DTT Trials

Elmo

From the Irish Examiner

Mainstream British television channels will broadcast on Ireland's new trial digital service, it was announced today.

Seven companies have been given the green light to air programmes on the Government-funded pilot service over the next two years.

It is expected to be the beginning of the end for the old analogue television system, which the European Union hopes to switch off across the continent for good in 2012.

Among the successful applicants for the trial service were RTÉ and eircom, businessman Denis O'Brien's Communicorp, Rupert Murdoch's Sky Ireland and Channel 6.

Other companies confirmed are Chellomedia Services Limited, Magnet Networks and USP Ireland Limited.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland said major UK channels as well as local programming and radio channels would form the service due to launch next March.

Digital TV is already available in Ireland through cable and satellite subscribers but has not been available for the rest of viewers until now.



The system takes up less bandwidth, freeing up space for more channels and allows for other special services like interactive features and multi-programme viewing at the one time.

Fans say it has superior image, sound and reception quality but this depends on conditions. Critics point to defects in the emerging technology not present in the old system.

The free-to-air terrestrial pilot service will transmit from the Three Rock site in south county Dublin and the Clermont Carn site in Co Louth.

The system is presently undergoing private tests by experts to examine the stability of the technology.

After any problems are ironed out set-top boxes - which transform the digital signals so as they can be understood by old television sets - will be given to trial participants.

Ordinary users will then report back on any shortcomings with the new system or any problems experienced by transferring from the old analogue service to digital.

So what do they mean by "Mainstream British television channels" the analogue ones BBC 1, 2, ITV, Channel 4 and five or all of the freeview one :rolleyes:

I think for new Irish TV channel it will be even harder to get a foot hold of the Television market and RTE will remain pretty much with no REAL irish competition IMO.

What do they mean 2012? 2012? Seriously It's 2006 and the trial are starting in 2007. 2012 my ass.

byte

Aren't trials already running?

Anyway, would it be remotely possible that whomever will expand the DTT network during the trials? I'd presume they'd need to, to make sure everything will work as smoothly as they hope.

I can see no reason why there can't be national coverage by 2010, considering the small population in a small country.

watty

The trials are NOTHING to do with ANYTHING.
This is just a next phase of the nearly meaningless trials in March, with more channels.


Digital rollout before these started, or now or in 2 years when the end is dependant on non-State private money buying network licence and paying for a rollout. The Govenm,ent as yet has no plan other than these "loook we are here and would like a Network" trails to make this happen.

watty

Currently if no-one buys the DTT licence we get no more DTT than these trials, ever. Unless something changes.

byte

Thanks for clarifying.

One hopes that the DTT network will be running nationally by 2010 but I have my doubts...