Northern Ireland Saorview reception reports:

AndrewBelfast · 03-03-2014 12:40am

Thanks for all the replies so far guys

So, basically, am I right in saying that if I aim my aerial at the Black Mountain transmitter, the YouView should pick up RTE1, 2 and TG4 (which are all I am after btw.)?

If I don't receive them after that, I basically need a new aerial - or a booster of some kind?

Cheers again

culabula · 03-03-2014 1:50am

AndrewBelfast wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies so far guys

So, basically, am I right in saying that if I aim my aerial at the Black Mountain transmitter, the YouView should pick up RTE1, 2 and TG4 (which are all I am after btw.)?

If I don't receive them after that, I basically need a new aerial - or a booster of some kind?

Cheers again

Those three channels are part of the Freeview HD lineup in the north: if you're receiving all the others, you should also be receiving them.

The Cush · 03-03-2014 2:03am

culabula wrote: »

Those three channels are part of the Freeview HD lineup in the north: if you're receiving all the others, you should also be receiving them.

But on a separate mux and from only 3 transmitters using DVB-T2 with SD video.

culabula · 03-03-2014 1:18pm

The Cush wrote: »

But on a separate mux and from only 3 transmitters using DVB-T2 with SD video.

Of course -but surely everyone in Belfast receives them?

Digifriendly · 03-03-2014 7:09pm

culabula wrote: »

Of course -but surely everyone in Belfast receives them?

Yes - difficult to think of any area of Belfast unable to pick either Black Mountain or Carnmoney.

Mr. Rabbit · 03-03-2014 7:17pm

SRB wrote: »

Because the YouView software isn't the same as that on the native Humax. There is no manual tune option.

Strange.

That would put me off ever buying a Youview box.

Digifriendly · 03-03-2014 7:27pm

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

Strange.

That would put me off ever buying a Youview box.

I agree. My Sony PVR box has with an autotune put in weaker Black Mountain multiplex channels ahead of Divis ones so I have had to wipe the channel list altogether and then manually tune in the Divis multiplexes. This would have been very difficult to do with an autotune only box.

egal · 26-10-2014 10:11pm

I'm in Omagh and am getting Saorview from Longford. I don't seem to be able to get the mux 2 channels (UHF44), only mux1 (UHF47). The TV on the other hand pulls in both muxes fine. The YouView box is a TalkTalk Huawei. I am getting the UK channels from Brougher but I also get a strong signal from Strabane. Could this have anything to do with it?

The Cush · 26-10-2014 10:40pm

egal wrote: »

The TV on the other hand pulls in both muxes fine. The YouView box is a TalkTalk Huawei.

Have you tested the Youview box at the same TV point as the working TV?

Thurston? · 26-10-2014 11:13pm

egal wrote: »

I'm in Omagh and am getting Saorview from Longford. I don't seem to be able to get the mux 2 channels (UHF44), only mux1 (UHF47). The TV on the other hand pulls in both muxes fine. The YouView box is a TalkTalk Huawei. I am getting the UK channels from Brougher but I also get a strong signal from Strabane. Could this have anything to do with it?

If I'm right about adjacent channel interference in DVB-T, Strabane ch.45 would have to be more than 25dB above Cairn Hill ch.44 at the receiver, to cause problems. I seriously doubt that's the case.

egal · 27-10-2014 11:52pm

The Cush wrote: »

Have you tested the Youview box at the same TV point as the working TV?

Yes.

egal · 27-10-2014 11:56pm

Thurston? wrote: »

If I'm right about adjacent channel interference in DVB-T, Strabane ch.45 would have to be more than 25dB above Cairn Hill ch.44 at the receiver, to cause problems. I seriously doubt that's the case.

OK. I thought maybe the stronger signal from Strabane was somehow "pulling" the box past 44 and not allowing it to tune in. Now, if only Strabane were to go off air for a few minutes...:D

p13 · 20-03-2017 3:24pm

I have a Sony Bravia TV with inbuilt freeview. Just have an indoor aerial. Just tried to tune the channels there for the first time and can't pick up RTÉ at all, let alone having the option of Saorview. Any suggestions?

culabula · 20-03-2017 3:28pm

You cannot pick up Saorview unless you have a Freeview HD tuner. Freeview of itself does not suffice. Is this the case ?

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 3:46pm

You need a Freeview tuner that can receive MPEG 4 in order to receive Saorview, not necessarily a Freeview HD receiver, although a Freeview HD receiver will receive MPEG 4 transmissions.

The RTE minimux in NI uses the DVB T2 standard and can only be received using a Freeview HD receiver, even though they are broadcast in standard definition.

DVB T2 will become the UK broadcast standard at some point in a few years time.

zg3409 · 20-03-2017 4:01pm

p13 wrote: »

I have a Sony Bravia TV with inbuilt freeview. Just have an indoor aerial. Just tried to tune the channels there for the first time and can't pick up RTÉ at all, let alone having the option of Saorview. Any suggestions?

Where are you located? Did you ever get RTE back in the day in snowy analogue?
How old is your TV aerial?
What channels can you get on freeview?

Volcane · 20-03-2017 4:33pm

p13 wrote: »

I have a Sony Bravia TV with inbuilt freeview. Just have an indoor aerial. Just tried to tune the channels there for the first time and can't pick up RTÉ at all, let alone having the option of Saorview. Any suggestions?

Even if you don't have a Freeview HD TV you should still be able to get RTE1 and 2 alnong with TG4

culabula · 20-03-2017 4:55pm

No, you have to have a Freeview HD tuner to receive the RTÉ minimux. See above.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receiver will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

Mr. Rabbit · 20-03-2017 5:34pm

A standard Freeview receivers will tune Saorview and some will receive sound from the TV stations but the screen will be blank. Saorview radio stations can be received with no problems on a DVB T1 TV.

Some standard Freeview TVs decode MPEG 4 transmissions and should be able to receive Saorview but not the RTE minimux, but there aren't many models in the U.K. Philips did have some in their range some years back.

Radio stations broadcast in DVB T2 cannot be received on a standard Freeview receiver of any sort.

gsni · 06-10-2020 5:45pm

Apologies for dragging up this old thread, although I though this one has the most appropriate title name and its good to recycle. It was either here or Saorview frequencies reshuffle (700 MHz clearence) thread.

Was just wondering if anyone has any reception reports from Bangor Co Down following the Clermont Carn changes earlier this year. I'm particularly interested in Rathmore area and know it worked okay there previously, but be interested to find out about the area in general to try and estimate coverage.

Thanks

Iderown · 08-10-2020 5:30pm

gsni - Also in Bangor. Clermont Carn is fine here at lower end of the Bloomfield Road. The aerial is the "old" CD one as is the masthead amp.

culabula · 08-10-2020 5:42pm

gsni wrote: »

Apologies for dragging up this old thread, although I though this one has the most appropriate title name and its good to recycle. It was either here or Saorview frequencies reshuffle (700 MHz clearence) thread.

Was just wondering if anyone has any reception reports from Bangor Co Down following the Clermont Carn changes earlier this year. I'm particularly interested in Rathmore area and know it worked okay there previously, but be interested to find out about the area in general to try and estimate coverage.

Thanks

What are these changes of which you speak ?

Mr. Rabbit · 08-10-2020 7:08pm

Iderown wrote: »

gsni - Also in Bangor. Clermont Carn is fine here at lower end of the Bloomfield Road. The aerial is the "old" CD one as is the masthead amp.

Bearing in mind Saorview from Clermont Cairn is now on channels 42 and 45 which will require a group B aerial rather than CD, so this is maybe why there are issues if the aerial has been changed since the last time you tried it.

Most TV aerial installers use wide band models now, rather than grouped aerials.

Working fine here in Jordanstown South Antrim, just across the lough from Bangor. Haven’t noticed any break up or loss in signal strength.

gsni · 09-10-2020 2:18am

culabula wrote: »

What are these changes of which you speak ?

Sorry, was referring to the move to channels 42 and 45.
A relative lost the channels in Carrowdore but I suspected it was due the wrong aerial type / amp and they never bothered updating their set up.
With coverage in Bangor historically being somewhat patchy I just wanted to find out if reception was still possible.

dxhound2005 · 09-10-2020 10:50am

The overspill on the map does not show any coverage into Bangor, but it is an inexact science. Also there are regular reports on threads here about people down South losing one of the Mux's from their local transmitter.

Could be a chance in some places in the North that one frequency from Clermont would be received, but not the other?

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Clermont_Carn

Iderown · 11-10-2020 4:58pm

I checked the approximate signal strengths from Clermont Carn (group B Vertical.) here in Bangor. 42V is slightly weaker than 45V. This could well be caused by the C/D aerial and the C/D masthead amp. The amp is on the list for replacement when I get the opportunity. The CD aerial will have to wait until I have justification for replacing it.

The main interferers about here would be Whitehead (39V, 42V, 45V, 48V, 2W).

And Larne (39+V, 42V, 45V, 400W).
The signals from these two relays would hit my aerial from the rear. There is no sign of the 39V transponder.

Iderown · 11-10-2020 6:17pm

The aerials. Upper is C/D V aimed at Clermont Carn. Lower is A H aimed at Divis/Black Mountain. The C/D masthead amp is at the bottom of the mast - out of the frame.

Elvis Hammond · 11-10-2020 7:06pm

I'm pretty sure Triax group C/D aerials of that kind were actually wideband. Having said that, any C/D aerial should be alright for channels in the 40s.

Larne & Whitehead would be directed away from you, & Larne at least would be shielded by terrain too, I'd imagine.

Digifriendly · 12-10-2020 4:16pm

Elvis Hammond wrote: »

I'm pretty sure Triax group C/D aerials of that kind were actually wideband. Having said that, any C/D aerial should be alright for channels in the 40s.

Larne & Whitehead would be directed away from you, & Larne at least would be shielded by terrain too, I'd imagine.

I have a 52 element Triax for Saorview and it is wideband. I live in Moira. With help of masthead amp I am receiving very good reception from CC.

gsni · 12-10-2020 8:20pm

Thanks all for the feedback. with Iderown's report at least I know its still possible in some parts of Bangor.

moro_original · 30-10-2020 1:40pm

I mentioned this in another thread. I have recently been having reception issues with Clermont Carn. It seems like I might be close geographically to Mr Rabbit.

What I'm seeing is that the mux on CH45 (with RTE1) is now much weaker than it was a few months ago in March 2020. CH42 mux (with RTE2) seems to remain okay.

In March 2020, both signals came up 10/10 on my TV, with zero BER. Now CH45 is near zero on qualty and BER high. CH42 seems okay.

My setup is similar to Iderown, two aerials, one pointed to Clermont Carn, one to Divis & Black Mountain. Both antennas come to my loft on individual cables, so I have been able to check and rule out issues with amps and diplexers etc. I've also got an SDR which shows that its a signal strengh issue, not interference.

I wonder has there been any works on the transmitter?

I'm interested if other people are experiencing the same?

Digifriendly · 30-10-2020 11:29pm

Having posted above earlier this month that I receive excellent reception from CC, I have had problems recently with C45 mux on one of my TV sets. The other mux (C42) is fine on both TV sets.

Elvis Hammond · 31-10-2020 9:39am

moro_original wrote: »

I mentioned this in another thread. I have recently been having reception issues with Clermont Carn. It seems like I might be close geographically to Mr Rabbit.

What I'm seeing is that the mux on CH45 (with RTE1) is now much weaker than it was a few months ago in March 2020. CH42 mux (with RTE2) seems to remain okay.

In March 2020, both signals came up 10/10 on my TV, with zero BER. Now CH45 is near zero on qualty and BER high. CH42 seems okay.

My setup is similar to Iderown, two aerials, one pointed to Clermont Carn, one to Divis & Black Mountain. Both antennas come to my loft on individual cables, so I have been able to check and rule out issues with amps and diplexers etc. I've also got an SDR which shows that its a signal strengh issue, not interference.

I wonder has there been any works on the transmitter?

There's a notice for Oct. 22, to expect short outages on Saorview & FM radio, but no mention of anything ongoing.

dxhound2005 · 01-11-2020 10:29am

In Dundalk CC 42 is 82%, 45 79% on Dr HD box.

Just wondering do people in the North experience more problems with the RTE HD channels, compared to SD channels like Virgin? This happens the other way round for me, HD channels from the North are generally less stable than SD.

Elvis Hammond · 01-11-2020 10:45am

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Just wondering do people in the North experience more problems with the RTE HD channels, compared to SD channels like Virgin? This happens the other way round for me, HD channels from the North are generally less stable than SD.

Freeview HD uses a different transmission standard than most of the Freeview SD channels. What it loses in robustness with its higher-order constellation (256 v 64 QAM), it supposedly makes up with better error correction.

Saorview uses the same DVB-T 64 QAM for everything, so any difference in HD v SD reception is just imagined. I'd say it's just that people watch more RTE.

Digifriendly · 01-11-2020 3:28pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

In Dundalk CC 42 is 82%, 45 79% on Dr HD box.

Just wondering do people in the North experience more problems with the RTE HD channels, compared to SD channels like Virgin? This happens the other way round for me, HD channels from the North are generally less stable than SD.

RTE1 HD (C45) is weaker on my main TV but stronger on my smaller set while RTE2 HD (C42) is the other way round. I am picking up both muxes from Clermont Carn.

moro_original · 01-11-2020 4:05pm

Generally the Saorview muxes are easy to receive around Belfast. In fact generally a mast head amp doesn't seem to be required although it does help in some situations. Works fine after transition to CH42 and CH45 even on Group CD aerial, but again depends what diplexer has been used.

I find the Saorview muxes to be very robust around Belfast. As mentioned above, no issue between HD and SD as all on same multiplexes. The Freeview HD muxes with their higher bitrate modulation can be a bit more fussy.

Another complicating factor is that there is presently a Freeview mux in Group CD, most Group A, and Saorview in Group B. Not sure if a triplexer exists for that? Since it'll be a short lived thing, I'm making do with a combination of diplexers.

spot555 · 03-09-2021 4:46pm

Hi all

Just wondering does anyone know what the reception for Saorview (not the Freeview HD NI Minimux) is like around the Woodstock Road/Cregagh Road areas in Belfast?

Also if there is good coverage, what type of Aerial would be most ideal to pick up Saorview?

Thanks for any advice/responses!

Northern Ireland Saorview reception reports:

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