Sagem ITD81 "Picnic" MPEG4 Video Reception

This video shows the Sagem ITD81 "Picnic" DVB-T Set Top Box output while in use, which is currently available exclusively from Currys for (at the time of writing this at least) £19.99.
This video shows the receiver channel surfing starting at BBC1 NI, going up to Five, before going back down to RTÉ1 on channel 803, RTÉ2 on 802, TV3 on 801 and TG4 on 800. The STB has a built-in WST teletext decoder and this is shown working on TG4 and TV3. RTÉ1 & RTE2 have an MHEG text service which is also shown that is not too dissimilar to Sky Text. Incidentally Aertel is also available, but you need the STB connected to a TV and use its teletext decoder to view its content.
Reception comes from the Brougher Mountain transmitter for the UK channels (E30, E34, E23, E26, E29, E33) and from Truskmore for the RTÉ NL tests (E53).
Apologies for the partial cropping of the picture seen here, this is down to the capture card connected to the PC.
A little bit of background on what appears to be an innocent piece of electronic equipment, and why they've attracted some interest; these Set Top Boxes were originally intended to be used for the "Picnic" service which BSkyB had intended to broadcast on the UK DTT platform. However the service couldn't get regulatory approval from the UK broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, so these receivers appear to have been sold on to Currys for them to sell off cheaply.
BSkyB intended to use the MPEG4 Video compression format for four TV channels as opposed to MPEG2 which is currently used for all DTT TV broadcasts in the UK (Sky have three channels, Sky 3, Sky News and Sky Sports News that they intended to replace with Picnic) which goes generally by the trade name of Freeview (though a small pay-tv platform does exist through Top-Up TV), MPEG4 was intended as it can give the same picture quality at a significantly lower bit rate compared to MPEG2.
This STB has attracted the interest of viewers who have been looking to view the DVB-T test transmissions in the Irish Republic by RTÉ NL which is currently broadcasting TV channels RTÉ1, RTÉ2, TV3 and TG4 along with radio stations RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta and RTÉ Lyric FM in a single DVB-T multiplex. The four TV channels have their video encoded in MPEG4. In this situation a standard "Freeview" receiver, which can only show MPEG2 video, cannot display the video and only offer the sound. The radio stations however can be received clearly. Any receiver that can display MPEG4 video is backwards compatible with MPEG2.
Set top boxes with MPEG4 video capabilities are very hard to find in Britain and Ireland - a number (but not all) of new "HD Ready" televisions currently being sold can display MPEG4 video to allow the models to be sold across their European markets. The Sagem IDT81 "Picnic" is the first STB that I know being marketed in the UK with this capability although in general it is of little use in most areas, the exception being parts of Wales and Northern Ireland where the RTÉ NL test transmissions can be currently received.
So until Freeview HD receivers start becoming available (which will also use MPEG4 alongside DVB-T2 which is backwards compatible with MPEG2 and DVB-T) somewhere around the start of next year, and come down in price to match that of current Freeview receivers available which will take time along with the fact that Freeview HD broadcasts won't be broadcast in N.Ireland until after the analogue switch-off in the second half of 2012, the Sagem IDT81 for now provides an inexpensive method of receiving cross-border free digital TV.

[@lawhec]

@supascorp This STB was withdrawn about a year ago. If you want to view RTÉ DTT Transmissions (along with TV3, TG4 & 3E) get a Saorview or Freeview HD approved receiver.

[@pravnik66]

Looks good...

[@lawhec]

@TheAaronmc88 You could, but I would not recommend it now. It cannot handle HD transmissions, and after 18th April 2011 RTÉ Two will be broadcasting in HD, maybe permenantly. After this date, this STB will be diminisingly useful for southern DTT transmissions when they start going HD (no SD simulcast is planned).

[@lawhec]

@phoenix1916 Have you made sure that your set up was fine and if it was, did you check the signal readings in the menu? Personally I wouldn't be too bothered about this receiver now especially with refurbished Freeview HD receivers being sold now for £20 on the Tesco outlet on eBay, and even brand new Saorview approved receivers starting at double that price.

[@MusicanoftheFuture]

Five has moved ay! I never saw that have you ever seen Freesat cos now we watch more Freesat rather than Freeview because of its picture quality.Does anyone have a Grundig connected to a PC video as that's what I want?

[@supascorp]

Where is this box available ? Do you know the cost ?

[@phoenix1916]

@lawhec Ok i bought this box off Ebay and it DIDNT pick up any of the RTE channels, is there something im missing i know RTE2 is HD but i should have been able to get TG4 etc, is there anything im missing, i would appreciate any feedback??

[@manintheboxuk1982]

There is Five moving from ch 5 to 804.