Tiviar Alpha Plus Combo STB

Is it possible to make the recordings on the HDD available on internal network another devices can play them?

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Yes. The easiest way is to use any web browser and open the boxes network address 192.168.xxx.xxx. You will open a page called Webif which allows you to control and stream the box live or recordings.
Most PCs will also show the box in the file explorer if you wanted to copy/backup/share a recording.
Click the small screen icon beside a channel name to stream that channel. The other icon is that channels EPG. Clicking the channel name itself will zap the box to that channel.
In the top left is the movie section which works in a similar way.
You can also edit bouquets, set timers/autotimers and much more from Webif.

Thanks I’ve been using webif and it’s great. What I’m hoping to do is to male my HDD available as a NAS so that my other smart tv can play the content. Is that possible?

greasepalm wrote: »

you can have a dedicated nas connected to router and all internal or external hdd from boxes network mounted via samba.

Ok but you need a dedicated nas for this? No way to do it just using internal drive on tiviar?

Quite often Samba is already installed by default but may need to be started.
BLUE>NETWORK>NETWORK SERVICES>SAMBA
Once running it is possible to mount the HDD on a PC as a network drive like THHB says.

Another option for a Smart TV is to install the DLNA plugin on the box. Any DLNA compatible device should then be able to see the movies folder. In practice I've had mixed results with a Sony Tv not recognising/handling all recording formats.

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Another option for a Smart TV is to install the DLNA plugin on the box. Any DLNA compatible device should then be able to see the movies folder.

Sweet this worked perfectly

Mars A7X wrote: »

Is this easy enough to set up? And if not, is there a setup guide?

There is a fair learning curve if you are not computer literate. Like many things a lot of it is simply getting used to the jargon. If the supplier hasn't done a basic setup beforehand, the box will "talk you through" the initial setup. You WILL need to scan the terrestrial channels for your local Saorview region and probably update the satellite scan. You will also need to set up your home network, preferably wired, to get the best from the box although it is not essential.
If you've ever setup a PC or laptop, you'll cope with this.
In terms of an online manual, this forum is one of the best

Hello All,

Some time ago I bought a AA2+ and with great guidance here, I configured it. However, I've never really been delighted with it. Timeshift and recording are problematic. If I have a program recording, then change to another channel, no problem. But do something else like open the EPG and (not always) BOOM! the little spinning icon appears, gradually the picture-in-picture starts to stutter, then the sound, then a flickering message about a crash. MrsNN goes nuts, especially as the message says the box will reboot in 10 seconds - but doesn't. Presumably that's because time has slowed down for the box due to CPU being hammered. After about 5 minutes, it will reboot - if I'm allowed wait that long

(as an aside, everything is writing to disk, so that's not the problem and I'm using the latest VIX).

So, I'm thinking of an upgrade. Might go for this one. See there are options for OpenATV or VIX. Does anyone here have experience of both ON THIS BOX, and would you have an opinion as to which is better. I'm thinking of performance rather than looking good. Also ease of recording and playback is a must-have for SWMBO. I see the basic box is now on offer at £99, so this might be a good time to jump.

Thanks in advance everyone!
Nick

Hi Gerry,

Thanks for taking the trouble....

I've triple checked that everything is writing to the HDD, including the EPG.

The HDD is a USB connected device, without separate power. (the hardware config was recommended by the shop I bought it from in Dublin). I suppose I could try getting a second HDD or even USB stick and pointing the EPG at that, as the scenario I described might be as you say, down to conflicts when too many processes are trying to use the HDD. But...... if throwing money at it solves the problem, well 100+ euro would be cheap enough if it works AND makes my boss happy!

If I solve the problem using second storage device for EPG, I'll post about my experience in the AA2+ forum.

If I buy the Tiviar and set it up to 'our' satisfaction, then I'll post here.

Thanks again.

NickNickleby wrote: »

Hi Gerry,

Thanks for taking the trouble....

I've triple checked that everything is writing to the HDD, including the EPG.

The HDD is a USB connected device, without separate power. (the hardware config was recommended by the shop I bought it from in Dublin). I suppose I could try getting a second HDD or even USB stick and pointing the EPG at that, as the scenario I described might be as you say, down to conflicts when too many processes are trying to use the HDD. But...... if throwing money at it solves the problem, well 100+ euro would be cheap enough if it works AND makes my boss happy!

If I solve the problem using second storage device for EPG, I'll post about my experience in the AA2+ forum.

If I buy the Tiviar and set it up to 'our' satisfaction, then I'll post here.

Thanks again.

I was thinking if you had another HDD knocking about to try that. If it's a case of going out to buy something then I'd sooner spend on the Tiviar than waste more on the AA2.

Hi Gerry,
Yes, I'm a great believer in not throwing good money after bad, as they say. I'll take a look in my box of spares and see what's there. If I find nothing, then its off down the Tiviar route for me.

Hi High-horse-brigade,
Yeah, that was the plan, as the £99 offer doesn't include a HDD.

I'll post my observations whichever way I go. (This approach has been useful to myself, like keeping a diary, but everyone gets to read it:D)

thanks to you both.

Hey there, one last question before purchase. I understand you can opt in for a HDD and wireless USB. For the price of the upgrades you can easily get much cheaper or better alternatives. Is the the HDD hard to install by yourself if you were to use your own and would any wifi dongle work? Cheers.

Better to go with hard wired if possible and if needing more lan connections a network switch?
Thinking most hdd are sata?

STB. wrote: »

Most USB drives when taken out of the case can be connected internally in the box. It's a sata connection.

WD passports dont have a sata connection, just the same usb connection you see from the case. So watch out for these.

The Tiviar takes a slim form factor 2.5 inch laptop type hard drive.