DIGITAL SWITCHOVER: Ricability Wins Contract for Consumer Usability Testing of Digital Television Eq
Added: (Tue Feb 05 2008)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
ricability
5 February 2008
DIGITAL SWITCHOVER: Ricability Wins Contract for Consumer Usability Testing of Digital Television Equipment
Impartial information for consumers about easy-to-use TV equipment received a boost today. BERR (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) has awarded a contract for consumer testing of digital television equipment to Ricability, working with Intertek. The contract will enable Ricability to continue to provide reports on the key features and comparative merits of domestic digital receiving equipment in the UK market. Consumers thinking of buying equipment to see them through digital switchover will continue to have an independent and impartial source of advice on how well different equipment works. Reports on over 100 products, including digital televisions, indoor aerials, set-top boxes and digital TV recorders are available free of charge at www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk.
Lindsey Etchell, the project’s Principal Researcher at Ricability, said:
“UK consumers can get the results of thorough, independent tests on a large range of digital TV products, absolutely free. Our reports make choosing equipment for digital TV easy and save consumers money.”
David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, the organisation leading the UK’s switch to digital television, said:
“As the switchover process now gathers pace and people become more aware of the need to convert their homes to digital, guides like this will be important to help viewers buy the right product.”
The Ricability test reports can also be accessed via Digital UK’s website at www.digitaluk.co.uk/en/how.
Notes for Editors
1. About the Contract
BERR contracted with Ricability in 2006 to provide reports on the comparative suitability of consumer equipment and services based on independent tests and assessments against agreed criteria. This contract ended in December 2007. A new contract has been won by Ricability to continue providing consumers and others with accurate information on the choices they face in acquiring a full digital TV (DTV) capability for a further period of 2 years.
2. About Ricability
Ricability is the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs, founded by Which? more than 40 years ago. Ricability is a national research charity dedicated to providing strictly independent consumer research and information. Research and performance testing is being carried out in partnership with Intertek, one of the world's foremost, independent consumer product testing laboratories, with over 30 years experience in audio visual product testing www.intertek.com.
3. About Switchover
Between 2008 and 2012 television services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region. By 2012 all TV viewers will need to upgrade their television equipment to receive digital signals, whether though an aerial, by cable, satellite or broadband.
4. About Digital UK
Digital UK is the independent non-profit organisation leading the programme of digital TV switchover in the UK. It promotes the independent consumer test reports produced by Ricability.