Four live today Discussing DSO and Saorview

St Senan

Four live will be discussing the DSO and Saorview today on RTE1 at 4pm

pa990

I'm standing by for more misinformation

The Cush

I think Tina Leonard has a slot on that programme. Her discussion with Pat Kenny on the radio last week was OK.

Edit:
RTÉ's Rory Coveney (Saorview communications manager) is the person in the hot seat. Good basic overview.

HD content from Sept - the All Ireland Championships, Rugby World Cup, wildlife programming and high-end US TV series.

Colmo52

They were finished discussing how to receive Saorview and it went to a break. The first ad was 'Switch to sky now and save.....'

:rolleyes:

Antenna

Saw the end of it after being alterted by this thread, with Rory Coveney Saorview switchover communications manager interviewed (brother of FG minister Simon Coveney, who himself has been vocal on the Digital TV issue in the past), and gave a demonstration of EPG channel selection and answered some questions sent in by viewers.

The show is repeated tomorrow morning between 7:25 and 8:15

The Cush

Antenna wrote: »

The show is repeated tomorrow morning between 7:25 and 8:15

Sould be available on the RTÉ Player also.

Sam Russell

They have got themselves into a bit of a bind. It is obvious that they have decided that only a Saorview Certified STB/iDTV is to be considered able to receive the service. However they then have to explain to people that few manufacturers have bothered getting their product certified, but many products that are not certified are quite capable of receiving the service. Even the TVs of those people watching the programm, if only they knew how to try to see if they could get it.

I think certification has not been succesful so far.

Also, their presentation so far has been great for Sky - no real mention of Freesat, and how to get TV subscription free.

He did say RTE 2 HD starts in September though.

glimmerman123

What brand of set top box were they using for the demo?Was it a Walker stb? Nice and compact and doesn't take up much room. Also i noticed when asked if everyone will be able to receive the digital signal he never mentioned Saorsat for those who won't be able to pick it up via aerial. I suppose when Saorsat is fully tested RTENL will make some sort of statement.

Apogee

glimmerman123 wrote: »

What brand of set top box were they using for the demo?Was it a Walker stb? Nice and compact and doesn't take up much room.

Not particularly quick at changing channels though.

Apogee

Sam Russell wrote: »

Also, their presentation so far has been great for Sky - no real mention of Freesat, and how to get TV subscription free.

Freesat don't purchase ad time on RTÉ.

The Cush

glimmerman123 wrote: »

Also i noticed when asked if everyone will be able to receive the digital signal he never mentioned Saorsat for those who won't be able to pick it up via aerial. I suppose when Saorsat is fully tested RTENL will make some sort of statement.

They're not saying much about Saorsat at the moment - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=71542212&highlight=Saorsat#post71542212

Sam Russell

The Cush wrote: »

They're not saying much about Saorsat at the moment - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=71542212&highlight=Saorsat#post71542212

Well, they kept quiet about Saorview for two years before they mentioned, even though it was broadcasting all the time. So Saorsat would need to be running a while yet before it gets a mention.

(If it is running.)

The Cush

The programmes is available on the RTÉ Player - http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1095730 (30:18 mins in)

Beginners Guide to Saorview
Monday 4 April 2011

Rory Coveney - Saorview Communications Manager


What is Saorview?

Saorview is a free digital terrestrial television service that will provide the viewer with a much higher quality of picture and sound

Without getting too technical, it's called 'digital' as opposed to the system we have now -- which uses aerials and TV 'rabbit ears' -- which is called 'analogue'

It will give the viewer at home an on-screen programme menu and will also allow them access to digital teletext.


How does it work?

It works in much the same way as the old system, except that it is delivered in a slightly different way and using new equipment in your house.

RTE's local mast broadcasts the signal, which is picked up by your aerial (the UHF one you have at the moment is fine in most all circumstances).

That signal is then unscrambled into TV pictures by a set-top box, which you will have to buy (unless you buy a new, Saorview-ready television).

One advantage to DTT is that you can do things only normally available on UPC or Sky services, such as record programmes (or whole series of programmes).


What do people need to make the switch?

If you have an old television and use a normal aerial on the top of your house, you will need

(a) A new Saorview DTT set-top box (or a new television)

(b) You may need to have your aerial adjusted.

A set-top box costs around €100, though this price should fall to around €40 or €50 in the coming months. You can buy a set-top box in most electrical and electronics shops: almost any shop that sells televisions.

One key point: you will need a Saorview/DTT receiver for every television accessing the Saorview/DTT signal. Rabbit ears, by themselves, just won't work anymore after 2012, when the old analogue signal is turned off.

If this all seems like hassle, and you were thinking of upgrading your television anyway, you can get a Saorview-approved television. This will automatically receive the Saorview signal.

Your aerial: you may need to get your rooftop aerial adjusted to point toward the mast. If you can get TV3 clearly using your current aerial/rabbit ears, you won't have to adjust your aerial. If you can't you might need to get it adjusted by a TV maintenance person.


How to make the switch?

There are four simple steps to switching:

1. Check the coverage checker on the official Saorview website to see fin you are covered

2. Check your aerial: the quick test to see if your aerial can receive Saorview is if you can already receive TG4 and TV3, then you should be all set

3. Now connect your Saorview approved set top box to your television of connect your aerial directly to your iDTV

4. Simply tune in your channels and services


Do current Sky or UPC customers have to make the switch?

No they don't have to make the switch. There will be one or two channels available on Saorview that won't be available on either Sky or UPC, so viewers can choose to buy a set top box to avail of these if they wish


Is Saorview a HD service?

No. There will be a HD RTE Two service available which will provide 40% of its programming in HD


What channels will be available?

Saorview provides 9 TV stations and 10 radio stations, including all of the RTE, TG4 and TV3 services

The new TV stations include RTE Jr., a new TV station for children


Will my area be covered?

Due to topography of the land, 100% coverage of the country is impossible.

When the roll out is complete, 98% of the country will be covered.

To find out if your covered, go to www.saorview.ie and find the coverage section, once you enter your address you will find out if your area will be covered.


How does this affect the license fee?

It doesn't. All household and business owners still need to possess an up to date TV license regardless of whether their service is pay or free view.


All of the relevant information is available on the official Saorview website www.saorview.ie.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/fourlive/2011/0404/beginnersguidetosoarview128.html