Some estimates puts the number of portable televisions in the UK at over 60 million. Most are not used as portables ? they are second TVs in our bedrooms and kitchens. Despite this portable televisions seem to have been forgotten in our rush towards digital television.

   At that time there were no portable digital televisions being produced. Any existing television needed a set-top box to convert any digital signals - hardly convenient for a true portable television and probably not much use for the portable television you keep in your kitchen or bedroom. Perhaps the biggest problem was that digital television requires better aerials than those used for analogue. Most house mounted aerials would be OK but a good many would have to be replaced in order to receive digital signals.

   Now the climate has changed. Most televisions on sale are flat screen. Most also include built in digital tuners all ready to receive freeview out-of-the-box. You will also find many portable televisions with built in, slim line DVD players. The changes have been quite profound.

   So the answer to the question, "Can I buy a digital portable television?" is an emphatic, "YES".

   The biggest problem is that all current digital portable televisions work well when connected to a good roof top aerial. For truly portable reception ? camping or caravanning maybe ? Things are not so easy.

   You are going to need a good aerial. That almost certainly means you are going to need a booster aerial. These electronically amplify the signal before it reaches your television. They can be quite bulky and absorb yet more power.

   Portable digital television technology is advancing rapidly. Truly portable television now needs a similar advance in digital aerial booster technology. It?s going to happen. But it is not quite ready now.