northern ireland free view signal in dublin

timetunnel

anybody picking up signal in Dublin ,
i have the free view lite from wales .
anybody picking up other transmitters .
im based in leopardstown/sandyford area

mrdtv2010

Wait till 10th October when BBCA fires up at full power from Divis and Kilkeel!

glimmerman123

mrdtv2010 wrote: »

Wait till 10th October when BBCA fires up at full power from Divis and Kilkeel!

When Divis and Kilkeel go full power i wonder will the signal reach as far as North Tipperary or am i in living in hope?

mrdtv2010

glimmerman123 wrote: »

When Divis and Kilkeel go full power i wonder will the signal reach as far as North Tipperary or am i in living in hope?

Possibly. Divis will be a belter along the East Coast and the old ghosting problems will vanish without trace. Kilkeel is coastal only. There is always Freesat, but the quality of the overspill coverage will be radically different.

glimmerman123

If i am lucky to pick up a signal would i have to use a different aerial from the one i'm using for Saorview or will i have to get a different aerial and point it in a different direction? I get Saorview from the Maghera transmitter.

coylemj

glimmerman123 wrote: »

If i am lucky to pick up a signal would i have to use a different aerial from the one i'm using for Saorview or will i have to get a different aerial and point it in a different direction? I get Saorview from the Maghera transmitter.

First of all it's very unlikely you'll get UK Freeview if you're in the Maghera coverage area, unless you're at a good altitude. The transmitter that you might pick up would be Brougher Mountain which is between Co. Fermanagh and Co. Tyrone.

You'd need a Group A aerial for Brougher Mountain whereas the Saorview channel (48) for Maghera is at the lower end of Group B and the top end of Group C/D so you would need a different aerial.

If you want UK TV from Clare or south Galway you'd really be better off looking at a dish and Freesat.

The Cush

glimmerman123 wrote: »

If i am lucky to pick up a signal would i have to use a different aerial from the one i'm using for Saorview or will i have to get a different aerial and point it in a different direction? I get Saorview from the Maghera transmitter.

Yes, different aerial and direction. Which grouped aerial will depend on which transmitter you might be able to receive or maybe a hi-gain wideband to cover any possible transmitter.

List of NI frequencies here - http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/traderegion/utv_region/main/NA/NA

glimmerman123

Thanks for the info guys.

Peter Rhea

glimmerman123 wrote: »

When Divis and Kilkeel go full power i wonder will the signal reach as far as North Tipperary or am i in living in hope?

Get yourself an aerial setup like this (& a mountain to site it on).

BenEadir

mrdtv2010 wrote: »

Wait till 10th October when BBCA fires up at full power from Divis and Kilkeel!

Will this enable me to get UK Freeview in Stillorgan? Is there a box (with DVR capability) which integrates Saorview and Freeview with a single EFG etc?

One box, one remote, seamless integration of Saorview and Freeview would be TV Nirvana!!

Ben

coylemj

BenThere wrote: »

Will this enable me to get UK Freeview in Stillorgan?

Seriously doubt it, Mount Merrion would be a major obstacle to NI reception and Leopardstown would block the signal from Wales.

However if it is possible then someone is probably doing it already, look around your neighbourhood for a large aerial pointing either north or east.

Any aerial pointing at Kippure or Three Rock is pointing SW and is probably a small cheapo aerial like this..

BenEadir

Thanks Coylemj, guess I just have to stick with UPC for an integrated "one box" Irish/UK TV service then :mad:

Ben

Skull Murphy

coylemj wrote: »

Seriously doubt it, Mount Merrion would be a major obstacle to NI reception and Leopardstown would block the signal from Wales.

I think you need to look at a map.

coylemj

Skull Murphy wrote: »

I think you need to look at a map.

I did look at a map, in fact a map which has the locations of all NI and ROI transmitters on it. Mount Merrion is directly north of Stillorgan. Have you ever driven a car or walked from Stillorgan to Mount Merrion - did you happen to notice the uphill slope?

donaghs

BenThere wrote: »

Will this enable me to get UK Freeview in Stillorgan? Is there a box (with DVR capability) which integrates Saorview and Freeview with a single EFG etc?

One box, one remote, seamless integration of Saorview and Freeview would be TV Nirvana!!

Ben

Would Freesat not do this? http://www.freesat.ie/product-info.php?pid207.html

Sorry, I'm new to this, but interested in getting rid of Sky/UPC monthly bill but still having more than just the Irish channels.

Anyone done anything like this, and able to describe their experience?

blastman

Just looking for some advice on Freeview, guys. At the moment, I receive the four UK terrestrial channels on analogue. I bought a couple of tellies with UK-spec digital tuners just before RTE finally announced they were going to use the different standard. What I'd like to be able to do is use the tuners in the TVs to pick up UK Freeview, but I'm not sure if I need to change my aerial or do anything else. So far I can pick up Irish stations when I autoscan (audio only) but I don't seem to be able to get the UK channels despite being in what I thought would be an ideal location. Is there anything I need to do to ignore the Irish channels and grab the UK instead?

Peter Rhea

What part of the country are you in? You probably won't get any Freeview until October 10th.

JonathonS

BenThere wrote: »

Thanks Coylemj, guess I just have to stick with UPC for an integrated "one box" Irish/UK TV service then

Get a combi box (Saorview plus free to air satellite), or a TV with satellite tuner (see below).

donaghs wrote: »

Would Freesat not do this? http://www.freesat.ie/product-info.php?pid207.html

I got a TV with MPEG4 and Freesat tuners about 4 years ago. Savings so far €1,200+ . If you have the budget this is the ideal solution. There are several threads on here covering the options from Samsung and Panasonic.

Walker also have similar products, less expensive but with FTA sat rather than Freesat.

BenEadir

JonathonS wrote: »

Get a combi box (Saorview plus free to air satellite), or a TV with satellite tuner (see below).

Do the combi boxes have a single integrated 7 day EPG with full DVR capability i.e. watch one channel and record another including watch Saorview and record Saorview or watch Saorview and record Freesat + Visa Versa?

Ben

JonathonS

BenThere wrote: »

Do the combi boxes have a single integrated 7 day EPG with full DVR capability i.e. watch one channel and record another including watch Saorview and record Saorview or watch Saorview and record Freesat + Visa Versa?

Ben

No.

zg3409

If you currently pick up the analogue UK stations then a rescan after October 24th should get you all the stations.

With an MPEG2 TV (which you seem to have) you will only get UK Freeview channels and NOT Freeview HD channels nor Saorview Channels.

BenEadir

JonathonS wrote: »

No.

I'm very very to hear that.

Ben

coylemj

zg3409 wrote: »

If you currently pick up the analogue UK stations then a rescan after October 24th should get you all the stations.

With an MPEG2 TV (which you seem to have) you will only get UK Freeview channels and NOT Freeview HD channels nor Saorview Channels.

Most people in NI will lose the BBC2 analog signal on Oct 10th so you should rescan then to pick up the first bunch of digital channels and do another rescan on Oct 24th to pick up the full set.

From the official switch-over guide....

Oct 10th

• The analogue BBC Two signal is switched off permanently
• At the same time, BBC digital channels, including BBC Two, extend to reach all areas

Oct 24th

• Two weeks after stage one, the remaining analogue channels are switched off permanently
• The remaining digital channels become available in all areas

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/northernireland

blastman

Peter Rhea wrote: »

What part of the country are you in? You probably won't get any Freeview until October 10th.

North Co Dublin, right on the coast. I figured from the bits and pieces I read that it was something to do with the transmitters not being at full strength until the analogue signal is turned off.

Peter Rhea

There's a good chance you're using the Kilkeel transmitter, which doesn't carry any Freeview atm. It's scheduled to have the 1st lot of Freeview channels (BBC A) up & running by noon on October 10th. You will find them on UHF channel 45 (BBC2 analogue will be switched off).

blastman

Benagh looks slightly closer on the map, but you're probably right. I can basically see the Mournes on a good day!

So on the 10th, I should get the TV's digital tuner to do a re-scan and I should start seeing digital channels?

ardmacha

So on the 10th, I should get the TV's digital tuner to do a re-scan and I should start seeing digital channels?

If you have BBC2 analogue at present then this should work.

My prediction is that the terrestrial forum will be the boards.ie forum of the month in October!

lawhec

blastman wrote: »

Benagh looks slightly closer on the map, but you're probably right. I can basically see the Mournes on a good day!

So on the 10th, I should get the TV's digital tuner to do a re-scan and I should start seeing digital channels?

There is no certainty, but if you do a recsan on 10/10 you should hopefully pick up the BBC A multiplex. This will carry all the BBC SD television and radio services.

The D3&4 multiplex will become available on 24/10, this carries SD television services including UTV, Channel 4 (and both respective +1 timeshifts), Channel 5 and a couple of "sister stations" including ITV2, E4 and More4. If you have a television, set-top-box converter or PVR that is Freeview HD approved the BBC B multiplex will also become available on this date. This multiplex is planned to carry four HD channels - BBC One HD, BBC HD, UTV HD and 4HD.

Benagh may be closer on a map, but it is quite low above sea level (41m IIRC) on lower power and also directional. However it is getting a significant power increase for digital transmissions, so it might become possible to receive it when the first stage of DSO up here being.

lawhec

ardmacha wrote: »

If you have BBC2 analogue at present then this should work.

My prediction is that the terrestrial forum will be the boards.ie forum of the month in October!

Take that After Hours and your snooty low-brow attitude! :pac:

blastman

ardmacha wrote: »

If you have BBC2 analogue at present then this should work.

My prediction is that the terrestrial forum will be the boards.ie forum of the month in October!

I do have BBC 2 analogue at the moment, so here's hoping.

Thanks for the advice, lads.

coylemj

blastman wrote: »

I do have BBC 2 analogue at the moment, so here's hoping.

Thanks for the advice, lads.

As this thread is about the reception of Freeview in Dublin, it's worth noting that the switch-over times for Oct 10th and 24th for Kilkeel is 'mid-afternoon' on both dates.

Click below for the switch-over times for the transmitter and it's relays....

Divis

Brougher Mountain

Limavady

Trojan00

What are the chances of the signal reaching Lucan in Dublin?

I am assuming that it is probably not going to work for me, my aerial is pointing towards Three Rock.

coylemj

Trojan00 wrote: »

What are the chances of the signal reaching Lucan in Dublin?

I am assuming that it is probably not going to work for me, my aerial is pointing towards Three Rock.

The elevation of your house is what matters and you are correct, that aerial pointing at Three Rock will get you nothing from NI, it's probably too small as well as pointing in the wrong direction.

You're slightly closer to Kilkeel than the southside of Dublin where there is a heap of houses with big aerials pointing north for UK TV so the distance isn't a problem.

lucernarian

I thought I'd mention the possibility of Greenore reception being a good marker for reliable Kilkeel reception also. ComReg documents mention that Greenore DTT has been cleared for 200W and as it is in the same direction as Kilkeel for most locations along the northeast coast, any areas that can receive Greenore (south of Clogherhead) along the coast will also be able to receive Kilkeel. Greenore is scheduled to switch on before Digital Switchover starts from Kilkeel.

Technical part: Kilkeel is somewhat directional and IIRC may broadcast at 2-3dB off maximum power in a south-southwesterly direction. As it's set to broadcast at 400W max ERP anyway, it would translate into an ERP of about 200W in the direction of Louth/Meath/North Co. Dublin if I'm right. Now Kilkeel is further away than Greenore but it's also much higher up, located on top of a hill outside Kilkeel. Greenore reception might be interrupted by analogue RTE2 from Cairn Hill in some places but probably won't make much difference.

I'd love to know what locations will be able to pick up Greenore along the east coast once it fires up in the next week or two.

Also, does anyone know if there are directional restrictions on Greenore or if its broadcasts are more or less omnidirectional?

mrdtv2010

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I thought I'd mention the possibility of Greenore reception being a good marker for reliable Kilkeel reception also. ComReg documents mention that Greenore DTT has been cleared for 200W and as it is in the same direction as Kilkeel for most locations along the northeast coast, any areas that can receive Greenore (south of Clogherhead) along the coast will also be able to receive Kilkeel. Greenore is scheduled to switch on before Digital Switchover starts from Kilkeel.

Technical part: Kilkeel is somewhat directional and IIRC may broadcast at 2-3dB off maximum power in a south-southwesterly direction. As it's set to broadcast at 400W max ERP anyway, it would translate into an ERP of about 200W in the direction of Louth/Meath/North Co. Dublin if I'm right. Now Kilkeel is further away than Greenore but it's also much higher up, located on top of a hill outside Kilkeel. Greenore reception might be interrupted by analogue RTE2 from Cairn Hill in some places but probably won't make much difference.

I'd love to know what locations will be able to pick up Greenore along the east coast once it fires up in the next week or two.

Also, does anyone know if there are directional restrictions on Greenore or if its broadcasts are more or less omnidirectional?

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/kilkeel.php

Kilkeel is nearly 300m ASL, impressive for a relay. ERP of 400W is equivalent to 2kW analogue PAL for coverage purposes.

Peter Rhea

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Also, does anyone know if there are directional restrictions on Greenore or if its broadcasts are more or less omnidirectional?

According to comreg technical parameters, it's non-directional, although whether they actually use it as such is another matter. The 'Carlingford' analogue relay (are they the same?) seems to be quite heavily restricted (or not needed) to the north & east.

adox

Hi guys.

i just got a Saorview approved TV in the last week and am picking up all the Irish channels on Saorview fine(even though the tv is telling me the signal stregth is less than 30%?). I also receive the current analogue Irish stations and 4 UK analogue stations from the aerial on the roof. I`m hoping that I may pick up the Freeview channels and possibly Freeview HD channels next month when the aso happens.

the thing is I`m not 100% sure where my aerial is pointing. Its been up for about 12 years. I had a look on the saorview site and it recommends Kippure for my area - Rush so Im wondering if it is pointing there and if so how this will affect my chances of receiving freeview. If you put in towns a couple of miles up the cost - Skerries, Balbriggan, it recommends transmitters from the North.

Is there any way to tell which transmitter your ariel is pointing at, say from the info on your tv? All Ive done is had a look up at the roof and try and figure which way the ariel is pointed and it looks like its pointing west or south west, but I cant be sure.

Peter Rhea

Your aerial is probably pointing north to Clermont Carn & Kilkeel. The Saorview channels from CC are on UHF channel 53 (730 mHz), but I wouldn't be surprised if you're actually getting Three Rock on ch. 30 (546 mHz).

The UK analogue channels from Kilkeel are on channels 39, 42, 45 & 49.

adox

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Your aerial is probably pointing north to Clermont Carn & Kilkeel. The Saorview channels from CC are on UHF channel 53 (730 mHz), but I wouldn't be surprised if you're actually getting Three Rock on ch. 30 (546 mHz).

The UK analogue channels from Kilkeel are on channels 39, 42, 45 & 49.

Thanks for that Peter. yeah i`m pretty clueless obviously on direction!:o

I actually used Google maps to look at my house and the aerial is defintely pointing Northwards.

Just another quick question if you dont mind, on my tv menu checking the signal strength and quality, the quality is shown as 100% but the strength is showing at less than 30%. Would these readings be in any way accurate or would you need some professional equipment? My picture is fine, no break up or anything so the signal strength seems alarmingly low if correct.

coylemj

adox wrote: »

I also receive the current analogue Irish stations and 4 UK analogue stations from the aerial on the roof. I`m hoping that I may pick up the Freeview channels and possibly Freeview HD channels next month when the aso happens.

the thing is I`m not 100% sure where my aerial is pointing. Its been up for about 12 years. I had a look on the saorview site and it recommends Kippure for my area - Rush so Im wondering if it is pointing there and if so how this will affect my chances of receiving freeview.

If you only have one aerial and are picking up the four Irish analogue stations then you can't be receiving the RTE analog stations from Kippure as it transmits RTE1/2 on VHF and TV3/TG4 on UHF. If you live in Rush, have one aerial and it's picking up the analog Irish and UK stations then it is pointing north, no question. I think you've worked this out according to your later post.

It's almost certain that you'll get the UK Freeview stations on Oct 10th but you'll just have to sit it out and wait. Switchover for Kilkeel is 'mid-afternoon', the BBC2 analog signal will disappear at midnight the night before so do a retune at about 5 p.m. on Oct 10th and see what happens.

Peter Rhea

adox wrote: »

Just another quick question if you dont mind, on my tv menu checking the signal strength and quality, the quality is shown as 100% but the strength is showing at less than 30%. Would these readings be in any way accurate or would you need some professional equipment? My picture is fine, no break up or anything so the signal strength seems alarmingly low if correct.

You'd need professional equipment to be really sure that the signal level is within spec. The Clermont Carn signal won't be on full power until switchover, when it moves to channel 52. If you're actually getting Three Rock (ch.30) or Kippure (ch.54), the signal will be arriving via the back of your aerial & this isn't exactly ideal wrt the signal level at your receiver.

adox

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You'd need professional equipment to be really sure that the signal level is within spec. The Clermont Carn signal won't be on full power until switchover, when it moves to channel 52. If you're actually getting Three Rock (ch.30) or Kippure (ch.54), the signal will be arriving via the back of your aerial & this isn't exactly ideal wrt the signal level at your receiver.

Yeah just home now and checked and Saorview is on channel 30 so must be from Three Rock. Strength is up to over 60% at the moment so must be weather dependant. As said though, in the week or so that I've had the telly I haven't had any picture/audio drop outs. I may try a rescan and see if it picks up Saorview from a different transmitter but I presume this is doubtful.

I'm going to leave the aerial pointed North for the time being. Hopefully by next month ill have Freeview (and Freeview HD). If not I may look into getting someone to point the aerial southward. There will be no point having it face North if Freeview doesn't come through.

coylemj

OP, can you confirm that (1) you only have one aerial and (2) you can currently receive RTE1 & 2, TV3 and TG4 on analogue?

maxg

adox wrote: »

Just another quick question if you dont mind, on my tv menu checking the signal strength and quality, the quality is shown as 100% but the strength is showing at less than 30%. Would these readings be in any way accurate or would you need some professional equipment? My picture is fine, no break up or anything so the signal strength seems alarmingly low if correct.

What is your problem? 100% quality means no errors are received in the digital data stream.

adox

maxg wrote: »

What is your problem? 100% quality means no errors are received in the digital data stream.

My signal strength is quite week according to my tv menu so I was asking a question about the importance of it in comparison to signal quality.

I've only had Saorview a week and am unfamiliar with most of the technical side of it so am trying to educate myself on here by asking questions.

The Cush

adox wrote: »

My signal strength is quite week according to my tv menu so I was asking a question about the importance of it in comparison to signal quality.

I've only had Saorview a week and am unfamiliar with most of the technical side of it so am trying to educate myself on here by asking questions.

Signal quality is the important figure but you also require a stable signal strength reading also. Most TVs display these figure as percentages so its difficult to interpret the actual figures or the accuracy of the readings behind these percentages. I have seen a TV with a hi signal strength but a 94% signal quality reading with some picture breakup in certain weather conditions. A proper digital terrestrial meter will give the most accurate figures.

A proper meter will display signal quality readings as a BER figure and signal strength in dBuV.

I posted this previously - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=80028195#post80028195

Ronnie Raygun

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I thought I'd mention the possibility of Greenore reception being a good marker for reliable Kilkeel reception also.

Far too much of a height discrepancy to be any kind of useful comparison. Kilkeel's transmit aerials are at about 10 times the height of Greenore's.

Greenore is on now, anyway, if anyone wants to try it.

Ronnie Raygun

adox wrote: »

My signal strength is quite week according to my tv menu so I was asking a question about the importance of it in comparison to signal quality.

I'd say the explanation is that already given re. the aerial pointing north but the signal coming from the south. There must be a strong signal from Three Rock at your location, hence the good signal quality, but the aerial will reject a lot of the signal energy (with no real effect on quality, like fitting an attenuator), lowering the strength at the receiver.

coylemj

If adox only has one aerial which is pointing north and can pick up the UK analog channels, how could that same aerial pick up the Saorview signal from Three Rock in preference to the signal from Clermont Carn? Isn't the reflector at the back of the aerial designed to screen signals from the rear?

I suspect there's a little contract aerial pointing at Three Rock that he's not telling us about.

adox

coylemj wrote: »

If adox only has one aerial which is pointing north and can pick up the UK analog channels, how could that same aerial pick up the Saorview signal from Three Rock in preference to the signal from Clermont Carn? Isn't the reflector at the back of the aerial designed to screen signals from the rear?

I suspect there's a little contract aerial pointing at Three Rock that he's not telling us about.

There isnt a little contract aeriel pointing at Three Rock as far as I know. The aerial was put up 12 years ago and hasnt been altered since.

Peter Rhea

coylemj wrote: »

If adox only has one aerial which is pointing north and can pick up the UK analog channels, how could that same aerial pick up the Saorview signal from Three Rock in preference to the signal from Clermont Carn? Isn't the reflector at the back of the aerial designed to screen signals from the rear?

The reflector won't completely screen signals from the rear. It's why aerials have a quoted 'front to back ratio' & response plots will show lobes to the back & sides. Log-periodics are reckoned to be the best at rejecting signals arriving from the rear: afaia, the phasing of signals arriving at the aerial's feed point is far more important than any screening effect.

It's been mentioned in this forum before, that Clermont currently has poor coverage in north Dublin & this should improve at switchover. Adox could try a manual tune on ch.53 & compare it to the ch.30 signal.