freeview and deflectors

snaps

I recieve my Tv from a UHF deflector in Mayo somewhere (Im in Ballinrobe). Just wondering if the analogue channels are "deflected" from the north can the freeview digital channels be deflected as well? As far as i can see the UK channels we recieve are normal analogue versions as the teletext works (As compared to a digital feed of a UK station)

watty

No.
They are not deflectors. But legalised after the fact illegal CATV gear as Re-transmitters.

The agreement was that they shut down when Irish DTT starts. So they all in theory should be closed in 2009.

Since it's "foriegn" TV it was a prime example of Irish Political Expediency. The same channels are now all available free on Satellite in much better quality.

There are technical difficulties and extra expense in rebroadcasting Digital. It's not impossible. It would also be illegal and using channels needed for the legitmate multichannel Irish DTT.

snaps

Thanks for the quick answer! So will Irish DTT be available to all households then that can recieve a analogue broadcast?

barnicles

These deflectors take the signal and re-transmit it on a different frequency. Do you mean like do the deflectors broadcast freeview

watty

no
About 85% of housholds initally. (NOT Geography!) using 13 sites

44 sites gives about 90%

160+ sites needed for 95% households.

Satellite is near 100%, but UK TV free and Irish TV only by subscription (about 26 Eur a month)

watty

barnicles wrote: »

These deflectors take the signal and re-transmit it on a different frequency. Do you mean like do the deflectors broadcast freeview

They don't and it's so expensive, difficult and illegal that they won't start.

byte

barnicles wrote: »

These deflectors take the signal and re-transmit it on a different frequency. Do you mean like do the deflectors broadcast freeview

Some deflectors in Donegal I've seen don't change the frequency, merely throwing it back out the way it came in, only changing polarity.

snaps

byte wrote: »

Some deflectors in Donegal I've seen don't change the frequency, merely throwing it back out the way it came in, only changing polarity.

Interesting. I have no idea how these "Re transmitters" or what ever they are called actually work?

I have satellite (In main room) but the aerial reception is so much handier for multiroom viewing.

byte

Well for the few I've seen, which in fairness cover rather small area's, it would consist of a hut on a hill, a mast nearby with high gain aerial (usually Group A XG21 for incoming Brougher Mtn) and the signal then being fed through a launch amplifier in the hut and onto a grid-aerial (colourking) on a different polarity facing the valley.

It's rather basic.

I'd expect for more populated areas covering wider terrain though for the system to be a bit more complex.

watty

The more expensive ones rebroadcasting on a different channel with more power (even with polarity trick, power is very limited), have tuners feeding modulators and amplifiers. CATV head end gear. Still a hut running of the un-metered power fitted by ESB for the farmers pump or cattle fence (annual fixed charge).

It's extremely unlikely for Digital, so a Dish is the future (or even now). A dish with quad or Quattro and quite cheap multiswitch will feed up to 16 receivers/TVs. Set Boxes on their own are as little as €60. At least 45 decent channels and 40 decent radio out of 300+ and 70+ free TV and Radio. Only Five of the UK terrestrials needs a UK Sky card. The other 4 terrestrials and the extra BBC/ITV digital channels are free.