Digital TV installation for less than 50 quid ;)

CiniO · 05-02-2012 05:54PM #1

I didn't have any aerial at my house before (I was just using satellite dish) but decided I'll try saorview as 7 Irish channels seemed tempting.

I did my shopping while on holidays in Poland.

2090206643

Aerial like that - €8

Digital tuner - Ferguson Ariva T65 - €35.

15m of coaxial cable + few plugs - €7.

Total: €50

It took me about 1h to install it.
Aerial is directional so I had to point it out exactly to transmitter, but I suppose I did. Transmitter is 25 km away (on Achill island) but I could see it with binoculars. My tuner shows signal strength 80% but it seems enough as there are not any problems with picture quality.

Only my neighbours were looking at me bit suspicious when they saw me on my roof with binoculars.

Generally speaking it was just about time to get Irish TV after 5 years living here

FRIENDO · 05-02-2012 07:01PM

Hi CiniO,

Well done.

Did the aerial come with a mounting bracket or poll ?

How did you get the aerial back from Poland ?

watty · 05-02-2012 07:04PM

If you have a Saorview TV and aerial works in an attic, then an install could be €5

It's a misleading thread title.

How did you get the aerial back from Poland ?

Never mind that, how did he get it on the Chimney pole and where is cost of mount?

FRIENDO · 05-02-2012 07:08PM

I would like to know how CiniO got the aerial back from Poland.

CiniO, did it also come with a poll and mount ?

CiniO · 05-02-2012 07:28PM

FRIENDO wrote: »

Hi CiniO,

Well done.

Did the aerial come with a mounting bracket or poll ?

No it didn't.
I had a bracket already, as I used it before for my wireless internet, which I don't use anymore.

But if I had to buy it together with aerial it would be about €4.
Something like that:
2095084459

How did you get the aerial back from Poland ?

I was there on holidays and I drove back so I took it in my boot

CiniO · 05-02-2012 07:31PM

watty wrote: »

If you have a Saorview TV and aerial works in an attic, then an install could be €5

It's a misleading thread title.

Probably you are right. I forgot to mention I didn't have an aerial and my TV is not saorview ready.

Never mind that, how did he get it on the Chimney pole and where is cost of mount?

I did the work myself so it didn't cost me anything.

watty · 05-02-2012 07:47PM

But how did you get on the roof?

The bracket you show is unsuitable for chimneys, I meant the cost of the Chimney mount hardware.

Just for anyone new reading the forum, here are the approved products that ahve Guarantee of Compatibility with Saorview:
http://www.saorview.ie/products-retailers/saorview-approved-product-listings/

I don't think the Ferguson is on the list.

So
1) A Saorview install that is DIY and involves a Certified Setbox and Aerial above peak of roof (both the minimum) is much more than €50

2) If you need a professional it's a lot more.

My Saorview "Install" cost nothing. Or €20
My son bought a TV that works
I bought a Dual DTT stick for Media PC
Our aerial for Analogue TV and distribution amp works perfectly.

FRIENDO · 05-02-2012 07:56PM

I had wondered how.

Postage for such an item aerial and pole from Poland would be expensive and if the aerial did not work this would be more expense.

I don't think you would be allowed to carry such items through airport passenger screening in hand luggage to board a passenger aircraft (aerial, you would be taking a chance and may have to leave item for disposal or return to check in, you would not be allowed bring a pole in hand luggage).

Over size luggage can often be expensive or extra weight can be costly.

Driving would be the only way to get value, however would be most costly if you just drove for an aerial.

You could also compare Polish prices with many other Irish Prices as been better value, if you happen to be driving for leisure.

Thanks CiniO,
If I need an aerial or other items I will be contacting an Irish shop in future.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 08:05PM

watty wrote: »

But how did you get on the roof?

Through the roof window

The bracket you show is unsuitable for chimneys, I meant the cost of the Chimney mount hardware.

It suits my chimney and it was there for last 4 years, as it was used for wireless broadband.

Just for anyone new reading the forum, here are the approved products that ahve Guarantee of Compatibility with Saorview:
http://www.saorview.ie/products-retailers/saorview-approved-product-listings/

I don't think the Ferguson is on the list.

I wasn't sure actually if Ferguson will be 100% compatibile, but from basic tech spec I checked it looked it should work.
After installing it, I know it works 100% for me now. Therefore I can't see any difference between this and Saorview approved stuff.

So
1) A Saorview install that is DIY and involves a Certified Setbox and Aerial above peak of roof (both the minimum) is much more than €50

I actually thought that Ferguson is quite good class equipment, way better than some offered as Saorview approved, and therefore more expensive.

Why should the aerial be above peak of the roof? I didn't put it above and it works. But I'm not professional

2) If you need a professional it's a lot more.

That's for sure.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 08:10PM

FRIENDO wrote: »

I had wondered how.

Postage for such an item aerial and pole from Poland would be expensive and if the aerial did not work this would be more expense.

I don't think you would be allowed to carry such items through airport passenger screening in hand luggage to board a passenger aircraft (aerial, you would be taking a chance and may have to leave item for disposal or return to check in, you would not be allowed bring a pole in hand luggage).

Over size luggage can often be expensive or extra weight can be costly.

Driving would be the only way to get value, however would be most costly if you just drove for an aerial.

You could also compare Polish prices with many other Irish Prices as been better value, if you happen to be driving for leisure.

Thanks CiniO,
If I need an aerial or other items I will be contacting an Irish shop in future.

I don't think there would be any chance of them letting me to take aerial or mounting pole into flights handluggage.

Besides I've just seen almost the same aerial in argos catalogue for about €15 so difference in price is almost negligible.

However tuner which I grabbed for €35 quid I just found on Irish ebay for €55 + €10 postage, which is almost double the price.

FRIENDO · 05-02-2012 08:26PM

The Ferguson you bought is not Saorview approved.

I got a Vision Saorview approved set top box in Power city on sale for 50Euro.

I find it hard to believe that Ferguson box is "Saorview compitable" or approved,
No MHEG 5, http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Ferguson-Ariva-T65-HD-Digital-MPEG4-Saorview-Compatible-PVR-/150736931169?pt=UK_ConEle_SatCableFreeview_RL&hash=item23189f0961 This add is possibly misleading to the public.

A Saorview approved set top box.
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-23-DI1180&pages=&prod=DI1180&brands=DIGIHOME&image=

CiniO · 05-02-2012 08:41PM

FRIENDO wrote: »

I find it hard to believe that Ferguson box is "Saorview compitable" or approved,
No MHEG 5, http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Ferguson-Ariva-T65-HD-Digital-MPEG4-Saorview-Compatible-PVR-/150736931169?pt=UK_ConEle_SatCableFreeview_RL&hash=item23189f0961 This add is possibly misleading to the public.

What functionality does MHEG 5 add to the tuner?

Compton · 05-02-2012 08:48PM

Digital Text, Aertel.

Peter Rhea · 05-02-2012 08:51PM

Did you mount the aerial with vertical polarisation?

JRH · 05-02-2012 08:51PM

Dam ... good price

Still don't beat china from your armchair
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Mini-Digital-Scart-DVB-T-Terrestrial-Receiver-True-HD-H-264-MPEG4-TV-BOX-HDMI-IR-/160727704359?pt=UK_Computing_Computer_Components_Graphics_Video_TV_Cards_TW&hash=item256c1e2327

includes CE approved double insulated PSU :pac:

FRIENDO · 05-02-2012 09:01PM

http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/Minimum_Receiver_Requirements_5.pdf
If you read section 5.5. of the above link (MHEG 5 Supertext and EBU teletext).

A link from Saorview on approved products.
http://www.saorview.ie/products-retailers/

CiniO · 05-02-2012 09:03PM

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Did you mount the aerial with vertical polarisation?

I mount it exactly as it's shown on the picture...
Is it vertical polarisation?

Peter Rhea · 05-02-2012 09:07PM

No, the picture shows a horizontally polarised aerial; Achill transmits vertically polarised signals.

The aerial should be rotated longitudinally through 90 degrees so that the elements are perpendicular to the ground.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 09:18PM

Peter Rhea wrote: »

No, the picture shows a horizontally polarised aerial; Achill transmits vertically polarised signals.

The aerial should be rotated longitudinally through 90 degrees so that the elements are perpendicular to the ground.

Hmmm.
Then I have my aerial incorrectly installed.
Is it possible that with such setup I'm getting 80% signal strenght and my picture quality i brilliant?

CiniO · 05-02-2012 09:19PM

FRIENDO wrote: »

http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/Minimum_Receiver_Requirements_5.pdf
If you read section 5.5. of the above link (MHEG 5 Supertext and EBU teletext).

A link from Saorview on approved products.
http://www.saorview.ie/products-retailers/

All-right.
Most likely that's the reason why it's not saorview approved.
Anyway I'm not using teletext service, and I never did, so no difference for me.

watty · 05-02-2012 09:19PM

CiniO wrote: »

What functionality does MHEG 5 add to the tuner?

Anything the broadcasters want. Today some text with pictures. It's a HUGE step up from Teletext which is a built in thing on the TV. MHEG5 lets the broadcaster add or change the features. Unlike Teletext on Analogue it's a "must have" feature and mandatory for compatibility

http://www.saortv.info/about/mheg5/

Peter Rhea · 05-02-2012 10:00PM

CiniO wrote: »

Is it possible that with such setup I'm getting 80% signal strenght and my picture quality i brilliant?

Which UHF channel are you receiving the Saorview channels on?

Compton · 05-02-2012 10:23PM

watty wrote: »

Anything the broadcasters want. Today some text with pictures. It's a HUGE step up from Teletext which is a built in thing on the TV. MHEG5 lets the broadcaster add or change the features. Unlike Teletext on Analogue it's a "must have" feature and mandatory for compatibility

http://www.saortv.info/about/mheg5/

Yes, but a lot of people don't use it, and have no use for it. Like myself.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 10:23PM

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Which UHF channel are you receiving the Saorview channels on?

I just checked it.

It's channel 47.
Frequency - 682Mhz

danjo · 05-02-2012 10:42PM

CiniO wrote: »

Hmmm.
Then I have my aerial incorrectly installed.
Is it possible that with such setup I'm getting 80% signal strenght and my picture quality i brilliant?

Yes, it is possible. I have seen an antenna facing in the wrong direction and still providing an excellent signal. An antenna should discriminate between polarisation and front to back but in areas of strong signal the antenna can often provide sufficient level. I would however set it to the correct polarisation.
Overall a great price, well done!

Peter Rhea · 05-02-2012 10:43PM

If you're receiving a strong enough signal from the transmitter, it will be sufficient to overcome the polarity discrimination of the aerial. Obviously it's better to do it right.

Here's a pic of a vertically polarised log-periodic type aerial.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 10:53PM

danjo wrote: »

Yes, it is possible. I have seen an antenna facing in the wrong direction and still providing an excellent signal. An antenna should discriminate between polarisation and front to back but in areas of strong signal the antenna can often provide sufficient level. I would however set it to the correct polarisation.
Overall a great price, well done!

Peter Rhea wrote: »

If you're receiving a strong enough signal from the transmitter, it will be sufficient to overcome the polarity discrimination of the aerial. Obviously it's better to do it right.

Here's a pic of a vertically polarised log-periodic type aerial.

So generally tomorrow I'll just have to go to the roof and flip my aerial by 90 degrees

Saorview works perfectly, but actually I was trying as well to set some channels on analog TV and couldn't really find anything.
I thought maybe analog tuner on TV was broken, but now I understand it's most likely because of incorrect aerial setup.

watty · 05-02-2012 11:04PM

shblob wrote: »

Yes, but a lot of people don't use it, and have no use for it. Like myself.

But you are making a common wrong assumption.

It's not just a new version of teletext. It's a "platform" for running TV related Apps. No-one can say what you might miss if your TV or Setbox is a generic cripple and can't do MHEG5.

Freeview and Freesat Interactive also use the same version of MHEG5. There may also be Enhanced EPG, or on boxes/TV with ethernet, Internet applications or "catch up" TV.

St Senan · 05-02-2012 11:04PM

CiniO wrote: »

Saorview works perfectly, but actually I was trying as well to set some channels on analog TV and couldn't really find anything.
I thought maybe analog tuner on TV was broken, but now I understand it's most likely because of incorrect aerial setup.

Have you connected your set top box to the TV through 1 of these as well
http://ahtianzheng.en.made-in-china.com/product/PoYmLDBTXwhS/China-CATV-Cable-Antenna-Cable-9-5-Male-to-Female.html it will bring Analouge to your TV although you wont probably need Analouge now.

CiniO · 05-02-2012 11:09PM

scaller wrote: »

Have you connected your set top box to the TV through 1 of these as well
http://ahtianzheng.en.made-in-china.com/product/PoYmLDBTXwhS/China-CATV-Cable-Antenna-Cable-9-5-Male-to-Female.html it will bring Analouge to your TV although you wont probably need Analouge now.

Of course I did. Otherwise it just couldn't work.
Even though it still didn't work really.
I only could find TG4 with actually very bad quality.

Compton · 05-02-2012 11:23PM

watty wrote: »

But you are making a common wrong assumption.

It's not just a new version of teletext. It's a "platform" for running TV related Apps. No-one can say what you might miss if your TV or Setbox is a generic cripple and can't do MHEG5.

Freeview and Freesat Interactive also use the same version of MHEG5. There may also be Enhanced EPG, or on boxes/TV with ethernet, Internet applications or "catch up" TV.

Yes, but if people like myself just watch TV, we are not missing anything.

Digital TV installation for less than 50 quid ;)

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