"Saorview compatible" vs "Saorview certified"

podge3

Apologies if this has been asked and answered before but I can't figure out the exact differences.

My understanding is that "Saorview compatible" means the TV has an MPEG4 tuner but may not have all the Saorview functions.

Sponge Bob

There is no such thing really as saorview compatible. There is a process called saorview certifed.

Saorview compatible is where, on balance, the forum members feel the Digital TV does what it should ...picture sound and text. 'Saorview Compatible' only exists in this forum and we squabble endlessly about it

watty

"Irish Digital Terrestrial" or "Irish Digital TV" compatible must comply with all in Nordig2.2 and MHEG5 required by RTE or Vendor is liable for 6 years if it isn't.

"Saorview compatible" vs "Saorview certified" are same thing. RTE will pursue any vendor or manufacturer offering un-certified equipment as "Saorview compatible". They own trade mark.

They can't stop people claiming "Irish Digital Terrestrial" or "Irish Digital TV" compatible on an uncertified set, but that implies FULL compliance with all Mandatory aspects of Saorview, i.e. HE-AAC and MP2 Audio, UK Profile MHEG5, Ability to have "analogue" (i.e. EBU Teletext) Teletext as well as MHEG5 text. HD L4 H.264 and L3 (SD). SD on SCART including downsampled HD, and HDMI etc.

No MHEG5 but HD & MPEG4 isn't Irish compatible. It's video compatible with Irish Digital TV.

Vendors are liable if they claim "Irish Digital Terrestrial" or "Irish Digital TV" Compatible and some Saorview feature other than OTA upgrades don't work.

My view has been "educated" on this since last year.

The Cush

podge3 wrote: »

Apologies if this has been asked and answered before but I can't figure out the exact differences.

My understanding is that "Saorview compatible" means the TV has an MPEG4 tuner but may not have all the Saorview functions.

I wouldn't use the term "Saorview compatible", Peats did recently on their website for non Saorview certified TVs but removed the term when it was pointed out it could cause confusion with "Saorview certified" and it may not be 100% legal to use the word Saorview for non certified TVs..

The term I've used here on the forum, in reply to many queries, is "MPEG-4 compatible" meaning it'll display the audio and video for the Irish DTT channels but may not do all the bells and whistles of a Saorview certified receiver.

alfagirl

Okay, I know that this has probably been asked before but what is the difference btn Saorview and Freeview?
I have heard that Freeview tvs are not compatible for Saorview.
True?

swoofer

true, freeview is the UK digital terrestial television, saorview is the irish digital terrestial television.

And now to really get your brain kicking, if you buy a uk tv that picks up Freeview HD then it will work with saorview ... but check here before you buy.

happy days

gb-

lawhec

alfagirl wrote: »

Okay, I know that this has probably been asked before but what is the difference btn Saorview and Freeview?
I have heard that Freeview tvs are not compatible for Saorview.
True?

Saorview: Irish DTT service.
Freeview: UK DTT service.

Saorview mandates MPEG4 video and HD & SD resolutions, Backwards compatible with MPEG2 video. Broadcast using DVB-T.

Freeview uses MPEG2 video at SD resolutions only. It cannot make head or tail of MPEG4 video and can't handle HD. Also broadcast using DVB-T.

A TV with an integrated "Freeview" tuner will be unlikely to pick up Saorview services unless MPEG4 video and HD compatibility is listed in the specs. Most do not. It should be OK to listen to Saorview radio services though.

A TV with an integrated "Freeview HD" tuner should be able to display Saorview TV and radio though some quirks may appear due to the difference in specifications between the two. This may include some missing EPG data, no subtitles, slow MHEG etc. but the display of video and audio should be OK, including RTÉ2 HD.

alfagirl

Saorview mandates MPEG4 video and HD & SD resolutions, Backwards compatible with MPEG2 video. Broadcast using DVB-T.

Thanks for that, but I need to check what Backwards compatible with MPEG2 video means. The TV spec is 'MPEG-2 MP@ML'.

swoofer

when you see MPEG2 = it wont work with Saorview. Dont concern yourself with the backwards compatible bit.

gb-

Vince Cable

GBCULLEN wrote: »

when you see MPEG2 = it wont work with Saorview.

Only when unaccompanied by any further references.

Sam Russell

alfagirl wrote: »

Saorview mandates MPEG4 video and HD & SD resolutions, Backwards compatible with MPEG2 video. Broadcast using DVB-T.

Thanks for that, but I need to check what Backwards compatible with MPEG2 video means. The TV spec is 'MPEG-2 MP@ML'.

If you live near the border and can receive UK TV, then a Saorview iDTV or STB will receive all the Irish digital broadcasts and all the UK Freeview broadcasts, but not the FreeviewHD ones. A FreeviewHD set will receive them all, but will have problems that may or may not cause problems. The problems identified so far are 1. Summertime. 2. Channel numbers 3. No VHF (but we do not use it, but we could). There may be more.

Backwards compatible means it will receive the lesser spec as well.

alfagirl

Yep, got all that.
The current digital radio channels already show that 'problem' of the wrong time / summertime.
Thanks to all for the education.

Souriau

Sam Russell wrote: »

If you live near the border and can receive UK TV, then a Saorview iDTV or STB will receive all the Irish digital broadcasts and all the UK Freeview broadcasts, but not the FreeviewHD ones. A FreeviewHD set will receive them all, but will have problems that may or may not cause problems. The problems identified so far are 1. Summertime. 2. Channel numbers 3. No VHF (but we do not use it, but we could). There may be more.

Backwards compatible means it will receive the lesser spec as well.

4. Subtitles

Sam Russell

Souriau wrote: »

4. Subtitles

My list was not exhaustive. I think it encrypts any recordings, which Saorview does not do. It does not support country codes. It has problems with LCNs.

It is a different spec, controled by DTG who do not publish it. It is built in different ways by manufacturers, some do a better job than others.

Unless you are getting UK Freeview, it should be avoided. An un-certified one is probably better. At least it will be checked that it works here.

Souriau

I would be interested in the full list of what is the different between the two systems that make them incompatible on Freeview and Saorview.
like the 4 are already listed above, I am in border area and can received both so it help me to help someone else when they ask.

Sam Russell

Souriau wrote: »

I would be interested in the full list of what is the different between the two systems that make them incompatible on Freeview and Saorview.
like the 4 are already listed above, I am in border area and can received both so it help me to help someone else when they ask.

If only we knew. There is no certainty with Freeview as the spec is secret. New problems are being found as more people try them out on Saorview. The biggest problem is that any complaints to the manufacturer is met with a 'It is a UK only TV!' I know, I have an LG 42LD490, and that is the answer I got.

Souriau

Does Saorview certified receiver, STB or TV, have also got a VHF tuner for DTT?
as when I use TSReader and it show me the alternative frequencies, this is what I pull out of NIT PID 0x0010 on Mux1

Descriptor: Frequency List Descriptor
Terrestrial: 177.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 184.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 191.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 198.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 205.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 212.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 219.500 MHz
Terrestrial: 474.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 482.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 514.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 530.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 546.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 626.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 666.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 674.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 682.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 690.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 706.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 722.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 730.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 738.000 MHz
Terrestrial: 746.000 MHz

The Cush

Souriau wrote: »

Does Saorview certified receiver, STB or TV, have also got a VHF tuner for DTT?

Yes, mandatory requirement - VHF III 174 – 230 MHz