Mpeg2 -4 Converter card question

Jim from Cork

I have looked through some of the threads and could not find an existing answer to my query, apologies if I am repeating a common issue.

I got a satellite box for the kitchen TV. Was speaking with the installer and he explained the DTV system to me.

My telly is an LCD Tevion (ALDI). The installer reckoned that a pcmcia mpeg2 to mpeg4 converter fitted (there is a slot on the TV) would allow me to see picture (sound is present).

I have located a card on ebay. I would prefer to deal with somebody local.
Would any of you more experienced people know:
1: if the pcmcia solution will work
2: Have a local, Cork if possible, supplier of converter cards.

Thanks,
Jim

Sam Russell

No it will not work. You need a set top box that will receive MPEG 4 HD, the PCMIA will only give you SD. It also has a lot of other problems.

Also, do not touch the Picnic box as that also is SD. Unless you are in a hurry, wait until the launch when there will be a lot more choice at lower prices.

Rippy

DO NOT BUY a PCMI CARD !!!!!
Neotion cams , (or similar ) , were always an inadequate fix for non native MPEG4 TVs. Prone to overheating, very slow in operation, non-reliable.
Now that SaorView has started broadcasting RTE2 in HD, these cards are incapable of receiving RTE2 after March. This may be followed by total incompatibility with all channels.
Depending on when you purchased your TV, you may be able to return it as unfit for purpose and get a full refund or replacement . The specs. for Saorview have been known for the last couple of years.
The satellite installer should have known better.
Too many people in this business giving misleading and false information.

watty

The short answer?

THEY DON'T WORK.

Longer Answer
http://www.saortv.info/terrestrial-saorview/the-black-list/

Aldi have refunded on TVs over a year old.
http://www.techtir.ie/blog/cinocat4/no-dtt-get-money-back

Last week They STILL selling incompatible TV. It says "Digital" on Packaging, and there is NO disclaimer (which would get them off the hook). So you can get your money back easily if it was sold to you after March 2008 as the Industry was warned then about labelling UK or other incompatible Digital TVs.

STB

Jim from Cork wrote: »

I have looked through some of the threads and could not find an existing answer to my query, apologies if I am repeating a common issue.

I got a satellite box for the kitchen TV. Was speaking with the installer and he explained the DTV system to me.

My telly is an LCD Tevion (ALDI). The installer reckoned that a pcmcia mpeg2 to mpeg4 converter fitted (there is a slot on the TV) would allow me to see picture (sound is present).

I have located a card on ebay. I would prefer to deal with somebody local.
Would any of you more experienced people know:
1: if the pcmcia solution will work
2: Have a local, Cork if possible, supplier of converter cards.

Thanks,
Jim

I was the original proponent of these cards - I got the thread destickied because they dont do HD and set top boxes boxes are now cheaper and more stable and could no longer recommend them.

PCMIA Neotion Card will not work in Medion Tvs anyway (and they are no longer a solution).

As a matter of interest what type of satellite box was provided in that install ? And how much if you dont mind ?

The reason I ask is you could have got a HD Combo box that does both satellite and DTT. You still can - they are €150-€170 and there is no install now that you are set up. You just connect your existing aerial and satellite cables to the one box. One remote, one channel list of Irish and Bristish stations.

watty

I got one to test for a pay TV project that would have been MPEG4 SD only. I wasn't at all happy with it. If we had gone ahead we would have solely used a Motorola Hybrid Broadcast/VOD/IPTV HD PVR. About x5 the cost but no comparision in quality even in SD.

Jim from Cork

Folks thanks for your help. Superb!

You need a set top box that will receive MPEG 4 HD

Firstly, I was passing a local electrical shop today so I purchased a set top box. Hitched it up and away it went! Perfect RTE. (My area had notoriously bad service on the old system, unwatchable TV3 etc).

Unless you are in a hurry, wait until the launch when there will be a lot more choice at lower prices.

I was curious to see this work.. so went ahead anyway

Depending on when you purchased your TV, you may be able to return it as unfit for purpose and get a full refund or replacement

I will watch here with interest how people get on. I bought this television less than six months ago. I regret not checking this forum before I did. It is wrong that companies would sell these to people knowing the specs that are required for this country.

As a matter of interest what type of satellite box was provided in that install ? And how much if you dont mind ?

The reason I ask is you could have got a HD Combo box that does both satellite and DTT. You still can - they are €150-€170 and there is no install now that you are set up. You just connect your existing aerial and satellite cables to the one box. One remote, one channel list of Irish and Bristish stations.

The box fitted was your bog std free-to-air box. I paid 120.00 that included moving cabling connectors around on the roof and a 4 point LNB as well. Seemed fair to me.

I did see a Combo box HD at the electrical store for 230.00. It would have been handier for 1 remote etc. The installer did not give me this choice. That is a pity.

I have a TV in an upstairs bedroom. At least it is only a matter of running a cable to the TV as the LNB will take another connection. Then it is a matter of deciding to replace the TV or buy a combo box.

Again thanks for the help. I think I have covered all the questions raised.

I think there'll be a lot more people coming along this route in the next while.;)

Cheers,
Jim

watty

If you bought the TV 6 months ago and there was no disclaimer that it's "not compatible with Irish Digital" then you are entitled to replacement/refund.

All you need is proof of purchase (could be cheque or credit card bill). You don't need the packaging.

The MINIMUM is MHEG5 + MPEG4 + HE-AAC + HD for Irish Digital / Saorview.
Not just MPEG4.

Widescreen

watty wrote: »

The short answer?

THEY DON'T WORK.

Longer Answer
http://www.saortv.info/terrestrial-saorview/the-black-list/

Aldi have refunded on TVs over a year old.
http://www.techtir.ie/blog/cinocat4/no-dtt-get-money-back

Last week They STILL selling incompatible TV. It says "Digital" on Packaging, and there is NO disclaimer (which would get them off the hook). So you can get your money back easily if it was sold to you after March 2008 as the Industry was warned then about labelling UK or other incompatible Digital TVs.

I bought an LG 19 inch HD ready tv in June 2008 from Dixons,Limerick. I hadn't even heard of MPEG 4 at that stage. Do you think I am entitled to bring it back for a refund?

watty

It depends as to the advertising and packaging in the shop.

If the word Digital or Digital Tuner was visible on signage or packaging clearly then they should have had a disclaimer "Incompatible with Irish Digital".

The Spec was issued in February 2008. CEDA notified in March 2008. But the Court case would hinge on if you had intended using it for Digital, or the Advertising implied it was Digital. If you where in an area with no Digital Signal till recently you may be able to argue that you couldn't test it yet. But if you live in an Area that was served by Test Transmissions in 2008 or 2009, then there would be the issue of why you didn't complain sooner if the intended use or advertising implied Digital operation.

With the age, Currys/Dixons/PC World will not Refund /Exchange without losing in Small Claims Court. To win you have to explain satisfactory why you didn't complain sooner, or Currys will argue successfully that you only bought it for Analogue, and thus any mention of Digital on the packaging is irrelevant.

You need to be very clear on your facts and then because they never did the simple sticking on a label "This TV is only compatible with Irish Analogue, not with Irish Digital Terrestrial" then they have not taken due care and attention in their labelling.

If this was USA there would be a fantastic Class Action. But there isn't. Each person must fight the bad marketing separately

Widescreen

watty wrote: »

It depends as to the advertising and packaging in the shop.

If the word Digital or Digital Tuner was visible on signage or packaging clearly then they should have had a disclaimer "Incompatible with Irish Digital".

The Spec was issued in February 2008. CEDA notified in March 2008. But the Court case would hinge on if you had intended using it for Digital, or the Advertising implied it was Digital. If you where in an area with no Digital Signal till recently you may be able to argue that you couldn't test it yet. But if you live in an Area that was served by Test Transmissions in 2008 or 2009, then there would be the issue of why you didn't complain sooner if the intended use or advertising implied Digital operation.

With the age, Currys/Dixons/PC World will not Refund /Exchange without losing in Small Claims Court. To win you have to explain satisfactory why you didn't complain sooner, or Currys will argue successfully that you only bought it for Analogue, and thus any mention of Digital on the packaging is irrelevant.

You need to be very clear on your facts and then because they never did the simple sticking on a label "This TV is only compatible with Irish Analogue, not with Irish Digital Terrestrial" then they have not taken due care and attention in their labelling.

If this was USA there would be a fantastic Class Action. But there isn't. Each person must fight the bad marketing separately

Thanks,I'll have some thinking to do!