DTT Tests @ Clermont Carn

Rick_ · 18-08-2009 04:30PM

Will have to check when I get home, but I am in Armagh City and I can receive the trials most of the time, but as I don't have any MPEG-4 equipment all I get [when the signal is strong enough for the receiver to lock onto] is sound, but when the sound comes on it's stable with no breakups so reception seems to be good. I only hope that any power increases in the next few years will enable rock solid recption here so I can have the best of both worlds, UK Freeview and ROI DTT all through the one STB.

Geemac · 18-08-2009 07:20PM

All 4 TV Channels broadcasting currently from Clermont.

dmm10000 · 19-08-2009 01:38AM

hi guys
new user here too
I want to use a DVB-t usb stick to pick up these tests - all the software such as dvbviewer and alt dvb refers to the channel numbers (or frequencies really) in Khz such as 474000 khz etc - if the test says channel 53 is being used then i know from reading this post it is 730 mhz (or 730000 khz ?) - from the channel number given how do we work out what the mhz / khz figure will be - because when scanning using software it only allows me to select a certain khz figure - is there a reference table somewhere to look up the equivalent channel numbers ?

Rick_ · 19-08-2009 12:34PM

1 MHz = 1000 kilohertz.

So, tf CH53 is 730.0Mhz then it's code would be 730,000khz.

CH21 = 474.0MHz
CH22 = 482.0MHz
CH23 = 490.0MHz etc.

They go up in 8's, so count upwards from there until you get to the CH number you require.

dmm10000 · 19-08-2009 01:18PM

thanks Paddy

might have a play with it - I'm unsure if my aerial is picking up the Clermont Carn directly or if RTE analogue is being picked up from the Monaghan relay / sub station - I dont want to go moving aerials if possible (parents will go nuts) but i reckon even pointed towards monaghan i should pick up the trial off Clermont OK ?

Rick_ · 19-08-2009 03:41PM

That part I wouldn't be too sure on DMM, you might be best letting someone else answer that for you on here!

gerrymartin · 19-08-2009 06:18PM

dmm10000 wrote: »

thanks Paddy

might have a play with it - I'm unsure if my aerial is picking up the Clermont Carn directly or if RTE analogue is being picked up from the Monaghan relay / sub station - I dont want to go moving aerials if possible (parents will go nuts) but i reckon even pointed towards monaghan i should pick up the trial off Clermont OK ?

Firstly Where are you based? can you tell us how your rte aerial is polarised Vertical or horizontal? and how many channels you recieve from your "rte" aerial also how many aerials are on your array 2 or 3? The monaghan relay carries RTE1 & 2 on vhf and TV3 and TG4 on UHF on low power.Can you check what channel number or frequency your annalogue rte channels are on.If you can answer any of these questions especially the channel number/freq.I would be able to answer your queries. PM me for more info if you want.Cheers G.

dmm10000 · 20-08-2009 01:36AM

thanks folks
did a wee bit more research and found the Clermont is vertically polarised and after a bit of reading discovered my aerial also is so it must be pointing there for RTE - WandTV ordered from dealextreme - fingers crossed its all systems go - appreciate all the advice

Mayo Exile · 25-08-2009 06:14PM

Strange things happening at the moment! 2FM is on channel 806 on my Sony W4000 series telly. Pressing the info button on the remote brings up RTE1, but it stays on 806 and also it's still 2FM according to the TV???

Pressing the info button again brings back 2FM.

Digifriendly · 25-08-2009 09:37PM

Just to report that like Paddy C above I pick up trial DTT from Clermont Carn - sound only on Sony KDL-20S30 idtv and I live well north of Armagh in Moira just about 18 miles SW of Belfast. I have a 52 element Triax with masthead amp. Sometimes sound is a bit garbled indicating slight breakup but generally quite good. Advantage of this trial even without picture is being able to pick up RTE radio on my TV! BTW my analogue reception from CC on all 4 channels is well nigh perfect.

paddybudg · 25-08-2009 10:39PM

Hi Mayo Exile,
I have a sony 40w5500 and having the same issue when using the digital tuner. Its only started happening recently. I even found that its somtimes in such a knot that i have to power off and restart. Works perfectly of analog tuner and any other input (Sky, PC, BDplayer) only issue with the digital tuner and only recently. It may be a sony "feature" or something changed with the DTT test transmission. Hope its sorted soon ....:(

Mayo Exile · 26-08-2009 11:09AM

More to to do with the varying nature of the DTT tests than the telly itself I'd say Paddybudg. I also have a Sony 26V4500 which wouldn't display the MHEG5 teletext for a couple of months, then suddenly started doing so.

skycatcher · 27-08-2009 08:27PM

hi,

Since rtenl have started to mess about again with the descriptors my panasonic 81b can pick up and decode the tv channels again - signal is weak here (hillsborough co. down) but is watchable and red button working !

skyC

Peter Henderson · 07-09-2009 09:09PM

Was wondering whether or not the tests from clermont Cairn were still continuing myself.

Around April, I was receiving sound only, and at good strength (better than Divis) here in Jordanstown Co. Antrim after doing a rescan. However, they suddenly disappeared around mid May and I haven't heard them since. Two questions:

(1) Is this due to the deep null to the north that I keep hearing about ?

(2) does this mean I won't be able to receive RTE/TV3 (TG4 is apparently going to be carried from Divis post DSO) when the ROI goes digital only ?

Analogue reception from Clermont Cairn here is perfect, better even than Divis.

Rick_ · 07-09-2009 10:12PM

Is Clermont on at the moment? I am trying to find the channels with my HVR-4000 in GBPVR and nothing is coming up for signal strength and quality, even with the offset...

Geemac · 07-09-2009 10:41PM

All fine here Paddy.

peadar99 · 08-09-2009 10:36AM

It wasn't working for me yesterday (both Analogue and Digital), though I had blamed it on my aerial.
It's back now (on analogue anyway), though, so maybe it was a transmitter problem.

skycatcher · 08-09-2009 11:54AM

Signal seems to fluctuate a lot certainly on the northern side. Last night it was fairly good. Sometimes though I just get a "bag signal" message.

Rick_ · 08-09-2009 12:44PM

At least you're getting something, I can't get my PC to find the channels no matter what programme or codec I use... :mad:

Other TV's in the house connected to cheapo Freeview STB's can get them (audio only obviously), so why can't my expensive computer with much better tuner and processing power??? I'm trying every setting I can and still nothing... :mad:

fat-tony · 08-09-2009 12:54PM

You mentioned an offset in a previous post

Have you tried not using the offset when trying to tune in. Seems to me that you are not actually picking up the mux at all, some kind of tuning problem - nothing to do with PC processor.

Rick_ · 08-09-2009 03:09PM

Yes I have tried doing an automatic scan, manual scan, entering the channel frequency, the offset channel frequency and still nothing. All UK Freeview services are tuned in fine in the auto scan, but once it gets as far as CH53, it doesn't even slow down or spend a second scanning it before dismissing it, it just glides past it as quicky as it does for all the other CH no.'s that dont carry a DTT signal.

egal · 08-09-2009 06:32PM

Analogue was off during the wee small hours this morning - dunno about digital, can't get it this far west (Omagh).

psham · 08-09-2009 07:01PM

Ciarn Hill back up and running..
Bad news for any Panasonic PZ81 owners as the identifier has not changed, as a result the tv channels do not save.. only radio stations are saving..

Just noticed i posted in the wrong DTT trial post.

fat-tony · 08-09-2009 09:21PM

Paddy C wrote: »

Yes I have tried doing an automatic scan, manual scan, entering the channel frequency, the offset channel frequency and still nothing. All UK Freeview services are tuned in fine in the auto scan, but once it gets as far as CH53, it doesn't even slow down or spend a second scanning it before dismissing it, it just glides past it as quicky as it does for all the other CH no.'s that dont carry a DTT signal.

Are you saying that the other receivers (STBs) connected to the same aerial system are picking up CH53 but the HVR-4000 is not? And that the HVR-4000 is working ok with the Freeview DTT channels?
If you were getting the radio channels but not the tv channels, then I'd have said that it was one of the settings in the data stream (type 22 - advanced codec) or even the language code (gle) that was affecting the software (as it is with Panasonic TV owners), but if you're not picking up the radio channels either, then I'd say it's still a signal/tuning problem. Try connecting elsewhere in the house, where you know it's working.

Mayo Exile · 08-09-2009 09:24PM

CC seemed to be completely down during the night alright. Everything off, DTT, analogue and FM radio.

Also I think it's been mentioned elsewhere, but the channels seem to "appear" quicker now when selected on my Sony telly. Little lag evident, even with TG4 which always seemed to take the longest for video to appear.

skycatcher · 09-09-2009 07:32PM

Signal strength and quality seems to be good tonight - rock solid picture/sound - maybe the nice settled weather (first since June!).

Rick_ · 10-09-2009 10:51AM

Which is set to last for the next few days. Will try again tonight and see if I can pick anything up.

dmm10000 · 25-09-2009 12:41PM

Hi All
trying to help my colleague in Armagh out here and theres something not right - hes using a DVB-T dongle
Applicable to anyone using a PC /DVB-T dongle setup only - Can anyone just answer me this question ?

I want to know if you are picking up the trial from Clermont Carn - what exact frequency are you using - i doubt it's 730 Mhz exactly because i although i havent been at his house he assures me he is using 730 Mhz and getting nothing - is it 730 Mhz (730 000 Khz) exactly or is it a number of Hertz either side of this figure ?
perhaps 729 000 Khz or 731 000 Khz ?
users with a computer based setup only - thanks in advance

Rick_ · 25-09-2009 02:29PM

From what I understand it might need the offset inputted for it to work, IIRC it's either 166 or 167 off the main number (in this case, that's 730,000). Get him to try the following:

729834
729833
730166
730167

I think one of those 4 figures might work for him. If not, I'm sure someone else will be along to correct me.

I can't pick up the signal on my HTPC but a crappy £10 STB from Argos can, but it's only MPEG2 so I get sound only. This is on the same aerial downlead so something isn't right with the computer settings somewhere. I'm using a Media Centre in Windows 7 Ultimate with a Hauppauge HVR-4000. Anyone got it working in this program or with this card offer any advice?

mrdtv · 25-09-2009 03:20PM

Paddy C wrote: »

From what I understand it might need the offset inputted for it to work, IIRC it's either 166 or 167 off the main number (in this case, that's 730,000). Get him to try the following:

729834
729833
730166
730167

I think one of those 4 figures might work for him. If not, I'm sure someone else will be along to correct me.

I can't pick up the signal on my HTPC but a crappy £10 STB from Argos can, but it's only MPEG2 so I get sound only. This is on the same aerial downlead so something isn't right with the computer settings somewhere. I'm using a Media Centre in Windows 7 Ultimate with a Hauppauge HVR-4000. Anyone got it working in this program or with this card offer any advice?

NB there is a fantastic recent set of pictures of Clermont Carn over at ukfree.tv, which clearly show that the DTT antennas are indeed shrouded to the North. Taken on a glorious day by Jordy Lyons who had a tour of CC....

DTT Tests @ Clermont Carn

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