The early hours of this coming 30th April will mark the closure of a chapter in European broadcasting, but few in Ireland will realise it and indeed you wouldn't blame them for not noticing. It'll be the final shut down of all current analogue television at 19.2 degrees east, the home of the original Astra satellite fleet.

Whereas over a decade ago most people in Ireland (and Britain) had quietly retired their analogue satellite receivers if they still had them in exchange for Sky's then brand-spanking new digital service at 28.2 degrees east, the Germans kept going with it. And for good reasons, because while satellite television in Ireland and Britain was marketed for its premium pay-tv content, things were different in Germany...

Original piece was 16th March 2012

Update on 26th March 2012

Really old news recycled by BBC

They don't mention the Canal+ case settled out of court?

NDS response

The Register A better explanation of the Demise of OnDigital / ITV Digital

Cisco plans to integrate NDS into its Videoscape service platform following confirmation of a $5 billion (€3.83bn) bid for the technology company.
A statement from the San Jose-based firm confirmed the bid had already been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Murdoch's Empire which also controls Sky has been down to 45% share of ownership. In the past there are allegations of NDS cracking competing encryption to damage Canal+, OnDigital and others.

I've always said Terrestrial Pay TV isn't viable in Ireland.

TV Numeric, the sole company marketing the French basic pay-DTT package, is contemplating pulling the plug on its business

Read more on "Broadband TV News"

It seems also that more people than ever are realising they don't need UPC (cable and MMDS) or Sky (satellite) Pay TV. You can have the excellent UPC broadband without the TV. You own the Sky Dish and box so can use it for Free To Air Satellite TV.

This is what "Radio Amateur" should maybe be about in the 21st Century, rather than CW bugs, Echolink, DStar, collecting squares and off the shelf rigs.

From 1905 to 1950s Amateur radio was in the forefront of Innovation and Wireless Experimentation. Post Office Trunk circuit SSB applied to Radio etc after WWII.

See BBC News on Satellite for uncensored Internet

My own satellite experience so far is in installation and test of performance of VSAT (two way Internet tests prior to the ISP marketing it), Analogue and Digital TVRO (I have a Motorised 110cm dish and 4 x Satellites on Quattro LNBs 90cm dish feeding Multiswitch. I designed an apartment system to distribute Broadband, FM & TV and Satellite)

Anyone near N.I. Border should consider a Saorview TV that has DVB-T2 tuner or a "Freeview HD" TV. ASO for N.I. on 24th October will dramatically increase transmission power and add more transmitter sites. An HD DVB-T2 multiplex will be added. Some sites may have a DVB-T2 "mini-mux" for a few Irish channels.

DVB-T2 status

• Last areas in UK will be after final ASO in October 2012. The UK's 5th HD channel is likely to launch in April 2012.
• Italy: one multiplex, soft launch in October 2010
• Sweden: two multiplexes, full launch in November 2010
• Finland: five multiplexes, soft launch in January 2011, full launch in February 2011
• Ukraine: four DVB-T2 multiplexes × 167 transmission sites, 150 of which have been officially launched on October 10, 2011
• Denmark: one multiplex, with TV2 Danmark in HD will launch April 2012
• Malaysia (possible)
• South Africa (definite)
• Croatia (tests, approval)
• Serbia: Adopted.
• Russia: Approved Sept 2011. Some sites running before approval
• Turkey (Tests)

Finally officially confirmed what we knew, ASO (Analogue Switch Off of television) in NI, and Ireland is end of October 2012. The exact date is confirmed as 24th October 2012.

When I was in Germany recently, I went into a newsagents in Cologne railway station to look at TV magazines. I have been watching continental TV for some time, and I was wondering what the style, content and range of TV listings magazines were.

As you may be aware, a lot of the magazines in this neck of the woods are for a female audience and very effeminate. RTÉ Guide and TV Now, the only separately published listings magazines, are very much driven by soaps and celebrities, and this has been the way for some years. Remember, back in the day, the RTÉ Guide used to have knitting patterns! Horoscopes and recipes, its like picking up Woman’s Way by accident, until you go to the middle and get what’s on TV!

Recently published on RTÉ's Saorview Website

The following organisations are recognised by SAORVIEW and are listed on our website. These organisations will be able to provide consumers with a list of registered members in their area.  

• Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd.
• Irish Satellite and Aerial Association
• National Guild of Master Craftsmen

 

 

 

Logo Use

The SAORVIEW logo is for use by manufacturers on approved receivers and by registered retailers to communicate the selling of approved receivers ( Set top boxes and iDTVs ) at the point of sale through retail premises, and on websites by registered online retailers.