterday (which are all part of UKTV anyway).

Saorview is Ireland's equivalent digital provider but it is wholly owned (through a subsidiary company) by Ireland's state broadcaster, RTÉ, which transmits its own signals and also negotiates contracts for the supply of services from other broadcasters. However the range of channels available in Ireland is far smaller than in the UK:
http://www.saorview.ie/channels-services/

Chris

[twix123]

I only bought a 32 inch model, £500 in John Lewis last year with a 5 year guarantee, as I didn't want my lounge to be swamped by an oversize tv, but I spend a lot of time watching Sky on a 22 inch cheap UMC tv in my home office, which also gives an excellent picture, although we aren't due to be converted to digital until next year and therefore don't know how good the HD element will be.

[ABerrant]

A small point but the last UK analogue TV signals will end for Northern Ireland during October 2012, preceded by Tyne Tees in September.

[martinjr]

In reply to modeller, yes, saor = free in the Irish Language

[modeller]

Wow ! Thanks everyone I have learnt a lot from these posts.

[jomifl]

Not every country in the world has digital TV

[VHG]

>although we aren't due to be converted to digital until next year and therefore don't know how good the HD element will be.

Digtial is not the same a HD. You can be digital but not watch in HD (most people do).

Sky are already digital and have been for about 10 years so you can already watch HD with them.

[sunny-dave]

HD freeview (BBC1 BBCHD C4 and ITV1) is very good indeed -I've got a Sony TV with built in freeview HD and it knocks spots off the SKY HD channels - getting close to blu-ray quality :)