Saorview EPG

In the old days

RTE NL appear to be testing an EPG on the DTT tests. Pressing the green button on any of the channels brings up the attached on my 26" Samsung (In Dublin at least). Is this the first use of the Saorview logo? The TV3 Programmes are shown on the EPG even though a testcard is being broadcast. Interesting times ahead, perhaps not too long to a soft launch.

STB

Interesting that they are using MHEG5 to build an EPG.

Thanks.

christo82

It's good to see some more developments.

The Cush

Receiving it from Mullaghanish.

I see it's carrying TV3's logo and epg data.

No logo for TG4 and is not accessible from TG4 (as with digital text) but carries the channel's epg data.

Attempts but fails to load from RTÉ News Now.

7/8 day epg.

pa990

The saor they epg, will only load when the tv is set to guide plus, not when in sony tv guide mode.

The saorview epg, is a little glitchy.. Doesn't always open, unless i first open guideplus, close it, then press green button.

I think i'll stick to the sony guide

The Cush

STB wrote: »

Interesting that they are using MHEG5 to build an EPG.

Thanks.

This was part of the the original Minimum Receiver Requirements for DTT in Ireland v1.0 from Feb 2008

4.5 Electronic Programme Guide

It is recommended that Receiver be capable of outputting an alternative EPG if transmitted as a Data Broadcast Service application.

Can't find a direct reference to it in the current spec but its probably there as part of the API.

Did a search and found a post from Mayo Exile towards the end of the trial in July 08, the current MHEG-5 guide is similar to the one used during the trial.

STB

Yeah I know (in the style of Little Britain).

Up til now text was the only MHEG5 written app. Interesting that they are using an MHEG5 app on the EPG or is it just an overlay from the MHEG5 header text being broadcast still present in the stream.

SRB

I noticed the logos had appeared on the text version a few days ago - you could well be right STB.

The Cush

STB wrote: »

Up til now text was the only MHEG5 written app. Interesting that they are using an MHEG5 app on the EPG or is it just an overlay from the MHEG5 header text being broadcast still present in the stream.

As we are using the same spec MHEG-5 as the UK if you can get your hands on these documents they should answer your questions.

frankymail

In the old days wrote: »

RTE NL appear to be testing an EPG on the DTT tests. Pressing the green button on any of the channels brings up the attached on my 26" Samsung (In Dublin at least). Is this the first use of the Saorview logo? The TV3 Programmes are shown on the EPG even though a testcard is being broadcast. Interesting times ahead, perhaps not too long to a soft launch.

If that's the Saorview logo i'm a bit shocked at their lack of imagination.

Rick_

I was thinking the same thing. It just looks so... basic and dull.

surf board

In the old days wrote: »

RTE NL appear to be testing an EPG on the DTT tests. Pressing the green button on any of the channels brings up the attached on my 26" Samsung (In Dublin at least). Is this the first use of the Saorview logo? The TV3 Programmes are shown on the EPG even though a testcard is being broadcast. Interesting times ahead, perhaps not too long to a soft launch.

What model are you using? Can see the samsung epg but not the saorview one. anyone any ideas? green button doesnt do anything.

In the old days

surf board wrote: »

What model are you using? Can see the samsung epg but not the saorview one. anyone any ideas? green button doesnt do anything.

I think from memory it's an LE26B450 (Bought in PC World at Christmas). I can get the samsung EPG by pressing 'guide'. The Saorview EPG is accessed by green button - it seems quite zippy and user friendly. It's a little bit buggy occassionally but so is the MHEG text on the tv-sometimes it can show 'not accessible 'etc. I actually don't mind the logo (if it is the logo!!). The green panel around 'saor' is presumably meant to be shaped like a tv.

Mayo Exile

pa990 wrote: »

The saor they epg, will only load when the tv is set to guide plus, not when in sony tv guide mode.

The saorview epg, is a little glitchy.. Doesn't always open, unless i first open guideplus, close it, then press green button.

I think i'll stick to the sony guide

No guide plus on my sony W4000 or v4500 i think? Yes, also finding accessing this saorview epg quite random. Sometimes it appears after a green button press, sometimes not.

cc

Works on PlayTv also, a bit buggy as well though.

mjsmyth

How did you get it working on PlayTV?

cc

mjsmyth wrote: »

How did you get it working on PlayTV?

I have a bluray remote and the green button brought it up. If you don't have one there is an option to bring up an 'onscreen remote' using the regular PS3 controller which does the job.

The Cush

Mayo Exile wrote: »

No guide plus on my sony W4000 or v4500 i think? Yes, also finding accessing this saorview epg quite random. Sometimes it appears after a green button press, sometimes not.

Saorview epg not available on my two year old Sony V4500 as MHEG-5 is disabled in Ireland setting.

Soarview epg and digital text is available on my recently purchased Sony W5810 as MHEG-5 is now available when TV is installed with Ireland as the country setting.

mjsmyth

cc wrote: »

I have a bluray remote and the green button brought it up. If you don't have one there is an option to bring up an 'onscreen remote' using the regular PS3 controller which does the job.

I tried the on screen remote, but it did not work for me earlier. I must get some batteries for my bluray remote and try it in the morning.

Thanks.

givecredit

What country have you set up your playtv under. If you setup under uk the green button will work. It does not work for all countries/regions.

pa990

surf board wrote: »

What model are you using? Can see the samsung epg but not the saorview one. anyone any ideas? green button doesnt do anything.

try putting your tv into Guideplus+
the saorview epg might load then.. this is the case with my sony

L1011

Doesn't work under Ireland on my Samsung Syncmaster T200HD; or in UK mode (under which my channels get numbered alphabetically from 801 up) or in 'others' mode (where they get numbered alpha from 1 up)

Beginning to suspect this TV* hasn't got an MHEG5 decoder...

*its a computer monitor repurposed as a TV it seems, actually.

Stinicker

Receiving the new Saorview EPG on my Panasonic TX-P50G10B UK Freesat model from Mullaghanish. I noticed my Digital Aertel was not loading yesterday so they must have been in the process of getting this loaded into the system.

The Green button also loads it for me and they have the logos of RTE1 and RTE2 and the old TV3 logo but no logo for TG4 or RTE News Now. It is a nice and simple product and well suited to the masses out there who will struggle with the ASO. I can imagine tonnes of disgruntled people with their €1,000+ shiny new tvs not having MHEG5 compatibility or even MPEG4.

mossym

my samsung tv, brand new model, just on the market, only allows mheg5 if country setting is the UK.

As it's a european model, bought on pixmania, it doesn't allow setting it to the UK, so no Saorview epg, the samsung epg works fine though, looks a lot better too IMHO

TheDriver

my z81 pana had saorview epg working on Sunday

Bazzer2

No joy from an LG LH3000 (Kippure), only the TV set's own guide. The MHEG text has also been unavailable the last few days.....

Magilla Gorilla

It's working on my Samsung 26B450 from Kippure. Country setting is UK.

galtee boy

Is there currently any set top box available, that is Irish DTT compliant ( Mpeg4 ) AND has Mheg5 middleware for digital Aertel and the Saorview Epg ? I know there are no official Saorview boxes out yet, but for example, would a cheap Freeview HD box from the UK, give me Irish DTT and Mheg5 ? I know these boxes are DVBT2, but are they back compatible with DVBT ? There is a Bush Freeview HD box in the UK Argos catalogue for £99.

tmcw

galtee boy wrote: »

Is there currently any set top box available, that is Irish DTT compliant ( Mpeg4 ) AND has Mheg5 middleware for digital Aertel and the Saorview Epg ?

The Sagem Picnic does all that.

It doesn't do HD though.

thetwangman

i can confirm that the bush dvb680 freeview hd box picks up irish dtt and the saorview epg. however, there is a major cropping problem with rte two. the screen is cropped half way through the "e" in rte on the on screen logo (with the same amount of cropping on the left). it looks absolutely horrible. i've tried every setting on the box to no avail. so unless anyone here can suggest a fix, don't buy this box for irish dtt.

givecredit

tmcw wrote: »

The Sagem Picnic does all that.

It doesn't do HD though.

Can you confirm this. There is a report of Picnic giving trouble on another thread since epg change at weekend:

"Yep picture jumping and freezing very badly on Sagem Picnic Box,audio not Present at all on TV Channels, All Radio Channels Fine, while on my Philips PFL5604H Audio Totally out of Sync; no apparent drop in signal levels. "

The Philips 5010 and sigmatek 500hd also have problems from Cairn Hill transmitter since the weekend.

tmcw

Yes, I was watching it yesterday, and all was fine. The only channel I wasn't getting video on was the HD channel (to be expected), audio was coming through on it though, and all other channels.

I believe I'm getting it from 3R.

I'll have another look later tonight, and report back if it's any different to yesterday.

fat-tony

Anyone getting the MHEG EPG on Windows Media Centre (Windows 7)? I can get the regular MHEG text data ok, but not the EPG.

slegs

fat-tony wrote: »

Anyone getting the MHEG EPG on Windows Media Centre (Windows 7)? I can get the regular MHEG text data ok, but not the EPG.

No havent been able to get it on my Win 7 MC

slegs

Stinicker wrote: »

Receiving the new Saorview EPG on my Panasonic TX-P50G10B UK Freesat model from Mullaghanish. I noticed my Digital Aertel was not loading yesterday so they must have been in the process of getting this loaded into the system.

The Green button also loads it for me and they have the logos of RTE1 and RTE2 and the old TV3 logo but no logo for TG4 or RTE News Now. It is a nice and simple product and well suited to the masses out there who will struggle with the ASO. I can imagine tonnes of disgruntled people with their €1,000+ shiny new tvs not having MHEG5 compatibility or even MPEG4.

The regular EIT guide willl also be present and every DVB-T TV is comaptible with this so I dont think it will be an issue. For me the guide inbuilt in the TV is much better anyway. Dont know why they are even bothering with this.

slegs

thetwangman wrote: »

i can confirm that the bush dvb680 freeview hd box picks up irish dtt and the saorview epg. however, there is a major cropping problem with rte two. the screen is cropped half way through the "e" in rte on the on screen logo (with the same amount of cropping on the left). it looks absolutely horrible. i've tried every setting on the box to no avail. so unless anyone here can suggest a fix, don't buy this box for irish dtt.

This is to do with RTE's settings I believe. They are not flagging their boradcasts as widescreen.

fat-tony

slegs wrote: »

No havent been able to get it on my Win 7 MC

Just answered my own question:D
Selected RTE2, clicked on the green on-screen button and voila - EPG.;) (I have a Technisat remote which "sort of" works with DVBviewer and hardly at all with WMC so I have to use a mouse).

I couldn't get it to work on any other channel, though. As others have posted, it's a bit rubbish in comparison to the embedded EIT data that's picked up by any STB or most TVs with DTT support.

update 21.00 - the MHEG EPG now appears to be working on RTE1/2, RTENL1 for me on WMC, but sporadically.

galtee boy

tmcw wrote: »

The Sagem Picnic does all that.

It doesn't do HD though.

Can you just confirm that it's the Sagem Picnic IDT81 Freeview box that you mean ? as there are some available on Ebay, but I want to make sure it's the correct model, if I was to try and buy one.

Mayo Exile

Mayo Exile wrote: »

also finding accessing this saorview epg quite random. Sometimes it appears after a green button press, sometimes not.

As with accessing the Saorview EPG (on a Sony W4000) accessing the text as well has become random. Now finding when I exit text, I can't go back in when pressing the text button on the remote. Have to change channel before I can get text again.

byte

In the old days wrote: »

RTE NL appear to be testing an EPG on the DTT tests. Pressing the green button on any of the channels brings up the attached on my 26" Samsung (In Dublin at least). Is this the first use of the Saorview logo? The TV3 Programmes are shown on the EPG even though a testcard is being broadcast. Interesting times ahead, perhaps not too long to a soft launch.

Yup, that's the logo I mentioned seeing at a trade show, albeit on a white background. I did say it was dull!

Kensington

The EPG is only an initial "beta" version, not a final design by any means. Same goes for the MHEG text service - expect a complete overhaul prior to launch.
As for the issues with text/EPG operating sporadically, it's a known problem

tmcw

galtee boy wrote: »

Can you just confirm that it's the Sagem Picnic IDT81 Freeview box that you mean ? as there are some available on Ebay, but I want to make sure it's the correct model, if I was to try and buy one.

The manual says "IDT81 SD UK"; I got it from Currys when someone here posted the alert sometime last Sept/Oct.

I never noticed it before until I checked just now, but the sticker on the back of the unit says "IDT31 SD".

I've had the box on since about 4pm this afternoon, and it's been solid.

byte

Just to note,

The Saorview EPG is working for me on my LG 32LH4010, using Green button.

Apogee

I suspect that the Easy TV application might give some insight into what RTÉ will eventually roll out.

EasyTV will participate with RTÉ in the development and on-going management of a common EPG covering all FTA and pay channels. This EPG will give details of all DTT channels for the next 7+ days and a grid view of what programs are showing in a particular time slot across all channels over those 7+ days. The EPG will carry descriptive information about the programmes including content rating information to inform viewers of the suitable of each programme for different age groups.

In addition to the standard EIT data, EasyTV intends to transmit an ‘enhanced’ or ‘broadcast’ EPG on all multiplexes. This will be an MPEG5 application which when selected will run on the receiver’s MHEG5 middleware. It will have the same look and feel on all receivers. The application will be relatively lightweight and will load within seconds. The advantages of a broadcast EPG over embedded (STB-resident) include:

• Common look and feel across all receiver types
• Enhanced metadata support (including TV Anytime CRID metadata)
• Programme by genre and series linking
• Data compression (more bandwidth efficient, faster load times)
• Picture-in-picture support
• Image and graphic support
• Presentation can be easily changed (no OTA software download required)
• Support for return path connectivity

EasyTV’s enhanced EPG application will have the following features:
• Key programme info: time, duration, title, synopsis, detail etc
• 7-day horizontal grid layout
• Now-next display mode
• Programme search
• Program reminders
• Record scheduler
• Series linking and Recommendations
• Picture-in-picture
In addition to the above, the broadcast EPG application will provide some additional functionality to viewers with DVR-enabled receivers. These viewers will be able to programme their DVR using a combination of broadcast EPG data and EIT data. Note carriage of EIT schedule data remains important for DVR usage, as EIT P/F (Present/Following) data is the most accurate indicator of which programme is actually onair.
DSMCC schedule data and EIT schedule data will use Content Reference Descriptors (CRIDs) to uniquely identify programme content in the broadcast schedule. The CRID will act as the primary key linking DSMCC schedule data to EIT schedule data. One or more CRID of type Programme, Series or Recommendation may be carried in each Content Identifier Descriptor (CID) which is carried in the event loop of the Event Information Table. The CID structure and CRID types will be as described in the DTG D Book. The provision of enhanced TV Anytime CRID metadata is of particular value to viewers with DVRs for series linking, genre linking, programme search and retrieval. The Freeview Plackback system deployed in the UK is based on use of CRID data. In the case where a programme broadcast is subject to copyright restrictions, persistent rights management will be applied to a DVR recording of that programme through the receiver’s conditional access system.

EasyTV regards IP return path technology as a significant opportunity to offer the viewer a wide range of exciting new services. In particular it will enable the viewer to avail of ondemand programme services, as well as the linear services currently available. For example as well as the traditional ‘look-forward’ EPG, the viewer could avail of a ‘look-back’ EPG which would enable them to view programmes they may have missed on an on-demand basis. These programmes will be delivered over the IP return path either as a streaming service or video download.
EasyTV will provide an EPG service with a similar look and feel to the broadcast EPG service on the Channels section of its website. It will also ensure that the DTT schedule for both FTA and all subscription channels will be carried by all the national, regional and local papers.
EasyTV understand that the UK DTG’s MHEG Interactive Return Path Group will complete definition of the MHEG return path standard later this year, and anticipates that hybrid (i.e. IP return path-enabled) DTT receivers will be available in the market in thereafter.
EasyTV view the availability of return path connectivity as a significant development that will enhance the potential of the Irish DTT Platform as a whole, not only with regard to EPG services but also with regard to the provision of other interactive services.

galtee boy

tmcw wrote: »

The manual says "IDT81 SD UK"; I got it from Currys when someone here posted the alert sometime last Sept/Oct.

I never noticed it before until I checked just now, but the sticker on the back of the unit says "IDT31 SD".

I've had the box on since about 4pm this afternoon, and it's been solid.

Thanks. That seems to match with the ones available on Ebay. However, they are not brand new, they are quoted as being either "almost new" or worse still, " refurbished" ! But if one could be bought for under £20, it might be worth the chance for a bit of experimenting.

zilog_jones

Apogee wrote: »

That's just like the current UPC EPG (exact same layout, same colour scheme, just UPC logo removed and different content), which is soon to be replaced.

Bazzer2

Bazzer2 wrote: »

No joy from an LG LH3000 (Kippure), only the TV set's own guide. The MHEG text has also been unavailable the last few days.....

Further to my original posting, I've just checked again. Saorview guide and Aertel are now appearing, but it seems to be hit-and-miss as to whether they load up to view. Sometimes they display, sometimes not.

BostonB

Is there a DVR that can use this EPG?

The Cush

zilog_jones wrote: »

That's just like the current UPC EPG (exact same layout, same colour scheme, just UPC logo removed and different content), which is soon to be replaced.

They were part of the EasyTV consortium with RTÉ which would explain the use of the UPC epg in the application in early 2008. I believe the RTÉ MHEG-5 epg didn't appear in the trial until mid 2008.

liamtech

Hi Folks: I can confirm that the philips 32PFL5604 (http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=32PFL5604H/12&slg=en&scy=IE) is compatible with this new EPG - One thing to note is that i upgraded the firmware about a month ago so i cant say whether it is compatable out of the BOX - Initially it picked up the channels alone no EPG or teletext - Then i changed my settings to france which allowed for NOW&NEXT -

Then a firmware upgrade later and both the TV EPG & Digital Teletext are functioning normally -

I dont actually understand the purpose of this EPG as most TV's generate there own - However any new features brought to SAORVIEW/Irish DTT has to be considered a good thing:

So now in conjunction with my Freesat i have hundreds of stations and not one, or two but THREE EPG's!

All i need to be complete is for the RTE HD Test Card to actually start showing something!

copacetic

liamtech wrote: »

Hi Folks: I can confirm that the philips 32PFL5604 (http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=32PFL5604H/12&slg=en&scy=IE) is compatible with this new EPG - One thing to note is that i upgraded the firmware about a month ago so i cant say whether it is compatable out of the BOX - Initially it picked up the channels alone no EPG or teletext - Then i changed my settings to france which allowed for NOW&NEXT -

Then a firmware upgrade later and both the TV EPG & Digital Teletext are functioning normally -

I dont actually understand the purpose of this EPG as most TV's generate there own - However any new features brought to SAORVIEW/Irish DTT has to be considered a good thing:

So now in conjunction with my Freesat i have hundreds of stations and not one, or two but THREE EPG's!

All i need to be complete is for the RTE HD Test Card to actually start showing something!

I had similar results, basic 'now and next' full screens when installed with France selected as country. Nothing if Ireland is set as country and no 7 day epg at all. The now and next is a full screen jobbie too not a nice lower frame effort. You got the same?