Australia's finally set the date for the switchover to digital TV. The Australian reports today that new federal broadband, communications and digital economy minister Stephen Conroy has announced a 2009 deadline for free to air stations to move to only digital broadcasts, with a final nationwide switchover date by 2013. That may seem a long way in the future but Conroy said digital takeup in Australia is around 30%, so a lot of people will need to upgrade their TVs by 2013.

Channels 7 and 10 are both beginning High Definition TV broadcasts this week. Seven's new channel, 7HD, which launches today, will have up to 50 hours a week of unique programming which it won't show on its main standard definition channel. Ten-HD will begin broadcasting on Sunday, and will likewise show unique content. While some of this "unique content" is stuff considered too niche for the main channels (gridiron anyone?), Seven will also invest in making shows specifically for HD, according to a story in the SMH today.
So do you have an HD tuner or set top box? I'd be interested to know your thoughts on HD-TV so far.