UPC Horizon Launched

patrickmooney · 12-08-2013 11:55am #1

So it's out there! Impressive launch in Dublin right now. Lots of pics from the press. I'm following https://twitter.com/ciaraobrien/status/366875556135989248

TheRedDevil10 · 12-08-2013 12:00pm

http://www.upc.ie/horizontv/

TheRedDevil10 · 12-08-2013 12:04pm

New bundles http://www.upc.ie/deals/tvbroadbandphone/

pelluci · 12-08-2013 12:24pm

Anyone else notice the new bundles seem to be cheaper than what they're paying at the moment? My current bundle is "Horizon Complete 100Mb Bundle HD Anytime" which is the same as the new "Horizon Complete Bundle", except for the fact that the new bundle is 150Mb compared to my 100Mb, and it's €80 compared to my €88.50.

TheRedDevil10 · 12-08-2013 12:27pm

Same for me except the new bundle is €11 cheaper

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 12:30pm

Interesting, I wonder will us existing Horizon customers be able to move to these new packages?

TheRedDevil10 · 12-08-2013 12:32pm

€45 activation fee :rolleyes:

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 12:34pm

At least we didn't have to pay that.

who_me · 12-08-2013 12:35pm

I kinda hoped they'd have improved the apps too before launch. Many of them (Joe, The Score) are only barely functional as they're missing the ability to view images/slideshows/videos, and many stories are nothing but linked images/slideshows/videos.

former legend · 12-08-2013 12:43pm

pelluci wrote: »

Anyone else notice the new bundles seem to be cheaper than what they're paying at the moment? My current bundle is "Horizon Complete 100Mb Bundle HD Anytime" which is the same as the new "Horizon Complete Bundle", except for the fact that the new bundle is 150Mb compared to my 100Mb, and it's €80 compared to my €88.50.

You sure? I'm paying €78 for my Horizon Complete bundle.

I think this is very premature, to be honest. The interace still needs tweaking...

derek4567 · 12-08-2013 12:48pm

former legend wrote: »

You sure? I'm paying €78 for my Horizon Complete bundle.

I think this is very premature, to be honest. The interace still needs tweaking...

Hell should I b getting a free phone on my horizon I have the horizon box and hd box up stairs and 100mb broadband but no house phone in my package ?

pelluci · 12-08-2013 12:55pm

former legend wrote: »

You sure? I'm paying €78 for my Horizon Complete bundle.

I think this is very premature, to be honest. The interace still needs tweaking...

My exact bundle isn't offered as one of the 3 new bundles.

This are the charges on my last bill:

derek4567 · 12-08-2013 1:03pm

pelluci wrote: »

My exact bundle isn't offered as one of the 3 new bundles.

My payment are 88.50 for hd box and horizon box 100mb the new deal is horizon box 100mb and phone for 88.50

bob11 · 12-08-2013 1:04pm

Flip Flop wrote: »

Interesting, I wonder will us existing Horizon customers be able to move to these new packages?

I presume that we will : Not sure if this means that we will get the 50 per month for 6 months offer :

from the

"Are you already with UPC?" button

Great News! Our exclusive bundles are
now available to all UPC customers

Q. I am an existing UPC customer, can I order one of the bundles?
A. Yes, existing customers who live in an enabled area can now order any of our bundle offers, for example a Broadband, Digital TV and Home Phone bundle or simply a Broadband and Home Phone bundle
Q. How will my current contract be affected?
A. Your current contract will automatically be replaced by a new 12 month contract once your new services are installed.
Q. What do I need to do to avail of these services online?
A.
Select the bundle offer you would like to order, for example the Essential bundle or the Fibre Power 50MB bundle
Place your online order and we will automatically replace your current subscription with the new bundle that you have ordered.
Any additional services that you currently have on your account (i.e. Multiroom Viewing or Sky Sports etc.) will automatically be applied to your new subscription - you do not need to include these in your new online order.
Q. I am an existing Home Phone Customer with Freetime World,If I order the The Essential bundle will my Home Phone pack change.
A. No, in this instance existing customers who currently receive our Home phone with either the Freetime World or Anytime world call packs will continue to receive these services.

paulboland · 12-08-2013 1:05pm

Can we have this thread moved to UPC as Horizon HD is now on general release from UPC its no longer a trial
Some might disagree with this and say its not ready for public release
Some UPC customers might not be aware of this thread and will find it helpful if they search UPC thread they will not see all the feedback and problems customers had and solutions to fix some of those problems

Now that the Horizon is Live
It would help if this thread was re named UPC Horizon and moved to the UPC thread
If would help to avoid multi threads with same questions and answers

icdg · 12-08-2013 2:08pm

There will be a bit of reorganisation done this evening (however we will not be moving this or any other thread in this forum to Talk to UPC). In the meantime feel free to start new threads on Horizon related topics as long as one doesn't already exist on the same subject.

mollser · 12-08-2013 2:14pm

Emm, I'm paying €83.50 a month for Horizon, Digital Max HD, 50mb broadband and Anytime World Phone.

According to the bundles, the same package with 150mb broadband is €80pm after 6 months, only €50 for first 6 months.

As a tester, I hope to god I am not precluded from signing up for this bundle offer, otherwise the rewards for being a tester do not compare well against those who sign up now...

12-08-2013 2:24pm

Does the horizon box work with a multiroom hd box in another room ( in this case a garage out the back)?

I`m tempted to go for it. what about wifi coverage compared to a normal upc modem?

cheers.

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 2:33pm

I hope we don't get that remote. It looks terrible, I prefer the one I have.

who_me · 12-08-2013 2:34pm

Hmm, my Horizon package is about €15 cheaper than pre-Horizon, the only difference being downgrading from 120Mbps to 100Mbps. Think I'll need to get out my slide-rule to calculate how much it'd be with the new bundles (incl. Sky Sports & Movies, and HD, but not Sky Sports & Movies HD. I still think it's weird they're bundled separately).

who_me · 12-08-2013 2:36pm

Mr.S wrote: »

Sorry if posted before.

Theres a new remote in this photo http://www.siliconrepublic.com/digital-life/item/33772-upc-unboxes-its-ultimate/, will the people on the trial get the new remote?

Also, do we just keep the trial boxes or will they need to be replaced with public ones? (i'm assuming they are the same though)

Odd, look at the side of that remote. Is that writing, or are those buttons?

I like the simplicity of the 'top' side, but if there aren't buttons for obvious features people are either going to be flipping the remote over and over or tap-tap-tapping through a lot of options.

Edit - actually, if I'm not mistaken that's an old picture, before the current remote. I think I remember seeing it and thinking the reverse side would work as a games controller.

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 2:40pm

who_me wrote: »

Odd, look at the side of that remote. Is that writing, or are those buttons?

I like the simplicity of the 'top' side, but if there aren't buttons for obvious features people are either going to be flipping the remote over and over or tap-tap-tapping through a lot of options.

Edit - actually, if I'm not mistaken that's an old picture, before the current remote. I think I remember seeing it and thinking the reverse side would work as a games controller.

Personally I need buttons for obvious features.

thewing · 12-08-2013 2:43pm

Anyone know how this Horizon box works with routers i.e. can it be bridged?

WoodenShoe · 12-08-2013 3:10pm

Mr.S wrote: »

Sorry if posted before.

Theres a new remote in this photo http://www.siliconrepublic.com/digital-life/item/33772-upc-unboxes-its-ultimate/, will the people on the trial get the new remote?

Also, do we just keep the trial boxes or will they need to be replaced with public ones? (i'm assuming they are the same though)

That is NOT the new remote, but the old obvious remote which was delivered in NL only on request.

former legend · 12-08-2013 3:11pm

mollser wrote: »

Emm, I'm paying €83.50 a month for Horizon, Digital Max HD, 50mb broadband and Anytime World Phone.

According to the bundles, the same package with 150mb broadband is €80pm after 6 months, only €50 for first 6 months.

As a tester, I hope to god I am not precluded from signing up for this bundle offer, otherwise the rewards for being a tester do not compare well against those who sign up now...

The €50 for 6 months deal only applies to new UPC customers. As an existing customer, you'd be excluded whether you had done the Horizon trial or not.
However, having been in the trial, you'll have dodged the €45 activation fee for the box and been given over €100 in credit during the trial.
Plus, you've been able to try the box out for a few months without having to sign up to a contract.

So all in all, those of us who did the trial have done OK out of it.

Wabbit Ears · 12-08-2013 3:22pm

thewing wrote: »

Anyone know how this Horizon box works with routers i.e. can it be bridged?

Its doesn't support bridging mode.

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 3:23pm

WoodenShoe wrote: »

That is NOT the new remote, but the old obvious remote which was delivered in NL only on request.

Good.

M.J.M.C · 12-08-2013 3:35pm

Maybe I'm going blind, but what are the 19/20 HD channels that come with Horizon?

Mikey23 · 12-08-2013 3:42pm

On the contract front, anyone know how long we stay on existing trialist packages or if we'll be moved soon?

The Horizon Essential Limited Bundle would be the nearest to our current 50mb setup for €66 a month, but the "50Mb Limitied - 10Gb download allowance" is pretty poor tbh.

mackersdublin · 12-08-2013 4:04pm

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Maybe I'm going blind, but what are the 19/20 HD channels that come with Horizon?

1. RTE Two
2. TG4
3. BBC One NI
4. BBC Two
5. Sky1
6. Sky Living
7. Sky Arts 1
8. Sky Arts 2
9. Discovery (Max pack required)
10. History
11. National Geographic
12. Nat Geo Wild
13. CI
14. Sky News
15. MGM
16. Setanta Ireland
17. British Eurosport
18. British Eurosport 2
19. Sky Sports News
20. Disney Channel (Max pack required)

I have 20 HD channels, and I don't have the Horizon box

sweetie · 12-08-2013 4:10pm

I'm on the current hd box. Will these hd channels be the default version or will I still have to go from 102 to 140 for RTE2 etc?

mackersdublin wrote: »

1. RTE Two
2. TG4
3. BBC One NI
4. BBC Two
5. Sky1
6. Sky Living
7. Sky Arts 1
8. Sky Arts 2
9. Discovery (Max pack required)
10. History
11. National Geographic
12. Nat Geo Wild
13. CI
14. Sky News
15. MGM
16. Setanta Ireland
17. British Eurosport
18. British Eurosport 2
19. Sky Sports News
20. Disney Channel

I have 20 HD channels, and I don't have the Horizon box

paulboland · 12-08-2013 4:11pm

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Maybe I'm going blind, but what are the 19/20 HD channels that come with Horizon?

Depends on which package
Select Extra has 18 HD Channels
Max Pack has 20 HD Channels

HD Channels
RTE 2
TG4
BBC 1
BBC 2
Setanta Ireland
History Channel
National Geographic
National Geo Wild
CI
EuroSport 1
EuroSport 2
MGM
SKY News
SKY Sports News
SKY 1
SKY Arts 1
SKY Arts 2
SKY Living

Max Pack has above Channels and
Discovery HD
Disney Channel

Total 20 HD Channels

Extra HD Below

Note extra HD Channels if you subscribe to Setanta Plus Pack
ESPN
BT Sport 1
BT Sport 2

IF you subscribe to the Sky Sports Pack
Sky Sports 1
Sky Sports 2

If you subscribe to SKY Movies
you have 11 Sky Movie Channels in HD

M.J.M.C · 12-08-2013 4:12pm

You're a gent

paulboland · 12-08-2013 4:19pm

Note to UPC Reps can you correct the Horizon bundles on the website
HD Channels are 18 with Select Extra
HD Channels are 20 with Max pack

Espn no longer part of Select extra or Max packs

This might cause a problem for you if not corrected

mackersdublin · 12-08-2013 4:24pm

This is a handy site http://channelwiki.x10.mx/wiki/List_of_channels_on_UPC_%28Ireland%29

Noise Annoys · 12-08-2013 5:03pm

The info on UPC's site about the new Horizon service includes a brief mention of being able to use the Guide on your iPad to change channel on your TV. It mentions needing a Horizon TV Remote App to do this, but there is nothing called that in the App Store.

Anyone know anything more about this?

paulboland · 12-08-2013 5:09pm

Noise Annoys wrote: »

The info on UPC's site about the new Horizon service includes a brief mention of being able to use the Guide on your iPad to change channel on your TV. It mentions needing a Horizon TV Remote App to do this, but there is nothing called that in the App Store.

Anyone know anything more about this?

Horizon TV is name of the app its available for iPad and iPhone
but you cant use the app as a remote yet it to change channels on the horizon well not so far
It possible its a future option not yet enabled

you can use it to view a channel on your iPad/iPhone
tell the horizon to record a program on Horizon HD Box using the app

0ph0rce0 · 12-08-2013 5:14pm

I see it says that HD is included with the Horizon Box. So if i pick the sports & movies pack without HD am i getting the HD versions on the Horizon box or am i still shelling out €54 for the HD? Instead of The €44?

Sky Movies SD doesn't seem to be on the EPG on my box, only the HD versions

Flip Flop · 12-08-2013 5:23pm

You'll still have to pay extra for Movies and Sports in HD. You'll only get the standard HD channels mentioned in previous posts.

paulboland · 12-08-2013 5:24pm

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

I see it says that HD is included with the Horizon Box. So if i pick the sports & movies pack without HD am i getting the HD versions on the Horizon box or am i still shelling out €54 for the HD? Instead of The €44?

Sky Movies SD doesn't seem to be on the EPG on my box, only the HD versions

SD Version are on my Horizon box but not I'm not subscribed
Channels 301-321 are sd versions

I don't subscribe to movies or sports with UPC I use Sky for that

I see it cost more for Sky Movies HD and Sky Sports HD packs there separate packs from what I can see

I would pm upc reps to find out your answer to your question about costs and if there changed now that HD is included with horizon
but I don't think it covers sports and movies hd packs

contact upc reps for your answer

who_me · 12-08-2013 5:41pm

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

I see it says that HD is included with the Horizon Box. So if i pick the sports & movies pack without HD am i getting the HD versions on the Horizon box or am i still shelling out €54 for the HD? Instead of The €44?

Sky Movies SD doesn't seem to be on the EPG on my box, only the HD versions

I'm not subscribed to the HD versions of Movies & Sports, but I can still see the listings. I don't recall the channel numbers, but the SD channels are before the TCM/MGM channels, with the HD Sky Movies channels after those.

bob11 · 12-08-2013 6:05pm

Noise Annoys wrote: »

The info on UPC's site about the new Horizon service includes a brief mention of being able to use the Guide on your iPad to change channel on your TV. It mentions needing a Horizon TV Remote App to do this, but there is nothing called that in the App Store.

Anyone know anything more about this?

I don't think this has launched in Ireland yet, but hopefully they will launch it soon ..

It is available in other Horizon markets, NL and swiss

http://www.upc-cablecom.ch/en/television/horizontvremote-app/
http://www.appannie.com/app/ios/horizon-tv-remote/

Eire Go Brach · 12-08-2013 10:19pm

I have just watched a YouTube video on this. I noticed a section "My home network videos"
Does this mean the horizon box can be connected to a network hardrive and play movies from it?
I have a WD my book world.

podgeandrodge · 12-08-2013 10:20pm

€45 activation fee for existing users?

that's what loyalty buys?

thewing · 12-08-2013 11:16pm

It is yeah - was all set to sign up, saw that fee and just went 'meh' ... Not short of cash but sick of being reeled in by 'Zero connection fee....oh wait but there is a €45 activation fee...'

naitsirhc · 12-08-2013 11:59pm

€45 activation fee is because you're getting a new box that'll make your TV almost like a smart TV. If you prefer to get the smart TV then you could fork our a few grand for it I guess...

naitsirhc · 13-08-2013 12:02am

You'll be on the trial package until you order one of the new bundles. You won't be automatically moved in to a new package.

SwdDub · 13-08-2013 12:02am

Since the trial thread is now closed (and was massive anyway) I'll ask here. Sorry if it's been brought up amongst the bugs before. I've been on the trial since May.

The main problem for me has been that Twonky hasn't worked a single day since I got the thing. I had UPC come out a half dozen times and change boxes etc.. but no one every actually had a clue about Twonky itself. I spent hours on the phone being told to basically switch it off and back on, uninstall and download again. It just flat out hasn't worked.

I stopped giving a monkeys as I had to deal with a serious illness in the family and ringing UPC and sorting out a poxy Horizon trial was least of my worries.

However that's, thankfully, behind me now and I'd like the thing I'm paying for to, you know, actually work! So if anyone has had a similar issue I'd be grateful for some help.

The bottom line of the issue is that nothing ever shows up in the 'My Devices' section of the Horizon box despite me having downloaded Twonky Server and Twonky Manager and opened all my files and folders to access and set my computer to file share.

Thanks in advance if you can help and apologies in advance if this has already been done to death. I just don't have time to read back through the 150 pages of the trial thread.

Cheers

thewing · 13-08-2013 7:05am

I have a smart tv...

gerbo · 13-08-2013 10:43am

I currently have the very expensive combination of Sky Tv and UPC broadband. I have been reluctant to move from sky because I find the HD box excellent. Is it finally time to move to UPC? Is the Horizon EPG on a par with Sky?

Also as asked above is the box capable of playing movies from a connected hard drive?

grimm2005 · 13-08-2013 11:09am

gerbo wrote: »

I currently have the very expensive combination of Sky Tv and UPC broadband. I have been reluctant to move from sky because I find the HD box excellent. Is it finally time to move to UPC? Is the Horizon EPG on a par with Sky?

Also as asked above is the box capable of playing movies from a connected hard drive?

A resounding "No" to your first question. The box is very buggy, and worse then the old UPC box in some ways. I'm sure others on the trial would agree. They have been releasing updates for it but I haven't seen any discernible difference. The UI is very "busy" and is far less user friendly then the old EPG, which in itself is less user friendly then Sky. The box needs a lot of work and I'm surprised UPC have decided that now is the right time to launch.

As for you're second query, you can watch movies streamed wirelessly from a connected PC. I'm unsure about a direct HDD connection but it does have a full size USB port so might be possible.

UPC Horizon Launched

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