Northern Ireland RTE1, RTE2, TG4 special mini-multiplex from 24 October
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Following on from the 1st February 2012, article Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM), here is a summary of the services that will be available to most Freeview homes in Northern Ireland.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to note, however, that you MUST have Freeview HD (DVB-T2) equipment to receive RTE1, RTE2 and TG4 - even though the services are NOT provided in high definition from the Northern Ireland transmitters.
Many homes in the province will be able to get a special "Northern Ireland" mini-multiplex from one of three transmitters - Brougher Mountain (Enniskillen AND Omagh) , Black Mountain and Carnmoney Hill (both Belfast). This very special service is broadcast using the latest standards, which are called DVB-T2 and MPEG4. In the UK, these are used to provide high definition, but only in Northern Ireland are they used to provide three standard definition services from RoI.
The NIMM coverage from these transmitters is shown here:
If you get the NIMM, you will find channel 51 is TG4, 52 is RTE ONE, and 53 is RTE TWO.
This is shown on the transmitter pages like this (Carnmoney Hill) example:
If you can't get the NIMM, you will probably be able to get the extra channels directly from transmitters in the RoI. The following map shows the transmitters:
Your existing aerial may not be the right "group", or be pointing in the correct direction.
The RoI service is called Saorview (which is Irish for "Freeview") - see Saorview interactive map.
However, even though Saorview broadcasts in DVB-T mode, it uses the MPEG4 "compression" system - most UK non-HD boxes use MPEG2 (apart from BT Vision boxes, which support MPEG4). So, again, you will need a Freeview HD box.
The services broadcast on Saorview at the time of writing are:
1 RTE One, 2 RTE Two HD, 3 TV3, 4 TG4, 5 RTE News Now/Euronews, 6 3e, 7 RTE jr, 8 RTE One +1, 200 RTE Radio 1, 201 RTE Radio 1 Extra, 202 RTE 2FM, 203 RTE Lyric FM, 204 RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta, 205 RTE Pulse, 206 RTE 2XM, 207 RTE Choice, 208 RTE Gold, 209 RTE Chill, 209 RTE Junior,
It is possible that the Freeview HD box will not place the channels on these numbers, but in the 800-899 range.
The Saorview trasmitter pages show the information like this:
Multiplex Broadcasting Services N I Ltd is the not-for-profit joint venture formed by RTE and TG4 to operate a new additional multiplex from a small number of transmission sites in Northern Ireland. The UK and Republic of Ireland Governments Memorandum of Understanding of February 2010 confirmed their intention to make TG4 available on digital terrestrial TV to much of Northern Ireland and to also facilitate the provision of RTE One and RTE Two through NImux or overspill from Saorview (the Republic of Ireland digital TV service).
Ofcom predicts that NIMM services will reach 76% of the population in Northern Ireland and that Saorview overspill will reach 56% of Northern Ireland viewers. Ofcom also predicts that the combined NIMM and Saorview coverage will reach 93.3% of Northern Ireland viewers.
6:15 PM
720 is currently being used by BBC Radio Foyle.
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6:19 PM
Brian/Keiran:
According to a516's blog, this is the NI channel list of Freeview post DSO:
a516digital.com: Freeview Channel List: Northern Ireland
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10:41 PM
Belfast
Hi Brian and Peter!
Maybe it is just incompetence on behalf of Digital UK but this is the information I received. My query started with me using their sites enquiry form (see the first on the messages below). To be very honest I hadnt thought about the information Digital UK supplied in their first reply as while my daughter has studied the Irish language and might view TG4 or listen to RnaG radio, I dont understand the language.
I didnt take into account that BBC Radio Foyle is on 720 EPG.
I don't blame Peter in any way but I think it interesting that Digital UK suppling information which appears to be incorrect.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out on Wednesday next!
Best regards
P. Kieran Ward
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Digital UK
--- Original Message ---
From: kieranward@hotmail.com
Received: 10/10/12 02:17:26 o'clock BST
To: <DigitalUKMBX@Ehosts.Net>
Subject: Switchover in Northern Ireland - Webform
Title: Mr
Forename: P. Kieran
Surname: Ward
TV Region: Northern Ireland
Postcode: BT14 6NQ
House Number: X
Telephone Number:
Equipment Make: OTHER
Model Number:
Subject: Switchover in Northern Ireland
Description:
Re: Northern Ireland Mini-Multiplex for RTE1, RTE2 &TG4
Can I ask: When will this Mini-Multiplex commence broadcasting and on what channel?
Many thanks
P. Kieran Ward
------ Please do not remove your unique tracking number! ------ <<#41256-49986#>>
From: help@digitaluk-contact.co.uk
To: kieranward@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Switchover in Northern Ireland - Webform <<#41256-49986#>>
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:17:03 +0100
Dear Mr. Ward,
Thank you for your email dated 10 October regarding the switchover.
Your most likely transmitter is Divis, due to switchover today (10 October) and again on 24 October. You will need to retune your equipment on both stages of switchover.
You should be able to receive TG4, RT One and RT Two services via your existing aerial from the Black Mountain transmitter after switchover. The channels will be broadcast in standard definition but Freeview HD equipment will be required.
These channels will start broadcasting as of the second stage of switchover when you retune. These channels will appear on the following channel numbers:
TG4 will appear on number 61
RT One will appear on number 62
RT Two will appear on number 63
RT RnaG radio will appear on number 720.
I have attached a retune guide that you may find useful.
Additional information can be found on our website at www.digitaluk.co.uk or if you would rather speak to one of our advisors please phone 08456 50 50 50.
Kind Regards,
Diane
Digital UK
This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of Digital UK unless specifically stated. We cannot give any warranty or representation as to the accuracy of the information and do not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any action based on the information. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately.
--- Original Message ---
From: Kieran Ward <kieranward@hotmail.com>
Received: 10/10/12 19:09:35 o'clock BST
To: <help@digitaluk-contact.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Switchover in Northern Ireland - Webform
Hi Diane!
I am afraid you haven't answered the question I posed. I have asked about the channel number for the Northern Ireland Mini-Multiplex from Black Mountain Transmitter (IJ278727). The channel number will indicate the frequency that the Mini-Multiplex will broadcast on. You have described where the stations which will broadcast from the mini-mux will be placed in the station listing.
I have included a list of the multiplexes which will carry the usual list of stations. I am looking for the frequency that the mini-mux will be broadcast on.
Regards
P. Kieran Ward
From: Digital UK (help@digitaluk-contact.co.uk)
Sent: 10 October 2012 20:38:21
To: kieranward@hotmail.com
Dear Mr. Ward,
Thank you for your reply.
I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, the UHF channel number you would need on 24 October is 39.
Additional information can be found on our website at www.digitaluk.co.uk or if you would rather speak to one of our advisors please phone 08456 50 50 50.
Kind Regards,
Fiona
Digital UK
This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of Digital UK unless specifically stated. We cannot give any warranty or representation as to the accuracy of the information and do not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any action based on the information. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately.
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P.'s: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
12:29 AM
When exactly can I get TG4? TV in one room on "old" TV with built-in Freeview not showing ch 51, 52, 53, TV in back room Mpeg4 with appropriate Mpeg4 aerial likewise. In Omagh, Brougher
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Michael: It should be on the air in the morning. From Brougher Mountain it will be on UHF channel 30.
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7:51 AM
Londonderry
Hi
Done full retune as at 6.30AM this morning from Limavady Transmitter via digital aerial cannot get - 3 UTV (UTV), 4 Channel 4 NI ads, 5 Channel 5 NI ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 NI ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 UTV+1 (UTV), 10 ITV 3, 27 ITV 2 +1, 30 5*, 31 5USA, 38 Quest, 39 The Zone, 44 Channel 5 +1, 72 CITV, plus 18 others 11 PICK TV, 12 Dave, 17 Really, 29 E4+1, 46 Challenge, 48 Food Network, 62 TV Stars, 82 Sky News, 87 Community Channel, 90 TV News, plus 11 others Can some investigate why not receiving these and why they are not running as max strength, please investigate.
getting the rest of the channels but none of the above mentioned above from Limavady. can you investigate and check why getting 36 channels from limavady on freeview and not UTV,C4 or C5 or ITV 2 or ITV 3 Can this be successfully resolved ASAP.
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gerry's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Michael: as the above article you need DVB-T2, not just MPEG 4.
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9:14 AM
Briantist, shops do not understand your terminoligy.
Do you mean a full HD TV with a Freeview HD tuner in it?
I looked in Tesco with over 50 TV sets working and they think only one is that, and and one 3D TV set.
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David: it MUST have Freeview HD. "full HD" o my refers to the screen resolution.
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11:11 AM
Thanks Brian not much piont in having a Freeview HD TV unless it can do full HD as well for actual HD programs.
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