Confusion about MPEG-2 and Saorview?

dublinman1990

I was looking saortv.ie for information on MPEG-2 TV's working with Saorview as I was confused as to what the current situation is with Flat-Screen TV's that are not Saorview Approved that work with Saorview boxes.

I read on the site that if a person purchases a MPEG-2 TV, it will be redundant for Saorview. But does it mean in that scenario if that TV was used without a Saorview Set Top Box.

Will I able to look at Saorview from an approved set top box through a MPEG-2 TV?

In other words If I purchased a "Freeview" MPEG-2 TV and hooked up a Saorview Box to it, I will hook up the aerial and the dish only to the combo box, the TV's only connection to the box will be SCART or HDMI.

Will both the picture and sound still work to receive Saorview? Will the TV work in HD if the Saorview Box is MPEG-4?

For example I have a non flat-screen widescreen TV made by Panasonic at home when viewing Saorview and FTA satellite. I watch it through a SCART lead on the Saorview Approved Triax combo box. The picture is fine for the most part except for HD as the picture quality is good it does feel old fashioned when I watch Sports and other channels like BBC News HD during my spare time.

Any TV's that you can recommend with a MPEG-2 decoder if they work with a Saorview Box?

Thurston?

MPEG2 v. MPEG4 is only relevant WRT decoding the off-air signal. And it's MPEG2-only TVs that don't work with Saorview.

Any TV with an AV input (HDMI, scart, RCA composite video + audio) will work with a Saorview STB. Even an old set with only RF-in, if you use a modulator.

You will only get HD with a HDMI connection.

Are you thinking of buying an MPEG2-only TV, & just why would you be looking for such a thing?

dublinman1990

Thurston? wrote: »

And it's MPEG2-only TVs that don't work with Saorview.

Could you elaborate on that point please?

I said in my earlier OP that I have a Saorview approved combo box and I want to connect it to a TV without a built-in Saorview approved tuner. If I use a MPEG-2 TV that is not Saorview approved, does it work with a Saorview approved STB connected to it.

The TV I am using is a large Panasonic Quintrix widescreen that is not Saorview Approved and receives both Saorview and FTA Satellite. It is a standard size widescreen TV which does not have a flat screen.

There are 2 RF tuners already on the combo box so I don't need to put the aerial tuner into the TV as both RF in and out are on the combo box together. I know the RF in tuner will be able to detect the channels for Saorview if it's through the combo box.

Yes, if you use a Saorview box then the TV will be able to receive Saorview through the box (HDMI or SCART). Just not through the TV's own tuner.

The Cush

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I said in my earlier OP that I have a Saorview approved combo box and I want to connect it to a TV without a built-in Saorview approved tuner. If I use a MPEG-2 TV that is not Saorview approved, does it work with a Saorview approved STB connected to it.

Yes, a STB connected to a TV via scart/hdmi bypasses the TV's own DVB-T tuner and MPEG-2/MPEG-4 video decompression.

dublinman1990

Karsini wrote: »

Yes, if you use a Saorview box then the TV will be able to receive Saorview through the box (HDMI or SCART). Just not through the TV's own tuner.

That's great.

Could you recommend TV's on the market that are not Saorview Approved?

Are there any Freeview TV's in that category of being MPEG-2 that will work with a Saorview box?

The Cush

dublinman1990 wrote: »

Could you recommend TV's on the market that are not Saorview Approved?

Why are you looking for a TV that's not Saorview approved?

Lots of UK models won't be Saorview approved but they most likely will have MPEG-4 video decompression.

greasepalm

my panny has a saorview tuner and can watch tv channels on that plus got the triax combo with a 2tb external hdd for recording when needed.


is it the uk freeview tvs that are mpeg2 but changing to mpeg4 later? does not mater what tv you buy as long as it has a hdmi input outside controlled boxes work like blu-ray via hdmi.i would prefare to buy one compatible with where you live.

just to add freeview tvs may not work here if bought for picking up signal.

The Cush

There is no advantage to buying a non-Saorview approved TV, even non-Saorview approved TVs on the market are most likely to have MPEG-4 video decompression and will happily receive the Saorview channels without problem.

winston_1

dublinman1990 wrote: »

Could you recommend TV's on the market that are not Saorview Approved?

There should not be any such TVs on the Irish market. Why would anyone want one?

greasepalm

i would say plenty of them for sale,did see tesco selling freeview tvs months ago,and traders bring them down from the north,who says you have to use the tuner as some can be used for pc monitor.

dublinman1990

The Cush wrote: »

Why are you looking for a TV that's not Saorview approved?

I have a Saorview Approved combo box from Triax already hooked up to a widescreen TV from Panasonic.

The TV that I am using with the box is too big for my living room. It is a second hand TV that I got from my next door neighbours in November 2012. It still works perfectly well but the screen on it could go out within 2 or 3 years time because it does look like it was manufactured in the late 90's. I have to go out and get another one to make it last another few years if it does eventually break down.

I don't know whether a new TV will be a good option for me or not because I don't want to get ripped off by having Saorview twice at home.

The Cush

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I don't know whether a new TV will be a good option for me or not because I don't want to get ripped off by having Saorview twice.

Why would you be ripped off, there are lots of budget Saorview TVs from the likes of Walker etc.

Also there should be lots of second-hand TVs without a digital tuner in the small ads which will work with a Saorview STB.

greasepalm

all irish produced tvs for our market have to be able to use saorview,if you had upc or sky they can be used also,saorview is free why are you getting ripped off? 3 of my tvs have saorview as the older pioneer kuro plasma is old mpeg 2 and wont work,external boxes work.

winston_1

greasepalm wrote: »

i would say plenty of them for sale,did see tesco selling freeview tvs months ago,and traders bring them down from the north,who says you have to use the tuner as some can be used for pc monitor.

Well any such sets sold without a disclaimer that they do not work in Ireland should be rejected under the Sale of goods Act.

greasepalm

i did see part of a label stating tuners may not work here so their backs are covered.

dublinman1990

I wouldn't really need a Saorview Approved TV because I have two Saorview boxes on 2 old CRT sets.

One is the combo box with the satellite channels and the other box has Saorview only.

The panasonic TV in the living room is an old 16:9 widescreen set. I don't have an exact measurement for this set but I would estimate that it's length is between a 28" and 32" which I feel is a massive size.

I am aiming to get a lighter 26 or 28" TV for this room with a new stand to fit it's size.

The other 4:3 set is made by Beko which is a standard size 20" TV. This set is rarely used because I switch it on when my mum would watch a programme from the pana TV in the living room. I am currently having problems with the picture while switching on Beko TV set and the box to watch a Saorview channel.

The TV was purchased by my late grandmother at Power City in Sallynoggin either in 2006 or 2007.

The problem is trying to correct the picture brightness and contrast on that TV while watching Saorview. Everytime I switch on the set; the picture will be very dim for the first 30 minutes before it gets to the normal picture. Wherever I switch on the TV during the day or night I would have to constantly adjust brightness or contrast the picture with the TV remote control to get the correct brightness and contrast on the screen. It is really an annoying job to do throughout all the time I use it.

It is also too big to be having within the kitchen as it's placed on a kitchen worktop. The worktop is not very stable and located in a small confined area. Under the TV there is a washing machine under it which has no other support it. I am thinking of getting a lighter 19" TV for that location.

I would to ask about recommendations for Ad sites like Donedeal or Adverts.ie.

I know that Adverts has a free sign-up what about Donedeal?

Which would you recommend for getting high quality second hand products?

The Cush

dublinman1990 wrote: »

I know that Adverts has a free sign-up what about Donedeal?

Which would you recommend for getting high quality second hand products?

IIRC you pay a fee to advertise on donedeal, sold a car via the site in Summer 2013.

Regarding which site for high quality second hand products, I guess that depends on the seller rather than the site