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They are looking for 500 volunteers in the capital to test the service, known as DTT HD, which will include games from the World Cup in Germany.

'This trial will allow us to evaluate the technology and give us valuable insight into viewer attitudes to HD, helping to show the possibilities for HD broadcasts over DTT post-switch-over,' said Simon Fell, the controller of emerging technologies at ITV.

Assuming the trials are a success, there will still be one significant hurdle to overcome before permanent services can be introduced. As things stand the Freeview service does not have sufficient bandwidth, at least not until 2012 when analogue broadcasting will cease.

However the four broadcasters are someway behind Telewest (now part of NTL), which last month launched what it claims is the UK's first high definition digital TV service to some 4.5 million

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of its customers.

Available through Telewest's new PVR, called TVDrive, viewers will be able to see the first HDTV broadcasts in the UK from the likes of BBC Worldwide as well as pay-per-view movies.

'HDTV takes the viewing experience a significant step beyond standard digital television and has to be seen to be believed,' said Philip Snalune, MD consumer products, ntl Telewest. 'It's set to become this year's must-have home entertainment experience and Telewest customers are the first in the UK to get access to it.'

For more information visit the Telewest website.

There is also BSkyB, which will launch Sky HD next Wednesday, 12 April. Boxes will cost £299 plus a £10 monthly subscription with free installation for early adopters, who will be able to watch all the BBC's World Cup coverage in high-definition.

'Sky HD customers will be able to enjoy stunning picture and sound quality from the widest range of HD channels in the UK and Ireland,' said Brian Sullivan, Sky's director of Product Strategy and Management. 'We're delighted that the BBC has said that its HD coverage of the World Cup will be available to all customers with a Sky HD box as a non-subscription channel.'

SkyOne will also provide a selection of HD content and there will be two exclusively HD movie channels. For more information go to www.sky.com/hd.