A NUMBER of television viewers in Tayside and Fife are finding their set-top boxes no longer work due to transmission changes.

At the start of the month, Digital Television Multiplex Operators Ltd (DMOL), the company which manages technical changes to the Freeview signal, made “necessary” enhancements in the STV Central (Scottish), STV North (Grampian), Ulster, Tyne Tees and Border regions.

On Tuesday, further transmission changes were made in various areas of England.

Freeview predicted the majority of UK homes would be unaffected by the changes but some early digital boxes will stop working because the software they use is no longer compatible with the new signal.

This means viewers will need to replace their equipment to continue receiving the Freeview service.

The set-top boxes affected by the changes are: Daewoo DS608P, Labgear DTT100, Triax DVB 2000T and Portland DP100 and the combined set-top box and video recorders affected are Daewoo SV900 and Bush IDVCR01.

A Freeview spokeswoman said, “These early boxes were pre-digital tick so I would advise people to look for products that have this logo.”

The “digital tick” has been developed by Digital UK, the organisation managing the digital switchover.

She went on to say no reassurance could be given the DMOL transmission change would be an isolated occurrence.

“Since Freeview started in 2002, there have been on-going changes to make sure we provide a good service,” she added.

“With regard to future transmission changes, we don’t decide on what they are.”

Owners of Daewoo, Portland and Bush digital boxes should call the companies for further assistance: Daewoo and Portland, 0870 100 2525, or Bush, 0871 230 1777.