Are there any TVs out there that can receive both Freeview and Saorview

Irishlad11

Hello, I live Co. Cavan along the border with Northern Ireland. At the moment we're getting Freeview through our TV which is Freeview compatible at the the moment and we get the Irish channels through analogue via an Aerial.

We have a second TV which is much older (15 years or so) which gets freeview through a set-top box and the Irish channels through analogue.....this TV is also connected to a DVD player and VCR.

Since the Irish analogue signal is been switch off next year we're going to have to get another set-top box for this TV which is not the best solution as it already is being used by 3 other items and with it being an old TV it only has one Scart connection. The most suitable solution would be to buy a new TV, but we would preferable want one that has built in tuners that can receive Saorview and Freeview as we are sick of set-top boxes and amount of cables that we have going into our TVs.

Only problem is the amount of technical jargon going on about Mpeg4 and Mpeg2 tuners and the whole thing now that Freeview is switching tuners in 2012 which is going to make our first 3 year old TV defunt is making it hard to decide what TV to buy and we're a bit cautious as to what could change in the future. Anyone on here know if any such TV exists?????......I'm 19 myself, you'd expect me to be technologically minded but this switchover has me confused , and I'm the one in the family that kind of takes care of these sort of things!!!!

The Cush

Irishlad11 wrote: »

Only problem is the amount of technical jargon going on about Mpeg4 and Mpeg2 tuners and the whole thing now that Freeview is switching tuners in 2012 which is going to make our first 3 year old TV defunt is making it hard to decide what TV to buy and we're a bit cautious as to what could change in the future. Anyone on here know if any such TV exists

Saorview (SD & HD) = DVB-T/MPEG-4
Freeview (SD) = DVB-T/MPEG-2
Freeview-HD = DVB-T2/MPEG-4

First off post the make and model no of your 3 yr old TV.

If it receives freeview now it will continue to do so for years to come. What it may not do is the one multiplex that will tranmit the new freeview-HD channels (in late 2012) but the channels will continue to available in the old standard for many years to come.

Not all of the existing Irish analogue TV transmitters will be converted for Saorview DTT. Do you currently get TV3 through your analogue aerial, if so Saorview will be available from there? What is your local transmitter, the coverage checker will help if you don't know.

Depending on the make and model of your TV the Saorview channels maybe available on it, have you tried tuning them in? If you only get the radio channels and maybe audio on the TV channels (no pictures) the TV isn't compatible with Saorview and a STB will be required.

There are many DVB-T2/MPEG-4 (freeview-HD) TVs available which are backwards compatible with DVB-T MPEG-4/MPEG-2 by default and so should have no problem with Saorview audio, video and digital text bar maybe some bugs.

For example any Sony Saorview approved TV listed here, with the model no. ending in 3 is DVB-T2 and should happily work with with Saorview/Freeview/Freeview-HD.

NIMAN

The vast majority of TVs bought now in UK have Freeview tuners built-in. So basically you are looking for one that decodes Saorview as well.

Check out this other thread, listing the TVs for Saorview
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056096032


I own a Sony Bravia KDL-W5500 and I get Saorview with it fine.

Irishlad11

Cool, cheers

Yeah, we're receiving TV3 through analogue with no problem for the past 13 years or so. Cairn Hill is our nearest transmitter and its turned on for digital so we can receive it. Yeah we're where getting audio of the Irish digital Radio stations along with audio for RTE News Now through our 3 year old Toshiba TV but thats stopped now. Can't tell you the exact model of that TV since I don't know myself but it definitely can only get freeview.

As for our older TV it probably would be best to get a new Freeview HD TV so we can enjoy both Freeview and Saorview.

Thanks for your help!!!!

reslfj

Irishlad11 wrote: »

As for our older TV it probably would be best to get a new Freeview HD TV so we can enjoy both Freeview and Saorview.

Thanks for your help!!!!

You can 'save' your Toshiba - for Saorview and FreeviewHD - by a FreeviewHD box - They are seen as low as £18 (Makro), £30 (Tesco) and upwards.

It is likely the prices for FreeviewHD IDTV sets will continue to fall as more new models are put on the market. Festina lente.

Lars