RTE DTT Testing?

IrishBazza

Does anybody know when the planned testing will begin for DTT testing, in Dublin and Louth?

No further update from previous press release from RTE



http://www.rte.ie/business/2005/0629/digital.html

DMC

Ball is in the Department of Communications court and not really RTÉ's.

Latest news was here... http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/DTT+Pilot.htm

They have put out to tender the infrastructure needed for a DTT trail, and the closing date was mid-August for that. One would suspect that will take a couple of months rather than weeks.

Telefís

Here's a question that's probably been asked before so forgive me - likewise regarding the likely obvious answer, it's just a bit confusing!

When RTÉ eventually start their DTT trial, or even 'for real', can I use my existing arial to tune into both the analogue and DTT signals? (from Claremont Cairn)

My arial was replaced recently and is DTT compatible so no problem there - just is it possible to connect the aerial input both to a set-top box say in one room and branch off to the amp serving the existing analogue network in the house?

Pal

Telef&#237 wrote: »

Here's a question that's probably been asked before so forgive me - likewise regarding the likely obvious answer, it's just a bit confusing!

When RTÉ eventually start their DTT trial, or even 'for real', can I use my existing arial to tune into both the analogue and DTT signals? (from Claremont Cairn)

My arial was replaced recently and is DTT compatible so no problem there - just is it possible to connect the aerial input both to a set-top box say in one room and branch off to the amp serving the existing analogue network in the house?

Yes. I am doing now that with UK DTT.

Telefís

Ah - intriguing

Thanks Pal - though how do you split the two branches to their respective digital and analogue destinations without splitting the signal?
Do you invest in a second amp - with one of its outputs going to the existing analogue amp and the other to the set-top box?

byte

No need. The STB will have a RF LoopThrough, so that you take out the RF lead from back of TV (or VCR, etc), stick in back of STB, and then flylead from STB RF-Out to TV RF Input.

Telefís

So this'll automatically feed the STB signal throughout the house via the existing analogue network by going back up the same cable-from-the-wall it came down from?

Telef&#237

Telef&#237 wrote: »

So this'll automatically feed the STB signal throughout the house via the existing analogue network by going back up the same cable-from-the-wall it came down from?

No it will behave like a video or digibox and send its own RF signal back through your house via a distribution amplifier if you have it wired to this.

If you have your outside aerial wired via a distribution amp to various points around the house then DTT will be available at all those points if it's in your area but only with a separate STB at each TV.

Wiring one STB to the distribution amplifier will only make the channel that you are watching available throughout the house where you have just the one stb-same as a video set up or digibox set up really.

byte

Since DTT STB's have become rather cheap though, it'd make more sense to just add an STB to each room that you want multi channel TV. It's a much easier and straight-forward process than Sky Multiroom which is one of the benefits of DTT.

Agreed.
And you get the features and separate channels in each room.

Digger

byte wrote:

Since DTT STB's have become rather cheap though, it'd make more sense to just add an STB to each room that you want multi channel TV. It's a much easier and straight-forward process than Sky Multiroom which is one of the benefits of DTT.

Yeah. I look forward to this. Let's hope that there is a decent selection of channels.

Telefís

Earthman wrote:

No it will behave like a video or digibox and send its own RF signal back through your house via a distribution amplifier if you have it wired to this.

Yes, that is what I said - what I'm wondering is how you connect the STB second aerial output back into the coax socket on the wall? Do you even have to do this, i.e. does connecting the STB first output to the television/video automatically send the STB signal up the socket and wall to the distribution amp, or do you need to connect another way?

I know you only recieve the channel the STB is tuned to, but it'll just be a bit of fun before eventually going out and buying four of them!

lawhec

Telef&#237 wrote: »

Yes, that is what I said - what I'm wondering is how you connect the STB second aerial output back into the coax socket on the wall? Do you even have to do this, i.e. does connecting the STB first output to the television/video automatically send the STB signal up the socket and wall to the distribution amp, or do you need to connect another way?

I know you only recieve the channel the STB is tuned to, but it'll just be a bit of fun before eventually going out and buying four of them!

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but just to make it clear, if the set-top box has a modulator that allows it to send out a UHF signal that can be tuned in by a TV, then it will behave like a VCR's aerial output which also puts a signal that can also be tuned in. With a VCR to TV setup, the aerial lead should go first into the VCR and then a fly-lead to connect the VCR output to the TV (or distribution system etc.). With a VCR-TV-DTT STB setup you should put the aerial lead first into the DTT STB, then take it's output into the input of the VCR and then take its output to the TV. The STB has a signal which can then be recorded by the VCR by tuning the VCR's tuner into a spare channel and is still passed through the VCR to the TV for it to be tuned in there.

Of course, this excludes other connections like SCART, S-Video, RCA video/phono etc. that are also likely to be available.

Telefís

Yes I know all that - though thanks
I'm wondering does connecting the co-ax to the STB automatically 'mix' as it were the output of the box and the incoming signal that you've just used, on the same cable, essentially sending the STB signal back up the way the signal came down, to the distribution amp?

lawhec

Telef&#237 wrote: »

Yes I know all that - though thanks
I'm wondering does connecting the co-ax to the STB automatically 'mix' as it were the output of the box and the incoming signal that you've just used, on the same cable, essentially sending the STB signal back up the way the signal came down, to the distribution amp?

Simple answer - no.

watty

The Iriish system may work with newer UK DTT setboxes, but might not work with older ones.

There was originally on original two times of test a reverse RF signal for "interactive" use (not fast enough for Internet use as some erroniously beleived). This if implemented would be incompatible with most cheap DTT boxes.

byrnefm

I see there was an article in the Irish Times yesterday (in the Business section) lamenting the lack of any timetable for Irish DTT. As it's taking so long, consumers are going for alternatives, resulting in what the author reckons will introduce a two-tier society with regards to those watching digital TV here - those with the €€€ will simply subscribe to Sky / NTL as they'll get many more channels than the possible up to 20 on DTT. Those who don't have the €€€ will watch DTT. The other figure he gave was that something like 1/3 of Irish households now have digital TV through one of either NTL, Sky or Chorus.

Charles Slane

This is a badly titled thread - RTE DTT Testing. No question mark, just the implication that something is really happening. That finally Ireland might be catching up with the rest of the western world. And I fall for it every time.

DMC

/me listens to 96 Tears just for Mr. D.

Charles Slane

Damo, you are indeed the man !

Telefís

Northern Correspondent wrote:

Simple answer - no.

Thanks NC - thought as much!