More than 75,000 households in Tayside and Fife will wake up to a digital television revolution today.
All Freeview viewers will have to retune their television sets this morning but for some people it will be the first time they are actually able to receive digital stations.
Around 210,000 homes in total are affected by the switchover in Tayside and Fife the largest single switchover to take place in Scotland so far.
The analogue BBC2 signal was to be switched off shortly after midnight and engineers began switching on the digital signals at relay transmitters shortly after.
Because the BBC channels will now be broadcast on a different signal, every television will need retuned.
The second stage of the switchover, when the remaining analogue channels are switched off, will take place on August 18. Televisions will need retuned once again.
Paul Hughes, Digital UK’s national manager for Scotland, said, “This is by far the largest switchover Scotland has seen, affecting more than 200,000 households with many people receiving Freeview channels for the first time.
“Anyone who needs advice during this period should contact Digital UK or sign up for the Help Scheme if they are eligible.”
He added that digital TV provides a better picture and sound as well as additional services, such as audio description for the visually impaired.
The Switchover Help Scheme is still welcoming applications from eligible older and disabled people to get help to convert one television, including a choice of equipment, installation and aftercare.
For those who have already signed up, the Help Scheme call centre is available to help with any problems and can be contacted on 0800 40 85 900.
People aged 75 and over, eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or living in care homes, are entitled to practical help from the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme.
For £40, they will be given equipment to switch one TV per household to digital. They will be able to have that equipment installed if they want it and a demonstration of how it works.
If eligible and also on income-related benefits, the help will be free.
Digital UK, the body leading switchover, continues to provide support through local advice points, as well as its website and advice line.
A switchover roadshow is also running in Dundee City Square.Telly addictOne Dundee telly addict is in no doubt about the benefits of switching over to digital TV.
Robert Law, who lives in Burnside Court, has five sets in his home and is planning to fit a 26 inch lens to the screen of one so it will convert all programmes to 3D without the need for special glasses. “I first converted to Freeview in 2002 when I lived in Paisley,” he said.
“Instead of being limited to five channels we now have around 40 to choose from resulting in a lot more choice.
“The picture is improved and allows high definition, which would be difficult with analogue due to the huge spectrum space required.
“Digital will also get rid of the ghosting problems associated with analogue. But the biggest thing for me is 24-hour news.
“I have always liked TV and have been interested in space exploration since watching the moon landings. I now watch live TV from NASA via the internet, which I stream over a video sender to my main set.”
Robert has his own digital satellite system, which he installed himself in order to get live coverage of Chinese space events.
Currently living in a multi story block of flats on the fourth floor, Robert moved to the north of Balgay Hill and the Law in Dundee to ensure that he was in close proximity to the Angus transmitter.
“I can see the transmitter from my balcony window and use a small parabolic dish aerial connected to an amplifier to get the picture,” said John Logie Baird fan Robert.
“I have always been very interested in early television and over the years I have met several members of the Baird family and even attended his centenary celebrations in Helensburgh in 1988.”