When is RTE going digital?

Tremone

Can anyone tell me when we will get RTE digital signal for RTE1,RTE2,TV3,TG4 etc. I got a new lcd tv sand the analogue signal looks woeful compared to the digital channel, why are we always paddy last with these things.

bazzer

RTE and TV3 have been on Sky Digital for the past 7 years at least.

icdg

And since 2000 on Chorus and 2001 on NTL. So you can get RTÉ by digital, anywhere in the country, and you've a choice on how to do it.

Of course, if its free-to-air terrestrial you are looking for, I direct you to the Terrestrial forum where there is plenty of discussion on DTT, which is yet to be launched.

Mossy Monk

Tremone wrote: »

Can anyone tell me when we will get RTE digital signal for RTE1,RTE2,TV3,TG4 etc.

I receive RTÉ, TV3 and TG4 digitally through my aerial right now.

s_carnage

Tremone wrote: »

Can anyone tell me when we will get RTE digital signal for RTE1,RTE2,TV3,TG4 etc. I got a new lcd tv sand the analogue signal looks woeful compared to the digital channel, why are we always paddy last with these things.

You don't mean high definition digital do you?? I receive all the Irish channels through NTL and my parents get theirs through sky and both are great quality.

watty

If you have a good quality LCD TV and a good aerial and proper wiring, the Analogue signal can be better than digital. At least it was before RTE went Widescreen. They then downgraded the Analogue picture as it is now a resampled, cropped digital source.

The main difference is Widescreen, which Analogue can do, except most older TVs can't display Analogue or Digital WS properly. Everyone would look tall and thin on old TV sets.

RTE is digital on Subscription via MMDS, Cable and Satellite.

RTE Digital is only on Test on the terrestrial (Aerial based) network at the minute. Get a good aerial on the Chimney or gable end. It will serve for Analogue or Digital.

Pablod

I have Sky Digital myself - but I think the analogue signal has gone pretty bad over the last 6 -12 months.
I used to be able to get great analogue reception in my bedrooms, but in the last 6 months or so it has gone really down hill.
(this is being viewed in a standard analogue 15" tv - with a powered analogue ariel)
I heard somewhere recently that the Analogue will eventually be phased out - not sure when though.

Dunnie1982

watty wrote: »

If you have a good quality LCD TV and a good aerial and proper wiring, the Analogue signal can be better than digital.

Not everywhere I'm afraid, in my experience. most areas outside the main cities rte is watchable but has small shadows on everything & a slightly fuzzy signal. It's been like this as long as i remember because when i was young my dad tried everything & spent a small fortune trying to get rid of the shadow. Anyway, to the original poster, sky and NTL are your only hope at the moment to get digital tv with rte on it. It will most likely be 3 years or more before rte finally launch their own terrestrial digital service.

Mossy Monk

Dunnie1982 wrote: »

It will most likely be 3 years or more before rte finally launch their own terrestrial digital service.

Or even this year maybe. Several areas around the country are able to receive DTT right now.

Tremone

~Yeah I was actually asking about the non subscription digital signal-can you not tune it like BBC3, ITV2 etc to the digital signal?

watty

Not on Satellite.

RTE/TV3/TG4 are not FTA channels on Satellite, they are part of Sky's Pay TV package.

BBC3, ITV etc are not part of Sky's package at all. Just happen to be on same satellites.

dmeehan

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Or even this year maybe. Several areas around the country are able to receive DTT right now.

which areas? and what do you need to watch it?

Mossy Monk

I am in Dungarvan and have an aerial connected to my tv and it gives me the 4 terrestrials, a test channel and 4 radio stations. It is a test though so can be turned off at any time. There is loads of information on the Terrestrial board http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=56

silverside

the plan for digital switchover will be announced this year. You'll need an MPEG4 TV or set top box to get RTE digital. Its kinda like an Irish freeview but with less stations.

The other forums (Terrestrial I think) should have an FAQ.

watty

If you have a good Analogue signal the only advantage of "Digital" is Widescreen.

The main reason for it is to free up spectrum that the Government can then rent out.

Quality and more channels are really red herrings.

Mossy Monk

watty wrote: »

If you have a good Analogue signal the only advantage of "Digital" is Widescreen.

Another advantage at least with these tests is the signal is so much stronger. I am receiving picture with no break up using a clothes hanger. On analogue I get nothing more than a very fuzzy TG4 with the same clothes hanger.