What are the default set of UPC digital channels

clearz

Hi Guys,

I'm wondering what the default set of UPC digital channels in Dublin are, if any? I'm talking about the channels you get without any specific package or box, just like the 10-15 analogue channels I currently get. Do I get the same channels or more if I plug a digital TV into the basic wall socket.

John.

coylemj

UPC digital channels require a UPC decoder box, this is not the same as the 'digital' channels broadcast by RTE (Saorview) for which you need a UHF aerial located on top of the TV, in the attic or on the roof depending on the signal strength in your area.

If you don't have a UPC digital decoder, you plug the co-ax cable from the UPC wall box straight into the TV, this requires that the TV has a VHF tuner so typically you bring up the setup menus, set the country to Ireland and let it do an autotune. The TV will then find the 14 or so analog channels which includes RTE1 & 2, TV3, TG4, BBC1 & 2, UTV, Channel 4, Sky1 and Sky news and a few others I can't remember.

With UPC it doesn't matter if the TV is 'digital' or not since you won't be passing the Saorview signal to the TV so you don't need a digital tuner in the TV.

snappieT

Analog channels still being broadcast in Dublin, 17 frequencies in total:
RTE 1
RTE 2
TV3
TG4
BBC 1 (NI)
BBC 2 (NI)
UTV/ITV
Channel 4
E4
Discovery
Sky 1
Sky News
MTV
Nickelodeon (Becomes Comedy Central at 7PM iirc)
Channel 6
Living TV
Setanta

If you additionally subscribe to the basic Digital package, you get quite a few more. List ripped from the UPC site:

You should do this, it actually costs less than the analogue subscription, but you'll still be able to get the analog stations through other rooms in the house (just don't remind UPC of this fact)

icdg

clearz wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I'm wondering what the default set of UPC digital channels in Dublin are, if any? I'm talking about the channels you get without any specific package or box, just like the 10-15 analogue channels I currently get. Do I get the same channels or more if I plug a digital TV into the basic wall socket.

John.

You won't get any digital channels that way. The entire digital service (bar one channel, it used to be TV3 but might be something different now) is encrypted and requires a UPC set top box paired to a valid viewing card and subscription.

The reason there is a "default set" of analogue channels is because UPC analogue cable is unencrpyted (which is not the case in most countries). You can recieve it without a set-top box. This isn't the case with digital. Additionally, most integrated digital TVs use the DVB-T (digital terrestrial) standard, not DVB-C which UPC uses, so even if the digital service was unencrypted you couldn't watch.

rodrob111

What extra channels come with the Digital Max+ as apposed to Digital Select Extra+. I have Digital Select Extra+ now and wonder is the Digital Max+ worth the extra €5 a month.

Also, seem to have the movie channels but had to enter a code to watch one movie. Does that cost me or does it come with Digital Select Extra+?

Kristopherus

No, it dose'nt normally cost you to watch that movie. Most of the non-$ky movie channels are in the package. You have to enter the code (normally 0000) when you first access that channel. There is SFA difference in the no. of channels between the 2 packages. Especially if you are on MMDS, you won't get them all due to bandwith issues.

rodrob111

Yea thought that but I have the Sky movie channels aswell. Wonder do they come with the free sports channels for 2 months