Walker WP645TS-HD

bpmurray

I just bought one of these from Powercity after my old box was killed by a lightning strike last weeekend. I've scanned the Satellite channels, and that worked fine. However, this also has a DVB-T receiver, but I can't see how to scan for DTT without deleting the Satellite channels. Is it even possible? It was quite an expensive box, so I assumed (foolishly perhaps) that it was capable of actually handling its own twin tuners.

bpmurray

Found it! The "OPT" button switches between Sat & DTT.

STB

Oh interesting, this is the long awaited Walker Combo box.

Photos please! Back and front if you can. The Power City picture looks like its a DVB680 chassis from Vestel.

Cant you combine the channels in a favourite list ?

Is there an option to turn on 7 day epg ?

What effect does this have for satellite ? Are you getting 7 days worth of epg ?

What about red button does that work on satellite (BBC1 for example). What about MHEG5 (press the text button on both Sat and DTT).

Digital Satellite TV

STB wrote: »

Oh interesting, this is the long awaited Walker Combo box.

Photos please! Back and front if you can. The Power City picture looks like its a DVB680 chassis from Vestel.

Cant you combine the channels in a favourite list ?

Is there an option to turn on 7 day epg ?

What effect does this have for satellite ? Are you getting 7 days worth of epg ?

What about red button does that work on satellite (BBC1 for example). What about MHEG5 (press the text button on both Sat and DTT).

from what we gather, no 7 day EPG on sat. Are awaiting samples for testing, will do up the usual videos and we'll see wots wot then. Should have them today or tuesday.

Compton

its not even saorview approved is it?

zg3409

Compton wrote: »

its not even saorview approved is it?

I think it is. It does not say so on powercity's site but here it says it is:

http://electrocraft.ie/blog/?p=23

Walker Technology Products have annouced that their products have been approved by RTE involving Saorview services which is to include the new Walker High Definition combi set-top box(WP645TS HD) which has just been released to the Irish market.

I think that is what they are saying anyway!

No mention of it nor manual on Walker's site:
http://www.walker.ie/products/WP645TS-HD.html

It's not on the official Saorview site, yet anyway

The other approved combo (Trax TSC114) s about €180 so nice to see some competition. Hopefully it has some nice features.

Digital Satellite TV

+1 on the competition...

we're were assured that it is/will be saorview approved, may not just be on the official site yet. wouldn't be the first time that a new box was not listed in a timely fashion on the saorview site.

As for the nice features. We have yet to test fully but our understanding is that the TSC114 is more user friendly and functional with regards to channel list and recording but have to wait to get one in our hands to do the videos and see for sure.

zg3409

User Manual Attached. Enjoy

Digital Satellite TV

walker.jpg

STB

Digital Satellite TV wrote: »

from what we gather, no 7 day EPG on sat. Are awaiting samples for testing, will do up the usual videos and we'll see wots wot then. Should have them today or tuesday.

Do you stock the Sat only WP75 SAT-HD Dave ?

I have seen claims of 7 day epg on these (apparently a turn on option in the menu). Would be great if someone could clear that up.

It might also point towards chances of software changes on the combos despite their awful vestel look.

Digital Satellite TV

STB wrote: »

Do you stock the Sat only WP75 SAT-HD Dave ?

I have seen claims of 7 day epg on these (apparently a turn on option in the menu). Would be great if someone could clear that up.

It might also point towards chances of software changes on the combos despite their awful vestel look.

Can't answer the stocking question here, commecrial interaction and all that....

Looking forward to getting our hands on the combo though, put it through it's paces after all the speculation about the 7 day EPG on sat.

STB

Not from a commercial interaction perspective. I am interested to see if Walker linked these to the Sky open EPG data transponder (as was claimed in the Saorsat thread) and mimics the 7 day epg feel.

If you do stock them, can you have a look at one to see if it does 7 day epg on sat .

If they did it for them, then it could be easily done on the combo version assuming they are using the same software template on both, which I am sure they are.

Digital Satellite TV

STB wrote: »

Not from a commercial interaction perspective. I am interested to see if Walker linked these to the Sky open EPG data transponder (as was claimed in the Saorsat thread) and mimics the 7 day epg feel.

If you do stock them, can you have a look at one to see if it does 7 day epg on sat .

If they did it for them, then it could be easily done on the combo version assuming they are using the same software template on both, which I am sure they are.

ain't got one so... will prob get a sample alright

dubber

They really need to recruit an industrial designer.

Digital Satellite TV

dubber wrote: »

They really need to recruit an industrial designer.

you know what they say, beauty is on the inside and all that. Saw it today in the flesh for the first time and the picture ain't doing it much favours at all. It's a black chassis (top and sides) and the front is a kindo of reflective silver type deal-e-o.

Digital Satellite TV

STB wrote: »

Oh interesting, this is the long awaited Walker Combo box.

Photos please! Back and front if you can. The Power City picture looks like its a DVB680 chassis from Vestel.

Cant you combine the channels in a favourite list ?

Is there an option to turn on 7 day epg ?

What effect does this have for satellite ? Are you getting 7 days worth of epg ?

What about red button does that work on satellite (BBC1 for example). What about MHEG5 (press the text button on both Sat and DTT).

Cant you combine the channels in a favourite list? Didn't try yet

Is there an option to turn on 7 day epg ? no

What effect does this have for satellite ? Are you getting 7 days worth of epg ? no

What about red button does that work on satellite (BBC1 for example). What about MHEG5 (press the text button on both Sat and DTT). yes, works for both, zippy enough on saorview end of things, loads like a dog, but works on satellite end.

kerryman

I got one today. No 7 day guide on satellite but it has got the red button featureon BBC1. Very poor Satellite scan never picked up channel 5 on Automatic scan.

cyberhog

I rang Saorview and they told me the WP645TS HD is not an approved receiver.

Digital Satellite TV

cyberhog wrote: »

I rang Saorview and they told me the WP645TS HD is not an approved receiver.

It is not curently but after chatting with Walker, they expect if to become so in the next couple/few weeks. That's what they say anyway.

galtee boy

I thought I read on these forums some time back, that Walker were soon to release a combo box that did have 7 day epg for satellite aswell as Saorview ? that they were somehow going to "legally" copy or mirror the Freesat epg ? Was I dreaming or will such a box still appear ? This one obviously isnt it.

zg3409

galtee boy wrote: »

I thought I read on these forums some time back, that Walker were soon to release a combo box that did have 7 day epg for satellite aswell as Saorview ? that they were somehow going to "legally" copy or mirror the Freesat epg ? Was I dreaming or will such a box still appear ? This one obviously isnt it.

Powercity has been selling a Sat only Walker box that seems to use the freesat EPG but is not freesat approved. No proper review by anyone.

http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-24-WP75HD&pages=1&prod=WP75HD&brands=WALKER&image=

7 Day Program Guide

It was revealed here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76461857

It is NOT legal to use the freesat EPG. There has already been court cases on that front.

They also seem to have a newer model which seems to record:
WP95SAT-HD
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-24-WP95SAT&pages=1&prod=WP95SAT&brands=WALKER&image=

It also claims 7 day EPG. Neither of the above boxes are Saorsat approved. I don't know of anyone that has used them on Saorsat since the service launched so I don't know about the EPG on the Irish Channels.

Ciaran999 wrote: »

From last year:
Apparently a TRIAX Saorview/Saorsat approved combi STB will be on the shelves sometime in Feb. Pick your own combination of services. Similar Walker combi STB on the shelves in late Feb/March. 7 day EPG Saoview and Saorsat, now and next FTA satellite. Will have to wait and see if this Walker box will do the Freesat emulation trick.

We hoped when they launched a Combo box it would continue the trend. They seem to be legally afraid to continue the trend. The legal way around it would be to pay for their own guide to be broadcast on 28.2 or use an internet connection to do the same. This would naturally cost more. Each channel could also send 7 day information instead of now/next like some German stations do, but BBC etc. have a vested interest in promoting FreeSat

galtee boy

zg3409 wrote: »

Powercity has been selling a Sat only Walker box that seems to use the freesat EPG but is not freesat approved. No proper review by anyone.

http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-24-WP75HD&pages=1&prod=WP75HD&brands=WALKER&image=



It was revealed here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76461857

It is NOT legal to use the freesat EPG. There has already been court cases on that front.

They also seem to have a newer model which seems to record:
WP95SAT-HD
http://www.powercity.ie/?par=10-24-WP95SAT&pages=1&prod=WP95SAT&brands=WALKER&image=

It also claims 7 day EPG. Neither of the above boxes are Saorsat approved. I don't know of anyone that has used them on Saorsat since the service launched so I don't know about the EPG on the Irish Channels.



We hoped when they launched a Combo box it would continue the trend. They seem to be legally afraid to continue the trend. The legal way around it would be to pay for their own guide to be broadcast on 28.2 or use an internet connection to do the same. This would naturally cost more. Each channel could also send 7 day information instead of now/next like some German stations do, but BBC etc. have a vested interest in promoting FreeSat

Thanks for all the info, but in a nutshell, there is no combi box with 7 day epg for both satellite and saorview, nor is there likely to be ?

zg3409

galtee boy wrote: »

Thanks for all the info, but in a nutshell, there is no combi box with 7 day epg for both satellite and saorview, nor is there likely to be ?

No and no. The nearest is some other makes of boxes. The best I think is a dual Sat tuner that also takes two USB stick tuners for Saorview. With a patch it steals the Freesat EPG and gives 7 days for both with true PVR

The thread is here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056275960

It's off topic for this thread.

STB

galtee boy wrote: »

Thanks for all the info, but in a nutshell, there is no combi box with 7 day epg for both satellite and saorview, nor is there likely to be ?

Technomates.... and phantom patches. Not linux.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056328579&page=2

B bopp

Just as a matter of interest what price premium do ye think a full 7 day epg combo box could sustain over the likes of the Ferguson and other similar priced boxes..... Do you think a dual tuner is a must have....

Tony

Thats an interesting question. I'd love to know what guys think would be an acceptable price.

B bopp wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest what price premium do ye think a full 7 day epg combo box could sustain over the likes of the Ferguson and other similar priced boxes......

Johnboy1951

It really would depend on the difference in finctionality ...... for instance I have no requirement for dual tuners for SAT or Saorview, but would like a combo box that is both Saorview approved and has 7 day EPG for SAT.

byte

Funny, somebody mentioned to me the other week that the Walker combo, that was supposed to have the Sat4Free/Freesat listings was no longer, due to legal issues. I didn't hear that from Walker themselves, just somebody else I'd consider "in the know" albeit a rival.

As these boxes have LAN ports, I would assume it'd be technically possible for them to scrape EPG listings from somewhere, just like Linux boxes do. I don't think it needs much, except maybe some site to aggregate XML TV listings.

As for how much to pay, I'd imagine anything over 189/199 price point is pushing it a bit, expecially for single tuner STB's.

zg3409

In today's Irish Indo there is a leaflet insert from http://www.expert.ie

It says the WP645TS-HD is Saorview approved, or at least a photo of the same item with no model number shown. On their site it's €155 with option to collect in store.
http://www.expert.ie/Product/Walker-WP645TSHD-Combi-TerrestrialSatellite-HD-Receiver/297878/1.10

in the brochure it's €159

Digital Satellite TV

zg3409 wrote: »

In today's Irish Indo there is a leaflet insert from http://www.expert.ie

It says the WP645TS-HD is Saorview approved, or at least a photo of the same item with no model number shown. On their site it's €155 with option to collect in store.
http://www.expert.ie/Product/Walker-WP645TSHD-Combi-TerrestrialSatellite-HD-Receiver/297878/1.10

in the brochure it's €159

Is pending approval, last we heard when we spoke to walker. Not on approved list yet anyway http://www.saorview.ie/product/walker/ but that list can be slow sometimes to be updated.

Tony

byte wrote: »

Funny, somebody mentioned to me the other week that the Walker combo, that was supposed to have the Sat4Free/Freesat listings was no longer, due to legal issues.

Yes it is sold without 7 day guide for freesat but a software patch restores it in the same way as technomate have been doing for quite a while.

byte

Tony wrote: »

Yes it is sold without 7 day guide for freesat but a software patch restores it in the same way as technomate have been doing for quite a while.

Yeah, I was told about there being a patch available for the new Walker combi, though I haven't got my hands on it yet.

I'm told it's not yet available.

Tony

byte wrote: »

I'm told it's not yet available.

Whoever told you that is misinformed I'm afraid as it has been seen working.

dubber

Tony wrote: »

Whoever told you that is misinformed I'm afraid as it has been seen working.

Hi Tony ... this is a working patch for the saorview approved combi?

Digital Satellite TV

dubber wrote: »

Hi Tony ... this is a working patch for the saorview approved combi?

It's for the WP645TS-HD which is in the approval process currently. Be interesting to see how it pans out from the point of view that if some '3rd party' or 'unofficial' firmware is released, will the warranty be voided instantly by not using only official firmware releases from Walker?

If history has taught us anything, it's that manufacturers of pretty much all boxes will just throw you back a box that was returned to them if they find any other version of software on it other than their own 'official' releases. Only time will tell I suppose.

Tony

dubber wrote: »

Hi Tony ... this is a working patch for the saorview approved combi?

Hi, yes thats correct.

STB

All made by Vestel and rebadged.

OPTEX ORS 9910 released for Czech Republic TV Service "Skylink"


Walker WP95SAT-HD


Walker WP645TS-HD Combi


All use the same Broadcom CPU (BCM7325) 32MB FLASH and 256MB DDRRAM. This is the same MIPS processor used in the VU+Solo and Gigablue 800.

STB

Tony wrote: »

Whoever told you that is misinformed I'm afraid as it has been seen working.

Certainly has the memory capacity to store the information without having to dump the epg data to USB storage device.

I presume it requires manual interaction of going to the 11.777 transponder and waiting 5 minutes to load the epg to the box.

Have you seen this working on the Combi version ? Get the firmware dump!

mack daddy

were would one obtain this patch, tony?

mack daddy

any further updates on this, Tony would you have an idea on how to obtain a 7 day epg patch?

Tony

mack daddy wrote: »

any further updates on this, Tony would you have an idea on how to obtain a 7 day epg patch?

I'll have to get permission from the source to put this file up on a share site but I will post here as soon as I get the Ok .

mack daddy

thanks a million tony, if you could that would be great, also if you could stick up an idiots guide on how to install it to the box that would be excellent, thanks for the cable ans quad lnb i bought from you a few weeks ago, the bedroom install went well!

Tony

Thanks for the kind words but I'm afraid will not be able to put up a "how to guide" as I don't currently have the box or sell it on my site.

mack daddy wrote: »

thanks a million tony, if you could that would be great, also if you could stick up an idiots guide on how to install it to the box that would be excellent, thanks for the cable ans quad lnb i bought from you a few weeks ago, the bedroom install went well!

mack daddy

grand so im sure ill work it out, try your best to get the patch up, thanks!

Digital Satellite TV

Just a wee update. Walker inform us that the Walker combo has officially received saorview approval. Don't see it on the saorview website yet but they are not always the quickest to update the site. Should be on it soon I'd imagine

noisenotmusic

If this box really can get the 7 day EPG working for the freesat side of things then it'll become one the best option for a combo box around. I might wait a week or two to see if the patch pans out but this is right at the top of my shopping list.

byte

It seems OK, the only issue I have with it, is the fact DTT and DSat channels can't be mixed. It has to be either/or, using the OPT button to choose.

Tony

I've been told there is a bug which needs to be fixed before they wish the patch to be posted up here. Its to do with the BBC HD (s2) transponders not populating the sat free channel list . I'll post again when they give the ok .

As a work around for anyone that has this problem you do a blind scan on the satellite mode and apaprently it then populates the satfree list.

mack daddy wrote: »

grand so im sure ill work it out, try your best to get the patch up, thanks!

mack daddy

thanks a mill tony, stick it up when ever the bug is fixed, again thanks

Simply TV

Hi Guys, Here is the latest firmware for the Walker combo Box with an organised channel list on it, The terrestrial channels will need to be scanned with an automatic scan for your local transmitter. PM me if you have any issues
http://www.mediafire.com/?v04f5no75fyok8m

here is instructions on how to upload the file. depending on your current firmware versions there are different methods
a word document here
a PDF document Here

Again PM if you have any issues

retroronnie

Hi Guys,
Just a quick question from a 65 yr old about this Walker box . Hope not to far of topic.

First I love the box and the freedom it brings and the free stuff.
I have upgraded the firmware, installed an attic ariel and now have all the Saorview stuff along with Sat stuff.

Bought an external hard drive reformatted it and now have all the TV stop, pause record features.

In relation to the media player though, finding and playing jpegs and mp3s ok BUT having difficulties with my AVi files....Not reading or playing all of them, only a test but so far have only been able to play 3 out of 4! not a good ratio, making me reluctant to transfer more onto the ext hard drive.

Now to be fair they are not from strictly kosher sites but they play fine on my own computer, which I find strange.
Which player does the Walker Combo Media software use to play Avi's?
Or is there something else I can do to get them to play?
TIA

Aye treasure yourself
Ronnie