Betty enters digital age with ease

Napier woman Betty McCormick is "very happy" with the new aerial and a set-top box installed on her TV, thanks to the government-funded Targeted Assistance Package.

It will enable her to utilise digital technology, when the changeover occurs on September 30. Mrs McCormick said the reception on her TV was much clearer than her previous set-up and she particularly likes the additional channels.

Announced last month, the Targeted Assistance Package is for those who have a TV and who do not yet have Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear, and who are either aged 75 and over with a community services card or receive a Veteran's Pension or Invalid Benefit, or those who have transferred to New Zealand Superannuation at 65 or over.

Going Digital East Coast manager Murray Sawyer said letters had been sent to 10,327 eligible homes in Hawke's Bay. "Anyone who meets the criteria but hasn't received a letter should contact Work and Income New Zealand," said Mr Sawyer.

With little more than six months before Hawke's Bay goes digital, more than 82 per cent of the region has already made the move across.

Having to buy a new TV is not required to go digital. Any TV can go digital with a set-top box and the right aerial or satellite dish. After a national competition last year, New Zealand's oldest working TV was found and, despite being 53 years old, it was made digital.

When Hawke's Bay goes digital in September, those who have made the change will enjoy better pictures and better sound regardless of whether their TV is old or new, says Mr Sawyer.