Sports fans who are planning on watching the events of the World Cup unfold in high definition should consider the potential costs involved.

Watching on an HD TV must be the next best thing to being in South Africa, but even for those who have an HD-ready TV, it might be more expensive and complicated than they think when it comes to freeview.

Michael Phillips, product director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, explained that it is not just a case of having the right telly, but other things can get in the way of watching the match, including area availability of HD TV, service providers, and having the right set-top box.

“Broadcasting the World Cup in HD is an historic moment for BBC and ITV, but we are concerned that thousands of viewers are ill prepared to receive a HD signal,” he said.

“Freeview, Freesat, Virgin Media and Sky all have the potential to provide World Cup match coverage through BBC HD and ITV HD but each has its own cost, content and coverage considerations.”

Digitalchoices.co.uk has experienced a rise in HD enquiries in the lead-up to the World Cup, and many football fans will have to pay for the privilege of watching the matches in crystal clear high definition, Mr Philips warned.

For those who are unsure what is required to be HD World Cup ready, Digitalchoices has offered some advice, such as checking that HD services are available through freeview in their postcode area – freeview offers a way to watch the games in HD for free, but the HD signal is only available in half of the country.

Rather than shelling out £100 for a basic freeview set-top box, digital TV packages from Sky or Virgin offer a choice of two HD boxes and “both are very reasonably priced as part of a TV package” said Mr Phillips.

For customers who expect to get used to high definition and not want to go back once the World Cup is over, Mr Phillips said a digital TV package will offer a greater choice of channels, but these will come at a monthly cost, so he urges consumers to compare digital TV packages to make sure they get the best deal.

© Fair Investment Company Ltd

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