S4C HD Testing

steveon

Welsh language broadcaster S4C is now testing an HD version of its channel on satellite,

It is currently got an encryption flag on it so u will need to scan all services on a free to air box to find it but it is currently free

Frequency: 11306
Polarisation: H
Symbol Rate: 27500
FEC 5/6
Service ID Name : 52296

Handy for a lot of rugby matches :-)

FRIENDO

steveon wrote:

Welsh language broadcaster S4C is now testing an HD version of its channel on satellite,

Another good HD channel if it goes fta, and it often comes with a red button service/or set the sat box to Welsh language and you can get English audio with sports.

lertsnim

The English audio track is there so it's all good. I will be surprised if it doesn't go FTA as the BBC are funding the channel.

FRIENDO

Could be a good few days hopefully on freesat with the arrival of both S4C HD and C5 HD
We use a Welsh post code on freesat as we are used to the Welsh freeview, also we get ITV + 1 which we didn't get on a northern/utv epg.

icdg

It existed before - though only on Freeview - but they shut it down due to funding pressures.

What has always amazed me (though I have never complained!) is that S4C is on the Irish Sky EPG. I am not sure why this is the case other than the fact that it has been there, I think, since day one of Sky Digital.

steveon

Yes its a strange occurrence but I wonder has it been brought about with the demise of BBC3 HD and renewed bandwidth...all and all it will be a welcome addition to both Sky and freesat and of course Generic hd fta boxes...

Delta Lima

steveon wrote: »

Welsh language broadcaster S4C is now testing an HD version of its channel on satellite,


Handy for a lot of rugby matches :-)

Its 'Sgorio' program shows La Liga highlights too. but only in Welsh, I think.

FRIENDO

I watched a program a couple of weeks ago on S4C about Irish Revolutionaries imprisoned in a Welsh jail after 1916, I think the program was originally shown on TG4 but I missed it, so it was a nice surprise.

kooga

S4c is handy for Clwb rygbi on a sunday and it will be a plus to have it in HD

FRIENDO

I just tuned it in on non freesat mode on the humax, looks good.
I wonder when the channel is launched will it be called S4C HD or will they also include Digidol in the title.
S4C Digidol HD, I presume Digidol means Digital, if so possibly a little outdated as analogue S4C is now gone.

Johnboy1951

FRIENDO wrote: »

I just tuned it in on non freesat mode on the humax, looks good.
I wonder when the channel is launched will it be called S4C HD or will they also include Digidol in the title.
S4C Digidol HD, I presume Digidol means Digital, if so possibly a little outdated as analogue S4C is now gone.

I only get "S4C" - no Digidol - from tvheadend.

FRIENDO

Johnboy1951 wrote:

I only get "S4C" - no Digidol - from tvheadend.

I think the S4C Digidol is only with Freesat on a Welsh Epg.
Welsh freeview just says S4C and in non freesat mode it just says S4C also.

Rick_

The last time it was around it was called "S4C Clirlun" which translates as "S4C Clear Picture". I wonder if that name will be used again or will they just go with the simpler 'S4C HD'?

icdg

"S4C Digidol" is a title they used in the days when the analogue and digital services were two completely different channels - the analogue service included programming in English from Channel 4, which was only available in Wales on cable until 1998. At DSO, S4C Digidol became S4C.

FRIENDO

icdg wrote:

the analogue service included programming in English from Channel 4

That brings back memories, when we moved to Wexford first we could get the 5 basic trestrial channels on aerial from Wales.
I think the last English speaking programme I watched on S4C was a documentary about the miners strike.

I also remember tv listing in local papers would include S4C, HTV I even remember Dublin papers including S4C in listing, possible some Dublin homes would've picked up Welsh terrestrial also at the time.

kooga

FRIENDO wrote: »

That brings back memories, when we moved to Wexford first we could get the 5 basic trestrial channels on aerial from Wales.
I think the last English speaking programme I watched on S4C was a documentary about the miners strike.

I also remember tv listing in local papers would include S4C, HTV I even remember Dublin papers including S4C in listing, possible some Dublin homes would've picked up Welsh terrestrial also at the time.

The ditching of bbc wales, htv and s4c was not so long ago I certainly remember the cork examiner carrying those tv listings. I remember cable link in Waterford used to put up local ads and text when the welsh programmes were on.

galtee boy

ITV Wales and BBC Wales variations are still carried in the weekend TV Guide of the Irish Examiner .

kooga

galtee boy wrote: »

ITV Wales and BBC Wales variations are still carried in the weekend TV Guide of the Irish Examiner .

True

lertsnim

I really hated S4C when I had it via a deflector. BBC Wales and HTV Wales though were much better than the Northern Ireland equivalent. Northern Ireland had a lot more local programming that in my view was awful compared to what was going out on the network.

Digifriendly

lertsnim wrote: »

I really hated S4C when I had it via a deflector. BBC Wales and HTV Wales though were much better than the Northern Ireland equivalent. Northern Ireland had a lot more local programming that in my view was awful compared to what was going out on the network.

I live in N. Ireland and I wholeheartedly agree with you. It used to irritate me something shocking (in pre satellite days) how much BBC NI would deviate from the national network to show local programmes. This was especially annoying when local sport would take priority over sport shown on the network. When I moved to live on the Ards peninsula I could pick up BBC 1 Scotland and BBC 2 North West (both stations came from signals from Cambret Hill in SW Scotland) and this for me was a real boon. I can actually remember getting up early one Saturday morning to watch live Australia vs England in a Rugby League test that was shown on BBC2 NW. Eventually satellite arrived and I no longer had to rely on elaborate aerial contraptions to get other BBC regions.

FRIENDO

Digifriendly wrote:

Eventually satellite arrived and I no longer had to rely on elaborate aerial contraptions to get other BBC regions.

Yes, I'm delighted having access on satellite to the BBC regions, I follow the Scottish football and Sportscene on BBC Scotland is one of my favourite programmes.

Rick_

The test is apparently encrypted now, so don't be holding out for S4C HD FTA just yet...

Johnboy1951

pad e wrote: »

The test is apparently encrypted now, so don't be holding out for S4C HD FTA just yet...

steveon

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

It has an encrypted flag so It wont show up if you scan the transponder for free channel only....you need to scan the entire transponder for it to show up.

notmyusername

steveon wrote: »

It has an encrypted flag so It wont show up if you scan the transponder for free channel only....you need to scan the entire transponder for it to show up.

Except the channel is actually encrypted now.

Johnboy1951

steveon wrote: »

It has an encrypted flag so It wont show up if you scan the transponder for free channel only....you need to scan the entire transponder for it to show up.

I already had it tuned and it was not encrypted ....... today it is encrypted.

steveon

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I already had it tuned and it was not encrypted ....... today it is encrypted.

Ah ok apologies but its still on test so this is common to come and go...and if anything like the CNN test Hd test currently also going on mite come back with a higher bit rate and picture as a result.

notmyusername

steveon wrote: »

Ah ok apologies but its still on test so this is common to come and go...and if anything like the CNN test Hd test currently also going on mite come back with a higher bit rate and picture as a result.

The S4C test hasn't gone anywhere, it is now encrypted.

CNN physically disappeared before returning.

AwaitYourReply

By the time I had scanned and tuned in the S4C HD test channel, it had already been encrypted so; I've never seen the HD version yet. I hope it will not remain encrypted as the HD resolution option would be very handy when S4C screens certain Welsh Rugby fixtures particularly involving Irish provincial sides from time to time.

I tuned in the CNN International HD test channel under "Other Channels" a while back and I've watched this feed numerous times but it will be much better once it fully launches on the main Sky EPG.

Now that Channel 5HD is finally available Free-To-Air, it is handy that it is on the channel guide if you have an FTV/Freesat from Sky viewing card inserted in your Sky+HD Digibox showing the UK regional EPG. Interesting that HD version of Channel 5 is in a much more prominent position on the epg in comparison to ITV HD and Channel 4 HD.

On SKY+HD Digibox:
BBC Two HD on EPG Channel No: 102 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
BBC One HD on EPG Channel No: 115 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
BBC Four HD on EPG Channel No: 116 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
Channel 5 HD on EPG Channel No: 171 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
itv HD on EPG Channel No: 178 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
Channel 4 HD on EPG Channel No: 227 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
S4C HD ??? - Will it remain encrypted if and when it eventually launches on the Sky HD EPG ??

notmyusername

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

By the time I had scanned and tuned in the S4C HD test channel, it had already been encrypted so; I've never seen the HD version yet. I hope it will not remain encrypted as the HD resolution option would be very handy when S4C screens certain Welsh Rugby fixtures particularly involving Irish provincial sides from time to time.

I tuned in the CNN International HD test channel under "Other Channels" a while back and I've watched this feed numerous times but it will be much better once it fully launches on the main Sky EPG.

Now that Channel 5HD is finally available Free-To-Air, it is handy that it is on the channel guide if you have an FTV/Freesat from Sky viewing card inserted in your Sky+HD Digibox showing the UK regional EPG. Interesting that HD version of Channel 5 is in a much more prominent position on the epg in comparison to ITV HD and Channel 4 HD.

On SKY+HD Digibox:
BBC Two HD on EPG Channel No: 102 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
BBC One HD on EPG Channel No: 115 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
BBC Four HD on EPG Channel No: 116 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
Channel 5 HD on EPG Channel No: 171 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
itv HD on EPG Channel No: 178 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
Channel 4 HD on EPG Channel No: 227 (Freesat from Sky Card/FTV card)
S4C HD ??? - Will it remain encrypted if and when it eventually launches on the Sky HD EPG ??

This is down to Channel 5 having a nationwide advertising region whilst ITV and Channel 4 have separate advertising regions.

Chanel 4 has just one HD variant (London) whilst only a small number of ITV's regions and micro-regions are covered on HD.

Whilst you've raised this issue in your post, and I'm responding to it, I expect a big bold message to follow about only talking about S4C (conversation must not be allowed to flow organically in any given thread apparently) so I guess I'll have to mention them: S4C might remain encrypted, then again it might not.

icdg

notmyusername I know you have an issue with been asked to stay on topic, and while I don't have any particular issue with how this thread is going, you can now take a warning as you keep bringing it up even where it's of no relevance or there's no issue and it is now amounting to on thread discussion of moderation.

notmyusername

icdg wrote: »

notmyusername I know you have an issue with been asked to stay on topic, and while I don't have any particular issue with how this thread is going, you can now take a warning as you keep bringing it up even where it's of no relevance or there's no issue and it is now amounting to on thread discussion of moderation.

I have absolutely no issue with staying on topic; I do have a major issue with conversations not being encouraged to develop organically and flow naturally from an ongoing discussion. Are you really suggesting that a new thread should be started EVERY time the topic veers? In all my years using forums this is a first!

An even more salient point: couldn't you have done the above via PM (so that you are not going off-topic???)? Your attempt at public admonishment is seriously over the top and is unnecessary of course...especially as it is aimed at one user only.

I guess a ban is next

FRIENDO

AwaitYourReply wrote:

S4C HD ??? - Will it remain encrypted if and when it eventually launches on the Sky HD EPG ??

On freesat HD receivers Channel 5 HD just replaced Channel 5 SD version.
I would hope that S4C HD will do the same when launched and replace its SD version.

notmyusername

FRIENDO wrote: »

On freesat HD receivers Channel 5 HD just replaced Channel 5 SD version.
I would hope that S4C HD will do the same when launched and replace its SD version.

There's no reason why it shouldn't, provided it launches in the clear of course.

AwaitYourReply

FRIENDO wrote: »

On freesat HD receivers Channel 5 HD just replaced Channel 5 SD version.
I would hope that S4C HD will do the same when launched and replace its SD version.

S4C (Wales) have so much in common by promoting certain events in the native indigenous language of it's main intended broadcast territory in terms of culture, music & sport. Other broadcasters in nearby Celtic regions such as BBC Alba serving Scotland and our very own TG4 serving Ireland all have similar material.

Hopefully the possibility of S4C in HD on FTA basis will become a reality in due course - it seems we will all be kept guessing in the meantime unless someone out there has been informed by an reliable inside industry source but who may not be permitted to divulge future channel/networks intentions for commercially sensitive reasons which I can also understand.

notmyusername

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

S4C (Wales) have so much in common by promoting certain events in the native indigenous language of it's main intended broadcast territory in terms of culture, music & sport. Other broadcasters in nearby Celtic regions such as BBC Alba serving Scotland and our very own TG4 serving Ireland all have similar material.

Hopefully the possibility of S4C in HD on FTA basis will become a reality in due course - it seems we will all be kept guessing in the meantime unless someone out there has been informed by an reliable inside industry source but who may not be permitted to divulge future channel/networks intentions for commercially sensitive reasons which I can also understand.

I would guess that it wouldn't be testing using encryption if the intention was for a FTA service but we won't know until closer to launch I guess.

AwaitYourReply

notmyusername wrote: »

I would guess that it wouldn't be testing using encryption if the intention was for a FTA service but we won't know until closer to launch I guess.

It was my understanding from other contributors to this thread that these tests had previously been unencrypted (I never managed to view it myself) - Although, the test signal for S4C HD has since been encrypted, one would have to wonder whether it will remain encrypted if it is to fully launch on the Sky epg at a future date as it would be at odds with all of the original five main UK channels now all gone FTA in both SD+HD formats and S4C mainly carries Welsh language programming as this would be it's core remit. Given that the SD version of S4C has been broadcasting Free-To-Air on digital satellite since it first appeared as "S4C Digidol" many years ago on the Sky platform then I could see some logic in the HD format following a similar pattern in due course. Somehow, I just can't see Sky falling over themselves to arm twist a channel like S4C into keeping their HD feed behind a paywall but stranger things have happened but my gut feeling is that it will be FTA upon full launch.

Meanwhile, today's BBC press release about their extensive TV/Radio/Online coverage of their Summer of Sport which focuses mainly on the forthcoming UEFA Euro Football Championships 2016 makes reference to BBC Wales broadcasting output on Welsh channel S4C. While they do not indicate anything about S4C HD it seems like a very interesting time to have commenced testing S4C HD lately. Fingers crossed all will be revealed either way next month. I suspect that BBC Wales will probably try to have S4C HD available for all Wales fixtures in the Euros is my bet. Is this the first time in many years (if ever) that Wales have qualified for a place in the European Football Championships but I'm open to correction here?

Source: http://www.a516digital.com/2016/05/140-hours-of-euro-2016-coverage-across.html

lertsnim

If it appears on the EPG then I'll be amazed if it appears encryped as the BBC fund it through the licence fee.

Digifriendly

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Is this the first time in many years (if ever) that Wales have qualified for a place in the European Football Championships but I'm open to correction here? Source: http://www.a516digital.com/2016/05/140-hours-of-euro-2016-coverage-across.html

This is first time since 1958 (World Cup) that Wales have qualified for any major finals although when Euro Championship was in a different format they played in latter stages in 1976. Apologies if I'm going off topic here. Back on topic - I hope S4C is HD by time of Euro Championships as there will undoubtedly be a red button alternative English commentary and it would be good to have alternative to BBC/ITV for a change.

lertsnim

Would they have red button English commentary if there is another channel showing the same game with English commentary? I don't recall them offering that service whenever they show Wales rugby matches.

FRIENDO

lertsnim wrote:

Would they have red button English commentary if there is another channel showing the same game with English commentary? I don't recall them offering that service whenever they show Wales rugby matches.

Almost sure they had red button service with English option for an FA cup game this year
BBC 2 Wales showed one game and S4C the other on the same weekend.
Unfortunately both Swansea and Cardiff were knocked out that weekend I think.
It was a good weekend as BBC 1 HD also showed two live games evolving English team's also.

FRIENDO

lertsnim wrote:

Would they have red button English commentary if there is another channel showing the same game with English commentary?

It's been confirmed that BBC Wales will be broadcasting output on S4C for the Euros, hopefully now S4C will be in HD

lertsnim

FRIENDO wrote: »

Almost sure they had red button service with English option for an FA cup game this year
BBC 2 Wales showed one game and S4C the other on the same weekend.
Unfortunately both Swansea and Cardiff were knocked out that weekend I think.
It was a good weekend as BBC 1 HD also showed two live games evolving English team's also.

Yes they did. The game they showed was not shown on another channel though which is what I said.

FRIENDO wrote: »

It's been confirmed that BBC Wales will be broadcasting output on S4C for the Euros, hopefully now S4C will be in HD

I never said S4C wouldn't show any games. I only questioned if it would be in English on S4C

Digifriendly

lertsnim wrote: »

Yes they did. The game they showed was not shown on another channel though which is what I said.



I never said S4C wouldn't show any games. I only questioned if it would be in English on S4C

I would hope it would, though possibly the agreement to show Wales matches on S4C may have stipulated Welsh only commentary.

AwaitYourReply

FRIENDO wrote: »

It's been confirmed that BBC Wales will be broadcasting output on S4C for the Euros, hopefully now S4C will be in HD

Wouldn't it be so strange if the S4C HD encrypted tests continued indefinitely and stayed off the SKY epg with Wales participating in the upcoming European Football Championships next month. With BBC Wales using S4C for the Wales fixtures, I imagine all the stops are being pulled out to take S4C HD on FTA basis in time for the start of the 2016 Euros as these are major events with the prospect of large tv audiences watching in Wales, rest of UK and let's not forget us across here in Ireland. Fingers crossed indeed everybody

FRIENDO

AwaitYourReply wrote:

Wouldn't it be so strange if the S4C HD encrypted tests continued indefinitely and stayed off the SKY epg with Wales participating in the upcoming European Football Championships next month. With BBC Wales using S4C for the Wales fixtures, I imagine all the stops are being pulled out to take S4C HD on FTA basis in time for the start of the 2016 Euros as these are major events with the prospect of large tv audiences watching in Wales, rest of UK and let's not forget us across here in Ireland. Fingers crossed indeed everybody

Yes, HD will be a big factor and if people in Wales get the option of watching the game in HD with red button English audio from BBC Wales it will be the first choice ahead of BBC or ITV.
It will also be a nice option for ourselves for an alternative audio from Wales.

lertsnim

Surely the only people who would benefit is Welsh speakers as everyone else will have FTA HD coverage anyway.

FRIENDO

lertsnim wrote:

Surely the only people who would benefit is Welsh speakers as everyone else will have FTA HD coverage anyway.

I believe BBC Wales coverage is English commentary

AwaitYourReply

lertsnim wrote: »

Surely the only people who would benefit is Welsh speakers as everyone else will have FTA HD coverage anyway.

That may well be true in relation to coverage of a major event like the Euros 2016 but if S4C HD does go FTA I would also be thinking of the medium-long term benefits as well like other sports coverage mainly Rugby which often screens various Welsh sides that can involve Irish provincial sides and this would be very handy if it became available on S4C in HD on a FTA basis given that other channels based in Ireland like TG4, TV3, UTV Ireland have not made their channels available in HD format on a FTA basis on a platform like Saorview.

Hopefully, Deputy Denis Naughten TD as the newly appointed Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources will also find a way to make it commercially viable particularly for those other broadcasters who are outside of the RTÉ family and introduce HD versions of their channels on Saorview sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, I checked S4C HD test frequency late this (Tuesday) evening but still no change to encryption for the time being.

lertsnim

FRIENDO wrote: »

I believe BBC Wales coverage is English commentary

BBC Wales regularly provides programming to S4C and it is all Welsh. From the link it says

Dylan Ebenezer and Nic Parri will lead presentation duties for BBC Wales on S4C

That is all it says. It mentions nothing about commentary.

bk

I watched the Munster match on S4C last weekend in English and I have to say it was one of the best and funniest commentaries I've ever heard! They obviously thought few people would be listneing in English, so they were very relaxed and it was full of jokes, including in depth commentary on one players "hipster" beard!

Brilliant stuff, would happily listen to it for every match.