RTE Freeview Reception

Dunwunderin

Hi,
Retuned my bog standard UK Freeview box yesterday and picked up the new RTE digitial stations in the 800's channels.

Unfortunately while the digitial RTE radio stations are perfect, I can only get sound for the TV stations--no pictures. Tried to retune again but still no pictures!

I have heard a rumour that the UK/Eire Freeviews use different systems and I need to invest in a new HD UK Freeview box to get the new RTE channels.
As I get perfect reception on all analogue RTE channels, I am under no great pressure but ,maybe ,RTE will turn off their analogue signal like Ulster next year?

The cheapest HD box appears to be about £90---so is it required?

bingo_bango

All I have read across the net so far points to the fact that you will need an MPEG-4 receiver (current Freeview here is MPEG-2).

That said, you can get a Grundig for £50 delivered from Maplin

ballyblack

I thought it was going to be next year before RTE freeview was available in NI.

Where are you in NI Dunwurderin?

Are you getting a signal from across the border? Saorview?

Thanks


.

d90fbh

Can you also get TG4 on freeview?
We were looking at getting either a freeview box or new TV for my mum. Do the new TV's have the MPEG-4 receivers? Would we be safer waiting until everything starts to move before buying anything?

Thanks

maveli

d90fbh wrote: »

Can you also get TG4 on freeview?
We were looking at getting either a freeview box or new TV for my mum. Do the new TV's have the MPEG-4 receivers? Would we be safer waiting until everything starts to move before buying anything?

Thanks

TG4 too is available. Also RTE2 in HD

Dunwunderin

Hi,
I am getting RTE Freeview from Moville in Co, Donegal about 4 miles over the water away as the crow flies( a lot longer by road and ferry!)

I am getting all the RTE Freeview Channels in perfect sound ( ok for Radio channels!) but no pictures!

Are all new UK HD Freeview boxes of the new MPEG4 type?

The Grundig box at £50 sounds a cost effective way of overcoming this problem. Free delivery from Maplins--sounds a bargain?

desm52

Dunwunderin wrote: »

Hi,
Are all new UK HD Freeview boxes of the new MPEG4 type?
?

All Freeview Hd boxes are Mpeg4 and should work with Irish digital tv.

ballyblack

I am getting RTE Freeview from Moville in Co, Donegal

That's Saorview(Eire freeview) your receiving Rte on

Rte not on Freeview until 2012

http://www.astra2d.com/saorview.html



.

Dunwunderin

That's right, I am receiving all the new digital channels of RTE in Eire Freeview and not UK Freeview.

If I buy a new UK HD box,it looks as if it will be great for Eire Freeview but will it be any good for the normal UK Freeview?

bingo_bango

@Dunwunderin. Yes, it will also pick up the UK Freeview signal. The box above apparently upscales SD freeview to 720i as well, so most of the HD boxes should enhance the normal channels.

@Ballyblack. There is quite a lot of discussion about this on other forums (AVForums, boards.ie) which seem to suggest that the date for RTE been transmitted on UK Freeview is being pushed up to later this year, pre full switchover in NI. The caveat is that it appears to be from four NI transmitters only. I know Divis is one, but there is no set date at the moment.

Lots of techie talk on those threads about which MUX will be used and what bandwidth has been allocated, but if you wade through that, there are several posters who seem to know exactly what is happening, just not exactly when. I would suggest that anyone wanting to future proof their box should read those boards first.

yorkie98

From: http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/publications/pub_technote_tg4_NI.html

"Technical guidance on the availability of TG4 in Northern Ireland after digital switchover - Update


18 April 2011

It is understood that the new multiplex for Northern Ireland intended to carry TV services TG4, RTÉ1 and RTÉ2 from selected transmitters in Northern Ireland will be a fully integrated part of the UK digital terrestrial TV system. The broadcasters intend to cross carry full electronic programme guide data for UK digital terrestrial TV. The multiplex will use the Digital TV Group "D book" specification DVB-T2 transmission mode 16 QAM, FEC rate ½ (DTG 164). This means that the services should be fully receivable with "Freeview HD" accredited models. It is unlikely to be receivable by TVs, recorders or set-top boxes not bearing the “Freeview HD” trade mark. Some households may require a new or additional rooftop aerial to receive the multiplex.
It is currently expected that the new multiplex will be broadcast from the Brougher Mountain, Black Mountain, and Carnmoney Hill transmitters.

Some households in Northern Ireland may be able to receive digital TV services direct from transmitters in the Republic of Ireland. Further information on the availability, coverage and reception of these TV services (both from the new UK multiplex and direct from transmitters in the Republic of Ireland) will be made available by broadcasters nearer the time of launch of the new multiplex, expected towards the end of 2012. Initial indications are that 80 to 90% of Northern Ireland homes would be covered for these TV services either by digital terrestrial TV transmitters in Northern Ireland or from transmitters in the Republic of Ireland network."

This should clear things up a little.

NOTE: TV3/e3 etc will not be available from the UK based transmitters due to regional content/copyright rules. In most cases, it will be better to receive the Soarview service direct from ROI transmitters where possible, especially if they sort out the EPG/LCN issues.
Also of interest is the following document:
http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/pdf_documents/publications/2010/UK-NI-ROI_MOU_Feb_2010.pdf

It may be a bumpy road over the next year or two while switchover happens on both sides of the border but it's looking good here, with the 7th ("local TV") UK mux just announced and now the ROI mux coming, we could find ourselves in the unique position of being an 8 mux region whereas most of the UK will have only 7.