Saorview Official Launch - Thursday 26th May 2011

The Cush

According to the Saorview trade email and the IFTN article, today is the day the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte officially launches SAORVIEW. New thread opened in preparation for the announcement

SAORVIEW is launching 28th May – Make Sure you’re ready!

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte will officially launch SAORVIEW on Thursday 26th May.

SAORVIEW will launch the full service platform on Saturday 28th May and will be marketed to Irish TV viewers through Phase 2 of the SAORVIEW consumer information campaign. The official launch will mark the beginning of the second phase of SAORVIEW’s public information campaign which includes a series of new adverts on TV, Radio and online. This will be complemented by a national and regional PR push.

Advertising activity will commence on May 20th and run for an intensive 3 week burst. The campaign consists of a heavy weight multi media, multi format TV, Radio, PR and online campaign to increase consumer awareness of SAORVIEW and to call consumers into action.

Available Channels on SAORVIEW

TV Channels: RTÉ One , RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr, RTÉ One + 1, RTÉ Aertel Digital

Radio Stations: RTÉ Radio 1 ,RTÉ 2fm ,RTÉ lyric fm ,RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta , RTÉ Choice , RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ 2XM , RTÉ Gold , RTÉjr, Radio 1 Extra


During 2010 the channels available on SAORVIEW broadcast all of the 100 most watched TV programmes in Ireland. All of these programmes and much more will be available for free in sparkling digital quality on SAORVIEW.

TWO high definition live sporting events on RTE Two will be broadcast in HD on SAORVIEW:

To mark the launch, on Saturday and Sunday (28th- 29th May), RTÉ Two HD will broadcast the Magners League Final between Munster and Leinster in Thomond Park on the Saturday and the Munster Hurling Championship Quarter Final between Cork and Tipperary on Sunday.

Mary Curtis Talks About Ireland's Digital Television Switchover (Interview Q&A)
23 May 2011

With Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte officially launching Ireland’s SAORVIEW on Thursday, May 26th, IFTN spoke with Mary Curtis, RTÉ’s Director of Digital Switchover to find out about Ireland’s current status with regards to the upcoming 2012 Analogue Terrestrial Television switch off. Appointed to the new senior executive position in July 2010, Mary Curtis’ role gives her full responsibility for an effective transition to digital television using the new Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) system by 2012.

...

Mayo Exile

The Cush wrote: »

New thread opened in preparation for the announcement

homer911

Lots of crazy comments on breakingnews.ie
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/free-to-air-digital-television-service-to-be-launched-today-506470.html

The Cush

From the frontpage of RTÉ.ie




Had a look back to see when this started - Tuesday 5th August 2008 at about 16:00, MPEG-4 engineering test transmissions from Three Rock.

2 years, 9 months, 21 days later we finally have an operational DTT service. Counting down now to ASO

The Cush

Dept of Communications press release - http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Minister+Rabbitte+Launches+National+Free+to+Air+Digital+Terrestrial+Television.htm

(EDIT 16:10 - Video of launch presentation http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/saorview.html#video)

Minister Rabbitte Launches National Free to Air Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)

Dublin, 26th May 2011

The national launch of Saorview, RTÉs free to air DTT service, took place today and was attended by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

At the national launch the Minister said, “With the national launch of Saorview today, Ireland at last enters the era of national free to air digital broadcasting. This will bring new opportunities to our Irish broadcasters ensuring that they continue to compete with their European counterparts and will also benefit TV viewers by offering a wider array of TV channels, programme guides, information channels and some high definition content”.


At a cost of €70m RTÉ and RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL) have been building and rolling out the new digital terrestrial television network. This digital network will replace the current analogue network which is nearing obsolescence.


The launch of Saorview forms an integral part of Ireland’s national digital switchover strategy which provides for the ultimate closure of the analogue TV network at the end of 2012. In achieving this strategy there remains much work to be done. Minister Rabbitte added, “The recent research commissioned by my Department shows that at least a quarter of a million Irish households are reliant on the analogue service and with the national launch these households have 18 months to move to digital TV before the analogue TV network is switched off.


Whilst I, and my officials will work to ensure that information and assistance is available to all Irish households, I would like to take this opportunity to call on industry stakeholders to work together during this period to provide for easy to use and accessible digital TV equipment and services so that the transition to digital is straightforward and affordable”.



Ends

The tull text of the Minister's speech at the launch of Saorview can be viewed here.

On launch day Saorview is available to c. 97% of the population from 51 DTT enabled sites around the country. The RTÉ website http://www.saorview.ie/ has a coverage map where people can check if they are covered by Saorview.

Further information on the Saorview service is available on http://www.saorview.ie/

Text of Ministers Speech - http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Corporate+Units/Virtual+Press+Room/Speeches/Saorview+Launch.htm

Saorview Launch

Minister Rabbitte Launches National Free to Air Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
RTE Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Minister Rabbitte Launches Saorview - the National Free to Air Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)

Saorview Launch

Thursday 26th May 2011

Long before the internet, Irish Television has been Irelands’ window to all the major national and international sports, news, current affairs and entertainment events since the 1960’s. The historic State visits over the past few weeks exemplify the important role played by television in the social and cultural life of Ireland over the last 50 years.

It seems fitting therefore, that in this, the fiftieth year since the launch of Telefís Éireann (on 31st December 1961) we should see the launch to the Irish public of the next generation - Irelands free to air digital television service - Saorview.

With the national launch of Saorview today, Ireland at last enters the era of national free to air digital broadcasting. This will bring new opportunities to our Irish broadcasters ensuring that they continue to compete with their European counterparts and will also benefit TV viewers in Ireland by offering a wider array of TV channels, programme guides, information channels and some high definition content.

I would like to congratulate RTÉ and in particular Mary Curtis and the Saorview team for their hard work which has made this launch possible. I would also like to congratulate Mick Kehoe and his team at RTÉ Networks Limited who have done a very good job of building the network in such a short space of time and in all weather conditions.

I am glad to see Pól O’Gallchóir (TG4) and David McRedmond (TV3) here today also. It is important that we have a variety of broadcasters and services available on Saorview and I look forward to seeing all the broadcasters working together to ensure that the platform delivers for Irish TV consumers.

The move to digital TV is also expected to have positive implications for the availability of Irish broadcasting services in Northern Ireland. The MOU signed in February 2010 between the Irish and UK Governments provides for RTE and TG4 to be carried on the digital TV network throughout Northern Ireland. This provides for Irish channels to be broadcast throughout the island of Ireland for the first time in the history of the State.

The launch of Saorview forms an integral part of Ireland’s national digital switchover strategy which provides for the ultimate closure of the RTÉNL analogue TV network at the end of 2012 and paves the way for (the spectrum used by this network to be used for) the delivery of new jobs, new mobile and broadband services, and new national economic growth.

In achieving this strategy there is much to do and much to be achieved.

So while we celebrate with RTÉ the launch of their Saorview service, I and the Government are keenly aware of the challenges this initiative brings for our fellows citizens.

At least a quarter or a million Irish households in Ireland are reliant on the analogue network. Each of these households will need to upgrade to digital TV by the end of 2012 or they will lose access to television. This gives households between 16-18 months to move to digital. This changeover period is significantly shorter than in any other European country and whilst this assists broadcasters it may present a challenge for households. To overcome these challenges we must all work together in fulfilling our obligations, we must assist people with information and practical assistance to ensure that no one is left behind as Ireland goes digital.

In order for this to happen I have promised to deliver a substantial information campaign providing households with information on the digital switchover and on their options for going digital. This information campaign will start in October.

We must remember that the most important person today is the Irish TV consumer and members of the viewing public.

The move to digital requires that people be able to purchase affordable and easy to use Saorview equipment.

I look forward to RTÉ and RTÉNL working intensively with manufacturers and retailers to ensure that there is a plentiful supply of simple to use, accessible and affordable set top boxes available on the market as well as a wide range of digital televisions and digital video recorders. This key element will undoubtedly assist people in going digital.

I have recently met with groups representing the disadvantaged, including those with sight, hearing and other physical disabilities. The introduction of digital technologies offers great opportunities to achieve greater inclusion in this area and now is the time to ensure that these opportunities are taken. I know that officials from my Department are actively engaged on these issues and I would urge all relevant broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers to ensure that the issue of accessibility of services is central to their work at this time.

I and my Department are also working towards addressing the particular needs of vulnerable households as they prepare to go digital. In this context, the expertise and local knowledge of the many voluntary and charity organisations around the country will be of critical importance to ensuring the success of the switch-over process. I have asked my Department to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, these organisations play a major part in our information campaign.

As I have just outlined their is work to be done over the coming months. But the project is well worth it.

· SAORVIEW secures the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age.

· SAORVIEW actively seeks to bridge the digital divide to make the best television services accessible to all free-to-air; regardless of age, location or social class.

· From a national economic perspective, the switch to digital transmission will free up radio spectrum for use by other important communications services such as broadband, mobile TV and others.

With these remarks it is now my pleasure to declare the migration to free to air Digital Television Broadcasting in Ireland officially launched.

from RTÉ.ie - http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/saorview.html

Free-to-air digital service Saorview launched
Updated: 12:18, Thursday, 26 May 2011

Saorview, Ireland's new free-to-air digital television service, has been launched today by Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte.

'Saorview will secure the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age' Minister Rabbitte said.

The service carries eight channels and is now available to 97% of households in Ireland.

RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One + 1 are all available on Saorview, which also carries a new digital RTÉ Aertel service and RTÉ's radio services.

Saorview replaces the old analogue television service, which will be shut off across Europe at the end of next year.

If households who currently receive their television signal via an aerial do not switch to digital they will lose Irish television services when the analogue signal is switched off.

Saorview is a digital terrestrial television service and the signal is broadcast from transmission masts across Ireland.

'We are delighted to be able to offer such a high quality service free to Irish viewers' RTÉ's Director of Digital Switchover Mary Curtis said.

Ms Curtis added that after households buy a new set top box or an integrated digital television there is no subscription or ongoing costs for people using Saorview.

RTÉ is investing €70m in the infrastructure needed to allow Ireland make the transition from analogue to digital television.

For more information about Saorview go to www.saorview.ie, Aertel page 650 or lo call 1890 222 012.

Business news report - http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/saorview-business.html

Saorview free-to-air digital television launch
Updated: 12:28, Thursday, 26 May 2011

Saorview, Ireland's new free-to-air digital television service, has been launched today by Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte.

'Saorview will secure the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age,' Minister Rabbitte said.

The service carries eight channels and is now available to 97% of households nationwide. RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One + 1 are all available on Saorview, which also carries a new digital RTÉ Aertel service and RTÉ's radio services.

Saorview replaces the old analogue television service, which will be shut off across Europe at the end of next year.

If households who now get their television signal via an aerial do not switch to digital, they will lose Irish television services when the analogue signal is switched off.

Saorview is a digital terrestrial television service and the signal is broadcast from transmission masts across Ireland.

'We are delighted to be able to offer such a high quality service free to Irish viewers,' RTÉ's Director of Digital Switchover Mary Curtis said.

She added that after households buy a new set top box or an integrated digital television there is no subscription or ongoing costs for people using Saorview.

RTÉ is investing €70m in the infrastructure needed to allow Ireland make the transition from analogue to digital television.

For more information about Saorview go to www.saorview.ie Aertel page 650 or lo call 1890 222 012.

RTÉ TEN report - http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0526/saorview.html

New TV era as Saorview is launched
Thursday 26 May 2011

Saorview, Ireland's new free-to-air digital television service, has been launched by the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte.

The service carries eight channels and is now available to 97% of households in Ireland.

RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One + 1 are all available on Saorview, which also carries a new digital RTÉ Aertel service and RTÉ's radio services.

"Saorview will secure the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age," Minister Rabbitte said.

Saorview replaces the old analogue television service, which will be shut off across Europe at the end of next year.

If households who currently receive their television signal via an aerial do not switch to digital they will lose Irish television services when the analogue signal is switched off.

Saorview is a digital terrestrial television service and the signal is broadcast from transmission masts across Ireland.

"We are delighted to be able to offer such a high quality service free to Irish viewers," said RTÉ's Director of Digital Switchover, Mary Curtis.

She added that after households buy a new set top box or an integrated digital television there is no subscription or ongoing costs for people using Saorview.

RTÉ is investing €70m in the infrastructure needed to allow Ireland make the transition from analogue to digital television.

For more information about Saorview, visit: www.saorview.ie, Aertel page 650 or lo call: 1890 222 012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6CsijSwJ4c

Wait...
They spent 70 million on this?

So does that mean the €79 million they wanted the €20 million bond for was extra and building a full structure including a commercial platform was going to cost €149 million...

Somebody is telling porky pies somewhere as this suggests 70 of the 79 millions would have had to be spent anyway and that RTENL only needed to spend an extra €9 million euro,for which they wanted a €20 million bond to get a multi channel commercial platform running.

I smell rats,lots of them.

glimmerman123

I would like to wish Saorview all the best for the future. It took awhile for RTE to get it off the ground but now that it has officially launched it's onwards and upwards from here.

The Cush

Deleted User wrote: »

Wait...
They spent 70 million on this?

So does that mean the €79 million they wanted the €20 million bond for was extra and building a full structure including a commercial platform was going to cost €149 million...

Somebody is telling porky pies somewhere as this suggests 70 of the 79 millions would have had to be spent anyway and that RTENL only needed to spend an extra €9 million euro,for which they wanted a €20 million bond to get a multi channel commercial platform running.

I smell rats,lots of them.

The cost for rolling out the 1 PSB / 3 COM Mux service was in the region of €105-110 million. (will post the source if I can find it)

As I understand it, the €20 million bond was only an insurance policy, they didn't get €20 million cash - the real cost to the commercial operator would be a lot less. If the commercial operation failed and left RTÉ with the debt for rolling out the commercial muxes the insurance policy would be cashed in.

Edit

Mr. Conor Hayes:That was the thought process and, as an organisation, RTE decided to try to use its existing sites and to offer this infrastructure to people. Originally, when we first considered this matter in 2005, we submitted a proposal to the Department to the effect that RTE would construct the whole thing and thereafter would contract or sell off that unit later. At the time, we estimated that it would cost approximately €150 million to do that. This was not accepted and legislation was produced in 2007 that placed an obligation on RTE to roll out a public service MUX and which placed an obligation on the BAI to hold a competition to generate a further three commercial multiplexes. We always have likened that to asking us to build one lane of the M50, while asking the BAI to find someone else to build the other three lanes. There is a significant co-ordination that poses a challenge to everyone when one tries to approach it in that manner. This was the context for the competition that took place. Prior to that competition, we carried out a detailed costing and came up with a projected cost to build this infrastructure of €120 million. As RTE does not have that kind of cash lying around, obviously the issue would always arise whereby we would be obliged to borrow moneys. As we designed the project and got into greater detail about it in respect of procurement and many other matters, we have been squeezing down the cost and have got to a cost of approximately €111 million.

...

Deputy Michael D’Arcy: How much will the DTT option cost? RTE has chosen to use two multiplexes.

Mr. Conor Hayes: We revised all our proposals and arrived at a total cost of €70 million. When we negotiated with the commercial operators, the cost would have been €111 million, of which we would have needed to borrow €75 million.

Deputy Michael D’Arcy: That was for the provision of six multiplexes, but €70 million will provide two.

Mr. Conor Hayes: Instead of spending €111 million, we will spend €70 million, a reduction of €41 million. It also means——

Deputy Liz McManus: That includes the €40 million.

Mr. Conor Hayes: Yes. We have spent €40 million already and will spend a further €30 million. We committed €40 million up to the end of June, paid €32 million, €3 million has been invoiced and a further €3 million is in invoices not yet received. In cash terms, we have another €37 million to pay. We are negotiating a loan of €30 million to €35 million with our lenders. Previously, our difficulty with the commercial operators was that they never seemed to grasp the concept that we needed to borrow the €40 million or €45 million we were spending, seeing as how we do not print money. If we must borrow money for them, they must pay commercial terms for it. This is not rocket science.

Deputy Michael D’Arcy: Is it correct that the €111 million was for six MUX platforms and the €70 million is for six platforms?

Mr. Conor Hayes: Yes, as one must erect a common infrastructure irrespective of what occurs.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/MAJ/2010/07/14/00003.asp

Minstrel27

homer911 wrote: »

Lots of crazy comments on breakingnews.ie
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/free-to-air-digital-television-service-to-be-launched-today-506470.html

A classic from Steve

Thank God I don't watch the bogger channels. This technology is yesterday's news and so old skool.

The Cush

No mention of the Saorview launch of the One o'clock news.

I still smell a rat to be honest.
That entire oireachtas committee meeting was people who didn't know what they were talking about[though Liz knew a bit from here] asking questions of people who resented being there and who do not publish the minutes of their spending of public moneys or their spending of moneys borrowed on the publics behalf.
No breakdowns,just rough figures with little explanations in a rushed meeting and no scrutiny since.

No checks and balances.

They no more wanted to be involved in renting muxes to a commercial platform than the man in the moon as and this is the clever part,they all knew darn well in my opinion that it could only fail as it was too late,it might have succeeded 10 or 15 years ago.

The current set up that is saorview will be a success of course but if there were proper checks and balances in RTE,they wouldn't have to borrow the 70 millions in the first place to get it up and running,they'd have the money on deposit in readiness from past profits.
It's not as if they didn't know that this project was ahead of them for years.
Bloated organisations that don't ultimately have to deal with the real world get away with that sort of waste and inefficiency..

So I'm drizzling a bit on the parade.

Gerry Wicklow

The Cush wrote: »

No mention of the Saorview launch of the One o'clock news.

No one in RTÉNL told them about it probably:)

liamtech

SAORVIEW is now available to 97% of Irish households and carries eight Irish channels: RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One + 1. SAORVIEW will also carry a new enhanced digital RTÉ Aertel information service and all of RTÉ’s radio services.

from www.saorview.ie > http://www.saorview.ie/news/free-to-air-digital-television-now-available-via-saorview/

Eh.,.. no there isnt! not yet! Seriously i know that the two additional channels will be here in 2 days (supposedly), so why do saorview.ie always get it wrong?

The Cush

Saorview press release now up - http://www.saorview.ie/news/free-to-air-digital-television-now-available-via-saorview/

Free to air digital television now available via SAORVIEW

“SAORVIEW will secure the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age”

- Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pat Rabbitte T.D.


Thursday May 26th: Ireland’s new free-to-air digital television service SAORVIEW was launched today by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources.


SAORVIEW is now available to 97% of Irish households and carries eight Irish channels: RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr and RTÉ One + 1. SAORVIEW will also carry a new enhanced digital RTÉ Aertel information service and all of RTÉ’s radio services.


“SAORVIEW will secure the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age”, said Minister Rabbitte.

“We are delighted to be able to offer such a high quality service free to Irish viewers”, said Mary Curtis, Director of Digital Switchover, RTÉ. “After the initial purchase of a set top box or a new integrated digital television (iDTV) there is no subscription and no ongoing cost.”


The new service will replace the old analogue television service – the signal received through an aerial – which will be switched off throughout Europe by the end of 2012. Of the 1.6 million TV households in Ireland almost 600,000 (37%) receive some television services through an aerial (either for their primary television or other televisions). Just over 335,000 (21%) Irish TV households currently depend entirely on the analogue service. These homes will lose their Irish television services at the end of 2012 unless they switch to another form of TV reception.


“My aim is to ensure that there is a free television service available to all Irish viewers after analogue switch off in 2012. When combined with other pay or free platforms SAORVIEW will offer a wide choice of TV channels to viewers, and the choice of channels available on SAORVIEW will grow further in 2012. A precise date in 2012 for analogue switch off will be announced later this summer”, said Minister Rabbitte.


SAORVIEW offers a number of new enhanced services. It introduces free High Definition (HD) television broadcasting to Irish television for the first time. This weekend RTÉ Two HD will broadcast the Magners League Final between Munster and Leinster and the Munster Hurling Championship quarter final between Cork and Tipperary in HD.


“Even with normal standard definition (SD) pictures and sound, viewers will notice a marked improvement with SAORVIEW”, said Mary Curtis. “HD television will transform viewers’ experience of sporting events, a point which will be clear to those watching RTÉ Two in HD this weekend. HD provides exceptionally clear, sharp pictures with vivid colours and up to five times more detail than SD.”


As well as attracting those who must find a new means of receiving television signals by the end of 2012, SAORVIEW is expected to appeal to other television viewers seeking non-subscription digital television for either second rooms and/or second homes.


During 2010, the channels planned for SAORVIEW broadcast all of the 100 most watched TV programmes in Ireland. Combined, the existing TV channels planned for SAORVIEW captured an average daily share (Individuals 4+ All Day) of close to 50% (48.73) during 2010.


Retailers and television installers are offering consumers a range of options by which they can receive SAORVIEW. SAORVIEW can be combined with other free or Pay TV services (be they terrestrial, cable or satellite) to receive a broader range of channels and services.


RTE is investing €70 million in the infrastructure needed to allow Ireland make the transition from analogue to digital television. Ireland moving to digital will free up spectrum for use by other important communications services such as broadband, mobile TV or other communications services. The Government has estimated that the Irish economy will benefit by up to €500 million over the next decade as a result of the switch to digital television.

Consumers can obtain more information at www.saorview.ie, or Lo Call 1890 222 012 or Aertel page 650.

JP Liz V1

Does it mean that without the new "Saorview" box you get no channels now?

watty

Yes, the €20M bond would have cost any reputable company peanuts.

The Bond is a red herring.

The costs for carriage are a red herring.

The fact is that people apply for licences on the of chance something will change or to Beautify themselves with no real intention of ever doing a roll out.

watty

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Does it mean that without the new "Saorview" box you get no channels now?

You need something that is in some way compatible.
TV with MPEG4 and HD and Aerial will do something.

The Setbox is for people with existing TV that doesn't work.

yop

I see the site is down now

The Cush

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Does it mean that without the new "Saorview" box you get no channels now?

The existing 4 analogue channels continue to be available with an aerial (as before) and will continue side-by-side with the Saorview channels for the next 18 months or so (simulcast period). ASO (analogue switchoff) is planned for Oct 2012.

You'll have about 18 months to switchover to Saorview digital terrestrial television (DTT). ASO information campaign will begin in Oct.

mcwhirter

At last ireland you enter the 21st century, and good luck with the 9 east satellite malarky

The Cush

Video of launch now available - Mary Curtis opens the presentation

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0526/saorview.html#video

PressTheButton

Well done RTE, now let's have lots of programming in HD, please.
PS Might be no harm to send (yet) an(other) email to Panasonic to let them know you've arrived.

PressTheButton

Just watched launch (see The Cush's link above). 'Glamorous', 'intelligent', words used in reference to Irish/American Presidents' First Ladies. Equally applicable to presenter Mary Curtis - Saorview's own First Lady. Can understand now why Deleted User is smitten! ;-)

JP Liz V1

The Cush wrote: »

The existing 4 analogue channels continue to be available with an aerial (as before) and will continue side-by-side with the Saorview channels for the next 18 months or so (simulcast period). ASO (analogue switchoff) is planned for Oct 2012.

You'll have about 18 months to switchover to Saorview digital terrestrial television (DTT).

How much is the box?

The Cush

glimmerman123 wrote: »

I would like to wish Saorview all the best for the future. It took awhile for RTE to get it off the ground but now that it has officially launched it's onwards and upwards from here.

And to thank all those involved, who were mentioned at the launch

Mary Curtis (Director of DSO) and her "small but perfectly formed" Saorview Team
Rory Coveney
Lucy Campbell
Sinéad Casey
Sheena King
Daragh Hennessy
Ray Maguire

Mick Keogh and his RTÉNL Team

The Cush

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

How much is the box?

See this Power City link for the list of Saorview certified receivers available at the moment - http://www.powercity.ie/?action=&par=10-23&keyword=saorview&action=story&image=1-webbannermiddle1 (Price range €90-€110)

DoesNotCompute

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

How much is the box?

I got a HD box recently in DID Electrical for just over €100

marathont

I wonder is there any plans for a box with built in RTE player? That would do me instead of a PVR.

Sam Russell

DoesNotCompute wrote: »

I got a HD box recently in DID Electrical for just over €100

All Saorview boxes are HD. HD is required by all boxes, whether Saorview or not, in order to receive the signal as RTE2 is broadcast in HD.

PressTheButton

The Cush wrote: »

See this Power City link for the list of Saorview certified receivers available at the moment - http://www.powercity.ie/?action=&par=10-23&keyword=saorview&action=story&image=1-webbannermiddle1 (Price range €90-€110)

Aldi too has just launched a Saorview certified STB, the Akura AVT8010 @ €79.99 with 3 yr warranty.
The Triax TR 112 is listed on Powercity as per above link @ €109.95. DON'T pay more than €100.00 for it - ask salesman in bricks & mortar branch nicely.

Crystalset

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

How much is the box?

Try Google.

liamtech

Powercity have reduced the Walker WP12DTB-R to 80 euro! - http://www.powercity.ie/?action=&par=10-23&cat=Saorview+Box+-+Satellite&action=brandstory:)

JP Liz V1

So more expense on top of the yearly television licence

bernardo mac

Are these channels available free via[ sky] dish?

Vince Cable

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

So more expense on top of the yearly television licence

Presumably your existing tv isn't compatible, then?

Wait a while & box prices should come down. I wouldn't pay 80 quid for what's currently available.

DoesNotCompute

Sam Russell wrote: »

All Saorview boxes are HD. HD is required by all boxes, whether Saorview or not, in order to receive the signal as RTE2 is broadcast in HD.

Didn't know that. I had assumed that there was an SD version, much like here in the UK, where you can get SD only Freeview boxes cheaper than HD boxes.

mike65

bernardo mac wrote: »

Are these channels available free via[ sky] dish?

No! Digital Terrestrial Transmission is not satellite (clue in the name)

previous user

Minister Rabbitte Launches National Free to Air Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)

Dublin, 26th May 2011

The national launch of Saorview, RTÉs free to air DTT service, took place today and was attended by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

At the national launch the Minister said, “With the national launch of Saorview today, Ireland at last enters the era of national free to air digital broadcasting.

Yeh, but it's not really free though is it? I mean I have a HD tv and an aerial and I'm gonna have to shell out an extra 100 euro for a box to allow the signal on my tv. uh, uh I'm not paying, irish tv is crap anyhow.

watty

Compared with introduction of 625 line in 1964 or Colour in 1969 or indeed TV in 1936, 1946, 1961...
The cost of an set-box adaptor is low and once off. A 1/4 of what many pay for pay TV every year. Even a brand new 42" HDTV that works directly is less than what many pay for pay TV EVERY year.

Minstrel27

previous user wrote: »

Yeh, but it's not really free though is it? I mean I have a HD tv and an aerial and I'm gonna have to shell out an extra 100 euro for a box to allow the signal on my tv. uh, uh I'm not paying, irish tv is crap anyhow.

Oh dear.

jamescc

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

No one in RTÉNL told them about it probably:)

probably through it was not worth reporting. old news

Alter-Ego

Is there any plans to add more channels?

mcwhirter

watty wrote: »

Compared with introduction of 625 line in 1964 or Colour in 1969 or indeed TV in 1936, 1946, 1961...
The cost of an set-box adaptor is low and once off. A 1/4 of what many pay for pay TV every year. Even a brand new 42" HDTV that works directly is less than what many pay for pay TV EVERY year.

Should have been included in All tv's on sale in Ireland though.

It wouldn't surprise me if some tv's still for sale here do not work.

jamescc

they still haven't added the one's that were suppose to be added today

Mayo Exile

Saorview launch video on Youtube aswell:

Couple of interesting points in Pat Rabbitt's speech. He acknowledges the presence of a representative from TV3 at the launch, plus the memorandum of understanding about the future availability of RTE & TG4 on the Freeview network in NI.

Machinehead

previous user wrote: »

Yeh, but it's not really free though is it? I mean I have a HD tv and an aerial and I'm gonna have to shell out an extra 100 euro for a box to allow the signal on my tv. uh, uh I'm not paying, irish tv is crap anyhow.

If you want to watch hi-def video you would buy a Blu-ray player or if you wanted Sky HD, you'd have to fork out an annual subscription for your "free" digibox. Saorview is vastly superior service compared crappy to the VHF signal I had before DTT.
RTÉ Two HD looks promising for your HD TV & in the long run a sub €100 investment seems little for what you're going to get:)

glimmerman123

Saorview launch going to be on six one news shortly.

bernardo mac

mike65 wrote: »

No! Digital Terrestrial Transmission is not satellite (clue in the name)

Touche.Agus go raibh maith agat.Only focussed on the hybrid term: Saorview:o

The Cush

mike65 wrote: »

No! Digital Terrestrial Transmission is not satellite (clue in the name)

DTT = Digital Terrestrial Television

jamescc

what are they saying can't hear a word the sound is very bad

mike65

/shakes fist at The Cush!