TDT – Looks like it is the Future

By Rob Innis

For someone who still considers that he can ‘move his mouse with the best of them’ (sorry if that confuses you but do not give up on me yet) I do have to admit to a certain lack of technical understanding of current television technology.

Having decided that I had been parted with far too many euros for the doubtful privilege of receiving pirated UK TV whilst living on the ‘Urb’ I decided to go totally Spanish, as part of my new philosophy of living in Spain. I did upgrade to a flat screen a few years ago which received, with mixed picture quality, the standard range of around six Spanish channels from the normal aerial, or should it be antenna?

Then the TV penny, so to speak, dropped in that my televisual experiences would be enhanced (sorry been reading too much marketing hype) by the purchase of a TDT box. What is a TDT box? A fair question and the answer, I think, is a gizmo, which from the standard aerial receives digitally transmitted channels with better picture quality and a few other tricks. Off I went to my local electrodomesticos shop with a budget of around forty euros in mind. Yes, the man said, I needed a TDT, as eventually without one I would not receive anything when analogue transmissions are turned off. I opted for the Phillips model, if in doubt go with a name you know being my adage.

Then, looking at all the shiny new televisions on display with screens bigger than my old local Odeon after it was converted into a 3-studio cinema, tragically long since demolished depriving us of another fine example of Art Deco architecture, I was seduced. Incredible a 32 inch set for 399 euros, which with a bit of feminine logic supplied by my knowledgeable better half, netted down to 359 euros given the 40 euros saving on the now no longer required TDT box. Then confusion set in, as I had missed the point that all new sets came with integral TDT. Well the man’s Spanish was a bit fast for me.

Now many people, including my Dutch techno buddy, extol the virtues of the large discount hypermarket stores especially those with a German sounding name. He later informed me that he had seen the same TV for less money in the aforementioned store. OK, I challenged him, but would they have delivered and set it up, had a chat about football and taken the rubbish away? In addition, I saved a round trip to Alicante of 100 kms so I have reduced my carbon footprint, I like to keep my arguments topical. He had to admit I had a point, or two.

The new television dominates our lounge. However, the reception is superb as it is now digital. Channels, which were previously a bit fuzzy, notably Sexta that shows a lot of football, are now crystal clear. In addition, it receives radio channels so now the TV is also the wireless. The only thing it failed to do was stop me missing the kick off of a crunch football match, yes, Spanish TVE2 shows a lot of UK football. But wait the best is yet to come. Another neat feature, for the bilingually challenged, is being able to switch to the English language version of some films that are broadcast with the original soundtrack.

So for me TDT is a winner. Doubtless I am already out of date with HDD and probably loads more confusing acronyms already here or on the horizon but I am a satisfied client. Anybody want to buy a one careful owner flat screen non TDT TV, no I thought not.

The Inland Magazine November edition out now

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