RTE on Saorview north of border

kah22

Hi guys, I'm from Armagh City and am a bit confused about RTE's HD service.

I read in the Irish Times Thursday, May 26 'RTÉ will broadcast the first high-definition programmes by an Irish broadcaster this weekend as part of the official launch of the Saorview digital television service.'

It's the Saorview bit that confuses me. As my TV is already capable of receiving HD I'm confused as to whether Saorview is only available via a set top box or is it available to all HD ready TVs? Is it in effect the Republics equivalent to Freeview ie free to air?

I'm also unclear as to whether this is a full service or just testing.

I have a HD ready TV and believe my RTE signal comes from Clermont Carn, I can get RTE 1, 2, TG4 and TV3 perfect digitally.

Would really appreciate some clarity.

Kevin

Peter Rhea

Post the make & model of your tv, it needs the correct decoder type for the Saorview broadcasts, they're not the same as UK Freeview.

kah22

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Post the make & model of your tv, it needs the correct decoder type for the Saorview broadcasts, they're not the same as UK Freeview.

Sony KDL-32EX403

Peter Rhea

That's a Freeview HD set, so should handle the Saorview broadcasts, if you can receive them. Coverage from Clermont is patchy in NI atm, should improve when analogue is switched off.

I have a HD ready TV and believe my RTE signal comes from Clermont Carn, I can get RTE 1, 2, TG4 and TV3 perfect digitally.

What about 3e, RTE jnr., RTE News Now & RTE1+1?

Would the Monaghan relay not be a better bet for Armagh?

If you can receive 3e and RTÉ News Now then you already have Saorview... just a bit confused since you said you can get the other channels digitally.

kah22

Ops, sorry I meant to say Monaghan

Yep can get RTE New haven't check the other channels yet, haven't watched the other one yet but see them on my list of stations.

Funny though haven't been able to receive ANY of the southern stations tonight. Goes like that occasionally.

Peter Rhea

What UHF channel are you receiving Saorview on? Monaghan is channel 55, Clermont is 53.
A look at your aerial should tell you where it's pointing & Monaghan analogue requires 2 aerials for only RTE & TG4.

The Cush

kah22 wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm from Armagh City and am a bit confused about RTE's HD service.

I read in the Irish Times Thursday, May 26 'RTÉ will broadcast the first high-definition programmes by an Irish broadcaster this weekend as part of the official launch of the Saorview digital television service.'

It's the Saorview bit that confuses me. As my TV is already capable of receiving HD I'm confused as to whether Saorview is only available via a set top box or is it available to all HD ready TVs? Is it in effect the Republics equivalent to Freeview ie free to air?

I'm also unclear as to whether this is a full service or just testing.

I have a HD ready TV and believe my RTE signal comes from Clermont Carn, I can get RTE 1, 2, TG4 and TV3 perfect digitally.

Would really appreciate some clarity.

Kevin

Saorview in now a fully operational DTT service since last weekend and is the Irish equivalent of freeview.

RTÉ2 transmits in 1080i HD format with mostly upscaled SD material but last weekend we had the first two true HD events - the Magners League Final and the Tipp/Cork hurling match. The other channels are 576i SD.

Overspill of Saorview into NI is restricted until DSO happens in late 2012.

Regarding the technicalities of Saorview, the DTT standard for both SD and HD is DVB-T/MPEG-4. Your Sony is DVB-T2/MPEG4, which is backwards compatible with Saorview SD/HD as well as ready for freeview-HD transmissions late next year.

kah22

Hi guys thanks for the continual assistance

My aerial appears to be pointing in the Monaghan direction. When I checked the channels all my RTE stuff, TV and Radio was coming through on Channel 47

Hope this is of some assistance

Kevin

47 is Cairn Hill.

lucernarian

Good to hear you're picking up Saorview but if you manually tune in Ch. 55 you may pick up a stronger and more reliable signal from Monaghan itself.

Vince Cable

Also, Cairn Hill will be co-channel with the Armagh local transmitter after switchover.