BUYING A NEW TV

firemansam1

I'm buying a new TV and I'm just wondering should I get one MPEG4 or just buy one thats good price and worry about getting an MPEG4 receiver/STB when the official ones are out down the line sometime.

get mpeg4

The Cush

If you can wait for the official Saorview certified products.

watty

You need MPEG4, HD, AAC and MHEG5. A network port is a good idea from what I hear.

MPEG4 alone (NP4, Neotion Duo, Sagem Picnic) is a mistake.
http://www.techtir.ie/saortv/saorview
http://www.techtir.ie/saorview/preliminary

It's true that Saorview certification is not 100% needed. That's for piece of mind for non-technical people (e.g. a TV or Set-box with MPEG4 for USB or DVD files may have no HD even though it does MPEG4, or no MPEG4 on the tuner feed, even though it has on Media Playback)

There is still at least 5 Months maybe 8 before Full Public Launch. TV3 is unlikely to join before that.

Honestly,I think people are safe enough buying Mpeg 4

Churn in peoples tv's isn't that big- so in 2 years time,theres going to be 10's of thousands of mpeg4 tv's in peoples homes.

Are we suggesting that RTE are stupid enough regardless of so far issued specs to invalidate those by not tweaking services the easier way to accomadate ?

Even in this recession,people are buying tv's galore still and most of them are of the mpeg 4 spec currently available.
RTE aren't going to ask people to change those in a hurry.
People normally hold on to telly's for at least 5 years or more.them ?

watty

There *ARE* tvs with MPEG4 that don't do HD or AAC. Arguabley MHEG5 is slightly optional. These will work TODAY. But when RTE goes HD have no picture. If there is switch to AAC only when we have 2 to 5 HD channels , then MP2 only TV/Set-box has no sound.

Don't ignore basic ordinary things in the spec, just because they are not in use today, or even in Nov/Dec.

MPEG4 only isn't enough. The Absolute Minimum is HD and AAC also. MHEG5 is highly recommended (think difference between a Lidl sat box and Freesat/Sky).

If it's "Freeview HD" rather than just "freeview" it's pretty safe. Though the DVB-T2 isn't needed. Non-HD MPEG4 isn't going to work. Though the TV doesn't need to be HD if the SCART on a HD set box downscales.

1) There simply isn't space to do SD and HD simultaneously. You must have HD reception even if not an HD TV.
2) The current tests have not been using the final "playout system". AAC is in the spec for ordinary Stereo Audio, this HALVES the data rate for all the Radio Stations and TV sound. All decent sets and Setboxes will support AAC. The current tests are probably only MP2 due to lack of suitable playout gear.
3) DAB+ also uses AAC rather than the wasteful MP2 of DAB.

ALL UK "Freeview HD" sets do MHEG5. Some UK "Freeview" sets do MPEG4 (nothing to do with HD), but might only support the MP2, or only MHEG5 on UK country code or MPEG2 mode or not support HD. The average person isn't able to interpret fine detail of specs.

So lets keep it Simple. TVs or set-box
1) "Freeview HD" (not HDTV or HD Ready with plain "Freeview" only) definitely work. Or mostly should. Some may give minor issues. The DVB-T2 isn't needed. Will get freeview and Freeview HD in some places.
2) "Saorview" certified Definitely work 100%. Will only work with Freeview, not FreeviewHD, unless it's got DVB-T2
3) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD will reliably get basic serivces
4) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD and MHEG5 should do most everything.
5) #1, #2 or #4 with an ethernet Network socket is a good idea.

Saying "MPEG4 tuner TV" isn't good enough.

Setbox or TV that plays USB or DVD MP4/MPEG4/DivX/Xvid may not actually do MPEG4 or HD via tuner.

ANY HD or HD Ready TV will work with Set-box via HDMI and any non-HDTV will work via SCART. Set box needs to be "Saorview" Compatible.

EdmondShiels3

I want to find out if the SONY KDL40EX401U 40" LCD TV will work to recieve the saorview dtt tv and how well will it work. It was demo in a store and it had the channel name but was displaying no picture. The man who demo it said that they can recieve the signal at the frount of the shop but not at the back. He did not seen to know much about the tv when asked about other functions on it. Does anyone know if it will work
Thanks

Volcane

AFAIK 'Black Briar' two posts above has oe and it works great. It all depends where you are and what sort of aerial you have

Willby

watty wrote: »

There *ARE* tvs with MPEG4 that don't do HD or AAC. Arguabley MHEG5 is slightly optional. These will work TODAY. But when RTE goes HD have no picture. If there is switch to AAC only when we have 2 to 5 HD channels , then MP2 only TV/Set-box has no sound.

Don't ignore basic ordinary things in the spec, just because they are not in use today, or even in Nov/Dec.

MPEG4 only isn't enough. The Absolute Minimum is HD and AAC also. MHEG5 is highly recommended (think difference between a Lidl sat box and Freesat/Sky).

If it's "Freeview HD" rather than just "freeview" it's pretty safe. Though the DVB-T2 isn't needed. Non-HD MPEG4 isn't going to work. Though the TV doesn't need to be HD if the SCART on a HD set box downscales.

1) There simply isn't space to do SD and HD simultaneously. You must have HD reception even if not an HD TV.
2) The current tests have not been using the final "playout system". AAC is in the spec for ordinary Stereo Audio, this HALVES the data rate for all the Radio Stations and TV sound. All decent sets and Setboxes will support AAC. The current tests are probably only MP2 due to lack of suitable playout gear.
3) DAB+ also uses AAC rather than the wasteful MP2 of DAB.

ALL UK "Freeview HD" sets do MHEG5. Some UK "Freeview" sets do MPEG4 (nothing to do with HD), but might only support the MP2, or only MHEG5 on UK country code or MPEG2 mode or not support HD. The average person isn't able to interpret fine detail of specs.

So lets keep it Simple. TVs or set-box
1) "Freeview HD" (not HDTV or HD Ready with plain "Freeview" only) definitely work. Or mostly should. Some may give minor issues. The DVB-T2 isn't needed. Will get freeview and Freeview HD in some places.
2) "Saorview" certified Definitely work 100%. Will only work with Freeview, not FreeviewHD, unless it's got DVB-T2
3) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD will reliably get basic serivces
4) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD and MHEG5 should do most everything.
5) #1, #2 or #4 with an ethernet Network socket is a good idea.

Saying "MPEG4 tuner TV" isn't good enough.

Setbox or TV that plays USB or DVD MP4/MPEG4/DivX/Xvid may not actually do MPEG4 or HD via tuner.

ANY HD or HD Ready TV will work with Set-box via HDMI and any non-HDTV will work via SCART. Set box needs to be "Saorview" Compatible.

Hi Watty
Thanks for informative post. I am presently contemplating the purchase of a 50" LG PK 350 plasmafrom Pixmania which has a freeview tuner but more importantly has a TNT HD logo. Will this set be ok for RTE hd?
I would consider the PK 590 which has the Freeview HD tuner but Pixmania does not supply it on it's Irish site.
Rgds
Willby

Volcane

Volcane wrote: »

AFAIK 'Black Briar' two posts above has oe and it works great. It all depends where you are and what sort of aerial you have

Its the 403 version I have.
If it has a freeview HD tuner it will work.

blobert

watty wrote: »

There *ARE* tvs with MPEG4 that don't do HD or AAC. Arguabley MHEG5 is slightly optional. These will work TODAY. But when RTE goes HD have no picture. If there is switch to AAC only when we have 2 to 5 HD channels , then MP2 only TV/Set-box has no sound.

Don't ignore basic ordinary things in the spec, just because they are not in use today, or even in Nov/Dec.

MPEG4 only isn't enough. The Absolute Minimum is HD and AAC also. MHEG5 is highly recommended (think difference between a Lidl sat box and Freesat/Sky).

If it's "Freeview HD" rather than just "freeview" it's pretty safe. Though the DVB-T2 isn't needed. Non-HD MPEG4 isn't going to work. Though the TV doesn't need to be HD if the SCART on a HD set box downscales.

1) There simply isn't space to do SD and HD simultaneously. You must have HD reception even if not an HD TV.
2) The current tests have not been using the final "playout system". AAC is in the spec for ordinary Stereo Audio, this HALVES the data rate for all the Radio Stations and TV sound. All decent sets and Setboxes will support AAC. The current tests are probably only MP2 due to lack of suitable playout gear.
3) DAB+ also uses AAC rather than the wasteful MP2 of DAB.

ALL UK "Freeview HD" sets do MHEG5. Some UK "Freeview" sets do MPEG4 (nothing to do with HD), but might only support the MP2, or only MHEG5 on UK country code or MPEG2 mode or not support HD. The average person isn't able to interpret fine detail of specs.

So lets keep it Simple. TVs or set-box
1) "Freeview HD" (not HDTV or HD Ready with plain "Freeview" only) definitely work. Or mostly should. Some may give minor issues. The DVB-T2 isn't needed. Will get freeview and Freeview HD in some places.
2) "Saorview" certified Definitely work 100%. Will only work with Freeview, not FreeviewHD, unless it's got DVB-T2
3) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD will reliably get basic serivces
4) MPEG4 AVC H.264, AAC, HD and MHEG5 should do most everything.
5) #1, #2 or #4 with an ethernet Network socket is a good idea.

Saying "MPEG4 tuner TV" isn't good enough.

Setbox or TV that plays USB or DVD MP4/MPEG4/DivX/Xvid may not actually do MPEG4 or HD via tuner.

ANY HD or HD Ready TV will work with Set-box via HDMI and any non-HDTV will work via SCART. Set box needs to be "Saorview" Compatible.

Hi Watty,

After reading this post I'm concerned the Samsung LE46C530 that I bought recently from Argos (along with a lot of others here) may not be fully compatible with the new service. It picks up all the current stations available with EPG and including the HD tests but from the above post it seems as though it may not be compatible with the HD services when up and running properly.

Am having trouble finding the exact spec for it:

TV System Analogue: B/G, D/K, L, I (Depending on your country selection)
Digital: DVB-T/DVB-C
Colour/Video System Analogue: PAL, SECAM, NTSC-4.43, NTSC-3.58, PAL60
Digital: MPEG-2 MP@ML, MPEG-4, H.264/AVC MP@L3, MP@L4.0, HP@L4.0
Sound System BG. OK NICAM. MPEGl
HDMI IN 1 ~ 3 Video: 1080 24p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p, 480i
Audio: 2Ch Linear PCM 32/44.1/48kHz, 16/20/24bits.
Analogue audio input (HDMI IN1 only)
PC input (HDMI IN1 only)

The USB playback supports a lot of formats also:
Video AVI, ASF, MKV, MP4, 3GPP, VOR, VOB, PS, TS, RMVB, FLV, DivX 3.11, DivX 4.x, DivX 5.1, DivX 6.0, XviD, H.264, MPEG-4 SP, MPEG-4 ASP, Windows Media Video v9, MPEG2, MPEG1, RV3.0/RV4.0
Audio MP3, AC3, LPCM, ADPCM, (MULAW, ALAW), AAC, HE-AAC, WMA, DD+, MPEG, DTS HD, AMR, QCELP, Real Audio, (RealAudio6 Cook, RealAudio9,10 RealAudio Lossless), 8000, 11025, 12000, 16000, 22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000

Let me know if you think this is likely to be compatible with future services, I bought it on the basis that the thread on Bargain Alerts suggested it would be, should have done more research first:)

RobitTV

Hey guys will This TV With freeview HD And mpeg4 work on the new Saoirview system. Here
Toshiba 32RV753B

The Cush

RobitTV wrote: »

Hey guys will This TV With freeview HD And mpeg4 work on the new Saoirview system. Here
Toshiba 32RV753B

It should.

John mac

however

does not support purchases from outside of the UK Mainland

marclt

It might be useful at this point (given that only the Walker tv at PowerCity seems to have the Saorview cert) that users post the make and model numbers of tv sets that currently work.

Then, together we can decide if they will be compliant in future (HD)...

Keep posting lads....

How are these Hannspree sets, on sale at D.I.D. shaping up? Are they worth the money, or is the Walker set better - although it's a make I've never heard of - are they made using components from a different manufacturer?

Cheers

watty

Walker is using Vestel. [Link] They took over remains of Mitsubishi in Ireland long after Mitsubishi outsourced to Vestel. Many well known brands use Vestel for some models of setbox or Tv (Bush, Grundig etc).

The other well known manufacturers will do Saorview certs when they see the service has really launched, next Monday week 1st November 2010. However I don't expect to see more Saorview approved Product in the Shops till Jan/Feb as the Full Public Launch is likely about 6 months away.

At the minute anything that is "Freeview HD" (not an HD set with ordinary Freeview) is next best thing to Saorview approved. There are other possibilities, but they require closer understanding of specifications.

captain359

Hi Im in the market for a new TV. Iam looking at various 50" Models and something that I can connect my laptop to and with a USB input would be desireable. There is a store near my home town they have a website:
www.duffydiscount.com and they have 4 50" Tvs on offer but Im unsure if they fit the bill, Im also considering visiting the likes of Power City Havey Normans, DID ect. Im looking to spent in the region of €800 so can anyone recommend a good model please.

Thanks in Advance.

John mac

ring them to get full specs,

or as they are near you why not just drop in and see if they work.

then Google.