Using a Freeview HD Box in Ireland

liamg67

Hi

I believe it is possible to use a Freeview HD box in ireland to pick up Irish DTT, but before I go purchasing need confirmation on the following please?

Are all UK Freeview HD boxes compatable for Irish DTT?
Will I be able to get any text services etc?
And will all these boxes be able to pick up the HD services as some I read only decode the SD channels?

I appreciate this maybe covered else where but couldn't locate in the long list of threads.

Many thanks
Liam

Vince Cable

Will you be using it in an area where Freeview HD is or will be available?

excollier

They work perfectly with Saorview, I am watching one tonight on RTE Two, which is HD (sometimes) never a problem.
I use a metronic Freeview HD Zapbox.

The Cush

There are some issues - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=71493151#post71493151

Sam Russell

There is an issue with Freeview HD and the time. The time is set in the datastream using UTC and the box then adds an offset. If the box does not recognise the service (IRL) it will set the time to UTC (GMT) which is fine in the winter, but it stays at that time in the summer. All EPG data is an hour out, which means you do not get current info.

Another issue is that Saorview channels will go into the 800s.

Not all boxes will do this, but most will.

liamg67

thanks - so how can I tell which boxes are compatible please?

I would consider a Soarview box but they seem too expensive compared to the prices of a Freeview HD. So in summary it looks like there is a "time sync" issue with "summertime" and I need a box that goes up to the "800s".

I am living in county Limerick and only want it to receive Irish DTT. Have already got a freesat box for all UK FTA channels because Sky was far too expensive and didn't include ITV and Channel 5 etc and disn't allow sky plus function on these and the kids BBC channels etc. But unfortunately unable to watch encrypted Irish channels - so need a digital option. Would like it to be HD proof for the odd time i would want to watch RTE but want the cheapest option.

lgs 4

liamg67 wrote: »

thanks - so how can I tell which boxes are compatible please?

I would consider a Soarview box but they seem too expensive compared to the prices of a Freeview HD. So in summary it looks like there is a "time sync" issue with "summertime" and I need a box that goes up to the "800s".

I am living in county Limerick and only want it to receive Irish DTT. Have already got a freesat box for all UK FTA channels because Sky was far too expensive and didn't include ITV and Channel 5 etc and disn't allow sky plus function on these and the kids BBC channels etc. But unfortunately unable to watch encrypted Irish channels - so need a digital option. Would like it to be HD proof for the odd time i would want to watch RTE but want the cheapest option.

the argos range of freeview hd + box will work fine soarview but pricey 600+ euros my mother had the panasonic

Vince Cable

liamg67 wrote: »

thanks - so how can I tell which boxes are compatible please?

All 'Freeview HD' should be British 'D-book' spec.

Sam Russell

liamg67 wrote: »

thanks - so how can I tell which boxes are compatible please?

I would consider a Soarview box but they seem too expensive compared to the prices of a Freeview HD. So in summary it looks like there is a "time sync" issue with "summertime" and I need a box that goes up to the "800s".

I am living in county Limerick and only want it to receive Irish DTT. Have already got a freesat box for all UK FTA channels because Sky was far too expensive and didn't include ITV and Channel 5 etc and disn't allow sky plus function on these and the kids BBC channels etc. But unfortunately unable to watch encrypted Irish channels - so need a digital option. Would like it to be HD proof for the odd time i would want to watch RTE but want the cheapest option.

The UK spec is not compatible with the Irish spec. They will place the 7 irish channels at 800, 801, 802, etc. Some will allow renumbering but many do not. They may force the Irish time on the EPG to UTC (GMT) so that the first hour has passed.

An alternative is to get a Saorview certified box at €100 or get a non-certified box at €50 or so which will do as well. Look on Adverts.ie for them, or on ebay.

This thread discusses them.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056216337&page=4

Verso

Hi all,

Hope that this is the correct posting for my query. Simply this - what ifs Freeview + and would such a receiver receive Irish digital ?.

Thanks for any replies.

Sam Russell

Verso wrote: »

Hi all,

Hope that this is the correct posting for my query. Simply this - what ifs Freeview + and would such a receiver receive Irish digital ?.

Thanks for any replies.

Freeview is not compatible with Saorview in general. Some Freeview TVs have MPEG4 decoders that work here but most do not.

adding a + usually means that it can record, but if it does not work, recording does not work either.

FreeviewHD is newer version that does do MPEG4, but has some differences and does mainly work, but is not fully compatible in all versions.

The best is to get a Saorview certified, or at least a guarantee thet what you are buying will work. See saorview.ie for more info.

Verso

Thanks Sam for information. You have saved me wasting some €100 on something that would be completely useless to me.

egal

excollier wrote: »

They work perfectly with Saorview, I am watching one tonight on RTE Two, which is HD (sometimes) never a problem.
I use a metronic Freeview HD Zapbox.

I am thinking of one of those Metronic T2 HD Zapboxes. Could you answer two questions please? Does it bring up the RTE text service and does it do the BBC red button stuff? Thanks.

Sam Russell

egal wrote: »

I am thinking of one of those Metronic T2 HD Zapboxes. Could you answer two questions please? Does it bring up the RTE text service and does it do the BBC red button stuff? Thanks.

If you can receive the BBC terrestial signal the you should get a FreeviewHD box, when it will work the 'Red Button' services. The shortcomings on Saorview will be small. If you cannot, be aware that there are shortcomings.

egal

Sam Russell wrote: »

If you can receive the BBC terrestial signal the you should get a FreeviewHD box, when it will work the 'Red Button' services. The shortcomings on Saorview will be small. If you cannot, be aware that there are shortcomings.

So, the BBC red button services will work with this box, right?

Could you be a little more specific as regards the Saorview shortcomings? Thanks.

excollier

egal wrote: »

So, the BBC red button services will work with this box, right?

Could you be a little more specific as regards the Saorview shortcomings? Thanks.

I don't see any shortcomings.
I only use it for Saorview and I placed RTE1 at No.1 RTE2 at No.2 etc. no problems. Text works ok, BBC red button does work, but I hardly use it for Freeview

Sam Russell

A FreeviewHD box is designed for a different service. It may work perfectly, or with a few problems. Each implementation might be more, or less, compliant, but not fully compliant as the two specs are not fully compatible. They will all work with the BBC Red Button, because that is part of the spec they are built to, but Saorview is a different spec. It also depends on how the box firmware deals with 'foreign' services. Each box will be different.

Gunther_Gloop

I have a Humax FreeviewHD and I don't have Irish channels. I never expected I would, but now I'm wondering if maybe there's some way to get them via this box..?

The Cush

Gunther_Gloop wrote: »

I have a Humax FreeviewHD and I don't have Irish channels. I never expected I would, but now I'm wondering if maybe there's some way to get them via this box..?

A freeview-HD receiver should receive the Irish DTT channels if available in your area.

Assuming you have an aerial attached do you know what your nearest TV transmitter is? or using your location find it here - http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/.
Not all transmitters are online yet and 2% of the population will not receive them with an aerial.

Gunther_Gloop

Oops. Silly me. I means Freesat not Freeview. Damn these different names and acronyms are annoying in this area. Every few months I look up what's new and have to spend hours if not days trying to re-learn what any of it _means_!

Arrgh!


...Anyway, I have no aeriel port, other than the 2 LNB-in ports at the back of this unit. Lack of Irish TV hasn't bothered me for the past year or two, so it's not like it's a big deal. Irish radio is worth the tv license fee.

The Cush

Gunther_Gloop wrote: »

Oops. Silly me. I means Freesat not Freeview. Damn these different names and acronyms are annoying in this area. Every few months I look up what's new and have to spend hours if not days trying to re-learn what any of it _means_!

It's only a satellite receiver so no terrestrial tv with it I'm afraid.

BowWow

Sam Russell wrote: »

There is an issue with Freeview HD and the time. The time is set in the datastream using UTC and the box then adds an offset. If the box does not recognise the service (IRL) it will set the time to UTC (GMT) which is fine in the winter, but it stays at that time in the summer. All EPG data is an hour out, which means you do not get current info.
Another issue is that Saorview channels will go into the 800s.

I use the Humax HDR-FOX T2, Irish channels are in the 800's and it has the time issue now with Summer time. However no other problems - its a great box...

jonnygee

I have a walker stb11 saorview box and a Philips dtr5520 freeview hd box. Both only recieving saorview.
The differences are that the Philips freeview hd box puts rte 1 on number 900, rte2 on 901 etc.
The clock is one hour behind.
The mpeg text on the walker box takes 2 seconds to load pages but on the philips box it takes 10 seconds to load pages. Both were connected to same tv via hdmi to test this.
The philips box has a better picture quality than the walker box on rte1 and tv3. The walker box picture seems soft on these channels. On rte2 1080i the picture quality is equal as far as i can see on both boxes.

The walker cost 89 euro, the philips cost 50 sterling in asda.

Steve31

Hi
I have a philips DTR 220/05 freeview box which is connected but when i do a channel search all I am getting is local music stations, Signal strenght and quality are showing good. Does anyone know a reason as to why I cant get the TV channels. I am located in Limerick city.

Mr McBoatface

Steve31 wrote: »

Hi
I have a philips DTR 220/05 freeview box which is connected but when i do a channel search all I am getting is local music stations, Signal strenght and quality are showing good. Does anyone know a reason as to why I cant get the TV channels. I am located in Limerick city.

Read the sticky at the top of the page - Saorview: Q: I get Radio but no TV channels? Answer...

kelsca

BowWow wrote: »

I use the Humax HDR-FOX T2, Irish channels are in the 800's and it has the time issue now with Summer time. However no other problems - its a great box...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056294385
Post ~15

marclt

Interesting comments re: walker boxes and soft focus on some channels. It's a similar problem with cheaper end freeview boxes - the picture quality isn't up to much.

Shame that the prices of the Laurus boxes seem so over inflated...

And what about Saorview/FreeviewHD compatible boxes for the NI market?

themossinator

Whenever i buy one of these boxes ill be buying a Freeview HD box as ill be able to pick up channels from the north - hopefully in time these will become more compatible with saorview...

implausible

I'm living in East Donegal and get a good analogue signal for BBC etc, so am fairly confident that I'll get Freeview when Strabane switches over. I know that if I buy a tv with an MPEG4/DVB-T2 tuner I should be able to receive Freeview HD and Saorview.

What I want to know is - will I have to go through menus and keep changing the tv to UK or Ireland to flick between BBC and RTE for example? Is there any chance that I can get all the channels on one menu and/or EPG?

holidaysong

No, the channels should all be on the same EPG. I'm using a Freeview HD box in Dundalk and have them all on the same guide.

implausible

holidaysong wrote: »

No, the channels should all be on the same EPG. I'm using a Freeview HD box in Dundalk and have them all on the same guide.

Deadly, thanks:) As a matter of interest, what box are you using?

Now, to track down a 26" tv with the right tuner....:rolleyes:

holidaysong

It's a Metronic Zapbox T2. I posted a thread on here with photos of the EPG in action for Irish and UK stations when I got it if you search for it.

kooga

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9077151.htm#tabrev

don't worry not paying the full price, have seen it reduced to €100 elsewhere, worth it as i need a irish digital box and a dvd recorder? tks

Kristopherus

kooga wrote: »

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9077151.htm#tabrev

don't worry not paying the full price, have seen it reduced to €100 elsewhere, worth it as i need a irish digital box and a dvd recorder? tks

Yep, that will do the job.

Mr Cumulonimbus

Kristopherus wrote: »

Yep, that will do the job.

Don't think so. Looking at the link it's a Freeview+ recorder. It would want to be a FreeviewHD or a FreeviewHD+ device to work with Saorview.

kooga

Mr Cumulonimbus wrote: »

Don't think so. Looking at the link it's a Freeview+ recorder. It would want to be a FreeviewHD or a FreeviewHD+ device to work with Saorview.

believe it I realised that when I saw the spec offered €50 to him for it just for the use of the hard drive. The purchaser had bought it from argos here and all these products are excluded from a money back guarantee and they cost over €300 new.

Can't understand why argos in the ROI stock these boxes and not the freesat boxes...............makes no sense.

winston_1

kooga wrote: »

The purchaser had bought it from argos here and all these products are excluded from a money back guarantee

Rubbish. Your statuary rights are unaffected. If it is sold for use in Ireland (rather than as an export model for the UK) it is mis sold and you are entitled for a full refund. If no mention is made otherwise it is reasonable to expect it is sold for use in Ireland.

I thought by now retailers in Ireland had stopped selling unsuitable UK equipment. In seems I thought wrong.

kooga

winston_1 wrote: »

Rubbish. Your statuary rights are unaffected. If it is sold for use in Ireland (rather than as an export model for the UK) it is mis sold and you are entitled for a full refund. If no mention is made otherwise it is reasonable it is sold for use in Ireland.

I wish it was true check out the link and read the details on this Lg model same goes for the Toshiba one as well.

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9077151/Trail/searchtext%3EFREEVIEW+.htm

winston_1

Sorry, what is not true? It clearly says on that link:

"Additional Information

Please note that this product is excluded from our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. This does not affect your statutory rights."

Even if the last sentence was not there, it would still apply. That is the law.

Kristopherus

Mr Cumulonimbus wrote: »

Don't think so. Looking at the link it's a Freeview+ recorder. It would want to be a FreeviewHD or a FreeviewHD+ device to work with Saorview.

Ah, sh**e, I'm mixing up the damn specs. Apologies to all.

For anyone who can receive Freeview, the price on Amazon.co.uk is £200.