TV's working with Saorview - The List

Fingleberries

56lcd wrote: »

It is all fine and dandy saying set your location country to the UK to get Saorview teletext but the reality is that you loose all the digital radio stations doing this.

I raised that with them, too and had all the threads of info from here and the Saorview Spec sheet from RTÉ NL to show them all that is needed for Saorview compliance. From my very basic understanding, it appears to meet most criteria and a firmware update should (hopefully) resolve it.

Again, I'll see what comes of it and update here if I hear anything more.

Sneakee

Philips 32PFL8404H
Philips xxPFL8404H
[HTML]
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/philips-32pfl8404h-32pfl8404-20100105162.htm
[/HTML]
This model has the LED ambilight and not to be confused with the new LED TV's. This is a LCD television in case anyone mistakes this. Ambilight is brilliant and not a gimmick.
Bought in August 2009 off Komplett.ie

Confirmed as compatible for Saorview.
Scan setting must be set to UK to pick up all channels and features including MHEG5.
Confirmed as having MHEG5 also.
If on Ireland setting, it will only pick up the channels.

By the way the radio stations recently disappeared about a month back, any reason why??? They were found in the initial scan and saved.

STB

Fingleberries wrote: »

I raised that with them, too and had all the threads of info from here and the Saorview Spec sheet from RTÉ NL to show them all that is needed for Saorview compliance. From my very basic understanding, it appears to meet most criteria and a firmware update should (hopefully) resolve it.

Again, I'll see what comes of it and update here if I hear anything more.

Good man. I previously raised the issue with the John McDonald MD Richer Sounds and more importantly the Phillips Shop Dame Street directly via PM.

If you have more contact with Phillips you might mention that the MHEG5 engine is actually on board for UK profile, but turned off in favour of MHP for Irish setup option. MHP is another which is used on the continent and is useless here. MHEG5 just needs to be enabled in Irish firmware. It is a simple fix and would enable the Phillips H range to be compliant with Saorview as MHEG5 is a basic requirement per specs first published in Feb 2008. Perhaps it might be worth mentioning that LG Samsung and Sony have managed to allow open use of MHEG5 by default in Irish country profile.

This mess can be cleaned up very quickly.

There is previous discussion thread set up on this already: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056123899
If Marc wants to move these Phillips related posts.

Fingleberries

Thanks STB, I've provided these details to Philips support and they appear to be taking it on board.

Philips Consumer Care wrote:

I have assigned your case to our technical support team for further investigation, I have chosen your email as a prime example as I am sure head office will some your work around solution very useful, I will get back in touch as soon as I hear back from our head office on this issue.

Again, I'll keep the thread informed if there is any outcome of this.

Sponge Bob

Good one Fingleberries and STB, at least Phillips listen to their Irish customers...unlike Panasonic who are in deep denial

blueflag

Well done STB and Fingleberries. Seems like movement at last from Philips.

timmydel1

Samsung PS42C450B1WXXU Saorview working and MHEG5 OK set to Ireland

Lucious Sweet

I connected a basic rabbit ears aerial tomy Panasonic TX-P42G10L last night and ran a scan. I was delighted when all the Irish digital channels appeared with great reception. Analog was not so good.
Teletext on the digital was old school so that means no MHEG5, right?
Is there a firmware upgrade or hack available to make it MHEG5 compatible?

Ta,

Sponge Bob

moz wrote: »

Is there a firmware upgrade or hack available to make it MHEG5 compatible?

No, contacting Panasonic is useless too, they don't even answer emails from Ireland any more.

Satdog

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Good one Fingleberries and STB, at least Phillips listen to their Irish customers...unlike Panasonic who are in deep denial

I'm not so sure unless I aproached it the wrong way.

I sent an EMail to Philips Customer Care today indicating that I have a 32pfl5604/h and when installing channels with the country setting set to "Ireland" MHEG5 does not work (digital teletext and EPG) but it works when set to "UK", also mentioned channel numbering. I asked will there be a firmware update to resolve the issue. This is the response I got - "Thank you for your email.
In regards to your query I can inform you that this is an issue that is being addressed with our 2011 TV models but unfortunately it is not possible to develop a firmware upgrade because this is hardware and not a software issue, meaning it is actually the components in the TV which is the issue.
The only way is has you have said, to set the country to the UK in order to use the full benefits of the TV.
You can rearrange the channel list on your TV by following the link below and following the instructions detailed on page 35"

Not satisfied with the response I sent another EMail as follows -
Jonathan,
Thank you for your prompt response.
I'm wondering how it is a hardware issue? MHEG5 is a specification and is already on board for the "UK" setting. The Irish specification - as far as I'm aware - is UK Profile, v1.06 which should be the same whether "UK" or "Ireland" is selected. Or is it that each country has its own PCB.
Release Q5431_0. 26.38.14 enabled DVB-C for Switzerland and Austria. Is this not something similar? I'm still waiting for a response and will post the outcome.

Lucious Sweet

Sponge Bob wrote: »

No, contacting Panasonic is useless too, they don't even answer emails from Ireland any more.

Well that's a bit of a pisser. Just read up on the thread TV's with MPEG4 DTT decoder about Panasonic and their pathetic attitude. I have always been a big fan with 3 tv's, dvd player and a hi-fi in recent years. Thats the end of that. I will be going to my local Panasonic centre to lodge a complaint.

benmeade

timmydel1 wrote: »

Samsung PS42C450B1WXXU Saorview working and MHEG5 OK set to Ireland

This tv seems to be great value too.
Can you cofirm that rte2HD is working before i buy it?
Thanks

timmydel1

Hi benmeade, yes RTE2HD working fine,looks great !:)

CorkMan

Anyone know if the Samsung le40c750 is compatiable with Saorview.

lolie

seen this on argos.ie earlier
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5296527/Trail/searchtext%3EFREEVIEW+HD.htm
not sure about mpeg5, think offer ends friday

watty

"Freeview HD" means it must have MHEG5. But may only work properly on UK country setting.

But better with LG series nnLD450 where nn is size. Properly compatible.


Argos supposed to have a new catalogue last week Jan 2011 with Irish Compatibility clearly indicated.

lensman

I don't have first hand knowledge of the Walker saorview Tv's but would guess they are of the cheap & nasty type,...I notice that powercity don't offer the extended Guarantee on these tv's, a telling point IMO.

goonstriss

Hi All,

I have a Sony KDL 32W4000, bought in late 2008. The specs I can see only mention MPEG 2. I'm assuming I can't get Saorview on it. Am I right?

watty

lensman wrote: »

I don't have first hand knowledge of the Walker saorview Tv's but would guess they are of the cheap & nasty type,...I notice that powercity don't offer the extended Guarantee on these tv's, a telling point IMO.

Vestel, made in Turkey. As was the Mitsubishi "black diamond" and Silvercrest CRTs. Walker is the Management Buyout of the Irish Mitsubishi distribution outfit.

Many well known brand name TVs and set-box of UK High Street are Vestel. Almost all Software development is in UK and some HW R&D is in California. So many actually work better than Chinese boxes/TVs.

Sam Russell

goonstriss wrote: »

Hi All,

I have a Sony KDL 32W4000, bought in late 2008. The specs I can see only mention MPEG 2. I'm assuming I can't get Saorview on it. Am I right?

If I remember correctly, that TV has MPEG 4.

goonstriss

cheers. I'll be checking it tonight

PixelTrawler

Sneakee wrote: »

Philips 32PFL8404H
Philips xxPFL8404H
[HTML]
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/philips-32pfl8404h-32pfl8404-20100105162.htm
[/HTML]
This model has the LED ambilight and not to be confused with the new LED TV's. This is a LCD television in case anyone mistakes this. Ambilight is brilliant and not a gimmick.
Bought in August 2009 off Komplett.ie

Confirmed as compatible for Saorview.
Scan setting must be set to UK to pick up all channels and features including MHEG5.
Confirmed as having MHEG5 also.
If on Ireland setting, it will only pick up the channels.

By the way the radio stations recently disappeared about a month back, any reason why??? They were found in the initial scan and saved.

Ah must try a rescan so.
I have a 42pfl9664 but I have the country set to Ireland. I got all the channels but no guide.

Brian0630

I bought Neotion card in my old Sony mpeg4. Work well. Bought from Ebay, cheapest listing.

So, I think it is better then additional remote.:)

Sam Russell

Brian0630 wrote: »

I bought Neotion card in my old Sony mpeg4. Work well. Bought from Ebay, cheapest listing.

So, I think it is better then additional remote.:)

I tried one in my Sony a long time ago and decided it was rubbish because of picture quality and lip-sync problems. I now have a STB that gives fantastic PQ with no problems. I have a FTA satellite STB, and only use the Sont remote to turn on the TV.

I would retire the Neotion if I were you.

watty

Brian0630 wrote: »

I bought Neotion card in my old Sony mpeg4. Work well. Bought from Ebay, cheapest listing.

So, I think it is better then additional remote.:)

See http://www.saortv.info/terrestrial-saorview/the-black-list/

The PCMCIA (CI slot for a CAM on a TV or set-box) is for PayTV decoder which has a viewing card slot.
Usually an MPEG2 TV can’t see the MPEG4 channels if they are “flagged” properly, thus there is nothing for the converter that mimics a “CAM” to convert. If it’s an HD broadcast the MPEG2 bitrate is too high, so HD won’t ever work. Some Saorview channels will only be transmitted in HD.
The “Converter CAM” has to have an MPEG4 decoder and MPEG2 encoder so even if it did work, it reduces quality, adds delay and may run hot enough to damage the TV or set-box

Neotion cards are useless for Saorview.
The temporary SD RTE closes 18th April.
RTE2 will then be HD signal only, even when SD content.
RTE1, TG4 and TV3 will in the next few years be HD also.

lensman

watty wrote: »

Vestel, made in Turkey. As was the Mitsubishi "black diamond" and Silvercrest CRTs. Walker is the Management Buyout of the Irish Mitsubishi distribution outfit.

Many well known brand name TVs and set-box of UK High Street are Vestel. Almost all Software development is in UK and some HW R&D is in California. So many actually work better than Chinese boxes/TVs.

Aren't BEKO tv's also of Turkish origin?..Do they use good quality components & good panels ? I know you can pick up a little gem sometimes,..I bought a 37" Viewpia LCD 4yrs ago which was 2/3 the price of the big brand names,..I had the chance to compare these side by side in DID & the picture quality was as good & better than some big names,..it developed a (not powering on) problem of late & I replaced 2 caps on the psu which fixed the problem,...I had a good look around & every board inside was marked LG/Philips,..even the panel,..happy days.

watty

Beko a million years ago WAS Philips. Their CRT Tvs used what ever tube was available (loads of component changes in a table on schematic according to tube), so you could get a really great CRT or poorer one! Those where Philips/NXP designs.

Yes, Turkish also. But no idea if any connection to Vestel.

STB

watty wrote: »

Beko a million years ago WAS Philips. Their CRT Tvs used what ever tube was available (loads of component changes in a table on schematic according to tube), so you could get a really great CRT or poorer one! Those where Philips/NXP designs.

Yes, Turkish also. But no idea if any connection to Vestel.

Arcelik is the parent company. Beko is one of the brands. The electronics arm that merged with Arcelik 2 years ago is Grundig. I have a Digifusion FVRT200 (MPEG2) and had a Sony SVR-S500 (again MPEG2). Both were the same hardware except for the look. Both were made by Beko.

Vestel are a separate Turkish Company and are a big TV/STB OEM with rebadges under Alba, Bush, Goodmans, Matsui, Mitsubishi, Techwood, Digihome, Hitachi, Sharp, Wharfedale, and Technika brandnames. They also make washing machines/white goods which end up as Whirlpool, Electrolux, Candy, Glen Dimplex etc and major chains like Tesco and Aldi.

Infact most of the T2 products out there are based on the Vestel T8300 chassis with cosmetic changes: All of these: Antiference HDSB, Bush DVB680, Digihome Freeview HD Box, Ferguson F02HD, ISIS ISI-DVBT2, Krystel DVBT2, Linsar FHDF1, Lowry GSHDTB1001, Luxor LUX-DVBT2-690, Metronic T2HD, Xenius DVB100HD, Finlux DVBT2665 and Technika STVHDV2010

It is not unusual to see component names that you could easily identify. Most tuner modules for example are made by Sharp.

Pat Gleeson

Fingleberries wrote: »

Thanks STB, I've provided these details to Philips support and they appear to be taking it on board.

Again, I'll keep the thread informed if there is any outcome of this.

Referring to my post here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=70173246&postcount=156

This TV will show all TV and Radio channels when set to UK or Ireland, but no MHEG-5 capability - despite a reset or rescan. It's on current firmware.

Midnight Rider

Having read through some of this thread, I'm getting the impression that a French SONY tv (specifically, the KDL40EX402) should be able to receive Saorview no problems, yeah?

The Cush

Midnight Rider wrote: »

Having read through some of this thread, I'm getting the impression that a French SONY tv (specifically, the KDL40EX402) should be able to receive Saorview no problems, yeah?

Things have moved on and the recommendation now is an Irish Saorview certified or Freeview-HD certified receiver which will give you both MPEG-4 and MHEG-5.

TNT-HD certified receivers will of course do MPEG-4 but maybe not MHEG-5 for digital text. Some TNT-HD certified receivers may do MHEG-5 if there is a UK country option on setup.

Midnight Rider

The Cush wrote: »

Things have moved on and the recommendation now is an Irish Saorview certified or Freeview-HD certified receiver which will give you both MPEG-4 and MHEG-5.

TNT-HD certified receivers will of course do MPEG-4 but maybe not MHEG-5 for digital text. Some TNT-HD certified receivers may do MHEG-5 if there is a UK country option on setup.

To be honest, I've haven't seen many certified Saorview TV's or receivers. Far as I know that particular TV supports both MPEG-4 and MHEG-5 (though, don't quote me on that. ), and yeah, it has UK setup options. I think it's worth a gamble. If it doesn't work out, I can always get a receiver box (if a good combi box ever sees the light of day. ).

Anyways, thanks for the reply.

The Cush

Walker are the only certified range around at the moment but other manufacturers in the pipeline according informed speculation, Sony, Samsung, Triax.

Midnight Rider

The Cush wrote: »

Walker are the only certified range around at the moment but other manufacturers in the pipeline according informed speculation, Sony, Samsung, Triax.

Yeah, I have a preference for Sony or Samsung, they make great TV's.

siblers

I know absolutley nothing about this whole area, I'm thinking of getting this TV
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-LE32C530-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B003EEM1M4/ref=dp_cp_ob_ce_title_2.
Is it at all possible to get British freeview to work over here? That TV has 50hz lcd freeview, where as others have LCD Digital HDFreeview (like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-32RV753B-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B003FVAIF8/ref=pd_cp_ce_1), is there any advantage over one from the other? ( I have sky digital but the tv wont be connected to the box, if that makes any difference)

The Cush

siblers wrote: »

Is it at all possible to get British freeview to work over here?

Freeview and Freeview-HD are UK digital terrestrial TV services which means you must have an outside aerial pointing at a N Ireland or Wales TV transmitter if you live near the border or on the east coast.

If you are outside the range of a UK transnitter you will require a freesat or free-to-air satellite receiver to receive the UK services.

Iron Hide

Toshiba 32AV713B, Mpeg 4 and Mheg 5 working perfectly. HD ready and not bad for €229

Midnight Rider

siblers wrote: »

I know absolutley nothing about this whole area, I'm thinking of getting this TV
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-LE32C530-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B003EEM1M4/ref=dp_cp_ob_ce_title_2.
Is it at all possible to get British freeview to work over here? That TV has 50hz lcd freeview, where as others have LCD Digital HDFreeview (like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-32RV753B-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B003FVAIF8/ref=pd_cp_ce_1), is there any advantage over one from the other? ( I have sky digital but the tv wont be connected to the box, if that makes any difference)

Well, I'm no expert and I could be mistaken, but here's my thoughts...

The Freeview could very well be useless to you since UK Freeview isn't widely available in Ireland. And if the TV has Freeview, then it probably doesn't come with an MPEG4 tuner, which is what you need to receive Saorview.

I've heard you can use your Skybox to pick up Freesat? Maybe that's something you could try?

The Cush

Midnight Rider wrote: »

The Freeview could very well be useless to you since UK Freeview isn't widely available in Ireland. And if the TV has Freeview, then it probably doesn't come with an MPEG4 tuner, which is what you need to receive Saorview.

Not necessarily so, Freeview certified receivers may also include an MPEG-4 video decoder.

For any non-Saorview certified receiver (STB or iDTV) always check the product specification for video decoder MPEG-4 AVC and/or H.264 (HP@L4) before you buy.

Freeview-HD and TNT-HD certified receivers have an MPEG-4 video decoder by default.

siblers

Cheers for the replies, we have one of those dishes where you just have a one off payment which comes with some British channels but mainly european ones, It's not really that big of a deal if it doesn't work anyways.

Satdog

Following an earlier post in this thread I sent Philips a third Email. I pointed out that 1) the MHEG5 UK Profile is already integrated in the reveiver 2) other manufactures notably Sony, LG and Samsung were now offering TVs that are Saorview compliant 3) that the problem is not a hardware problem as indicated in my first response from Philips and 4) Philips will lose customers to the other manufacturers. This is the response I got today.

"Thank you for your recent email.

Indeed your TV does have the ability to produce digital text and an EPG when receiving digital Irish signals, yet this is not one of the TV’s specifications when it is in ‘Ireland’ mode.

The digital signal it decodes to produce text and an EPG for the MPEG4 tuner is picked up by the TV and produced, but only because the TV has searched for a UK EPG and text signal.

I understand that a software upgrade to resolve this issue would be very useful for customers with this issue, however I am not aware of any current proposals to one. I suggest you regularly check our website for any updates."

At least they have acknowledged that a software upgrade would resolve it.

watty

Yes. but we knew that.

Lucious Sweet

At least they have acknowledged that a software upgrade would resolve it.

Yes, well done. An acknowledgment is a start and maybe if a few more people made contact with them, something might get done. At least you got a response which is more than can be said for Panasonic :mad:

56lcd

moz wrote: »

Yes, well done. An acknowledgment is a start and maybe if a few more people made contact with them, something might get done. At least you got a response which is more than can be said for Panasonic :mad:

I do hope that they are working on a firmware fix but only last week a member of Philips tech support staff told me that they wont be fixing it and that I could take my TV back to where I bought it.
Yesterday I went into a major electrical chain that sells all brands of TVs and when I asked if the Philips TV that I was looking at was Saorview compatible the sales man said yes, I asked to see if the radio channels were working on a Philips TV the salesman showed me they were, I then asked him to show me the teletext working .... at first he pretended that the remote control would not work so I pointed out there were many Philips TVs there and surely he could find a working remote control.
Another salesman came over and pressed text button on the remote and low and behold analogue teletext came up and the original salesman tried to convince me that the text was working.
I informed him that he was very wrong in trying to hoodwink me into selling a TV with analogue teletext, the other salesman pipped up and acknowledged that none of the Philips or Panasonic TVs in their store were Saorview compatible .... I asked him how could they try to sell such goods to the public and what were going to do with all the useless non corforming to Saorview standard TVs they had in stock, he said that he did not know and that was a matter for headquarters.
I think the only way that Philips will resolve this issue is if they are unable to sell their non conforming TVs in Ireland, people should visit their local Philips stockist and highlight that they are trying to pawn off non conforming TVs that will lead to reputational damage for the store.

Venom

56lcd wrote: »

I do hope that they are working on a firmware fix but only last week a member of Philips tech support staff told me that they wont be fixing it and that I could take my TV back to where I bought it.
Yesterday I went into a major electrical chain that sells all brands of TVs and when I asked if the Philips TV that I was looking at was Saorview compatible the sales man said yes, I asked to see if the radio channels were working on a Philips TV the salesman showed me they were, I then asked him to show me the teletext working .... at first he pretended that the remote control would not work so I pointed out there were many Philips TVs there and surely he could find a working remote control.
Another salesman came over and pressed text button on the remote and low and behold analogue teletext came up and the original salesman tried to convince me that the text was working.
I informed him that he was very wrong in trying to hoodwink me into selling a TV with analogue teletext, the other salesman pipped up and acknowledged that none of the Philips or Panasonic TVs in their store were Saorview compatible .... I asked him how could they try to sell such goods to the public and what were going to do with all the useless non corforming to Saorview standard TVs they had in stock, he said that he did not know and that was a matter for headquarters.
I think the only way that Philips will resolve this issue is if they are unable to sell their non conforming TVs in Ireland, people should visit their local Philips stockist and highlight that they are trying to pawn off non conforming TVs that will lead to reputational damage for the store.

You should name and shame the shop as hoodwinking otherwise known as lying to the customer is well out of order.

Satdog

watty wrote: »

Yes. but we knew that.

Thanks Watty but I was really referring to the first response I got from Philips where they stated that a firmware update wouldn't resolve the problem as it was a hardware issue.

watty

Well, I knew that was nonsense

Fingleberries

Satdog wrote: »

Thanks Watty but I was really referring to the first response I got from Philips where they stated that a firmware update wouldn't resolve the problem as it was a hardware issue.

Hi All,

I currently have a case open with Philips about this same issue on a 32pfl5405h/05. They are also 'looking at this at head office'. Perhaps a unified approach can help them, if anyone would like to PM me their Support Case reference with Philips I will forward a list to them of the known cases.
Details of my case Here

You know, help them with a little joined up thinking and maybe focus their efforts.

Just a thought.

Mayo Exile

goonstriss wrote: »

Hi All,

I have a Sony KDL 32W4000, bought in late 2008. The specs I can see only mention MPEG 2. I'm assuming I can't get Saorview on it. Am I right?

Its a DVB-T/MPEG4 TV so it works here. You must set the country to UK though to use MHEG5 functions.

Also the Sony 26EX302 is compatible with Saorview. With country setting as Ireland, MHEG5 functions are available.

Fr0g

Dubluc wrote: »

Anyone using a Samsung LE32B450C4W or know if it works. Can't seem to get Digital reception. Tried UK settings etc.

Hi I don't if you got an answer to this. I have this TV and I get a perfect saorview reception with country set to Ireland. Any other Qs just ask.