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RTE Announce FTA Saorsat service

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Comments

  • #2552
    Ronnie Raygun
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭Ronnie Raygun


    I've nothing against the "big" dish either, but it seems a bit unfair that the people who have to buy extra equipment, particularly if they already have what is necessary for decent terrestrial reception from a local transmitter, are those who will be further penalised with a reduced channel lineup.

    At least "Freeview Lite" in the UK will work with existing aerial setups & widely available tv sets. Not to mention that it offers a better channel lineup than analogue, right from the off, while Saorsat doesn't do much more than replicate the output of a typical Irish 3-channel analogue relay.


  • #2553
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    I can understand why RTÉNL made the decision that they made. The government didn't give them a cent for the DTT rollout so they had to go with what they could afford. The money just wasn't there to equip every relay. I don't get the large hatred for satellite dishes myself.


  • #2554
    bigVee
    Registered Users Posts: 24 ✭bigVee


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    1 meter dish isn't a whopping big dish, most people who will need one will be in the country side.

    In good weather a 40cm dish will do in North Wales.

    For the first time Saorsat provides all-island coverage without contract.

    If the 1 meter dish can be mounted unobtrusively then not a problem. I am in the countryside operating with 3 dishes, 1 meter motorised, 80 cm Saorsat & 60 cm Freesat. At last on the NE coast I can get decent RTE and TG4 reception free to air. Installation costs drop dramatically for self installs. 80 cm dish was spare so LNB plus cabling and diSEqc switch gave me Saorsat for about £50.


  • #2555
    Mr. Rabbit
    Registered Users Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Mr. Rabbit


    zg3409 wrote: »
    Just in case you arn't aware you should NEVER use a Sky dish nor a fibreglass dish for Saorsat unless you just messing around. The recommendation is a solid dish due to the frequency used. The setup using the Sky dish will probably drop out many time a year. The dish size recommended for Belfast is probably 1Metre.

    Yes, I gather that.

    I have an old 1 metre solid dish that I used for Sky, which is positioned midway between 13 degrees and 19 degrees east, so I reckon I could use that (after repositioning it) with an LNB F should saorview from CC not work out.


  • #2556
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    dowtchaboy wrote: »

    I have ITV on Freesat, and ITV+1, so apart from Vincent Browne there's nothing interesting TV3 delivers.

    Tv3 will never be on Saorsat according to a contact of mine. The same contact reckons that Rte will ditch Saorsat within 5 years as a combination of new windfarms in the west together with associated new relay transmitters reduces the unserved households below a sustainable limit.

    Within 4 years it will be cheaper to fibre the isolates than run Saorsat.


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  • #2557
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Never. Data by fibre is 1000s of times the cost of Broadcast. Also Comreg's and Ofcom's strategy is Satellite only for Broadcast. Fibre can only economically replace nichce channels and only if universal.

    Satellite and Fibre are not portable, and Mobile can't even replace FM Radio amount of traffic ever.


    Besides the main reason of Saorsat is a backup feed to TX sites when a digger bites a cable.

    TV3 will never be on Saorsat unless they are forced by BCI etc.


  • #2558
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Sponge Bob wrote: »
    . . . The same contact reckons that Rte will ditch Saorsat within 5 years as a combination of new windfarms in the west together with associated new relay transmitters reduces the unserved households below a sustainable limit.

    New relays? Presumably to repair any future loss of post-ASO coverage due to new windfarms? And they'll just conveniently happen to be in the right place to restore most of the pre-switchover terrestrial coverage in areas dependent on Saorsat?


  • #2559
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    And they'll just conveniently happen to be in the right place to restore most of the pre-switchover terrestrial coverage in areas dependent on Saorsat?

    Indeed, especially in Donegal Galway and Mayo where RTE will even have masts ready for the DTT gear, eg Cornamona posibly as early as next year. :)


  • #2560
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    So what you're saying is that a lot of people who will find themselves without terrestrial coverage in 10 days time will get it back at some time in the near future, purely as a side effect of measures taken to repair future coverage loss in areas that won't lose it at switchover?

    Or RTENL are just waiting to see the impact of the windfarms before upgrading any more existing sites & people will just have to get Saorsat 'for now'?


  • #2561
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    Or RTENL are just waiting to see the impact of the windfarms before upgrading any more existing sites & people will just have to get Saorsat 'for now'?

    Rather a lot of windfarms made it through planning but as none are built yet a souped up aerial will probably work for now.

    Best guess is that they are angling for the windfarm developers to pay for a sizeable upgrade to their Cornamona mast at the very least and possibly for another transmitter in Oughterard (on the eircom mast would be ideal)

    Cornamona pulls in at least €20k a year for RTENL even though it is not slated to get DTT and they need to raise it sooner or later.


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  • #2562
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Sponge Bob wrote: »
    Best guess is that they are angling for the windfarm developers to pay . . .

    Now you're saying what I was only thinking . . .


  • #2563
    Stinicker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,102 ✭✭✭Stinicker


    Sponge Bob wrote: »
    Rather a lot of windfarms made it through planning but as none are built yet a souped up aerial will probably work for now.

    Best guess is that they are angling for the windfarm developers to pay for a sizeable upgrade to their Cornamona mast at the very least and possibly for another transmitter in Oughterard (on the eircom mast would be ideal)

    Cornamona pulls in at least €20k a year for RTENL even though it is not slated to get DTT and they need to raise it sooner or later.

    It happened before in Kerry when the locals got up in arms over the Windfarms interfering with their TV reception.


  • #2564
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭STB


    There has been plenty of studies done on the effects of windfarms on DVB-T, the conclusions are not surprising. It is a concern not just to broadcasters but also other businesses up the hills. Blame the planning authorities!

    By the way, it actually is a reason that Saorsat would be viable long term!


  • #2565
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    The Windfarms should pay for TV3 & 3e on Saorsat and supply free dish, set-box and install to all affected viewers :D


  • #2566
    mchalem4
    Registered Users Posts: 18 ✭mchalem4


    Hi all,
    My parents currently have basic free UK satellite channels (using a Sky dish), and get the Irish channels from an analogue aerial.
    If they got the Saorsat box, could they use simply replace their existing Sky box with this, and using the sky dish, will it work? Or would they have to fork out for a new dish too?
    Thanks.


  • #2567
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    If they got the Saorsat box, could they use simply replace their existing Sky box with this, and using the sky dish, will it work?
    No! There is no Saorsat box.
    would they have to fork out for a new dish too?
    Yes and other stuff.


    They would be best to get a Saorview box for the aerial (€40 to €80) and use the Sky box for Free UK TV.

    It's possible to have Humax HDR with custom software and special dual satellite reception to have Freesat & Saorsat, but much more expensive and no TV3 or 3e.


  • #2568
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,429 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    mchalem4 wrote: »
    Hi all,
    My parents currently have basic free UK satellite channels (using a Sky dish), and get the Irish channels from an analogue aerial.
    If they got the Saorsat box, could they use simply replace their existing Sky box with this, and using the sky dish, will it work? Or would they have to fork out for a new dish too?
    Thanks.
    If they currently have the Irish channels using an analogue aerial then most likely they will receive these channels on Saorview after the switchover. The same aerial will probably do and if the have a compatible TV then they're flying otherwise they will just need a Saorview box. They can continue using the Sky box for the UK channels.

    To go the Saorsat route (which they dont have to as they are already receiving the Irish analogue channels) will entail getting a separate dish.


  • #2569
    Skanco
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭Skanco


    The only analogue is from Kepure using VHF, anyone using this analogue transmitter will have to start from scratch by switching to UHF after the 24th October.


  • #2570
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Skanco wrote: »
    The only analogue is from Kepure using VHF, anyone using this analogue transmitter will have to start from scratch by switching to UHF.

    Analogue TV3 and TG4 transmit from Kippure in the UHF band.

    http://rtenl.ie/wp-content/downloads/television-frequencies.pdf


  • #2571
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    Hi folks,

    Long time since I've been on the forum. Hope all you regulars out there are keeping well!

    I wanted to ask if anyone in or around the Belfast area, could recommend a competent satellite installer for me? (Including yourself by the way, if that happens to be YOU!)

    I have a 1m solid dish and Ka LNB for Saorsat, and a 60 cm ('Sky') mini-dish and Ku LNB for UK Freesat. My intention is to have these 2 dishes connected to 3 satellite receivers (to that end, I also have all the various Splitters and DiSEqC switches required.)

    I need someone who can fit the various poles, brackets and coax cable together, to make it all work!

    All responses gratefully received!

    Thanx :D


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  • #2572
    Mr. Rabbit
    Registered Users Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Mr. Rabbit


    dmcdream wrote: »
    Hi folks,

    Long time since I've been on the forum. Hope all you regulars out there are keeping well!

    I wanted to ask if anyone in or around the Belfast area, could recommend a competent satellite installer for me? (Including yourself by the way, if that happens to be YOU!)

    I have a 1m solid dish and Ka LNB for Saorsat, and a 60 cm ('Sky') mini-dish and Ku LNB for UK Freesat. My intention is to have these 2 dishes connected to 3 satellite receivers (to that end, I also have all the various Splitters and DiSEqC switches required.)

    I need someone who can fit the various poles, brackets and coax cable together, to make it all work!

    All responses gratefully received!

    Thanx :D

    It's been reported that Aerialworld in East Belfast (Castlreagh Road at John Long's corner i.e. top of Templemore Avenue) have a Saorsat system up and running and on demo. I'm not sure if they do instalations, but you could try.

    They used to be in Coperation Street and before that were T.G. Aerials, located just behind the Cathedral.


  • #2573
    eh2010
    Registered Users Posts: 149 ✭✭eh2010


    I know that the date 24 October is the switch off date for analogue, but what time will they be doing it on Wednesday?


  • #2574
    muffler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 46,429 ✭✭✭✭muffler


    10 AM I believe. Thats for the UK analogue channels so Id imagine its the same for the home channels.


  • #2575
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    muffler wrote: »
    10 AM I believe. Thats for the UK analogue channels so Id imagine its the same for the home channels.

    10 AM on the 24th is the switchoff date for ROI analogue. The northern channels will be gone the night before, possibly before midnight.

    There are plenty of other threads dealing with this.


  • #2576
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    Hi folks,

    Following on from my last post on Saturday 20th October..

    I’m quite confused however about what to do in terms of DiSEqC Switches and Power Passing Satellite Splitters, to make this set-up work. I've already been informed that I won't be able to watch Saorsat simultaneously on 2 set-top boxes, due to signal splitting issues. :confused:

    Just to recap...

    I am interested in setting up an installation at my home, that allows me to receive Saorsat and UK Freesat in 3 different rooms.

    I envisage having 2 separate dishes for the job (i.e. a solid 1m dish for Saorsat and a 60cm ‘Sky’ Mini-Dish for UK Freesat.) I’ll be
    using a quad LNB for UK Freesat, along with the twin LNB that’s on the market from Inverto for Saorsat.

    All responses from you techie wizards/gurus out there gratefully received!

    Thanx :D


  • #2577
    swoofer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,638 ✭✭✭swoofer


    well you were told wrong about receiving saorsat simultaneously on 2 boxes so thats a poor start.

    and you dont say the make of the sat receivers, thats important.

    you will have 2 feeds from the saorsat and 4 from the quad freesat but only 3 receivers.


    so say receivers and we take it from there.


  • #2578
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    dmcdream wrote: »
    I’m quite confused however about what to do in terms of DiSEqC Switches and Power Passing Satellite Splitters, to make this set-up work. I've already been informed that I won't be able to watch Saorsat simultaneously on 2 set-top boxes, due to signal splitting issues. :confused:

    using a quad LNB for UK Freesat, along with the twin LNB that’s on the market from Inverto for Saorsat.

    The Saorsat signal can be split without problems, as it's 1 band & polarity. You can split 1 of the Ka lnb's outputs between 2 tuners, with the DiSEqC switches downstream of the splitter (between receiver & splitter).


  • #2579
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    GBCULLEN wrote: »
    well you were told wrong about receiving saorsat simultaneously on 2 boxes so thats a poor start.

    and you dont say the make of the sat receivers, thats important.

    you will have 2 feeds from the saorsat and 4 from the quad freesat but only 3 receivers.


    so say receivers and we take it from there.

    Sorry GBCULLEN! :o

    The receiver I will be using, is a Xoro HRS 8530

    This set-top box has DiSEqC 1.0 / 1.1 switching capability.

    Thanks for the clarification regarding the simultaneous viewing of Saorsat on 2 receivers. I openly put my hand up and say my information isn't perhaps the best - that's why I'm here talking to you guys again.

    What would work best for me, is if someone would literally provide me with a step-by-step diagram on how to set up the 3 receivers - that would be great!


  • #2580
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    Simple enough as regards switches & cabling. You need 3 switches, one for each tuner. Each will have a feed from 28 east & 9 east: one will have a direct feed from the Ka lnb & the other 2 will be fed from the splitter.

    You can use 2-way DiSEqC switches or 4-way will allow extra satellite positions in future.


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  • #2581
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    A multiswitch is better though for multiple LNBs to 4 (to 2000) receivers. A 17 x 16 is a nice size. Up to 4 x LNB in and up to 8 PVRs (dual tuners)


  • #2582
    Seanchai
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭Seanchai


    Quick question:

    Somebody I know will only be able to receive tv via Saorsat rather than Saorview. They are buying a new tv. Is there a list of Saorsat compatible tvs anywhere, or are all Saorview compatible tvs Saorsat compatible tvs?

    Thanks.


  • #2583
    Seanchai
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭Seanchai


    Has anybody noticed that the Saorview website is all over the place, in particular links to articles which did exist are now linking to entirely different articles on the same website? For example, this morning this article was a very good explanation of Saorsat now it's all about Saorview with nothing about Saorsat, but as you can see the url address still mentions Saorsat. There seems to have been a large scale purge of old articles, but maintenance of the old urls.

    Edit: They've changed the information once again on that url in the past five minutes. Here's what was on the same url - http://www.saorview.ie/about-saorview/saorsat/ - five minutes ago:

    FAQs
    What is SAORVIEW?
    SAORVIEW is a free digital television service you receive with an aerial.

    SAORVIEW replaces the current free analogue TV signal which you receive through your aerial. The analogue TV service will be switched off on October 24th 2012.

    What is ASO or DSO?
    ASO is short for Analogue Switch Off. This will happen on 24th October in Ireland and is the day that the old analogue TV service will be switched off. People who rely on this service to get Irish TV will have to switch to digital before the 24th of October or their screens will go blank. SAORVIEW is the free digital replacement for this service.
    DSO is short for Digital Switchover. This refers to the switch from analogue to digital television transmission.


  • #2584
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Seanchai wrote: »
    Is there a list of Saorsat compatible tvs anywhere, or are all Saorview compatible tvs Saorsat compatible tvs?

    I think Walker are the only company that have a Saorsat approved TV range e.g. http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-12-WP3270&pages=1&prod=WP3270&brands=WALKER&image=

    There are other TVs with built in sat receivers such as Samsung, LG and Toshiba but not Saorsat approved.


  • #2585
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    You need a Dish, Ka LNBF and an DVB-S2 HD box with MHEG5 for Saorsat. Very very few TVs can do it without a satellite receiver.


  • #2586
    swoofer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,638 ✭✭✭swoofer


    I checked the manual on those receivers and they do diseq1.0 and diseq1.1 and they have 16 ports.

    all you need now the the proper switches/splitter, configure the boxes and your away.

    sadly i have forgotten how to use a set up like yours.


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  • #2587
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    RTÉNL Saorsat FAQ rev 2.1 now available - http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/RTENL-SAORSAT-FAQs-Sept-2012-Rev-2.1.pdf


  • #2588
    marno21
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 14,496 Mod ✭✭✭✭marno21


    Be no harm to edit page 8 again, it says to stay calm and that your TV won't go blank til October 24. Bit late for that :rolleyes:


  • #2589
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    Have any folks in or around the Belfast area been checking their Saorview reception from Clermont Carn today?

    My family live in what has historically been a "marginal" reception area of south Belfast. Analogue reception of RTÉ 1 and 2 was clear, albeit a little hazy on occasion. TV3 was extremely ghostly, and prone to “dropping out” in bad weather. TG4 reception has always been fair, thanks to the existing "mini Mux" arrangement at Divis Mountain.

    This afternoon I connected up a Humax HD-FOX T2 receiver, provided to us by the Switchover Help Scheme, and the picture quality has never been so good! Saorviews' 8 TV channels (excluding RTÉ Aertel here) are blasting in! :eek:

    Of course, the real test will be in bad/wintery weather! As I said, TV3 was extremely ghostly, and prone to “dropping out” when we had bad weather. Any heavy downpour of rain, and the picture would just disappear.

    I'm keen to hear where else is enjoying this great picture quality today, so keep those posts coming! :D

    **I should hopefully have a Soarsat reception report from the same location, to share with you all tomorrow!**


  • #2590
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    dmcdream wrote: »
    This afternoon I connected up a Humax HD-FOX T2 receiver, provided to us by the Switchover Help Scheme, and the picture quality has never been so good! Saorviews' 8 TV channels (excluding RTÉ Aertel here) are blasting in! :eek:

    If you get all 8 Saorview channels you should also get RTÉ Aertel on the RTÉ channels.

    Lots of discussion on Belfast over in the terrestrial forum.


  • #2591
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    Hi folks,

    I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction of a no-frills-type receiver, that I can use for both UK Freesat and Saorsat.

    I have 2 dishes set up at the moment, by means of splitters and DiSEqC switches, aligned to 28.2E and 9E. I've been trying to get the set-up to work via a Xoro 8530 HD receiver, but have been having little success. A typical issue I've faced today, is not all channels coming through when scanning 28.2E (e.g. basic channels such as BBC 3 and BBC 4.) Has anyone else ever encountered problems like that?

    As always, all responses/feedback (and help) are gratefully received!

    Thanks! :D


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  • #2592
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    With a FTA receiver, you won't see any sign of BBC 3 or 4 until after 7pm. They share slots with CBBC & Cbeebies.


  • #2593
    dmcdream
    Registered Users Posts: 34 ✭dmcdream


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    With a FTA receiver, you won't see any sign of BBC 3 or 4 until after 7pm. They share slots with CBBC & Cbeebies.

    Thanks for confirming that Peter!

    I was at least expecting a "Programmes start at 7pm" when looking for them today.

    Talk about making things unnecessarily awkward!?


  • #2594
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    dmcdream wrote: »
    I was at least expecting a "Programmes start at 7pm" when looking for them today.

    Talk about making things unnecessarily awkward!?

    Just like RTÉjr/RTÉ1+1 who share the same stream on Saorview, the channel off air uses an MHEG-5 generated caption.

    FTA receivers don't have MHEG-5 to generate the caption and as the stream is already being used by another channel it's not possible to have a broadcast caption.


  • #2595
    powerunit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 ✭powerunit


    its available on 9 east with a ka band lnb and hd satellite receiver and it works


  • #2596
    lgs 4
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 680 ✭✭✭lgs 4


    dose anyone know if the play tv( play station 3 tv tuner ) supports freeview hd find with saorview hd rte 2


  • #2597
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    What has that got to do with Saorsat?


  • #2598
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    lgs 4 wrote: »
    dose anyone know if the play tv( play station 3 tv tuner ) supports freeview hd find with saorview hd rte 2

    I think it does work for saorview and freeview but i am not sure if play tv is dvb-t or dvb-t2 so it might not work with freeview HD - for better info mate: head over to the terrestrial forum and have a look or post the question there as this is the satellite section :)


  • #2599
    Skanco
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭Skanco



    Anyone knows what happened to the teletext on saorsat? just got back having a play and found the text gone.


  • #2600
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,747 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Skanco wrote: »

    Anyone knows what happened to the teletext on saorsat? just got back having a play and found the text gone.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056772408


  • #2601
    Seanchai
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭Seanchai


    Another quick question:

    A friend is in the Kerry Gaeltacht and she is now using Saorview and has purchased a new (Samsung) tv. The reception is grand, even though she was told she would need Saorsat.

    Question: Can she now stop and record shows as can be done with UPC in Dublin?

    Thanks.


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