RTÉNL Saorview-DTT Public Information

The Cush

Two new documents added to the RTÉNL Saorview webpage - http://www.rtenl.ie/broadcast/saorview-digital-television.html and also link to the Saorview Coverage Checker

- Connecting a Television Set to SAORVIEW - http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/connecting_a_television_set_to_saorview.pdf
- RTÉ NL SAORVIEW FAQ's - http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rtenl_saorview_faqs_feb_2011_rev_1.pdf

To be read in conjunction with the Saorview-DTT-October2010 brochure and Saorview-DTT Minimum Receiver Requirements.

watty

Interesting they say they planned to have HD in May 2011, but that the DCENR / BAI requirements for 2nd mux may put it back to 2012.

Interfering at wrong level

The Cush

watty wrote: »

Interesting they say they planned to have HD in May 2011, but that the DCENR / BAI requirements for 2nd mux may put it back to 2012.

Interfering at wrong level

The Sept date is applicable to the RTÉjr/RTÉ Plus channel, not mentioned in relation to the HD channel. So will the second mux be available by 1st Sept for the RTÉjr/RTÉ Plus channel?

1.1 Conditions under which Ministerial Consent is granted

Conditions attaching to Specific Channels

1. RTÉ Two HD Select channel is required to be carried on the second multiplex;

2. The knowledge gained from technical trialling of the HD channel will be shared with other broadcasters;

3. RTÉ should aim to provide for full HD versions of RTÉ One and RTÉ Two as soon as practicable and by mid 2013 at the latest;

4. The RTÉjr/RTÉ Plus channel shall be carried on the first multiplex until 1 September 2011 and from 1 September 2011 shall be transferred to the second multiplex;

5. No advertising is permitted on the RTÉjr or RTÉ News Now channel;

6. In respect of RTÉjr and RTÉ News Now, RTÉ shall review Phase 2 of these channel proposals on foot of the suggestions set out in the public consultation in order to further enhance the public value of the channels.

7. RTÉ Plus: Phase 1 only is approved and for a period of 4 years only until February 2014.

The Cush

The FAQ confirms ASO is October 2012. Previously indicated by the BAI and the Minister

2.1 When Will Analogue Switch Off (ASO) happen?
The transmission of Analogue Terrestrial Television (ATT) will cease in October 2012, as mandated by the European Union and Irish Government.
In the lead up to ASO captions will appear on screen on Analogue Terrestrial Television (ATT) transmissions informing ATT viewers of the impending switch-off of the service and the need to switch to an alternative source of TV (i.e. SAORVIEW).

...
3.1
Why Is Analogue Being Switched Off? The European Union has recommended the end of 2012 as the target date for analogue switch off in all member states and the Irish government have selected October 2012 as the date for Ireland.

Analogue Teletext Switchoff at ASO or soon after

All services (RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, TG4) are currently transmitting traditional analogue EBU teletext on SAORVIEW. RTÉ is also transmitting an enhanced version of its Aertel teletext service in digital.

No fixed date has been set by the broadcasters for switching off their traditional analogue EBU teletext services. It is likely that RTÉ and / or any other broadcaster that is transmitting a digital teletext service will discontinue transmitting their traditional analogue EBU teletext at Analogue Switch Off in October 2012 or soon afterwards.

watty

So "Freeview HD" stuff that ignores the TV3 and TG4 EBU text isn't a long term issue

But has the Minister signed the SI or whatever for October 2012? (likely Midnight on 31st October 2012).

We don't know when the 2nd Mux is available Nationally. Possibly RTE isn't sure from reading the HD part of FAQ.

The Cush

watty wrote: »

But has the Minister signed the SI or whatever for October 2012? (likely Midnight on 31st October 2012).

We don't know when the 2nd Mux is available Nationally. Possibly RTE isn't sure from reading the HD part of FAQ.

Will ASO require a Ministerial Order? In any case the ASO Steering Group within the Dept is probably dealing with that.

The first 13 sites (12 main + Greystones?) are probably upgraded for 2/3 mux DTT already, how many of the other active DTT sites also have the second mux available?

watty

I'm told until there is a signed date, it's not actually legally official.
Ryan should have done it more than 2 years proir to the chosen date.

So Sept/Oct 2010 or earlier something (SI? some other sort of Ministerial Order?) something should have been signed.

desaparecidos

The quality of the documents is not the best I'm afraid.

Presentation is half the battle.

The Cush

desaparecidos wrote: »

The quality of the documents is not the best I'm afraid.

Presentation is half the battle.

I agree, spelling and grammar mistakes too. Could do with a glossary for non-technical readers too. Has a look of being rushed to publication.

fat-tony

I agree about the less than optimal presentation etc. of both documents, but was reluctant to comment as I thought they had been provided "outside" of RTENL by persons close to contributors on boards, perhaps? They have the appearance / style of documents authored by persons from a technical background - too much info, particularly in the "connecting a TV to Saorview" document. Needs editorial control and some simplification. Many instances of the word "loose" (as in not tight) instead of "lose". Or maybe I'm being overly picky?

The Cush

fat-tony wrote: »

They have the appearance / style of documents authored by persons from a technical background - too much info, particularly in the "connecting a TV to Saorview" document. Needs editorial control and some simplification. Many instances of the word "loose" (as in not tight) instead of "lose". Or maybe I'm being overly picky?

I thought the information provided in the "Connecting a Television Set to SAORVIEW" document was OK and covered all variations, can't see how you could make it simpler. (Why is almost all the text underlined in the doc?)

Both docs look a little amateurish and need a professional hand. But no rush, we have a least 8 weeks to full launch and a whole 19 months to ASO :rolleyes:

jaggiebunnet

fat-tony wrote: »

IMany instances of the word "loose" (as in not tight) instead of "lose". Or maybe I'm being overly picky?

that is the worst thing I hate in typo's is seeing loose instead of lose...so no I don't think you are being picky!

Mountjoy Mugger

jaggiebunnet wrote: »

that is the worst thing I hate in typo's is seeing loose instead of lose...so no I don't think you are being picky!

I hate typos too.

jaggiebunnet

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

I hate typos too.

hehe - ok I meant spelling mistakes anyway

The Cush

Link to the RTÉNL SAORVIEW FAQ's rev_1 removed from the RTÉNL website, rev_2 on the way?

If anyone in RTÉNL is reading perhaps a reference to the digital aerial myth can be included in the next revision.- The 'digital' TV aerial myth

The Cush

watty wrote: »

But has the Minister signed the SI or whatever for October 2012? (likely Midnight on 31st October 2012).

The Cush wrote: »

Will ASO require a Ministerial Order? In any case the ASO Steering Group within the Dept is probably dealing with that.

watty wrote: »

I'm told until there is a signed date, it's not actually legally official.
Ryan should have done it more than 2 years proir to the chosen date.

So Sept/Oct 2010 or earlier something (SI? some other sort of Ministerial Order?) something should have been signed.

To answer my own question above - Section 139 (4) of the Broadcasting Act applies, Ministerial direction to Comreg to revoke the analogue TV Licences by a certain date will trigger ASO

(4) The Minister may, at any stage or following consideration of
a report under subsection (1)(b), issue a policy direction under
section 13 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 regarding
the date or dates with effect from which the Communications Regulator
shall revoke licences granted under section 121 or section 59 in
respect of the provision of any of the services referred to in subsection
(2) by analogue means.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2010/10/20/00031.asp

galtee boy

Saorview is supposed to officially launch in May 2011, somewhere presumably between 1st-31st ? So as it's only 7 weeks to 1st May and 11 weeks to 31st May, wouldn't it be about time we saw some adverts/promotional activity from RTE about Saorview ?

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

Saorview is supposed to officially launch in May 2011, somewhere presumably between 1st-31st ? So as it's only 7 weeks to 1st May and 11 weeks to 31st May, wouldn't it be about time we saw some adverts/promotional activity from RTE about Saorview ?

RTÉ appointed Cawley Nea\TBWA as its creative agency for the Saorview public campaign late 2010 / early 2011.

Watty has posted that the publicity was to start in late Feb.

With the late approval of the new RTÉ channels and the general election at the end of Feb the public information campaign probably got pushed back into March. The Minister is now in place so we may see it start in the coming weeks.

icdg

The good news in today's Sunday Business Post is that the public information campaign is to start this week.

The Cush

icdg wrote: »

The good news in today's Sunday Business Post is that the public information campaign is to start this week.

Good news indeed.

I speculated on Friday if it would happen this coming week following Digital Satellite TV post that the Triax TR112 certified receiver would be listed on the Saorview website from next week.

Will other manufacturers' certified products be part of the launch?

Tommy and PJ Advert campaign (Cartoon fat dog and skinny cat)

icdg

The Post article (which takes up the most of page 23) only mentions the Walker brand - saying "RTÉ said it was confident that several more brands would arrive on the market shortly".

watty

See http://www.saortv.info/2011/03/13/information-campaign-to-start/

dowtchaboy

Some friends were round for dinner this evening. Told us that the analogue TV was being switched off soon and that we'd have to get Sky or cable 'cos that would be the only way to get digital!!!

They got this "information" from Sky, it seems.

I tried to enlighten them - but I suspect they don't believe me....:(:(

The Cush

icdg wrote: »

The good news in today's Sunday Business Post is that the public information campaign is to start this week.

RTE ready for big switch
13 March 2011 By Catherine O'Mahony

This week, RTE will commence the tricky job of persuading the Irish public to prepare for the shutdown of their old TV signal and the adoption of digital terrestrial television (DTT).

Advertising for the Saorview service will begin on TV, radio and online. A national PR campaign will also be launched, as well as a communications campaign involving community groups and sports associations.

A dedicated call centre has been set up in RTE to manage enquiries about the new service, and send out information brochures.

A new information website, saorview.ie, has gone live, and will inform people whether their area is covered by the digital TV signal (RTE says 97 per cent of Ireland will be covered by the end of May), and advise on what equipment people need to receive it.

The campaign will run until late 2012,whenthe present analogue TV signal will be switched off and replaced by a digital alternative.

The ads, created by Cawley Nea\TBWA, feature an animated cat and dog which will explain the new service and how to access it.

The target market is a large one. Almost 600,000 Irish households receive some TV service via an aerial/analogue signal.

Of these, more than half exclusively rely on an aerial.

Older people are more likely to rely on the old service, with 28 per cent of over-55s having no cable or satellite TV. The western seaboard is also disproportionately affected.

If they don’t take some action, their TV screens will go blank when the change is made.

It’s also likely that some people who have cable subscriptions might drop them for financial reasons in favour of Saorview.

In the last year, 46,000 Irish households have switched to free-to-air satellite services to access non-Irish channels, bringing the total using these services to 162,000, or 10 per cent of the market.

Mary Curtis has been appointed director of digital switchover at RTE.

She said the communications job was complicated by the fact that most people had no idea they currently received an analogue signal, so the prospect of losing one meant nothing to them.

But she said it was also clear from research that Irish people still loved Irish television, so demand should be keen for Saorview, which is the brand name for the free-to-air service.

As it stands, Saorview’s TV offering is limited to RTE One, RTE Two, TV3,TG4, 3e and a few repackaged RTE services: RTE Plus (RTE One plus one hour’s delay), RTE News Now and RTE Junior (extended children’s programming).

High definition programming will be shown for the first time on RTE Two.

The standard TV offering will also include an on-screen programming guide for the first time.

Applications are being sought for additional TV content, which has to be of a public service nature. RTE’s ten radio stations (including the digital ones) will also be on the service.

Anyone who wants to receive Saorview will either have to buy a television that can receive the new signal (these are already in the shops and cost from around €180 for a small set), or buy a set-top box that will link with their existing television (these are also in the shops, and the first model costs €100).

RTE has been quick to emphasise that, after that, no further costs apply, other than the user’s licence fee.

RTE has set up a Saorview display centre in Dublin, where the various set-top boxes and TV sets that can receive the service will be on view.

So far, just one Irish company, Walker, has produced a suitable set-top box, but RTE said it was confident that several more brands would arrive on the market shortly.

The box on sale now does not function as a personal video recorder, but this facility should be included in future models, so users can record live TV.

The box which is needed to receive the Irish free-to-air digital signal is not the same as British set-top boxes.

RTE is working with sports organisations, charities and community groups, as well as retailers and manufacturers, to make sure the correct equipment is made available to the public. Approved technology will carry a sticker saying it has been ‘Saorview approved’.

The job of alerting the public to the development has fallen solely to RTE, since efforts to establish a commercial backer for digital television have failed.

RTE is hoping to run ads on all TV channels in addition to normal commercial minutage, because of the importance of the public service information.

http://www.thepost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=MEDIA-AND-MARKETING-qqqs=mediaandmarketing-qqqid=55027-qqqx=1.asp

New Information in the article
- Dedicated RTÉ Call Centre for enquiries and brochures
- RTÉ Saorview Display Centre in Dublin, displaying products and available services
- RTÉ working with various organisations - sports bodies, charities and community groups (and retailers/manufactures) on Saorview communications campaign
- Public Service Information Ad campaign on all channels (in addition to normal commercial minutage), created by Cawley Nea\TBWA featuring animated cat and dog (Tommy and PJ) to explain the service and how to get it.

MEDIA WORLD
What you need to know about Saorview

13 March 2011 By Catherine O'Mahony

RTE is set to tell us all about digital terrestrial television this week, as a new information website about the service, Saorview.ie, goes live. To get a head-start, here’s what you should know.

What is DTT?
Digital Terrestrial Television. It’s a new digital TV signal that will replace the old TV service accessed via an aerial.The more important term to know is Saorview, which is what the free-to air service will be called.

RTE says you’ll need to make absolutely sure any new TV equipment you get has been Saorview approved, or you might not get the service properly.

Why do I need to bother?
Because on some as-yet unspecified date towards the end of 2012, Saorview will be the only show in town for those who, for geographical reasons, can’t access (or don’t want, or can’t afford) cable or satellite TV. It will be a possible rival for pay TV services for the budget-conscious. But without quite so many channels.

I am happy to pay another cable/satellite provider, and I definitely still want hundreds of TV channels. Does that mean I can ignore all this?
Yes.

Why is it happening at all?
Europe’s TV market is going digital, and Ireland is switching off the old TV signal next year. So there has to be a new kind of public broadcasting television service. Saorview is it.

Doesn’t everyone have digital TV already?
Not by a long shot. A fifth of households are wholly reliant on an aerial. Nearly 600,000 (37 per cent) use an aerial for at least one TV set. Forty six per cent of farmers use an aerial and nearly a third of people over 55.

How will the signal be switched off?
You don’t really need to know that (also, I have no idea). You may, however, need to know if your area is not covered by the DTT signal yet. RTE says 97 per cent of us will be covered by the end of May. If you check on Saorview.ie, from next week it should tell you. Then you can decide what to do.

What have I got to decide?
Saorview will start to become available from May if you want it. But if you want to be an early bird, you need to either buy a specially adapted TV to get it, or buy a Saorview set-top box to use with your existing TV, plus an aerial.

Should I act soon?
Most of us won’t. If you are a diehard sports fan, you might want to get your hands on Saorview this year, because the service will feature the All-Ireland hurling and football finals in high definition, as well as the Rugby World Cup.

So, to sum up, I would need an HD TV and a set-top box and an aerial or a special TV that’s also HD with an aerial?
Yes. The TV s called an integrated digital television, or iDTV.

And my old aerial should work?
In the vast majority of cases, RTE says. Adjustments, and new aerials, will be needed in some cases.

What channels will be available?
It’s not definite yet. All Irish content so far, and all familiar names. At a minimum there will be RTE 1, RTE 2 (with HD), TV3, 3e, TG4, RTE 1 Plus (RTE 1 with one hour’s delay), a kids’ TV channel called RTE Junior and a rolling news channel called RTE News Now. Also all the RTE radio channels (ten of them, including the digital ones) and a fancier digital version of Aertel. More content may be added, and it could be from overseas, as long as it is of a public service nature.

I thought there was going to be an Oireachtas channel?
There still could be if anyone wants to produce one. There is space on the service for one. There’s also space for a channel showing Irish films, but RTE hasn’t developed that either.

What if I want only terrestrial channels, including the BBC?
It is possible to combine Saorview with other free toair or pay TV services currently available in Ireland, whether they are terrestrial, cable or satellite, to give you access to non-Irish TV channels and services, from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, etc. If you are interested in doing this, RTE suggests you take advice from specialist retailers or competent local TV installers for information on equipment and installation.

Will it be really expensive?
It could be for some people. If you have to install a brand new aerial and then buy a new television, and you go for a high-end model, it will be. Also, you will need a box and an aerial connection for every TV set using the service, so that might be expensive.

It’ll cost less if you just get one set-top box. Currently it costs around €100 for a box (the only one on sale is from an Irish brand called Walker) that doesn’t allow you to record live television, but it’s more or less a dead cert that the price will drop as more brands start to produce them. And you still pay a licence fee.

What about pensioners/ people on social welfare?
Will they have to pay this sort of money?
It’s not clear yet if they’ll get state aid. RTE says it is not its remit to provide financial aid. So the new government will have to decide.

http://www.thepost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=MEDIA-AND-MARKETING-qqqs=mediaandmarketing-qqqid=55026-qqqx=1.asp

Digital Satellite TV

Good news indeed, couldn't tell you the amount of emails and calls we get from people confusing freeview, freesat, saorview, free to air etc....Will be good to have that info be pumped into peoples homes through various media. I might take saorview off that list for us anyway:)

watty

Nice to see a newspaper get the facts and explanations about right. Unusual.

dowtchaboy

The Cush wrote: »

- Public Service Information Ad campaign on all channels (in addition to normal commercial minutage), created by Cawley Nea\TBWA featuring animated cat and dog (Tommy and PJ) to explain the service and how to get it.

Tommy and PJ???? They could surely have called them something more appropriate like Wattie & Cushie?

Kensington

The campaign kicks off on St. Patrick's Day, this Thursday.

watty

dowtchaboy wrote: »

Tommy and PJ???? They could surely have called them something more appropriate like Wattie & Cushie?

You wouldn't suggest that if you have seen the characters. No-one would want to be associated with that Fat dog and skinny cat.

There is actually a nearly 20 year old Comic Strip, Tommy & PJ, But Tommy is a Venusian boy and PJ his "dragon" pet I think.

I was only having a bit of fun with the image to brighten up http://www.saortv.info/2011/03/13/information-campaign-to-start/ Is there an official source confirming it's actually the 17th March the Campaign starts rather than simply "this week"?

icdg

watty wrote: »

Nice to see a newspaper get the facts and explanations about right. Unusual.

They got it wrong in another media article that issue though...

Incidently I'd prefer if people linked to articles rather than reposting them - you are breaking copyright law by doing so and also depriving the newspaper of revenue from advertising on its website.

The Cush

Two articles in today's Irish Times on the rollout of the advertising campaign. In the first article not a lot new other than quotes from RTÉ's Mary Curtis (Director of Digital Switchover) and Rory Coveney (Digital Switchover’s communications manager). The usual criticism from TV3's CEO, David McRedmond.

The blurred future of Ireland's digital plans

MICK HEANEY

Tue, Mar 15, 2011

It’s been years in coming, and will cost €70 million, but RTÉ is finally ready to unveil its digital service. As Ireland phases out the analogue era, will the five new channels offer anything fresh – and will most of us even notice?

...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2011/0315/1224292152903.html

One interesting piece of information from the article relates to 3e, it may not be there at launch

As it is, TV3 has yet to confirm whether its sister channel, 3e, will be broadcast on Saorview. “We have to pay [Saorview] for transmitting 3e, so there’s a question mark over the viability of putting up channels,” McRedmond says.

The UK channels will not be on Saorview

Nor has Saorview any plans to carry UK channels, such as fellow public broadcaster the BBC. “I can’t see a scenario where the BBC would be applying to be on Saorview because they would have separate carriage arrangements with other platforms,” such as Sky and UPC, says Curtis.

and the usual from TV3

We’re horrified by them, we think it’s a joke,” says McRedmond. “We’re going to be the only country in Europe with eight state channels. This is madness at a time when the State can barely afford two channels.”
...
“The case is marginal for DTT, because it is so late,” says McRedmond.
...
But with its suite of new stations, RTÉ has a head start. The manner in which Pat Carey, the outgoing, caretaker Minister for Communications, approved the new channels two days before the election alarms McRedmond: “It just stinks.” TV3 has written to Pat Rabbitte, the new communications minister, asking him to review the matter.

The second article confirms the advertising campaign will begin on St Patrick’s Day, as posted yesterday by Kensington.

Campaign begins on TV digital switchover

RONAN McGREEVY

Tue, Mar 15, 2011

A PUBLIC awareness campaign for Saorview, the digital terrestrial television service, will begin on St Patrick’s Day.

...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0315/1224292162812.html

The article quotes RTÉ’s digital switchover spokesman Rory Coveney, that there will be three stages to the public awareness campaign

says there will be three stages to the awareness campaign. The first will introduce the public to Saorview, the second will start in May when it becomes fully operational and the final phase will stress the countdown until the digital switchover.

and guess who again

TV3 has written to the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte urging him to review the decision to grant RTÉ licences to operate new channels. Chief executive David McRedmond said the decision by former minister Pat Carey two days before the general election was a “disgrace”.

Mr McRedmond suggested RTÉ did not have the resources to operate five new channels when it was running a deficit. He did not believe the new RTÉ channels would be anything other than repackaged materials. He believed they would cost the broadcaster substantially more money.

Butch Cassidy

This bit pissed me off:

But for the majority of the country’s consumers, who receive their TV from satellite providers such as Sky or cable companies like UPC, the changeover will barely register. As far as most Irish viewers are concerned, the television will not be revolutionised.

Nor is Saorview quite the multi-channel bonanza that it seems for the approximately 340,000 analogue-only households at whom it is primarily targeted.

Saorview should and I do hope will be aimed at everyone to inform people and discourage them away from the waste of money that is pay TV. This is what the so-called efficient market is supposed to be all about - the informed consumer given the facts makes a rational choice. The "consumer" hasn't been given the facts in this case.

At first glance, Saorview appears to be offering a much-expanded suite of RTÉ services, but there is not much that is really new....It is a long way from UK digital channels such as BBC3 and BBC4, which have been platforms for original programming.

Not much that is new? How about people who are currently paying monthly bills to NTL or Sky to watch channels they won't and don't need to pay for (outside of a licence fee of course).

But even this slim package

The article seems like nothing more than a cover for pay TV with little nuggets like this belitting the service.

THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED

The DTT signal can be received on all televisions from most aerials using a Saorview approved set-top box, due to retail at about €100. So far, only two models have been approved, both by Walker Technology Products, though more are promised before May. In addition some households may need to adjust or replace their aerial:

Don't get me started on this piece of crap. No mention of Mpeg4/Mheg5 equipped televisions and since when can the DTT signal be recieved on all televisions from an aerial? Did I miss a memo?


Nowhere in the article does the writer inform that you can get BBC et al for free with a dish. What a jip :mad: Someone here should write in to Madam to address this.

The Cush

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

Nowhere in the article does the writer inform that you can get BBC et al for free with a dish. What a jip :mad: Someone here should write in to Madam to address this.

The articles are specifically discussing the launch this week of the Saorview DTT public awareness/information campaign. They've previously published article(s) on the free satellite channels that were discussed here on the boards at that time.

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

Saorview should and I do hope will be aimed at everyone to inform people and discourage them away from the waste of money that is pay TV. This is what the so-called efficient market is supposed to be all about - the informed consumer given the facts makes a rational choice. The "consumer" hasn't been given the facts in this case.

The primary market for Saorview is the "analogue only aerial" households which according to a recent Dept of Comms survey is the 16% of TV homes (c.254k households) who rely on terrestrial television. 10% have access to the Irish TV channels (Irish terrestrial) only, with 6% having access to the UK channels (multi-terrestrial) also.

Also, 32% of TV homes (511k) have an outdoor aerial of some type highlighting that many more TV viewers use the terrestrial services on secondary TV sets in the home.

The remaining households rely completely on pay TV be it Sky or UPC cable/MMDS.

Once the public awareness campaign starts this week anyone that's interested in receiving digital TV via an aerial will have the "facts" pushed at them thru TV adverts or available at their fingertips. Many pay TV subscribers will have no interest in Soarview because of the limited number of channels.

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

and since when can the DTT signal be recieved on all televisions from an aerial? Did I miss a memo?

As the quote says "the DTT signal can be received on all televisions from most aerials using a Saorview approved set-top box"

zagmund

Campaign seemed to kick off this morning on Radio 1. I was a little dozy, but I could swear that "the man" from RTE said that if you have been receiving TV through an aerial up to now you *will* need to get a new box when they switch the analog signals off at the end of 2012.

He seemed to forget that there are already people picking up digital signals with non-saorview TV tuners and other set top boxes.

z

p.s. am still a bit dozy and haven't been following this for a while, so if I've missed something important then apologies.

nah ...in fairness to him that was after discussing hd tv starting in september proper including gaa and the rugby world cup,movies and u.s series.
He was then asked what about people who don't want to change tv,who say they aren't interested in all that and want to just continue watching.

In reply to that he stated they'd need a set top box which are about a 100 euro now but that that price would be coming down as more and more stb's are approved.
He wasn't given enough time for the piece and did not mention mpeg 4 tv's specifically.

The Cush

zagmund wrote: »

Campaign seemed to kick off this morning on Radio 1. I was a little dozy, but I could swear that "the man" from RTE said that if you have been receiving TV through an aerial up to now you *will* need to get a new box when they switch the analog signals off at the end of 2012.

Morning Ireland interview with RTÉ's Rory Coveney (Digital Switchover’s communications manager). Podcast available - http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2011/pc/pod-v-1503111sthour28m24smorningireland-pid0-1704288.mp3 (starts at 21:30 mins).

Some points from the interview
- Carriage deals have to be arranged within the next few weeks (3e??)
- Final 2% to be covered by FTA satellite with details to be announced later in the year
- 40% of content on RTÉ 2 will be HD
- New Saorview website to be launched tomorrow - Wed (campaign launch?)
- Helpline No. 1890 22 2012

Cathal Mac Coille getting his setup box and set top box mixed up

Edit: Later TV reports
Six One News report: Getting ready for the big switch-off
Nuacht report (starts at 8:05 mins)
News on Two report (starts at 14:17 mins)

tlaavtech

The Cush wrote: »

Cathal Mac Coille getting his setup box and set top box mixed up

I actually found it hard to hear what Rory Coveney was saying because Mac Coille wouldn't shut up. Rory tried to correct him about the set top box - but he was being talked over at the time

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Link to the RTÉNL SAORVIEW FAQ's rev_1 removed from the RTÉNL website, rev_2 on the way?

Rev. 2 now available.

RTÉNL Saorview FAQs - http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/RTENL%20SAORVIEW%20FAQs%20March%202011%20Rev%202_0.pdf

The Cush

When does it launch May or June?

All the documentation to date has indicated Saorview will launch in May this year e.g. the Saorview FAQ above.

But this news report on the RTÉ website says June . Is it an error or has the launch date slipped?

Free digital TV service to launch in Ireland

A brand new digital TV service, Saorview, which will significantly improve the quality of TV signals throughout Ireland is to launch in June this year.

A brand new digital TV service which will significantly improve the quality of TV signals throughout Ireland and bring three new TV channels to 1.6m homes free of charge is to launch in June this year.

...

http://www.rte.ie/news/money/general/free-digital-tv-service-to-launch-in-ireland.html

The Cush

From the RTÉ news report - http://www.rte.ie/news/money/general/free-digital-tv-service-to-launch-in-ireland.html

10 step guide to Saorview

What do I need to get Saorview?
A set-top box which will cost around €100. Prices are expected to drop as more manufacturers start supplying decoders.

Do I need a new aerial?
Saorview is designed to work with an ordinary UHF aerial. There is no such thing as a digital aerial. However some older aerials may not be suitable but this will be a tiny minority of cases.

Do I need a separate box for every TV?
Yes. But you only need one aerial.

What will the signal be like?
Digital pictures offer inherently better quality picture and sound that standard TV. High Definition television offers pictures generally described as five times better in quality than standard definition.

How do I find out if I can get Saorview now?
To find out if you are covered, go to www.saorview.ie where you will find an interactive map showing who is covered and who isn’t. All you need to do is type in your address to see if you can get it.

Do I need to switch over to Saorview if I have UPC or Sky TV?
No. You will continue to get all the Irish channels on UPC and Sky, but if you want to sample RTE Jr, the kids channel or the News Now channel you might like to pick up a box and have it running one of your TVs

Will it work with freesat?
Yes. But you probably still get your Irish channels through a normal terrestrial aerial. You can now upgrade this to Saorview to get a better quality picture from your aerial.

What will happen terrestrial services at the end of 2012?
They will be switched off. There is no rush to buy Saorview but if you are thinking of upgrading your TV later this year or next you should consider buying one that includes an integrated digital terrestrial TV decoder. This will be marked ‘Saorview approved’.

Can I get my satellite and digital terrestrial service through one box?
Yes. These boxes will be more expensive but might be worth the investment because they will allow you programme all your Irish channels first followed by your favourite UK and international channels.

How many homes get TV through an aerial?
An estimated 600,000 homes get some TV services through an aerial with 335,000 of Irish TV homes receiving TV exclusively through an aerial. One third of these live in Connaught and Ulster, one fifth live in Munster.

FREETV

It is a bit of a mess already and is more like a disinformation campaign. They need to be told their mistakes in writing otherwise people will be even more confused. Hopefully it will be sorted out very soon. I can only laugh at the incompetence, very similar to a group who left power recently. Mismanagement!

watty

The Cush wrote: »

When does it launch May or June?

All the documentation to date has indicated Saorview will launch in May this year e.g. the Saorview FAQ above.

But this news report on the RTÉ website says June . Is it an error or has the launch date slipped?

Launch end of May = Available from June.

RTE started in 1961 or 1962?
31st December 1961

Current service started Oct 2010 or Nov?
Well sort of 29th Oct, but TV3 and 3e in November.

ASO in October 2012, End 2012 or Nov 2012? I'd guess 31st October 2012

Mr McBoatface

RTE's 10 step guide to Saorview added to their site today is a joke , it doesn't mention there are Saorview TV's and states EVERY TV will need a STB

Do I need a separate box for every TV?

Yes. But you only need one aerial.

More confusion added to the mix by those who should know better!!!!

http://www.rte.ie/news/money/general/free-digital-tv-service-to-launch-in-ireland.html

The Cush

watty wrote: »

Launch end of May = Available from June.

But the article doesn't say "available from June", it states "is to launch in June this year".

Typo or fact?

The Cush

New Saorview website now up and running - http://www.saorview.ie/

SAORVIEW Launches Public Information Campaign

SAORVIEW is this week launching a public information campaign to introduce Irish consumers to its new free-to-air digital television service. The new digital service, which will provide consumers with more choice and better quality pictures and sound, will be officially launched to the market in the summer and will be available to homes across the country.

From this week the public will be able to access information on the new service from a Lo Call number 1890 222012 and from the website www.saorview.ie. An advertising campaign introducing the new service is also beginning on television, radio and online on St Patrick’s Day.

All viewers who currently receive their television signal through an aerial will need to switch to SAORVIEW by the end of 2012, as this older form of television transmission (known as analogue) will be switched off throughout the EU at that time. Other television viewers are also expected to take up the service which involves the once-off purchase of a set-top box which allows viewers receive the digital SAORVIEW service free into the future.

Mary Curtis, Director of Digital Switch Over, RTÉ, said:

“This is an exciting time for TV viewers. The new digital service offers more choice when it comes to TV channels and radio channels and it also offers higher quality pictures and sound. Most importantly SAORVIEW offers this new service on a free-to-air basis, which means that there is no monthly cost to consumers. To receive SAORVIEW viewers will need to purchase a set-top box, but after that there is no charge.”

The planned channel line up for the new SAORVIEW digital television platform, which was announced last month, is as follows: RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr, RTÉ One + 1 and RTÉ Digital Aertel. The following radio services will also be available on SAORVIEW: RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Gold, RTÉ Chill, RTÉJnr, and Radio 1 Extra.

“This public information campaign will explain how people can easily make the switch to the new SAORVIEW service and enjoy the benefits of free digital television. The SAORVIEW service will be launched at the end of May this year,” she concluded.

ENDS

For further information:

Rory Coveney 01 208 3436

Press Release - SAORVIEW Launches Public Information Campaign - 15. 03. 2011
http://www.saorview.ie/news/saorview-launches-public-information-campaign/

Saorview National Launch - end of May 2011. This from the press release above "The SAORVIEW service will be launched at the end of May this year,” she [Mary Curtis] concluded


Information Booklet not available yet

Information Booklet

The SAORVIEW information booklet is currently being finalised and will be available shortly. It will be available in both English and Irish for download here. The booklet will also be available in printed format in both languages on request from the SAORVIEW information line Lo Call: 1890 222 012

http://www.saorview.ie/help/information-booklet/

watty

http://www.saortv.info/2011/03/16/information-live/

previous user

Excuse me if I don't agree or comply with this MASSIVE CON JOB,
I bought a HD Lcd Samsung tv two and a half years ago on the assumption that
I'd be getting a Hi-definition tv signal, now two and a half years later,
the customer is expected to cover the cost of this after paying 500 euro on a tv
-I'm expected to supplement the ineptitude and sluggish response of Samsung the retailer
that sold it to me and the Irish government for not having a digital system put in place and
already have developed a built in digital signal reciever?
It's a disgrace!

Why are people rolling over and accepting this con?


I for one will be cancelling my cable and possibly my tv license if
I can't recieve a signal and am expected to fork out 100 euro more!

Absolutely Disgraceful!!

Mr McBoatface

previous user wrote: »

Excuse me if I don't agree or comply with this MASSIVE CON JOB,
I bought a HD Lcd Samsung tv two and a half years ago on the assumption that
I'd be getting a Hi-definition tv signal, now two and a half years later,
the customer is expected to cover the cost of this after paying 500 euro on a tv
-I'm expected to supplement the ineptitude and sluggish response of Samsung the retailer
that sold it to me and the Irish government for not having a digital system put in place and
already have developed a built in digital signal reciever?
It's a disgrace!

Why are people rolling over and accepting this con?


I for one will be cancelling my cable and possibly my tv license if
I can't recieve a signal and am expected to fork out 100 euro more!

Absolutely Disgraceful!!

The retailers/manufacturers where aware of the Irish DTT specs in 2008. Many retailers sold and continue to sell TV sets only suitable for UK Freeview which is old MPEG2 technology. They reckon most Irish people the vast amount of who get their TV via SKY or UPC won't notice as the digital switch over will not affect them.

However if you have a Samsung I'd advise you to post the model number as there is a very good chance it's fine for Saorview and no set top box is required.

EDIT - Cancelling your cable will achieve nothing , Saorview is a different platform altogether....it's just a replacement for analogue aerial TV

liamtech

You can shoot me for saying this but the new website is MASSIVELY BIASED IN FAVOR OF RTE - This completely contradicts what i said in a post yesterday but to hell with it - I can clearly see TV3's point - Just look at the channel page:

RTÉ One is the most popular TV channel in Ireland. It is the home of authoritative Irish and international television news and current affairs. The channel offers a comprehensive range of home-produced Irish factual, drama, arts, entertainment and lifestyle programming and a selection of premium international acquired programming. 14 of the 20 most watched programmes on Irish television during 2010 were broadcast on RTÉ One.
rte-two

RTÉ Two is the home of Irish sport and children and young people’s daytime television. In the evening it targets younger viewers with innovative drama, entertainment and key acquisitions.RTÉ Two HD will broadcast key programming from the RTÉ Two schedule in High Definition. Sport, drama, wildlife programming and film all greatly benefit from HD pictures and sound. For example, RTÉ Two HD will allow Irish audiences to enjoy our national games in HD for the first time, with GAA Hurling and Football available in HD, free-to-air, for everyone. Hit dramas such as Greys Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and CSI and new movies will also be available in HD on RTÉ Two HD. The proportion of HD content on the channel will increase over time as more HD content becomes available.
three

TV3
tg-4

TG4 is Ireland’s Irish language television channel. 800,000 viewers tune into TG4 each day. The daily Irish language programme schedule is its core service: six hours of innovative quality programming in Irish supported by a wide range of material in other languages.The channel provides a daily programme schedule in Irish for children and young people. Both of the Cúla4 zones and the Ponc strand for young adults provide a wide range of entertaining and top-quality content in Irish and represent an attractive and entertaining daily point of contact with the Irish language in a context that is totally different to school.

Music, documentary and sports coverage have earned particular praise for TG4. Its regular soap-opera, Ros na Rún has made its mark as has the channel’s distinctive news service, Nuacht TG4. The channel’s schedule – and its news service in particular – ensures a space for the non-centrist perspective and for emerging talent.
3E

3e
rte-news-now

RTÉ News Now is a 24 hour rolling news channel with live news bulletins, live current affairs programmes, catch-up on recent news and current affairs, live coverage of special events, breaking news and continuous sport, business and weather updates throughout the day. A news, sport and entertainment ticker runs along the bottom of the screen and the latest stock indices and Euro exchange rates are delivered within the graphics on the right of the screen.RTÉ News Now is available on SAORVIEW, online and as a mobile service on iPhone and Android.
rte-jr

The RTÉjr is a dedicated daytime television service for children aged 6 years and younger. RTÉjr shares channel space with RTÉ Plus and will be on from 11am to 7pm and is free of advertising. Home produced programming is the cornerstone of the RTÉjr schedule, with live action programming and Irish animation featuring strongly. RTÉjr has a companion children’s digital radio service of the same name.
rte-one-1

RTÉ One + 1 will share channel space with RTÉjr and will be on from 7pm to 2am. From May 2011 this channel will be an exact replica of RTÉ One, with an hour delay.
rte-aertel

RTÉ Aertel Digital is an improved digital version of the RTÉ Aertel teletext service, which is modern, fast and user-friendly. The service offers up-to-date and accessible news, sport, weather and other information, including flight times, public information, local council information, information for deaf and hard of hearing audiences and subtitles. RTÉ Aertel Digital is available on SAORVIEW, online and as a mobile service.

Now while you might not watch them, and some of you are quite militantly anti TV3 and 3e, you must admit the following - SAORVIEW will only last and become an effective service with variety - the more channels it has the wider its appeal - We can look at freeview to see this - if i lived in england i wouldn't necessarily bother getting freesat unless i happened to have a preinstalled dish and fancied making use of it - (which of course i probably would, being an enthusiast)

I know some of you berate them and slag TV3. There are issues with paying for carriage etc - but there is also saorview's channel listing section which is not very strong - water it down any further and it could quickly become a non viable brand - A lot of people in Ireland wont pay good money to watch RTE 1, RTE2, TG4, and a load of repeated news stations - Heck for twenty odd quid a month UPC will happily give them a HD PVR, all of a RTE stations, +TV3 plus the main british stations etc.
In all honesty that channel section above is taking the proverbial ****. To TV3 its just plain insulting - And again i repeat - IF TV3 and 3e leave SAORVIEW, it will seriously weaken and water down the brand - In this country TV Stations dont grow on trees unfortunately and insulting the only other major broadcaster in the republic is foolish and arrogant..

I am now ready to be stoned to death for treason :eek:

Sam Russell

TV3 have the attitude that they do not have to pay for carriage. They refused to pay the full price for analogue, only being broadcast from a dozen or so sites. They have refused to pay anything for DTT, and have consistently been slow in introducing technical improvements like wide-screen. The apparent lack of descriptions for TV3 and 3E might be their own refusal to be part of Saorview. After all, they refused to allow their channels to go on Saorview at the launch in October, and had their own mini-launch a few days later in November.

They have improved lately by introducing wide-screen, and made a few low-cost home produce head-to-camera programmes. However, they have a very long way to go before their production values even approach those of RTE. They are more like a cable channel, which of course, 3E is already.

They could be better, but they are driven by a low cost attitude to everything, like a pound-shop trying to compete with a department store and crying foul at any realistic criticism. In fact, crying foul at anything, and threatening to sue.

Now RTE are worthy of criticism as well. Their own production values have suffered of late, and that is an area that needs to be improved, but it is mainly independent productions that are most wanting.

However, RTE NL have delivered the DTT infrastructure at a reasonable cost. The original estimates were, IIRC, €100m, and they have brought it in at €70m, if the reports are correct.

Let us give a little leeway as it takes TV3 a few days to respond to requests from RTE, as it did last October.

desaparecidos

previous user wrote: »

the customer is expected to cover the cost of this after paying 500 euro on a tv

To be fair €500 is not that much for a HD TV (depending on the size)

Think of it this way. Two and a half years ago only high end premium TVs would have had an MPEG4 decoder. So at the time you might have had to pay €800 for a TV with MPEG4 decoder with the same size and general spec as your €500 one.

So by only having to pay €80-100 for a Soarview set top box now, you're saving €200 euro.