Welsh digital switch over-Irish reception questions answered

marclt

At stage 2 (DSO2) – 16 September 2009

At just after midnight:

• At Preseli and all its relays, all analogue services will cease broadcasting permanently;
• At Preseli and Ferryside only, existing low powered digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplexes 2, A, B, C and D will cease broadcasting permanently;
• At all transmitters, Mux BBC A will remain on air but will be subject to interruptions and switching breaks.

By the provisionally expected time:

• At Preseli only, D3&4, BBC B, SDN, ARQ A and ARQ B will launch;
• At Ferryside, SDN will launch;
• At all transmitters, the new PSB DSO muxes, D3&4 and BBC B will launch;

The DSO2 process commences soon after midnight, with the provisional schedule as follows:

• By 6am, at Preseli transmitter and the following relays - Mynydd Pencarreg, Croeserw HP and VP, Pembroke Dock, Llandysul and Broad Haven.
• By mid-morning, at the following relays - Newport Bay, Llwyn Onn, Llandyfriog, Rheola, Ferryside and St Davids.
• By mid-afternoon, at the following relays - St Dogmaels, Abergwynfi, Pencader, Ystumtuen, Trefin, Llangranog, Glyncorrwg and Cynwyl Elfed.
• By late-afternoon, at the following relays - Tregaron, Haverfordwest, Dolgellau, Llangybi, Duffryn, Bronnant.
• By early-evening, at the following relay - Fishguard.

SDN, ARQ A and ARQ B will launch at 64QAM using the 8k transmission mode and final DSO channels.
SDN and ARQ A adopt final post DSO powers at the later technical event on 30th September 2009 (see below).
ARQ B will adopt final post DSO powers at the later technical event on 24th March 2010 (see below).

All PSB multiplexes will launch at 8k and 64QAM, for futher information on transmission modes please click here.


---
On 30 September 2009, there will be a Nationwide autumn retune event (multiplex configuration change). All DTT viewers have to retune their digital equipment. For further information about the national retune please visit the Freeview website.
Additionally, on 30 September 2009 at Preseli, SDN and ARQ A will adopt final DSO powers.
On 24 March 2010 at Preseli, ARQ B will adopt final DSO powers.

marclt

marclt wrote: »

At stage 2 (DSO2) – 16 September 2009

At just after midnight:

• At Preseli and all its relays, all analogue services will cease broadcasting permanently;
• At Preseli and Ferryside only, existing low powered digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplexes 2, A, B, C and D will cease broadcasting permanently;
• At all transmitters, Mux BBC A will remain on air but will be subject to interruptions and switching breaks.

By the provisionally expected time:

• At Preseli only, D3&4, BBC B, SDN, ARQ A and ARQ B will launch;
• At Ferryside, SDN will launch;
• At all transmitters, the new PSB DSO muxes, D3&4 and BBC B will launch;

The DSO2 process commences soon after midnight, with the provisional schedule as follows:

• By 6am, at Preseli transmitter and the following relays - Mynydd Pencarreg, Croeserw HP and VP, Pembroke Dock, Llandysul and Broad Haven.
• By mid-morning, at the following relays - Newport Bay, Llwyn Onn, Llandyfriog, Rheola, Ferryside and St Davids.
• By mid-afternoon, at the following relays - St Dogmaels, Abergwynfi, Pencader, Ystumtuen, Trefin, Llangranog, Glyncorrwg and Cynwyl Elfed.
• By late-afternoon, at the following relays - Tregaron, Haverfordwest, Dolgellau, Llangybi, Duffryn, Bronnant.
• By early-evening, at the following relay - Fishguard.

SDN, ARQ A and ARQ B will launch at 64QAM using the 8k transmission mode and final DSO channels.
SDN and ARQ A adopt final post DSO powers at the later technical event on 30th September 2009 (see below).
ARQ B will adopt final post DSO powers at the later technical event on 24th March 2010 (see below).

All PSB multiplexes will launch at 8k and 64QAM, for futher information on transmission modes please click here.


---
On 30 September 2009, there will be a Nationwide autumn retune event (multiplex configuration change). All DTT viewers have to retune their digital equipment. For further information about the national retune please visit the Freeview website.
Additionally, on 30 September 2009 at Preseli, SDN and ARQ A will adopt final DSO powers.
On 24 March 2010 at Preseli, ARQ B will adopt final DSO powers.

Just to clarify,it will be sept 30th before power increases come into play on the mux carrying itv and channel 4.
Tomorrow all that will happen is that their mux moves to ch 46 on the uhf band and their tx mode changes from 2k 16qam to 8k 32qam.

That will somewhat improve reception but ,the biggest effect will be after sept 30th when they increase power to 20kw erp.

Confusing yes but in short,basically from october onwards preseli digital should be very reliable for most channels.


The Arq a mux containing sky 3,dave and sky news increases to full power from september 30th and is likely to over power mt leinster dtt on ch 45 for anyone wit preseli aerials combined with mt leinster [quite awfull planning by rtenl if that happens which is highly likely.]

The arq b mux containg film 4 etc remains on low power untill march 2010.
It will be sturdier than it is now but not a patch on the rest of the muxes untill it increases its power to match.

Antenna

Is anyone (with reliable reception) going to record the Preseli analogues being switched off?

like here:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQhn0ToBU0s

Antenna

Antenna wrote: »

Is anyone (with reliable reception) going to record the Preseli analogues being switched off?

like here:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQhn0ToBU0s

Unfortunately theres no fanfare or anything worth recording.
All that happens is - off just like that.
I was watching BBC 2 analogue when that went off

I feel funny for saying this but I will actually miss presely analogue,I always liked a slight bit of grain in the picture

marclt

Deleted User wrote: »

Unfortunately theres no fanfare or anything worth recording.
All that happens is - off just like that.
I was watching BBC 2 analogue when that went off

I feel funny for saying this but I will actually miss presely analogue,I always liked a slight bit of grain in the picture

The end of an era... and of course... digital text just isn't the same as analogue!!

I've just driven passed the transmitter site. Plenty of lights on in the control room... I guess they'll be getting things ready. Once upon a time that place was fully staffed, complete with it's own canteen! All automated now.

Itv one wales digital on presely has an on and off banner now explaining that a retune is needed tomorrow and with a helpline number.

And there you have it folks.
ITV 1 wales from presely went off air at 0003 am.
s4c went off air and five at ten past midnight.

most of the low power digitals are off now too.

The slightly stronger signals for dtt will be on air in the morning from about 6am but remember that only the bbc a mux and the mux carrying the five channels will be at full wick.

Full wick on itv1 and ch4 wont happen untill sept 30th but there should at least be an improvement already noticeable from the morning as it will be in 8k mode.

mrdtv

Deleted User wrote: »

And there you have it folks.
ITV 1 wales from presely went off air at 0003 am.
s4c went off air and five at ten past midnight.

most of the low power digitals are off now too.

The slightly stronger signals for dtt will be on air in the morning from about 6am but remember that only the bbc a mux and the mux carrying the five channels will be at full wick.

Full wick on itv1 and ch4 wont happen untill sept 30th but there should at least be an improvement already noticeable from the morning as it will be in 8k mode.

All PSB muxes, including ITV/C4 are at full power from Preseli this AM. Its the COM muxes which will be increased on the 30th. How's the reception?

Antenna

Deleted User wrote: »

I feel funny for saying this but I will actually miss presely analogue

Especially Ch 37, which was 'Five'.
It got out better than the other 4 (at least to the west) and was also on a relatively clear channel.
A useful 'propagation beacon' the Ch 37 was, traces of signal could be detected much or most of the time at long distance, becoming watchable with good 'lift' conditions.

A pity that a 'skeleton' analogue service of one of the main channels (either BBC1 or ITV) isn't put on 37 for a few more months - which would have been possible considering 37 is not being used for DTT. This would be advantageous for people (especially the elderly) in its coverage area who might run into trouble with STBs - especially if only recently purchased them - they would still have one main channel to watch until any STB problems are resolved.

mrdtv

mrdtv wrote: »

All PSB muxes, including ITV/C4 are at full power from Preseli this AM. Its the COM muxes which will be increased on the 30th. How's the reception?

The freeview site is confusing then as is digital uk on that one.

As posted over on digital spy-the high power muxes are very strong.
The new itv mux is at the same strenght received as the BBC A one as I was expecting.
Signal strength on the humax is now above 90% on those.

This will be a reliable service for anyone who had half decent analogue presely reception before.
Drop outs will occur but they should be very rare and associated with extreme high pressure conditions or briefly when bad weather is either approaching or leaving but not all the time in those situations I think just on the very rare occasion.

marclt

I think we could probably do with some reception reports... bit quiet on here today??

prioryc

marclt wrote: »

I think we could probably do with some reception reports... bit quiet on here today??

Reception Today
Noting great to report yet but itv/C4 have moved and have better signal quality on par with BBC signal atm... usually by the end of the day the signals are all back to normal still a bit of interference

prioryc

prioryc wrote: »

Reception Today
Noting great to report yet but itv/C4 have moved and have better signal quality on par with BBC signal atm... usually by the end of the day the signals are all back to normal still a bit of interference

Remember the few days that you lost the other channels and just had the bbc digitals?
Well now if that weather is repeated,you wont lose the itv mux so you'll be able to watch the match that was barely viewable recently that night the analogues were really bad.
Thats the difference.
Drop outs at that power should be very rare

please let as many people know about this as you can as there has been a lot of black propaganda saying this wouldn't be possible.

mrdtv

Deleted User wrote: »

Remember the few days that you lost the other channels and just had the bbc digitals?
Well now if that weather is repeated,you wont lose the itv mux so you'll be able to watch the match that was barely viewable recently that night the analogues were really bad.
Thats the difference.
Drop outs at that power should be very rare

please let as many people know about this as you can as there has been a lot of black propaganda saying this wouldn't be possible.

I always thought it would work provided that:

a) Preseli had an omni HRP pattern. It does for the PSB muxes at least.

b) You got decent analogue. DVB-T 7dB down on analogue (1/5th in lay terms) replicates analogue coverage.

c) Your antenna system is good enough.

d) It will be interesting to see the performance of the Preseli COM muxes on the 30th. Then you'll see if they have any HRP nulls or not.

e) You'll also be futureproofed for UK and Ireland. They'll probably announce the Freeview HD rollout schedule for Wales soon so Preseli viewers will be able to see Freeview HD before Ulster in 2012. So when T2 boxes are available those in SE Ireland buying them will have Freeview, Freeview HD and any future Irish DTT service whether operated as T1 MPEG4 or T2 MPEG4.

This does rather put the cat amongst the pigeons for RTE and the Irish authorities and regulators. A few public demonstrations of reception from Preseli will convince the punters to buy cheapo Freeview boxes, later these can be skipped for T2 boxes. More reception reports please with description of aerial systems.

It is also of note that the forthcoming Divis new mast will be 40 meters taller than the current one and its PSB muxes will have omnidirectional HRP patterns. But not till 2012/2013.

Finally Blackbriar's original question has been answered: its Preseli. This may not be the case for others who will need to use Arfon and I note from DUK's latest annual report that significant antenna works at Blaen-Plwyf are underway and will be completed in time for March 2010. That could be interesting...

prioryc

Deleted User wrote: »

please let as many people know about this as you can as there has been a lot of black propaganda saying this wouldn't be possible.

like here in our dtt website
http://www.digitaltelevision.ie/Regional++Reception/aouth+east-UK+analogue+switch+off.htm

mrdtv

prioryc wrote: »

like here in our dtt website
http://www.digitaltelevision.ie/Regional++Reception/aouth+east-UK+analogue+switch+off.htm

Note that it only refers to the loss of analogue terrestrial and is very carefully worded. Preseli will be switching to a digital platform: is it going up on Sky? LOL. It doesn't say what you should do but word-of-mouth and demonstrations are so much better!

prioryc

mrdtv wrote: »

Note that it only refers to the loss of analogue terrestrial and is very carefully worded. Preseli will be switching to a digital platform: is it going up on Sky? LOL. It doesn't say what you should do but word-of-mouth and demonstrations are so much better!

I see u spotted that lack of freeview info too (must have forgot it....poor things)
Exactly my point its the lack of information on the uk signals & if i remember Sky had a flyer stating similar misinformation

Digifriendly

mrdtv wrote: »

It is also of note that the forthcoming Divis new mast will be 40 meters taller than the current one and its PSB muxes will have omnidirectional HRP patterns. But not till 2012/2013.

Finally Blackbriar's original question has been answered: its Preseli. This may not be the case for others who will need to use Arfon and I note from DUK's latest annual report that significant antenna works at Blaen-Plwyf are underway and will be completed in time for March 2010. That could be interesting...

Pity Divis isn't 'turning up the juice' earlier but I guess this is due to possible interference with ROI. Regarding Blaen-Plwyf check post 65 on this thread as it suggests that Blaen-Plwyf will be nulled to the west as it is virtually on the coast.

irishtoffee

I am totally lost in this thread.Wright i am in wexford and all my english stations through my aerial went off today.Is there a way to retune them?

prioryc

irishtoffee wrote: »

I am totally lost in this thread.Wright i am in wexford and all my english stations through my aerial went off today.Is there a way to retune them?

If they were good before today u could try a cheapo freeview box or freeview usb tuner from ebay and replace the 5 u lost with the 70 digital ones
see here for more

http://www.freeview.co.uk/

http://shop.ebay.ie/i.html?_nkw=freeview+box&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=freeview&_osacat=0

feel free to ask more here and spread the word

cmsp.plumber

i have a mobile home in arklow, we always used 2 ariels to pick up stations, 1 for irish and 1 for uk. anyway the reception was crap. so i bought a sat system in aldi/lidl last year and i get 100's of channels, BBC, UTV, channel 4, more 4 etc. dont get RTE tho obviously. this was still working in july, i havent been down since, will it still work with this switch over??

irishtoffee

prioryc wrote: »

If they were good before today u could try a cheapo freeview box or freeview usb tuner from ebay and replace the 5 u lost with the 70 digital ones
see here for more

http://www.freeview.co.uk/

http://shop.ebay.ie/i.html?_nkw=freeview+box&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=freeview&_osacat=0

feel free to ask more here and spread the word

Ye the channels were fine apart from bbc2 going off a while back,anyway a freeview box looks perfect,what one would be the best? and what is a usb tuner? Can i buy them in Ireland? Thanks for the help and sorry for all the questions.

marclt

irishtoffee wrote: »

I am totally lost in this thread.Wright i am in wexford and all my english stations through my aerial went off today.Is there a way to retune them?

Hi

The way TV signals in the UK are broadcast is changing - this is called the digital switchover. It is happening in different parts of the UK, and is currently happening in Wales... hence the reason why you have lost the current Welsh stations.

Depending on how good your reception was, the type of aerial you have it will be possible that you will be able to receive the new digital signals that are now being broadcast. To receive the signals you either need a freeview capable TV or a freeview set top box (STB). The cheapest solution is a freeview STB - but note that these aren't compatible with Irish digital tv... whenever that launches.

So for the moment... the best advice is to pick up a freeview box... you can buy them online. I'd recommend the Philips DTR 220/05 as it is very user friendly.

Available online here: http://cpcireland.farnell.com/philips/dtr220-05/twin-scart-freeview-box/dp/AV16993? The description says you can get up to 30 channels, which is incorrect it will pick up whatever freeview signals are available in your area.

A google search might find one cheaper.

Whereas before you were able to get BBC1/2, ITV, S4C and Five, you may be possible to get up to 30 channels and maybe more depending on how good the signal is where you are.

Hope that explains things a little more clearly.

Marc

marclt

cmsp.plumber wrote: »

i have a mobile home in arklow, we always used 2 ariels to pick up stations, 1 for irish and 1 for uk. anyway the reception was crap. so i bought a sat system in aldi/lidl last year and i get 100's of channels, BBC, UTV, channel 4, more 4 etc. dont get RTE tho obviously. this was still working in july, i havent been down since, will it still work with this switch over??

Not strictly the right forum, but as it is a satellite system, the UK digital switchover won't affect it.

Digital Switchover is about tv through an aerial (via a transmitter). However, if you ever lose channels on that box, you'll need to rescan as it won't automatically pick up frequency changes. Sat4free and freesat do however.

irishtoffee

Thanks Mark,i am in wexford town and the channels were pretty good before the switch off although sometimes with poor weather they wouldn't be the best but could still watch them.I think i will get one of these boxes and see how it goes.Thanks again.

marclt

irishtoffee wrote: »

Thanks Mark,i am in wexford town and the channels were pretty good before the switch off although sometimes with poor weather they wouldn't be the best but could still watch them.I think i will get one of these boxes and see how it goes.Thanks again.

If you need any other help... just ask! And tell your friends that for a few quid they can keep watching!!!

The plan later is that four HD channels will also be broadcast on freeview, but the STBs aren't on the market for those yet. If you discover your digital signal is good, you could always invest in one of these... http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&langId=-1&q=FREEVIEW+&c_1=1|cat_14419512|Digital+boxes+and+services|14419633&pp=20&c_2=2|cat_14419633|Freeview+digital+TV+recorders|14419636

prioryc

irishtoffee wrote: »

Ye the channels were fine apart from bbc2 going off a while back,anyway a freeview box looks perfect,what one would be the best? and what is a usb tuner? Can i buy them in Ireland? Thanks for the help and sorry for all the questions.

A usb tuner acts like a freeview box but works through a pc by pluging your aerial into it(handy if your monitor is your existing tv & also works for pausing live tv & recording your shows similar a sky+box yes can it be bought here through ebay too for around €10-15 from the uk/china etc

here quick vids that explain it all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxkDhHYSlQo

mrdtv

Digifriendly wrote: »

Pity Divis isn't 'turning up the juice' earlier but I guess this is due to possible interference with ROI. Regarding Blaen-Plwyf check post 65 on this thread as it suggests that Blaen-Plwyf will be nulled to the west as it is virtually on the coast.

We already discussed Blaen-Plwyf: the DUK web site says major antenna works are underway so we'll have to see. Divis is last because they have to construct a completely new taller mast as the existing structure can't support the weight of the new DTT antennas. This also happened at Caldbeck which had to have a new mast.

If Blaen-Plwyf is omni directional,I would suggest that Dtt reception in Dublin from it will be possible as will llandonna except where things like say kiliney hill or bray head are in the way.

BowWow

Deleted User wrote: »

If Blaen-Plwyf is omni directional,I would suggest that Dtt reception in Dublin from it will be possible as will llandonna except where things like say kiliney hill or bray head are in the way.

Very interesting, I would have a clear line of site to there. But its about 30kms longer than from Preseli to Arklow?
I have installed an attic aerial for Irish DTT, but would look at moving it outside and upgrading.

ps - one of the most interesting threads around here at the moment, thanks.

Digifriendly

Deleted User wrote: »

If Blaen-Plwyf is omni directional,I would suggest that Dtt reception in Dublin from it will be possible as will llandonna except where things like say kiliney hill or bray head are in the way.

Again check post 65 which indicates it will not be omnidirectional but as mrdtv says we'll just have to wait and see. If it does radiate out west then you're probably right for decent reception in the capital city. BTW those with analogue reception from Wales in Dublin area at present- is it Blaen-Plwyf they're picking up or Llandona or somewhere else?

mrdtv

Digifriendly wrote: »

Again check post 65 which indicates it will not be omnidirectional but as mrdtv says we'll just have to wait and see. If it does radiate out west then you're probably right for decent reception in the capital city. BTW those with analogue reception from Wales in Dublin area at present- is it Blaen-Plwyf they're picking up or Llandona or somewhere else?

As discussed earlier its current analogue beams appear to be directed NW and SW in order to link up with the Preseli and Llandona service areas. The fact that its going to be 40kW instead of the usual 20kW for a 100kW analogue conversion (cf LLandona and Preseli) and that new antenna works are underway is very interesting and unusual. I do see one potential problem: CCI with Divis which will be cochannel on the PSB muxes, although they are a long way away from each other. Unfortunately Dublin is right in the middle!

macmansion

Hi, I've read through all 9 pages here but most of the discussion was way above my head. I hope somebody will help me on this - I'm baffled!

So, I'm in East Wexford with a rooftop aerial in a good vantage point which used to receive the UK analogue stations clearly. This signal was fed through 4 tv points to different tv sets.

Alongside this there's a sky dish outside which feeds into a sky box at 1 tv. Sky can only be operated from this tv obviously but this signal is in turn fed to the other 3 tvs using some kind of booster/splitter arrangement in the attic.

We wouldn't watch sky very often so before the analogue signal was shut down the arrangemnent worked well. Now that we only have the UK analogue stations available on Sky, and it's only possible to watch the same UK channel on all tvs controlled from 1 room it's not so good.

What alternatives would you suggest? Would a freeview setup require a box at each tv, and could this run in tandem with the sky setup as it is? Or is there any way to have something connected at the aerial which would allow viewing of different channels in different rooms?

Sorry this may be a bit off topic but I'm clueless here. Thanks for your help.

As an aside my RTE1 signal has become unclear recently -don't know if that's related (all other Irish stations are as normal) maybe my aerial needs to be repositioned?

mrdtv

macmansion wrote: »

Hi, I've read through all 9 pages here but most of the discussion was way above my head. I hope somebody will help me on this - I'm baffled!

So, I'm in East Wexford with a rooftop aerial in a good vantage point which used to receive the UK analogue stations clearly. This signal was fed through 4 tv points to different tv sets.

Alongside this there's a sky dish outside which feeds into a sky box at 1 tv. Sky can only be operated from this tv obviously but this signal is in turn fed to the other 3 tvs using some kind of booster/splitter arrangement in the attic.

We wouldn't watch sky very often so before the analogue signal was shut down the arrangemnent worked well. Now that we only have the UK analogue stations available on Sky, and it's only possible to watch the same UK channel on all tvs controlled from 1 room it's not so good.

What alternatives would you suggest? Would a freeview setup require a box at each tv, and could this run in tandem with the sky setup as it is? Or is there any way to have something connected at the aerial which would allow viewing of different channels in different rooms?

Sorry this may be a bit off topic but I'm clueless here. Thanks for your help.

As an aside my RTE1 signal has become unclear recently -don't know if that's related (all other Irish stations are as normal) maybe my aerial needs to be repositioned?

I suggest you buy one cheap Freeview box and try it at every point. If it works then buy a Freeview box for every TV. Then you have Sky, Freeview and RTE everywhere... Earlier a good cheapo Freeview box was recommended on this thread. This is how multiset environments are handled in a digital environment. If you received good Channel 5 analogue then you are probably in business...

marclt

macmansion wrote: »

What alternatives would you suggest? Would a freeview setup require a box at each tv, and could this run in tandem with the sky setup as it is? Or is there any way to have something connected at the aerial which would allow viewing of different channels in different rooms?

Sorry this may be a bit off topic but I'm clueless here. Thanks for your help.

As an aside my RTE1 signal has become unclear recently -don't know if that's related (all other Irish stations are as normal) maybe my aerial needs to be repositioned?

It is a confusing situation. Check my post #124 from last night. Basically your current TVs (unless they have freeview built in) only have an analogue tuner. A freeview box allows you to watch the digital channels now being broadcast. You would need a freeview box per television if you wanted to maintain the same set up as you had before. Alternatively you could get a freesat/sat4free box linked to your satellite dish which might be just as useful.

The current freeview boxes on the market will not decode Irish digital television when it becomes properly available (it is in test phase at present). Worth making you aware of that right now.

Basically there are a couple of options open to you...

freeview gives you up to 100 tv/radio/text channels for the price of a freeview box. it is plug and play, so you put the aerial in the back, use a scart or on some boxes another aerial cable to hook up to the tv and away to go.

Some channels like Dave, TMF, Sky Sports News are available which you have to pay for on Satellite. Some of these channels may be lost if Irish DTT starts full time using the same frequencies (that is the plan at present!!! :rolleyes:) Reception could be variable depending on where you live.

A freesat or sat4free box will give you more free channels and the box will update the channel listing, unlike a box from lidl or aldi for example where you will need to rescan the box if channels move frequency etc. Reception should be stable and can be fed off an existing satellite dish depending on how many boxes you intend having.

Hope this helps.

Marc

macmansion

I really appreciate it the replies - I was completely confused.

So I'm going to try a freeview box at each tv and see how that works.
In this situation I'm still using my current aerial setup combined with freeview box at each tv, and each box can be tuned to a different channel. And this will all run side by side with my current Sky setup.
Finally, I'll need to change again when Irish digital is up and running.

That's made it very straightforward.

Thanks again.

macmansion

macmansion wrote: »

I really appreciate it the replies - I was completely confused.

So I'm going to try a freeview box at each tv and see how that works.
In this situation I'm still using my current aerial setup combined with freeview box at each tv, and each box can be tuned to a different channel. And this will all run side by side with my current Sky setup.
Finally, I'll need to change again when Irish digital is up and running.

That's made it very straightforward.

Thanks again.

most tv's in shops now have freeview built in.
Practically all of the new models from 32" up have mpeg 4 tuners capable of the irish and UK digital services.

So next time you need to buy a tv for say a bedroom,you shouldnt need a set top box-just make sure the tv is at least mpeg2 and preferably mpeg4.

If you need at anytime to buy a new tv and you get an mpeg4 one,you shouldnt have to change it again when the irish service is fully up and running.

mrdtv

macmansion wrote: »

I really appreciate it the replies - I was completely confused.

So I'm going to try a freeview box at each tv and see how that works.
In this situation I'm still using my current aerial setup combined with freeview box at each tv, and each box can be tuned to a different channel. And this will all run side by side with my current Sky setup.
Finally, I'll need to change again when Irish digital is up and running.

That's made it very straightforward.

Thanks again.

NB: let us know what happens. And if you get a result spread the word!

sesswhat

macmansion wrote: »

Finally, I'll need to change again when Irish digital is up and running.

You will only need to change when Irish analogue shuts down, a few years away yet.

irishtoffee

marclt wrote: »

Hi

The way TV signals in the UK are broadcast is changing - this is called the digital switchover. It is happening in different parts of the UK, and is currently happening in Wales... hence the reason why you have lost the current Welsh stations.

Depending on how good your reception was, the type of aerial you have it will be possible that you will be able to receive the new digital signals that are now being broadcast. To receive the signals you either need a freeview capable TV or a freeview set top box (STB). The cheapest solution is a freeview STB - but note that these aren't compatible with Irish digital tv... whenever that launches.

So for the moment... the best advice is to pick up a freeview box... you can buy them online. I'd recommend the Philips DTR 220/05 as it is very user friendly.

Available online here: http://cpcireland.farnell.com/philips/dtr220-05/twin-scart-freeview-box/dp/AV16993? The description says you can get up to 30 channels, which is incorrect it will pick up whatever freeview signals are available in your area.

A google search might find one cheaper.

Whereas before you were able to get BBC1/2, ITV, S4C and Five, you may be possible to get up to 30 channels and maybe more depending on how good the signal is where you are.

Hope that explains things a little more clearly.

Marc

Hi just wondering if you have bought from this website before as i bought a philips one yesterday and still have not got an email to confirm the order,on my account it just says order pending.I see that there office is open tomorrow so i will give them a call.

prioryc

Nothing new but still worth seeing ...i got this reply earlier
when i asked about uk & irish freeview boxes

Hello ...

Irish DTT receivers will become available before the RTE DTT services launch. RTE has no current plans to launch the DTT services.

Further information on this is available on the RTE website www.rtenl.ie

The Irish DTT receivers will use MPEG 4 technology. This is a newer technology than currently used in the UK but should be backwards compatible with the UK’s MPEG 2 technology.:rolleyes:



Best Regards

Susan Fleming

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
29-31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2

Ph. No. 00353 1 678 3178

mrdtv

prioryc wrote: »

Nothing new but still worth seeing ...i got this reply earlier
when i asked about uk & irish freeview boxes

Hello ...

Irish DTT receivers will become available before the RTE DTT services launch. RTE has no current plans to launch the DTT services.

Further information on this is available on the RTE website www.rtenl.ie

The Irish DTT receivers will use MPEG 4 technology. This is a newer technology than currently used in the UK but should be backwards compatible with the UK’s MPEG 2 technology.:rolleyes:



Best Regards

Susan Fleming

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
29-31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2

Ph. No. 00353 1 678 3178

Poor Susan!

Irish receivers will NOT be compatible with UK HD Freeview service, coming on the market shortly and available in overspill areas.

Boy, oh boy, the procrastination, prevarication and stalling have landed RTE, BCI and DCENR in a hell of a mess. Irish viewers are likely to use cheapo Freeview viewers to receive Welsh and NI DTT via overspill and then upgrade to T2 HD boxes as that system rolls out. Market preemption is taking place before our very eyes: unless RTE launch soon its going to have to be T2. BTW that was a stock response from them: once people tumble to the fact they can get Freeview in the South East it pulls the rug from their technical strategy. Our friends at $ky will of course seek to capitalise on this standards instability in Ireland.

Antenna

mrdtv wrote: »

once people tumble to the fact they can get Freeview in the South East

It might be pushing it to say its available in the 'South East' rather than Co. Wexford. Stable reception is only a possibility for an insignificant number of people in Co. Waterford, and there are no reports of UK DTT reception in the other counties of the South East - Kilkenny, Carlow, South Tipperary

Sazziey

Hi

I live in Wexford area and have lost the analogue signal from Wales. Have purchased a Grundig set top box but it will only find 4 radio stations and nothing else. Any ideas what to do please? Before analogue went the signal was brilliant and pictures very clear so don't understand why I can't get anything. :mad: Thanks for any help.

irishtoffee

Sazziey wrote: »

Hi

I live in Wexford area and have lost the analogue signal from Wales. Have purchased a Grundig set top box but it will only find 4 radio stations and nothing else. Any ideas what to do please? Before analogue went the signal was brilliant and pictures very clear so don't understand why I can't get anything. :mad: Thanks for any help.

Is that a freeview box from the uk? May i ask where you bought it from?Not sure how to tune these but a friend of mine bought a new tv in joyces and it has the freeview box built into it and he is picking up the signal for uk channels perfectly.

Sazziey

Hi

I bought the set top box on ebay. It is a Grundig - in fact I bought 2 of them. The instructions are clear but when it does the automatic tuning no channels are found at all - only 4 radio ones. Have no idea what to do as it doesn't give me any other options in the instruction leaflet. Any advice very gratefully received!

atellyer

Was it a reconditioned box? I bought a similar box a couple of years ago and never got it to work.

irishtoffee

I am expecting a freeview box on monday and will let you all know how i get on.

Sazziey

Hi
Yes - the box is factory reconditioned - is this why I have a problem? Any recommendations as to which box to get now then? Am getting very confused with it all.......:(

Verso

Hi all,

My system is located some 8 miles south of Courtown and I am using a 20 years old Yagi style aerial with WF65 cable connected through a 26dB amp in the loft (the aerial is outside on a 3 metre mast). With this temporary arrangement I have received 91 channels at a signal strength of 52/59%.

I want to improve on this by changing to a new 48 element wideband aerial with the amp placed on the mast.

Before doing so I would appreciate any advice or suggestions to improve the signal strength.

Thanks in anticipation of any replies.