Is RTE HD ready?

RTE began testing its High Definition digital service in Dublin this week.

The HD test broadcast is currently showing footage of Galway including the city centre, Spanish Arch and Salthill areas. The footage, which was evidently recorded during the summer, shows people shopping, surfing and high diving. As yet the channel is not showing regular programming in HD.

RTE has been testing its free-to-air digital terrestrial television, ‘Saorview‘, services in Dublin over the past year although this is the first time a HD has become available from the national broadcaster.

RTE’s digital service has suffered several delays, the service was scheduled to launch by October 31^st however, with less than two weeks to go and no set-top boxes approved for the Irish market, this not likely to happen. The current plan is to launch Saorview by summer 2011

Viewers with a DTT in the greater Dublin area can tune in the service. The channel is not yet available in Sky.