RTE1 missing Saorsat

Gerry Wicklow

Anyone else missing RTE1 on Saorsat?

swoofer

you are not alone gone here in clare as well and rte +1

Gerry Wicklow

As usual it seems Montrose either hasn't noticed or doesn't care. Saorsat, the national Tx backup system :P

Atlantic Dawn

Wonder would RTE have foolishly decided to not transmit because the UK election was on? I know Fox News was blocked on Sky for the day.

johnner64

I don't know how to break it to you guys but the fault is with your equipment.

No really, it is.

After going round in circles earlier with a Saorview representative who kept giving me advice on how to deal with missing channels on SaorVIEW, even though I repeatedly had to tell her how SaorSAt works, she eventually "confirmed" that all channels were present and correct on Saorsat and I needed to call an installer.

BTW RTÉ One on Saorsat has had technical problems for the past two days - can anyone else confirm that?

Here's the advice I was given earlier:

Info: Thank you for choosing to chat with Saorview. An agent will be with you shortly.
Info: You are now chatting with Gemma.
Gemma: Welcome to our chat service. What brings you to our website today?
You: Hello Gemma, I don't know if it's your dept but can you say why RTÉ One is not on Saorsat at prsent?
Gemma: Hi there, may I ask what part of the country you're in?
You: I don't think that's the issue (as it is Saorsat!). I have reception of all the other channels on the transponder but RTÉ One disappeared earlier today, There did appear to be technical issues for two whole days running prior to that.
Gemma: I am aware there has been maintenance work going on with some transmitters over the last couple of days. Have you checked your satellite connection into your TV/box? Also have you tried to do a re-scan of channels?
You: As I said, I have reception of all other channels on the transponder. A rescan has not restored RTÉ One (or RTÉ One +1 for that matter)
You: Are you saying that the channel is present and correct on Saorsat?
Gemma: Rte ! and RTE plus ! work of a different MUX to the other saorview channels. If there is work going on with this MUX it will affect those 2 channels. I advise trying a rescan.
You: They are on the same transponder on Saorsat, which is different set up to Saorview. Who do I contact about the issue on Saorsat please>
Gemma: I would advise you to contact a local installer if you have already done the checks I went through.
You: But the checks you suggest are for Saorview. It is not an installation issue; all the channels are on the same transponder on satellite. If one is down for reception issues they are all down. Who is the official contacts for Saorsat please - it seems impossible to find on the web and I was advised to contact Saorview.
Gemma: It is most likely the channel will come back itself in a day or 2 as there are often interruptions to RTE 1. These are the only troubleshooting steps we can provide. Other than that you will have to contact an installer.
You: So there's no official support for Saorsat? (As I said, it is not an installation issue)
Gemma: We are the soarview/saorsat support. I have advised of the troubleshooting steps.There are no known outages so if the channel does not come back after a re-scan you may need to adjust the satellite slightly. We can only advise on contacting a professional installer if the troubleshooting steps do not work for you.
You: Those troubleshooting steps were fro Saorview. On satellite the channels on Saorsat are on a single transponder. All channels are affected by alignment issues or none.Are you telling me that RTÉ One and Plus 1 are presently available on Saorsat? Has anybody checked and can you confirm that? (Not being smart when I say that) There were technical issues with RTÉ One's picture for two full says. I assume somebody noticed that and removed it.
Gemma: Yes if it was happening to everyone with saorsat then we would have had lots of reports but you are the only person having issues so I am assuming it has something to do with your equipment. Other than that I cannot provide anymore help.
You: So, have you actually tuned the channel in on Saorsat there please? Can you confirm that the channels are available at present....
Gemma: yes all saorview channels are available on saorsat. We have no way of checking any channels.
You: Offical spokespeople and you cannot check, I'm not being smart.Saorsat seems to be an afterthought with little official support,Those two channels are missing and it's not a misalignment, or retuning, or equipment issue. If it was I wouldn't receive any channels. As the channel was having serious technical issues for two whole days (were you aware of that?) I assume that is the reason it's been removed. I'd just like to know when it'll be back.
Gemma: saorview is a free service. We are here to help people with setting up equipment and minor technical issues. I have given you all the information we have If this does not solve the issue then its with your own setup.
Info: Thank you for chatting with us.

I was cut off whilst I was typing my reply.

FRIENDO

Sorry only seeing your post this morning Gerry.

RTE One was working at midnight last night, had a quick look, British election.

Just did a rescan this morning and all channels and RTE aertel are working.
However work has been carried out.
We no longer have the Saorsat screen with web details.
Only one test channel playing lyric.

So on a retune we now get an 18 Channel list, which is much better than before when we got 30 channels with all those blank channel screens.

FRIENDO

@Johnner64

I contact 2rn for all saorsat issues

johnner64

Thanks Friendo.

As you'll see, the contact in Saorview said they are also Saorsat support. But contacting 2RN does make better sense.

RTÉ One still down this morning!

FRIENDO

No, RTE One working perfect this morning, showing Casualty at the moment

johnner64

Can I ask what receiver you're using Friendo?

Two rescans on two different receivers have proved fruitless for me; RTÉ One is still blank.

FRIENDO

Walker Combo
And Saorsat is all working

johnner64

Thanks for that.

Something strange at my end so.

It'll be interesting to see if it's returned for the others in this thread and what receivers they're using.

EDIT: I hadn't noticed yesterday but it makes sense as it shares space with RTÉ One +1 but RTÉ Jr is also down (for me).

FRIENDO

What channels are you missing

When I change channels I'm finding a slight pause for a second or two on RTE One and RTE Jr
But they are all working perfect

johnner64

RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1/RTÉ Jr.

Everything else is perfect, including radio.

Did you watch RTÉ One at all on Wednesday or early Thursday out of interest? It had a strange technical issue (no sound, stuttering picture).

FRIENDO

I was away working Wed and Thurs.

It looks like it's all working perfect on a Saorsat approved receiver.

But if that's the case, it's a bit mad
Because you can't buy a Saorsat approved receiver set top box at the moment, walker no longer produce them.

FRIENDO

The only issue I find at the moment, is that RTE AERTEL is not working on RTEjr, but RTE AERTEL is working on all other RTE TV Channels.

FRIENDO

johnner64 wrote:

RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1/RTÉ Jr.

Must be your receiver

RTE ONE and RTEjr working perfect

RTE ONE +1 has it normal screen saver saying channel name and returns at 19:00

All working

johnner64

I think I've gathered that mate

Is it possible to read the video and audio PIDs etc on your receiver?

FRIENDO

Ok, just set up an old triax combo and Saorsat is working perfect.

The triax is not Saorsat approved and its not mheg5

So something must be wrong with your setup, possibly your equipment

johnner64

That's not the case. If it was an equipment or setup issue I'd be getting nothing on that transponder.

They've changed something in the parameters of RT? One and +1, no doubt related to the technical issues the channel was having for two days.

I've had Saorsat, without issues, since it launched.

Is it possible to read the video and audio PIDs etc on either of your receivers?

FRIENDO

johnner64 wrote:

Is it possible to read the video and audio PIDs etc on your receiver?

The walker combo:
Eutelsat Ka-sat 9A (9.0E)
Frequency 20185
Polarisation left
Symbol rate 25000

The Triax combo 114:
(9.0E)
Blind scan
LNB TYPE ku band
LNB FREQUENCY 9750/10600
Transponder 10758/24994/v

I don't know if thats any help

johnner64

That's the transponder info (and is the same for all the channels on Saorsat).

RTÉ One is appearing when I rescan, it's just not playing.

So I'm wondering if the PIDs for the channel have changed and my receivers are missing the info somehow.

FRIENDO

I think you are right and RTE 1, junior and +1 have moved to a new channel place holders.

In earlier days on the Walker approved stb on a Saorsat scan I would pick up 30 channels (12 would be test channels)
The triax combo 114 would also pick up the 30 channels.

Some other posters with unapproved Saorsat equipment would not pick up these hidden channels.

Possibly what has happened 2rn have now moved some of the Saorsat channels you are missing to the hidden channels that can only be viewed on 2rn Saorsat recommended stb.

Why I say recommended stb is that the triax is not Saorsat approved as it does not have mheg5, however it was one of the 2rn recommended stb's.

johnner64

I'm not ruling out what you say, definitely not.

But my receivers - not Saorsat approved - picked up the 'hidden channels'.

With great excitement I flicked through them all every day for the first couple of weeks, only to be disappointed of course! I think people may have thought that TV3 and its offshoots were on the way.

Anyway, is it possible for you to read the PIDs for the channel? If I can enter the new ones manually I may restore the channel.

At present I get 13ED 5101 for Video PID.

FRIENDO

Sorry don't think either box show video pid figures

johnner64

No worries, thanks for all the information this morning. You've been very helpful.

Apogee

johnner64 wrote: »

That's the transponder info (and is the same for all the channels on Saorsat).

RT? One is appearing when I rescan, it's just not playing.

So I'm wondering if the PIDs for the channel have changed and my receivers are missing the info somehow.

You might try first deleting the existing channels on your receiver and then rescanning.

Some receivers will not store a channel with changed PIDs if it already sees on old version in its database.

Gerry Wicklow

Ok just to tidy up loose ends. I had the same problem on 2 different boxes so not hardware. Being past 21:00 I didn't bother contacting RTE/2RN as it was outside office hours. Based on past experience I knew I would only get some poor receptionist reading a script. Miraculously "the fault on my end" cleared itself during the night and both boxes now have RTE1 & +1 back.

It only dawned on me later that some schools are closed for holidays. The 12 year old that looks after their IT must be away

On a serious note I remain convinced that no-one in Montrose actually monitors what they are broadcasting, be it typos on banners or technical issues.

johnner64

And I now have both channels back (without any further scanning).

But with the technical issues - are the channels playing perfectly for everyone else?

With regards monitoring output, I remember having to tell people at RTÉ that the Champions League was blocked when it first happened; they said to contact Saorview! Everyone again said the fault must be at my end.

FRIENDO

Gerry Wicklow wrote:

On a serious note I remain convinced that no-one in Montrose actually monitors what they are broadcasting, be it typos on banners or technical issues.

Yes, but they always remember to block the Champions league

Gerry Wicklow

Strangely, one box is back to normal but the other has no audio and jumpy video on both RTE1 and RTE jr TV. Needless to say, a rescan made no difference. No doubt just like the EPG errors, empty place holders and loss of series linking for all but Walker users, 2RN will deny they changed anything.

johnner64

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Strangely, one box is back to normal but the other has no audio and jumpy video on both RTE1 and RTE jr TV. Needless to say, a rescan made no difference. No doubt just like the EPG errors, empty place holders and loss of series linking for all but Walker users, 2RN will deny they changed anything.

I refer you to the three times I've already flagged this up. And the issue has been there since Tuesday.

But at least you've confirmed it's only on some boxes.

STB.

Is there any chance that someone who has these channels working could post the SID, APID and VPID for Johner64 (I dont have a KA LNB).

On an E2 box this is done by pressing menu, information, and service.

I'd imagine he is thinking of editing these with a channel editor and flashing the channel list back to the box.

There is no technical reason why a Walker box would work over any other DVB-S2 box.

Its important to delete the previous Saorsat channels as it will only confuse you that you are actually veiwing the changed parameters rather than the old channels and their associated PIDs (as pointed out by Apogee).

johnner64

STB. wrote: »

Is there any chance that someone who has these channels working could post the SID, APID and VPID for Johner64 (I dont have a KA LNB).

On an E2 box this is done by pressing menu, information, and service.

I'd imagine he is thinking of editing these with a channel editor and flashing the channel list back to the box.

There is no technical reason why a Walker box would work over any other DVB-S2 box.

Its important to delete the previous Saorsat channels as it will only confuse you that you are actually veiwing the changed parameters rather than the old channels and their associated PIDs (as pointed out by Apogee).

Thanks mate. That is (was?) exactly the plan.

However, the channels reappeared for me (later than for others) on their old parameters, but they do have the strange technical glitch that Gerry mentioned, and it's still there today.

If Gerry has the capability to check it might be worth comparing his working version to the dodgy version...

STB.

Someone might want to email the network monitoring centre @2rn to let them know. The Saorview helpline for oul ones will be of no use.

http://www.2rn.ie/contact-us/

johnner64

STB. wrote: »

Someone might want to email the network monitoring centre @2rn to let them know. The Saorview helpline for oul ones will be of no use.

http://www.2rn.ie/contact-us/

My guess is they would suggest using a Saorsat approved receiver.

But I will do that (maybe others can too?).

STB.

johnner64 wrote: »

My guess is they would suggest using a Saorsat approved receiver.

But I will do that (maybe others can too?).

What box are you using. Any DVB-S2 box will work. There is nothing special about the Walker boxes.

There is clearly some form of cock up in the parameters defined in the NIT by 2rn if audio is blank. (any chance that there are blank audio carriers getting preference). If so pressing the audio button should pull up the other audio streams on that service.

johnner64

STB. wrote: »

What box are you using. Any DVB-S2 box will work. There is nothing special about the Walker boxes.

There is clearly some form of cock up in the parameters defined in the NIT by 2rn if audio is blank. (any chance that there are blank audio carriers getting preference). If so pressing the audio button should pull up the other audio streams on that service.

I'm using (two) VU+ boxes with different images. Yes, any box shuold work but my guess is that they will suggest Saorsat approved (and it has been confirmed as working on one of them). What is strange is that it returned on Thursday night on that box but not for me, and others, until Friday morning.

The issue is not just audio but a stuttering picture. As it is only happening on RTÉ One it is not transponder wide.

There is a workaround and that's to put it into timeshift. So pause, then play, and the channel runs perfectly. And recordings - as you would expect based on that - also play perfectly.

However, the other half and child are not so technically minded!

STB.

Timeshift as a solution eh.

Try playing with the AV Settings (menu, system AV Settings).

In Particular. Automatic resolution and refresh rate.

johnner64

STB. wrote: »

Timeshift as a solution eh.

Try playing with the AV Settings (menu, system AV Settings).

In Particular. Automatic resolution and refresh rate.

It's weird, isn't it.

I use Automatic Resolution as standard anyway; that has had no effect. You're right to suggest it though - it looks similar to the way US 30fps video plays for us. Or the way a very low fps would.

I can live with the situation as it is, although it's not ideal. It's the channel disappearance that's a big issue.

And if/when they suggest using Saorsat approved equipment, well the LA LNB I use is "Saorsat approved" and they aren't cheap either

Gerry Wicklow

OK this is really getting weird. Checked the PIDs on both boxes are the same. Both boxes are running the current version of OpenAtv. My old AA2 is now working perfectly but the VU+ still has jumpy video and no audio (checked both streams) BUT it is only happening on RTE1 and jr. On Johnners suggestion I tried a brief recording of RTE1 which worked fine. Messing with resolutions etc made no difference.

johnner64

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

OK this is really getting weird. Checked the PIDs on both boxes are the same. Both boxes are running the current version of OpenAtv. My old AA2 is now working perfectly but the VU+ still has jumpy video and no audio (checked both streams) BUT it is only happening on RTE1 and jr. On Johnners suggestion I tried a brief recording of RTE1 which worked fine. Messing with resolutions etc made no difference.

Looks like there's been a change, or a fault, with RTÉ One which is not being processed properly by VU+ receivers.

I've got the very latest nightly OPEN ATV, and had the latest full image download during the week, on one box.

On the other I have about a month old OPEN PLI nightly.

As I said, if you have timeshift enabled a quick pause will do the trick for watching live.

FRIENDO

Just did a retune
Saorsat back to 30 channel places

Johnny I'd say it's working for you now

johnner64

FRIENDO wrote: »

Just did a retune
Saorsat back to 30 channel places

Johnny I'd say it's working for you now

Fair play mate. Technical glitch is gone (before rescan).

And after rescan the 30 channel places are back here too.

I wrote to Saorsat yesterday; no response but maybe I made them aware? Who knows...

FRIENDO

It is a little concerning

I may soon replace my ten year old Panasonic plasma TV
I was thinking of getting a TV/sat tuner, it would have to be Soarsat compatiable.

At the moment nothing on the market is Saorsat approved, so I would be looking for a TV/SAT tuner with Mheg5

I assume the answer is "yes" but are you in a complete Saorview blackspot?

FRIENDO

Yes, I have tried to get Saorview.
Per the Saorview coverage map, I cant get Saorview.

Im tooked in under a hill and forest so I cant get mth Lenister.
I did try Forth mth, im well out of range but I was successful for a short period, weather depending. However when Forth opened a second mux I couldn't get mux 2 at all

Have tried an expencive wideband aerial
Also an expensive, I think it was c/d aerial, ordered from England, no luck either.

On a good point, I possibly have the best freeview signal in Wexford.

And before anybody asks the aerials were not combined
Group B ran seperate to tv
Saorview to a combo

I also ran a single aerial just for saorview, taking down the group B, no luck

Also got local installer to look.

Getting freeview is secondary as freesat would be mainly viewed

Gerry Wicklow

johnner64 wrote: »

Fair play mate. Technical glitch is gone (before rescan).

And after rescan the 30 channel places are back here too.

I wrote to Saorsat yesterday; no response but maybe I made them aware? Who knows...

Back to normal. I too emailed 2RN over the weekend but got nothing more than the automated reply. I suppose it's all we can expect from an Irish company

Thanks to Johnner, Friendo and STB et al for your input.

FRIENDO

Just noticed another retune on Saorsat
Back to 8 TV channels (Channel 8 being 2rn test)
10 Radio channels

Just wondering how is it working for you guys?

johnner64

FRIENDO wrote: »

Just noticed another retune on Saorsat
Back to 8 TV channels (Channel 8 being 2rn test)
10 Radio channels

Just wondering how is it working for you guys?

All still good here.

And no word back from 2RN either...

FRIENDO

johnner64 wrote:

And no word back from 2RN either...

Sometimes they answer, sometimes not.
My experience with 2rn Saorsat is that they usually fix the issues.

I rang them one time as my Saorsat wasn't working, some guy rang me back, he had saorsat working on 6 or 7 screens, I discovered issue was at my end on that time.