Republic of Ireland Freeview HD reception reports

John Dough

Its time to send in your reports here as ASO has gone.

Reception south of Drogheda in to Meath Dublin Kildare Wicklow or further welcome and please specify all gear in use.

Apologies if this has been asked before.

guinnessdrinker

I would be interested to know about people's experiences in the Sligo/Leitrim area.

galtee boy

Would be interesting to know how far south into the Rep of Ireland will Freeview from NI reach ? I remember someone ages ago, thinking it might reach as far south as North Tipperary !

p.oconnor

galtee boy wrote: »

Would be interesting to know how far south into the Rep of Ireland will Freeview from NI reach ? I remember someone ages ago, thinking it might reach as far south as North Tipperary !

Surely be to god it couldn't reach Tipperary could it?. How far west are people managing to get freeview from Wales?

Stl150

Would love to know how this is working out around south Dublin. I'm elevated with a clear view to Dublin airport so I may try it out if I can figure out the equipment required

Dummy

Stl150 wrote: »

Would love to know how this is working out around south Dublin. I'm elevated with a clear view to Dublin airport so I may try it out if I can figure out the equipment required

There's a chap in Monkstown that is getting an excellent signal.

Have a look at message #117 on this thread - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056755770&page=8

Am planning putting an antenna up to see what i can get.

watty

galtee boy wrote: »

Would be interesting to know how far south into the Rep of Ireland will Freeview from NI reach ? I remember someone ages ago, thinking it might reach as far south as North Tipperary !

Well I bet you can get reception on top of Keeper Hill in Tipperary

Bettystown runner

has the freeview signal gone for the republic i'm in meath can can get no signal at all it was perfect lastweek

Peter Rhea

The signal hasn't gone anywhere. Digital works in an all-or-nothing kind of way: your 'perfect' reception was probably just borderline.

A slight deterioration in your received signal & your receiver can no longer decode it.

adox

I'm here in Rush co Dublin and usually get the Freeview "Lite" channels on a Sony Smart tv with a built in Freeview HD receiver. Signal reading for the telly is near 100% on both strength and quality.

However I do lose them completely sometimes. It must be interference from a transmitter across the water somewhere as when I lose them I get Sky news, Dave etc coming in, although a much weaker signal and just about watchable but with some break up. When they decide to go I get my original BBC HDs etc back perfect again. Saorview remains unaffected.

Not sure if atmospheric conditions can affect signal reception?

Peter Rhea

Atmospheric conditions affect signal propagation, often allowing distant co-channel transmissions to arrive at your aerial at much greater strength than usual. This will easily overwhelm an already weak 'wanted' signal.

Transmission networks are nationally & internationally co-ordinated so this disruption should only happen a small percentage of the time in each transmitter service area. People in Meath & Dublin are well outside the service areas of the likes of Divis & Kilkeel though.

John Dough

It does not take a expert to realise that the terrestrial signal has been weak for the last month or so might have something to do with tests on the RTE player.

In the previous 12 months signal was very powerful from three rock but now definately down a couple of notches and its got nothing to do with atmospherics unless you are on the borderline.;)

adox

So I'm confused then to why I am having my Freeview problems.

Gonzo

having Freeview problems here too, really bad over past few weeks. BBC1,2, UTV,channel 4 and Channel 5 are perfect but all the other Freeview channels are pixilated and often disappear. We had an almost perfect signal till the end of May

Bettystown runner

i was just talking to a guy who works in the TV Ariel job and he tells me that BBC have turned down the power on Kilkeel to try and limit the overflow to ROI
anybody else hear this?

Peter Rhea

adox wrote: »

So I'm confused then to why I am having my Freeview problems.

Why the confusion?

Gonzo wrote: »

having Freeview problems here too, really bad over past few weeks. BBC1,2, UTV,channel 4 and Channel 5 are perfect but all the other Freeview channels are pixilated and often disappear. We had an almost perfect signal till the end of May

You're in Dunshaughlin. Do you seriously believe you should have a reliable service from a transmitter in Belfast?

Bettystown runner wrote: »

i was just talking to a guy who works in the TV Ariel job and he tells me that BBC have turned down the power on Kilkeel to try and limit the overflow to ROI
anybody else hear this?

Where did this tv aerial guy hear it?

winston_1

John Dough wrote: »

It does not take a expert to realise that the terrestrial signal has been weak for the last month or so might have something to do with tests on the RTE player.

No, an expert would not think that at all. RTE player tests would have no effect on transmitter power.

winston_1

Bettystown runner wrote: »

i was just talking to a guy who works in the TV Ariel job and he tells me that BBC have turned down the power on Kilkeel to try and limit the overflow to ROI
anybody else hear this?

TV Ariel? Ariel is washing powder. Turning down the power would also affect NI viewers. Why would the BBC do that? The BBC pay for the rights to cover Ireland anyway as satellite transmissions cover Ireland. Also the BBC don't own the transmitters so they couldn't turn down the power.

winston_1

adox wrote: »

So I'm confused then to why I am having my Freeview problems.

Because you are outside the service area for Freeview and reception is not guaranteed.

adox

winston_1 wrote: »

Because you are outside the service area for Freeview and reception is not guaranteed.

Yes I release that. What I am confused about is what is happening when I am completely losing the BBCs etc and getting the likes of Sky News, Dave etc coming in. Is it just the case of a stronger signal from Great Britain overtaking my regular signal from Northern Ireland and has there been a new transmitter go online in the last few months to cause these problems, which I didn't have beforehand?

adox

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Why

Sorry Peter, only saw your post now. Tried to explain in the post above.

Peter Rhea

adox wrote: »

. . . has there been a new transmitter go online in the last few months to cause these problems, which I didn't have beforehand?

There have been channel changes at a lot of UK transmitters to facilitate clearance of the 800 mHz band for 4G mobile. There are now more transmitters on channel 39, the same as the HD mux from Kilkeel. Most of these are low powered though.

What I would regard as the 2 main interference suspects where you are, Black Mountain NImux (Belfast) & Moel-Y-Parc (north Wales) have been using channel 39 since our DSO or shortly after in the case of MYP.

John Dough

[QUOTE=winston_1The BBC pay for the rights to cover Ireland anyway as satellite transmissions cover Ireland. Also the BBC don't own the transmitters so they couldn't turn down the power.[/QUOTE]

BBC have no rights for Rep.of Ireland terrestrial or satellite RTE have Saorview rights for Rep of Ireland.

John Dough

Gonzo wrote: »

having Freeview problems here too, really bad over past few weeks. BBC1,2, UTV,channel 4 and Channel 5 are perfect but all the other Freeview channels are pixilated and often disappear. We had an almost perfect signal till the end of May

Do you mean Saorview if so what channel were you receiving there.

In the UK channels above 60 have all been moved down and it is causing havoc over there between channel 34 and 40 as nearly all VCRs were set to these channels , a filter is available do a google for aT800 and you will see more info about new "T" band aeriels and filters.Blame the introdution of 4G mobile signals!! God knows what will happen whe 5G starts!!;)

Peter Rhea

John Dough wrote: »

BBC have no rights for Rep.of Ireland terrestrial or satellite RTE have Saorview rights for Rep of Ireland.

So you think RTE asked to get the power turned down on Kilkeel (just Kilkeel?) because it was infringing their 'rights'? (Or was it someone else mentioned Kilkeel being 'turned down'?)

John Dough

Always got great reception in Skerries/Bettytown/Rush from N.I. last year DVB-T but have not been up that way this year yet waiting for the summer!!!

Peter Rhea

John Dough wrote: »

In the UK channels above 60 have all been moved down and it is causing havoc over there between channel 34 and 40 as nearly all VCRs were set to these channels , a filter is available do a google for aT800 and you will see more info about new "T" band aeriels and filters.Blame the introdution of 4G mobile signals!! God knows what will happen whe 5G starts!!;)

VCRs?! Any chance you could stop posting rubbish?

Play To Kill

John Dough wrote: »

Do you mean Saorview if so what channel were you receiving there.

In the UK channels above 60 have all been moved down and it is causing havoc over there between channel 34 and 40 as nearly all VCRs were set to these channels , a filter is available do a google for aT800 and you will see more info about new "T" band aeriels and filters.Blame the introdution of 4G mobile signals!! God knows what will happen whe 5G starts!!;)

Causing havoc with VCR's? Maybe you should try google yourself?

Anyway, 4G isn't causing many problems, a maximum 90,000 households in the UK may be affected and require a filter which will be supplied free of charge. A tiny number of households will have significant problems that can't be resolved. I don't remember the exact number the RDI mentioned in an email circular to installers but as far as I remember it was in the 100's. Also all the reports from the 4G testing in the UK in the past few months suggest the number of housholds affected will be much less than the predicted 90,000. Most of the problems encountered so far have been caused by poor quality installations and have been resolved without the use of a filter.

Bettystown runner

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Why the confusion?



You're in Dunshaughlin. Do you seriously believe you should have a reliable service from a transmitter in Belfast?



Where did this tv aerial guy hear it?

he told me he has had a lot more calls over the last week or so right up the louth coast to dundalk and more people putting in sat systems for UK Stations
don't really know much but as i said last few days we had black screens but today the ITV set of stations are back strong but the BBC's are still breaking up
could the aerial position cause this to happen?
any advice welcome
thanks

Play To Kill

Bettystown runner wrote: »

he told me he has had a lot more calls over the last week or so right up the louth coast to dundalk and more people putting in sat systems for UK Stations
don't really know much but as i said last few days we had black screens but today the ITV set of stations are back strong but the BBC's are still breaking up
could the aerial position cause this to happen?
any advice welcome
thanks

Post 4 in this thread about installations around Wexford probably explains why
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056963264

Duggys Housemate

Peter Rhea wrote: »

So you think RTE asked to get the power turned down on Kilkeel (just Kilkeel?) because it was infringing their 'rights'? (Or was it someone else mentioned Kilkeel being 'turned down'?)

Neither, but the BBC don't have rights to broadcast here, and/or self restrict. see the BBC iPlayer.

John Dough

Peter Rhea wrote: »

VCRs?! Any chance you could stop posting rubbish?

Obviously you are too young to remember them have a look in your local Currys they still sell them so get your facts right before posting.:D

Peter Rhea

Oh, I know what a VCR is alright, still have one stashed away at home.

I also remember the whole Channel 5 retuning thing back in the 90s & it seems you do too, only you've lost track of time or something.

Anyway, channels 31-37 inclusive still aren't in use in the UK, although there is talk of an 'interim' HD service in this so-called '600 mHz band'.

whitebriar

Sounds like co channel interference from somewhere to me.
Lashing rain this lunchtime down here in Arklow and all channels from Preseli wales are blasting in as usual.
We've had some issues in the past few days with co channel from llandonna causing break up.
However My workaround for that is to have CH 53 and 57 tuned in from CH 999 and lower on the TV's so switching to them in that scenario works.

Same applies to saorview, if you get more than one tx,tune them in as spares.
Llandonna might reach the Louth and Dublin coasts in lifts,so if you ever have it store it as a spare.

Obviously satellite is the bomb if your freeview is not reliable. But if you had an old aerial and you've reasonable main channels, I'd keep that for multi room.

Peter Rhea

Duggys Housemate wrote: »

the BBC don't have rights to broadcast here, and/or self restrict. see the BBC iPlayer.

The transmitter operator can't work magic wrt limiting overspill. Same with satellite.

In the case of Kilkeel, it actually has a very generous digital power output, when compared to what it had for analogue. Presumably this is to fend off the same interference that causes trouble once you leave the service area.

adox

whitebriar wrote: »

Sounds like co channel interference from somewhere to me.
Lashing rain this lunchtime down here in Arklow and all channels from Preseli wales are blasting in as usual.
We've had some issues in the past few days with co channel from llandonna causing break up.
However My workaround for that is to have CH 53 and 57 tuned in from CH 999 and lower on the TV's so switching to them in that scenario works.

Same applies to saorview, if you get more than one tx,tune them in as spares.
Llandonna might reach the Louth and Dublin coasts in lifts,so if you ever have it store it as a spare.

Obviously satellite is the bomb if your freeview is not reliable. But if you had an old aerial and you've reasonable main channels, I'd keep that for multi room.

Sorry but could you explain the bolded bit a bit more?

whitebriar

adox wrote: »

Sorry but could you explain the bolded bit a bit more?

Ah,it just means I can pick up two of the other Llandonna muxes when 2 of them muck Preseli.
Last night for example I was watching all the psb HD channels via Llandonna at a time when they were breaking up on Preseli-hence in the rare circumstances that happens here,there are choices.
I have llandonna in the high 900's on my EPG.

Gonzo

John Dough wrote: »

Do you mean Saorview if so what channel were you receiving there.

In the UK channels above 60 have all been moved down and it is causing havoc over there between channel 34 and 40 as nearly all VCRs were set to these channels , a filter is available do a google for aT800 and you will see more info about new "T" band aeriels and filters.Blame the introdution of 4G mobile signals!! God knows what will happen whe 5G starts!!;)

I dont have a Saorview or a Freeview box, just an old aerial into the back of our tv. Previous to the digital switchover I used to get the Irish stations of reasonable quality and extremely poor snowy reception of BBC 1 and 2, UTV and Channel 4. On October 25 2012 we had no stations so I did a channel rescan and instantly got BBC1 and BBC2 on channels 1 and 2 then UTV, channel 4 and channel 5 after them. Quality of image is perfect most of the time with the odd pixel every now and then. AFter that I get about 25 other UK stations of various quality, ITV2, E4, BBC Red Button channels, BBC news and RT all very good quality. Channels like Food Network, Dave are often very poor quality, the odd day they are perfect. I have never been able to receive 5Usa or 5*. The TV also somehow picked up on ITV Wales, Top-Up Direct channels, S4C but no image just a black screen with no signal found. Also have the Irish channels coming in fine. This serves perfect for our kitchen as we do not have a sky box in there.

Peter Rhea

Gonzo wrote: »

Quality of image is perfect most of the time with the odd pixel every now and then.

That's actually a textbook description of reception near the point of failure, balancing on the edge of the 'digital cliff'.

whitebriar

Gonzo wrote: »

I dont have a Saorview or a Freeview box, just an old aerial into the back of our tv. Previous to the digital switchover I used to get the Irish stations of reasonable quality and extremely poor snowy reception of BBC 1 and 2, UTV and Channel 4. On October 25 2012 we had no stations so I did a channel rescan and instantly got BBC1 and BBC2 on channels 1 and 2 then UTV, channel 4 and channel 5 after them. Quality of image is perfect most of the time with the odd pixel every now and then. AFter that I get about 25 other UK stations of various quality, ITV2, E4, BBC Red Button channels, BBC news and RT all very good quality. Channels like Food Network, Dave are often very poor quality, the odd day they are perfect. I have never been able to receive 5Usa or 5*. The TV also somehow picked up on ITV Wales, Top-Up Direct channels, S4C but no image just a black screen with no signal found. Also have the Irish channels coming in fine. This serves perfect for our kitchen as we do not have a sky box in there.

Your tv auto stored Itv wales during a lift,thats why it's there in your epg.At some point when your tv stored it,there would have been enough signal for you to view it but when the lift goes and the signal goes,the evidence remains in the epg.

Your reception would probably improve,if you got a once off service by a local aerial professional.

dublinman1990

Dummy wrote: »

There's a chap in Monkstown that is getting an excellent signal.

Have a look at message #117 on this thread - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056755770&page=8

Am planning putting an antenna up to see what i can get.

That is a great setup to look at. How does he get it though?

I know he is getting the Saorview channels from the Three Rock transmitter. I would love to know did he get another aerial to get the UK stations. I've attempted to get freeview uk on my Laurus Saorview box (formerly Vestrel) nearby in Newtownpark Avenue many times in the last two months. It still gets Saorview channels though & it is ridiculous.

Is there ever any chance to UK Stations on CH 30.

Peter Rhea

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I would love to know did he get another aerial to get the UK stations.

The 'chap in Monkstown' seems to have an aerial aimed at the Kilkeel transmitter. I would seriously doubt his reception has been constantly reliable since that post dated 17-10-2012.

If you want reliable, free reception of UK channels in Dublin, get a satellite dish.

dublinman1990

Peter Rhea wrote: »

If you want reliable, free reception of UK channels in Dublin, get a satellite dish.

I have a dish connected up as well thanks to my triax combo box.

Finn51

Freeview in Meath area down since mid Feb. , now restored March 4. If you retuned all channels are now deleted and a new auto scan is required.Good luck.

Peter Rhea

Finn51 wrote: »

Freeview in Meath area down since mid Feb. , now restored March 4.

You mean Freeview wasn't working on your TV & now you have reception back?

There is no Freeview transmitter specifically serving Meath, what with Freeview being a UK service & all.

John Dough

Gonzo wrote: »

I dont have a Saorview or a Freeview box, just an old aerial into the back of our tv. Previous to the digital switchover I used to get the Irish stations of reasonable quality and extremely poor snowy reception of BBC 1 and 2, UTV and Channel 4. On October 25 2012 we had no stations so I did a channel rescan and instantly got BBC1 and BBC2 on channels 1 and 2 then UTV, channel 4 and channel 5 after them. Quality of image is perfect most of the time with the odd pixel every now and then. AFter that I get about 25 other UK stations of various quality, ITV2, E4, BBC Red Button channels, BBC news and RT all very good quality. Channels like Food Network, Dave are often very poor quality, the odd day they are perfect. I have never been able to receive 5Usa or 5*. The TV also somehow picked up on ITV Wales, Top-Up Direct channels, S4C but no image just a black screen with no signal found. Also have the Irish channels coming in fine. This serves perfect for our kitchen as we do not have a sky box in there.

Could you clarify a "old aerial" is it inside powered or not or outside at what height,amp etc.

The Cush

John Dough wrote: »

Could you clarify a "old aerial" is it inside powered or not or outside at what height,amp etc.

All sorted about 7 months ago it appears - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85617973

John Dough

Should be some fun this month with switchoff though as most people do not look at the EPG..

Finn51

Reception continues to be erratic . As for transmitter info check out

http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php?c=6

Peter Rhea

Finn51 wrote: »

Reception continues to be erratic . As for transmitter info . . .

Your problem has nothing whatsoever to do with any transmitter fault.

Your own aerial system may be damaged/degraded by age/was never good enough to begin with. You might be in an area where the signal simply isn't strong enough for reliable reception or, is subject to interference from other transmitters using the same frequencies: e.g. Mt. Leinster, even Mullaghanish, also Divis & Brougher Mtn. share frequencies.

Freeview is a UK service & they don't care what reception is like in Meath.

Finn51

I have been getting almost perfect freeview reception for the past six years probably due to the height of my address. I also have freesat from my dish so the comment was only out of curiosity to see if others have experienced same.