Is there a way to see if you can pick up Freeview?

Dman001

Is there any method to see if you can pick up the UK's Freeview before forking out the money for a box, or is the only guaranteed way to find out is by purchasing a box?

Badgermonkey

Location, location, location?

Probably someone here can confirm whether there's a reasonable chance of Freeview reception.

Vince Cable

Dman001 wrote: »

Is there any method to see if you can pick up the UK's Freeview before forking out the money for a box

Presumably your tv has no digital tuner of any kind then (age, make, model)?

Dman001

Vince Cable wrote: »

Presumably your tv has no digital tuner of any kind then (age, make, model)?

I've a TV that is capable of picking up Saorview alright, but that's it.

tmcw

If your TV can show Saorview, it'll be able to display Freeview signals, dependent on the location/aerial setup that you have.

There is a UK DVB-T site that shows the UK transmitters and *expected* coverage range.

Vince Cable

Dman001 wrote: »

I've a TV that is capable of picking up Saorview alright, but that's it.

It'll get Freeview SD anyway; tell us where you are.

Cantona's Collars

Rule of thumb regarding UK freeview reception-If you could previously pick up the UK analogue signal then you can pick up freeview.
If you couldn't then you're pretty much out of luck.Many along the East Coast can pick it up and are using their old aerials from the days of UK analogue reception to pick up freeview overspill.

Digital Satellite TV

Vince Cable wrote: »

It'll get Freeview SD anyway; tell us where you are.

It's not an exact science and as above is dependent on location, location, location. We have a rough Freeview coverage map for Ireland(Rep. of) on the TV Trade website. It's not 100% accurate as with the nature of this, it all depends on where you are exactly but is a fair 'dummy's guide'.

Always best to consult with a local professional installer or perhaps you might know someone in the area who has managed it.

The map may be overly conservative as we have had customers who could receive freeview in places like just outside Stradbally, Co. Laois and just north of Tullamore in Co. Offaly.

There are really no guarantees with this type of thing, unless you manage to find a local installer who can advise you or a friend in the locality, it really is a bit of a 'suck it and see' situation.

Sam Russell

Digital Satellite TV wrote: »

It's not an exact science and as above is dependent on location, location, location. We have a rough Freeview coverage map for Ireland(Rep. of) on the TV Trade website. It's not 100% accurate as with the nature of this, it all depends on where you are exactly but is a fair 'dummy's guide'.

Arfon is vertical.

Digital Satellite TV

Sam Russell wrote: »

Arfon is vertical.

Good man, well spotted. Have rectified that there now. Cheers.

Dub12Dave

I have been given one of these Mpeg-2 DVB-T mini digital terrestrial receivers, I know that they do not work for Saorview but I have a friend in Dundalk so I would like to know would this work there to pick up the UK Freeview. They live beside the picture house in the apartments if that helps, Thank you for any reply.

markmagennis

Digital Satellite TV wrote: »

We have a rough Freeview coverage map for Ireland(Rep. of) on the TV Trade website.

It shows Truskmore about 30 miles south west of where it actually is. It's about 5 miles north east of Sligo bay.

Mark

Digital Satellite TV

markmagennis wrote: »

It shows Truskmore about 30 miles south west of where it actually is. It's about 5 miles north east of Sligo bay.

Mark

transmitter symbols are only displayed within their colour group on the mapm not where they actually are.

The Cush

markmagennis wrote: »

It shows Truskmore about 30 miles south west of where it actually is. It's about 5 miles north east of Sligo bay.

Mark

Accurate map here - http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/

Sam Russell

Digital Satellite TV, you might include Llandonna and Blaen Plwyf as well, as both are main transmitters that could be received on the east coast.

.

lucernarian

I've only ever heard reports here of people picking Llanddona in particular weather conditions. Unless there is someone in Ireland reliably receiving it (and more reliably than Preseli or Blaenplywf) then there's no point in mentioning it for overspill coverage.

The OP seems to have gone missing... Well, a Saorview capable TV can show Freeview and the TV channels of most other european DTT systems.

Even a freeview-only TV or set top box is able to (currently) show all the extra radio stations RTE are mucking around with.

Happyman42

OP if it is available then there will be others in the area with boxes, why not try and borrow one and test. That's what I did.

Digital Satellite TV

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I've only ever heard reports here of people picking Llanddona in particular weather conditions. Unless there is someone in Ireland reliably receiving it (and more reliably than Preseli or Blaenplywf) then there's no point in mentioning it for overspill coverage.

The OP seems to have gone missing... Well, a Saorview capable TV can show Freeview and the TV channels of most other european DTT systems.

Even a freeview-only TV or set top box is able to (currently) show all the extra radio stations RTE are mucking around with.

That's what we gleaned from our research too. That's why we left it out. We had it in the map originally. We decided though to just include the most effective ones. As I said earlier, it's a 'dummys guide'. It's for normal everyday Joe Soaps, not techies but give a fair overview of the freeview situation in Ireland.

I'll tell you one thing though. From our research on the subject, I 'pity the fool' who attemps to do the 'comprehensive guide' and make it understandabe to non-techies

You also won't need two boxes in spill over areas anymore.
Any mpeg4 tv will pick up SD uk freeview as well as saorview except for saorviews red button services,but the channels will be fine with a few exceptions [the panny tv problems etc]..
The tv's recommended by saorview will pick up uk freeview and freeviewhd in spill over areas in the East and later on from the north when switchover is done there where theres signal and the correct aerials.

Digital Satellite TV

Deleted User wrote: »

You also won't need two boxes in spill over areas anymore.
Any mpeg4 tv will pick up SD uk freeview as well as saorview except for saorviews red button services,but the channels will be fine with a few exceptions [the panny tv problems etc]..
The tv's recommended by saorview will pick up uk freeview and freeviewhd in spill over areas in the East and later on from the north when switchover is done there where theres signal and the correct aerials.

granted but

that's why we have the two box / 1 box + 1 tv mentioned at at bottom of page in the mini faq to get ALL the channels to cover that eventually.

If the missing channels aren't of interest to the viewer, sure, fire away.

Dman001

Many thanks for the replies guys. I totally forgot Saorview compatible gear could pick up Freeview. Anywho I had no luck, I did an automatic and manual tune but nothing.

Vince Cable

That doesn't prove anything unless you have a functioning aerial pointed at a UK transmitter.

Do you get analogue UK channels?

wicklowgaz

How about a freesat option?

Dman001

Vince Cable wrote: »

That doesn't prove anything unless you have a functioning aerial pointed at a UK transmitter.

Do you get analogue UK channels?

Oh okay never thought of that. TBH if I have to go messing with the Aerial I may aswell go down the Freesat route as I have a dish up already.

toby2111

Vince Cable wrote: »

That doesn't prove anything unless you have a functioning aerial pointed at a UK transmitter.

Do you get analogue UK channels?

I get analogue UK channels but reception is pretty average.Does this mean I'll get Freeview if I buy a new Freeview ready TV?Or will I have to adjust the aerial on the roof?I'm in Dundalk

Vince Cable

toby2111 wrote: »

I get analogue UK channels but reception is pretty average.Does this mean I'll get Freeview if I buy a new Freeview ready TV?Or will I have to adjust the aerial on the roof?I'm in Dundalk

In Dundalk I would imagine that you'll have to wait until the digital switchover next year.
By that time you'll need a new tv for UK & Irish channels anyway, if your present one is indeed analogue only.

lucernarian

I suspect it's an inadequate aerial install. Freeview is available in Dundalk at least on some multiplexes but I've noticed around the town that there are a lot of aerials used for NI reception that would be quite old or they wouldn't really be up to the job. Just good enough for analogue but not for Freeview.

You might want a good proper Group A aerial and a new cable and possibly a new metal-screened amplifier, installed beside the aerial to get reliable Freeview reception next year. Or even just keep the existing aerial but replace the cable as the cable only lasts so long and newer cable is generally better and has better screening to protect against interference and signal loss etc.

Stuff like this ebay link for TX100 cable

There's other good cable similar to TX100, like WF100 and PF100 and CT100. And some electrical wholesalers sell it. There's also stuff sold as RG6 here which is okay (not as good especially with longer lengths) but the likes of Freeview needs all the help it can get!

Of course, you can get a pro in to get a new aerial and cable installed and that may get you some Freeview channels even before November 2012.

toby2111

Yeh,my tv is analogue only but I use that magic eye thing to watch sky on it.The tv is kinda old so I'm looking to get a new one but wanna make sure it's the right one cos I don't really understand much about saorview or freeview.

lucernarian

A Saorview capable TV will show both Freeview and Saorview so that's all you have to look out for really!

As far as getting Freeview itself, your aerial install needs some work but it's definitely possible to pick it up in Dundalk.