This section of the website will be used to answer frequently asked questions regarding Digital Television in Ireland. Please use the Feedback tab at the top of the page should you have any questions on this topic.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. What is Digital Terrestrial Television?
DTT is similar to traditional analogue terrestrial television in that the signals are transmitted over the air and are received through a rooftop or set top aerial. The main difference between analogue and digital terrestrial TV is that using digital technology the information is transported as a stream of compressed data. This means that more programme channels and other content can be transmitted over a DTT network. In addition to more TV programmes, new features such as radio stations, programme guides, information services, multi-view, broadband and interactive services may also be provided over DTT. In order to receive DTT, you will need an aerial and either a digital receiver connected to your existing television or a new integrated digital TV.
2. What is Digital Cable Television?
A digital cable system operates by redistributing content, which has been received from a satellite or terrestrial network, over a co-axial or fibre cable. As with DTT a receiver box needs to be connected to the TV to decode the signals so that they can be displayed on the screen. Analogue cable television was introduced in Ireland in the late sixties and is available today in many of the main population centres in Ireland. Cable TV is widely available in urban areas.
3. What is Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)?
The Multi-channel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) operates by redistributing content, which has been received from a satellite or terrestrial network, over a radio based transmission network. Signals are received through a rooftop aerial and processed by an appropriate receiver/decoder. MMDS may be either analogue or digital although service providers are presently upgrading their analogue networks to digital. The MMDS broadcasting band uses frequencies in the range 2.5 GHz to 2.7 GHz. MMDS operates in many urban and suburban areas throughout the country where cable is not a viable alternative.
4. What is Satellite TV?
Satellite networks are primarily subscription-based and and none of the current satellite networks are regulated under irish law. A digital satellite television requires the viewer to have a dish and a satellite receiver or a new digital television receiver. Digital satellite broadcasting links are received through satellite stations above the earth. The satellite receives signals transmitted from an uplink facility on the ground. The dish receives the beams transmitted back from the satellite and the satellite receiver unscrambles the signal to view through the TV set.
5. What is broadcasting spectrum?
Energy exists in many forms, one of which is the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum is composed of radio waves, infrared, visible and ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays. Broadcasting spectrum refers to the parts of the radio spectrum used for broadcasting. Broadcasting spectrum is a finite resource.
6. When will Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting commence?
The Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to have an Irish DTT service fully operational by end of 2011. RTÉ has indicated a preference to launch services in parallel with the launch of services to be provided by the proposed commercial DTT operator. Further information on the launch of a commercial DTT operator is available from the BAI.
7. What technology will be used for DTT in Ireland?
RTÉ has indicated an intention to use the MPEG 4 compression standard and the BAI, who is responsible for commercial DTT operators, has set MPEG 4 as the minimum standard. RTÉ and the BAI contractor will finalise the specification before DTT services are launched.
8. How will DTT be received?
DTT will be received through an aerial and passed through a decoder - a set-top box, or integrated receiving device, that will decode the signal received for display on a TV set. In addition, for PCs/laptops, a DVB-T usb stick with a mini-aerial attached where the signal is good also decodes the signal for display on a PC or laptop screen.
In the case of analogue TV sets, a set top box will convert the incoming digital signal to analogue so that it can be displayed on a conventional television. DTT does not require a satellite dish or cable connection.
9. Will it be necessary to upgrade televisions when DTT commences?
In most cases no. Your current television will continue to work for the foreseeable future even after DTT broadcasting commences. A set top box will however be required to transform the digital signal received by the aerial into an analogue signal that can be displayed by your TV.
10. I have a DVB-T will this pick up digital television in Ireland?
In Ireland there is no digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in place at present. This means that any televisions currently on the market in Ireland must be capable of operating on the analogue television network only. The specifications for digital televisions vary from country to country so a digital television which receives digital services in one country may not work in another country. It is likely that digital televisions for the Irish market will become available when digital terrestrial television services are introduced..
In the event that your television does not work to receive DTT signals directly, once DTT services become available, you will need to purchase a DTT set top box or a PVR to upgrade the television to receive the Irish DTT services.
11. I have purchased a “Freeview” digital television; will this pick up digital television in Ireland?
Televisions marked “Freeview” or marked with the UK digital “tick” logo ( http://www.digitallogo.co.uk/ ) are intended to operate on the UK DTT (Freeview) service. They use a different technology than that proposed for the Irish DTT services.
If you have a “freeview” TV, a TV with the UK digital “tick” logo or a traditional analogue TV you will also need a set top box if you wish to view the Irish DTT services, once they become available.
12. I currently receive TV from an aerial on my roof; will I have to change this to get DTT?
If you currently receive RTÉ, TV3 and TG4 from a UHF aerial on your roof then this should, in most cases, also be capable of receiving DTT. In this case, the only additional equipment you should need to receive DTT is a digital receiver which can be connected to your TV using a SCART lead, component cable or HDMI cable. This receiver will convert the digital signals into analogue signals so that they can be displayed on your TV. If you are currently using a VHF aerial to receive analogue TV then you will need a UHF aerial to receive DTT.
13. I currently do not have an external aerial, what do I need to do to get DTT?
If you can currently receive RTE, TV3, or TG4 through an indoor UHF aerial then this should be sufficient to allow you to receive DTT signals also. In addition you will also need a digital receiver to connect to your TV using a SCART, component cable or HDMI cable. This receiver will convert the digital signals into analogue signals so that they can be displayed on your TV. If you are using a VHF aerial then you will need to purchase a UHF aerial. If you cannot currently receive RTE, TV3 or TG4 using an internal aerial then you will need to install an external UHF aerial. Information on teh correct equipment to use is available from RTÉ. Your equipment supplier may also be able to advise you. The minimum receiver specification is posted on the RTÉNL website: http://www.rtenl.ie/downloads/RTE-FTA-DTT-Receiver-Spec.pdf
14. When will analogue switch off (ASO) happen?
The deadline for ASO has not been decided although the EU would like it completed by 2012.
Before switch off there will be a transition period where both digital and analogue services are operating simultaneously. This transition period provides an opportunity for viewers to become familiar and comfortable with the new technology before deciding to change.
However the benefits to be gained in the move to DTT cannot be fully realised until after ASO. This frees up spectrum (the so called Digital dividend) which can then be used for other purposes such as – more broadcasting services, HD services, or other communications services such as mobile services, broadband or mobile TV.
15. Will I continue to receive BBC1, BBC2, UTV and Channel 4 for free?
Apart from the existing Irish free to air channels and some new Irish channels, it is too early to say what other channels will be made available on DTT in Ireland.
Currently it is estimated that in Ireland over 75% of TV viewers pay for access to the UK channels generally through cable or satellite subscriptions.
A number of households in the southeast of the country and a number of households located in proximity to the border with Northern Ireland receive BBC1, BBC2, UTV and Channel 4 as a result of overspill from the UK based analogue terrestrial TV networks. Once the UK switch- off their analogue networks (Wales – 2009/2010, Northern Ireland 2012) this analogue overspill will cease. Following the launch of DTT in the UK it is expected that some limited overspill of the digital signal may be received in Ireland. More detailed information on the UK schedule for digital switchover is available at http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/en/when.html.
16. Why choose MPEG 4?
MPEG 4 is the compression technology of choice for DTT. Although this means Ireland will not be adopting the "Freeview" standard currently used in the UK, it does offer more scope for future expansion - more space for content, and High Definition service. For the public service multiplex this means that there is space for the four existing national channels plus 4 new channels.
17. Why change from Analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television?
The switchover to DTT is being driven by a number of factors largely dominated by the international dimension of terrestrial broadcasting services and the advantages of digital broadcasting over analogue broadcasting services. In particular -
1.Digital technology has many advantages over analogue technologies – DTT can offer more services than analogue – these include more TV channels, high definition, high quality pictures, programme guides, interactive services and digital teletext.
2. Terrestrial broadcasting services tend to spill over borders and into other countries. In order to avoid interference, planning of broadcasting services are conducted at an international level. In 2006, agreement was reached by countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (the Geneva - 06 plan) on a plan for the introduction of DTT and the phasing out of analogue TV. Ireland has signed up to this agreement
3. Manufacturers of TV and TV reception equipment are ceasing to develop analogue televisions and are concentrating on the development of HDTV's, digital TVs and Digital receivers.
4. DTT uses fewer radio frequencies than analogue TV. Moving to DTT will help free up radio frequencies for use by other services such as broadband, mobile TV or other mobile services.
5. The European Commission has indicated that analogue terrestrial TV should be switched off by 2012, throughout Europe and Ireland has committed to this deadline in order to ensure that Irish industry does not lag behind other European markets.
18. What is HDTV?
HDTV or High Definition Television provides much better resolution and picture quality than standard definition TV. It reduces the graininess of the picture by reducing the pixel size and images on the screen have a greater fluidity of movement. HDTV can only be carried on a digital TV platform.
19. What are the alternatives to DTT?
Digital television is possible over a number of different platforms – terrestrial (DTT), cable, MMDS or satellite. Of these – cable, MMDS and most satellite broadcasts are pay TV platforms although a free to air UK platform called Freesat is receivable in Ireland. It should be noted that existing satellite services are not regulated in ireland. DTT will provide continued access to the national and public service broadcasting channels on a free to air (non pay) basis, as well as providing access to additional channels and services. Cable and MMDS are available in urban and suburban areas throughout the country whilst satellite has near universal coverage.
20. I live in a region of poor reception, Will I get the benefits of DTTs enhanced picture quality?
A digital TV picture will either be displayed perfectly on a screen or else not displayed at all. An intermediate state where a weak fuzzy signal is displayed will not occur. In a region where any reasonable analogue signal is received an excellent quality picture and audio should be displayed and heard once DTT broadcasts are being received.
21. Will I need a separate TV licence for DTT?
No. Under the Broadcasting Act, 2009 a television license is required to possess a television set at a specified address. What this means in practice is that each household possessing a television requires only one television license - irrespective of the number of television sets held within the household, or whether those television sets are capable of receiving analogue or digital television.