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Hello,
When is RTE turning on its digital tv service and what type of receiver model is required to receive it as it is going to be in mpeg4 format.

Thank you

Brian Duffy

I think that the format should be platform neutral basically RTE should be on any many platforms as possible like the BBC do.

I think that RTE should not only be
free to air digital terrestial tv "DTT" aka "Freeview" but also free to air digital to air satellite tv "FTA" aka "Freesat" aswell as many areas cannot recieve RTE due to their landscape like in mountianous areas.

I think that the platform should be
"future proof" as to not make the mistake that happen in Britain when they changed their freeview system 3 times and people had to buy new equipment.

Since RTE are changing to digital so late it has many advantages as they can learn from the mistake that happened in Britain and else where.

They should put a good interactive Teletext service like the BBC do on to Aertel, a Ethernet service for RTEplayer would be a good idea is launched already with the BBC iplayer on Freesat service
(it will be launched on Freeview on a phased bases) as it is really good as it means that you can download programmes and watch them on your TV oppose to going online to do it.

A good EPG interference (with 8 day EPG) is essential with an easy to use remote control and if it is not easy to use them people will not like it and get to use it.
Subtitles is also needed.

It would be a good idea to maybe install a hard drive to be able to record programmes.

A built in broadband internet modem into the digital step top box would also be a good idea aswell to consider as it would mean that you could basically get the whole country the ability to online at the same time as the country changes to digital tv - basically you are killing two birds with the one stone digital tv and broadband.

This would stop the digital divide between those who can afford internet and those who can't (internet coverage and bandwith is a different issuse)

The people over the digital switchover should have one standard with an easily regonised logo with a ad campaign to inform people of the change over as not to confuse people.

A National campign to tell people what is going on with say a letter to every house in the country would be a good idea.

A freephone helpline number (something like 1800 FREEVIEW 1800 3733 8439)
and a good website would be very helpful too.

Before a switchover is done people should learn from the lessons learned from the switchover in America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand etc to learn both the good and bad points.

There should be a official logo to help people buy only approved freeview products and get services only from authorized persons/companies this would reduce the lightlyhood of fraud and set a uniform standard.

There could a official range of freeview freesat digital intergretated tv sets be
-a basic set top box set with just Digital TV
-a midrange set HD digital tv set
-and a top of the range PVR HD Digital set with ethernet

The government should help with the cost of the switchover by giving reduced price/free digital set top box to people on low incomes/eldery etc