The Danes have got one up on the Brits because their Freeview HD service is already up and running, while UK audiences have to wait until 2010 for the pleasure.

Mpeg2 digital TV, which is what UK Freeview uses, is already being phased out by the Danes, with only four channels in the format remaining now and until it is laid to rest in 2012.

The replacement format, Mpeg4, is up and running with TVs and set-top boxes all advertising the newer standard. While there is only 75 per cent Mpeg4 coverage at present, this is set to hit 100 per cent on November 1st when the analogue signal is switched off.

If you spend around £100 on a set-top box, you’ll get one capable of receiving Mpeg4 HD channels, sent out in glorious 720p. I’ll be doing that before Christmas, so I can gloat to my friends over the holiday season.