1. What is Saorview?
2. What does Saorview mean?
3. So I don't need a Satellite Dish to get Saorview?
4. Watch our Saorview Digital TV Aerials Video Guide
5. Why do I need to consider Saorview?
6. I already am with a Pay TV Company like Sky or UPC, do I need to change?
7. Why are we changing to Saorview?
8. Are we not currently getting Digital TV?
9. How will the signal be switched off?
10. What equipment do I need to get Saorview?
11. How soon should I act on this?
12. I need an HD TV, set-top box & an aerial or a Saorview TV with an aerial, correct?
13. Will my old aerial work?
14. What channels will be available?
15. I thought there was going to be an Oireachtas channel?
16. What if I want Saorview channels and the BBCs?
17. Will it cost me much?
18. Do I still have to pay my TV licence for Saorview?
19. What is DSO or ASO?
20. What about pensioners/ people on social welfare?
21. Do I need a Saorview box for every TV?
22. Will an older TV work with Saorview?
23. Do I need a Saorview box if I have a Saorview Approved TV?
24. Can I get the Saorview Channels on Sky or UPC

What is Saorview?

Saorview is Ireland's new Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service. It’s a new Digital TV signal that will replace the old analogue TV service that you received through a TV Aerial (roof top or bunny's ears). In Ireland, this will be known as Saorview. It will still be received through a TV Aerial (UHF type) but the pictures will be much clearer and eventually all channels will be broadcast in HD.

What does Saorview mean?

Saor is the Irish for free. Put it together and you get Free View or View for Free. Not to be confused with Freeview with is the UK version of Saorview. Basically Saorview is a Free Digital TV service for Ireland, once off payment for the Saorview box or saorview Tv and no subscription fees after that.

So I don't need a Satellite Dish to get Saorview?

That's correct. You just need an aerial and a Saorview Box or Saorview TV.

Saorview Digital TV Aerials Guide

Why do I need to consider Saorview?

Because towards the end of 2012, Saorview will be the only way of getting all the domestic Irish TV Channels for those who or don’t want to or can’t afford the likes of UPC or Sky.

I already am with a Pay TV Company like Sky or UPC, do I have to change?

You will still get your main Irish Channels though these service providers and perhaps some additional Saorview channels. People who receive their RTEs, TV3 etc through a TV Aerial, whether for the main TV or additional TVs in the home will be affected ( >600,000 households at current estimates). If you are with Sky or UPC, of course you'll still have to pay your monthly fee to your pay TV provider, where as Saorview is a non subscription service.

Why are we changing to Saorview?

The EU has dictated that all members must change over their broadcast of analogue TV signals to Digital by end of 2012. Hey presto - Saorview!

Are we not currently getting Digital TV?

No, probably not. Unless you have been quick off the mark and invested in either a Saorview TV or a Saorview Box, you are probably still picking up the old analogue signal. A fifth of households are wholly reliant on an aerial. Around 600,000 (37 per cent) and growing, use an aerial for at least one TV set. Forty six per cent of farmers use an aerial and nearly a third of people over 55 and it's even higher in the west of Ireland.

How will the signal be switched off?

Not really important to the general consumer. You may, however, need to know if your area is not covered by the DTT signal yet. RTE says 97 per cent of us will be covered by the end of May 2011.

What equipment do I need to get Saorview?

Saorview will be available to 97% of Irish households from May 2011 if you want it. It is already live in the majority of locations in Ireland already. If you want Saorview you need to either buy a special Saorview TV to get it, or buy a Saorview set-top box to use with your existing TV, plus an aerial (you existing TV Aerial might suffice but may need to be re aligned). There are other generic Digital Terrestrial TV boxes that will suffice for the job also. These are usually cheaper than the official Saorview receivers but they lack Mheg5 which means no Digital Teletext on HD Channels. But if this is not a big consideration of yours they can be a great low cost solution and some even come with PVR facilities and Media Players to play your films and music.

How soon should I act on this?

You will need to act before 24/10/2012. Most of us won’t need to immediately but if you are already in a poor reception area you might want to get your hands on a Saorview box as the digital signal is much stronger and your TV picture should be much improved. There are other cool reasons like CSI and Desperate Housewives in HD and for the first time RTE will be showing the All-Ireland hurling and football finals in high definition, as well as the Rugby World Cup, the 2012 Olympics and the Euro 2012 Football Championships.

I need an HD TV, set-top box & an aerial or a Saorview TV with an aerial, correct?

Yes. The TV's called an integrated digital television, or iDTV. You can also substitute the Saorview Set Top Box for a generic Digital TV receiver.

Will my old aerial work?

It might do alright. Adjustments in alignment, and new UHF TV Aerials, will be needed in some cases. A good general rule is that if you are currently receiving analogue TV through an aerial, if your TV3 reception is good/very good, then you will not either have to change your aerial or re-position it. If this is not the case then you will either require a new aerial or a re-alignment of the old one if suitable to receive Saorview

What channels will be available?

All Irish content so far, and all familiar names. At a minimum there will be RTE 1, RTE 2 (with HD), TV3, 3e, TG4, RTE 1 Plus (RTE 1 with one hour’s delay), a kids’ TV channel called RTE Junior and a rolling news channel called RTE News Now. Also all the RTE radio channels (ten of them, including the digital ones) and a fancier digital version of Aertel. More content may be added in time, including pay TV options for subscription channels. Only time will tell here.

I thought there was going to be an Oireachtas channel?

There still could be if anyone wants to produce one. There is space on the service for one. There’s also space for a channel showing Irish films, but RTE hasn’t developed that either.

What if I want Saorview channels and the BBCs?

It is possible to combine Saorview with other free to air or pay TV services currently available in Ireland, whether they are terrestrial, cable or satellite, to give you access to non-Irish TV channels and services, from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, etc. If you want Free Irish and UK channels then something like a Combo Receiver is the box you want. You can get all the UK and Irish Digital channels on one receiver with no bills.

Will it cost me much?

No, but it could be for some people depending how you plan to receive Saorview. If you have to install a brand new aerial and then buy a new television, and you go for a high-end model, it will be. Also, you will need a box and an aerial connection for every TV set using the service, so that might be expensive. It’ll cost less if you just get one set-top box. Currently it costs around €65-90 for an official Saorview Approved box but the generic Digital Terrestrial Receivers cost less running somewhere between 50 - 60 euros.

Do I still have to pay my TV licence for Saorview?

Unfortunately, yes!

What is DSO or ASO?

It is Digital Switch Over (DSO) or Analogue Switch Off (ASO).

What about pensioners/ people on social welfare?

It’s not clear yet if they’ll get state aid. RTE says it is not its remit to provide financial aid. So the new government will have to decide. When the UK did their DSO, the UK government help out those on low and fixed incomes, it is yet to be announced how this will be handled in Ireland. Again, only time will tell on this.

Do I need a Saorview box for every TV?

Maybe, maybe not. It's up to yourself. For truly independent viewing, you will need a Saorview box or Saorview TV in every location you wish to view Saorview. You can feed the Saorview signal to another room using something like a Triax Trilink Kit but the downside of this is that like a Sky Eye set up, you have to watch the same thing on both TVs but eliminates the need for a second/third box in every room, if you can live with that.

Will an older TV work with Saorview?

Yes no problems. The guys who devised the saorview specification took into consideration that a lot of people have older type CRT TVs (the big bulky ones) rather than the newer flat screen TVs on sale these days. So to avoid putting people to additional costs, a Saorview box will work with old type TVs because of two important features on the Saorview receiver. These are it's scart connection on the back of the box and the fact that a Saorview box can downscale HD pictures to normal size for output to the older TV. Good thinking by the Saorview boys.

Do I need a Saorview box if I have a Saorview Approved TV?

If going for a one room or one TV set up, then no, the Saorview Approved TV will work fine. You just need the correct TV aerial to go with it. People chose the Saorview Set Top Box because it is the least expensive option and suits most folks but if you are upgrading your TV, spend the extra few quid and make sure that it is Saorview Approved.

Can I get the Saorview Channels on Sky or UPC

From middle of March 2012 RTE2 HD will be available to UPC subscribers in certain areas also RTE2 HD can be tuned into other stations on Sky HD box from middle of May 2012. You're still paying for it however when it is actually a free service on Saorview!