Billy Timmins
Ceist:393. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Saorview box (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44649/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 October 2012
Ceisteanna (393)
Freagraí scríofa
RTÉ Networks Limited (RTÉNL), a wholly owned subsidiary of RTÉ, developed the technical specification for SAORVIEW set top boxes and put in place the approvals process for such equipment to be classified as ‘SAORVIEW approved’.
The cost of SAORVIEW set top boxes, like any other television equipment, is a matter for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers and not a process in which I, as Minister have a legislative function.
In comparing costs of set top boxes with those in Belfast, it must be understood that the UK is using a different, older technology than SAORVIEW. A more direct comparison to a SAORVIEW set top box is a Freeview High Definition (HD) box, which retails from €70.