Saorview Content Speculation

sesswhat

Leslie91 wrote: »

Thought with all the fuss about a TV being Saorview approved etc that it might be something that would be having massive take - up. Again wrong.

No, you were right enough on that one.

Sam Russell

Leslie91 wrote: »

Do you have both of them running through the one box or side by side?.

Doing something like this I'd be interested in. Do you get all the channels offered by freesat (http://www.freesat.co.uk/what-you-get/our-channels/) in Ireland?. I see some lads offering to supply and install all the kit in for you for €400.

If you currently get Sky, then Freesat works off the same satellite, and gives you all those channels for free. Unfortunately, you cannot get RTE etc. from satellite for free, but you can get it for free from an aerial. So with a Saorview iDTV or an old TV and a Saorview STB, you get all the Irish channels in digital quality for free, and all UK mainstream TV in digital quality for free as well. The Freesat automatically retunes for any changes, but (for less money) you could go with a free to air satellite tuner or combo box that will need retuning from time to time.

It gets most of Sky service for free, but no Sky Sports.

Not sure about your price, sounds top end as for cost, might not be top end kit supplied.

ftakeith

ftakeith wrote: »

http://www.upc.ie/pdf/Houses_of_the_Oireachtas_to_be_Televised_on_UPC.pdf

it should be on saorview

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Forwarded message

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From: @oireachtas.ie>
Date: Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: oireachtas tv on saorview
To:

Thanks for getting in contact about this. That's a question I'm afraid that you should put to RTÉ. We have kept them informed of development with UPC and from our part there's nothing stopping Saorview or RTÉ together with UPC and Sky choosing to take the broadcast feed from the Oireachtas. If at any stage in the future this happens we will naturally announce it to the media in the usual way to inform people who may be interested in viewing what goes on in the Dáil, Seanad and the Orieachtas Committees.

I hope this answers your question.

Regards,



Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Setanta Centre,
Nassau Street,
Dublin 2

cc

Well done UPC anyway

Sam Russell

UPC could add the Saorview MUX onto the analogue cable and allow those with Saorview enabled kit to get the channels. It would be free to them and would provide digital quality for those without digital service.

watty

Not without re-encoding, the channels on Saorview can only be on Cable in the normal cable manner.

Cable needs to use DVB-C, no OFDM and much higher QAM to save spectrum.

Saorview is DVB-T, not suitable for UPC cable network. The trunk amplifiers likely aren't suitable for DVB-T and the DVB-T wastes coax spectrum compared to DVB-C.

Also UPC delivery mechanism isn't free. It's pay TV only.

It's not "well done UPC". It's an example of UPC marketing coup and Government stupidity. The Government has known since 1999 of the need to pay for carriage of Oireachtas TV and the channel and infrastructure prepared years ago. Why has it not been paid for to be on Sky (and Freesat) since 2005 or 2006 over Ireland and UK and on Saorview since 2009. The Government had no excuse before UPC stupidly gave them ammunition to attack RTE NL.

It's all a disgrace.

Sam Russell

watty wrote: »

Not without re-encoding, the channels on Saorview can only be on Cable in the normal cable manner.

Cable needs to use DVB-C, no OFDM and much higher QAM to save spectrum.

Saorview is DVB-T, not suitable for UPC cable network. The trunk amplifiers likely aren't suitable for DVB-T and the DVB-T wastes coax spectrum compared to DVB-C.

Also UPC delivery mechanism isn't free. It's pay TV only.

You miss the point. It is ONE mux that is there to be added. That is ONE TV channel, so no spectrum issue.

It is already encoded so does not require to be encoded in a forma a standard Saorview receiver cannot receive. The whole point is not to re-encode it.

Obviously, UPC subscribers are the only ones to benefit, but that includes those UPC subscribers who are only offered analogue services.

I doubt that there would be any issues with the distribution amplifiers with the DVB-T signal. They must be wideband, and so would not interfere with the MUX signal, and they must have low distortion, and so would not propagate nasty interference from the signal.

watty

You are missing TWO points.

1) You can't put DTT modulation on a real cable system. Read up how DVB-C and DVB-T work and why. It uses x4 to x 8 more space because an 8MHz DVB-C mux can carry x4 to x8 more channels at the same quality using the same MPEG scheme.
2) UPC is a pay TV company. Not a FTA broadcaster.

I've tested mixers and Distribution amplifiers. DVB-C is a single carrier high QAM per mux. DVB-T is 1,000s of carriers (about 6,700 for 8K FFT mode) and low QAM. The two systems are sensitive to different kinds of distortion.

You *CAN* put DVB-T, DVB-C and DVB-S on the one cable system at the same time in an Apartment or Hotel system that is specially designed for it.

This is not going to happen. UPC also do not want anything other than their own pay TV boxes and Modems on the cable. FM Radio and Analogue on Cable is at End Of Life.

It's not for fun that Cable, Terrestrial and Satellite use different modulation on the DVB standard.

seanp_25

Has there ever been mention of whether RTE plan to use a bit of spare bandwidth for showing a second game or more on Champions League nights?

Sitting here watching Arsenal vs Dortmund instead of AC Milan vs Barcelona

Am I right in saying the CL rights are sold as a bundle, and RTE could show other games live and pay little or nothing extra for the rights? Might be wrong with that.

STB

seanp_25 wrote: »

Has there ever been mention of whether RTE plan to use a bit of spare bandwidth for showing a second game or more on Champions League nights?

Sitting here watching Arsenal vs Dortmund instead of AC Milan vs Barcelona

Am I right in saying the CL rights are sold as a bundle, and RTE could show other games live and pay little or nothing extra for the rights? Might be wrong with that.

Technically it isnt a problem as they operate a stat mux system. Mux 1 is pretty chocka at the moment. It wouldnt be an issue come the second mux becoming operational.

From an operational point of view I would think it is a no no. They are not a dedicated sports station. I dont know what the nature of their terrestrial rights are for the Champions league, but an educated guess is one chosen live game. Anything else and its more cash. Again they arent a dedicated sports channel.

STB

ftakeith wrote: »

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Forwarded message

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From: @oireachtas.ie>
Date: Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: oireachtas tv on saorview
To:

Thanks for getting in contact about this. That's a question I'm afraid that you should put to RTÉ. We have kept them informed of development with UPC and from our part there's nothing stopping Saorview or RTÉ together with UPC and Sky choosing to take the broadcast feed from the Oireachtas. If at any stage in the future this happens we will naturally announce it to the media in the usual way to inform people who may be interested in viewing what goes on in the Dáil, Seanad and the Orieachtas Committees.

I hope this answers your question.

Regards,



Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Setanta Centre,
Nassau Street,
Dublin 2

Keith

You should put the question to RTE. They will love that pass the parcel response you received!

Not so long ago there was horaay tell everyone we are going to have an Oireachtas TV station back in "the not so bad times". We now hoever have a bury it we dont have the money scenario in the "hardened times" its hardly a surprise that pass the parcel is going on.

The issue is that yeah its a great idea, but no-one including the Houses of the Oireachtas wants to pay for it. It is not as simple as the just take the feed from them and stick it out. You would need a full time editing team/production studio. Besides the 2 houses in the Dail and the Seanad you also have various committee rooms that are all wired up with MPEG4 cameras. Outside the cost of running a TX you would also require a team that coordinates the output of these feeds in whatever order on one dedicated channel which is more expense. My impression is whilst they want it they also want a production team to make sure the output to joe public has some form of quality control.

RTE and TV3 have dedicated raw feeds from the Houses already. HEA run high quality MPEG4 feeds on the web of the majority of the Houses and committee rooms which I think is manned by Windmill Lane.

Broadcasting the Oireachtas channel on a pay only TV service like UPC is not what is discussed in the Broadcasting Act 2009 however! Wonder who is paying for the production. I assume the raw output wont be taken as is!

The Cush

STB wrote: »

The issue is that yeah its a great idea, but no-one including the Houses of the Oireachtas wants to pay for it. It is not as simple as the just take the feed from them and stick it out. You would need a full time editing team/production studio. Besides the 2 houses in the Dail and the Seanad you also have various committee rooms that are all wired up with MPEG4 cameras. Outside the cost of running a TX you would also require a team that coordinates the output of these feeds in whatever order on one dedicated channel which is more expense. My impression is whilst they want it they also want a production team to make sure the output to joe public has some form of quality control.

RTE and TV3 have dedicated raw feeds from the Houses already. HEA run high quality MPEG4 feeds on the web of the majority of the Houses and committee rooms which I think is manned by Windmill Lane.

Broadcasting the Oireachtas channel on a pay only TV service like UPC is not what is discussed in the Broadcasting Act 2009 however! Wonder who is paying for the production. I assume the raw output wont be taken as is!

The Oireachtas Broadcasting Unit has responsibility for the televising of parliamentary proceedings and the management of ancillary services and provides the feeds of the Dáil, Seanad and parliamentary committees at broadcast digital quality (SDI).

The 3 year contract for the management, operation and maintenance of technical facilities for the televising of parliamentary proceedings was awarded to Pi Communications last Dec costing the state €3.2m (ex VAT).

The total estimated cost of televising the Oireachtas this year will be in the region of €2.6m.

What the Oireachtas isn't willing to pay for at the moment is the carriage, distribution and transmission costs on Saorview. UPC are doing this during the 6 month trial service at no cost to the state.

I noticed last weekend the output of Oireachtas.tv was a loop of the proceedings of the Seanad from the previous week, I assume this was the same feed that was supplied to UPC (can't confirm as I'm not in a UPC area).

channelsurfer2

STB wrote: »

Technically it isnt a problem as they operate a stat mux system. Mux 1 is pretty chocka at the moment. It wouldnt be an issue come the second mux becoming operational.

From an operational point of view I would think it is a no no. They are not a dedicated sports station. I dont know what the nature of their terrestrial rights are for the Champions league, but an educated guess is one chosen live game. Anything else and its more cash. Again they arent a dedicated sports channel.

RTE have first pick on wednesdays and highlights only. Setanta have second pick and a 3rd live if they want...so rte could not show a second game..

Apogee

I wonder if RTÉ would be more willing to pay for the costs of carrying the Oireachtas feed if they could rebrand it as "RTÉ Oireachtas" ala "BBC Parliament"?

And let them carry ads on it to defray some of those costs.

Sam Russell

Under the previous Government (all be it on its last day, the then Minister refused them any possibility of extra advertising by refusing them any advertising on RTE Jr, or on RTE News Now - and only allowing RTE 1+1, which also would not give any extra revenue - particularly as some programmes are not broadcast on it (like Far City).

Maybe if the Government rescinded on these decisions, they might relent on transmitting OTV.

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

I noticed last weekend the output of Oireachtas.tv was a loop of the proceedings of the Seanad from the previous week, I assume this was the same feed that was supplied to UPC (can't confirm as I'm not in a UPC area).

Just had a look at http://oireachtas.tv/, the Dáil Éireann link is playing back the Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture committee meeting from last Tue discussing oil and gas exploration.

There is a large onscreen graphic "Oireachtas Pilot Transmission (proceedings recorded 22-24 November 2011)". I assume this is the same feed going out on UPC.

The Oireachtas press release indicates that when the live Dáil proceeedings end that week there will be "Continuous recorded proceedings from Seanad Éireann and the Committees" until the Dáil resumes the following Tuesday.

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

Under the previous Government (all be it on its last day, the then Minister refused them any possibility of extra advertising by refusing them any advertising on RTE Jr, or on RTE News Now - and only allowing RTE 1+1, which also would not give any extra revenue - particularly as some programmes are not broadcast on it (like Far City).

Maybe if the Government rescinded on these decisions, they might relent on transmitting OTV.

RTÉ have had a policy of not running advertising on programming for the under 6s since the mid 1990s, when Bob Quinn was an authority member, he left soon after. There applicantion for RTÉjr included no advertising.

Give Tg4 OTV with shared with a commerical channel owned by TG4. A film channel ?

glimmerman123

I noticed this morning on the RTE News Now channel they have now introduced a short summary of the weather after the news headlines with the weather presenter doing a voice over while the five day charts are on screen. I know this is not a major change but it's a start.

Elmo

glimmerman123 wrote: »

I noticed this morning on the RTE News Now channel they have now introduced a short summary of the weather after the news headlines with the weather presenter doing a voice over while the five day charts are on screen. I know this is not a major change but it's a start.

RTÉ News Now remains part of RTÉ Publishing, it hasn't moved over to TV.

Also RTÉjr will air this weekend.

eh2010

anyone know about RTE pulse and RTE choice? Saw them on an advert for saorview in the RTE Guide

Elmo

eh2010 wrote: »

anyone know about RTE pulse and RTE choice? Saw them on an advert for saorview in the RTE Guide

RTÉ Pulse is Dance Music Radio Station, while RTÉ Choice is a mixed genre radio station with News, Current Affairs, Drama, Comedy etc from around the world.

http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#!rii=19%3A%2D2%3A1540%3A22%2D12%2D2011%3A

http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#!rii=23%3A%2D2%3A902%3A22%2D12%2D2011%3A

Sam Russell

Why is Joe Duffy not on RTE News Now?

It says it is on the EPG but not on screen.

Another example of the second class attitude to Saorview from RTE.

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

Why is Joe Duffy not on RTE News Now?

It says it is on the EPG but not on screen.

Another example of the second class attitude to Saorview from RTE.

RTÉ have a second class attitude towards all of their channels unless they are RTÉ One or RTÉ Radio 1. That has nothing to do with Saorview.

dowtchaboy

Sam Russell wrote: »

Why is Joe Duffy not on RTE News Now?

It says it is on the EPG but not on screen.

Another example of the second class attitude to Saorview from RTE.

They are probably using the same staff who used to handle updating the Aertel pages - the news and programme information there would stop at 4 on Friday and not get updated until Monday morning

Besides - you would WANT to watch Joe Duffy?? :eek::eek:

Strawberry HillBilly

Machinehead wrote: »

Just spotted this online.
"
Red Bee selected for Irish DTT listings

September 14, 2011
Broadcast services provider Red Bee Media has been selected as the sole supplier of TV and radio listings metadata for Saorview, Ireland’s free-to-air DTT service.

Under the deal, Red Bee Media will create and deliver the electronic programme guide for the eight TV channels and ten radio stations currently available on Saorview.
“Helping consumers to discover content in an increasingly crowded marketplace has never been more important for clients looking to monetise their content across platforms,” said David Padmore, director, access and editorial at Red Bee Media. “Content discovery technology lies at the core of our business, which we recently enhanced through our acquisition of software company TV Genius. The addition of Ireland’s first digital terrestrial platform as a client continues our growth in this sector under a holistic content discovery proposition”.
Saorview is Ireland’s first free DTT service and is owned and managed by RTÉ. Launched in May, it offers RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One+1.
Link: http://www.digitaltveurope.net/15099/red-bee-selected-for-irish-dtt-listings/
about us: http://www.redbeemedia.com/about-us/overview

Almost (counts fingers on hand) 5 months since this was announced and yet we have no indication of whether a program is in HD ? No Series link activated ? No new channels launched ? Is SAORVIEW going to turn out to be another symbol of Irish incompetence, apathy and ...(cant be bothered to think of another word)

Lucious Sweet

Strawberry HillBilly wrote: »

Machinehead wrote: »

Just spotted this online.
"
Red Bee selected for Irish DTT listings

September 14, 2011
Broadcast services provider Red Bee Media has been selected as the sole supplier of TV and radio listings metadata for Saorview, Ireland’s free-to-air DTT service.

Under the deal, Red Bee Media will create and deliver the electronic programme guide for the eight TV channels and ten radio stations currently available on Saorview.
“Helping consumers to discover content in an increasingly crowded marketplace has never been more important for clients looking to monetise their content across platforms,” said David Padmore, director, access and editorial at Red Bee Media. “Content discovery technology lies at the core of our business, which we recently enhanced through our acquisition of software company TV Genius. The addition of Ireland’s first digital terrestrial platform as a client continues our growth in this sector under a holistic content discovery proposition”.
Saorview is Ireland’s first free DTT service and is owned and managed by RTÉ. Launched in May, it offers RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One+1.
Link: http://www.digitaltveurope.net/15099/red-bee-selected-for-irish-dtt-listings/
about us: http://www.redbeemedia.com/about-us/overview

Almost (counts fingers on hand) 5 months since this was announced and yet we have no indication of whether a program is in HD ? No Series link activated ? No new channels launched ? Is SAORVIEW going to turn out to be another symbol of Irish incompetence, apathy and ...(cant be bothered to think of another word)

Apathetic?

Lucious Sweet

moz wrote: »

Strawberry HillBilly wrote: »

Machinehead wrote: »

Just spotted this online.
"
Red Bee selected for Irish DTT listings

September 14, 2011
Broadcast services provider Red Bee Media has been selected as the sole supplier of TV and radio listings metadata for Saorview, Ireland’s free-to-air DTT service.

Under the deal, Red Bee Media will create and deliver the electronic programme guide for the eight TV channels and ten radio stations currently available on Saorview.
“Helping consumers to discover content in an increasingly crowded marketplace has never been more important for clients looking to monetise their content across platforms,” said David Padmore, director, access and editorial at Red Bee Media. “Content discovery technology lies at the core of our business, which we recently enhanced through our acquisition of software company TV Genius. The addition of Ireland’s first digital terrestrial platform as a client continues our growth in this sector under a holistic content discovery proposition”.
Saorview is Ireland’s first free DTT service and is owned and managed by RTÉ. Launched in May, it offers RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One+1.
Link: http://www.digitaltveurope.net/15099/red-bee-selected-for-irish-dtt-listings/
about us: http://www.redbeemedia.com/about-us/overview

Almost (counts fingers on hand) 5 months since this was announced and yet we have no indication of whether a program is in HD ? No Series link activated ? No new channels launched ? Is SAORVIEW going to turn out to be another symbol of Irish incompetence, apathy and ...(cant be bothered to think of another word)

Apathetic?

Oops sorry. I see you used that word already.

egal

Strawberry HillBilly wrote: »

Almost (counts fingers on hand) 5 months since this was announced and yet we have no indication of whether a program is in HD ? No Series link activated ? No new channels launched ? Is SAORVIEW going to turn out to be another symbol of Irish incompetence, apathy and ...(cant be bothered to think of another word)

Apathy rules. O

Elmo

Irish Film Board Channel is IMO even more unlikely.

In an interview with Film Ireland The CEO (James Hickey) of the IFB/BSÉ goes through many aspects of the Broadcasting Act 2009 in relation to film and indeed the IFB/BSÉs dealings with broadcasters and the authority.

I think if we could bring about what is outlined in the ... act... the changes that are envisages in that act in terms of ownership of copyright between PSBs and indo producers ... indo producers would then start to focus on programming that isn't just for local consumption but for international consumption. One of the of Creative Capital is to foster exports.

In relation to funding and the BAI

I'm looking in particular at the BAI in the last round they supported 3 or 4 feature films, which are also being provided with funding by the IFB. ...... The ... act.... specifically refers to the BAI funding of feature films and I have regular consveratstions with M. O'Keefe...... I want to work with broadcasters, and we will continue to work with broadcasters, who are a necessary part of the BAI funding regime.

On RTÉ

I'm working with RTÉ at the minute. We are working to see how best to make arrangements that function in terms of feautre-film production and television production, so I'm working as closely as I can with RTÉ. Both N.Curran and myself are relatively new arrivals and I'm optimistic about working with Noel, who I have spoken to on a number of occassions and is very supportive of the work that we do. I'm optimistic about the work we can do with RTÉ, in terms of both feautre film and television drama production; we have yet to finalise anything so that is something that would be for the future.

In relation to Catalyst Project with BAI and TV3 and exploitation Windows of film:-

The BAI funded the last one as part of a training initiative but they are currently reviewing all their funding arrangements. They have replied to me that they are unable, at present to fund a second CP in the same way the previous CP was funded. TV3 was the broadcaster on the last scheme and one of the difficulties, in fairness, has been the exploitation windows, beacuse two of the three CPs were only released in cinemas in spring of last year, so the exploitation windows of the projects are still in place. One of them has not had a DVD release so the TV broadcast has been postponed as well.

And on the Irish Film Channel

He commits to continued support for Irish feature documentaries but emphasizes that it's important to improve cooperation with broadcasters in this regard. He explains that the Irish Film Channel is still an element of the IFB's plans and there will be a dedicated channel set aside for it on Saorview.

What about Sky and UPC? When will it appear on Saorview. And is it not an option for by passing other broadcasters in relation to Feature Film and Documentary funded through the BAI Sound and Vision Fund???????????

The whole text of this available in Film Ireland's Spring Edition 2012, Issue 140. Please not that I have tried to keep the text as closes as possible, please see the article for more details http://filmireland.net/

Elmo

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0210/1224311563818.html

it was a recommendation of last year’s Creative Capital report that it no longer be a requirement for producers to receive confirmation from a broadcaster that they will air the production before they can access funds. The steering group behind the report made a second, more ambitious recommendation in this area, suggesting that the Sound and Vision fund be transferred from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to the Irish Film Board, creating a single content funding agency.

With a merger between the regulatory functions of BAI and Comreg also on the cards, this could create a neat division between a convergence-age media and telecoms regulator on one side and a separate content funding body.

Talk of a merger between the film board and the Arts Council, however – a recommendation of the McCarthy report – has now quietened. “I haven’t heard that suggestion recently,” says Hickey. “That was a couple of years ago and I think we’re happily now very much further down the road.”

Funny how the merge of the BAI and ComReg still exists, however I have hear little since and no mention of it in the QUANGO merges late last year, yet the Arts Council/IFB merge is off the table, yeah right.

This idea that the Sound and Vision fund would be provided to the IFB and that their would be no requirement for a Broadcaster to be on board is rich.

Imagine the following coming from RTÉ, they have decided that all drama funding goes on Film, but will not be shown on RTÉ and will getting sales through the box office, product placement, rentals, online rentals, sales, online sales, international sales, PPV sales followed by sales to broadcasters, making the audience sit through advertising (which we indirectly pay for). That's many layers of public and private funding, if it is at all possible.

No the IFB channel is dead.