Change of blog focus

I will be re-orienting this blog to focus more on world/european news going forward. I think that I have been beating the Irish Digital TV drum for a while now.  I may be adding the odd thing to it but I think I have made my contributions to those in the area, and while keeping [...]

Your options-TV in the new era-will RTÉ International, charging for UK channels on DTT scupper DTT success or should a mux be gifted in ROI-NI (DTT start Sept 2009)?

So September 2009 is seeming confirmed, the impression of the launch date: http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/digital-terrestrial-tv-to-be-in-place-by-autumn-2009-1444122.html
A very good article in the Sunday Independent on July 27th 2008 by Colum Kenny. See: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/prepare-for-new-tv-era-that-will–cost-you-more-1441809.html
Well the market is already hotting up. Irish TV is finally entering the digital TV environment proper thanks to the impetus of Digital Terrestrial (aerial) TV. TV3 [...]

TV3 acquisition of Channel 6-the beginning of 3 digital channels.

Subject to BCI approval, Channel 6 has been acquired by TV3’s owners, Doughty Hanson. This creates a ready made Expose channel with the exchange of programming assets and creation of more irish content for channel 6, probably 3 Exposé (rebrand) catering to similar target audience profile. See articles: http://www.rte.ie/business/2008/0725/tv3.html and http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/0726/1217013246056.html
The only question is what [...]

DTT Trial end Info-Aertel 169

End details from RTÉ Technical Info
It is important to remember that unlike the trial, the tests could feature interruptions, necessitating  occasional or regular rescans to pick up Irish channels.  This would be because service is continually or occasionnaly modified /optimised for best service, in preparation before official launch in 2009.

DTT trial ends shortly

Very good initiative! Keeping trial viewers informed (for those who didn’t pay attention to their emails!) Very professional!Broadcasters are often criticised for getting it wrong. So when they get it very right, shows fairness to compliment!

Meet Boxer-the new guy offering Irish Television services from 2009.

Well here he is. Whether he’ll be ours or he’ll have an Irish pal is the question but let’s welcome Boxer Bob to the Irish maretplace
According to the website it is taking the challenge with vigour and enthusiasm with January 2009 launch proposed in Dublin and some other areas. According to the websites “We look [...]

Net TV a step closer,Irsh DTT winner is Boxer DTT & Canal+ introduces USB stick for DTT subs (France)

Internet TV is moving a step closer, so writes an article in the BBC News Online Technology Section. Rather than the central server distribution that we are familiar with, peer-to-peer networks using technology similar to the Bit Torrent technology is being trialed in order for the Internet Platform to be able to cope with expected [...]

PSB Community TV steps up a gear

To a certain extent RTÉ covers programmes like Nationwide involving communities, but community made programmes are rare. Local TV in places like Navan, Derry etc has been going a while now. Commercial Local TV has recently begun with City Channels http://www.city.ie What’s next? Regional Commercial TV channels? Well now a non-commercial or public service community [...]

What’s up in Europe….

Well, given that we do not often know what is happening in Europe I thought it would be the time to provide some links:
Europe by Satellite-Sirius Satellite & IPTV): http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm The mission of this service is to provide unedited proceedings to media professionals for their own tailored editing as meets scheduling needs. That the public [...]

RTÉ DTT EPG & RTE News Now IPTV Channel

The trial box apparently don’t have the MHEG5 engines to show EPG. Firmware is hardware. In which case then you need a new box.Anyhow this is what they look like (EPG).->  I may go out an buy a new box when possible. Having problems with MPEG4 being disabled on my Mini-Dual TV usb stick.  Pinnacle [...]