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Saorview Connect

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Comments

  • #1472
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    FRIENDO wrote: »
    Hi Tiger,

    Im in a similar situation to yourself.

    However I'm not spending money until my 10 year old TV stops working.

    When that happens I'll buy a Saorview/Sat tuner TV
    3-4 hdmi inputs
    4k
    Smart or android TV for players.

    Will use a Humax freesat HDR for English channels.

    Connect usb hardrive for recording RTE etc on TV.

    You might be better off waiting till you need a new TV rather than buying different boxes that may not work out.

    Ya I am thinking that at some stage next year a tv will come out with saorview connect built in and the possibility of a satellite tuner all off the one remote. Hopefully with tuners to record/view any combination.

    Having one remote is a key need with 1 button switching between saorview and sat.

    With saorview connect I wonder will it be more difficult to get everything on one remote.


  • #1473
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    I have been playing around with it this evening.

    It seems the remote can control your tv's hdmi input.
    You first need to pair the remote to the tv. You then press the 'av' button and it brings up the source inputs. Keep pressing the same button to toggle through. Then let go of the button and wait and it will select the choice (this takes some time).

    However I am having an issue when in the tv mode I can't then seem to get out of it. Nothing in the user manual about it.

    So the remote may control all necessary tv functions.

    I sorted my satellite channels tonight. It is a slow single channel move process.

    I also set up my saorview ID, paired it with my connect box and now I can use my phone app to control the box.

    There also seems to be red button functionality on the satellite channels.

    EDIT: The red button on bbc1hd had rugby league highlights on. However while the red button takes you to the channel it only has voice - no picture. Not sure what is up there.


  • #1474
    lsjmhar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Saorview probably need more feedback from users to help improve the box. It probably has all the functionality of humax but needs reviewing on a larger basis than.original focus group.


  • #1475
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    lsjmhar wrote: »
    Saorview probably need more feedback from users to help improve the box. It probably has all the functionality of humax but needs reviewing on a larger basis than.original focus group.

    It doesn't have 7 day epg.
    I am still have teething issues with it. Since I have created my satellite channel list I am losing the volume on channels and am having to press the 'AD' (audio description) button on or off to get it back.

    I am sure this thread will be helpful for others so hopefully people will come on and contribute.


  • #1476
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,361 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    STB. wrote: »
    Someone decided on a hybrid approach to the Irish spec mish mashing bits of UK DBook (MHEG interactive layer) with the Nordig standard. Possibly to keep Boxer the probable commercial Mux operator happy.

    This was not a good idea as it meant that pan european tv's would not be ready off the shelf. And so followed a period of certification through Terracom. Because of the mish mash standard, many devices TVs/STBs failed. Then ASO loomed large and there was a rush to get a branded box. Enter Vestel, large OEM. The only way to bypass a convoluted and expensive certification process who saw the advantages by passing a chassis rather than individual boxes, and simply rebadging.

    Just catching up tonight after a few days away from boards.

    A mish mash of standards would be the correct term for adding MHEG-5 functionality to the Nordig specification, considering it wasn't used by the Nordig countries, MHP was the standard there at the time, or any other country for that matter. An RTÉ add on no doubt, sold to them as a cheaper option than MHP maybe, possibly with reception of UK overspill in mind at the time. (https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=58447787#post58447787)

    The Nordig spec was the correct choice at the time for FTA DTT as the chosen commercial DTT contractor was one of the developers of the standard, so you couldn't have one box standard for commercial DTT and another for FTA DTT. Teracom, the parent company of the winning bidder, Boxer, was chosen for Saorview compliance testing (https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64082244)

    Then the commercial DTT process ended in failure in the first half of 2010 leaving RTÉ with stuck with the hybrid Nordig/MHEG-5 spec after 2 years of development, too late to start again with ASO looming 2 years later.

    In hindsight, if we had switched to the UK's D-Book standard, but with MPEG-4 video, like New Zealand did from the start, we wouldn't now be stuck in this standards black hole and would likely have a range of off the shelf receivers available to us. Interoperability of receivers between Saorview and Freeview overspill might be better and we might now have a Freeview Play like Saorview Connect box with at least a basic HDD. :rolleyes:


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  • #1477
    liam7831
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,815 ✭✭✭liam7831


    What's the general consensus on this box, all my parents have is an old crappy Lidl sat box and normal Arial. Want to upgrade at this stage


  • #1478
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,361 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    liam7831 wrote: »
    What's the general consensus on this box, all my parents have is an old crappy Lidl sat box and normal Arial. Want to upgrade at this stage

    Avoid for now.

    Suggest you/they look at the Walker/Nordmemde range of combi Saorview /satellite TVs in Powercity, all channels in a single list with satellite channels starting at 301, user friendly. Reasonably priced too.


  • #1479
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    New software update coming this week that will have a channel list for the satellite channels. It will have nearly 50 channels ready to go on it.


  • #1480
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,950 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    New software update coming this week that will have a channel list for the satellite channels. It will have nearly 50 channels ready to go on it.

    Did you get a notification about this?


  • #1481
    Snake Plisken
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,419 ✭✭✭✭Snake Plisken


    Gerry Wicklow wrote: »
    A Freesat box will not give you Saorview so you will have multiple remotes and boxes and have to switch sources to go between them. The triple tuner version of the Formuler F1 will do all of the above and costs half the price of a connect box.

    Hey Gerry
    Have you the Formula F1 box? I take it you can edit the channel list and have it with say The Irish Channels from the Terrestrial tuner and the UK channels from the Satellite tuner, any compatibility issues with say the VIX image?


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  • #1482
    SteM
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,574 ✭✭✭SteM


    Snake Plisken wrote: »
    Hey Gerry
    Have you the Formula F1 box? I take it you can edit the channel list and have it with say The Irish Channels from the Terrestrial tuner and the UK channels from the Satellite tuner, any compatibility issues with say the VIX image?

    Theres a great pc app called echannelizer that allows you to set up any channel list you want. Works on enigma boxes.


  • #1483
    Gerry Wicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,582 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    Snake Plisken wrote: »
    Hey Gerry
    Have you the Formula F1 box? I take it you can edit the channel list and have it with say The Irish Channels from the Terrestrial tuner and the UK channels from the Satellite tuner, any compatibility issues with say the VIX image?
    You can make your own favourites list(s) with any mixture of Saorview and satellite you fancy, all with full 7 day EPG. AFAIK the box comes with Vix installed but i prefer openATV as it is far better in terms of plugins etc. It's a simple task to upgrade from Vix to Atv.


  • #1484
    Gerry Wicklow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,582 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    Here's a rough screengrab of the enigma (cooltvguide) EPG showing a mix of Saorview and satellite listings. The cooltvguide plugin is available on most flavours of enigma.

    The image at the top is the current channel the box is watching. The text relates to the highlighted program.

    Pressing OK takes you directly to the highlighted channel.

    At the bottom you have the four coloured buttons.
    RED = quick record which instantly sets and starts the timer for the highlighted show.
    GREEN = Timer opens a dialogue for you to tweak the timer setting if needed. Normally defaults are OK.
    YELLOW = Guideswitch switches between different guide layouts if you don't want the top image or prefer larger text etc etc
    BLUE = search which finds more instances of the highlighted program name on any channel.

    Note: Holding the green timer button for a few seconds opens the AUTOTIMER dialogue which allows you set series linking for a show. The dialogue also allows you to choose many different options in terms of days, times, channels, exact or partial names etc etc. It sounds complex but is actually very simple to use but also very powerful.

    All of the above buttons etc are fully configurable to your own preferences. This is simply the layout I use.


  • #1485
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    Did you get a notification about this?

    Once you sign up for saorview ID and pair your box you will get notifications on software updates.

    To pair the box with your phone app make sure you are in the saorview section. If you have the satellite channels on you can't pair the box.


  • #1486
    Maysa07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,285 ✭✭✭Maysa07


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    Click on channels first.
    The satellite section is really poor. They clearly haven't bothered their arse with it.
    The satellite mode on the connect box was an added feature from the manufacture, Saorview have nothing to do with fta.
    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    It doesn't have 7 day epg.
    I am still have teething issues with it. Since I have created my satellite channel list I am losing the volume on channels and am having to press the 'AD' (audio description) button on or off to get it back.

    I am sure this thread will be helpful for others so hopefully people will come on and contribute.

    I think you mentioned that you are using an old TV? are you in a position to test the box on a different TV? It's just that iv'e seen similar issues like the one you're describing, When you change between sat and saorview, a few funnies happen because of the old type of HDMI on older TV's.


  • #1487
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Maysa07 wrote: »
    When you change between sat and saorview, a few funnies happen because of the old type of HDMI on older TV's.

    Is it the tv or the software though?
    Unless people on here using newer tvs have had no issue?

    If saorview have nothing to do with the satellite section does that open the possibility of powerpoint doing something on that end, maybe eventually even providing 7 day epg. It would certainly boost sales of the box.


  • #1488
    Tony
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,368 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Thats not quite my understanding. Last time I had a look at the box it had auto sorting of the first 17 channels, has that changed since ?

    Maysa07 wrote: »
    The satellite mode on the connect box was an added feature from the manufacture, Saorview have nothing to do with fta.


    .

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • #1489
    Maysa07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,285 ✭✭✭Maysa07


    Tony wrote: »
    Thats not quite my understanding. Last time I had a look at the box it had auto sorting of the first 17 channels, has that changed since ?

    Yes it has auto sorting, sorry i just meant that Saorview have nothing to do with FTA. My understanding is that the manufacture added the satellite functionality.


  • #1490
    Maysa07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,285 ✭✭✭Maysa07


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    Is it the tv or the software though?
    Unless people on here using newer tvs have had no issue?

    If saorview have nothing to do with the satellite section does that open the possibility of powerpoint doing something on that end, maybe eventually even providing 7 day epg. It would certainly boost sales of the box.

    I would guess that it's the TV. The only way to know for sure would be to connect the box to another TV to see if your still experiencing the same issues.


  • #1491
    Hibrasil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Hibrasil


    Maysa07 wrote: »
    Yes it has auto sorting, sorry i just meant that Saorview have nothing to do with FTA. My understanding is that the manufacture added the satellite functionality.

    Back in January 2016 SAORVIEW made this announcement:-
    RTÉ has partnered with Freesat, the UK free-to-air television company, to develop a new product for Saorview, Ireland’s free digital television service and the largest television platform in Ireland*. The new product, called Saorview Connect, will allow viewers to access a range of on demand content as well as the Saorview television channels, all integrated in a new set-top box with a range of additional features.

    What was this all about if they were having nothing to do with FTA


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  • #1492
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    Is it the tv or the software though?
    Unless people on here using newer tvs have had no issue?

    If saorview have nothing to do with the satellite section does that open the possibility of powerpoint doing something on that end, maybe eventually even providing 7 day epg. It would certainly boost sales of the box.

    Are you joking me.

    They will not be rolling out anything of the sort.

    The only way that is going to happen is if someone hacks the box.

    From what I can see the software updates will be OTA.

    I presume the software for these boxes is encapsulated in an ALI abs def file and that theoretically individual bin files could be flashed to the box using the usb port. Is the usb port activated on these boxes ?

    Can you see the connect box on your network ? Tried getting into it ?

    Show me pictures of the satellite menu - is there options to load channel lists or back them up to a usb etc ?

    Your problem with the BBC Red Button service is that the Broadcast Service whilst activating the listener for the Red Button Service is not grabbing the VPID correctly. Tell them MHEG isnt configured correctly for satellite. They'll probably tell you to feck off. :)

    @Hibrasil. The reference to Freesat is to the organisation, not the software.


  • #1493
    lsjmhar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 399 ✭✭lsjmhar


    Hibrasil wrote:
    Back in January 2016 SAORVIEW made this announcement:- RTÉ has partnered with Freesat, the UK free-to-air television company, to develop a new product for Saorview, Ireland’s free digital television service and the largest television platform in Ireland*. The new product, called Saorview Connect, will allow viewers to access a range of on demand content as well as the Saorview television channels, all integrated in a new set-top box with a range of additional features.

    Hibrasil wrote:
    What was this all about if they were having nothing to do with FTA


    There is no reference to UK FTA channels in that statement, just Irish FTA with ondemand, ie. RTE player, TG4 player and maybe TV3 player. Based on that statement, Saorview have fulfilled their commitment to the Irish viewer. We only get UK FTA based on our proximity to the UK. The reference to Freesat only indicates that the Freesat company were going to produce the software/box using the Metaphor platform. If EKT add satellite channels in an acceptable method then that is fundamentally a bonus. If Netflix is added, or other ondemand apps from the metaphor platform, then that will be a real bonus. If we want a seamless system that allows all channels, with pvr, rollback, boxsets, movies, sports, etc. we will have to pay sky/virgin/eir.


  • #1494
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    lsjmhar wrote: »
    If EKT add satellite channels in an acceptable method then that is fundamentally a bonus. If Netflix is added, or other ondemand apps from the metaphor platform, then that will be a real bonus. If we want a seamless system that allows all channels, with pvr, rollback, boxsets, movies, sports, etc. we will have to pay sky/virgin/eir.

    They dont have a sdk solution for Netflix as the software on this box is closed source.

    The box doesnt even support H265.

    I'd wager that EKT will be just ubdating the default bin file of preconfigured satellite channels so people dont have to scan. If any satellite channels move frequency they'll have to roll out another software update, then another, then another until they get tired of doing it and will then tell people to rescan and sort via the remote.


  • #1495
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    As far as I know updates can be done through usb as well. I am pretty sure I saw that when going through options on the box.

    I don't know much about the technical aspects of these boxes. But if it is the case that Powerpoint have freedom to put stuff on the box wouldn't it make sense for them to do so as it would boost sales. They already have various apps on the box.

    EDIT: < Saying the above Saorview have been clear in their advertising that Now & Next would only be available on the satellite end of the box. So whether Powerpoint have the freedom to do much with the box we don't know. >

    The EKT guy on here previously mentioned how they wanted Netflix on the box but it was turned down - by whom I am not clear.


  • #1496
    patsryan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 131 ✭✭patsryan


    Out of curiosity - have PowerPoint made any other boxes (i.e Freesat) other than the SV Connect box? The remote seems very familiar but I can't quite place it


  • #1497
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Powerpoint dont make boxes for Freesat. Powerpoint dont make boxes at all. Its just a brand name of a distributor in Ireland. The OEM box manufacturer is EKT.

    EKT also make boxes rebranded under MTC.


  • #1498
    Tigerandahalf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,828 ✭✭✭Tigerandahalf


    Re: a hdmi splitter and using the Connect box with a freesat box - if you put either box into standby would that bring the other box to prominence on the splitter? Thus no need to change the hdmi output?


  • #1499
    patsryan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 131 ✭✭patsryan


    STB. wrote: »
    Powerpoint dont make boxes for Freesat. Powerpoint dont make boxes at all. Its just a brand name of a distributor in Ireland. The OEM box manufacturer is EKT.

    EKT also make boxes rebranded under MTC.

    Thanks for that STB - any idea where the remote hails from then? I see the same remote appears (in light grey) appears on freesat's website here https://www.freesat.co.uk/switching-is-easy/sky/


  • #1500
    Former Former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭Former Former


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    Re: a hdmi splitter and using the Connect box with a freesat box - if you put either box into standby would that bring the other box to prominence on the splitter? Thus no need to change the hdmi output?

    I doubt it tbh. Most modern STBs are "always on", even in standby mode, so the splitter doesn't know to switch inputs.

    You won't know until you try but a good chance you'll have to do it manually.


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  • #1501
    Maysa07
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,285 ✭✭✭Maysa07


    Tigerandahalf wrote: »
    As far as I know updates can be done through usb as well. I am pretty sure I saw that when going through options on the box.

    I don't know much about the technical aspects of these boxes. But if it is the case that Powerpoint have freedom to put stuff on the box wouldn't it make sense for them to do so as it would boost sales. They already have various apps on the box.

    EDIT: < Saying the above Saorview have been clear in their advertising that Now & Next would only be available on the satellite end of the box. So whether Powerpoint have the freedom to do much with the box we don't know. >

    The EKT guy on here previously mentioned how they wanted Netflix on the box but it was turned down - by whom I am not clear.

    Saorview wanted more apps, PVR etc on launch but other company's would not jump on board because it wasn't launched.
    The PRV function was causing a lot frustration for Saorview, delay after delay so a decision was made to launch without a lot of functions. So expect lots of stuff to be added in the first quarter 2018.


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