Receiver for Irish DTT? Televes zAs HD reveiver-model 5124

MiketheMechanic

Has anyone tried one of these?
Televes zAs HD reveiver-model 5124

Does it have MHEG5 text?

MtM

excollier

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

Has anyone tried one of these?
eleves zAs HD reveiver-model 5124

Does it have MHEG5 text?

MtM

Just got the brochure from my supplier, and no mention of MHEG5 in it.

watty

If it isnt Freeview, Freeview HD, Saorview, Australian or NZ approved, then if it doesn't mention MHEG5, then it probably hasn't.

Almost certainly it's for the Spanish market and only use here as a cheap PVR (if it's cheap) for a TV that already does Irish DTT inc MHEG5.

http://www.tdt-hd.com/inting/noticias/pdf/Lanzamiento%20Zas%20HD%20en.pdf

In Analogue days very little "incompatible" stuff was sold (i.e. TVs with no sound because PAL B/G and TVs with no VHF tuner). I don't see why we should be importing stuff intended for other markets when compatible equipment (not just Certified) is available.

Especially when much more stuff that's actually certified will be around soon.

Those are fine for Spain.

brianw

I have cancelled my sky sub and have the Foxsat HDR ready to switch over in a couple of weeks. sorted.
but my TV is a 3yo and has MPEG2 tuner only so my Irish TV situation is up in the air.

Should i invest between 50 to 100 in a box which may or may not last in terms of compatibility with SAORVIEW EPG etc.
if i wait til later in the year how much more certain will the situation be?
i want RTE HD, 7 day EPG and PVR capability.

fat-tony

Wait until later in the year when Saorview is officially fully launched and we know how Series Link etc might work on a PVR. I have Humax Foxsat for Freesat PVR and several STB's capable of Saorview reception, but I'm waiting for more certified boxes to appear and confirmation of what might be needed in a PVR.

watty

1) Only get a compatible set-box. Wait a bit

2) Saorsat starts in May 2011, about same time as full launch of Saorview service. In theory with a small boxed 2nd dish (no arm and Ka band LNBF inside) and a pair of Diseqc switches you could use the Foxsat HDR's "other channels". There is also talk of a SW update for this box that may make it easier to use for "other channels", I don't know.
http://www.saortv.info/satellite-saorsat/


Possible Saorsat combo Cassegrain 44cm dish and internal Ka band LNBF

3) Certainly wait till April 2011 or else buy a cheap "freeview HD" setbox.

liamtech

As far as im aware there is only one officially certified STB available at the moment. Therefore i think its helpful for users to try and locate suitable boxes, which are available cheap.

Watty you must accept that many many users don't give a toss about MHEG5 - I must state immediately that i am not such a user - i have 2 fully compatible TV's with full digital teletext. I love them!!! and im gonna buy the new triax box when it comes out!

But there is a vast majority of users who just want to watch RTE1/2, TV3, TG4, 3e, and whatever other stations become available... what are they supposed to do now? Assume that these individuals don't have enough money to run out and buy a new certified TV.... then a STB is the only option - and at the moment there is only one such certified box available - the walker!

SO many users are trawling the internet looking for boxes which may be partially compatible... Freeview HD boxes are obviously available, but in these recessionary times people are looking further a field for cheaper options -

I suppose my main question is are there any such boxes available cheaply?

forgetting about certification requirements and MHEG5 the main requirements for reception of the stations are as follows:

• MPEG4 over DVB-T
  
• HD via MPEG4 over DVB-T

More and more people will begin flouding to boards.ie looking for advice and solutions, and while certified boxes are advised there are other options and we should make these clear to users -

Folks i know everyone here means well but please bare the following in mind:

• We dont work for Saorview
  
• We dont work for RTE-NL
  
• Its not our job to push certified and fully compatible boxes on users

watty

Via http://www.rte.ie/saorview/receiving.html

Key elements of the receiver specification include the following:

1. The receiver needs to be capable of decoding both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) MPEG 4 signals. This is important as RTÉ is planning to replace its current SD RTÉ Two service with an RTÉ Two HD service on SAORVIEW. More HD services are likely to follow in the future.

2. The receiver needs to have MHEG5 middleware to decode RTÉ’s proposed new Digital Aertel Service and other possible interactive services.

In December 2008 RTÉ published its Minimum Receiver Requirements. It subsequently appointed a company to test receivers for compliance with the these requirements and instigated an approval process for manufacturers. RTÉ did not add any further technical requirements beyond what was already required in the Department’s specification [released in February 2008]

There are plenty of Freeview HD boxes far cheaper than the Walker. From about £40. They fulfill the two summary critera for Irish TV Compatible. It's not about a replacement for Teletext.

We are doing people a dis-service if we encourage people to save a small amount buying an inferior product or incompatible product.

There was some virtue in 2006 Trial or 2008 Engineering tests of "anything goes" as long as it gets a minimum of video and audio. At this stage, about 4 months before full launch I don't want to "short change" people.
If in doubt wait.
If you want to save money today then get cheapest "freeview HD" box. I'm not at all saying people should get a Certified box.

MHEG5 is NOT about replacing Teletext. If it was, I'd agree it's optional. It will be an integral and important part of the Saorview Service. I've spoken to RTE and RTE NL. The "other possible interactive services" are definite going to happen. People will feel cheated that they could have waited a month or too or bought a "Freeview HD" box and have the services and instead saved a few euros and miss out. Like maybe less than 10% of one years TV licence for something you may use for 5 to 10 years.

Not very well written: http://www.saortv.info/about/mheg5/

liamtech

watty wrote: »

Via http://www.rte.ie/saorview/receiving.html


There are plenty of Freeview HD boxes far cheaper than the Walker. From about £40. They fulfill the two summary critera for Irish TV Compatible. It's not about a replacement for Teletext.

We are doing people a dis-service if we encourage people to save a small amount buying an inferior product or incompatible product.

There was some virtue in 2006 Trial or 2008 Engineering tests of "anything goes" as long as it gets a minimum of video and audio. At this stage, about 4 months before full launch I don't want to "short change" people.
If in doubt wait.
If you want to save money today then get cheapest "freeview HD" box. I'm not at all saying people should get a Certified box.

MHEG5 is NOT about replacing Teletext. If it was, I'd agree it's optional. It will be an integral and important part of the Saorview Service.
Not very well written: http://www.saortv.info/about/mheg5/

These are all very important points but for many people all that is required is TV stations... They may have no interest in interactivity, and quiz's - they just want to watch TV - any additional video audio feeds could always be manually tuned in if required but for many they are not required -

I genuinely propose a list of cheap MPEG4 HD Set top boxes be drawn up to give people a choice

AT the very least a list of cheap Freeview HD boxes would be very helpful - and where they can be purchased for 40 euro

watty

Yes, though it needs to be some place it's easily updated as it's rapidly changing.

If there are two or more feeds in one video mosaic, possibly squashed, the MHEG5 can show individual feed in a Window or full screen (as per intention of author) and unsquashed. A non-MHEG5 box can't do this.

liamtech you are welcome to set up a page on Techtir, editable by you forever and not limited by Forum Software. Just make it clear the disadvantage of non-MHEG5 boxes and which are "Freeview HD", Saorview or whatever else aspect. Easier to update as prices/features etc change and easier to do tables and text flowing round images. In store price and extras for shipping to.

Later I can periodically re-sort by feature and price etc.


I would suggest that in 6 months no-one will be interested in non-MHEG5 boxes. I could be wrong.

icanhelp

Hello All

Wait until late March these Triax boxes will be approved by RTE Saorview, they will also have MHEG5 interactive services via the red button.

http://www.triax.co.uk/upload/newsletterweb_dec10_(rev_jan_11).pdf

The Cush

icanhelp wrote: »

Hello All

Wait until late March these Triax boxes will be approved by RTE Saorview, they will also have MHEG5 interactive services via the red button.

http://www.triax.co.uk/upload/newsletterweb_dec10_(rev_jan_11).pdf

Information previously posted by Tony - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=69707750#post69707750

liamtech

watty wrote: »

Yes, though it needs to be some place it's easily updated as it's rapidly changing.

If there are two or more feeds in one video mosaic, possibly squashed, the MHEG5 can show individual feed in a Window or full screen (as per intention of author) and unsquashed. A non-MHEG5 box can't do this.

liamtech you are welcome to set up a page on Techtir, editable by you forever and not limited by Forum Software. Just make it clear the disadvantage of non-MHEG5 boxes and which are "Freeview HD", Saorview or whatever else aspect. Easier to update as prices/features etc change and easier to do tables and text flowing round images. In store price and extras for shipping to.

Later I can periodically re-sort by feature and price etc.


I would suggest that in 6 months no-one will be interested in non-MHEG5 boxes. I could be wrong.

I appreciate the chance to research some compatible STB's, but i do have to say im finding it rather difficult to find any. If we accept that Freeview hd boxes are perfect, and what we should be recommending then i would accept that as the best option - assuming they are available for around the 40 sterling mark- but i must confess i havent found any that cheap - anywhere on the net - 40 sterling works out around 60odd euro including shipping (assuming they are shipping from the UK, and given the average shipping price - ). I have checked amazon, ebay, play.com, dabs, pixmania, and komplett, aswell as googling this.

If we can state categorically that a STB is available cheap, and give the price, incl shipping to boards members then users will at least have somewhere to start -

If we take it that this 60euro "incl shipping" is currently available than it trumps any of my MPEG4-HD non MHEG5 options -

So honestly folks, where is this cheap Freeview HD BOX

watty

Last time I looked at "Freeview HD" it was about €70 inc shipping, or about €50 for "refurbished" Tesco Direct. Similar quality to the €100 Walker.

A few months previous they where over the €100. The prices seem to be dropping rapidly.

Also it seems there will be more actually "certified" boxes by March.

It's still an Early Adopter market for UK "Freeview HD" and we actually don't have a Full Public Service Launch till May 2011 here.

RTE are launching a new website (why not use RTE's Saorview.ie?) with Coverage maps shortly. They also expect to have 97% coverage by May.
€70 to €80 isn't bad considering it's HD with HDMI and Downsample to SCART.

I expect prices will be down to the €50 soon. But even €80 is only an average of two month to three months pay TV sub (most people on more than the basic) and 1/6th price of a cheap 42" HDTV that is compatible.

We can list what there is in a table and original author (or site admins) easily update it the instant price change.

www.techtir.ie sign up and I'll set up template tables assigned to your user account.