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Digital television switch over in the Midi-Pyrenees

Terrestrial TV in the Midi-Pyrenees is being replaced by digital broadcasts and is due to be completed by November 2010, when all analogue signals will be turned off.

The process is gradual, with digital transmitters being switched on area by area and analogue signals in those areas being switched off soon afterwards.  Viewers in those areas will then need to purchase a digibox (receiver numerique) for their existing TV set or purchase a new TV with a digital receiver built in.

If you intend to keep your existing set, bear in mind that it must have a scart socket to accept the signal from the digital receiver.  Reasonably priced digital receivers are available in most supermarkets as well as the electrical retailers, with the basic receivers costing around 25€.  You can also use receivers bought in the UK.

In the Midi-Pyrenees region, some areas may have difficulty receiving the digital terrestrial signal, such as in the Pyrenees Mountains for example.  In these cases, the government has made it a requirement that broadcasters provide another method of reception.

If you have a satellite dish and receiver, you can receive the free digital channels on the TNT Sat by aligning your dish with the Astra satellite at 19.2 degree east.  This will however prevent you from receiving the free to air satellite services from the UK unless you install another satellite dish and receiver.

You can check the digital terrestrial coverage by visiting the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) website (French only).

For most viewers, the change over will present few problems, simply purchase a digital receiver and plug it in.  For others in more isolated areas of the Pyrenees for example it may prove a little more difficult and professional advice should be sought as to the best option for your circumstances.

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