Saorview Connect

Tigerandahalf

I got the remotes working. You have to have the Connect box plugged out for a full minute.

I have to say the humax remote is inferior to the Connect one.

The Connect remote (once paired to the tv) allows you to control tv volume, power on/off of tv and select the input source with one button press.

However on the Humax remote you have to toggle between the tv and stb buttons to access the tv or set top box functions. Plus there is no way to select input source. It is a pain.

Edit: just to add, I changed the remote code to 3 for the humax box.

BowWow

corm500 wrote: »

Finally bit the bullet and got a Saorview connect. I have set it up and had two questions. Is the epg in 720 only? And how do I stop the Saorview remote controlling the Humax box and vice versa?

I have a Humax Foxsat HDR and the Humax Fox T2 HDR. Both remotes shared the same code/conflict.
This thread was a great help to me in reprogramming one of the remotes -

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056119109

Tigerandahalf

I have gone back to the old system I had with the Connect remote controlling both boxes.
Even when recording is added, I will still be able to use the same system as the Connect box needs a hard drive to be added.

Just to add pressing 0 and the OK button on the Connect remote doesn't allow you to change the remote code.

decor58

Tigerandahalf wrote:

However on the Humax remote you have to toggle between the tv and stb buttons to access the tv or set top box functions. Plus there is no way to select input source. It is a pain.

In the TV mode, pause button is source on my humax remote, (Sony TV, humax 1100).

Tigerandahalf

decor58 wrote: »

In the TV mode, pause button is source on my humax remote, (Sony TV, humax 1100).

Doesn't work on my humax 1100s with LG tv.

I guess a harmony remote could be a possibility but you would still need the tv remote for the smart apps like netflix, etc.

maximus02

The Saorview website has given some news on the software upgrade on the Connect box.

The stated release date is November 5th although as they also state it could be earlier or 'LATER'.

We'll see.

https://www.saorview.ie/en/news

STB.

keribillen wrote: »

This is a forum of people with strong ideas for how the box 'should' be, and many were disgruntled about the Saorview Connect platform before the current project between EKT, Shomar, Freesat and RTE even started. Explaining how the various partners work (very friendly and co-operatively, by the way), and what has happened since the project started will be no consolation to those who are disgruntled about anything. I'm very happy to have a constructive discussion with anyone via email (see my earlier post with my email address) and have already started doing so. About the 7-day EPG over DVB-S I realise many are unhappy about its absence but again this is fundamentally a commercial matter. The satellite transmissions support Now/Next only as I am sure you all know (happy to be corrected on this or any point). I'm looking into ways to get such a guide on the box but no promises.

I do not know where you got the impression that people where disgruntled with "Saorview Connect" as it did not exist until an unfinished box was released on the market. Do not believe all that you are told.

First and foremost this forum is full of Irish TV licence payers so its no wonder they would like something that covers the basic requirements of FTA viewing and or recording. We have had years of the same old rebadged boxes solely coming out of Vestel and many have resorted to using non approved hardware to get around the basics such as 7 day epg for all dvb sources in one clear concise menu.

Secondly, as well as box enthusiasts, there are also retailers on the forum who have sold these Saorview Connect boxes in good faith and are now dealing with disgruntled end users. The disgruntled end users certainly don't care about EKT or Freesat or Metaphor. They just want a fully functioning box for which they have paid not an insignificant amount of money.

Unlike the UK we do not have everything on the one DVB platform for FTA viewing, largely down to many years of government inaction and dragging of heels. For this reason, combo boxes mixing dvb source have been popular for the last 10 years.

Regarding your question about EPG grabbers and scrapers, there is plenty of opensource python scripts and packages on github that already do this.

The one used on linux boxes is actually called "crossepg" and its source is free to view etc on https://github.com/E2OpenPlugins/e2openplugin-CrossEPG

You do not need to use an online dedicated XML source as the IEPG data is already centrally broadcast unencrypted on a DVB-S transponder on 28.2E (11788 V s/r 27500 ) and can be parsed etc to an epg.dat file on the boxes memory (if big enough) or a connected usb stick.

Johnboy1951

All well and good, but are the developers of the Saorview Connect box prepared to use something that is released under the GPL/LGPL?

If they were they could have produced the box from scratch using such software ... and released it, fully functional, quite some time ago!

STB. wrote:

Regarding your question about EPG grabbers and scrapers, there is plenty of opensource python scripts and packages on github that already do this.

The one used on linux boxes is actually called "crossepg" and its source is free to view etc on https://github.com/E2OpenPlugins/e2openplugin-CrossEPG

You do not need to use an online dedicated XML source as the IEPG data is already centrally broadcast unencrypted on a DVB-S transponder on 28.2E (11788 V s/r 27500 ) and can be parsed etc to an epg.dat file on the boxes memory (if big enough) or a connected usb stick.

corm500

Recieved an email from Saorview today which states the following



Next month we will be making available a software update for Saorview Connect which will enable you to record programmes. Following the software update, you can use your Saorview Connect box to record to an external hard drive, and to pause, fast forward and rewind live TV. It will be possible to record one programme while watching another. Recording will be possible on both Saorview channels and if you access them, the free to air satellite channels (if you have connected your box to a satellite dish).


Next month we will be making available a software update for Saorview Connect which will enable you to record programmes. Following the software update, you can use your Saorview Connect box to record to an external hard drive, and to pause, fast forward and rewind live TV. It will be possible to record one programme while watching another. Recording will be possible on both Saorview channels and if you access them, the free to air satellite channels (if you have connected your box to a satellite dish).




The software update for recordings (for the Powerpoint DXD7025 Saorview Connect box) was originally planned for mid-2018, but unfortunately this had to be postponed a few months for operational reasons. We apologise for this delay, but are pleased to announce that the planned release date is 5th November. The actual date could be a little earlier or later, depending on what issues are found in the public beta testing (see below), and we will update nearer the time. We appreciate that the delay has been frustrating for some customers, but we do not want to deliver a substandard experience by cutting corners at this stage.

Before this upgrade is published to all Saorview Connect boxes, we will undertake some final beta* testing with a small group of users. This is in order to identify any bugs remaining, and to evaluate customer feedback for future upgrades.

If you wish to participate in this public test, please email beta@saorview.ie in the first instance with your contact details. We will select a number of respondents to participate in the beta test group and follow up with details of how to participate if you are selected.


It also includes a screen grab of the recordings interface which shows Saorview and Satellite recordings appearing together on the same page. Which is a plus

STB.

Go for it Corm. Be that beta tester.

Then you can tell us what it can and cannot do and we can finally get an end to the tuners debate. Dont read too much into the recordings being all in the one place.

thatwilldopig

I applied to be a beta tester but heard nothing back....

Tigerandahalf

Recording will be possible on both Saorview channels

The above would seem to indicate that the 2 tuners are satellite or terrestrial capable.

thatwilldopig

Can you record Satellite and watch Saorview and vice versa.

With the current version when you set a reminder on a Saorview channel it doesn't alert you if you are watching a satellite channel. No option to set a reminder on a satellite channel. Not much point with only now/next but still...

corm500

STB. wrote: »

Go for it Corm. Be that beta tester.

Then you can tell us what it can and cannot do and we can finally get an end to the tuners debate. Dont read too much into the recordings being all in the one place.

Haha yes I have applied. Heard nothing so far.

Tigerandahalf

The recordings on satellite will have the problem of not having the 7 day epg guide. So if you go into your planned recordings, you won't see

Springwatch BBC One 7 - 8pm

You will simply see
Tuesday BBC One 7 - 8pm

So unless you have a super memory you won't know what the recording is unless you go away and check a tv guide.

That is a major problem for family use.

The recorded programme does show the programme name so at least that is clear.

maximus02

Is it safe to assume that these boxes will include Series Link in the new upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

Tigerandahalf

maximus02 wrote: »

Is it safe to assume that these boxes will include Series Link in the new upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

On the saorview side it will, plus you will be able to remote record via the app on your phone.

On the satellite side the series link will have to be done through timer record.

There has been talk of a further update down the line to include a full 7 day epg with series link on satellite but it is not part of the tender so I wouldn't hold out much hope for it for now.

BowWow

Do you have to already have a Saorview Connect Box, or would one be supplied to a selected Beta tester?

Ten Pin

...and to pause, fast forward and rewind live TV

RTE have invented a time travel machine

mackersdublin

Also you can't rewind live TV, unless the hard drive is built into the box

STB.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Recording will be possible on both Saorview channels

The above would seem to indicate that the 2 tuners are satellite or terrestrial capable.

Does it ?

It says "Recording will be possible on both Saorview channels and if you access them, the free to air satellite channels (if you have connected your box to a satellite dish)"

That could be a number of things. 2 Saorview and 1 Sat most likely which would rule out recording on Sat and watching another on Sat unless on the same transponder.

Surely they have more than a month of beta testing done at this stage ? With 20 odd days to a firmware release I'd hope so. Tony spill.

Ten Pin wrote: »

RTE have invented a time travel machine

Sure no wonder this box was picking up awards.

mackersdublin

The box would need 2 Sat inputs for watching one while recording another Sat channel

fman

Ten Pin wrote: »

RTE have invented a time travel machine

Only way they would be able to deliver most of the promises on time.

Tigerandahalf

mackersdublin wrote: »

The box would need 2 Sat inputs for watching one while recording another Sat channel

It does have 2 satellite inputs.
Didn't kerri billen say the 2nd sat input would be available with the update.

STB.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

It does have 2 satellite inputs.
Didn't kerri billen say the 2nd sat input would be available with the update.

3 inputs, so you reckon that the dvb-t tuner module is a dual dvb-t tuner. Yes that is possible. Of course the recording will be the proof as I havent seen the box with the lid off.

Johnboy1951

So it should be possible to record four different channels at the same time ...... 2 sat and 2 terrestrial.

It might even be possible to watch a fifth channel on screen ......

STB.

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

It does have 2 satellite inputs.
Didn't kerri billen say the 2nd sat input would be available with the update.

YOU should have been on the beta test.

patsryan

STB. wrote: »

YOU should have been on the beta test.

I applied for the beta test but never heard anything back either

Tigerandahalf

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

So it should be possible to record four different channels at the same time ...... 2 sat and 2 terrestrial.

It might even be possible to watch a fifth channel on screen ......

Possible that channels on the same mux could be recorded at the same time, as virgin 1, rte 2 and tg4 are on the same mux (If I have that right, I know rte 1 and 2 are on different muxes).

For satellite as you say it could be possible to record 2 satellite channels if they are being tuned from the same transponder and watch another sat channel on the other tuner.

Wait and see really.

I have only 1 sat cable in my sitting room so maybe I am not the best candidate to test the box. They might find it hard to get people with 2 sat feeds.

Johnboy1951

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Possible that channels on the same mux could be recorded at the same time, as virgin 1, rte 2 and tg4 are on the same mux (If I have that right, I know rte 1 and 2 are on different muxes).

For satellite as you say it could be possible to record 2 satellite channels if they are being tuned from the same transponder and watch another sat channel on the other tuner.

Wait and see really.

I have only 1 sat cable in my sitting room so maybe I am not the best candidate to test the box. They might find it hard to get people with 2 sat feeds.

I am now a little confused, sorry.

Are there two double tuners in this box .... dual DVB-T and dual DVB-S?

If so then both DVB-T muxes can be accessible at the one time, as well as two DVB-S transponders with maybe 20 channels.