Tiviar Alpha Plus Combo STB

Tigerandahalf · 02-02-2019 12:21AM

Satworld was what I looked at Thhb.

sligojoek · 02-02-2019 01:31AM

Soundwise, what I do is:

Mute the telly
Aux or optic from back of the box to a soundbar or whatever. Control sound output from the tiviar box with sound + or _.

The high horse brigade · 02-02-2019 10:11AM

sligojoek wrote: »

Soundwise, what I do is:

Mute the telly
Aux or optic from back of the box to a soundbar or whatever. Control sound output from the tiviar box with sound + or _.

That is awkward if your changing back to a smart TV for the Netflix app etc

UsedToWait · 02-02-2019 10:49AM

I set one of these boxes up for a non-techy person, and it had worked great for a long time until yesterday.

He says he kept being prompted to 'update' in the last few weeks, and kept cancelling, till he eventually gave in.

From what I could tell over the phone, it seems like he has wiped all settings and plugins, and even has no epg.

I had backed up the image after setting it up, but wasn't able to restore it over the phone - he wasn't getting any menus up on the screen, and was just getting the various menus showing on the LCD screen on the box itself..

Looks like I'll have to visit and flash THHBs image again, then maybe restore the backup I saved with everything set up, but was just wondering, as I won't get to him till Monday, and he has no way of watching the rugby today, if anyone has any idea of what might have happened, and whether there might be any way of fixing it over the phone?
It seems strange that he has no on-screen menus - if I could just get that sorted, maybe I could get him up and running..

The high horse brigade · 02-02-2019 10:54AM

UsedToWait wrote: »

I set one of these boxes up for a non-techy person, and it had worked great for a long time until yesterday.

He says he kept being prompted to 'update' in the last few weeks, and kept cancelling, till he eventually gave in.

From what I could tell over the phone, it seems like he has wiped all settings and plugins, and even has no epg.

I had backed up the image after setting it up, but wasn't able to restore it over the phone - he wasn't getting any menus up on the screen, and was just getting the various menus showing on the LCD screen on the box itself..

Looks like I'll have to visit and flash THHBs image again, then maybe restore the backup I saved with everything set up, but was just wondering, as I won't get to him till Monday, and he has no way of watching the rugby today, if anyone has any idea of what might have happened, and whether there might be any way of fixing it over the phone?
It seems strange that he has no on-screen menus - if I could just get that sorted, maybe I could get him up and running..

There is no on screen menus during the restore, the box reboots to the bootloader and LCD screen and I think you simply press the power button to allow it to flash.

UsedToWait · 02-02-2019 11:07AM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

There is no on screen menus during the restore, the box reboots to the bootloader and LCD screen and I think you simply press the power button to allow it to flash.

Cheers THHB - I couldn't even get to the restore option, or rather I think whatever he managed to do, he has either wiped it, or the HDD is not being recognised..

Ah feck it, wasn't planning on leaving the house, but I think I'll take a drive and get him back up and running for the rugby today..

robbKer · 02-02-2019 01:09PM

Does anyone know if there is an 'auto-standy' function anywhere on these boxes? I've searched through it and can only find the 'countdown timer' to put the box on standby but no auto-standby (which would shut down the box after a certain period on non-use.

Gerry Wicklow · 02-02-2019 02:34PM

robbKer wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is an 'auto-standy' function anywhere on these boxes? I've searched through it and can only find the 'countdown timer' to put the box on standby but no auto-standby (which would shut down the box after a certain period on non-use.

If HDMI CEC control is enabled it should go into standby when the TV is switched off. Alternatively it should be possible to create a 'cron job' to shutdown at a particular time. Others with more linux skills would know more about this.

robbKer · 02-02-2019 03:17PM

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

If HDMI CEC control is enabled it should go into standby when the TV is switched off. Alternatively it should be possible to create a 'cron job' to shutdown at a particular time. Others with more linux skills would know more about this.

oK, thanks for that, I had to disable the HDMI CEC feature as it was causing confusion.My mum tends to leave the box running all the time overnight so I thought there might be an easier way to have the box go into standby. There are apparently some 'plugins' that might work but I'm not that well up on installing them etc.

Gerry Wicklow · 02-02-2019 03:34PM

I wouldn't worry about leaving it on all night for what little extra electricity it uses would be minuscule.

With the older Amiko Aliens I used to leave it on all the time as I found it was far more stable that way.

robbKer · 02-02-2019 04:51PM

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about leaving it on all night for what little extra electricity it uses would be minuscule.

With the older Amiko Aliens I used to leave it on all the time as I found it was far more stable that way.

I wasn't too concerned about consumption as I understand there isn't much between the various status' of the box. I was more thinking of the fan constantly spinning and consequently wear and tare. Guess I'll leave it as is and see how it goes.... thanks for your help.

macthaidhg · 03-02-2019 02:00PM

macthaidhg wrote: »

Thanks to this thread I've been able to set up two of these boxes for family members who have happiliy ditched sky. I'm conscious that WoS is out of stock and it's looking like it could become more of a struggle to get hold these boxes going forward. Is anybody looking ahead to something with a similar spec (i.e. triple tuner, 2x DVB-S2X + 1 x DVB-C/T2)? I had a look at the WoS page and the Zgemma H7S Triple Tuner Combo 2x DVB-S2X + 1x DVB-C/T2 Linux Enigma2 got my attention. I'm reluctant to move away from the Tiviar but if everthing is essentially the same, other than having to configure images, does this look like a good candidate for similar price? Anybody have any experience with this model?

Lads just a gentle bump on this. I don't know enough about e2 boxes to make comparisons so any advice would be appreciated.

Gerry Wicklow · 03-02-2019 09:00PM

Someone was asking a while back about e2player not updating. (not sure which thread it was) This was finally updated on 30th Jan after a gap.

swoofer · 03-02-2019 09:03PM

did it update automaticallY?

Gerry Wicklow · 03-02-2019 09:06PM

You can do an update from within the plugin itself or it will happen as part of a general software update if you run that instead.

Zardoz · 03-02-2019 09:11PM

macthaidhg wrote: »

Lads just a gentle bump on this. I don't know enough about e2 boxes to make comparisons so any advice would be appreciated.

It looks a good box ,I believe it is a knock off of the Mutant HD51 but has an extra built in terrestrial tuner.

Its an Arm chipset based receiver so its more powerful than the Tiviar ,its also a 4k receiver ,plays x265 files and will have a sharper picture than the Tiviar which is Mips based.

Specs wise it ticks every box ,I've no idea how it performs software wise though.

I have the Mutant HD51 ,its a great receiver .

I didnt realise that WOS were selling Zgemma receivers as for years they boycotted Zgemma products dismissing them as clones .

swoofer · 03-02-2019 09:55PM

Mine wont update!! Is it a case of deleting old and re-installing? Dont like doing general updates.

greasepalm · 03-02-2019 11:35PM

The newer zgemma boxes are nothing like their older cloned boxes and are better built now and have better support with openvix now doing images for them.
Nothing has changed on the older cloned ones=no openvix supported images.

Depending how old an image will have a bearing on updates,if you have an internal hdd do an image backup first.
It may depend if you can download a newer image to box and then install it from there.

Reflashing from a new image and setting up from the start with wizard will take a bit of time,sometimes settings restore works but if not compatible with current images because of changes might not work.
New scans and newer abm plugins and other things come with latest images.

Gerry Wicklow · 04-02-2019 12:06AM

swoofer wrote: »

Mine wont update!! Is it a case of deleting old and re-installing? Dont like doing general updates.

I did it as part of a general update but then I'm reckless like that

As always, if in doubt do a backup first. In fact do a backup first, as always.

There's an echo in here, here, here

macthaidhg · 04-02-2019 12:40AM

Zardoz wrote: »

It looks a good box ,I believe it is a knock off of the Mutant HD51 but has an extra built in terrestrial tuner.

Its an Arm chipset based receiver so its more powerful than the Tiviar ,its also a 4k receiver ,plays x265 files and will have a sharper picture than the Tiviar which is Mips based.

Specs wise it ticks every box ,I've no idea how it performs software wise though.

I have the Mutant HD51 ,its a great receiver .

I didnt realise that WOS were selling Zgemma receivers as for years they boycotted Zgemma products dismissing them as clones .

Thanks Zardoz. Having considered it over the weekend instinct is telling me to stick with the Tiviar, if I can get hold of one. I'm only interested in 1080p although the Zgemma might be a little nippier. I think I prefer having the reassurance of refering to the knowledgebase here rather than trying to figure out a new box for myself. I'd love to give the Zgemma a go though! I see from the remote that there is no 'TV' option so I'm guessing it doesn't allow for the TV to paired, however I prefer using HDMI CEC if it works.

If you go onto the original Tiviar lsiting on WoS they now redirect you to the Zgemma as the alternative triple tuner option. Maybe they see this as the next generation receiver for fans of the Tiviar.

macthaidhg · 04-02-2019 12:43AM

greasepalm wrote: »

The newer zgemma boxes are nothing like their older cloned boxes and are better built now and have better support with openvix now doing images for them.
Nothing has changed on the older cloned ones=no openvix supported images.
Depending how old an image will have a bearing on updates,if you have an internal hdd do an image backup first.
It may depend if you can download a newer image to box and then install it from there.

Reflashing from a new image and setting up from the start with wizard will take a bit of time,sometimes settings restore works but if not compatible with current images because of changes might not work.
New scans and newer abm plugins and other things come with latest images.

Thanks Greasepalm. I think it is certainly a good alternative for people looking for 4k. Decent price on WoS also (£109).

sligojoek · 04-02-2019 03:08AM

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

I did it as part of a general update but then I'm reckless like that

As always, if in doubt do a backup first. In fact do a backup first, as always.

There's an echo in here, here, here

Great advice Gerry. Put it up in big letters once a week.

. Just did mine for the first time in ages

GSRNBP · 04-02-2019 12:04PM

I'm going crazy trying to find the menu where you change the location for the weather? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

The high horse brigade · 04-02-2019 12:10PM

GSRNBP wrote: »

I'm going crazy trying to find the menu where you change the location for the weather? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

It's in the mymetrix plugin

GSRNBP · 04-02-2019 03:01PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

It's in the mymetrix plugin

Thanks. Will my box automatically update to the new version of openATV when it is released?

The high horse brigade · 04-02-2019 03:07PM

GSRNBP wrote: »

Thanks. Will my box automatically update to the new version of openATV when it is released?

No, updates are not a great idea, they usually cause problems. A clean flash is best. I'll get around to building a new image one of the days

NewClareman · 04-02-2019 06:32PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

No, updates are not a great idea, they usually cause problems. A clean flash is best. I'll get around to building a new image one of the days

I agree with that advice, particularly as the plugins supported changes from release to release. As a general rule, updating without a good reason is not advised. (In other words unless there is new functionality you’re looking for, or a problem that’s supposed to be fixed, leave well alone.)

Zardoz · 04-02-2019 06:40PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

No, updates are not a great idea, they usually cause problems. A clean flash is best. I'll get around to building a new image one of the days

You can do a new flash online after backing up your settings and plugins .
This will install a new image off the server and reimport your settings and plugins back in.(I think it reinstalls the newest version of plugins too off the server)

I find this works perfectly .

The install updates option is unreliable though as you said .

McBain11 · 05-02-2019 12:55PM

Lads, if I want to record 1 saoirview while watching another channel, do i get something like this and just pop it into the back of the box?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-Receiver-RTL2832U/dp/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1549367598&sr=1-2&keywords=RealTek+RTL2832U

Or are there other options?

Trevord · 05-02-2019 02:12PM

McBain11 wrote: »

Lads, if I want to record 1 saoirview while watching another channel, do i get something like this and just pop it into the back of the box?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-Receiver-RTL2832U/dp/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1549367598&sr=1-2&keywords=RealTek+RTL2832U

Or are there other options?

There are simpler options. If you have a saorview compatible tv then loop through the aeriel from the coaxial OUT port on the box to the coaxial IN on the tv.

You can then watch the live saorview programme on the tv using the tv's tuner and record the second saorview channel on the box.

You can buy a cable to do that for about €2

Tiviar Alpha Plus Combo STB

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