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DSO / ASO Awareness

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  • 10-02-2011 11:56pm
    #1
    watty
    Registered Users Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭


    Limerick TV retail DSO / ASO Awareness Survey

    Argos isn't perfect, because NO Tv on display is labelled compatible or not, nor any publicity/information outside of catalogue, but their new Spring / Summer 2011 catalogue comes top.

    Currys 2nd place for labelling of Compatible TVs, but unfortunately score top on Misleading labelling. MPEG2 reception is irrelevant to use on UPC/SKY as they have their own MPEG4 and MPEG2 decoders in the box.

    We rate Harvey Norman 2nd on Misleading labelling. Putting ONLY the "MPEG4" on some sets is win large bold is sinister. They don't want those that don't know to know. Also Combo "TV/DVDs" with NO Irish TV compatibility are often advertised as MPEG4, referring only to PC file playback of DivX.

    http://www.techtir.ie/blog/Reynard/retail-aso-part1
    http://www.techtir.ie/blog/Reynard/retail-aso-part2

    and http://www.techtir.ie/blog/watty/what-aso

    Every TV selling location in Limerick City Environs on South/West of Shannon/Abbey River that we could find was surveyed. We will try again after full May Launch if we can find resources. Detailed Table anaylsis will be published next week and all info made available to NCA, ASAI, Newspapers as required.

    Only Argos had ANY ASO/DSO explanation (quite good and accurate) in Store, but only in their Catalogue. But generally you have to check that to buy a TV.

    We could only find an online one for Currys (critique was given some weeks ago). Hard to find and very misleading. No one else had any instore explanation at all.

    No TV should be labelled MPEG2 or MPEG4. Only Irish Digital Compatible, or not. The ones not compatible should be labelled that Analogue ceases in 2012 and after that the set will just be a monitor on SCART or HDMI, or RF from a VHS playing tapes. If someone has UPC or Sky they do not need to buy a new TV. If they are buying a new TV they should buy one that is Irish Digital TV compatible. Plenty of choice at good prices. The "MPEG2" on incompatible Digital TVs is irrelevant to Sky or UPC usage, as much as it's irrelevant to a PS3, Xbox 360, DVD player or BD (BluRay) Player.

    All the DVD recorders should have warning stickers. SCART SD recording only from end of 2012. No DVD recorder is Irish Digital TV compatible and none will be.

    If you want to help survey your town, sign up at Techtír and give me a P.M. for info pack. We will post you forms if you have no PC printer. We have a simple consistent scoring system to make it as "even handed" as possible with different people checking. If you want to talk to store staff about their ASO/DSO Awareness and policies do it on a later date to the survey. Forms filled in after leaving shops.


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    #2
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭sligojoek


    watty wrote: »
    Limerick TV retail DSO / ASO Awareness Survey

    Argos isn't perfect, because NO Tv on display is labelled compatible or not, nor any publicity/information outside of catalogue, but their new Spring / Summer 2011 catalogue comes top.

    Currys 2nd place for labelling of Compatible TVs, but unfortunately score top on Misleading labelling. MPEG2 reception is irrelevant to use on UPC/SKY as they have their own MPEG4 and MPEG2 decoders in the box.

    We rate Harvey Norman 2nd on Misleading labelling. Putting ONLY the "MPEG4" on some sets is win large bold is sinister. They don't want those that don't know to know. Also Combo "TV/DVDs" with NO Irish TV compatibility are often advertised as MPEG4, referring only to PC file playback of DivX.

    http://www.techtir.ie/blog/Reynard/retail-aso-part1
    http://www.techtir.ie/blog/Reynard/retail-aso-part2

    and http://www.techtir.ie/blog/watty/what-aso

    Every TV selling location in Limerick City Environs on South/West of Shannon/Abbey River that we could find was surveyed. We will try again after full May Launch if we can find resources. Detailed Table anaylsis will be published next week and all info made available to NCA, ASAI, Newspapers as required.

    Only Argos had ANY ASO/DSO explanation (quite good and accurate) in Store, but only in their Catalogue. But generally you have to check that to buy a TV.

    We could only find an online one for Currys (critique was given some weeks ago). Hard to find and very misleading. No one else had any instore explanation at all.

    No TV should be labelled MPEG2 or MPEG4. Only Irish Digital Compatible, or not. The ones not compatible should be labelled that Analogue ceases in 2012 and after that the set will just be a monitor on SCART or HDMI, or RF from a VHS playing tapes. If someone has UPC or Sky they do not need to buy a new TV. If they are buying a new TV they should buy one that is Irish Digital TV compatible. Plenty of choice at good prices. The "MPEG2" on incompatible Digital TVs is irrelevant to Sky or UPC usage, as much as it's irrelevant to a PS3, Xbox 360, DVD player or BD (BluRay) Player.

    All the DVD recorders should have warning stickers. SCART SD recording only from end of 2012. No DVD recorder is Irish Digital TV compatible and none will be.

    If you want to help survey your town, sign up at Techtír and give me a P.M. for info pack. We will post you forms if you have no PC printer. We have a simple consistent scoring system to make it as "even handed" as possible with different people checking. If you want to talk to store staff about their ASO/DSO Awareness and policies do it on a later date to the survey. Forms filled in after leaving shops.

    Well said Watty.

    Some great points there.


    To give Tesco in Sligo their due, they have notices on all their MPEG2 tellys stating that they won't work on the new RTE digital system.

    I'll have a look around a few more places in Sligo during the week. Currys PC World, Sony, Expert and a few independents


  • Options
    #3
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,519 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Moved to Limerick City

    dudara


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    #4
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 23,775 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Not being funny - in plain and simple English, what does the OP mean?


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    #5
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,516 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    phog wrote: »
    Not being funny - in plain and simple English, what does the OP mean?

    DSO= Digital Switch Over, When all TV signals switch to Irish MPEG4 DTT
    ASO= Analogue Switch Off, When the majority of current TVs become obsolete without using a set top box to receive a DTT signal.

    Basically boils down to shops around the country selling TVs that will be obsolete without an external tuner come next year.
    And the lack of information being provided by retailers as to their currents stocks compatability with the new Irish DTT standards(Saorview MPEG4)


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    #6
    langdang
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,864 ✭✭✭langdang


    phog wrote: »
    Not being funny - in plain and simple English, what does the OP mean?
    Even without the acronyms, that is a hard article to read for those not "in the know" - it's very shorthandy. I appreciate what they're getting at tho, some people have are and have been sold pups.

    FWIW, I got a handy Samsung in Currys and they were very helpful, and quick to point out that it would receive Irish Digital TV and play *ahem* downloaded movies...


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