Tiviar Alpha Plus Combo STB

NewClareman

NewClareman wrote: »

From a picture quality perspective, the construction of the cable, and connectors, is immaterial. With HDMI signals, either the picture can be reconstructed, or not.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I am not sure you are correct in that.
Some HDMI cables don't appear to work well when higher bandwidth video is being used and can give very odd results.

This seems to be most often reported, particularly where folk move from basic video (720/1080) to UHD and HDR etc etc. often after upgrading their TV.

That’s the problem with giving a brief answer to a complex issue.�� The point I was making is that the picture displayed on the screen is not influenced by the construction of the cable, the picture displayed will be exactly the same. Outside of specialist installations, there is no need to spend lots of money on better quality connectors, leads, etc. If a salesperson is promoting these, ask them to explain why they are needed.

Of course you are correct, some older cables will not work with higher bandwidth video, typically above 1080p, particularly at longer distances. In that case there will be either no picture at all, or snow (sparkles) on the screen. Some cheaper cables may also be missing conductors for functionality such as audio return channel (ARC). My approach would be to use what I already have, or what is supplied with the TV, STB, whatever. Only if it didn’t work would I be looking for a low cost replacement.

NewClareman

Deleted User wrote: »

I got this for my luddite brother to replace his Ferguson Ariva. I used HHB's image. He didn't like the box because he was used to putting in the numbers for the different channels (something like that). But we did notice that the picture quality of the channels was far superior when using the Tiviar. He's going back to the Ferguson box so would there be some setting on that to get that better picture quality? Or is it down to the box itself?

I had a similar issue, Wifey found the box too difficult to manage. That’s why I created a custom image, with a focus on ease of use. It is almost completely self-managing and auto-updates channel changes. Channels can be selected directly from the remote:

1 RTE1
2 RTE2
3 BBC1 NI
4 BBC 2 NI
5 UTV
6 CH4 HD
7 CH5 HD
8 VM1
9 VM2
10 VM3
11BBC4 HD

17 TG4

Before you give up on the Tiviar, you could try flashing the image. Further details, on this thread and the latest version is covered here.

STB.

NewClareman wrote: »

The point I was making is that the picture displayed on the screen is not influenced by the construction of the cable, the picture displayed will be exactly the same. Outside of specialist installations, there is no need to spend lots of money on better quality connectors, leads, etc. If a salesperson is promoting these, ask them to explain why they are needed.

The picture displayed is influenced by the right drivers being released by Broadcom/Manufacturer for to match the chipset for e2. This is an improvement over generic drivers.

This is the case with the Tiviar's. Clearly Fortis where all over this in clearing old stock that initially had a proprietary non E2 image. They did the same with the Formuler's.


I agree about expensive cable nonsense. Do people who buy gold cables not realise that they are connecting them to metal housed sockets.

NewClareman

NewClareman wrote: »

I had a similar issue, Wifey found the box too difficult to manage. That’s why I created a custom image, with a focus on ease of use. It is almost completely self-managing and auto-updates channel changes. Channels can be selected directly from the remote:

1 RTE1
2 RTE2
3 BBC1 NI
4 BBC 2 NI
5 UTV
6 CH4 HD
7 CH5 HD
8 VM1
9 VM2
10 VM3
11BBC4 HD

17 TG4

Before you give up on the Tiviar, you could try flashing the image. Further details, on this thread and the latest version is covered here.

Ah I thought THHB's image was equally as dumbed down. I'll give yours a chance so when I can get around to it.

With regard to the HDMI thing: I used the same cable for the Ferguson Ariva box and the Tiviar box. Tiviar was clearly better picture wise. Wasn't even expecting the Tiviar box to improve such a thing when I purchased it. Mainly purchased the Tiviar because my brother isn't comfortable re-tuning the channels when they disappear.

Things are difficult because I have a Virgin box myself. I've no personal experience with the Saorview/FreeSat setup he has. But if I was using it daily I would definitely be into it.

My brother has all the channels and their respective channel numbers for the Ferguson box written out on a notepad. The Ferguson came with the install so he's gotten used to that unfortunately.

STB.

Deleted User wrote: »

My brother has all the channels and their respective channel numbers for the Ferguson box written out on a notepad. The Ferguson came with the install so he's gotten used to that unfortunately.

Does he not have them in a 1-30 order ?

Yeah that reminds me I fixed that before for him. Had to change the LCN (logical numbering or something) setting. The thing is it somehow keeps changing itself back after a time. He does switch the box off when going to bed though!! Total cluster**** ain't it?....embarrassing stuff.

sligojoek

Deleted User wrote: »

I got this for my luddite brother to replace his Ferguson Ariva. I used HHB's image. He didn't like the box because he was used to putting in the numbers for the different channels (something like that). But we did notice that the picture quality of the channels was far superior when using the Tiviar. He's going back to the Ferguson box so would there be some setting on that to get that better picture quality? Or is it down to the box itself?

Are you still on THHB's image?

All you have to do is press arrow up or down> Menu> Enable move mode. Click on a channel > OK It will turn blue. then scroll it to where you want . Press OK . Then go and do another channel. You'll get faster as you get used to it. There's a setting to show numbers in the Channel selection menu.

Disable "Move mode" when you're done by selecting Menu and then 6.

Hopre that helps. If there's a better picture from the Tiviar he might as well enjoy it.

timmyjimmy

I have used autobouquet maker to created saorview and freesat bouquets. Is the best way to combine saorview and freesat channels to put them into favourites? If so, is using my computer the easiest way to do this?

NewClareman

timmyjimmy wrote: »

I have used autobouquet maker to created saorview and freesat bouquets. Is the best way to combine saorview and freesat channels to put them into favourites? If so, is using my computer the easiest way to do this?

I couldn’t find any other option, that’s why I use AUtoBouquetMaker, with my build. With ABM you can use a custom build to integrate the Freesat and Saorview channels. With ABM I use the Sky Bouquets, rather than Freesat, as it has more channels.

The advantage of the above approach is that the channel lists still update automatically.

greasepalm

Pc and channels was old skool 20 years ago as there was no abm which i find is handy also.

lawred2

Small freesat box bit the dust - might use the opportunity to shift the AA2 out of the sitting room into the kitchen and replace the AA2 with a Tiviar.

Where's best to pick one up?

greasepalm

Satworld have stock nearly 200 euro.

Gerry Wicklow

greasepalm wrote: »

Satworld have stock nearly 200 euro.

WOW the Zgemma H7S is currently £112GBP +HDD and a superior box IMO.

greasepalm

I have a zgemma h7s and must get it setup.Thinking people see the Tiviar as a new box but is years old and modern boxes are getting cheaper and faster.

Johnboy1951

greasepalm wrote: »

I have a zgemma h7s and must get it setup.Thinking people see the Tiviar as a new box but is years old and modern boxes are getting cheaper and faster.

Yes, this thread start just over two years ago and the box was released in 2013.

7 years is a very long time for this kind of hardware.
It is still good, but nowhere near top of the pile now.

lawred2

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yes, this thread start just over two years ago and the box was released in 2013.

7 years is a very long time for this kind of hardware.
It is still good, but nowhere near top of the pile now.

What is top of the pile?

greasepalm

It might depend on your decision in buying boxes,
Single tuner
Twin tuner
Combo tuner Sat and Cable
Triple tuners
Quad tuners with selectable plug and play tuners
Budget
Hdd internal or external.

What was top of the pile a few years ago and expensive might not be made anymore.

john_doe.

Does anyone have the Viewer Advisory message for saorview.?
It's blocking out the EPG and program information for all my saorview channels

Atlantic Dawn

john_doe. wrote: »

Does anyone have the Viewer Advisory message for saorview.?
It's blocking out the EPG and program information for all my saorview channels

Rescan needed or you will lose the channels on 4th March...
https://www.saorview.ie/changes

Gooey Looey

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Rescan needed or you will lose the channels on 4th March...
https://www.saorview.ie/changes

How do you update ABM to fix this as a rescan does not fix it, ABM breaks it again the next time it runs

greasepalm

Does abm need an update as what version is running on your box.
Scanning the saorview service are you like clear old info before scanning for new services.

Gooey Looey

greasepalm wrote: »

Does abm need an update as what version is running on your box.
Scanning the saorview service are you like clear old info before scanning for new services.

I don't have access to the box it's at my mams but scanning adds the channels with the new frequencies but ABM undoes this the next time it runs

john_doe.

Gooey Looey wrote: »

I don't have access to the box it's at my mams but scanning adds the channels with the new frequencies but ABM undoes this the next time it runs

Ah is that what's happening.

How to fix that so be my next question .
Using the original image from THHB.

Gooey Looey

john_doe. wrote: »

Ah is that what's happening.

How to fix that so be my next question .
Using the original image from THHB.

You can disable ABM automatic scans until you find a fix

Johnboy1951

Gooey Looey wrote: »

I don't have access to the box it's at my mams but scanning adds the channels with the new frequencies but ABM undoes this the next time it runs

Can the terrestrial channels be omitted from this scanning?
They so rarely change it is easy to do it manually ..... or else let ABM do it once only.

Gooey Looey

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Can the terrestrial channels be omitted from this scanning?
They so rarely change it is easy to do it manually ..... or else let ABM do it once only.

Yeah I must look into maybe ignoring Saorview updates, I may have to move Saorview to the bottom of the bouquet list like favourites

greasepalm

Abm can be setup to what you command it,what version is your abm on?

Gooey Looey

greasepalm wrote: »

Abm can be setup to what you command it,what version is your abm on?

I don't have access to the box ATM, it's at my mams

kindalen

My box has become very very slow to respond when changing channel or any use of remote. It is the same using a remote app.

Any ideas on how to resolve issue??

Thanks.

Gooey Looey

kindalen wrote: »

My box has become very very slow to respond when changing channel or any use of remote. It is the same using a remote app.

Any ideas on how to resolve issue??

Thanks.

First thing to check is where is CrossEPG saving the EPG, it needs to be on storage not local flash. Then check how much storage space you have left, or if timeshift is saving at all times filling your storage