Anyone in BELFAST receiving Saorview?

JamesyBelfast

Been reading this board for a while now and since I get a half-decent analogue signal here in Belfast from Louth with a dedicated roof aerial, I was hoping I could get Saorview!

None of my TVs have MPEG4 capability so I have tried out the Tesco Technika Freeview HD box STBHDIS2010 (only £35 from Tesco Outlet). To my disappointment - the auto-tuning on this box picks up nothing for me except the Divis Freeview - and Tesco Outlet have said I can return the box!

My analogue pictures for RTE1, RTE2 and TV3 are very watchable. Although the pictures are far from perfect (up close they're quite fuzzy), they are all colour with perfect sound and no ghosting or interference or anything (I watch them all the time and forget they're not perfect). Would that sound like enought get Saorview?

I am wondering if I were able to manually tune, would I expect to get a Saorview signal? I'm thinking the crappy auto-tuning on the Technika box is a problem - only looking for very strong signals? I just can't believe there's NO digital signal since my analogue signal isn't that bad!

Does anyone here know of people in Belfast who are successfully receiving Saorview? With a half-decent Analogue RTE signal, should it be likely I would receive Saorview? Any help would be great.

Thanks.

watty

I think the Aerial at Clermont Cairn is blocked to the North till ASO. That's why you can't get it. So end 2012 or start 2013?

excollier

What is the spec of that box? Is it DVB-T2?
If so then I will be buying a couple of those pronto.

JamesyBelfast

excollier wrote: »

What is the spec of that box? Is it DVB-T2?
If so then I will be buying a couple of those pronto.

Yes it's DVB-T2 - already discussed and recommended by a couple of people on this forum for Saorview.

Tesco Outlet on eBay are selling them (refurbished) for £35 + free shipping - and aside from the fact that I could get no Saorview with it - the box seemed good!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280560393659

JamesyBelfast

watty wrote: »

I think the Aerial at Clermont Cairn is blocked to the North till ASO. That's why you can't get it. So end 2012 or start 2013?

Really??!

That would explain things - that I can get quite a decent Analogue signal but absolutely NO digital signal. I'm ragin! I was so excited about getting Irish DTT!!!!!!

excollier

Great!

Volcane

I'm in Cookstown and get faultless Irish DTT, even getting 3e woohoo!!

Digifriendly

I live in Moira (c15 miles SW of Belfast) and am picking up DTT from Clermont Carn (sound only as both my TV/PVR are not MPEG compliant) although I do have a high gain aerial and masthead amp. BTW my analogue from CC is crystal clear. Even with sound and no picture I find having the ROI channels on EPG useful for TV listings.

Sam the Aerialman

watty wrote: »

I think the Aerial at Clermont Cairn is blocked to the North till ASO. That's why you can't get it. So end 2012 or start 2013?

I thought the null was to the East and they filled it with a lower set of 4 broadband panels. Presumably all transmissions from CC go out through the same combiner and through both stacks of the antenna. Would be interesting to know how they derive the feed for that filler service considering the power requirements of the main antenna.

SRB

Not a whisper of it in Carryduff, perfect analogue from CC there. (Loads of reports of Cambret Hill mind you, but that's another story !)

Digifriendly

SRB wrote: »

Not a whisper of it in Carryduff, perfect analogue from CC there. (Loads of reports of Cambret Hill mind you, but that's another story !)

Cambret Hill can be picked up here in Moira as well - BBC muxes coming through stronger than commercial ones.

Rick_

I'm in Armagh and have near perfect analogue for RTÉ at my parents house but they can't get s steady Saorview service.

At my house, which is on top fo a hill about 10 minutes away I get near perfect RTÉ analogue and can also get Saorview which is rock solid most of the time, apart from extreme weather (like we're getting at the moment). The odd time it would break up for a few seconds, but most of the time it's very reliable.

John Dough

JamesyBelfast wrote: »

Yes it's DVB-T2 - already discussed and recommended by a couple of people on this forum for Saorview.

Tesco Outlet on eBay are selling them (refurbished) for £35 + free shipping - and aside from the fact that I could get no Saorview with it - the box seemed good!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280560393659

Can you not tune that box in manually mate also what channel no. are you getting analogue on in Belfast?

watty

There is virtually no Saorview signal in Belfast. The aerial & power layout isn't the same as Analogue from Clermont Cairn. Been discussed many times.

So there is nothing to tune.

Mike 1972

Someone (cant remember who) a while back claimed they could get RTE DTT in Belfast during high pressure weather conditions.

Im live (fairly high up) in Antrim and have never managed it (have an MPEG4 reciever and RTE aerial) was suprised to see people in Moira and Cookstown saying they had it.

Volcane wrote: »

I'm in Cookstown and get faultless Irish DTT

Are you sure its from Claremont ?

John Dough

Transmitters not at full whack yet could be one reason.

John Dough

watty wrote: »

There is virtually no Saorview signal in Belfast. The aerial & power layout isn't the same as Analogue from Clermont Cairn. Been discussed many times.

So there is nothing to tune.

A friend is getting it in Downpatrick on ch. 61 with a Hirchsmann wideband aerial pointing southwards but a bit blocky and not a million miles from Belfast so no harm to keep retuning occasionally.

lawhec

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

I thought the null was to the East and they filled it with a lower set of 4 broadband panels. Presumably all transmissions from CC go out through the same combiner and through both stacks of the antenna. Would be interesting to know how they derive the feed for that filler service considering the power requirements of the main antenna.

There was a UHF aerial stack built on the time the new mast was being built lower down than the planned new "analogue" stack at the top of the mast which had panels facing only south & west. Presumably, because of directional restrictions currently on non-analogue channels, this aerial stack is being currently used for Saorview.

SRB

John Dough wrote: »

A friend is getting it in Downpatrick on ch. 61 with a Hirchsmann wideband aerial pointing southwards but a bit blocky and not a million miles from Belfast so no harm to keep retuning occasionally.

You sure it's channel 61 ?

JamesyBelfast

watty wrote: »

There is virtually no Saorview signal in Belfast. The aerial & power layout isn't the same as Analogue from Clermont Cairn. Been discussed many times.

So there is nothing to tune.

Really appreciate all the info about this - at least it's making sense now and I'll just make do with Analogue TV3 for now.

I wish they would put the Saorview signal North before the end of 2012 though - I don't wanna wait all that time!!!

The Cush

JamesyBelfast wrote: »

Really appreciate all the info about this - at least it's making sense now and I'll just make do with Analogue TV3 for now.

I wish they would put the Saorview signal North before the end of 2012 though - I don't wanna wait all that time!!!

Restrictions all over the place until analogue switchoff, even way down south at Mullaghanish transmitting at less than 50kW until 2012 when it goes up to 200kW (RTÉNL 2008 plan) due to local restrictions.

Until 2012 Saorsat may be available to you April/May next year as an interim measure.

Sam the Aerialman

lawhec wrote: »

There was a UHF aerial stack built on the time the new mast was being built lower down than the planned new "analogue" stack at the top of the mast which had panels facing only south & west. Presumably, because of directional restrictions currently on non-analogue channels, this aerial stack is being currently used for Saorview.

What is Clermont's actual DTT ERP on paper?

Sam the Aerialman

Was messing about with my Brother in Laws system near Rathfriland and he's getting good quality DTT from Clermont so there is certainly over spill coming northwards. Nothing fancy contract 18 c/d and a single stage masthead. He was getting Clermont analogue without a masthead db levels in high 60's when i set the system up.

Customer of mine in Annalong is claiming good RTE DTT coverage after retuning. Again no masthead involved in that set up either.

Digifriendly

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

Was messing about with my Brother in Laws system near Rathfriland and he's getting good quality DTT from Clermont so there is certainly over spill coming northwards. Nothing fancy contract 18 c/d and a single stage masthead. He was getting Clermont analogue without a masthead db levels in high 60's when i set the system up.

Customer of mine in Annalong is claiming good RTE DTT coverage after retuning. Again no masthead involved in that set up either.

Just to say that here in Moira my CC DTT signal has been rock steady last week or so - masthead amp and 52 element Triax. In my church hall (on higher ground but with no amp and less gain aerial) it is also rock steady.

buggane

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

Was messing about with my Brother in Laws system near Rathfriland and he's getting good quality DTT from Clermont so there is certainly over spill coming northwards. Nothing fancy contract 18 c/d and a single stage masthead. He was getting Clermont analogue without a masthead db levels in high 60's when i set the system up.

Customer of mine in Annalong is claiming good RTE DTT coverage after retuning. Again no masthead involved in that set up either.

Thats interesting! I am getting good analogue on RTE1/2 TV3 and slightly weaker TG4 on the west of the Isle of Man (Kirk Michael). Just did a map orientation using the tool on the Mpeg4ireland site and the line of sight from me goes slightly north (2mls) of Annalong. I have managed to scan in the DTT channels from Clermont during the summer when we had high pressure but the signal is not strong enough for a steady picture. Just wondering if a better amp would help (I have a group C/D aerial at present with another linked aerial pointing to Divis for Freeview).

Possibly the distance is a factor (although over water so no obstacles) and I am low down (right on the coast edge) so may need to await the power boost in twelve months time.

SRB

Heading off topic, but Annalong always had great Kippure VHF, possibly the DTT is from there or Three Rock, rather than CC. (I seem to remember Cairn Hill being used for RTE on parts of the mountain above the town too.)

lawhec

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

What is Clermont's actual DTT ERP on paper?

According to an RTÉNL document I have, it is a maximum ERP of 50kW vertical polarisation from a temporary aerial. A new aerial upgrade is due for Q3 2011, while the final ERP and NI/GB restrictions are due to be lifted in Q1 2013 with the ERP increased to 160kW.

Sam the Aerialman

lawhec wrote: »

According to an RTÉNL document I have, it is a maximum ERP of 50kW vertical polarisation from a temporary aerial. A new aerial upgrade is due for Q3 2011, while the final ERP and NI/GB restrictions are due to be lifted in Q1 2013 with the ERP increased to 160kW.

It ain't 50kw - The array wouldn't have the power. 12 tiers of panels at a maximum 5kw power rating, peak sync power is unknown but 800-1200 watts of amplification pre-combiner (20% efficiency) plus feeder losses would give a rough ERP of about 39.61kw. Take into account a single lobe on half a degree beam tilt to the south west of the site would give coverage through points (On megalithia) 170 degrees - 285 degrees of true north. You would then get coverage areas in the cardioid radiation pattern at 355, 110 & 5 degrees i think.

Digifriendly

Just to say my Sony analogue/digital recorder in my front room has managed to pick up ROI DTT with sound for the first time today - this is interesting as aerial feed is split before it goes into the recorder. I am using a setback booster as well but reception of DTT in this room has never been as good as my back room where aerial lead is not split.

Deedsie

Has anyone come across a cheap 32 inch HD LCD flat screen tv, thats compatible with saorview for sale north of the border!

Deedsie

Has anyone come across a cheap 32 inch HD LCD flat screen tv, thats compatible with saorview for sale north of the border! People are always telling me tv's are cheaper north of the border. Has anyone seen any tvs for sale with mpeg4 and mheg5?

Digifriendly

Deedsie wrote: »

Has anyone come across a cheap 32 inch HD LCD flat screen tv, thats compatible with saorview for sale north of the border! People are always telling me tv's are cheaper north of the border. Has anyone seen any tvs for sale with mpeg4 and mheg5?

Try Richer Sounds in Belfast. You could give them a ring and ask - their prices seem reasonable according to this website (Tel. No. at top) - See http://www.richersounds.ie/asp/categorydetail.asp?ObjectID=&Mode=0&CategoryID=3&SUB=27

watty

In North you should get a "Freeview HD" TV. That will pickup Saorview Today and likely in less than 2 years the N.I. HDTV via "Freeview HD" http://www.saortv.info/about/n-i-digital/

Not a "Freeview" TV that happens to be "HD Ready" or "Full HD". Those are nearly meaningless phrases and tell you nothing about the aerial socket/Tuner/decoder used. They only apply to HDMI input really.

If you want it ONLY for Saorview and live south of Border then Peruse the Power City Web site. They appear to have a 32" suitable that's cheaper than Lidl's 2nd December Irish Compatible TV?

Ronnie Raygun

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

It ain't 50kw - The array wouldn't have the power. 12 tiers of panels at a maximum 5kw power rating, peak sync power is unknown

Old thread I know, but was searching the forum for info on Clermont tx...... isn't peak sync. power an analogue measurement or is that why he refers to it as 'unknown' in respect to digital transmissions?

geriatrix

Hi
Apologies if this is stupid or has been covered before.
I'm in N. Antrim about 25 direct miles from the Moville transmitter and I get pretty good RT1 and 2 and TG4 analogue.
I retuned my UK Freeview box today for new Freeview channels and was surprised to find seventeen Irish TV and radio channels on the Channel List. No programme reception of course - the box is only Freeview SD but the Electronic Programme Guide gives nearly complete programme details.
Does this mean that the signal from Moville is strong enough for me to get these programmes if I buy either a Saorview or UK freeview HD box?

excollier

Get a cheap Freeview HD box from Tesco (Technika) £30, and you should get perfect reception, are you getting any sound?

geriatrix

Thanks for the info.

No Sound - just the blank screen with what's on now and next and the timings for each.

I'll get one from Tesco tomorrow and try it. I'll let you know.

John Dough

excollier wrote: »

Get a cheap Freeview HD box from Tesco (Technika) £30, and you should get perfect reception, are you getting any sound?

Up to now these Technika boxes do NOT receive Saorview best ones are Philips/Pace which do both UK and Irish FreeviewHD and lots of them for sale on Fleabay.

geriatrix

Bought one at Tesco this morning.
LCD display shows it has tuned to Channels 800 t0 817 but no picture and only intermittent sounds not even long enough to recognise one single word.
Sadly it will have to go back under Tesco 28 day return policy.

Maybe the Moville signal to N. Antrim isn't strong enough until the power is turned up next year?

Rick_

The box probably works fine geriatrix, but the signal isn't strong so that may be why you're not getting anything. I would keep the box and wait rather than return it then have to go find another box in a years time.

excollier

John Dough wrote: »

Up to now these Technika boxes do NOT receive Saorview best ones are Philips/Pace which do both UK and Irish FreeviewHD and lots of them for sale on Fleabay.

I installed three Technika boxes for a friend recently, and can assure you that they work well withSaorview

John Dough

OK give us the model number reference and we can check if they are available and suitable.

geriatrix

The one I bought is Technika STBHDH2010 marked down from £60 to £30 in store and not available from Tesco Direct online. Could be 'end of line' and 2010 maybe suggests it is last year's model?

excollier

John Dough wrote: »

OK give us the model number reference and we can check if they are available and suitable.

As in the post above. STBHDH2010. They do work. RTE One, RTE TWO HD, TV3, TG4, 3e, RTE News Now, RTE One+1, RTE jr., all showing perfectly and a load of radio stations. These from the Letterkenny transmitter.
If you are sceptical, the time is one hour out on the guide, that can be corrected manually, but they work.
They still had a good few left in Tesco Lisnagelvin (Derry) on Saturday.

geriatrix

Could be I got a faulty one but I got the last on in the local store so I can't get a replacement.

Probably, ss Paddy C said above, the signal towards N Antrim just isn't strong enough at present.

geriatrix

Forgive my typo Paddy C. I did not mean to preface your name with 'ss'!
I meant to type - Probably, as Paddy C said above, the signal towards N Antrim just isn't strong enough at present.

Is anyone in N Antrim receiving Saorview Channels?