Saorview is Ireland’s national DTT service. The Irish word Saor means free, thereby mirroring a common name of DTT services in many regions, Freeview, through a mix of the English and Irish languages. Saorview is available from 64 DTT transmitters covering 98% of the population as of the end of Q3 2012.
The service is a DVB-T/MPEG-4 HD broadcast that is received via set top box (STB) receiver or iDTV and UHF aerial is required. MHEG-5 is the middleware standard for digital teletext. Programme information is displayed through the receiver’s own inbuilt EPG. Either DVB or Teletext subtitling can be displayed when broadcast.
A DVB-T/MPEG-4 HD set top box (STB) receiver or iDTV and UHF aerial will be required. MHEG-5 has been selected as the middleware standard for digital teletext, Saorview branded EPG and interactive services. For non MHEG-5 compatible receivers regular analogue TV teletext will continue to be available and programme information will be displayed through the receiver’s own inbuilt EPG. Either DVB or Teletext subtitling can be displayed when broadcast.
Saorview Connect
On 20 January 2016 RTÉ announced that it had partnered with Freesat, the UK free-to-air television company, to develop a new product for Saorview, Ireland’s free digital television service and the largest television platform in Ireland.
This follows a previously announced intention to develop a new hybrid offering for Saorview[17] The Saorview Connect offering will allow customers to connect a new type of receiver to their home broadband. The service will feature advanced functionality including online services, a backwards EPG, access to content recommendations, a newly designed remote control and a mobile app.
Saorview in Northern Ireland
Viewers in the Northern Ireland can receive a number of channels broadcast in the Republic of Ireland, including TG4 and RTÉ One RTÉ Two, TG4 and RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta.
The multiplex (NiMux) broadcasts in DVB-T2, the same parameters used by Freeview HD and is available to 90% of viewers in Northern Ireland.
Other areas are covered by overspill from the Irish Republic and by Saorsat which covers almost the whole of Ireland.
Website: www.saorview.ie
See: Saorview Frequencies & Transmitters
Transmitters
2rn operates two DVB-T PSB multiplexes for transmission of Saorview television and radio channels. Both multiplexes are free-to-air, and feature MPEG-4 encoding.
2rn operates two DVB-T PSB multiplexes for transmission of Saorview television and radio channels. Both multiplexes are free-to-air, and feature MPEG-4 encoding.
2rn is a communication network operator in Ireland, with a substantial portfolio of developed sites and in house engineering, planning, construction resources and capabilities.
2rn distributes and transmits the programme services of RTÉ Radio and Television, TV3, TG4, and Today FM. We also provide transmission services to a number of local and regional radio broadcasters as well as site services to mobile telephone and broadband operators, private communications companies and the emergency services.
Website: www.2rn.ie
| Saorview Transmitters | ||||
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| Site | Mux 1 | Mux 2 | Power | Area |
| Cairn Hill, County Longford | 47 Horiz | 44 Horiz | 160 Kw | North Midlands |
| Clermont Carn, County Louth | 52 Vert | 56 Vert | 160 Kw | North East / Belfast |
| Holywell Hill, County Donegal | 52 Horiz | 56 Horiz | 20 Kw | North East Donegal/Derry |
| Kippure, County Wicklow | 54 Horiz | 58 Horiz | 60 Kw | East |
| Maghera, County Clare | 48 Horiz | 55 Horiz | 160 Kw | West |
| Mount Leinster, County Carlow | 23 Horiz | 26 Horiz | 160 Kw | South East |
| Mullaghanish, County Cork | 21 Horiz | 24 Horiz | 200 Kw | South West |
| Spur Hill, County Cork | 45 Horiz | 49 Horiz | 50 Kw | Cork City and environs |
| Three Rock, County Dublin | 30 Horiz | 33 Horiz | 63 Kw | Dublin City and environs |
| Truskmore, County Sligo | 53 Horiz | 57 Horiz | 160 Kw | North West |
Saorview Multiplexes
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2RN Mux 2
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Channel
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LCN
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Resolution
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Audio Bitrate
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Audio
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Information
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| RTÉ One HD | 1 | 1440 x 1080i | 192 kbps | General entertainment. | |||
| be3 | 6 | 544 x 576i | 192 kbps | Joint Stereo | General entertainment. | ||
| RTÉjr | 7 | 544 x 576i | 192 kbps | Joint Stereo | Part Time Children’s channel | ||
| RTÉ One +1 | 11 | 544 x 576i | 192 kbps | Joint Stereo | Timeshift version of RTÉ One | ||
| Test service | no LCN | 1440 x 1080i | 192 kbps | Joint Stereo | AG Tástáil Innealtóireachta. HD Images from Dublin and Galway plus mountain scenery. | ||
| Test service | no LCN | 544 x 576i | N/A | N/A | RTENL “Tástáil Innealtóireachta” Test Card (captions “2RN” and “Eireann”). | ||
| Test service | no LCN | 544 x 576i | N/A | N/A | RTENL “Tástáil Innealtóireachta” 2RN Mux 2 SD (576i) Test Card (captions “2RN” “Eireann” and 24h digital clock) | ||
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