Media ignorance on Saorview

Hotblack Desiato

Couldn't believe this when I read it today.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0105/1224309824654.html

Half a century of TV highlights

*snip blah blah*

Okay, so this moment hasn’t happened yet, but when they finally turn off the terrestrial signal at the end of this year, it will mark the end of a significant early phase in TV – and the sight of aerials on roofs. Digital has taken over, and Saorview has become the standard bearer for the future. But many will lament the end of a technology that worked very well for most – except in good weather . . .

I mean, WTF??? Do these eejits have any idea what Saorview is, and how it reaches your TV?

I see the Saorview website now has a kids section (not bad), maybe kids would do a better job than most mainstream media journalists? :rolleyes:

The amazingly crap standard of 'tech journalism' in this country is the stuff of legend, but c'mon, Saorview isn't hard to figure out and the public are supposed to be able to do so, with a little help, but all they're getting from the media is incomplete information at best and downright disinformation at worst.

As punishment I will make that journalist watch the Tommy and PJ commercials 10,000 times in a row :cool:

So what's the worst guff you've read, seen or heard in the media about Saorview?

Tony

I'm not seeing that particular quote, perhaps it has been corrected ?

danjo

This is not surprising when RTE's ad featuring Gay Byrne states "if you are watching this using an aerial then you will have to take action"

Hotblack Desiato

Tony wrote: »

I'm not seeing that particular quote, perhaps it has been corrected ?

Second last paragraph in the link. Unless the Irish Times has got Winston Smith on the payroll?



(they do change the online version of already published articles, if the author is dead and a large PR company makes a complaint, but that's another story)

Tony

Well I think you do unless you already have a saorview box or a saorview capable tv unless I'm missing something ?

danjo wrote: »

This is not surprising when RTE's ad featuring Gay Byrne states "if you are watching this using an aerial then you will have to take action"

Hotblack Desiato

danjo wrote: »

This is not surprising when RTE's ad featuring Gay Byrne states "if you are watching this using an aerial then you will have to take action"

I don't see any problem with that. If you watch Irish channels through Sky or UPC exclusively, and are happy to continue wasting:pac: your money, then you don't need to do anything. It's not saying that aerials will magically become obsolete.

Tony

The Wolf ? Sorry I missed the part you referred to . Is there an author to this piece ?

ninja900 wrote: »

Second last paragraph in the link. Unless the Irish Times has got Winston Smith on the payroll?



(they do change the online version of already published articles, if the author is dead and a large PR company makes a complaint, but that's another story)

Hotblack Desiato

No author mentioned in the online version, dunno about the print one.



Winston Smith works as a clerk in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to rewrite historical documents so they match the constantly changing current party line.

The Cush

ninja900 wrote: »

Couldn't believe this when I read it today.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0105/1224309824654.html

I read it in the print edition earlier, you beat me to the post.

Tony wrote: »

The Wolf ? Sorry I missed the part you referred to . Is there an author to this piece ?

No author mentioned in the paper edition*, the Irish Times this week are running a series of articles titled "50 years of Irish TV". The piece quoted by ninja900 is a snippet from a banner (Half a century of TV highlights) under the main story (page 12/13), Laura Slattery's article on TV3.

*Edit: Compiled by SHANE HEGARTY according to Tuesday's newspaper.


Moving from the media, the government's own "Going Digital" website has the following headline

Ireland’s national aerial TV network is switching off in 9 months - be ready!

Aerial TV network switching off, aerials no longer required :eek:

I guess that's where the Irish Times got their information.

Hotblack Desiato

The Cush wrote: »

Moving from the media, the government's own "Going Digital" website has the following headline

Aerial TV network switching off, aerials no longer required :eek:

I guess that's where the Irish Times got their information.

Jaysus wept.
But three nanoseconds of fact-checking would have sorted that out... So-called journalists relying on Google and Wikipedia have been heavily criticised internationally - but in Ireland, Google and Wikipedia are usually more accurate than 'journalists' :rolleyes:

STB

"If you receive your TV broadcast from SKY or UPC then you do not need to worry about the SAORVIEW change over. It will not affect you."

This is causing some confusion for people who have Sky and UPC. Some might think that their boxes do Saorview automatically (yes I know technically they are paying for some of these channels as content). As a follow on from this, for those who are cancelling these services there is an added (and misguided) assumption that their existing box will still do Saorview anyway. Boxes are boxes after all, arent they

Hey. We do see questions here from people wondering why they cant receive saorview who go through rigorous questioning from helpful posters for the question to eventually end up at where is your aerial pointed and to be answered with "aerial ?" What do I need an aerial for.

watty

Also people can have Sky/UPC/Magnet on one TV and other TVs are working on an aerial.

So it's a very badly worded statement.

The DSO / Saorview campaign in some aspects is advertising and promoting PayTV. Which is very wrong.

The Cush

The Irish Indo printed this last week

The success of Saorview, which will replace the old aerials found on over 600,000 homes by the end of 2012, will be critical to the future of TV in Ireland.

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/rte-boss-wielding-the-axe-in-bid-to-weather-economic-storm-2975314.html

and this from siliconrepublic (Jan 03), looks like they missed ASO announcement last Oct

Also keep an eye on the digital TV providers. No doubt 1 December 2012 will be Ireland’s digital switchover date and consumers with aerials will switch to new services like Saorview, don’t forget that more than 60pc of TV viewers in Ireland access their services by satellite and cable.

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/digital-life/item/25171-the-tech-predictions-for/

Tony

The Cush wrote: »

The Irish Indo printed this last week

Just posted a comment pointing out the inaccuracy on that page

danjo

Tony wrote: »

Well I think you do unless you already have a saorview box or a saorview capable tv unless I'm missing something ?

The problem is that the ad lacks clarity. It plays into the digital aerial myth and is factually wrong.
I realise a short tv ad cannot be all embracing but it should be precise.

Tony

In what way is it factually wrong ?

danjo

I am watching Saorview on a TV using an aerial. I do not need to take any action. This is a fact. The ad states I need to take action to continue receiving RTE etc.
You may think this is nit picking but for anybody who purchased a Freeview HD TV connected to an aerial which shows no reference to Saorview could be confused by this advert.
The focus of the ad is on the aerial and not both the aerial and receiver.

Tony

Ok but I'm guessing if you have either a saorview or a freeview enabled tv or box you are already aware of that . The ad is obviously aimed at the vast majority who are not saorview enabled so honestly I don't see the problem in the statement.

danjo wrote: »

I am watching Saorview on a TV using an aerial. I do not need to take any action. This is a fact. The ad states I need to take action to continue receiving RTE etc.
You may think this is nit picking but for anybody who purchased a Freeview HD TV connected to an aerial which shows no reference to Saorview could be confused by this advert.
The focus of the ad is on the aerial and not both the aerial and receiver.

MarkK

danjo wrote: »

I am watching Saorview on a TV using an aerial. I do not need to take any action. This is a fact. The ad states I need to take action to continue receiving RTE etc.

You did need to take action and you have already taken that action.

danjo wrote: »

You may think this is nit picking but for anybody who purchased a Freeview HD TV connected to an aerial which shows no reference to Saorview could be confused by this advert.
The focus of the ad is on the aerial and not both the aerial and receiver.

I suppose they may be confused if they do not understand that Freeview HD is digital.

I do get your point but if they were to start mentioning Freeview HD they would be more likely to create more confusion, not less.

Infoanon

To add to the confusion - on the Marian Finucane show today they where reviewing Borgen on BBC4 when Marian implied that BBC4 was available on Saorview......

ftakeith

Infoanon wrote: »

To add to the confusion - on the Marian Finucane show today they where reviewing Borgen on BBC4 when Marian implied that BBC4 was available on Saorview......

that is why she is paid big bucks by rte

Hotblack Desiato

Another one in Saturday's IT (only got around to reading it today!)

A good article but spoiled by the second-last paragraph.

A window on the nation or a mirror of our society? - Irish Times wrote:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0107/1224309936089.html

And, due to political inaction, there are glaring anachronisms: it’s not clear, for example, why RTÉ should still have to take responsibility for the national transmission network, or should have to deal with the fallout from the failed digital terrestrial television rollout.

:eek:

Now, most of us here will know that refers to the failed attempts to launch commercial DTT, but what is the average reader who just bought (or is thinking of buying) a Saorview box or TV going to think?

The Cush

ninja900 wrote: »

Now, most of us here will know that refers to the failed attempts to launch commercial DTT, but what is the average reader who just bought (or is thinking of buying) a Saorview box or TV going to think?

Read that too in the paper edition and after the initial wtf's he on about, assumed he was referring to commercial DTT.

Hotblack Desiato

'John, shouldn't we get one of those new tellies the cat and dog are going on about in the ads?'

'No Mary, says here in the paper it's all a big flop, better give Sky a call on Monday.'

TheChizler

Could the original article possibly be referring to the old VHF aerials? Though I doubt all '600,000' are going to disappear overnight. Haven't used our old one in over 10 years and can't see us bothering to take it down any time soon.

STB

Hugh Linehans and his ramblings.

Some of the whole article I actually agree with other parts are so inaccurate and misguided.

The second last paragraph is down to 2 things, successive governments inaction and the ridiculous amount of time that the BCI sat on the whole process, it just delayed the inevitable. He is right though, it is no fault of RTE's. Its all very well having Free Digital Tv with plenty of choice, but someone has to pay for it!

We really need to get over the fact that we are not the UK and dont have their population and the money to plough into countless TV stations. It was NEVER a real commercial proposition. The advertising payback is limited. The population served says so.

Some might say that the days of alternative Irish commercial TVs days were numbered when we let Sky in to control how television should be delivered. Only since the recession have people really started looking for ways out of the brainwashing that is Murdoch's empire.

The Cush

TheChizler wrote: »

Could the original article possibly be referring to the old VHF aerials?

I doubt it, I wonder if he knows the difference. Based on occasional posts here he could be in that group of people who assume that digital equals no aerial.

TheChizler wrote: »

old VHF aerials? Though I doubt all '600,000' are going to disappear overnight. Haven't used our old one in over 10 years and can't see us bothering to take it down any time soon.

Don't plan to take down my VHF aerial until after ASO next Oct. I'll probably watch the shut down on VHF that night.

Sponge Bob

The Cush wrote: »

I'll probably watch the shut down on VHF that night.

Aww Cush, you old softie.

Gerry Wicklow

The Cush wrote: »

....Don't plan to take down my VHF aerial until after ASO next Oct. I'll probably watch the shut down on VHF that night.

Don't forget to have your Betamax recording it

The Cush

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Don't forget to have your Betamax recording it

Never had a betamax might do it on my Sony VCR/DVD recorder. I wonder if we'll have a proper Saorview PVR by then .

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Moving from the media, the government's own "Going Digital" website has the following headline

Ireland’s national aerial TV network is switching offin 9 months - be ready!

Aerial TV network switching off, aerials no longer required :eek:

I guess that's where the Irish Times got their information.

Small change to the "Going Digital" website, now referring to the "old aerial TV network is switching off in 9 months". Can't see why they don't say the analogue TV network is switching off, it would avoid confusion with aerials .

Solair

My grand aunt bought a Saorview box and plugged it into her "aerial socket"which turned out to be a UPC cable point!!

It's being incredibly badly explained.

Simply saying, if you watch television via an aerial on your roof, in your attic or rabbits ears on top of your tv set, you will need to purchase this small, but cheap, box which will mean better quality pictures, better sound, more channels etc etc

if your tv is already Saorview compatible, you won't need to do anything.

RTE, TV3 and TG4 signals, broadcast from our transmitters will only be broadcast digitally from (date). You can continue to enjoy an improved range of digital tv channels through your existing aerial, if you have a compatible tv or this. Little box and your existing telly!

Maybe they should also show a video of your standard technophobe granny plugging a Saorview box into her aerial cable and tv and settling down to FairCity in digital quality!

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Small change to the "Going Digital" website, now referring to the "old aerial TV network is switching off in 9 months". Can't see why they don't say the analogue TV network is switching off, it would avoid confusion with aerials .

Another tweak after the above post yesterday, reference to aerial removed. All that's required now is to add the word analogue - "Ireland's old analogue TV network is switching off in 9 months - be ready"

MarkK

The Cush wrote: »

All that's required now is to add the word analogue - "Ireland's old analogue TV network is switching off in 9 months - be ready"

Analogue cable is not being switched off though, so there would still be confusion.

I think it's a pretty impossible task to put together one sentence which everyone would understand, as many people do not know whether they have analogue or digital or if they use an aerial or not.

evilivor

Campaign aims to inform viewers of digital TV switch

By Seán McCárthaigh

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

COMMUNITY groups have launched an awareness programme to ensure thousands of TV viewers don’t lose access to their favourite programmes as a result of the scheduled switchover to digital TV in October.

Irish Rural Link and The Wheel have come together for the initiative, which follows on from a recent survey indicating that almost 250,000 people were still unaware that analogue TV signals will be switched off on October 24.

From that date, anyone who currently obtains their TV reception from analogue signals will face blank screens unless they switch over to digital TV.

Séamus Boland of Irish Rural Link said that many of the target group, including those living in isolated areas and older people, may not have familiarised themselves with the information necessary to ensure they can access digital TV when the switchover takes place.

The community outreach digital switchover programme — which will involve organisations that include the St Vincent de Paul, Age Action Ireland, the GAA Social Initiative, the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Disability Federation of Ireland — will be provided with funding by the Department of Communications.

Deirdre Garvey, chief executive of The Wheel, said the initiative would see community and voluntary groups in every part of the country reaching out to people who otherwise would not make the switch to digital TV.

TV viewers who currently receive their TV signal from a rooftop aerial will need to either subscribe to a pay-TV service such as UPC or Sky, or the new free digital service Saorview, which provides access to all the main Irish channels including RTÉ, TV3 and TG4.

However, anyone wishing to access Saorview will need a Saorview-approved digital TV or a set-top box which costs about €50. Any TV with a scart or HDMI socket should be capable of picking up Saorview.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/campaign-aims-to-inform-viewers-of-digital-tv-switch-179699.html#ixzz1j90d15pu

Sponge Bob

evilivor wrote: »

Any TV with a scart or HDMI socket should be capable of picking up Saorview.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/campaign-aims-to-inform-viewers-of-digital-tv-switch-179699.html#ixzz1j90d15pu

Wrong, lots of HD 'Ready' 720p jobbies have bog standard freeview tuners.

ardmacha

Wrong, lots of HD 'Ready' 720p jobbies have bog standard freeview tuners.

That's not the point here.

Perhaps the text should have said
Any TV with a scart or HDMI socket should be capable of being connected to a Saorview box to pick up Saorview.

As to aerials I don't know what the don't say something like the transmission system is being changed, analogous to the end of the MW radio transmitters.

watty

Not the same as end of MW at all.
1) Still lots of MW, just not RTE
2) RTE is still on AM (LW)
3) Digital is on the SAME band as TG4 & TV3, and also in lots of places RTE1 & RTE2.

It's just different modulation on the SAME band.

It's more akin to Analogue satellite to Digital Satellite in Germany, Dish didn't need moved.

Or Analogue to Digital MMDS and Cable changes (new box).

Here the Digital Sky was from different location to Analogue Sky, so the dish needed moved or replaced if too rusted to move. Some of the later LNBs on Sky & German Analogue satellite work still today for Digital Satellite.

Solair

MarkK wrote: »

Analogue cable is not being switched off though, so there would still be confusion.

I think it's a pretty impossible task to put together one sentence which everyone would understand, as many people do not know whether they have analogue or digital or if they use an aerial or not.

I'd say UPC would be delighted though if they get a large number of customers deciding to switch to UPC digital cable as a result

They won't keep analogue running forever either, but there's no scheduled switch off date.

I think they need to point out that if you are receiving your TV from a cable, mmds or satellite tv service, you don't need to do anything. This only impacts upon TVs receiving signals straight off air.

I think what's causing most confusion is that many people think their analogue cable is 'the aerial'. Particularly, older customers in urban areas.

Hotblack Desiato

In today's Irish Times:

Corrections & Clarifications wrote:

An item in the edition of January 5th suggested wrongly that television roof aerials will no longer be necessary with the introduction of Saorview.

Result

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Small change to the "Going Digital" website, now referring to the "old aerial TV network is switching off in 9 months". Can't see why they don't say the analogue TV network is switching off, it would avoid confusion with aerials .

The Cush wrote: »

Another tweak after the above post yesterday, reference to aerial removed. All that's required now is to add the word analogue - "Ireland's old analogue TV network is switching off in 9 months - be ready"

Some tweaking done recently on the Going Digital website, I think they got it right this time - Ireland’s old analogue TV network is switching off on Wednesday, 24th October 2012. This gives you 6 months - be ready!