All posts by Briantist
Below are all of Briantist's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
x: See "How the transmission frequencies change over time" above. This mast stopped being group B in 1998.
| link to this comment |
Michael: Doubt if you like but here is my Whitehawk Hill and Rowridge listings in Win 7 right now...
| link to this comment |
Michael: The Win7 (and Vista if you have installed the upgrades - Freeview news | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ) Media Center can use either the internet-delivered (from DigiGuide) or Freeview-delievered listings.
From the "TV Programme Guide" screen, right click on a channel (like "1 BBC One") and choose "Edit channel". You then see...
And select "use listings from broadcaster".
| link to this comment |
conor: Seems a bit of an odd way to go about things... as the BBC is independent of Parliament.
| link to this comment |
... and it is BSkyB's subscription contract requirement that keeps UKTV's Dave, Dave Ja Vu, Really and Yesterday off Freesat, along with Discovery's Quest, MTV's VIVA and 4Music.
| link to this comment |
and to call them "tax paid" is very silly, as UKTV brings in money to the BBC in addition to the TV Licence.
A petition to say "stop BSkyB requiring all of each provider channels to be subscription" might be better.
(Note - Sky breaks it's own rules with Pick TV and Challenge)
| link to this comment |
Derrick Pascoe : Yes, it was announced on 23 November, 2012 - UKTV secures fourth Freeview slot | News | Broadcast .
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: Before 2011, Channel 4 and S4C "shared" data. I fixed this later, but I uploaded the wrong graph... the link has the right one https://ukfree.tv/barb….png
Channel 5 got to around 70% of the population at launch, and long before multi-channel was widespread, so it had quite an easy ride in some homes.
Channel 5 was on analogue satellite from the off too, and was on both DTT and Sky Digital at launch, and reached many places that ONdigital/ITV digial with high power analogue services.
Remember that Channel 5 was always part of the "four and a half" analogue plan, whereas the pre-DSO digital services weren't.
| link to this comment |
Richard Hibberd: The "exact distance" is a function of
a) the EIRP power output of the 4G transmitter;
b) the ERP power output of your Freeview transmitter;
c) the frequencies used by the 4G mast;
d) the frequencies used by the Freeview transmitter and if these are certain numbers of channels away.
e) the angle between the Freeview transmitter and the 4G determined from your rooftop aerial's POV;
f) if a filter has been fitted.
g) which companies win the upcoming auction and which existing mobile phone sites they decide to use for the 800MHz band services.
| link to this comment |
Nick: It's worth remember that your dish will be aligned with the 23.5 degrees east orbital position. If you want to use other satellites, your dish won't be pointing in the right direction.
| link to this comment |
Jon Norris: There is a check list to follow here - High definition | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
Mike Davison: As no-one moved the mast at switchover the only change to the coverage map was the signal levels in the coverage area.
Before - http://ukfree.tv/predictB….png
After - http://ukfree.tv/predictB….png
There are always limits as the I have used the "20m above ground level" for the aerial calculations.
| link to this comment |
Mike Davison: I also not that My Freeview | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice does show you have EM coverage as does My Freeview | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
100% spot on with you!
| link to this comment |
david: See Local television on Freeview | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
Salisbury is "phase two" for Local TV.
There is a plan to extend local DAB to Salisbury - http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf - but no timing at the moment.
| link to this comment |
Dave Lindsay: Thanks for that...
As for (1) I have removed these from the main maps now (for the reasons you specified) but they are retained on the C21 (474.0MHz) before switchover | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice Freeview/Maps/Frequencies page for reference.
As for (2) the "first round" is the 60/61 clearance - refer Freeview news | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice and Freeview news | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice and the big list - 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
These are mainly changes that shuffle C61/C62 to C39/C40. I was planning on re-generating the maps when each changed occurred, but it might be sensible (as we know where everything will end up) to generate maps for the final version. Let me see what I can do - it takes a lot of computing time to generate the maps (even when I use an 8-CPU AWS large-memory instance).
The next phase will be the 700MHz band clearance, which will create a LOT more issues - but we don't have a full plan for that one yet, as it will reduce the number of frequencies quite a lot.
I'm just going to write about 4G superhet overloading first...
| link to this comment |
John Baker: It is somewhat in the nature of a fault such as this (unlike planned engineering works) that it won't be fixed until whatever it is that has gone wrong is sorted out.
The oldest TV advice is the best here: do not adjust your set!
| link to this comment |
alex Kwofie: Sorry, but you can't as the satellites do not cover as far south as Ghana. See the Satellite footprint maps | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice page.
| link to this comment |
Richard E: It denotes the selected mast, as there can be more than one mast shown on most maps.
| link to this comment |
r.coupe: This is what you would normally expect, and the documentation for DAB reception often mentions this.
There are several reasons for this, and these range from reception at ground-level often being indoors, whilst high up the reception could be outdoors.
The VHF-band signals propagate though the air well, but if the signals bounce off objects (buildings for example) they become weaker.
The basic "line of sight" for a radio (frequency) receiver is a function of the height of the transmitter AND the receiver's aerial. And whilst L-o-S isn't required for VHF signals, as they propagate "over the horizon", the L-o-S provides a guide to where reception is possible.
Also, remember that digital transmissions tend to result in all-or-nothing. You have perfect reception of the digital bitsteam, or you have nothing at all. This is called the "digital cliff".
| link to this comment |
brian: I copied all the FoI request information here - Freeview news | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ...
disclosure of the antenna radiation patterns into the public domain could lead to these being available to foreign administrations, which would substantially weaken HM Government's negotiating position with respect to international frequency clearance;
a weaker negotiating position for HM Government may lead to additional cost for the broadcasters (where antenna systems have to be re-built as a result of international coordination) and lower coverage for viewers (where antenna systems have to be restricted in order to protect foreign transmissions); and
the BBC is required to provide coverage of its services on digital terrestrial television to a certain proportion of the population by the completion of switchover and a failure or suboptimal result from international co-ordination may harm the BBC's ability to meet this obligation.
Costs were not an issue. The BBC had the full data and redacted it when sending it to me.
| link to this comment |
David: No. In England and Wales, BBC One HD will continue to be the London-without-regional-news version that has been broadcast up to now.
101 on Freesat will continue to be BBC One in SD, as will channel 1 on Freeview.
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: Two reasons. Firsty, there isn't any more space - see http://www.onlineconversi….pdf - the above diagram only shows radio, TV and mobile phone for clarity.
Secondly, the former TV signals frequencies are a sweet-spot. As lower frequencies penetrate into buildings better, and carry longer distances outside; and higher frequencies carry more data, the 800MHz band give both.
Note how 4G mobile phones work less well inside, and how 3G "900" GSM phones need less masts for their netowork than 3G "1800" GSM phones.
| link to this comment |
Declan McGrath: Llandonna uses 40/43/46/53/57/60 so if you read the article then WHEN the action takes places IF the winning company puts a mast between you and the transmitter AND you have a filter OR you have poor cables AND the polarities match then MIGHT be effected.
Thus the whole "you can't really tell article" I wrote...
| link to this comment |
Richard: That will be because ITV plc and UTV plc have paid for the rights and STV have not...
| link to this comment |
Dave Sexton: As I said in the above article, that was covered on the Ofcom moves to protect Freeview interference from 4G mobile devices | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice page.
Provision of Freesat or free Virgin Media services for affected homes
This leaves providing a replacement Freesat installation (including multiple sets and Freesat+ boxes) for the 30,000 homes with their Freeview reception disabled, or the funding of a basic Virgin Media package. The total cost for this is ten million pounds.
| link to this comment |
And I don't know how anyone can say the there has been mis-selling - the DDR has ALWAYS been part of the plan!
See, from 17th June 2008 The great digital dividend sale | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice for example.
| link to this comment |
From 18th June 2008 Digital Dividend Sale: possible services | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
"Which new services can be run in these channels?
Ofcom will allow bids for the spectrum to be in blocks of 8MHz and 5MHz. This could mean that some allocations will no longer align to the traditional channel number boundaries.
...
FDM mobile broadband using frequency division duplexing (like 3G mobile) "
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: Black and white days, VHF band III television | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice now lists the transmitter information, in addition to the map.
It looks like
A Abergavenny BBC1 Wales: C3 at 0.03kW H, HTV: C11 at 0.1kW H Aldeburgh BBC1 East: C5 at 0.025kW V Ammanford BBC1 Wales: C12 at 0.02kW H Angus Grampian Television: C11 at 50kW V Arfon HTV: C10 at 10kW H Ashkirk BBC1 Scotland: C1 at 18kW V Aviemore Grampian Television: C3 at 1kW H Ayr BBC1 Scotland: C2 at 0.05kW H
etc
| link to this comment |
Roy in Eastbourne: I remember we had a black-and-white TV set that supported both 405 and 625 lines.
I do recall turning the "on switch" the wrong way and it broke off in my hands.. and you could see mysterious wires if you looked though the hole.
| link to this comment |
Wayne: There is an allocation, as I said, on ASTRA 1N, transponder 61 (11023MHz Horizontal DVB-S2 23000-2/3 8PSK) for BBC One Wales.
Officially it's "soon". As Wales is an entire region for both ITV and the BBC (unlike Scotland where Scotland has five sub-regions) the transmitter technicalities are simpler.
I would expect that the BBC are probably waiting for the BBC Wales newsroom systems to be updated to HD. As I recall, BBC Scotland was upgraded to HD-capable some time ago.
| link to this comment |
Nigel: Thanks .. Belmont was a joint site, but the import had a tiny difference in the locations for BBC and IBA... I have fixed it now.
| link to this comment |
Frithe Johnson: If you have a Freesat HD box attached to the TV using an HDMI cable, the set will automatically detect it and show Freesat HD on-screen.
You don't need to disable Freeview to do this.
| link to this comment |
Steve: The Waymouth transmitter didn't carry any IBA service on 405-lines, only BBC1 South: C1 at 0.05kW H
Black and white days, VHF bands I and III television | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice has full details.
ITV in this area came from Chillerton Down (Isle Of Wight, England) with Southern Television: C11 at 100kW V or Stockland Hill Westward Television: C9 at 100kW V
| link to this comment |
The BBC, with it's "universal service obligation" had more 405-line relays than the IBA, which was more about profit than public service, at least when it came to coverage.
So the BBC had relays like Weymouth to fill in coverage.
It is worth noting today that Freesat and Sky users registering a Waymouth postcode will get both ITV West Country and ITV Meridian (South Coast) options due to the historic overlap.
| link to this comment |
Also .. it does say "Weymouth was not an original Channel 3 VHF 405-line mast: the historical information shown is the details of the company responsible for the transmitter when it began transmitting Channel 3."
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: No problem.
I used to have an amber-screen monitor that connected to a VHS machine (for the tuner) via a long length of cable as to a monitor in the kitchen. The picture quality (as it was unmodulated) was excellent as I recall.
| link to this comment |
pikpilot: There was a typo in the database, so COM4/SDN Dave Ja Vu wasn't showing up in the right place. It's fixed now.
| link to this comment |
Michael: At some point there was going to be a YTV South region, but it never got implemented. I have removed it from the database over the weekend, but there was still some parts linked to it... the transmitters are back belonging to Emley Moor.
| link to this comment |
Steve: If you have Freesat HD or Sky HD, just do a "manual search" on the 11023MHz Horizontal DVB-S2 23000-2/3 8PSK transponder.
| link to this comment |
Dave Lindsay: I know that the Sheffield+Chesterfield transmitters (plus their relays) were once used as a "advertising region", and that there used to be a YTV news-gathering office there too.
There's a "CALENDAR SOUTH" logo from 1990 at TVARK | Yorkshire TV News but that was an short out out...
| link to this comment |
Dave Lindsay: I saw that... however that bit has no references, so there is no primary source.
I'm really sure that when ITV embarked on creating "new regions" - which got as far as Thames Valley, Sheffield was going to be one of them...
| link to this comment |
Marty: Sorry, I meant to say BBC One England is on 10847 V DVB-S2 23000-2/3 8PSK
| link to this comment |
I have a date for BBC One Wales HD now, it's 29 January 2013. From BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - Launching BBC One Scotland HD and BBC One Wales HD .
| link to this comment |
Dave Lindsay: This graphic was provided to me from a source at a satellite provider that maps locations to satellite EPG items:
Zone 60 is the Sheffield/Chesterfield area. I suspect that all of the area is a Emley Moor/Belmont and Sheffield/Chesterfield overlap.
| link to this comment |
Josh Welby: Sony SAB TV Asia is listed above.
Do you mean Record Europa? I have it listed as an "Other TV channels" so it shows up on the All free TV channels | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice list, but not above.
| link to this comment |
...all channels listed as being "Channels on Freesat-from-Sky, but not on Freesat" can be added to a Freesat box, but they don't appear in the Freesat EPG.
| link to this comment |
Josh: The service *IS* regional, Just using the "macro regions".
See http://www.itvmedia.co.uk/platforms/itv-regions/macros
"North Border, Granada, Tyne Tees & Yorkshire
Midwest Central, Wales and West & Westcountry
West Wales and West & Westcountry
South East Anglia & Meridian"
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: If it's FTA then it's FTA, you can watch with any box, by definition.
| link to this comment |
Bert: No satellite signal? Check your dish for snow! | Free satellite - general | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
Kahryn Nunn: See also No satellite signal? Check your dish for snow! | Free satellite - general | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice please.
| link to this comment |
Charles Stuart: The conventional antenna will work as a wave-guide when covered in snow, as the electromagnetic signal will still cause a signal to form.
The dish works - as per the above diagram - by the "dish" reflecting the signal onto the LNB.
| link to this comment |
A. Green: I'm not sure if that will help if there are inches of snow on the dish though...
| link to this comment |
Michael: the icon was offset to prevent overlap with the transmitter region when they shared the same map. This has been removed now the three maps are split.
| link to this comment |
See also ITV | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice has detail.
| link to this comment |
t grayson/zelda: Have you seen the No satellite signal? Check your dish for snow! | Free satellite - general | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice page?
| link to this comment |
--- Wenvoe transmitter - retune require on 23rd January 2013 for Arqiva B multiplex | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ---
| link to this comment |
--- Wenvoe transmitter - retune require on 23rd January 2013 for Arqiva B multiplex | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ---*
| link to this comment |
vikki richardson: it is a question of sky having the rights to show the programme in question on a free to air channel.
| link to this comment |
RICHARD ROSS: Limavady (Northern Ireland) full-Freeview transmitter | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: I tried to make this all clear in the How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice article, there are two ways you can be effected.
1. "direct" interference - which is a mast transmitting on a signal on a frequency near to one you want for Freeview; and
2. "indirect" interference - which is an overload condition and happens regardless of the frequency you are going for.
The masts will all be using C61 to C64 for downlinks, the phones will be using C66-C69 for uplinks. C65 will be held clear.
The six winning operators will get 5MHz each.
Until we know who wins which 5MHz, and then where and when they deploy their base stations, will we know better who might be effected.
However, until then, the above maps is the best guide as to the "general areas" where there might be issues.
| link to this comment |
John Hunter: It's at the bottom of the map...
Freeview interference from 800Mhz 4G 2013- | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
"[6] number of multiplexes in C52-C60 range when 4G 800MHz services start [R] Retune only ".
| link to this comment |
John Nottage: A retune will happen May 2013 to clear C62. When 800MHz 4G mobile broadband services start there will be 2 multiplexes in C52-C60 range: C55: PSB1 C59: PSB2
You may or may not need a filter - it's complicated and we don't know yet who will run the 4G - see How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
Stuart Owens: Just to add to the above, the issue is also that digital TV receivers with superheterodyne circuits suffer from the N+9 problem - there is a distinct interfere problem nine 8MHz channels away - so C52, C53, C54 and C55 are *MORE* likely to have problems.
| link to this comment |
TV masts are not normally used for 2G/3G services, as they are not really in suitable locations. Here's the Brighton and Hove comparison of sites as an example:
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: Yes, you will need to know where the masts are.
But we won't know this until the capacity is won and the winners select their locations.
| link to this comment |
John Robinson: In addition, the "fourth" set of frequencies have been the "digital dividend", which are about to be used for 4th generation mobile broadband .
| link to this comment |
carol lewis: If you mean the "red button" service, rather than Ceefax, you can't yet get this on the BBC One HD services.
You will need to switch to a standard-definition BBC TV channel and press RED.
| link to this comment |
Just a note to say that http://www.comreg.ie/_fil…xlsx says SV2 broadcasts on both C33 and C58.
| link to this comment |
Services have been moved to Dundee Menzieshill (Dundee City, Scotland) digital TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
Aerialman: They have move a few allocations around to ensure that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland get some coverage, which has bumped The Wrekin off in England.
| link to this comment |
sharealam: As per the older article, Channel 4 are very keen to have some of the slots.
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: I thought Film4 HD was "exclusive" to Virgin Media and not on Sky?
| link to this comment |
Aerialman: Much better news is that in 2019 all the 700MHz service will be moved down into the 600MHz band. That's going to be a lot of work for anyone who had a grouped aerial (other than group A perhaps).
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: According to their website, "Channel 15 on Freeview Channel 315 on Sky Channel 428 on Virgin Media Channel 300 on Freesat".
However, there is a press release saying Film4 HD will be coming to Sky ... Sky customers to enjoy comprehensive access to the best of Channel 4 - Channel 4 - Info - Press
However, there are no listings for Film 4 HD on satellite I can find...
| link to this comment |
Brian Wright: It is certainly interesting that Sky have been allowed to grab HD versions of channels on an "exclusive" basis, using their enormous marketing budget to gain exclusive deals.
It is certainly strange that channels from public service broadcasters (ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 etc) are not free-to-air on satellite when their SD versions are!
I suspect that Ofcom (or the Competition Commission) took the view that "HD" was too small a market for them to worry about.
Now that we might see the need to move to DVB-T2/MPEG-4 in 2019 to clear the 700MHz band for broadband, it is possible that "Sky HD exclusive" deals will happen less...
You have to realise that HD is good for Sky, in that it creates a "premium" product (like Tesco Finest) for their top-level customers (Freesat from Sky being Tesco Basics).
HD is just a technology upgrade, which needs a little more bandwidth (but less than three analogue channels) and some additional production values.
The way Sky HD is sold, it is a "differentiator product" for customers who wish to have something better than the plebs, so they can show their wealth off by making big profits for Sky.
It's not like Sky are the only company to do this...
| link to this comment |
Rog : In the 1950s there was such limited bandwidth, that there was very little ability for competition.
Today, there are huge numbers of websites, newspapers (free and paid for), commercial radio stations that it is very hard for a media company to dominate.
Ofcom has done quite a lot of work on measuring media plurality for the Leveson Enquiry.
You can read their report here - http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf .
So, to answer your point, the "firm ruling" has not been forgotten, but the media landscape has change and the laws have changed to match.
| link to this comment |
... the intro mentions:
Plurality matters because it makes an important contribution to a well-functioning
democratic society through informed citizens and preventing too much influence
over the political process.
We have defined plurality as a) ensuring there is a diversity of viewpoints
available and consumed across and within media enterprises and b) preventing
any one media owner or voice having too much influence over public opinion and
the political agenda.
Plurality needs to be considered both within organisations (i.e. internal plurality)
and between organisations (i.e. external plurality).
| link to this comment |
SamSim: Why not just pull the Sky viewing card from your box and look for yourself?
| link to this comment |
KMJ,Derby: "It is significant that there is currently no interest in the available slot on PSB3. "
BT Sports HD 1 will be there very soon indeed!
"Another point is whether HD would have also been subscription on terrestrial transmitters if the receivers had been equipped with card slots!"
The whole POINT of Freeview is to ensure that there this doesn't happen.
| link to this comment |
John Chesterfield: Ceefax closed at digital switchover, 30th May/13th June 2012, so you can't mean that...
| link to this comment |
KMJ,Derby: It's a guess, but the slot is now available for services that are not free-to-air.
It's a guess, but if BT are paying "£246m a season" [1] for their football, they probably will be happy to fork out the money to get it on all the UK transmitters in HD.
The ONE THING you can be sure of is that BT won't be wanting to do that Sky-exclusive HD deal...
[1] Premier League strikes gold with BT talking telephone numbers | Dan Sabbagh | Media | The Guardian
| link to this comment |
Mike T: Not quite. BBC ONE HD has become BBC ONE Wales HD.
The BBC HD channel has not changed.
BBC HD will become a UK-wide BBC TWO HD service at some point shortly.
| link to this comment |
The DMSL website is here - Let's be clear at 800MHz | 4G Interference | 4G Problem | MitCo AT800 .
| link to this comment |
woodface/Ian: From what they have said, they will provide filters for anyone who is using Freeview on non-primary sets, but you won't be able to cancel you Sky package, and get DMSL to come along an re-provide it.
They have to draw the line somewhere or some people will just exploit it...
| link to this comment |
walanHartley: Yes, see No satellite signal? Check your dish for snow! | Free satellite - general | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice !
| link to this comment |
Nicholas Willmott: Please see How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? | 4G mobile | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice - I explained it all there.
| link to this comment |
M. Toft: See the top of the page: "A retune will happen 10 April 2013 to clear C61: COM6 C60 to C60- PSB1 C61 to C49. "
| link to this comment |
Couch Spud: It's now shown at the top of the page "A retune will happen 17 April 2013 to clear C61: COM6 C61 to C49 PSB1 C60 to C60-. "
| link to this comment |
Michael McCann/Dave Lindsay: It's worth remembering that the NIMM is broadcast with horizontal polarity, but the rest of the services from Black Mountain are vertical.
This is because the NIMM is "matching" the services from Divis.
| link to this comment |
It's worth noting that PICK TV is currently showing "Sky Thursdays" - Sky Thursdays
| link to this comment |
Smiffy: Just to clarify from the article.
1) No-one knows when the services will start as the auction has not finished;
2) The 4G services are not located on the TV transmitter masts
3) 4G isn't GSM, it's LTE.
| link to this comment |
... also see Midhurst (West Sussex, England) full-Freeview transmitter | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
"When 800MHz 4G mobile broadband services start there will be 5 multiplexes in C52-C60 range: C59: COM5 C55: PSB1 C58: PSB3 C56: PSB2 C54: COM4 "
| link to this comment |
... it is probably worth noting that BBC HD already transmits BBC TWO HD almost all of the time it is on air.
| link to this comment |
Scotland BBC TWO today has
07:50 08:10
Na Daoine Beaga
Series 2, An Traigh (The Beach)
3/18 Gaelic language fun, songs, stories and adventures in a magical land. (R)
08:10 08:15
Ag Ionnsachadh Le Blarag
Series 1, Detectibh Blarag: Daomhaireachd an Dathein Chaillte (Detective Connie: The Case of the Missing Flower)
2/22 Let's play detectives with Blarag, and help her find her grandma's favourite flower. (R)
08:15 08:20
Na Luchagan Fhiacla
An Siosair Oir (The Golden Scissor)
Gaelic children's programme. (R)
23:00 23:20
Newsnight Scotland
19/02/2013
Coverage of the day's national and international news stories, with Gordon Brewer.
23:20 00:20
Scottish Curling Championships
2013, Women's
Dougie Vipond presents highlights from the Dewars Centre in Perth.
BBC TWO NI has
18:30 19:00
Lu na Taln
Series 3, Episode 2
Mire Bhreathnach and Jarlath Burns tackle issues around rural life in Northern Ireland.
BBC TWO Wales
... nothing!
| link to this comment |
David: In addition to what Dave Lindsay has posted, ITV is required to conform to certain rules when it comes to advertising, because of their market domination. It's called Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) - see CRR explained: how contract rights renewal binds ITV ad sales | Media | guardian.co.uk .
ITV has to show non-national adverts, as part of this legal remedy.
The only regional content in England the BBC has is the regional news slots, and none of the studios are equipped for HD. For this reasons the BBC isn't spending money on HD versions for the English regions where it will only deliver SD content.
| link to this comment |
David: Your assumption is incorrect.
ITV HD has London on 10832 H, Meridian and Central West on 10936 V [also STV], Granada on 10994 H
see Eutelsat 28A & Astra 1N/2A/2B at 28.2°E - LyngSat .
| link to this comment |
Tony Hill: If the "Freeview HD" extension proposals go ahead, the BBC have said they might then put HD versions of the "UK wide" services on it, and presumably Freesat as well.
Given that it would require just TWO transponder slots for BBC three/CBBC and BBC FOUR/CBeebies, this seems reasonable.
BBC One HD has four slots (England, Wales, Scotland, NI) and BBC TWO HD will have one.
Also, the BBC News channel is moving to a HD studio in NBH within weeks.... it would be a great shame for all that HD investment to not result in BBC News HD in the UK.
| link to this comment |
(by "Freeview HD extension proposal" I mean Ofcom consults about Freeview HD two-multiplex upgrade plan in the 600MHz band | High definition | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
Radio Geordie: The information about that mux has not yet been posted by Ofcom. It will appear automatically when they publish it.
| link to this comment |
Tony Hill: I'm guessing when you say "62% of BBC viewing" you are referring to transmissions, not actual viewers.
| link to this comment |
Nedbod: Given the prominent Freeview, Sky (and Virgin Media and Freesat) placement for the channel, and the cross-subsidy from having cash from the extra channels on the multiplex it is quite likely that the local TV channels will work.
The difference from the BBC and ITV services is that they are for Manchester only, not all of Granadaland. Liverpool, Machester and Preston will have their own TV.
ITV and the BBC has to cover as far afield as the Isle of Mann.
| link to this comment |
Nedbod: See http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf
The report mentioned above lists 5 HD 1080-line services per DVB-T2 multiplex in 2012, 8 in 2020, 9 in 2025 and 2030, or 11, 17, 19 and 21 720-line services on a DVB-T2 multiplex.
| link to this comment |
Roy Barton: You might be interested in MIMO - Will MIMO bring HD to Freeview? | High definition | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ...
| link to this comment |
Majid Hussain: bbc coventry and warwickshire are not carried on these multiplexes.
| link to this comment |
P. Kieran Ward: On a properly implemented receiver the levels should be the same. But many receivers do not follow the spec and the HD channel will be at least 7dB quieter.
| link to this comment |
Nicholas Willmott: Just to nip in here and the question about relay picking up the off-air signals.
As there are a small number of such sites - plus another 55-ish that are used for "cable head-ends" are know and will be dealt with specially.
MW can't be used for LTE, it would not be able to provide any useful bitrate.
| link to this comment |
jb38: From what I have seen from the public statements by at800, it would appear that the proximity to a mobile phone mast (1.5km) is the primary effect on "overload" interference.
The second effect is that masthead and domestic (ie, unshielded) distribution amplifiers are problematic.
Another point, which was in the first lot of the Ofcom reports is that Virgin Media Boxes CAN be effected.
| link to this comment |
Nicholas Willmott: It's a very small number compared to the millions of homes in the UK with off-air reception. And they are all owned by one company (Arqiva).
The bitrate that can be achieved by digital communications is a function of the bandwidth aviliable.
LTE is 5MHz up and 5MHz down in the UHF band.
The whole of the MW is just 1MHz in totoal - from 588kHz to 1602kHz. - List of all analogue radio frequencies | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
Remember, the diagram at the top of the page is logarithmic.
| link to this comment |
Nicholas Willmott: It's 5MHz per operator per direction (one up, one down), with O2 having two and Vodafone having two allocations, with 3 and T-Mobile having one each.
The problem with FM radio is there would be no room for the 10MHz of "duplexing gap" between the upload and download allocations.
| link to this comment |
Nicholas Willmott: Normal mobile phone internal aerials are used for LTE. That is all that is required.
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: From all the pre-testing that has been done, you should just need to put a filter in your system between the TV aerial and the IRS system.
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: Are you sure that the problems you describe are not something that could happen anyway?
Any chance you could provide a postcode too as it would make diagnosis easier?
| link to this comment |
The post office postcode for Cradley Heath is B64 6AQ - My Freeview | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
The post office postcode for Rowley Regis, B65 0DS - My Freeview | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: I'm not too sure what "alot of noise" could be as 791-821MHz are cleared for 4G mast-to-device, 821-831MHz is cleared for the guardband, and 832-861MHz is cleared for use as LTE device-to-mast.
It isn't very likley that the FM or DAB aerial will pick up 4G signals, but poor cables from the aerial to the triplexer could be an issue.
Can you describe the "Freeview problems"? Which multiplexes are effected? How do the problems manifest themselves?
Also, did you get the At800 mailer?
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: I'm interested to see if you see the "classic" 4G overload problem on your Freeview receivers - they are very similar to Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | Digital switchover | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: I can't help noticing that Vision have some so-called "4G-800 Products" 4G-800 Products Catalogue » Vision Products - Powerful Products. Easy Installation. Excellent Value .
No actual at800 logo though.. at800 Approved 4G Filters | TV Interference Filters | at800
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: Looking at their V10-28L product page, the graph shows that it won't block the 800MHz signals very much at all.. V10-28L 28 Element Stub Tuner Log Standard Periodic Aerial » Vision Products - Powerful Products. Easy Installation. Excellent Value .
| link to this comment |
Kurt Eaves: Thanks for all the information. I would be very interested to know if the situation is the same today.
| link to this comment |
kevin: If your Freesat box has a "non-Freesat mode", you can add the channels in manually.
The numbers are on the Eutelsat 28A & Astra 1N/2A/2F at 28.2°E - LyngSat page.
| link to this comment |
Gemqueen: You will get the channels listed on the All free TV channels | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice page.
Just tell Sky to stop taking money from you. The dish and box are yours.
You don't need to do anything else.
| link to this comment |
Nedbod: I listened to the first part yesterday and I have downloaded the next ones ready to listen to.
| link to this comment |
unknown/Dave Lindsay: Sorry, Ofcom made a slight change to the format of the "CSV" files which are the source for these pages (changed line ends from CRLF to CR).
The file is picked up automatically once a day.
I have fixed the code to deal with the new format, so the pages are now restored.
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: "Some of you may have seen the press release earlier this year that announced the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special in 3D this autumn. As the press release explained, our intention is to broadcast it using the BBCs HD capacity, and I will give you more details on our plan later this year."
| link to this comment |
...which, I think, means
"We will occasionally take over BBC TWO HD for an hour hear or there for 3D content"
| link to this comment |
Matt: You are at least 100 miles away from the test 4G signals - they just don't get that far!
Looking at what you have said, you might have too much signal - see Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | Digital switchover | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice .
| link to this comment |
Mike Dimmick: Very good points.
I will have to have a look at the presentation on BBC TWO HD today, but a counter-argument is that they might maintain an SD sustaining feed for BBC TWO as there is no need for the Scotland, NI and Wales versions to have an HD sustaining feed. This contrasts with BBC One where there are HD versions for Scotland, Wales and NI.
I'm not sure about the BBC using the capacity currently used for "303" on Freeview HD multiplex (BBCB) as they have offered to sell it off - BBC advertise for a new Freeview HD channel | High definition | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice - but my *GUESS* is that BT will pay for this for BT Sports 1 HD.
I doubt very much if the BBC will want to alienate BBC ONE HD 2D users for the special Doctor Who with a MHEG-made low-res version. Especially if it won't work with a PVR.
| link to this comment |
John B: I have noted your comments, and updated the diagram.
And I wish I had stuck to my rule of not covering pay services!
| link to this comment |
From Alix Pryde on BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - Hello BBC Two HD; Goodbye BBC HD :
". I've confirmed with my iPlayer colleagues that the position is as follows. By the end of this year we hope that all programmes produced in HD will be available in HD on iPlayer, regardless of whether they have been broadcast on an HD channel. In the meantime, HD content on iPlayer has to have been broadcast on an HD channel, or else have been selected to be put through a separate process. Theres a limit to the number of hours of programming per week that can go through that process, but over the coming months we will be selecting those programmes carefully to try to minimise disappointment.
Then there was the topic ... about the potential to offer repeats of BBC Three and BBC Four series on BBC Two late night or overnight. Its an interesting idea and I have passed it on to Janice Hadlow, the Controller of BBC Two.
highlighted some picture degradation on BBC One HD in the North of England. About the same time, we also received notification of the issue thanks to people contacting the Reception Advice service. Im pleased to report that once we became aware of the issue, my team worked with our supplier to get it fixed quickly by swapping out a single faulty encoder, which took place early on Wednesday. Its clear though that the issue shouldn't have gone on for as long as it did and Im looking into that.
in response to a query on Andys blog, I can confirm that we are updating the references on BBC websites to the EPG numbers for our channels."
| link to this comment |
Mark: There is a paper at BBC RD - Publications - White Paper 174 : The Plymouth Digital Radio Mondiale (Drm) Trial Long-term Reception Results .
| link to this comment |
Brian Foster: You will find Series 1 - Episode 1 on Mon 1 Apr, 10:30pm Sky Atlantic.
So, the answer is "yes" - you are being teased to subscribe to Sky.
There's a guide to the programme at Boardwalk Empire | Series 1 episode guide | Radio Times
| link to this comment |
General note: The relays at Culm Valley, Chilfrome, Clearwell, Coleford, Crewkerne, Crockerton, Dursley, Hutton, Kilve, Monksilver, Pillowell HP, Pillowell VP, Portishead, Stroud, Woodcombe will be done by noon.
The relays at Bampton, Box, Bristol Warmley, Bruton, Chalford Vale, Chitterne, Corsham HP, Corsham VP, Countisbury, Kewstoke, Lydbrook, Ogbourne St George, Redbrook, Washford, Westwood will be done by the evening
| link to this comment |
David: The Bath transmitter had no changes, it should only have lost PSB1 whilst Mendip was being changed.
The BBC list it as PSB1 being off "from 01:15 today to 03:10 today"
| link to this comment |
bruce: That's it for the retunes at Mendip until 2019. Probably.
Mendip did have more than it's fair share of them.
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: It looks like the widescreen testcard configured for 3D, not sure if it's actually 3D.
| link to this comment |
Phil Pallot: Looking at the official list - Delete Expletives? - those words are permitted before the 9pm watershed, just not in programs for children.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/s….pdf if you want the full report.
| link to this comment |
... the current code is at Ofcom | Section One: Protecting the Under-Eighteens .
| link to this comment |
"Offensive language
1.14 The most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed (in the case of television) or when children are particularly likely to be listening (in the case of radio).
1.15 Offensive language must not be used in programmes made for younger children except in the most exceptional circumstances."
| link to this comment |
Michael: As I am only providing the information for the purpose of working out 4G-800 interference, I'm not too worried about the data being a bit old.
I wouldn't want to work out mobile phone coverage with it.
It seems that T-Mobile and Orange didn't provide 900MHz data...
| link to this comment |
Ian: The data is provided by the operators, and isn't updated.
It could be my code that is merging the masts, I will check it out.
| link to this comment |
I'm not too sure if the GSM-R (Network Rail) locations need to be included as they are only used for train control. ATOC | GSMR Online
| link to this comment |
The original item is at Fewer problems than forecast with TV reception during 4G test | at800
The problem with just 15 data points from a population of 22,000 isn't a large enough sample size to be statistically significant.
| link to this comment |
John Beeston: It is very unlikely that you would be using an aerial amplifier in such a situation and so you almost certainly won't need a filter.
| link to this comment |
Rob: Have you had a look at Single frequency interference | Freeview Interference | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ?
| link to this comment |
Gtibb: HBB & Northants is broadcast from Bow Brickhill, Epping Green, Sandy Heath and
Zouches Farm.
The planning document - http://stakeholders.ofcom….pdf - does list the Hemel Hempstead transmitter as part of the plan, along with Chepping Wycombe.
| link to this comment |
Chris: There is another possibility, which is that it's a coincidence.
Please see Freeview reception has changed? | Freeview Interference | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice for help.
| link to this comment |
Ian: Can I suggest you have a look at the Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | Digital switchover | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice page?
| link to this comment |
dave bennett: The channels are on the Local Television multiplex. The signal for this transmission is only designed to cover the Manchester metropolitan area.
| link to this comment |
Ropbert McClymont: Just to be clear.
The current EE 4G services are NOT using the 800MHz band, and will not interfere with Freeview.
The only live service at the moment is in South East London.
| link to this comment |
Aerialman: The Ofcom document doesn't list the Freeview+Freesat figures specifically.
| link to this comment |
peter: "The GfK consumer research used in this report is based on a panel of 12,000 households surveyed quarterly via the internet and by telephone. The ratio of online to telephone interviews is designed to specifically meet demographic representative quotas. The error margin for the research results is estimated to be within 1-2pp (up to +/-500,000 households)."
GfK - We see the big picture .
| link to this comment |
From ... New DAB transmitters turned on in Wales : Radio Today
"The much anticipated local DAB digital radio transmitters for the Wrexham, Chester and Liverpool areas have been switched on this morning in Wales.
The new multiplexes were officially launched at an event at Wrexham Football Ground with local politicians Ian Lucas MP and Lesley Griffiths AM helping to press the button.
The switch-on means that 2.2 million people in North East Wales, West Cheshire and Liverpool can now listen to BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Real Radio Wales, Nation Radio, Juice FM and Dee on DAB on DAB digital radio for the first time."
| link to this comment |
Stuart Owens: The data is automatically added when Ofcom provide it in their database.
| link to this comment |
David: From their website
Simon Beresford-Wylie, chief executive of at800, said, This test will help us assess any problems viewers may have with fitting filters and whether receiving one in advance improves awareness and understanding of the potential issue. We will have professional testing units and aerial installers in the area to help get Freeview services back to normal if they are affected by our test.
You don't have to call in if you fit a filter and then have no problems.
| link to this comment |
dennis: Only the Sky 3D (Sky channel 217) channel carries 3D programmes.
Movies on Sky 3D - Sky Movies HD
There have been occasional programmes on the now-defunct BBC HD channel. It is not yet known where BBC 3D test services (such as BBC News - BBC announces Doctor Who 3D special ) will go.
| link to this comment |
PJ: If you change the RF channel number whilst using the RF connection to view the set-top box then this will happen.
Connect up via the SCART cable and choose the channel that way.
| link to this comment |
Roger Martlew: In the diagram, YouView (along with BT Vision) are "Freeview".
"Pay digital terrestrial" (ie TUTV) is 0.2m
tony: "Where I wonder are the missing 0.9m?"
The RoI.
| link to this comment |
ian from notts: "In some properties, an amplifier or TV signal booster is connected to the aerial to distribute a TV signal to multiple television sets. These are often fitted directly to the antenna on the roof known as a masthead amplifier or in the loft. The at800 filter that prevents 4G signals reaching TV tuners should always be connected between the antenna and the amplifier in these systems. If you are a private tenant, you may need to ask your landlord for permission for an aerial installer to have access to these areas of the building."
Installation support for households | at800
| link to this comment |
..."If you have a masthead amplifier attached to the antenna on your roof, a weatherproof at800 filter will need to be installed. We will arrange for a professional aerial installer to do this for you. You will need to call our contact centre to book an installer appointment. We will want to know what interference problems you are having, and get more details about your amplifier. There may be another solution to the problem that doesnt involve sending out an aerial installer."
| link to this comment |
Ms C Ashley: I think you might just be in the London 4G test area. Did you get a leaflet through the door?
| link to this comment |
jeff: If you need a filter, between the aerial and split is the correct place to fit it.
| link to this comment |
Lee Paterson: There are no issues in N16. Please can you see Freeview reception has changed? | Freeview Interference | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ?
| link to this comment |
*** 1st May 2013 retunes for Norfolk and Suffolk using Tacolneston and Kings Lynn | 4G-at-800 | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice ***
| link to this comment |
Mark Agius: The top chart is "platform additions". That's why I included the Ofcom chart to clarify the totals.
| link to this comment |
PJH: That's true for all of UKTV's channels: Dave, Really, Yesterday and now Drama.
Especially given that UKTV is half-owned by the BBC, and the other half by Scripps who's Food Network is on Freeview, Freesat and fSfS.
| link to this comment |
Monday 31 December 2012 4:37PM
Paul Rayson: The BBC now report
"BBC Digital TV Off Air from 15:49 today
HD Digital TV Off Air from 15:49 today"