Current deflector status?

dabfan

Hi everyone,
Does anyone know the current deflector status in Ireland, (in particular Mayo). Will these be turned off for digital switch over?


DF

watty

1) They have been pointless for years due to improving Freesat.
2) They are being turned off. Supposed to years ago, but given stay of execution due to the delays in Digital.
3) Most are gone already.

Onthe3rdDay

Down in Cork recently, around the Macroom Millstreet area, Local Television (LTV) used to rebroadcast EWTN but it appears to be off the air. However, some of the Churches in the Area are now broadcasting in digital. I thought breaking the law was a sin :eek:

The Cush

dabfan wrote: »

Does anyone know the current deflector status in Ireland, (in particular Mayo). Will these be turned off for digital switch over?

Only 6 deflector licencees reapplied for renewal this year, none of them in Mayo. Recent discussion here including the situation in Mayo - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056557870

No further renewals will take place once the current licences expire at the end of this year. Comreg report on deflector licensing published in June - http://www.comreg.ie/publications/response_to_consultation_and_decision__the_future_of_deflector_licensing_in_ireland.583.104120.p.html

ComReg is proceeding with Option 1: Not to put in place a new deflector scheme at the end of 2012, when the current scheme expires

dabfan

I'm not sure about Mayo in general - but the Castlebar deflector is still on the air. I'm amazed they lasted aslong as they did!
I have photos of some of the Mayo systems if anyone is interested.

DF

Ronnie Raygun

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

However, some of the Churches in the Area are now broadcasting in digital.

Really? Just how is a church managing to do this? Have you watched the programmes yourself & what do you need to receive them?

Onthe3rdDay

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

Really? Just how is a church managing to do this? Have you watched the programmes yourself & what do you need to receive them?

Cork has always been a Hotbed of pirate TV, As far as I know the first local TV station came on around 1983. There would be more than enough people around that would be able to set up such a system. I've no idea what kind of transmitter is used but it appears to relay the CCTV. You just turn on your digital approved TV and it comes in perfectly. (obviously after you tune it in!)

Ronnie Raygun

How do you tune it in though? Is it actually an analogue signal?

Onthe3rdDay

No, it's a digital signal. Just checked with someone who knows about such things and it's on Ch 29 UHF. Just to give you an example of TV in the area

Here's a Link to a recording of LTV 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jeM3aNNAhuU

and a link to LTV 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf3E8mS9teE&feature=relmfu

I don't know if they have any involvement with the rebroadcasting of the CCTV in the church.

Ronnie Raygun

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

No, it's a digital signal. Just checked with someone who knows about such things and it's on Ch 29 UHF.

No need for any specialist knowledge, all you need to do is check if the tv tunes it in as digital or analogue.

watty

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

...
I've no idea what kind of transmitter is used but it appears to relay the CCTV. You just turn on your digital approved TV and it comes in perfectly. (obviously after you tune it in!)

ALL current Saorview TVs and most UK Digital TVs will receive Analogue.

It's not impossible that it's Digital. I've done it (legally). But it's really unlikely. The cost of Digital Transmission is really only worth it with 3 or more channels on the same multiplex.

dabfan

And there Millstreet Community TV in Millstreet Cork aswell.
Not sure of there legal status!

winston_1

So what LCN does this digital church signal come up on?

Mr Cumulonimbus

dabfan wrote: »

I'm not sure about Mayo in general - but the Castlebar deflector is still on the air. I'm amazed they lasted aslong as they did!
I have photos of some of the Mayo systems if anyone is interested.

DF

Anything operated by Mayo Community TV has been off the air since the start of May this year, Westport being one of the areas that lost the service. As you say, the Castlebar defector is still on (separate company).

Onthe3rdDay

winston_1 wrote: »

So what LCN does this digital church signal come up on?

I'll be in the area middle of next week, I'll check then if no one has answered the question beforehand.

Ronnie Raygun

There's practically zero chance it's a DVB-T broadcast unless it's someone showing off or "testing" some kind of self-help transmitter.

Onthe3rdDay

Oh ye of little faith (subject to confirmation of course!)
From the Newsletter Macroom church puts out.


Transmission of Mass from Macroom Church: Mass will be transmitted on channel 29 on full digital. The receiving sets will have to be digital or a Saorview set box. For most TV sets tuning is automatic and if in difficulty contact your TV supplier. The system was switched on last weekend and during the week, so you can tune in the channel.

watty

It's illegal of course. Digital or Analogue.

The fact that there are no Pirates on DAB says more about the popularity of it than the cost and technical difficulty (As I always said).

Sponge Bob

Not that expensive to broadcast DVB-T

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/375302531/Outdoor_digital_transmitter_DVB_T_Transmitter.html?s=p

Skull Murphy

Isn't the cofdm modulator the expensive part?

That's an MMDS transmitter btw, outputs on 2500-2700 mHz.

watty

Under €1000 now

watty

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Not that expensive to broadcast DVB-T

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/375302531/Outdoor_digital_transmitter_DVB_T_Transmitter.html?s=p

Not actually a complete DTT TX, as it has no modulator. That will work for Analogue, DVB-c or DVB-T. It's just a UHF to Microwave converter and a Microwave Power Amp.