The Digital Switchover is fast approaching, for example in the South West, Torbay and South Devon are scheduled for 8 April which is just three weeks away.

It is important that BHA members are prepared and have the right equipment in place otherwise establishments may not be able to provide customers with the excellent service they've come to know and expect.

One of the most important considerations when preparing for the Digital Switchover will be how to upgrade your estate. There are a number of different options available to you and each option has its benefits and challenges.

One of the frequently asked questions is: will I be able to get subtitling after the Digital Switchover? The answer is here. Most hotels currently have a Master Antenna TV system (MATV) or a Satellite Master Antenna TV system (SMATV) installed. These systems allow hoteliers and property owners to restrict the number of channels viewed by guests.

There are a number of ways a hotel or property can upgrade the MATV aerial to receive a digital signal. One of the most popular ways for switching to digital is to install a digital to analogue TV converter because it appears to be the most cost effective solution. This converts the digital signal to analogue signal which means that you won't need to upgrade your TV sets immediately.

However, if providing TV channels with subtitles is important to you and your guests you'll need to install the 12 channel digital to analogue TV converter as opposed to the 6 channel. This is so that you can programme BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 on channels 1 to 5 for your guests who wish to view their favourite programmes without subtitling. You can then programme BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 with subtitles on channels 6 to 10 for guests who require subtitling. This leaves you with 2 free channels and you can programme what you wish, for example, CBeebies or BBC News.

If you select the 6 channel digital to analogue TV converter you will need to decide whether you programme BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 with or without subtitles but please note that if you do select the option with subtitles then your guests will only be able to view their favourite programme with subtitles**.

If you are keen to install a 6 channel digital to analogue TV converter then you can always keep a Freeview box or two behind the front desk to install in the rooms as and when required, however, you'll need to ensure that you have the relevant Scart leads and space in the bedroom to place the Freeview box.

Although the digital to analogue TV converter method of switching to digital is the preferred option, at some point in the future, you will need to upgrade your televisions. There are less and less analogue TVs in the market place as the UK switches to digital. If you select the digital to analogue TV converter now, when you do upgrade your TV sets you' ll need to upgrade your aerial and remove the 6 or 12 channel digital to analogue TV converter as the new televisions will not be able to read the analogue signal. They'll only be able to read digital signals.

There is quite a lot of information to consider when preparing for the Digital Switchover but by speaking to BHA Corporate Partner,Comet Business Services, the switchover can be as smooth and as undisruptive to you and your business as possible. What's more, their collaboration with SCCi and cost effective leasing solution will give you access to an even wider selection of products and services to choose from to ensure that you can maintain the style and service that your customers have come to expect.

For more information about the Digital Switchover, aerial inspection with SCCi, and Comet Business Services' leasing proposition, please contact us on 0844 499 2828.*

**Please note that the channels are programmed at the aerial and you cannot programme individual TV sets.