Belfast local MUX now testing

Richard

Don't know when it started, but it's on channel 30 with tests on LCN 791/792.

Souriau

NIMM is QPSK 2/3 32k DVB T2 at 2kW
New local Mux at Divis is QPSK 3/4 8K DVB at 5KW

I can receive the NIMM at such low power but I can't received the new local Mux at 2.5 times more power than NIMM.

Is is still transmitting?
2 kiloWatts

Richard

Souriau wrote: »

NIMM is QPSK 2/3 32k DVB T2 at 2kW
New local Mux at Divis is QPSK 3/4 8K DVB at 5KW

I can receive the NIMM at such low power but I can't received the new local Mux at 2.5 times more power than NIMM.

Is is still transmitting?
2 kiloWatts

Yes, still loud and clear in Bangor. According to p34 of this document - http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/local-tv/coverage-note.pdf - it won't reach as far as Newry. I think the transmission method (which you refer to) has a bearing on it. although I don't really understand the details myself.

The NIMM coverage is supposed to be better where you are:

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/files/2012/07/NIMuxFactsheet4.pdf

Peter Rhea

Souriau wrote: »

I can receive the NIMM at such low power but I can't received the new local Mux at 2.5 times more power than NIMM.

Why do you think you would be getting Belfast local TV in Newry?

Souriau

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Why do you think you would be getting Belfast local TV in Newry?

I am just enquiring, I don't even know if I can get it or not but seeing the transmitting power level is slightly more powerful than NIMM transmitting power.

Peter Rhea

The power is concentrated towards Belfast.

Richard

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Why do you think you would be getting Belfast local TV in Newry?

There are pockets of reception in mid/south Down so it's not a silly question.

Peter Rhea

The coverage shown on the map in the Ofcom document you linked to, ties in with the shape of the radiation pattern also in that document. Same pattern(s) in the attached doc. here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=87397857&postcount=22

Still nowhere near Newry.

TAFKAlawhec

Channel E30 at Divis has to face some quite directional restrictions (and potentially be subject to interference from) other nearby transmitters using the same frequency. This includes Holywell Hill, Brougher Mountain, Three Rock and Caldbeck who all have co-channel transmissions. It's also planned for E30 to be used for local TV in Ayr from Darvel, the result being that the NVTV aerials on Divis have a slight downward tilt to reduce over-the-horizon reception towards the north east.

Mr. Rabbit

Signal strength has been up and down at this location.

Receivable but with a lot of break up on Saturday, then no signal. Today it's quite weak but with no break up at all.

To be honest, I can't see Darvel being much of a problem. It's not receivable anywhere in NI apart from the east coast of C. Even the high power muxes from Divis don't get to those locations.

Digifriendly

I haven't yet been able to receive local Mux. I live in Moira and can pick up NIMM no problem.

Peter Rhea

The NImux isn't targetted towards Belfast. And it isn't even transmitted from Divis.

NorthDown2

As I posted in another thread, reception gained near Bangor West train station in Bangor. Signal strength was very low but the quality was slightly higher. That was Sunday night. Have also checked at a high location outside Ballymena (near the Ross Park Hotel but slightly higher ground) which the theoretical ofcom maps suggested might just be in the outer fringes but nothing. Thanks Peter for your advice. I do wonder if the mast is radiating northwards at all - especially if Darvel is in the equation for co channel. The signal may not be getting over Divis hill as I think it's less than 100m up the mast. Would love to hear of reports round Ballyclare / Doagh to hear if there is a signal north or not.

Mr. Rabbit

I'm in Jordanstown and the signal is OK here though quite weak. Signal quality seems to be the main problem rather than the actual strength so it may be due to the testing process. It'll be interesting to see what the final situation is when and if they go on air in February.

The signal strength of the NI mux from Black Mountain at this location is very low but quality is fine with no break up. I haven't noticed any change in reception at this end recently so it might be worth while getting your aerials checked out.

Mr. Rabbit

The NImux isn't targetted towards Belfast

I always thought it was Peter.

Does Black Mountain not serve Belfast (at least it did when Channel 5 analogue was transmitted from there), and wasn't the NI mux a replacement for the low power TG4 transmitter from Divis which was there as a result of the Anglo Irish agreement ?

Richard

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

I always thought it was Peter.

Does Black Mountain not serve Belfast (at least it did when Channel 5 analogue was transmitted from there), and wasn't the NI mux a replacement for the low power TG4 transmitter from Divis which was there as a result of the Anglo Irish agreement ?

It is a replacement for the TG4 analogue transmitter but the power output is much greater as is the coverage.

Obviously the nimux is broadcast from a couple of other transmitters as well as Black Mountain.

Peter Rhea

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The NImux isn't targetted towards Belfast. And it isn't even transmitted from Divis.

I always thought it was Peter.

Does Black Mountain not serve Belfast (at least it did when Channel 5 analogue was transmitted from there), and wasn't the NI mux a replacement for the low power TG4 transmitter from Divis which was there as a result of the Anglo Irish agreement ?

By 'targetted towards', I meant that most of the local TV transmission power goes in the direction of Belfast, using a directional aerial. This was already explained in this thread & it is local TV after all. Presumably programme content will be heavily slanted towards local Belfast issues too?

Belfast is served by the NImux from Black Mtn. but, it isn't broadcast only with that city in mind & to the best of my knowledge, uses an omnidirectional aerial at the top of the mast. I can receive it quite well where I am.

I would never have brought the NImux into this discussion at all, as it is completely irrelevant as far as Belfast local TV reception is concerned.

Mr. Rabbit

I would never have brought the NImux into this discussion at all, as it is completely irrelevant as far as Belfast local TV reception is concerned.

I know Peter, but I think people are making comparisons because the NI Mux quite low power from Black Mountain.

I think the local TV mux is targeted towards Belfast and Lisburn, if I remember correctly and not towards the east so getting it here in Jordanstown is a bonus. The signal strength seems to be OK but the quality is fluctuating like mad and it does appear to depend on which STB/PVR you're using.

My Sony 1065 DVD recorder gives good singnal strength and quality for example, but another Sony fails to tune it in at all. My Humax 9300T has no problems but on other Humax boxes it's broken up.

I would assume this may improve by the launch date ?

Peter Rhea

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

I think the local TV mux is targeted towards Belfast and Lisburn, if I remember correctly and not towards the east

The radiation patterns & coverage maps (in documents linked in this thread, so no need to 'think' anything) show the maximum of radiation to the east.

Richard

Peter Rhea wrote: »

no need to 'think' anything

Peter Rhea

The coverage map & radiation patterns are in official documents linked in this thread, for all to see, so they can know where the local mux coverage is targetted. Or just use the Freeview coverage checker.

Mr. Rabbit

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The radiation patterns & coverage maps (in documents linked in this thread, so no need to 'think' anything) show the maximum of radiation to the east.

Not this far east, according to Digital UK.

For some reason I have it in my mind that it's beamed towards Lisburn and it's supposed to cover there and Belfast, but not Newtownabbey.

Peter Rhea

Mr. Rabbit wrote: »

For some reason I have it in my mind that it's beamed towards Lisburn

Did you even bother to look at the Ofcom documents linked to in this thread?

Mr. Rabbit

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Did you even bother to look at the Ofcom documents linked to in this thread?

What is predicted and what happens in practice are often two different things, as you should know by now.

There's a coverage map here:

http://recombu.com/digital/news/local-tv-in-belfast_M10998.html

As I have said, the signal is very weak here in Jordanstown with the quality fluctuating quite widely.

That is what is happening in practice in this part of BT37.

Mr. Rabbit

I knew Lisburn was mentioned at one stage:

http://www.belfastlocaltv.com/

Coming to
Belfast (and Lisburn)




a new, local TV channel on Freeview


On Tuesday 9th October 2012, Ofcom announced
that NVTV (Northern Visions TV) have been awarded the licence to operate a new
digital terrestrial local TV service for Belfast. In addition to covering the
greater Belfast area, it’s expected that the signal will be picked up in Lisburn
and beyond in the south, and will likely extend to Larne in the north (see coverage).
Expected launch date is early 2014.

Peter Rhea

That coverage map appears in a document from August 2011. The one shown in the document linked in post #3 (May 2012) is more restricted. Both involve 'assumptions' about transmitting equipment.

The 'Technical Plan' document, from July of this year would seem to be the most up to date available & shows the antenna template along with likely radiation patterns. Lisburn & indeed, Belfast itself, are actually in 2 of the most restricted directions in the template.

I don't see where anyone said there would be no coverage in Lisburn BTW, only that the transmissions weren't 'targetted' there.

Mr. Rabbit

Quality today is now much better on my STBs/PVRs with some showing a steady 100%.

Clearly some work is going on in the testing process.

Excellent signals over at my parent's house in east Belfast.

Digifriendly

Was at friend's house in Ballyhalbert, Co Down yesterday and channel came through loud and clear. Still can't pick it up in Moira yet.