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Saorview: Q: I get Radio but no TV channels? Answer...

13

Comments

  • #62
    chris1970
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 640 ✭✭✭chris1970


    does anyone know if an LG 42lg3000 is compatible with saorview , I got radio channels, channel listings but no picture, cheers


  • #63
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,097 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    chris1970 wrote: »
    does anyone know if an LG 42lg3000 is compatible with saorview , I got radio channels, channel listings but no picture, cheers

    Sound and no video generally indicates a non compatible TV.


  • #64
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Hey guys,
    Just bought a Digihome STB from Power City and plugged it.
    When we did a channel search we got nothing.No radio.No TV. Nada. When we plug the cable back into the tv we get our old fuzzy channels back.
    The ariel we have was originally installed by NTL circa 15yrs ago. Just wondering if we have a non compatible airiel. It was installed as part of their MMDS (??) system.


  • #65
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    You won't get Saorview from an MMDS aerial, it's for a higher frequency band.

    Saorview requires a UHF aerial for lower frequencies, the exact type will vary according to the transmitter you receive from & the available signal strength.

    Did you mean this aerial is in addition to the MMDS one? A photo could save a lot of guesswork (& post your location).


  • #66
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Thanks Peter.
    We have 2 ariiels on the roof. One is sorta like a sat dish but made out of wire (MMDS for the old NTL box) and their looks like a 'normal' airiel beside which afaik is picking up the analogue signal.The MMDS is pointing at a mast at Belgee (Naul) North County Dublin.
    would the normal looking airiel be picking up MMDS.
    As for a pic> its dark but am pretty sure both are pointing in the same direction

    Also just discovered their is a splitter between wall point and the box


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  • #67
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Does the non-MMDS aerial point north or south? Do you get all 4 analogue Irish channels, is TG4 worse quality than the others?

    Can you post the channel UHF/VHF channel nos. or frequencies?


  • #68
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    Does the non-MMDS aerial point north or south? Do you get all 4 analogue Irish channels, is TG4 worse quality than the others?

    Can you post the channel UHF/VHF channel nos. or frequencies?

    It seems to be pointing NE.I am living just South of Balbriggan,just alongside the old N1 and the ariel has a definite 2 o'clock 'kick' on it.


    Yes we get all 4 channels and yes TG4 is almost unwathable.

    Wouldnt have a clue about channel numbers or freq! Sorry!


  • #69
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Take a look at this post just to be sure you know which is the 'pointy' end.

    If your aerial is on the Clermont Carn transmitter, it will be rotated 90 degrees longitudinally for vertical polarisation.


  • #70
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    ok. for clarity. my house is facing West. The post to which the airiel is mounted to the south face of the chimney. From that the airiel is pointing towards , for all intents and purpose, towards the Mournes (Clermont Carn).


  • #71
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Frequencies on the tv
    719 RTE1
    751 RTE2
    831 TV3
    847 TG4


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  • #72
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Those are the analogue frequencies for Clermont alright.

    Check the coverage map, click on 'show coverage' & you will see a few red areas in your locality where coverage from Clermont will be improved after switchover less than a year from now.

    It's possible the coverage checker will recommend another transmitter, the same aerial horizontally polarised will work for Three Rock or Kippure.


  • #73
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Thanks Peter. Am smack in the middle of a small red zone. Will this mean that we not getting a signal. When we try the auto tune it sorta hesistates around mid 50's but it ends up with nothing.
    Also it says Clermont is the transmitter for me


  • #74
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,097 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    bcmf wrote: »
    Am smack in the middle of a small red zone. Will this mean that we not getting a signal. When we try the auto tune it sorta hesistates around mid 50's but it ends up with nothing.
    Also it says Clermont is the transmitter for me

    UHF Ch 53 is the Saorview multiplex from Clermont. Coverage on the map is indicative only and a better high gain aerial could pull in the signal.

    Can you post a pic of your current UHF aerial?


  • #75
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    It's possible a better aerial setup might get a workable signal from Clermont, or Kippure & Three Rock might be worth trying.

    The coverage checker shouldn't be taken as gospel, but certainly Clermont will only achieve full coverage after analogue is switched off.


  • #76
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    The Cush wrote: »

    Can you post a pic of your current UHF aerial?

    Yeah will do tommorrow.
    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    It's possible a better aerial setup might get a workable signal from Clermont, or Kippure & Three Rock might be worth trying.

    The coverage checker shouldn't be taken as gospel, but certainly Clermont will only achieve full coverage after analogue is switched off.
    So its quite possible that we are currently in a signal black spot/deadzone sorta place.


  • #77
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    bcmf wrote: »
    So its quite possible that we are currently in a signal black spot/deadzone sorta place.

    You're currently getting an analogue signal from CC, albeit 'fuzzy' so hopefully you'll be alright once the permanent transmitter setup is up & running, assuming you have to rely on this site.

    Digital receivers will perform perfectly well on signal levels that would only produce mediocre analogue pictures.

    Also just remembered your earlier reference to a splitter; is it to seperate the MMDS & 'normal' terrestrial signals? Do you still use MMDS?

    Removing everything concerned with it wouldn't be a bad idea if it's no longer needed.


  • #78
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    No we currently run off a sky box/dish with no subscription (no native channels) so the MMDS up on the roof is for visual effect only.
    The splitter is only being used from the wall connection to the tv for the analouge signal.
    As far as I remember when we were disconnecting everything from MMDS we couldnt find a cable to fit into both ends so we just used that.


  • #79
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    In that case, a single cable direct from the UHF aerial would be best. In the meantime, lose the splitter & use either a cable with the right connection or an adapter/connector.

    I don't know much about MMDS tbh, I've seen a diplexer (combiner) for MMDS/UHF that had the down-converted MMDS signal below 400 mHz, maybe your system incorporates something like that which could now be removed as a possible cause of signal loss, however small.

    (Btw this is all a bit off topic for this thread which is nominally concerned with MPEG2-only tvs.)


  • #80
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Yeah we will change to a dedicated cable. At least it will be elimanting that as a potential cause of a loss of signal. Is it worth paying for a decent cable since I be using the optical output into my Yamaha amp/ home cinema system for decent sound. Will it be true Dolby digital plus we will be getting via the box (Digihome DI1180)? Or will bog standard cable do? To me it seems obvious that a better cable is always the way to go but I am a bit green to this.


    WRT to this being OT for the thread: I stumbled in here from the cycling forum so didnt know if it was worth starting a new thread. Maybe if the mods wanna take all the post and start a new one!?!


  • #81
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    For an aerial downlead, use cable with foil & braid screening (all copper is best, apparently).

    The cheapest way to get a decent flylead, if needed, is to use a length of this cable with the appropriate good quality connectors fitted at each end.


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  • #82
    charlie2505
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭charlie2505


    Hi guys. I am looking at getting a sony bravia in a few days that is on sale in NI. I understand from reading the threads here that it is not compatable with saorview and is most likely mpeg 2.
    I just want to clarify before buying it that as long as I get a saorview STB or combo receiver then I should still be able to receive the Irish channels? Or have I got it wrong?
    Also, where is the cheapest I can get a saorview box? Argos dont have the €50 one anymore-€70 seems about cheapest I can find?
    Next question! We dont have an outdoor aerial, will bunny ears do the job do you reckon? If not, anyone know what going rate is for getting an outdoor aerial installed? Only work involved is to get it on roof/chimney-it's all ready to go from the attic to all the rooms.
    Had someone quote me almost €300 a few years ago which is why we never bothered and just went with sky. Dont have sky anymore and wonder if its worth ringing them back but would be good to know what is the norm price wise. Thanks :)


  • #83
    holidaysong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 403 ✭✭holidaysong


    charlie2505 wrote: »
    Hi guys. I am looking at getting a sony bravia in a few days that is on sale in NI. I understand from reading the threads here that it is not compatable with saorview and is most likely mpeg 2.

    It might still be MPEG-4, so wait until you actually get the TV before getting a Saorview box. Better still, if you know the exact model of the TV you are getting, post it up and someone will be able to tell you.
    charlie2505 wrote: »
    I just want to clarify before buying it that as long as I get a saorview STB or combo receiver then I should still be able to receive the Irish channels? Or have I got it wrong?
    Also, where is the cheapest I can get a saorview box? Argos dont have the €50 one anymore-€70 seems about cheapest I can find?

    Correct, Saorview TV or another TV with a Saorview box. I believe the cheapest at the moment is in PowerCity for €60.
    charlie2505 wrote: »
    Next question! We dont have an outdoor aerial, will bunny ears do the job do you reckon? If not, anyone know what going rate is for getting an outdoor aerial installed? Only work involved is to get it on roof/chimney-it's all ready to go from the attic to all the rooms.
    Had someone quote me almost €300 a few years ago which is why we never bothered and just went with sky. Dont have sky anymore and wonder if its worth ringing them back but would be good to know what is the norm price wise. Thanks :)

    I live in Dublin city centre and an indoor aerial works fine for me. It all depends on the signal strength where you are. Please note though that most 'bunny ears' aerials are VHF aerials. You'll need an indoor UHF aerial to receive Saorview - they can often be bought as bunny ears (VHF) with a hoop (UHF) inside them, like here: http://www.dimensionsguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Rabbit-ears-Antenna-Dimensions.jpg

    As for outdoor aerial installation, I'm afraid I really don't have a clue on how much that would cost.


  • #84
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    charlie2505 wrote: »
    Hi guys. I am looking at getting a sony bravia in a few days that is on sale in NI. I understand from reading the threads here that it is not compatable with saorview and is most likely mpeg 2.

    Makes no sense whatsoever to buy a tv with a useless tuner if it's your only way of accessing channels. As mentioned already, post the model no., there can't be too many non-mpeg4 Sonys still out there.


  • #85
    charlie2505
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭charlie2505


    It's a Sony Bravia KDL-40BX240


  • #86
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,399 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    charlie2505 wrote: »
    It's a Sony Bravia KDL-40BX240

    Are you sure? Sony do not list a 40BX240 but do list a 40BX420 and that is MPEG 4 HD and so will work with Saorview.

    You need an aerial, the cable signal does not have Saorview on it. Try it with a UHF aerial.


  • #87
    charlie2505
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭charlie2505


    Sorry typo my end-yes its 420 not 240. Do you think that will still apply if buying in uk?
    What I have decided to do is get the TV and have also got a satelitte combo receiver-would have needed something anyways as we really dislike not being able to watch satelitte and terrestrial tv at the same time.
    My bunny ears cheap aerial already receives TV3-albeit not a great signal so will assume this is a UHF aerial already?
    Or should I buy a specific aerial? Am going up on Monday to get everything.
    Will need to get HDMI cables also. Is this worth spending a few pound on or should I chance the cheap ones you can get on amazon?
    Is RTE2 already in HD? And off topic but thought I'd ask as ye all seem to know so much more than me!
    Is it worth getting an upscaling blu ray player or upscaling dvd player to enhance the new tv experience? Have a bog standard cheap dvd player at moment.
    Getting excited now as we have a huge old 32 inch for almost 10 years so just hope that there is something decent to watch!


  • #88
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 20,399 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    charlie2505 wrote: »
    Sorry typo my end-yes its 420 not 240. Do you think that will still apply if buying in uk?
    What I have decided to do is get the TV and have also got a satelitte combo receiver-would have needed something anyways as we really dislike not being able to watch satelitte and terrestrial tv at the same time.
    My bunny ears cheap aerial already receives TV3-albeit not a great signal so will assume this is a UHF aerial already?
    Or should I buy a specific aerial? Am going up on Monday to get everything.
    Will need to get HDMI cables also. Is this worth spending a few pound on or should I chance the cheap ones you can get on amazon?
    Is RTE2 already in HD? And off topic but thought I'd ask as ye all seem to know so much more than me!
    Is it worth getting an upscaling blu ray player or upscaling dvd player to enhance the new tv experience? Have a bog standard cheap dvd player at moment.
    Getting excited now as we have a huge old 32 inch for almost 10 years so just hope that there is something decent to watch!

    That TV should work OK. The aerial can be sorted out later, but if the rabbit ears works, it should be OK for Saorview but it is not a big deal to upgrade it later. Cheap HDMI cables are OK (mostly) unless you want to go over a very long distance. The DVD/BlueRay will have no effect on the TV reception. The Sony TV does a good job of upscaling.

    RTE2 is in HD (some of the time) and no, there is not anything worth watching.


  • #89
    charlie2505
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55 ✭✭charlie2505


    Well we got the tv yesterday :) But it cant or wont find any channels with auto tuner with the rabbit ears :( But it works fine with sky box hooked up to freesat channels. We wont have our satelite combo receiver for another day or so.
    So not sure what is the problem exactly but am sure its probably to do with the aerial. Not sure if worth trying to tune in ourselves or not?
    Am going to call our local tv company tomorrow for a quote. Someone else said they were charging about €150 thesedays-far cry from €300!! Hopefully that sorts us out once and for all.
    But any suggestions gladly accepted!
    Dont think that will solve the problem with our Toshiba 22inch we got before Christmas-going to need a settop box for that but NOT spending €80 plus on one when kids can watch dvd's for the time being. Set top boxes selling in NI from £25 so hopefully ours will do the same after the initial rush of purchases. I am happy to hang on! My kids are too young yet to insist on this or that programme!
    Really happy with the TV and thanks everyone for all the advice and suggestions over the last little while. Made the whole thing a little less traumatic for me ;)


  • #90
    naijaboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 ✭naijaboy


    Hi, not sure where to post this. Have a Sharp LC-52X20E with Freeview (3-4yr old), however the technical specs say the MPEG decoder is MPEG 4. Receiving radio Saorview broadcasts but not TV channels and was wondering if someone could help out.
    Additional info - have external antenna and another TV connected to the same antenna works perfectly.
    Thanks
    Can now get sound on TV channels (comes up when channel number picked as opposed to using P+/- button). Have EPG and Teletext etc but no picture.


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  • #91
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,097 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    naijaboy wrote: »
    Hi, not sure where to post this. Have a Sharp LC-52X20E with Freeview (3-4yr old), however the technical specs say the MPEG decoder is MPEG 4. Receiving radio Saorview broadcasts but not TV channels and was wondering if someone could help out.
    Additional info - have external antenna and another TV connected to the same antenna works perfectly.
    Thanks

    Had a look at the manual online but can't find any reference to MPEG-4 decoding.

    Radio/audio with no video generally indicates a non-compliant receiver. Have you tried changing the country/region to France/Norway for example during setup.


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