Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM)
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV A special service for 80%-90% of households in Northern Ireland will see three Freeview additional channels being available. These will be:
- TG4 - Irish language television channel - Teilifis Gaeilge
- RTE Television: RTE One
- RTE Television: RTE Two (in HD on Saorview)
Some homes will be able to receive the services directly from the Saorview transmitters in the RoI (see SAORVIEW - Ireland's free digital television service ), and others will, from the digital switchover date of Wednesday 24th October 2012, have a service provided from three Freeview transmitters in Northern Ireland.
- Brougher Mountain at 2kW on C30 (
speculativlyC30) - Black Mountain at 1kW on C39+
(speculativly C48) - Carnmoney Hill 16w on C48 (
speculativlyC48)
However, you will not be able to view these services using a standard-definition Freeview receiver - a Freeview HD box or set will be required. It is not known at this time if the NIMM will carry RTE2 in HD, as per the Saorview service. TG4 and RTE1 are broadcast in standard definition at the moment.
The requirement for a Freeview HD receiver is because the services are being broadcasting in "D-Book Option 11", which uses the DVB-T2 standard ("a new mode, option 11, is being planned for a multiplex in Northern Ireland. Receivers should be able to switch between these automatically", D-Book 7, DTG164 is defined in appendix G as: FFT size 32k, 16QAM modulation, 1/128 guard interval, PP7, FEC 64800). Digital Television - Technical guidance on the availability of TG4 in Northern Ireland after digital switchover says that Option 11 is: DVB-T2 16QAM FEC 1/2.
Update: DVB-T2 16QAM FEC 1/2 provides a bitrate for the multiplex of 12.77Mb/s.
Update: DVB-T2, QPSK modulation, FEC 2/3, 32K carriers, 9.954 Mbit/s.
Help with Freeview, aerials?
In this section
Friday, 26 October 2012
R
raymond dunlop8:03 PM
i have lost r t e how do i regain it through limavady service. thank u.
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raymond dunlop: Limavady does not broadcast RT. However, if you received it previously via analogue, then you should probably be able to receive it via the Republic's digital service Saorview. You will need an appropriate receiver, not all Freeview receivers will work with Saorview.
Whereabouts are you? A postcode will be useful or a postcode of a nearby location such as a shop.
Do you have a separate aerial for RT?
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Wednesday, 21 November 2012
F
Frank5:23 PM
Bangor
Northern Ireland "mini multiplex" (NIMM)
Do I need to aim my aerial at Black Mountain or Carnmoney transmitters to receive RTE, etc. Or do I need another aerial? I have a standard aerial up on roof. At the moment I cannot get a signal in the 600s upwards but get the multiplexes from Divis - some 80 channels.
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Frank's: mapF's Freeview map terrainF's terrain plot wavesF's frequency data F's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Frank: I responded to your posting on Monday:
Divis full-Freeview transmitter | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
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Thursday, 22 November 2012
D
Damian Cooper12:16 AM
Newcastle
Can anyone tell me the frequencies for the NIMM (to receive the R.T.E.'s) from the Divis transmitter. As far as I know, I can pick up Clermont Carn ok, & I know it's transmitting on ch52 vertical, whareas Divis transmits between ch21+ & ch29. I want to buy a diplexer to integrate the signal from both transmitters in one downlead for distribution. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Many Thanks.
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Damian's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
M
mrdtv9:35 AM
Damian Cooper: Channel 39+ from Black Mountain for NIMM. You can use your Divis aerial if you choose the diplexer carefully. Interesting you are receiving Clermont Carn in Newcastle as I thought it would have been shielded by the Mournes.
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Damian Cooper: Be aware that the Kilkeel relay also uses vertically.
We don't know what direction they it transmits as the powers that be won't release its radiation pattern. My guess is that it will be transmitting in the direction of Kilkeel and further up the coast to Ballymartin and Annalong. I should imagine that there is little point in it transmitting over the hills and so maybe it only broadcasts roughly between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock
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Damian Cooper: Kilkeel also uses C39, although I'm not convinced that it will be an issue for you, although keep it in mind because you never know.
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M
mrdtv11:08 AM
Dave Lindsay: Actually Kilkeel appears to radiate in a E, S and W pattern. Its new PSB transmissions are being received all along the Louth, Meath and North County Dublin areas. There have also been reports that the NIMM ex Black Mountain is being received in North County Dublin!. The other problem in the Newcastle area is that a H aerial pointed towards Divis/Black Mountain will have Moel-y-Parc E39 behind it. This could be problematic in lifts. DUK's postcode checker for Mr Cooper's supplied postcode indicates problems with NIMM reception, but why bother if you already have the full Saorview service. Aerials and TV in Sheffield sell a diplexer where the cut is made at Ch 51 which is perfect for combining an extended Group A and Clermont Carn aerial system. But as ever with digital TV the best thing is to try it out especially with the much higher power levels now used.
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mrdtv: The diplexer that splits at C51 will attenuate C52 about 4dB. This might not be an issue if the signal is sufficiently strong or if there is an amplifier, it might be sufficient or be able to be turned up a bit to compensate.
Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
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