Babnik Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Is there anyway I can tell if we are covered by TNT transmission? Ihave checked the website, and we appear to be right in between twotransmitters (Niort and Bordeaux). Apart from buying a box and tryingit out, is there any other way of knowing?Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 This isn't easy, but if you can identify which transmitter you presently receive your UHF signals from that is a start.In other words if you receive a very good picture (no snow, no shadows) at present, and if you can be certain it comes from Maisonnay (Niort) or Bouliac (Bordeaux) then you are likely to be able to get TNT.The problem is that you might be watching an analogue relay at the moment with an aerial orientated on that relay which would not in its current form be suitable for TNT. And if you are watching a relay it's probably because you don't get an adequate signal from Maisonnay or Bouliac in your area.If your TV is the sort that tells you which frequency or channel number it is tuned to for each programme at the moment, that would tell you which transmitter you are using.Niort is on ch's 22/25/28 for the main analogue programmes, and Bordeaux is on ch's 57/60/63. If you can identify the channel numbers on your TV at present then you should be able to eliminate or confirm these two. If the channel numbers are different post them here and we'll try and identify which relay it is, although I suppose it's only of academic interest...Have you tried going through the process that starts at http://www.espace-numerique.fr/?current=5022It is a bit of a rigmarole but it should allow you to select your village for an idea of whether a TNT signal is present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 I don't actually have an aerial at present, and I'm asking the questionbecause if I can't get TNT, I'll switch to satellite, rather than goanalogue. I have tried that process you mention, and our village is notmentioned. A few of the adjacent villages are mentioned and they arecovered by the Bordeaux Bouliac transmitter. I will speak to the mayor,and ask him, he usually knows what's going on within his village. Maybehe knows someone who's installed a system!Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 http://www.tnt-gratuite.fr/ has maps of France showingcurrent and proposed coverages with dates and postcode searches, etc. this might give you the info. You areseeking.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Sorry babnik, it hadn't occurred to me that you were "starting from scratch".It all depends on what one wants, which channels are on which system, and whether or not one is prepared to pay a sub, but leaving all those aside: from a technical point of view it is nearly always easier to do a reliable self install of satellite than UHF TV. The experience of DTT in the UK - and from what one gathers in France where a more robust system is in use for TNT - is that you really need to deliver a cracking signal to a TNT/DTT box before it does its stuff reliably. This means getting the aerial high with all that that entails, whereas a satellite dish will work on the ground reliably in almost all circumstances.There is hope for TNT/DTT; when the analogue transmitters are switched off there is going to be a substantial increase in transmitter power which will help. But I think the advice must always be at present - don't rely on getting TNT unless someone living very close by is already getting it reliably, or unless you are close to a transmitter. Advice that you have already worked out by the look of it.Try the Mayor though, I wonder if he/she will know what you are talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 To be honest I already have a sat dish installed, but I would like to get the french terrestrial channels, and I guess there are four options. 1) Analogue over an aerial. 2) Digital over an aerial 3) Analogue over a sat (Atlantic Bird 3 degrees west, but not guaranteed to stay there!) 4) Digital Sat with either TPS or Canal Sat. I'm just trying to find out what will be the easiest, with the least amount of boxes and wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 The Mayor is pretty clued up technology wise, and is very helpful. so I'll check with him and the neighbours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Course some of this is only informed guesswork, but option 3) is likely to be around for five years; TDF's analogue network of terrestrial transmitters relies on this feed in the event of failure of the main distribution system (via microwave). Which is why it's maintained to a very high standard.It's probably the digital feed of publically-funded TV channels on Atlantic Bird 3 that is more vulnerable (to a switch to DVB-S2) although I've read elsewhere that suitable receivers are beginning to appear for this too. But for the moment that's not a safe investment even if you could actually find one.It really is a casse-tete, and a shame that the French authorities (via the CSA) haven't made it obligatory that the TNT programmes are duplicated on satellite, which would have solved the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Avery Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4536344.stmI read this yesterday, so it is possible that the arrangements for pay digital TV in France may change if this gets past the competition people. Not sure if this will affect TNT or not, but it may mean that Canal + gets dearer with the competition out of the way!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgeman Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Hi BabnikFrance 2, 3, 4, and 5 are available Digital FTA on Atlantic bird 3.If you need any info just ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 Two questions :1) Can you get TF1 on Atlantic Bird?2) I have heard that this is only temporary? Is that true?Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 You can definitely get TF1 in ANALOGUE on AB3. In SECAM colour. It seems likely that this will be for the next five years as the network of terrestrial UHF transmitters rely on this signal in the event of the national microwave distribution system failing.The worry about things being temporary concerns the DIGITAL multiplex carrying France Televisions on the same satellite. This is "visible" at the moment because the transponder concerned is not being used to its full capacity when compared to the two other transponders carrying the other TNT feeds. If and when the sixth TNT multiplex goes on air they may combine these extra programmes onto the satellite transponder at present carrying France Televisions using the same processing technique that prevents us watching the other TNT programmes.Having said that with every month that goes by, more and more French people are using this FTA France Televisions service and there would be quite a fuss if they disappeared, particularly as the reason for using the compression technique is entirely economic....Finally, nothing in French Broadcasting is ever for sure. So whilst I (and others) may make an informed guess that the analogues will be there for a good while don't risk your money just because I say so. Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 I realize nothing is certain, I just want to make an educated decision,which involves the least cost, the best quality, and the least amout ofboxes and wires! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 My wife would be right there with you on the least number of wires and boxes. Sadly (from her point of view) there isn't an easy solution if one wants the full - or even a basic - range of programmes in two languages.... At least that's what I tell her every time a new dish goes up or another hole is drilled for a cable.And things move so fast that what is the best advice today may be outdated soon afterwards. It would also really help if the Conseil Superieur Audiovisuel got a grip on the situation but I don't think that's going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 20, 2005 Author Share Posted December 20, 2005 It's actually my wife who insists on having the minimum number of boxes. But she also wants all the channels, and the ability to record one channel, while watching another. A dual TNT tuner in a media PC would be my first choice (I could also put dual anologue tuners in there!) I could then have all tuners/recorders etc etc in the one box would be ideal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin963 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Just one other thought that would give you a vague indication of signal strength: what sort of signal do you get off Bouliac on FM (89.7/93.5/97.7 MHz). Often this is NOT a good indication of likely TNT signal, but in the case of Bouliac the FM transmitters are quite low powered for a transmission site of its importance (5 kW). If you get strong signals on a radio on those frequencies even with the aerial down that would be a good indication. Maisonnay by contrast has very high power FM transmitters (200 kW) and so even if you got those well it wouldn't indicate that TNT would be reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgeman Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 Hi babnikI am guessing you have a digital stb and a fixed dish, shame you did not tell us the whole true in the beginning........ all you need is a motorised dish then you can point it at any sat you want, if you want french pay tv you will need a stb that will accept the card... does your stb have card slots? no slots .....no card....no pay tv....... look through my other posts for channel's you can get plus many more...... More info? just ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 yes, I have a digital stb with a fixed dish, but this is all temporaryright now and will have to come down, and either be moved, or scrapped,and my original question was more to do with TNT, and nothing to dowith sat. I know what's available with sat, what is FTA and what is payand which sat to point at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgeman Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 Apologies for trying to be helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babnik Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 I didn't want to sound ungrateful, I'm glad for any information. That's why I asked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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