Who's happy with horizon.

robertxxx

So I cancelled sky two weeks ago with the intention of getting upc with the horizon box, but I'm totally amazed about all the negative feedback its getting on here and am now thinking of keeping my sky.

So lets hear if for the happy people!

dubrov

It seems users are having different experiences with Horizon.

For me the picture quality is superb but the big let down is that it is very slow to browse channels.
It takes almost a second to browse the EPG from channel to channel. This is a pretty important aspect of TV browsing so may be a dealbreaker for you.

It seems like it could be easily fixed with a firmware update but given beta testing started in the middle of last year, I wouldn't hold my breath for a fix soon.

Unlike other posters, I haven't experienced any Wifi signal decrease compared with my previous Technicolour router.

so if they fix the channel browsing performance, I would consider Horizon well ahead of the other options. For the moment, however, I am indifferent as to whether the upgrade was worth it.

paulboland

I have no Broadband problems with Horizon
Wi-Fi in my Home is ok as I use Horizon and a Second Wireless Router as a access point for extra coverage
But lately Second Wireless Router its not been needed as much compared to a few months previous as Wi-Fi performance from Horizon recently has had no problems for me except I use my Second Wireless Router for connecting Sky On Demand Connector and sometimes the iPhones for streaming video

Desktop PC Wired Speed is constant 123Mb
Laptops/PC's get Wireless speeds 60Mb to 80Mb


iPhone 5s Wireless N 2.4Ghz I get 40Mb to 45Mb that's the limit of the iPhone 5s not Horizon itself
If you have your own Wireless Router that has 5Ghz Mode iPhone 5s will get better speeds
If you have the older iPhone 4 max speed wireless is 20Mb to 25Mb again its a limit of the iPhone 4 not horizon itself

Make sure your using only wireless Channel 1 or 6 or 11
Channel 11 usually is the best
Security WPA2 is Best also
Keep your SSID Name short and not to long and also don't have your password to long (8-12 characters is best with mixed letters numbers and symbols and will be very secure)

Download Software Netgear Genie or inSSIDer 3 to check local Wi-Fi Channels in Use and when you Get Reduced Wi-Fi Performance change the Wi-Fi Channel to 1 or 6 or 11 to get better performance
If lot of local Wi-Fi on the same Wi-Fi Channel this will affect your Speeds and performance you usually notice this in the evenings and weekends

If you have 120MB or 200Mb enable 20/40 Channel Width on the Horizon Router or keep it at only Channel Width 20 if your Wireless Adaptor is only N150
Most Wireless USB Dongle and built in Laptop Wireless are only N150
You need N300 Wireless Adaptor for best performance with Horizon



I have a lot of devices connected Wired and Wireless in my Home
My bedroom connected to Horizon Direct using a Gigabyte Switch
Horizon
Panasonic Plasma TV (Wired)
Sky HD (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Panasonic (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Toshiba Region A (Wired)
PlayStation 3 (Wired)
PC Desktop (Wired)

(Wireless)
Sky HD (Cinema Room)
Laptops * 2
iPhone 4s
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPad
Wireless Printer

The Horizon for TV picture Quality on my Plasma is very good
Twonky works fine with my Horizon and separately with my Plasma TV
You don't need to stream videos to Horizon as Twonky will stream to any Dlna Device
Twonky Beam from iPhone works great to my TV and Horizon is not even needed for that

Yes there are Problems with Horizon for TV use
Poor Epg
Series Link problems
Deleting items in Library
Lack of 2 week planner in EPG and ability to choose what day you want to record a programme easily
Browsing Channels needs lot of improvement
On Demand compared to Sky very inferior


For TV use Sky HD+ is better than Horizon I wont deny that



Broadband I have no problems with Wi-Fi or Wired use

The Location of your Horizon Box and rest of the House is what will determine its best performance for Wi-Fi
You need to have correct Wi-Fi Adaptor Wireless N in use with your PC or Laptop
Best if all Wireless devices in use are Wireless N only and best if Wireless Adaptor is N300

Some Phones in use in some homes are only Wireless G this will affect wireless N speeds
Some Wireless Printers in some homes are only Wireless G
PlayStation 3 is Wireless G

PlayStation 3 its best when connected by direct wired connection using Cat5e Cable or Cat6 Cable
Xbox also best if connected by Wired Connection instead of Wireless

If you have any Wireless G devices in use you will have poor Wi-Fi performance as all Wireless N devices will be limited to Wireless G speed
Avoid this by not using Wireless G devices
Note (Wireless G 54Mb Real Speed = 15Mb to 20Mb average speed to Max 25Mb )

This is not caused by the Horizon itself its caused by the limitation of using mixed wireless b/g/n devices and effects all Wireless N 2.4Ghz Routers

You need to have a dual Router 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz that broadcasts separate Wi-Fi on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz same time to avoid this problem if you have to use Wireless G equipped devices
You can use your own Dual Wireless Router that's 2.4Ghz/5Ghz if you want it wont be in bridged mode but will work

You can avoid this problem by only using Wireless N equipped PC'S/Laptops and other Wireless N Devices only with Horizon and not need to have to purchase a separate second wireless router




You need to have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller on your PC or Laptop for Wired speed above 80Mb
If you have Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb you need to have Gigabyte Ethernet controller in use 10/100/1000

If your PC or Laptop only has 10/100 Fast Ethernet controller the max wired speed you will get is 80Mb or less

Make sure All PC's or Laptops have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller 10/100/1000 if you have UPC Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb
Also make sure your using a Cat5e or Cat6 Cable for wired connection

pippip

Poll needs another option - I dont like it but better than previous upc setup

I had the HD box before and it was awful, TV guide menu never came up and constantly stuttering if recording HD.

Anyway, the Horizon box does have many problems, some so simple like why why why put "delete everything" in a normal menu thats everywhere.

robertxxx

paulboland wrote: »

I have no Broadband problems with Horizon
Wi-Fi in my Home is ok as I use Horizon and a Second Wireless Router as a access point for extra coverage
But lately Second Wireless Router its not been needed as much compared to a few months previous as Wi-Fi performance from Horizon recently has had no problems for me except I use my Second Wireless Router for connecting Sky On Demand Connector and sometimes the iPhones for streaming video

Desktop PC Wired Speed is constant 123Mb
Laptops/PC's get Wireless speeds 60Mb to 80Mb


iPhone 5s Wireless N 2.4Ghz I get 40Mb to 45Mb that's the limit of the iPhone 5s not Horizon itself
If you have your own Wireless Router that has 5Ghz Mode iPhone 5s will get better speeds
If you have the older iPhone 4 max speed wireless is 20Mb to 25Mb again its a limit of the iPhone 4 not horizon itself

Make sure your using only wireless Channel 1 or 6 or 11
Channel 11 usually is the best
Security WPA2 is Best also
Keep your SSID Name short and not to long and also don't have your password to long (8-12 characters is best with mixed letters numbers and symbols and will be very secure)

Download Software Netgear Genie or inSSIDer 3 to check local Wi-Fi Channels in Use and when you Get Reduced Wi-Fi Performance change the Wi-Fi Channel to 1 or 6 or 11 to get better performance
If lot of local Wi-Fi on the same Wi-Fi Channel this will affect your Speeds and performance you usually notice this in the evenings and weekends

If you have 120MB or 200Mb enable 20/40 Channel Width on the Horizon Router or keep it at only Channel Width 20 if your Wireless Adaptor is only N150
Most Wireless USB Dongle and built in Laptop Wireless are only N150
You need N300 Wireless Adaptor for best performance with Horizon



I have a lot of devices connected Wired and Wireless in my Home
My bedroom connected to Horizon Direct using a Gigabyte Switch
Horizon
Panasonic Plasma TV (Wired)
Sky HD (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Panasonic (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Toshiba Region A (Wired)
PlayStation 3 (Wired)
PC Desktop (Wired)

(Wireless)
Sky HD (Cinema Room)
Laptops * 2
iPhone 4s
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPad
Wireless Printer

The Horizon for TV picture Quality on my Plasma is very good
Twonky works fine with my Horizon and separately with my Plasma TV
You don't need to stream videos to Horizon as Twonky will stream to any Dlna Device
Twonky Beam from iPhone works great to my TV and Horizon is not even needed for that

Yes there are Problems with Horizon for TV use
Poor Epg
Series Link problems
Deleting items in Library
Lack of 2 week planner in EPG and ability to choose what day you want to record a programme easily
Browsing Channels needs lot of improvement
On Demand compared to Sky very inferior


For TV use Sky HD+ is better than Horizon I wont deny that



Broadband I have no problems with Wi-Fi or Wired use

The Location of your Horizon Box and rest of the House is what will determine its best performance for Wi-Fi
You need to have correct Wi-Fi Adaptor Wireless N in use with your PC or Laptop
Best if all Wireless devices in use are Wireless N only and best if Wireless Adaptor is N300

Some Phones in use in some homes are only Wireless G this will affect wireless N speeds
Some Wireless Printers in some homes are only Wireless G
PlayStation 3 is Wireless G

PlayStation 3 its best when connected by direct wired connection using Cat5e Cable or Cat6 Cable
Xbox also best if connected by Wired Connection instead of Wireless

If you have any Wireless G devices in use you will have poor Wi-Fi performance as all Wireless N devices will be limited to Wireless G speed
Avoid this by not using Wireless G devices
Note (Wireless G 54Mb Real Speed = 15Mb to 20Mb average speed to Max 25Mb )

This is not caused by the Horizon itself its caused by the limitation of using mixed wireless b/g/n devices and effects all Wireless N 2.4Ghz Routers

You need to have a dual Router 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz that broadcasts separate Wi-Fi on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz same time to avoid this problem if you have to use Wireless G equipped devices
You can use your own Dual Wireless Router that's 2.4Ghz/5Ghz if you want it wont be in bridged mode but will work

You can avoid this problem by only using Wireless N equipped PC'S/Laptops and other Wireless N Devices only with Horizon and not need to have to purchase a separate second wireless router




You need to have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller on your PC or Laptop for Wired speed above 80Mb
If you have Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb you need to have Gigabyte Ethernet controller in use 10/100/1000

If your PC or Laptop only has 10/100 Fast Ethernet controller the max wired speed you will get is 80Mb or less

Make sure All PC's or Laptops have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller 10/100/1000 if you have UPC Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb
Also make sure your using a Cat5e or Cat6 Cable for wired connection

I have a asus dual band router, can I use this with the horizon box?

paulboland

robertxxx wrote: »

I have a asus dual band router, can I use this with the horizon box?

Yes you can connect Your Asus Dual Band Router to Horizon
But note the different options

Option 1
Yes you can if you want have the Asus Dual Band Router as a separate Network from Horizon
You would have 2 separate wired and wireless networks
Horizon Network
Asus Network
Bridge Mode not possible with Horizon but you still can connect a different router to horizon

Option 2
If you want Asus Router on the same network of connected devices to horizon you can set up the Asus Router as a Wireless Access Point if you change the Asus dual band router to Wireless Access Mode it then becomes an extended network with all devices connected to same Horizon network
Note this would involve a few changes to the Asus Router to have it be on the same network as Horizon

By using either method you would have a option to extend your wireless network in your home and use the Asus 5Ghz Mode as a separate network

naasrd

Just have wifi issues with an iMac and Macbook air, it drops but still shows up as connected. But no issues on 2 iPads and 4 iPhones.

former legend

robertxxx wrote: »

So I cancelled sky two weeks ago with the intention of getting upc with the horizon box, but I'm totally amazed about all the negative feedback its getting on here and am now thinking of keeping my sky.

So lets hear if for the happy people!

People are far more likely to come on the net to complain rather than to express satisfaction, I think that's a fairly universal truth.

Horizon is a good piece of kit, there are a few software issues that let it down somewhat (the inability to delete a series with a single click is my bugbear) but picture and sound quality are excellent, internet is fast and wi-fi is grand if you have it set up properly.

The interface (on-screen menus) is not as slick as the Sky box and the on-demand content is much worse.

I've had it about 9 months now and overall very happy with it.

robertxxx

The interface is dreadful, really really dreadful.
I just got the box today and am dreading the wife's response when she finds it so difficult to browse channels never mind it's backwards its so slow.

Can I give this back?

steveone

paulboland wrote: »

I have no Broadband problems with Horizon
Wi-Fi in my Home is ok as I use Horizon and a Second Wireless Router as a access point for extra coverage
But lately Second Wireless Router its not been needed as much compared to a few months previous as Wi-Fi performance from Horizon recently has had no problems for me except I use my Second Wireless Router for connecting Sky On Demand Connector and sometimes the iPhones for streaming video

Desktop PC Wired Speed is constant 123Mb
Laptops/PC's get Wireless speeds 60Mb to 80Mb


iPhone 5s Wireless N 2.4Ghz I get 40Mb to 45Mb that's the limit of the iPhone 5s not Horizon itself
If you have your own Wireless Router that has 5Ghz Mode iPhone 5s will get better speeds
If you have the older iPhone 4 max speed wireless is 20Mb to 25Mb again its a limit of the iPhone 4 not horizon itse

Make sure your using only wireless Channel 1 or 6 or 11
Channel 11 usually is the best
Security WPA2 is Best also
Keep your SSID Name short and not to long and also don't have your password to long (8-12 characters is best with mixed letters numbers and symbols and will be very secure)

Download Software Netgear Genie or inSSIDer 3 to check local Wi-Fi Channels in Use and when you Get Reduced Wi-Fi Performance change the Wi-Fi Channel to 1 or 6 or 11 to get better performance
If lot of local Wi-Fi on the same Wi-Fi Channel this will affect your Speeds and performance you usually notice this in the evenings and weekends

If you have 120MB or 200Mb enable 20/40 Channel Width on the Horizon Router or keep it at only Channel Width 20 if your Wireless Adaptor is only N150
Most Wireless USB Dongle and built in Laptop Wireless are only N150
You need N300 Wireless Adaptor for best performance with Horizon



I have a lot of devices connected Wired and Wireless in my Home
My bedroom connected to Horizon Direct using a Gigabyte Switch
Horizon
Panasonic Plasma TV (Wired)
Sky HD (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Panasonic (Wired)
Blu-Ray Player Toshiba Region A (Wired)
PlayStation 3 (Wired)
PC Desktop (Wired)

(Wireless)
Sky HD (Cinema Room)
Laptops * 2
iPhone 4s
iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPad
Wireless Printer

The Horizon for TV picture Quality on my Plasma is very good
Twonky works fine with my Horizon and separately with my Plasma TV
You don't need to stream videos to Horizon as Twonky will stream to any Dlna Device
Twonky Beam from iPhone works great to my TV and Horizon is not even needed for that

Yes there are Problems with Horizon for TV use
Poor Epg
Series Link problems
Deleting items in Library
Lack of 2 week planner in EPG and ability to choose what day you want to record a programme easily
Browsing Channels needs lot of improvement
On Demand compared to Sky very inferior


For TV use Sky HD+ is better than Horizon I wont deny that



Broadband I have no problems with Wi-Fi or Wired use

The Location of your Horizon Box and rest of the House is what will determine its best performance for Wi-Fi
You need to have correct Wi-Fi Adaptor Wireless N in use with your PC or Laptop
Best if all Wireless devices in use are Wireless N only and best if Wireless Adaptor is N300

Some Phones in use in some homes are only Wireless G this will affect wireless N speeds
Some Wireless Printers in some homes are only Wireless G
PlayStation 3 is Wireless G

PlayStation 3 its best when connected by direct wired connection using Cat5e Cable or Cat6 Cable
Xbox also best if connected by Wired Connection instead of Wireless

If you have any Wireless G devices in use you will have poor Wi-Fi performance as all Wireless N devices will be limited to Wireless G speed
Avoid this by not using Wireless G devices
Note (Wireless G 54Mb Real Speed = 15Mb to 20Mb average speed to Max 25Mb )

This is not caused by the Horizon itself its caused by the limitation of using mixed wireless b/g/n devices and effects all Wireless N 2.4Ghz Routers

You need to have a dual Router 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz that broadcasts separate Wi-Fi on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz same time to avoid this problem if you have to use Wireless G equipped devices
You can use your own Dual Wireless Router that's 2.4Ghz/5Ghz if you want it wont be in bridged mode but will work

You can avoid this problem by only using Wireless N equipped PC'S/Laptops and other Wireless N Devices only with Horizon and not need to have to purchase a separate second wireless router




You need to have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller on your PC or Laptop for Wired speed above 80Mb
If you have Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb you need to have Gigabyte Ethernet controller in use 10/100/1000

If your PC or Laptop only has 10/100 Fast Ethernet controller the max wired speed you will get is 80Mb or less

Make sure All PC's or Laptops have a Gigabyte Ethernet controller 10/100/1000 if you have UPC Broadband 100Mb/120Mb/200Mb
Also make sure your using a Cat5e or Cat6 Cable for wired connection

Great info there thanks.
I ran speedtest on the phone and barely hit 20mbps on chan 1. Switched to chanel 11 and got 34. How do i enable 20/40 as i have- am paying for 200mb

paulboland

steveone wrote: »

Great info there thanks.
I ran speedtest on the phone and barely hit 20mbps on chan 1. Switched to chanel 11 and got 34. How do i enable 20/40 as i have- am paying for 200mb

Using a Web Browser

http://192.168.192.1/

Username
admin

Password
admin


Wireless
Radio

Basic settings of 2.4GHz access point
Bandwidth 20Mhz /40Mhz

Click Save

Then Click Admin Lock to log out

Broadband, grand.
You don't get the speed on a wireless tablet etc.
But plug in a laptop by wires etc. Yea u will get it.

I've have uoc broadband for years though, it genuinely is the best.

But the TV is terrible!
I switched from sky to get the horizon package,
The interface is terrible.
The box sets/on demand is brutal!!!
In fact the boxsets are getting worse, they seem to be deleting ones they have, there's hardly anything there now. Glad I have Netflix!

steveone

Did the switch and ran speed test. Getting 48mbps downlod speed on an acer tablet and 27 on an xperia phone. Ref original post I think horizon is good but could be excellent

maximoose

The wifi signal from the box is brutal, had to get it decoupled as it wouldn't reach outside the sitting room.

The TV interface is a laggy, poorly designed mess and the recording features suck.

Despise the Horizon box - but I'm with UPC primarily for the broadband and once I got that on a separate router the service was back to a good level.

pippip

The wifi off the horizon box I find the exact same as the previous upc model I had. Same reach to 80% of the house.

Still not as good as my old TP Link router. Just got an extender from Argos at the weekend and it is great, can reach the end of the garden now.

paulboland

The Location of your Horizon Box will decide your signal level in your home

Mine is Upstairs and I get good Wi-Fi Signal in my Home

Don't have the Horizon Box anywhere near your Kitchen
If your Living Room is near your Kitchen you might have signal problems
Due to Fridges and Microwave Ovens

steveone

paulboland wrote: »

The Location of your Horizon Box will decide your signal level in your home

Mine is Upstairs and I get good Wi-Fi Signal in my Home

Don't have the Horizon Box anywhere near your Kitchen
If your Living Room is near your Kitchen you might have signal problems
Due to Fridges and Microwave Ovens

A little information is dangerous indeed. I downloaded WiFi analyser and it says my WiFi signal fluctuates btwn- 56 and -60 dBm. That's upstairs, beside the machine it reads -35dBm. Other networks around me are registering higher values. Is the lower value the stronger?