Channel 4 “This programme is not available”
February 25, 2010
Have you ever switched over to Channel 4 and found a blue screen with the message “This programme is not available.” Firstly don’t worry this is not an error message, there’s nothing wrong with your box. Channel 4 simply does not have permission to show certain programmes in Ireland before the Irish networks do, so they simply block the broadcast to Irish subscribers and display the “not available” message.
Take “The Sopranos”, Channel 4 had the rights to broadcast in the UK but RTE had the rights to show this in Ireland. So when Channel 4 broadcast the show the night before the scheduled RTE broadcast they blocked the broadcast in Ireland by showing us the blue screen with the message “This programme is not available” during the scheduled time.
This only becomes an issue when you take time out and sit down to watch a show but find the dreaded blue screen message. There is a relatively simple work around to this that should take you no more than 10 minutes. If you go here you can find a step by step guide to tuning in other channels on your Sky box. Then tune in Channel 4 using the free to air frequency;
Freq: 10714
Polarity: H
Symbol: 22000
FEC 5/6
Once done, be sure to save your selection. Channels saved in Other Channels can be found by pressing the services button on your remote.
The next time you then sit down to watch something on Channel 4 and get the “not available “ message simply press services, select other channels and watch it.
Sky drop the Sky+ box.
February 19, 2010
At the start of February Sky took the step all of us were expecting for a long time, they decided to phase out one of it’s boxes. What no one expected is that the box would be the much loved Sky+ box. Since the 1st of February Sky are no longer selling Sky+ boxes, this doesn’t mean that you cannot get a box with a built in PVR ( Personal Video Recorder ) but that box will be a HD box. You cannot get a standard box as a standalone box, meaning that you can get the standard box as a 2nd box, i.e. Multiroom, but not as your first box. The end result is that the starting point for Sky is a HD capable box with a built in PVR.
Sky are selling the Sky+HD box either with or without the HD subscription, therefore if you want the Sky+ features but not the HD features, you get the HD box but you do not have access to the HD channels. If you want the HD channels you get the same box with both the Sky+ features and the HD channels enabled. Sky have, for this month anyway, decided to give the box away free and charge €30 for installation…that’s only if you subscribe to the HD channels.
Sky’s charges have always been confusing but this, “with or without HD” option has added further problems to the pricing conundrum. Below is a list of the most popular options with the cost being the full cost of box and installation.
New Customers
Sky with HD channels €30
Sky without HD channels €79
1x HD box with HD channels and 1x Standard box €30
Existing Customers/Upgrade
Sky with HD channels €60
Sky without the HD channels €159
HD as a 2nd box with HD channels €30
2nd box without HD channels €79
“Goodbye old friend”
Just remember that for each box you add HD channels to there is an extra charge of €15 per month, and if you add HD as a second box you pay €15 for the HD channels and another €7.50 for the second box.
There’s no doubt that Sky+HD is a fantastic product, the picture and sound quality is second to none, sports take on another dimension and the Discovery and National Geographic Channels are simply amazing to watch in HD. A lot of customers I speak to complain that the extra €15 per month is just a bit too much, I think it’s well worth it but ultimately the customer will decide…don’t forget Sky 3D is coming later this year, just to confuse you even more.
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Contact Dalton TV
DTV Audio Visual LTD
t: 056 777 1900
e: info@dtvav.ie