northern ireland free view signal in dublin

lucernarian

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

Far too much of a height discrepancy to be any kind of useful comparison. Kilkeel's transmit aerials are at about 10 times the height of Greenore's.

Greenore is on now, anyway, if anyone wants to try it.

Yes, in one respect. I disagree with your overall point though. If people use Greenore reception to predict Kilkeel, there will be many false negatives where people won't pick up Greenore yet will still receive Kilkeel. But for the east coast south of Clogherhead, I can't think of likely circumstances where someone would pick up Greenore and yet not receive Kilkeel. I'm still awaiting a chance to test out my guesswork but I'd wager that every single poster who can pick up Greenore in Co. Dublin or Meath will also receive Kilkeel DTT in a couple of week's time.

mrdtv2010

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Yes, in one respect. I disagree with your overall point though. If people use Greenore reception to predict Kilkeel, there will be many false negatives where people won't pick up Greenore yet will still receive Kilkeel. But for the east coast south of Clogherhead, I can't think of likely circumstances where someone would pick up Greenore and yet not receive Kilkeel. I'm still awaiting a chance to test out my guesswork but I'd wager that every single poster who can pick up Greenore in Co. Dublin or Meath will also receive Kilkeel DTT in a couple of week's time.

Divis will be the one to watch because of its ERP and HAAT. Because of ghosting many people probably chose Kilkeel over Divis, but ghosting on analogue and low power DTT from Divis will be past tense beginning October 10th.

Ronnie Raygun

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I'm still awaiting a chance to test out my guesswork but I'd wager that every single poster who can pick up Greenore in Co. Dublin or Meath will also receive Kilkeel DTT in a couple of week's time.

I would think the analogue signal that's actually coming from Kilkeel would be a better indicator than anything from a site where the aerials are barely 100 ft. above sea level.

Geuze

Two local shops / installers have suggested that people in Kells, Co. Meath, get a combi box and a sat dish, implying that they won't receive the NI DTT Freeview signal.

Houses currently receive the NI analogue signal.

There is discussion here about the signal getting to Dublin - if that's the case then surely it'll reach Kells?

The Cush

Geuze wrote: »

There is discussion here about the signal getting to Dublin - if that's the case then surely it'll reach Kells?

Oct 10th will be the best indicator of what the Freeview signal will be like when analogue BBC2 is switched off and the BBC A mux launches in less than 2 weeks - http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/northernireland

zg3409

It will 99% reach Kells reliably. However if you want more channels reliably today then a dish will work now.

Even if it does work reliably, it will still probably fail for more than a week a year during very good weather (high pressure)

At the distances we are talking about it's "long range" and if there are hills etc in the way it will be quite expensive for a relatively few channels.

If you are going to the effort of having an installer visit, it might be best to go the dish route even if in range of Northern Ireland. The main loss is the channel "dave" is free on Freeview with a TV aerial but pay via Satellite.

It's less risk and less callbacks than a dish system for an installer. It also gives more channels but may cost more especially if you have lots of TVs.

adox

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The reflector won't completely screen signals from the rear. It's why aerials have a quoted 'front to back ratio' & response plots will show lobes to the back & sides. Log-periodics are reckoned to be the best at rejecting signals arriving from the rear: afaia, the phasing of signals arriving at the aerial's feed point is far more important than any screening effect.

It's been mentioned in this forum before, that Clermont currently has poor coverage in north Dublin & this should improve at switchover. Adox could try a manual tune on ch.53 & compare it to the ch.30 signal.

Did a manual scan on ch 53 and picking up the Saorview channels alright but quality showing at around 40% with strength at 10%.

lawhec

zg3409 wrote: »

If you are going to the effort of having an installer visit, it might be best to go the dish route even if in range of Northern Ireland. The main loss is the channel "dave" is free on Freeview with a TV aerial but pay via Satellite.

The channels on Freeview that are FTA but encrypted on satellite...

4Music
Yesterday
Viva (available through Freesat From Sky)
Dave
Really
Dave Ja Vu (0200-0400 only)
Quest

All of them are on commercial multiplexes.

maxg

The Cush wrote: »

Signal quality is the important figure but you also require a stable signal strength reading also. Most TVs display these figure as percentages so its difficult to interpret the actual figures or the accuracy of the readings behind these percentages. I have seen a TV with a hi signal strength but a 94% signal quality reading with some picture breakup in certain weather conditions. A proper digital terrestrial meter will give the most accurate figures.

A proper meter will display signal quality readings as a BER figure and signal strength in dBuV.

I posted this previously - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80028195#post80028195

There is no standard for the numbers and every manufactorer can show you what he want but 100% signal quality means no errors. If you get a number below 100% you can only speculate how much errors you get and 94% quality means you get no error free reception.
Btw 100% signal strength and quality below 100% is a hint the turner get overloaded with a too strong signal.

Pat X

No errors after error correction doesn't mean a whole lot. Any deterioration in signal can send the whole thing into a nosedive.

maxg

Who is saying the quality get measured after Viterbi/error correction?

The Cush

maxg wrote: »

Who is saying the quality get measured after Viterbi/error correction?

I suppose the assumption would be that it is after error correction.

Sony are the only TVs I've seen which display pre and post viterbi figures and their 5s averages and uncorrected errors. I haven't put a meter on the cable to compare the readings, must do it.

blastman

BBC2 analogue is now gone for me as of last night. Rescanned the digital tuner at that stage but still no FreeView (as expected as it's not due to be switched on until this afternoon). This morning I briefly checked again and all UK analogue signals are gone, although I'm not sure if this is permanent yet.

I'll rescan the digital tuner this evening after work and see what I'm getting, hopefully there will be something there by then!

adox

blastman wrote: »

BBC2 analogue is now gone for me as of last night. Rescanned the digital tuner at that stage but still no FreeView (as expected as it's not due to be switched on until this afternoon). This morning I briefly checked again and all UK analogue signals are gone, although I'm not sure if this is permanent yet.

I'll rescan the digital tuner this evening after work and see what I'm getting, hopefully there will be something there by then!

check out the sticky at the top of the page. A lot of the transmitters are now on.
Not sure where in the country you are?

SPAWKER

blastman wrote: »

BBC2 analogue is now gone for me as of last night. Rescanned the digital tuner at that stage but still no FreeView (as expected as it's not due to be switched on until this afternoon). This morning I briefly checked again and all UK analogue signals are gone, although I'm not sure if this is permanent yet.
I'll rescan the digital tuner this evening after work and see what I'm getting, hopefully there will be something there by then!

The digital channels are on ch45 from Kilkeel since 11-30 here in Skerries,also picking up more channels on ch59 wherever they are coming from.

The Cush

SPAWKER wrote: »

also picking up more channels on ch59 wherever they are coming from.

Camlough?

mrdtv2010

SPAWKER wrote: »

The digital channels are on ch45 from Kilkeel since 11-30 here in Skerries,also picking up more channels on ch59 wherever they are coming from.

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/tools__and__resources/almanac/pdfs/DSOTx_Northern_Ireland_Jan12v2.0.pdf

E59 is Camlough. Impressive results coming in now. What are the C/N, signal strength and quality results from Camlough and Kilkeel?

SPAWKER

mrdtv2010 wrote: »

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/transmitternetwork/tools__and__resources/almanac/pdfs/DSOTx_Northern_Ireland_Jan12v2.0.pdf
E59 is Camlough. Impressive results coming in now. What are the C/N, signal strength and quality results from Camlough and Kilkeel?

70% strenght 100% quality from Kilkeel and 30-40% strenght and 60% quality from Camlough.

blastman

Scanned last night and I'm getting the BBC channels but nothing else, oddly. My aerial doesn't seem to be in great shape, though, as there was a lot of breakup on the analogue channels and some on the digital channels too.

zg3409

blastman wrote: »

I'm getting the BBC channels but nothing else, oddly.

This is stage 1. If you are getting the BBCs digitally then wait until stage 2 on 24th and rescan.

Daithi2004

I only have Saorview box and in the last two day, I have noticed that extra channels have been added to the list of my usual channels. Now, I am not getting any picture yet but I was wondering, will these channels come online when the BBC switch over to Digital. All the BBC TV and Radio channels are listed. Anyone notice that yet?

Peter Rhea

The BBC Freeview standard def. channels are 'online' since yesterday at full power. Maybe the ones in your list are from the old low powered service that has been switched off?

If you're in Dundalk, maybe try a full rescan, or a manual scan on UHF channel 27 (522 mHz), 45 (666 mHz) or 59 (778 mHz).

lucernarian

Anywhere north of Clogherhead (roughly) in Louth can scan for freeview on Ch. 27 or 59 only. To the south of this point, people can scan for all three. Though nearly everyone would get better reception on Ch. 45 or 27 instead on Ch. 59.

blastman

zg3409 wrote: »

This is stage 1. If you are getting the BBCs digitally then wait until stage 2 on 24th and rescan.

OK, I was under the impression that the rest of the standard definition channels were available after stage 1, that stage 2 added the HD channels, but I'm obviously wrong about that, thanks.

Daithi2004

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The BBC Freeview standard def. channels are 'online' since yesterday at full power. Maybe the ones in your list are from the old low powered service that has been switched off?

If you're in Dundalk, maybe try a full rescan, or a manual scan on UHF channel 27 (522 mHz), 45 (666 mHz) or 59 (778 mHz).

Are you saying that I should be getting these BBC channels on my Saorview? At the moment it shows BBC One NI on no 9, BBC Two NI on no 10 and so on. When I press these buttons, there are blac]nk. I only notice these were on the system yeserday.

Peter Rhea

The BBC channels are part of the UK Freeview service. Your Saorview box can decode the standard definition Freeview channels.

If the box displays the UHF channel no. or frequency, you can post it here & it will be clear if they are part of the newly switched on service. Do you have analogue UK reception?

Peter Rhea

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Anywhere north of Clogherhead (roughly) in Louth can scan for freeview on Ch. 27 or 59 only.

Yeah, I kinda failed to take a few mountains into account . . .

Dipole

Mixed results in Wicklow Town today.
On Lidl's Akura Saorview box on channel 27 from Divis had 60% Signal and Poor to Medium quality with only slight picture break up.
On Arriva Combo 120 good Signal & Quality but unwatchable.
On LG LED Saorview TV - No Signal.

mrdtv2010

Dipole wrote: »

Mixed results in Wicklow Town today.
On Lidl's Akura Saorview box on channel 27 from Divis had 60% Signal and Poor to Medium quality with only slight picture break up.
On Arriva Combo 120 good Signal & Quality but unwatchable.
On LG LED Saorview TV - No Signal.

That can't be from Divis in Wicklow, its Blaen-Plwyf. Has same PSB channels as Divis. You are too far south.

Dipole

mrdtv2010 wrote: »

That can't be from Divis in Wicklow, its Blaen-Plwyf. Has same PSB channels as Divis. You are too far south.

I have no line of sight to Wales. Aerial pointing north to Divis.

Peter Rhea

BBC NI in the epg is certainly conclusive. What does analogue from Divis look like? (Remaining chs. 21, 24 & 31.)

Dipole

Peter Rhea wrote: »

BBC NI in the epg is certainly conclusive. What does analogue from Divis look like? (Remaining chs. 21, 24 & 31.)

Very poor reception at best. Have Freesat for all UK channels !
Am at about 45 mt. ASL

mrdtv2010

Dipole wrote: »

I have no line of sight to Wales. Aerial pointing north to Divis.

Astounding!Very good counter factual pictures: the poor quality is probably due to a combination of the extreme distance and possible CCI from Blaen-Plwyf BBCA also on E27.

Reg'stoy

Picking up nothing in Applewood north Swords on a higher gain wideband attic mounted aerial, granted it is pointed towards three rock :rolleyes:.

On this subject, I have a friend over in Rush who picks up BBC analogue channels on a roof mounted aerial, so would I be correct in being pretty hopeful she'll pick up the freeview digital service along with saorview once she gets a saorview box.

She's told me that a sky rep and a couple of installers have been doing the rounds around Rush pushing satellite systems as a replacement for the loss of RTE analogue this month. I'm hoping she'll get away with either a new TV (still has a CRT telly) or a saorview box.

Dipole

mrdtv2010 wrote: »

Astounding!Very good counter factual pictures: the poor quality is probably due to a combination of the extreme distance and possible CCI from Blaen-Plwyf BBCA also on E27.

I'll check this reception over the next few days. It will be interesting to see if it lasts and also what results I get after the 24th
I think that better quality co-ax and amp may help. This aerial has been up for the last 16 years.

Currently using a separate unamplified contract aerial for Saorview from Three Rock.

Daithi2004

Happy days, I am now getting all the BBC Tv and Radio Channels. It will be interesting what will happen after 24th. I was thinking of getting a combi which would have cost €480 including dish and installation. Don;t have any of the ITV or Channel 4 stations.

Fingleberries

Daithi2004 wrote:

Don;t have any of the ITV or Channel 4 stations.

Hold off on a Satellite until after 24th. ITV and Channel 4 will come online on Freeview then. It's just the BBCA Mux that was switched on this week with the others coming on later (24. Oct).

If you're receiving Kilkeel, you'll receive the Freeview-Lite channels (BBC1-4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, Parliament, UTV, C4, C4+1, E4, More4, Channel 5, plus BBC1 HD, BBC HD, C4HD and some radio stations). From Divis, you will receive many more stations.

adox

Reg'stoy wrote: »

Picking up nothing in Applewood north Swords on a higher gain wideband attic mounted aerial, granted it is pointed towards three rock :rolleyes:.

On this subject, I have a friend over in Rush who picks up BBC analogue channels on a roof mounted aerial, so would I be correct in being pretty hopeful she'll pick up the freeview digital service along with saorview once she gets a saorview box.

She's told me that a sky rep and a couple of installers have been doing the rounds around Rush pushing satellite systems as a replacement for the loss of RTE analogue this month. I'm hoping she'll get away with either a new TV (still has a CRT telly) or a saorview box.

Im in Rush and have an aerial on the roof that I used for UK analogue. I recently bought a tv for the bedroom with a built in Freeview HD tuner and its picking up both Saorview and Freeview.

Daithi2004

I now don't need to buy a combi sat box. I have all I need.

bluezulu49

Hi Guys,
This afternoon I attached my Digihome saorview box to my old amplified north pointing tv aerial and did an automatic scan. In addition to the Saorview channels I now have 10 BBC digital tv channels and 12 digital BBC radio channels. I am in Monkstown, Co. Dublin and my aerial (20 odd years old ) is about 25 metres above sea level. Glad I waited before getting rid of my old aerial!


Bluezulu49

Dummy

Bluezulu - that is brilliant. I am more optimisic now about putting an antenna up. My house is about 5 miles from Monkstown Church, but higher up. But am going to wait until after Oct 24.

Could you let us know if you maintain the same signal over the next few weeks please?

Are you close to the seafront in Monkstown, or further inland?


D.

bluezulu49 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
This afternoon I attached my Digihome saorview box to my old amplified north pointing tv aerial and did an automatic scan. In addition to the Saorview channels I now have 10 BBC digital tv channels and 12 digital BBC radio channels. I am in Monkstown, Co. Dublin and my aerial (20 odd years old ) is about 25 metres above sea level. Glad I waited before getting rid of my old aerial!


Bluezulu49

bluezulu49

Dummy wrote: »

Bluezulu - that is brilliant. I am more optimisic now about putting an antenna up. My house is about 5 miles from Monkstown Church, but higher up. But am going to wait until after Oct 24.

Could you let us know if you maintain the same signal over the next few weeks please?

Are you close to the seafront in Monkstown, or further inland?


D.

I am about 400 metres from the sea and 250 from Monkstown Church. Signal still working but I wonder if changes in Saorview transmitter power in Louth will kill reception here on 24th. I live in hope however.

martinn123

Fingleberries wrote: »

Hold off on a Satellite until after 24th. ITV and Channel 4 will come online on Freeview then. It's just the BBCA Mux that was switched on this week with the others coming on later (24. Oct).

If you're receiving Kilkeel, you'll receive the Freeview-Lite channels (BBC1-4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, Parliament, UTV, C4, C4+1, E4, More4, Channel 5, plus BBC1 HD, BBC HD, C4HD and some radio stations). From Divis, you will receive many more stations.

Hi Guys, I am just outside Lusk, on the R127, and used an aerial, for BBc, Utv etc, from the North. same aerial took in RTE analogue etc.
I re-tuned the saerview box at the weekend and got BBC1,2,3,4 Parlaiment, cbebies, and radio, so I also re-tuned the main TV which has saerview also.

The picture keeps breaking up and freezing on both the BBC channels and now the RTE channels which were fine before I retuned.

The set-up is aerial to DVD, them RF out to a distribution amp in attic and through house from AMP, also have SKY which is Scart to main TV, and on channell 9 through house, via amp

Any thoughts on what's going wrong
Thanks.

Peter Rhea

So the aerial is looped through a Sky box & a DVD machine before it goes to the attic? Is the aerial fitted with a masthead amplifier?

You probably picked up a different Saorview transmitter when you retuned: Three Rock uses UHF ch.30, Clermont Carn (most likely where your aerial points) is on ch. 53 & reduced coverage atm, Kippure is on ch. 54.

Peter Rhea

bluezulu49 wrote: »

Signal still working but I wonder if changes in Saorview transmitter power in Louth will kill reception here on 24th.

The signal from Clermont Carn won't pose any problems for Freeview channels, unless it happens to overload an amplifier, in which case you wouldn't get anything, Saorview or Freeview.

Are you getting Freeview from Kilkeel (ch. 45)? A possible clash between the Kilkeel HD mux & the NIMux from Black Mtn., both on ch. 39 has been mentioned here recently.

martinn123

Peter Rhea wrote: »

So the aerial is looped through a Sky box & a DVD machine before it goes to the attic? Is the aerial fitted with a masthead amplifier?

Correct, and Yes it has a masthead Amp

Peter Rhea wrote:

You probably picked up a different Saorview transmitter when you retuned: Three Rock uses UHF ch.30, Clermont Carn (most likely where your aerial points) is on ch. 53 & reduced coverage atm, Kippure is on ch. 54.

Not sure quite what all that means, is there anything I can do to get the original Irish Digital channels back, and get the UK channels as well without them freezing,
thanks,

Peter Rhea

martinn123 wrote: »

. . . is there anything I can do to get the original Irish Digital channels back, and get the UK channels as well without them freezing

Depends what is causing the problems, whether too much signal or too little, or a channel clash with the modulated output of the DVD player or Sky box. Try plugging the direct feed from the aerial into the tv, before it goes through any other equipment (with the exception of the masthead amplifier PSU of course).

JazzyJ

Is anyone receiving a consistent signal from Divis in South Dublin?

After a few adjustments I'm able to receive Kilkeel fine, but haven't been able to get a sniff off Divis.

I'm running a group A aerial with a wide band masthead amp like this.

GoodisonPark

Thanks for that bluezulu49 , ive just done a scan and now picking up all the BBC's from Kilkeel with an old broken aeriel.
Im on the Louth / Meath border.

SPAWKER

JazzyJ wrote: »

Is anyone receiving a consistent signal from Divis in South Dublin?
After a few adjustments I'm able to receive Kilkeel fine, but haven't been able to get a sniff off Divis.
I'm running a group A aerial with a wide band masthead amp like this.

Depends where you are in the south county. Also Kilkeel is on a group B aerial unless you put the group A on its side to the vertical I dont know how you got a signal from Kilkeel.