Saorview Connect

STB.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

This for example

https://www.ekt-digital.com/stb-devices/dxd7025#specifications

Well I had asked the question and so did you. Infact not one of the questions I asked has been answered.

BUT, apparently Serit the tuner manufacturers that you find in most STB's/IDTVs have developed one.

Its called the FTM4862H/FTM4862V.



There are no combo tuners on the market in STBs that I know of that contain this, so perhaps EKT are the first to implement one. I'd wager that the RF tuner on this box is just an DVB-T/T2 and does not have the same capacity as the twin Serit module with the F connectors below that allow switching. That would mean that one of the f connector connections on the box can handle both dvb-s2/dvb-t2 and the other is disabled as per posts by Keri. If indeed thats whats in the EKT box. Perhaps Keri might elaborate.

Frequency range:
DVB-T/T2/C/Mode: 44MHz~1002MHz
DVB-S/S2 Mode: 950MHz~2150MHz
Current Consumption:
3.3VT(RDA5815M+MXL603)400mA
3.3VD:33mA
1.2VA:410mA
Bandwidth:1.7/6/7/8MHz
Tuner IC:MxL603 Tuner IC:RDA5815M
Demodulator IC:AVL6862TA
ETSI EN 302-755 V1.3.1(DVB-T2/T2-Lite)
ETSI EN 300-744 V1.6.1(DVB-T)
ETSI EN 307-421 V1.2.1(DVB-S2)
ETSI EN 300-421 V1.1.2(DVB-S)
ITU-T J.83:Annex A(DVB-C),B(US cable),C

Gerry Wicklow

Thanks STB. We live and learn

Johnboy1951

The line-up details on this page might be of interest

http://www.solu-m.com/eng/product/digitaltuner.php

Nermal

What is the obstacle to an official, integrated EPG? Is it just that RTE have to pay a fee to Freesat?

Thurston?

Why should RTE be providing full-featured access to another country's TV output?

corm500

Nermal wrote: »

What is the obstacle to an official, integrated EPG? Is it just that RTE have to pay a fee to Freesat?

That's a very good question. The integrated epg is what everyone wants.

corm500

Thurston? wrote: »

Why should RTE be providing full-featured access to another country's TV output?

If the people behind Saorview connect want it to be a success, the cold reality is that you need an integrated epg. Whilst some of us are happy enough with changing between inputs to go between Saorview and Freesat, the vast majority of people won't bother. And they are more likely to keep the Freesat box on as opposed to the saorview box.
Therefore the Irish channels lose out on exposure and advertising reach.
It IS in RTÉs economic interests to get a fully featured integrated epg on to the connect box. Even if they have to pay epg rights to Freesat. It's a no brainer, if it is not cost prohibitive.

tsue921i8wljb3

Nermal wrote: »

What is the obstacle to an official, integrated EPG? Is it just that RTE have to pay a fee to Freesat?

Maybe RTE does not want BBC for example on the EPG with the potential loss of viewership and therefore advertising revenue for programmes like Eastenders. The same is likely true for TV3 with it's stable of UK imports.

There is also the Freesat position to consider. For them to license their EPG to a country where no license fee revenue is gathered could be a PR disaster. Imagine the Daily Mail headlines that might ensue.

The current grey area is tolerated by all but I don't foresee the status quo changing any time soon.

STB.

Thurston? wrote: »

Why should RTE be providing full-featured access to another country's TV output?

Because they have invested a lot to replace the analogue system that is expected that they will have continued responsibility to ensure the free to air platform is a success in Ireland.

Since the commercial muxes will never happen, the FTA content is limited and needs to be supplemented to make it an attractive proposition and alternative free viewing method.

Satellite signals do not recognise borders. The viewing in Ireland of UK channels via satellite on a free to air basis has been largely popular since their move to open non encrypted signals on Astra 2D 14 years ago.

Unlike the Freeview overspill, these stations grouped under the Freesat banner completely blanket covers the whole of Ireland. This in itself has long been the elephant in the room ala programme rights and competition not encountered when previously encrypted.

We now have a ludicrous position whereby a blind eye has been paid to the blanket encroachment of these signals (largely because its been going on so long thats its accepted) whilst on the other hand the consortium that run Freesat have no problem with the encroachment yet wont provide access to the data that is broadcast alongside these open broadcast streams.

Nermal wrote: »

What is the obstacle to an official, integrated EPG? Is it just that RTE have to pay a fee to Freesat?

Because the Freesat platform receives UK subvention they really should not be available outside its jurisdiction. The Channels are booming into every house that has a dish in Ireland, yet the argument is that the epg data cannot be offered as its UK licence payers money.

Tigerandahalf

I wonder would we see any combi box were it not for the saorsat commitment?

Schorpio

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I wonder would we see any combi box were it not for the saorsat commitment?

Yes we would. Saorsat is largely irrelevant as far as this box (or any combi) is concerned. Kerri herself even mentioned that the input is geared for 28.2 feeds.

The annoying thing is that the powers-that-be know that a combi box is needed which delivers both freesat and saorview if the terrestrial market in Ireland is to succeed. And they've delivered a half-baked product which really doesn't solve any problems. And is before you consider the price of it.

I would also argue that droves of people are paying for premium TV providers 'basic' packages, which barley give you anything more than freesat. There's a lack of knowledge out there, whereby lots of people think that they can only receive the mainstream UK channels from subscription based services. A proper (licensed) freesat/saorview combi box, combined with an advertising campaign could go some way towards fixing that and save some people money they don't need to spend.

I also don't understand the rights issues, and the (seeming) unwillingness of freesat to license their epg. The UK channels are being openly sold here as part of subscription-based tv packages, whist the fact that they are available freely is kept quiet. Are the BBC getting any kickback from their channels being used to sell tv packages over here? Furthermore, Channel 4 and the likes are actively advertising to an Irish audience. L

Licensing the epg data would surely give freesat another source of income for little effort? And at the end of the day, it wouldn't give us anything we don't already have - just a bit of convenience. And if a euro or two manages to escape a certian Mr. Murdoch's pocket - then how bad.

Thurston?

Schorpio wrote: »

... Furthermore, Channel 4 and the likes are actively advertising to an Irish audience.

Isn't the Irish ads version of C4 still encrypted though?

Johnboy1951

I know little of the rights to the EPG data for every channel on Astra, so maybe someone would enlighten me.

Do Freesat have the exclusive rights to the 7 Day EPG for all the channels in their list?

If not, I would think it is in each individual channels interest to have their EPG available wherever their channel can be received.

JDxtra

Do you know who could throw a spanner in the works here? Sky. They already have a Now TV Smart box that has a terrestrial tuner.

This would be an attractive option if they could get the RTE player on board (they are exploring that already), plus streaming versions of some of the main UK terrestrial channels (Channel 4 at least).

Thurston?

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

... I would think it is in each individual channels interest to have their EPG available wherever their channel can be received.

They're only FTA here at all because either they wanted to be freely available in their home territory without any kind of card scheme, or they're crap that's not worth encrypting.

Tigerandahalf

Well if the combi box is aimed at the 26.2 it is a shame there is no combined 7 day epg but it was always unlikely and Saorview could never bare the cost of licensing the epg (not that freesat would want to in the 1st place).

If the combined epg had been delivered it would have wiped out the basic packages from the paytv providers.

I am just hoping I can get the freesat/saorview combo set up with the 1 remote and hopefully use a priority switch (that Gerry Wicklow recommended to me) which would allow me to split the 1 sat feed into the freesat and combi box.
I don't know if the priority switch will allow me to remote record if the boxes are in standby.

Gerry Wicklow

A properly configured combo box does almost everything you could need. I don't see why you want the extra complications of a second Freesat box and priority sw.

Harry Palmr

corm500 wrote: »

If the people behind Saorview connect want it to be a success, the cold reality is that you need an integrated epg. Whilst some of us are happy enough with changing between inputs to go between Saorview and Freesat, the vast majority of people won't bother. And they are more likely to keep the Freesat box on as opposed to the saorview box.
Therefore the Irish channels lose out on exposure and advertising reach.
It IS in RT economic interests to get a fully featured integrated epg on to the connect box. Even if they have to pay epg rights to Freesat. It's a no brainer, if it is not cost prohibitive.

As I said here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=104873698&postcount=1046

What (and this is a broader topic really) was needed back in the day was for RTE to be incorporated into Freesat (for a fee of course !) when it was established within an appropriately regulated pan Irish Sea broadcasting environment. Everyone knows we watch UK telly on Freesat (or other FTA boxes) for nothing, the pity is that it operates as a grey market.

Thurston?

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Well if the combi box is aimed at the 26.2 it is a shame there is no combined 7 day epg but it was always unlikely and Saorview could never bare the cost of licensing the epg (not that freesat would want to in the 1st place).

The overspill is just an inconvenient glitch that those with content worth anything are willing to pay a bit extra to 'make it go away'.

As was mentioned already, it's an odd situation whereby Saorview probably wish it would actually go away, but at the same time must be powerless to do anything about it, & know their own offering is considerably less attractive.

Tigerandahalf

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

A properly configured combo box does almost everything you could need. I don't see why you want the extra complications of a second Freesat box and priority sw.

So I can record from the epg and series link.

Tigerandahalf

Harry Palmr wrote: »

As I said here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=104873698&postcount=1046

That could never happen and would be a disaster for sporting rights in Ireland.
You wouldn't have rte/tv3 showing Champions League if BT had a uk tv rights agreement in place.
Numerous other examples too.

Thurston?

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

So I can record from the epg and series link.

And iirc, you wanted the sat. connection to the combo, so you could cycle between channels with the 'previous ch.' button. Does your TV not switch sources at least as quickly as this?

Former Former

Schorpio wrote: »

Licensing the epg data would surely give freesat another source of income for little effort? And at the end of the day, it wouldn't give us anything we don't already have - just a bit of convenience. And if a euro or two manages to escape a certian Mr. Murdoch's pocket - then how bad.

It's not nearly as simple as that. Licensing the EPG to Ireland basically says yes, we are now officially broadcasting into Ireland and that creates all sorts of issues. So you've TV3 paying for the Irish rights to Coronation St, and suddenly Saorview are advertising a product that completely undermines the value of those rights. Saorview would be hauled in front of the courts faster than you can say ex parte injunction.

It can't happen. People need to re-adjust their expectations of what Saorview is and what it can realistically provide.

Tigerandahalf

Thurston? wrote: »

And iirc, you wanted the sat. connection to the combo, so you could cycle between channels with the 'previous ch.' button. Does your TV not switch sources at least as quickly as this?

Not a chance. I can recall channels between sat and terrestrial in under 2 secs.
To change the hdmi input currently I would need the tv remote and 3/4 button presses to change source. Then go back to the main remote. An extra remote to get lost too with young kids around.
That would be a pain when you want to recall several times when watching two different sport events.

The Cush

Discussed here on the forum earlier this year, the new Walker and Nordmende range of combi TVs (Vestel?) have a combined epg, with the FTA sat channels starting at 300. If they can do it why can't EKT?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=102912544

Tigerandahalf

Former Former wrote: »

It can't happen. People need to re-adjust their expectations of what Saorview is and what it can realistically provide.

But that is happening irrespective of whether the epg is there or not.
Isn't this why tv3/rte start Corrie/Eastenders a minute earlier than the uk channels.

Former Former

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

But that is happening irrespective of whether the epg is there or not.
Isn't this why tv3/rte start Corrie/Eastenders a minute earlier than the uk channels.

The overspill is an unavoidable consequence of satellite broadcasting. That is a very different proposition to a formal marketing of the stations in a foreign country.

Schorpio

Former Former wrote: »

It's not nearly as simple as that. Licensing the EPG to Ireland basically says yes, we are now officially broadcasting into Ireland and that creates all sorts of issues. So you've TV3 paying for the Irish rights to Coronation St, and suddenly Saorview are advertising a product that completely undermines the value of those rights. Saorview would be hauled in front of the courts faster than you can say ex parte injunction.

It can't happen. People need to re-adjust their expectations of what Saorview is and what it can realistically provide.

I completely understand that, and don't think it will happen - but what I don't understand is how the pay tv providers get away with it then? For example, Eastenders is on both BBC and RTE, with BBC been available (and advertised) on paytv platforms. Same goes for Dave, Yesterday, etc. These are existing rights clashes - perhaps with the exception of ITV? Even then, I think ITV 3 and 4 are available on Virgin - though somebody will have to confirm that for me.

Tigerandahalf

Former Former wrote: »

The overspill is an unavoidable consequence of satellite broadcasting. That is a very different proposition to a formal marketing of the stations in a foreign country.

Itv and bbc are receiving money for the soaps being broadcast on Irish channels as well as other programming.

I presume that money > the amount they would receive for any licencing of the epg data.

I guess RTE don't really care where people watch it as long as their ads are carried by the stations.

And buying up the epg data is just another expense that does nothing financially for them.

Former Former

Schorpio wrote: »

I completely understand that, and don't think it will happen - but what I don't understand is how the pay tv providers get away with it then? For example, Eastenders is on both BBC and RTE, with BBC been available (and advertised) on paytv platforms. Same goes for Dave, Yesterday, etc. These are existing rights clashes - perhaps with the exception of ITV? Even then, I think ITV 3 and 4 are available on Virgin - though somebody will have to confirm that for me.

BBC is just a historical aberration, like the old UTV was. It's been around since long before any of this was an issue, and RTE were fully aware of this when they signed up for Eastenders.

It is a completely different issue to suddenly change the rules. You just can't do it and it's totally unreasonable for people to be slating Saorview for commercial realities that are completely out of their control.

If people want a fully functional TV service with all the UK and Irish channels on full EPG, series link and catch-up, it is readily available to every home in the country. If people aren't willing to pay for this, then they have to compromise on what they get. Time to accept that, people.