Saorview Connect

Tigerandahalf · 16-09-2018 08:35AM

For anyone that uses Sky is the Rte Player streaming in HD or 720p?

lsjmhar · 16-09-2018 06:01PM

Tigerandahalf wrote:

For anyone that uses Sky is the Rte Player streaming in HD or 720p?

Neither. it is either 360p or 480p. Quite grainy at times so must be SD, whatever that rate is usually!!

icdg · 16-09-2018 06:50PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

For anyone that uses Sky is the Rte Player streaming in HD or 720p?

Do you mean the RTE Player in the On Demand section? You can normally pick SD or HD and it is 1080i afaik. It doesn’t stream; you download and can watch once a certain percentage is downloaded.

Tigerandahalf · 16-09-2018 08:23PM

icdg wrote: »

Do you mean the RTE Player in the On Demand section? You can normally pick SD or HD and it is 1080i afaik. It doesn’t stream; you download and can watch once a certain percentage is downloaded.

I noticed that on someone's sky box before. The player doesn't stream. Why is that? It seems a bit behind the times for Sky.

I tried to chromecast TG4's live sports feed this afternoon, thinking it might be in HD but it was terribly grainy. Can tg4 stream in HD I wonder.

The Irish tv stations are way behind the curve in terms of players and their fumctionality. It is crazy that rte still don't have chromecast on its player. They are really failing their brief.

icdg · 16-09-2018 11:45PM

It’s the way it’s always been on Sky. I thought they’d change it for Sky Q but no. It has its advantages (you can fast forward through adverts, for example), and on demand programmes appear alongside recordings, as if you had recorded them.

Tigerandahalf · 17-09-2018 07:55AM

It seems a bit of a mess to me.
One would presume rte would like to emulate the iplayer at some stage. I use the iplayer for kids' programmes and it is brilliant the way it goes straight on to the next programme similar to netflix. Exit half way through a programme and you can resume.

I don't know where ads are going to go with these players. Putting a 2 minute ad at the start of players just doesn't work in the age of ad free netflix.

I think the model All4 has works really well with just a 10 second ad at the start and every 20/30 mins or so. Anything longer becomes a nuisance. I think people are more likely to watch a short ad whereas with longer ones they will go and make a cup of tea or whatever.

Itv's player is riddled with ads too and it has to push people away from the platform.

Quackster · 17-09-2018 01:39PM

What's even worse is when you're forced to watch ads at the beginning when trying to watch a live feed and the live feed isn't even paused while you're being subjected to the ads so you miss out on what was on while the ads were playing.

The RTE Player is so bad, you really couldn't make it up.

Gerry Wicklow · 17-09-2018 02:06PM

And to think you paid a €150 premium for the privilege....

galtee boy · 17-09-2018 02:21PM

Slightly off topic, but as ye are talking about players, another big plus with SkyQ, is that even though CH4 is SD, when you go into All4, you can record/download the CH4 programmes in HD.

Johnboy1951 · 17-09-2018 03:43PM

galtee boy wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but as ye are talking about players, another big plus with SkyQ, is that even though CH4 is SD, when you go into All4, you can record/download the CH4 programmes in HD.

CH4 is SD on Sky?

tsue921i8wljb3 · 17-09-2018 03:45PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

CH4 is SD on Sky?

Yes. They have a separate SD version that shows Irish advertising. There's only one HD version on satellite and it carries UK advertising.

Johnboy1951 · 17-09-2018 03:47PM

Lincoln Important Syllable wrote: »

Yes. They have a separate SD version that shows Irish advertising. There's only one HD version on satellite and it carries UK advertising.

Wow!

I had not known that they only allowed Irish subscribers access to the SD version.

Is there the facility of adding the HD version as 'other channel' or such?

tsue921i8wljb3 · 17-09-2018 03:51PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Wow!

I had not known that they only allowed Irish subscribers access to the SD version.

Is there the facility of adding the HD version as 'other channel' or such?

You can add it in other channels, at least on the older HD boxes I have not used Sky Q, but in other channels you can't pause or record.

Johnboy1951 · 17-09-2018 03:53PM

Lincoln Important Syllable wrote: »

You can add it in other channels, at least on the older HD boxes I have not used Sky Q, but in other channels you can't pause or record.

Thanks, I was not aware the Sky system was so crippled.

Tigerandahalf · 17-09-2018 05:26PM

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

And to think you paid a €150 premium for the privilege....

There are no ads on the connect rte player.

patsryan · 17-09-2018 10:05PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I noticed that on someone's sky box before. The player doesn't stream. Why is that? It seems a bit behind the times for Sky.

I tried to chromecast TG4's live sports feed this afternoon, thinking it might be in HD but it was terribly grainy. Can tg4 stream in HD I wonder.

The Irish tv stations are way behind the curve in terms of players and their fumctionality. It is crazy that rte still don't have chromecast on its player. They are really failing their brief.

Tigerandahalf there’s chromecase ability in the iOS RTÉ Player app

Tigerandahalf · 17-09-2018 10:12PM

patsryan wrote: »

Tigerandahalf there’s chromecase ability in the iOS RTÉ Player app

Not on android. I would say 3/4 of the people out there are on android. It was the same craic for the tg4 player.

galtee boy · 17-09-2018 10:19PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Thanks, I was not aware the Sky system was so crippled.

Freesat is crippled now as well, in relation to CH4, since HD version was removed from the EPG. CH4 won't allow HD version on Sky Ireland because they want ROI viewers to watch Irish adverts and they have no notion of paying for an Irish HD version on Sky.

patsryan · 17-09-2018 10:23PM

galtee boy wrote: »

Freesat is crippled now as well, in relation to CH4, since HD version was removed from the EPG. CH4 won't allow HD version on Sky Ireland because they want ROI viewers to watch Irish adverts and they have no notion of paying for an Irish HD version on Sky.

Freesat really need to kiss and make up C4.

Johnboy1951 · 17-09-2018 11:09PM

Maybe ye should all go FTA instead

I have a hearty dislike of buying things that are so closed down that I (the owner allegedly) cannot make changes to how it operates.

So Sky sub is out, as I cannot use the Sky card in a more suitable (for me) receiver.
Freesat seems to be going, or gone, a similar road (IIUC). If you cannot have full functionality outside what they decide you should have then it is certainly limited.

I don't own one, but the Linux boxes such as Tiviar seem to be the more 'unlimited' STBs.

Ten Pin · 17-09-2018 11:13PM

Introducing the award winning Saorview Connect...
https://mobile.twitter.com/IBCShow/status/1041371902340677632
Must have been a one horse race

STB. · 18-09-2018 12:05AM

Ten Pin wrote: »

Introducing the award winning Saorview Connect...
https://mobile.twitter.com/IBCShow/status/1041371902340677632
Must have been a one horse race

Innovation Award for Content Everywhere................. just not on a connected hard drive or usb key. :pac::pac::pac:

patsryan · 26-09-2018 09:17PM

So let me ask you all a question for the purpose of starting a conversation (apologies for probably dragging up questions already mentioned earlier in this form).

Technically (and hypothetically) speaking, could the Now / Next info from the DVB-S signal be preloaded into memory for all transponders when the Guide button is pressed / Mini Guide is brought up on screen?

Would there be much of a delay?

Would it be easier and faster to have the manufacturer download the info and store it in memory?

Just to Note I’m not on about 7 day info here (either from Freesat or the Net) just the Now/Next info that’s already saved into memory if you go through all channel transponders

This is all speculation of course as I know the likelihood of anything major being done on the Sat side of things is 0%, however one likes to dream and imagine how it would be a game changer for the Saorview Connect box to get such a small addition to the box (I.E ability to press the Guide and see info).

Now in more dreaming if Virgin Media Player, Netflix, YouTube and Rakuten.TV were put on the box also then IMO it would be a game changer device

Tigerandahalf · 27-09-2018 07:04AM

Pat

What I have is the Connect box running alongside a humax 1100s freesat box. 7 day epg on both, acess to the players, Netflix, youtube, etc. The saorview remote controls both boxes, switches both on and off at the same time. It is a not a perfect system but fine for my needs.

In truth I find it much easier to use apps like youtube and netflix off my tv and use my phone to search on the app and then cast to the tv. Perhaps the fancier remotes with voice control are an option but a loud house won't work with that.

I have used a sky box and I find the freesat far superior. It is a lovely box to use and very easy to scroll through the guide.

The satellite side of the Connect box will never provide what you are looking for. I bought my box in November last year and to think there still isn't recording enabled is pretty shocking. I hear they are still testing but it doesn't look good.

Saying that I am using saorview less and less and the need to record just isn't there for me except the very rare programme.

The catchup is an option though not all programmes are on it. There was a great documentary on Paul Gascoigne recently but unfortunately it wasn't on the player.

Freesat are meant to have a new box out in late 18/early 19 so that could be an option too.

patsryan · 27-09-2018 10:44AM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Pat

What I have is the Connect box running alongside a humax 1100s freesat box. 7 day epg on both, acess to the players, Netflix, youtube, etc. The saorview remote controls both boxes, switches both on and off at the same time. It is a not a perfect system but fine for my needs.

In truth I find it much easier to use apps like youtube and netflix off my tv and use my phone to search on the app and then cast to the tv. Perhaps the fancier remotes with voice control are an option but a loud house won't work with that.

I have used a sky box and I find the freesat far superior. It is a lovely box to use and very easy to scroll through the guide.

The satellite side of the Connect box will never provide what you are looking for. I bought my box in November last year and to think there still isn't recording enabled is pretty shocking. I hear they are still testing but it doesn't look good.

Saying that I am using saorview less and less and the need to record just isn't there for me except the very rare programme.

The catchup is an option though not all programmes are on it. There was a great documentary on Paul Gascoigne recently but unfortunately it wasn't on the player.

Freesat are meant to have a new box out in late 18/early 19 so that could be an option too.

I am aware of Freesat lauching their Gen 3 service with a box from Arris in 2019 with UHD support and having mutliple boxs is fine and all for someone like you or me but I am trying to find a 'nice' simple to use 'all-in-one' solution for my parents who won't use multiple boxs and fall into the category of 'paying for Sky' but only watch RTÉ - which wrecks my head :rolleyes:.

Since I posted my hypotectial scenario above, I asked PowerPoint on Facebook what the likelihood of preloading Guide information was (Now/Next) and they informed me that with the upcoming recording fuctionality update that the guide will be preloaded and the 2 SAT inputs utilized, so at least something appears in that otherwise useless guide!

Hi Pat . We are working to improve this. We will enable the recording feature shortly and with that both Sat 1 & 2 will be used. Developers advise this will resolve the missing data issue.
I’ve also shared your post with the developers as all feed back is good as we improve and grow.

corm500 · 27-09-2018 11:01AM

For somebody who is not the most technically minded person, can someone explain why there would be such a hold up with recording functionality? Saorview Connect used Freesat to design the interface and for the upkeep. Freesat has full recording ability on their boxes. Why would Connect be any different?

patsryan · 27-09-2018 11:04AM

corm500 wrote: »

For somebody who is not the most technically minded person, can someone explain why there would be such a hold up with recording functionality? Saorview Connect used Freesat to design the interface and for the upkeep. Freesat has full recording ability on their boxes. Why would Connect be any different?

Could be a thousand reasons - I am presuming there are difficulties around Hardware integration or some secret background negotiations going on

Tigerandahalf · 27-09-2018 11:36AM

The hardware is different. The saorview box also claims to have relatively new to market dual tuners that can work with satellite or terrestrial. Wait and see at this stage.

No matter what they do, not having a 7 day epg guide to allow for series linking etc on the satellite section kills the box as a main living room box, especially if you don't have access to uk players.

Capt'n Midnight · 27-09-2018 08:32PM

corm500 wrote: »

For somebody who is not the most technically minded person, can someone explain why there would be such a hold up with recording functionality? Saorview Connect used Freesat to design the interface and for the upkeep. Freesat has full recording ability on their boxes. Why would Connect be any different?

I can't explain.

Freesat provide the software behind the box. They've had boxes capable of doing two series link recordings, while watching another recording at the same time for the last ten years.

lsjmhar · 29-09-2018 07:55AM

patsryan wrote:

Since I posted my hypotectial scenario above, I asked PowerPoint on Facebook what the likelihood of preloading Guide information was (Now/Next) and they informed me that with the upcoming recording fuctionality update that the guide will be preloaded and the 2 SAT inputs utilized, so at least something appears in that otherwise useless guide!

Sweet. Patience is the key. As the saorview connect ad says 'The future of free TV has landed!'

Saorview Connect

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