Amiko Alien A3 opinion please

mass_debater

Hootanany wrote: »

Hi playing with it now what satellites should I scan for ?

What satellites is your dish pointing at? The Sky UK/Freesat satellite is 28.2e

Hootanany

Not to sure I'm in Stoneybatter if that helps. Can't see astra eurbird on the list.

Nowso

astra 2 28.2

Hootanany

Thanks for that

Hootanany

Anyone got a Chanel list I can download many thanks in advance.

Hootanany

Bump

Nowso

Hootanany wrote: »

Bump

http://www.lavatronicsdownloadcentre.com/freedownloads/index.php?dir=Amiko/Amiko%20A3/Spark2%20Lavatronics%2028.2E%20Channel%20List/

Irreverent

Hootanany wrote: »

Anyone got a Chanel list I can download many thanks in advance.

There is also a beta version of Crossepg working for this box, hopefully giving us a 7 day epg for Freesat channels. Some providers use the 'media highway' form of Crossepg which can't yet be accessed by this version of crossepg.

More info at sat-support forum. A search for Amiko A3 crossepg sat-support should bring it up.

Sorry cant post links.

WealthyB

How's this box working for everyone now? I'm a complete noob at this stuff, would anyone recommend this, or another box to someone like me?

Ultimate aim is
- getting a media centre up and running for playing avi, mkv files etc
- stream sports etc in HD (if possible)
- avail of sat channels (HD again)
- decent epg

I've got one spare feed from my Sky Dish to utilise) but don't mind not being able to record/watch different Sat channels)

Thanks for any help in advance!

Irreverent

To answer your questions:

-This box is very good as a media centre. It will play most formats including avi and mkv from either local storage or NAS.
-This is possible if you know what you are doing. I'm not going to discuss that here though.
-Sat channels can be tuned in HD and the quality of the broadcast is excellent.
-The EPG at present is rubbish. Now and Next only. As I mentioned above, some devs are working on a version of Crossepg (an Enigma 2 EPG 'app' which works very well on the previous Amiko Alien 2). Limitations on installing this on Android have been the stumbling block so far but it won't be long until it is come about I would say.

In summary, this box is a lovely 2nd box in a house. Installing XBMC, which runs very smoothly is well worth it. You can only either watch one channel or record one channel at a time, not simultaneously. When the EPG is sorted out it will be an excellent box. Hopefully later on Amiko will release a dual or triple tuner version which will really be the bees knees.

lsjmhar

If aTV has a soar view receiver installed can the hdd I this box be used to record a terrestrial while watching Freeview UK on the other.

Hootanany

Im having terrible trouble with Time shift screen keeps going green and pixelating,
Also when you pause it it keeps jumping forward and have to rewind it back, anyone else have these problems and if not who could i contact for support?

Many thanks in advance

Hootanany

Bump also if I'm on xbmc when I go back to TV its saying scrambled any tips for solving this?

Hootanany

Help I'm going crazy

Irreverent

Are your channels encrypted or free to air? They should not be scrambled if they are the latter when you return from XBMC. If they are not free to air then I can't really help you.

Hootanany

No free to air Time shift is useless as well

Irreverent

There is a new beta firmware on Lavatronics download site. It includes Crossepg as an Android app. Once configured it will give the box 7 day epg for all channels. Remember to just pick one provider (28.2). Multiple providers tend to confuse Crossepg.

Irreverent

Hootanany wrote: »

No free to air Time shift is useless as well

Sorry buddy, my timeshift is working grand and I am not getting the scrambled message when coming back from XBMC. Could you be having trouble with your satellite alignment or have you tried any other sat box to rule that out? Don't know what to suggest to you after that. Maybe try a re-tune if you can rule out a satellite problem.

RW77

I have been playing around with the Amiko A3 for a week now, and I have to say I'm very impressed with the results.
I use PLEX instead of Kodi (XBMC) which relies on local and external(social sharing) networking. Considering the A3 only has a 1.5 dual core A9 processor, it handles Plex flawlessly in TV mode(Android) over wireless at 72mpbs. If you connect via ethernet cable, signal loss and buffering is not an issue, the processor can handle any file format you throw at it.
I have also tested Kodi(XBMC) and the Amiko is very smooth and user friendly, I have to say the picture quality is amazing!

The single satellite receiver on Spark 2 is very nice, the quality is especially good in HD. You can install an internal HDD for "Timeshift" and recording so no external hard drive is needed. I have experienced one issue with "time shift" were the audio went out of sync (only happened once in a week of testing).
I have tested CrossEPG and Picon and the results are good most channel's appear (pointing at Astra 28.2).

IPTV is very good, the Air mouse really shines once you get the hang of it, navigating through Netflix, Showbox and NowTV is a dream.
I have even installed Microsoft Remote Desktop and the its as good as a laptop when it comes down to speed (within reason).

The Airplay function seems to be limited to ITUNES only, I have tried using Spotify and Qubus but had no luck. I was very surprised that it works with iTunes considering how strict Apple can be... I'm using this device as a DAC now and the results through my Rotel amp are outstanding.

The one major drawback is the single tuner compared to its predecessor Alien 2 which has a Triple tuner, one being capable of Soarview.
If you are not bothered about recording two channels I highly recommend this set top box. Using IPTV functions is very easy and appears to be future proof considering its now using a Android/Spark platform.

limp2010

RW77 wrote: »

I have been playing around with the Amiko A3 for a week now, and I have to say I'm very impressed with the results.
I use PLEX instead of Kodi (XBMC) which relies on local and external(social sharing) networking. Considering the A3 only has a 1.5 dual core A9 processor, it handles Plex flawlessly in TV mode(Android) over wireless at 72mpbs. If you connect via ethernet cable, signal loss and buffering is not an issue, the processor can handle any file format you throw at it.
I have also tested Kodi(XBMC) and the Amiko is very smooth and user friendly, I have to say the picture quality is amazing!

The single satellite receiver on Spark 2 is very nice, the quality is especially good in HD. You can install an internal HDD for "Timeshift" and recording so no external hard drive is needed. I have experienced one issue with "time shift" were the audio went out of sync (only happened once in a week of testing).
I have tested CrossEPG and Picon and the results are good most channel's appear (pointing at Astra 28.2).

IPTV is very good, the Air mouse really shines once you get the hang of it, navigating through Netflix, Showbox and NowTV is a dream.
I have even installed Microsoft Remote Desktop and the its as good as a laptop when it comes down to speed (within reason).

The Airplay function seems to be limited to ITUNES only, I have tried using Spotify and Qubus but had no luck. I was very surprised that it works with iTunes considering how strict Apple can be... I'm using this device as a DAC now and the results through my Rotel amp are outstanding.

The one major drawback is the single tuner compared to its predecessor Alien 2 which has a Triple tuner, one being capable of Soarview.
If you are not bothered about recording two channels I highly recommend this set top box. Using IPTV functions is very easy and appears to be future proof considering its now using a Android/Spark platform.

Good review. I got the AirPlay to work with photos but would only play the audio of a video. The spark 2 app is brilliant on the iPhone cinnected to this box.
Have you any idea how to delete duplicate channels. I've 20 differnt bbc channels.
I'm running xbmc Gotham and its running well. I will check out plex but I only have 24 mb Internet.
Also have you found any way of getting the full program listings rather than just now and next. Thanks.

RW77

limp2010 wrote: »

Good review. I got the AirPlay to work with photos but would only play the audio of a video. The spark 2 app is brilliant on the iPhone cinnected to this box.
Have you any idea how to delete duplicate channels. I've 20 differnt bbc channels.
I'm running xbmc Gotham and its running well. I will check out plex but I only have 24 mb Internet.
Also have you found any way of getting the full program listings rather than just now and next. Thanks.

Thanks, I haven't got around to removing duplicate channels yet. I have been setting up individual favourites lists and using the red button shortcut to switch between channels for now. If I work it out I will let you know. I was going to look into program listings this week, I know Enigma on the Alien 2 does 7 days (so hopefully there is a way). I have Plex running on average 27mb and it shares to my friends list with no issues. (sometimes a friend might ask me to reboot my server due to buffering issues, but its rare). Plex will work on your own network for personal use anyway even if you are logged in it will use the local network as a precedence. I have read that Gotham is the last XBMC ever, they are using the Kodi name from now on, so I'm not sure how long they will keep updating Gotham? I have checked and all the plugins are in Kodi.

I will try and keep you updated as I go along..

RW77

limp2010 wrote: »

Good review. I got the AirPlay to work with photos but would only play the audio of a video. The spark 2 app is brilliant on the iPhone cinnected to this box.
Have you any idea how to delete duplicate channels. I've 20 differnt bbc channels.
I'm running xbmc Gotham and its running well. I will check out plex but I only have 24 mb Internet.
Also have you found any way of getting the full program listings rather than just now and next. Thanks.

I have now managed to get the 7 day EPG working. Make sure you are running the latest version of Spark2 2.070, to check navigate to system menu(top menu) - settings - system (top menu) - about.

Download the latest version of CrossEPG (Android app).
Open the CrossEPG - Arrow key across to - OpenTV - choose - Skyuk_astra2_28.2 by pressing the ok button this will put a red arrow beside the name. Now arrow key across to - Download list - and you will see the database listed that you chose previously.

Press menu and choose when you want the schedule to be downloaded - I have chosen - When false standby. Pick a save location - I created a folder on my HDD because the STB memory is limited in size(if you haven't installed a HDD it will still work on the STB memory)

Go back to - Download List - press the red button to download - when finished - press yellow to force EPG import now - close application.

Press home - Arrow across to TV - Press ok then home again - pick a channel - press EPG on the remote - press yellow to switch view - wait 5 seconds.

You will now see your 7 day EPG be patient and the rest of the channels will populate.
This is great because you can now set to record in advance by choosing the day and pressing - Green for timer - repeat on - then click the individual days to record.

Irreverent

I have found the 7 day EPG works well, but be sure not to put the box into deep standby or it won't populate.

As for deleting unwanted channels, you can download a spark channel editor on the lavatronics download site. Export your current channel lineup onto a usb stick from the box (off the top of my head this is in Misc Settings). Put the stick into your laptop / pc, launch spark channel editor and import the configuration from your stick. You can then adjust the channels to your liking, save the new configuration back to the usb stick, insert into the A3 and import again through Misc settings. When you restart, the new channel lineup will be there.

limp2010

Irreverent wrote: »

I have found the 7 day EPG works well, but be sure not to put the box into deep standby or it won't populate.

As for deleting unwanted channels, you can download a spark channel editor on the lavatronics download site. Export your current channel lineup onto a usb stick from the box (off the top of my head this is in Misc Settings). Put the stick into your laptop / pc, launch spark channel editor and import the configuration from your stick. You can then adjust the channels to your liking, save the new configuration back to the usb stick, insert into the A3 and import again through Misc settings. When you restart, the new channel lineup will be there.

Would smart channel editor work on a Mac?

Irreverent

limp2010 wrote: »

Would smart channel editor work on a Mac?

Not sure mate.I'm only on windows. Have a look in lavatories download centre.

Hootanany

Irreverent wrote: »

I have found the 7 day EPG works well, but be sure not to put the box into deep standby or it won't populate.

As for deleting unwanted channels, you can download a spark channel editor on the lavatronics download site. Export your current channel lineup onto a usb stick from the box (off the top of my head this is in Misc Settings). Put the stick into your laptop / pc, launch spark channel editor and import the configuration from your stick. You can then adjust the channels to your liking, save the new configuration back to the usb stick, insert into the A3 and import again through Misc settings. When you restart, the new channel lineup will be there.

Hi do I do that on the A3 or on a computer?

RW77

Hootanany wrote: »

Hi do I do that on the A3 or on a computer?

Once you export the file to your USB use Spark channel editor on the PC.

If your having trouble using the application for any reason, there is a way to delete the channels using your Amiko A3.

Bring up your channel list by pressing Home - Press Menu - Edit all - Highlight all the unwanted channels by pressing OK, a tick will show in the square Channel box (test one first to be sure you are doing it correctly) - Press menu again - Choose Delete.

roadrunnermick

Hi , Any chance can this work with Saorview usb stick

Irreverent

It's worth noting with this too that you can watch any channel from your Amiko A3 on an Android tv box somewhere else in the house. The Spark multimedia app allows you to connect with your box and the channels can be streamed on your home network to another box. I have a quad core Walker Smart TV box (cirqua 90 euro) and can watch channels upstairs from my A3 downstairs with no buffering. I'm sure any Android box would work however. Changing channels is not as seamless as on the set top box but it's not bad. It's really just a tablet app on the android tv box but it works very well. Worth a go.

Irreverent

roadrunnermick wrote: »

Hi , Any chance can this work with Saorview usb stick

I don't know but I'd love to try it. Where could one get a cheap Saorview usb stick?