Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Saorview Connect

1…3132343637…113

Comments

  • #992
    keribillen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭keribillen


    Hello,
    Full disclosure: I’m a member of EKT, actively working on the coming product. Nice to see discussion about it. I’m here to straighten things out for you and answer any queries you have.

    I see lots of points being raised, and lots of speculation about what the product can do. I see lots of ideas about what it should do.

    The specs. a few of you have seen on the EKT website are generic. They’re not specific to the Powerpoint box so I would not speculate too much based on what you see.

    EKT started developing the box February 2017. The ambition at the outset was to get a box to market in October this year. This meant that adding PVR was best deferred. PVR functionality on a hybrid box is a significant integration and testing activity, so getting this working on top of everything else in 9mths adds significant risk to the schedule. We have the software ready internally but on top of that there is integration with the user interface and the other functions on the box (clash management etc.). Anyway we’re working on it as planned, with no hurdles or obstacles for you to be concerned about. It’ll be ready in the first half of next year and we can clearly see and feel the demand for it. We’ll bring it in as fast as we can.

    The product has two tuners, both of which can be configured for S or T on the fly. Neat! There are two satellite connectors on the box but only one is enabled at the moment. We’re reserving the second one for any functions that the product owners wish to have that require it. For the moment it is not required/enabled.

    DVB and Connect functions are given equal footing. Of course Connect is the future but DVB isn’t going anywhere for a long time yet.

    4K and HEVC are nice but again these are not especially-useful functions for the mass market that add time, risk and cost to the development. They were not required by the product owners. I think that is the right decision. The market is crying out for a good-quality mainstream hybrid box. The niche bells and whistles can come later.

    So I’d welcome any constructive comments, ideas or queries, and will reply honestly and as openly as I can.


    All the best.


  • #993
    Former Former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭Former Former


    FRIENDO wrote: »
    It makes no logic what so ever of RTE commissioning a Saorview Connect Combo box that isn't Saorsat aproved.

    I think the logic is that there is no practical application for such a product. It's inherently contradictory.
    FRIENDO wrote: »
    In fact the only reason RTE should produce a receiver for satellite reception is for Saorsat.

    As you say, it's a bonus. If they brought out a Saorview-only box, everyone's first reaction would be "I still need something else to get FTA UK channels, this is a waste of time".

    Saorview is an absolute lame duck, and that's mostly through no fault of 2RN/RTE/Saorview, it's just the way of it for a small-market product with enormous competition. You need to seriously sweeten the deal if there's to be any any uptake. A satellite tuner is one of the few ways to do that.

    Again, adding Saorsat approval would be extra time and cost to an already troubled product, for practically zero end benefit.


  • #994
    FRIENDO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭FRIENDO


    Johnboy1951 wrote:
    Is this not a Saorsat/Saorview combi box?


    Don't know yet if its fully compatible with Saorsat.

    If it is approved as both Saorview/Saorsat it should carry both logos.

    In the past the only Saorsat badged receive was a stand alone Walker Sat receiver.

    However the Saorview badged Walker combo also worked perfect with Saorsat.


  • #995
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,924 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    @keribillen

    Thanks for posting.
    So the PVR functionality will "be ready in the first half of next year".

    It seems to me, and others here, that the specification you are working to is what is flawed, and there is not a lot you can do about that. ;)

    Can you provide some details about the tuners used in the device?

    Thanks.


  • #996
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    Former Former wrote: »
    ... Saorview is an absolute lame duck

    Is subscription-free access to Irish TV not enough for people?
    FRIENDO wrote: »
    Don't know yet if its fully compatible with Saorsat.

    If it is approved as both Saorview/Saorsat it should carry both logos.

    In the past the only Saorsat badged receive was a stand alone Walker Sat receiver.

    However the Saorview badged Walker combo also worked perfect with Saorsat.

    Is there really anything to Saorsat that would be incompatible with any box, apart from teletext?


  • Advertisement
  • #997
    FRIENDO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭FRIENDO


    Hi Tony,

    The Walker 95 sat was Saorsat approved and carried the official Saorsat logo on packaging.
    Unfortunately the receiver gave up working for me.
    The receiver also came with the dodgy freesat software.

    I suppose the most noticable difference for Saorsat is Mheg5 for RTE aertel

    I wonder is the sat tuner on the new combo mheg5
    Or is mheg5 on its way out.


  • #998
    Former Former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭Former Former


    Thurston? wrote: »
    Is subscription-free access to Irish TV not enough for people?

    Considering how many people pay for Sky/Virgin/Vodafone/Eir, it would appear that it is not.


  • #999
    FRIENDO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭FRIENDO


    Hi kerinillen, thanks for posting.

    I'm wondering about the satellite tuner on the new receiver?

    Can it get the RTE Satellite Stations Available (via KA SAT LNB) 9 east?

    Will it have a seven day epg for the RTE Saorsat satellite channels?
    (Generally normal satellite hd receives pick up a 7 day epg with RTE Saorsat channels)

    Is the Satellite tuner mheg5 software, it can get RTE digital aertel on RTE satellite channels?

    Thanks again for your assistance


  • #1000
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    FRIENDO wrote: »
    I'm wondering about the satellite tuner on the new receiver?

    Can it get the RTE Satellite Stations Available (via KA SAT LNB) 9 east?

    Will it have a seven day epg for the RTE Saorsat satellite channels?
    (Generally normal satellite hd receives pick up a 7 day epg with RTE Saorsat channels)

    Is the Satellite tuner mheg5 software, it can get RTE digital aertel on RTE satellite channels?

    There's no reason it shouldn't do all of the above, there's nothing special about Saorsat.


  • #1001
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    keribillen wrote: »
    The product has two tuners, both of which can be configured for S or T on the fly. Neat! There are two satellite connectors on the box but only one is enabled at the moment. We’re reserving the second one for any functions that the product owners wish to have that require it. For the moment it is not required/enabled.

    Hi Keri

    Can you tell me about the hydrid dvb-t/dvb-s2 tuner that you have installed. I have never never heard of a tuner module that can be flipped from dvb-t to dvb-s2 unless the module is plug and play swappable.

    You say that is switchable on the fly through the software. Meaning that a user could potentially have 2 dvb-t/2 or 2 dvb-s2 or one of each depending on how the tuner is configured in software.

    Is this also true of the third tuner ?

    I wonder why we haven't seen this implemented on all sat boxes! Perhaps it is the general public perception that an F connector is only satellite and a terrestrial is only an aerial connector and that this would cause confusion.

    Second question. The software. I am presuming its closed source ? Is the firmware flashing updated via the ALI method of loading maincode and bootloaders etc? If so is there a facility to edit the ABS or BIN files and reupload back ? The reason I am asking is for channel management particularly on the satellite end where one might be able to use a channel editor and send re-upload the userlist/db.bin back to the box. Infact not many are using the m3733 chip except yourselves and a few android stb's. Is there an ALI Channel editor for this chip (like the M3606 and 3602 sets)

    Third Question related to second question. How does LCN for dvb-t/t2 integrate with the dvb-s2 channels. Can the channels be mixed in one user list ?

    Last Q. What other apps are available beside the live and rte players.

    Thanks


  • Advertisement
  • #1002
    keribillen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭keribillen


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    @keribillen

    Thanks for posting.
    So the PVR functionality will "be ready in the first half of next year".

    It seems to me, and others here, that the specification you are working to is what is flawed, and there is not a lot you can do about that.  ;)

    Can you provide some details about the tuners used in the device?

    Thanks.
    Hi! I can't add any specific tech info due to NDA and general commercial sensitivity. But they are market-proven and switchable between T2 and S2. And Nordig compliant! :)

    What parts of the spec. do you think are flawed? I know that some are unhappy with the absence of Saorsat, 4K, HEVC, Netflix and the deferred PVR.  What else?
    To be fair to the customer they wanted PVR from the outset but given the short time involved from Start to October, EKT advised the customer to implement PVR later than initial product launch. The product is a hybrid with three 'spaces' (DVB-T, DVB-S, Connect), so managing the UI, pop-ups and clash management between them all is something best not done in a rush.


  • #1003
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,820 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    keribillen wrote: »
    Hi! I can't add any specific tech info due to NDA and general commercial sensitivity. But they are market-proven and switchable between T2 and S2. And Nordig compliant! :)

    What parts of the spec. do you think are flawed? I know that some are unhappy with the absence of Saorsat, 4K, HEVC, Netflix and the deferred PVR.  What else?
    To be fair to the customer they wanted PVR from the outset but given the short time involved from Start to October, EKT advised the customer to implement PVR later than initial product launch. The product is a hybrid with three 'spaces' (DVB-T, DVB-S, Connect), so managing the UI, pop-ups and clash management between them all is something best not done in a rush.

    Thanks for replying on this.
    Why would the product owner not want the 2 sat inputs active from day one?
    When you say not active is it a software or hardware issue and could a person buying make it active in any way.

    Are you also saying that Netflix won't be on it?
    So will the apps on it be closed or can people add their own?


  • #1004
    lsjmhar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Hi

    Will on demand app functionality be added to the box, e.g. Netflix, Rakuten TV, Eir sport? Will it have the apps available on the freesat uk system?

    Apologies, I see these questions have just been asked!!!


  • #1005
    keribillen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭keribillen


    FRIENDO wrote: »
    Hi kerinillen, thanks for posting.

    I'm wondering about the satellite tuner on the new receiver?

    Can it get the RTE Satellite Stations Available (via KA SAT LNB) 9 east?

    Will it have a seven day epg for the RTE Saorsat satellite channels?
    (Generally normal satellite hd receives pick up a 7 day epg with RTE Saorsat channels)

    Is the Satellite tuner mheg5 software, it can get RTE digital aertel on RTE satellite channels?

    Thanks again for your assistance
    Hi thanks for your interest.
    The product is targeted for Astra 26.2 and will be able to access the free content on it. Other satellites should be possible too but we're focusing our testing on Astra 26.2.
    The EPG for satellite will be Now/Next only. This is a commercial matter, not because of a technical restriction in the box.
    MHEG5 is supported.
    Kind regards,


  • #1006
    lsjmhar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Will the 7 day epg roll back feature work on the FTA channels on 28.2 or will this only work on Saorview channels?


  • #1007
    Tony
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,355 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Think you mean 28.2 :-)

    keribillen wrote: »
    Hi thanks for your interest.
    The product is targeted for Astra 26.2 ,

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • #1008
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,924 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    keribillen wrote: »
    Hi! I can't add any specific tech info due to NDA and general commercial sensitivity. But they are market-proven and switchable between T2 and S2. And Nordig compliant! :)

    If the tuners are market proven I guess they are used in other STBs also.
    So can you tell us what other STBs have this type of tuner?
    Some of your own products?
    As I posted earlier I have read some blurb sheets indicating the use of these tuners but they were not very clear and led to some confusion.

    What parts of the spec. do you think are flawed? I know that some are unhappy with the absence of Saorsat, 4K, HEVC, Netflix and the deferred PVR.  What else?
    To be fair to the customer they wanted PVR from the outset but given the short time involved from Start to October, EKT advised the customer to implement PVR later than initial product launch. The product is a hybrid with three 'spaces' (DVB-T, DVB-S, Connect), so managing the UI, pop-ups and clash management between them all is something best not done in a rush.

    Yes, as you have read this thread you get a fair idea of the expectations of those posting.

    On the matter of the use of the tuners ....... when switched 'on the fly' from DVB-T to DVB-S and with only one Satellite cable attached what happens? Is the second tuner locked to the same transponder as the first?
    Can a second Sat cable be attached to the second connector to allow two independent Sat tuners?


  • #1009
    keribillen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭keribillen


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    keribillen wrote: »
    Hi! I can't add any specific tech info due to NDA and general commercial sensitivity. But they are market-proven and switchable between T2 and S2. And Nordig compliant! :)

    What parts of the spec. do you think are flawed? I know that some are unhappy with the absence of Saorsat, 4K, HEVC, Netflix and the deferred PVR.  What else?
    To be fair to the customer they wanted PVR from the outset but given the short time involved from Start to October, EKT advised the customer to implement PVR later than initial product launch. The product is a hybrid with three 'spaces' (DVB-T, DVB-S, Connect), so managing the UI, pop-ups and clash management between them all is something best not done in a rush.

    Thanks for replying on this.
    Why would the product owner not want the 2 sat inputs active from day one?
    When you say not active is it a software or hardware issue and could a person buying make it active in any way.

    Are you also saying that Netflix won't be on it?
    So will the apps on it be closed or can people add their own?
    Hi!
    The customer initially wanted only one connector for satellite but we kept two on there, to allow the enabling of any functions in future that require the second one. Its enabling/disabling is controlled by our software.
    The apps will be closed. Suggestions for what you'd like to see on it are much appreciated. We can pass your ideas on to Powerpoint.
    No Netflix, sadly. That is the one thing we don't have that we'd really like to have. Netflix could not be persuaded to work with us yet. They like BIG volumes that the market does not yet support.
    All the best, Keri


  • #1010
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    keribillen wrote: »
    ... The EPG for satellite will be Now/Next only.

    On 28.2 it will be now/next only, but the post from FRIENDO would indicate that the Saorsat broadcasts carry 7-day info., that it's not an add-on like the Sky or Freesat EPGs.


  • #1011
    keribillen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭keribillen


    Sorry for t
    FRIENDO wrote: »
    keribillen wrote:
    Hi thanks for your interest. The product is targeted for Astra 26.2 and will be able to access the free content on it. Other satellites should be possible too but we're focusing our testing on Astra 26.2. The EPG for satellite will be Now/Next only. This is a commercial matter, not because of a technical restriction in the box. Kind regards,


    Thanks Keribillen

    When watching  a BBC satellite channel on 28.2, will the receiver have the Red button function?
    (For BBC interactive service)

    Cheers.

    Hi,
    Sorry for the typo. I meant Astra 28.2. MHEG is supported over satellite so any red button services should work. When we last tested them they were working.
    Kind regards, Keri


  • Advertisement
  • #1012
    Former Former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭Former Former


    lsjmhar wrote: »
    Will the 7 day epg roll back feature work on the FTA channels on 28.2 or will this only work on Saorview channels?

    Absolutely positively 100% will only work on Irish channels.


  • #1013
    FRIENDO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭FRIENDO


    keribillen wrote:
    Hi thanks for your interest. The product is targeted for Astra 26.2 and will be able to access the free content on it. Other satellites should be possible too but we're focusing our testing on Astra 26.2. The EPG for satellite will be Now/Next only. This is a commercial matter, not because of a technical restriction in the box. MHEG5 is supported. Kind regards,


    Thanks, with MHEG5 supported on the Satellite tuner, we are now possibly looking at a workable receiver for the full Saorsat service

    If the box is only being used for the satellite service,
    Will we still have the connect service, On Demand and Spotlight.
    Like whats on the Saorview app.


  • #1014
    JDxtra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,064 ✭✭✭JDxtra


    keribillen wrote: »
    The EPG for satellite will be Now/Next only. This is a commercial matter, not because of a technical restriction in the box.
    MHEG5 is supported.
    Kind regards,
    Hi Kerri,

    Will the satellite channels be organised in any way automatically, or will the end user have to tune these in and mange it themselves (like you would with a generic receiver today)?


  • #1015
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,131 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    keribillen wrote: »
    The specs. a few of you have seen on the EKT website are generic. They’re not specific to the Powerpoint box so I would not speculate too much based on what you see.

    EKT started developing the box February 2017. The ambition at the outset was to get a box to market in October this year. This meant that adding PVR was best deferred. PVR functionality on a hybrid box is a significant integration and testing activity, so getting this working on top of everything else in 9mths adds significant risk to the schedule. We have the software ready internally but on top of that there is integration with the user interface and the other functions on the box (clash management etc.). Anyway we’re working on it as planned, with no hurdles or obstacles for you to be concerned about. It’ll be ready in the first half of next year and we can clearly see and feel the demand for it. We’ll bring it in as fast as we can.

    First off thanks for joining the conversation.

    Regarding the PVR functionality, are we stuck with an external HDD?
    What HbbTV version has been included, v2.0.1 is Nordig mandatory from late 2018 I believe.

    Asked twice now, separate programme guides for Saorview and FTA satellite?

    You say you started this project at the beginning of the year, I assume another company withdrew before that?


  • #1016
    FRIENDO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭FRIENDO


    Thurston? wrote:
    Is there really anything to Saorsat that would be incompatible with any box, apart from teletext?

    With the new connect receiver having MHEG5 on satellite, things are looking up.
    However we are still unsure about the 7 day epg on RTE satellite channels on 9e with the new receiver.

    We've only had one Saorsat approved receiver, now no longer available.

    Also when people did the software change on the foxsat humax hdr, Saorsat channels had no epg function.

    But most HD sat receivers have 7day epg with Saorsat.

    A quote from an RTENL download on Saorsat approved receiver below

    "6.3 Will Non SAORSAT Approved Receivers Work?
    There are many receivers that will work. Some will work fully and some will not support
    all the functionality of the SAORSAT platform. RTÉNL recommends the use of
    SAORSAT approved receivers as these are the only receivers that have tested for full
    compliance against the SAORSAT minimum receiver requirement specification and are
    the only receivers that will be tested against any proposed future changes to the
    SAORSAT satellite signals."


  • #1017
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,820 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Since you are doing a good job in answering our questions can you tell us whether the remote will be able to select the hdmi input for the tv as we have read that the remote will allow one to operate the tv itself.

    It is strange that saorview wouldn't want the 2nd sat input to operate on the box given that the hardware is on the box anyway. Perhaps this is also down to the fact that the box can't yet record and will be updated to allow it when the software update comes in 2018.

    No netflix is probably no great problem as people can chromecast it anyway and it is one less app for saorview to have problems with.


  • #1018
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,924 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    Since you are doing a good job in answering our questions can you tell us whether the remote will be able to select the hdmi input for the tv as we have read that the remote will allow one to operate the tv itself.

    It is strange that saorview wouldn't want the 2nd sat input to operate on the box given that the hardware is on the box anyway. Perhaps this is also down to the fact that the box can't yet record and will be updated to allow it when the software update comes in 2018.

    No netflix is probably no great problem as people can chromecast it anyway and it is one less app for saorview to have problems with.

    I think it odd that you are advocating multiple devices in favour of incorporating Netflix into a single device!


  • #1019
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,924 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    STB. wrote: »
    What other blurb ?. Its simply chenglish.

    The bolded part is dependant on what tuner module is installed.

    There is no single tuner module that does both sat and terrestrial. The only single hybrid tuner module that exists is DVB-T/T2/C/C2 and thats because the IF signal portion is demodulated by the SOC.

    Multi format tuners in the blurb relates to demodulation types - dvb-s, dvb-s2 for sat. dvb-t-t2-c2-c for terrestrial. They are not mixable. They are specific modules. They are also soldered to the board, rather than plug n play like for example those below.

    This for example
    Tuners 2 * Multiformat (DVB-S2X/T2/T/C)
    It boasts two Multi-format Tuners allowing for Full HD reception of either DVB-T / T2 / S / S2 / C or C2.

    https://www.ekt-digital.com/stb-devices/dxd7025#specifications


  • #1020
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,131 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    keribillen wrote: »
    The customer initially wanted only one connector for satellite but we kept two on there, to allow the enabling of any functions in future that require the second one. Its enabling/disabling is controlled by our software.
    Unfortunately your customer's decision makers will most likely never use one of these boxes day-to-day as they are probably Sky or Virgin Media subscribers.

    For people like me living in an area with slow broadband this box is a non starter with such limited functionality. Freesat remains the best option for satellite reception with, would you believe in 2017, an integrated HDD.


  • Advertisement
  • #1021
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,820 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    I think it odd that you are advocating multiple devices in favour of incorporating Netflix into a single device!

    I don't think so. Most people using netflix are likely to have a chromecast.
    The same with eir sport and others.
    Why would they want to go on saorview connect when people can simply chromecast it even away from their own home.

    I thought about getting now tv but because it wasn't chromecast enabled I haven't bothered with it. Eurosport is also using chromecast for their player. It makes no sense to have them on the saorview box unless I am mistaken.

    If the remote allows the user to change hdmi input it won"t be an issue. It also means a tuner won't be taken up on the box.


Advertisement