Saorview Connect

clfy39tzve8njq · 13-03-2019 02:16PM

Johnboy1951 wrote:

Somewhat similar boxes work very well with 1GB or 2GB ram ...... not short on memory at all.

There are much better spec boxes available for running IPTV.

Johnboy1951 · 13-03-2019 04:00PM

Miranda Muscular Pigeonhole wrote: »

There are much better spec boxes available for running IPTV.

Of course there are much better spec boxes available for running lots of things if you wish.

Not sure what the point is.

Tony · 13-03-2019 04:22PM

Indeed and I don't see the relevance to the thread topic

The high horse brigade · 13-03-2019 04:36PM

Tony wrote: »

Indeed and I don't see the relevance to the thread topic

How relevant is anything to this connect box, it's been and looks like it will always be a complete failure. The future of the manufacturer looks average and very half arsed budget market aimed also.

clfy39tzve8njq · 13-03-2019 04:44PM

Johnboy1951 wrote:

Not sure what the point is.

Point is the connect isn't their only rubbish box

FRIENDO · 13-03-2019 07:10PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

How relevant is anything to this connect box, it's been and looks like it will always be a complete failure. The future of the manufacturer looks average and very half arsed budget market aimed also.

Atleast we are back on topic, I am interested to see how this Saorview Connect box works when the software is finished testing and ready for an official launch

I'm also interested in how the box is working with the test software at the moment

lsjmhar · 13-03-2019 07:32PM

FRIENDO wrote:

I'm also interested in how the box is working with the test software at the moment

FRIENDO wrote:

Atleast we are back on topic, I am interested to see how this Saorview Connect box works when the software is finished testing and ready for an official launch

The box is generally working well. Recording is good and the populating of the UK FTA now and next has made the satellite section more usable also. Another update should stabilise this and hopefully improve the on-demand function - TG4 player not working at present.

FRIENDO · 13-03-2019 08:11PM

lsjmhar wrote: »

The box is generally working well. Recording is good and the populating of the UK FTA now and next has made the satellite section more usable also. Another update should stabilise this and hopefully improve the on-demand function - TG4 player not working at present.

Thanks for the updates

Tigerandahalf · 13-03-2019 08:34PM

@Friendo

Am I right in that you are looking for a saorsat solution?

Would the satellite tuner on a tv do you for saorsat and get a freesat box for English channels. I presume you can't get freeview. I take it you are in the north or close to.

FRIENDO · 13-03-2019 08:56PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

@Friendo

Am I right in that you are looking for a saorsat solution?

Would the satellite tuner on a tv do you for saorsat and get a freesat box for English channels. I presume you can't get freeview. I take it you are in the north or close to.

Thanks for your advice Tiger, however at the moment I'm fine.

I just have an interest in the development of Saorview and the Connect platform

Tigerandahalf · 13-03-2019 09:58PM

I was the same. I thought it might be a good option as I was coming from a combi box background.

I bought the Connect box first and then got a gift of the humax freesat box. I wouldn't have bought the former if I had known how good the latter was especially when you get the players working on it.

I think if rte and saorview want to stay relevant they need to develop a box (android is probably best) that will keep potential viewers aware of its programming but still give them all the apps that they need. An android box would give netflix, prime, now tv, rte player, tg4 player, tv3 player and all the other apps.

In fairness the tide is against rte and other public broadcasters and there has been noise in the uk about how public service broadcasting will be lost etc.

A lot of tv is watched from just casual browsing and if the rte/saorview brand isn't at the forefront viewership will continue to decline.

To give an example, I wouldn't mind watching the Laochra Gael series on tg4 at the moment but I would need to put on a chromecast and then find it on the app on my phone. When you have only an hour or 2 to watch tv you just want to flick on the remote and go through the epg.

FRIENDO · 13-03-2019 10:39PM

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I was the same. I thought it might be a good option as I was coming from a combi box background.

I bought the Connect box first and then got a gift of the humax freesat box. I wouldn't have bought the former if I had known how good the latter was especially when you get the players working on it.

I think if rte and saorview want to stay relevant they need to develop a box (android is probably best) that will keep potential viewers aware of its programming but still give them all the apps that they need. An android box would give netflix, prime, now tv, rte player, tg4 player, tv3 player and all the other apps.

In fairness the tide is against rte and other public broadcasters and there has been noise in the uk about how public service broadcasting will be lost etc.

A lot of tv is watched from just casual browsing and if the rte/saorview brand isn't at the forefront viewership will continue to decline.

To give an example, I wouldn't mind watching the Laochra Gael series on tg4 at the moment but I would need to put on a chromecast and then find it on the app on my phone. When you have only an hour or 2 to watch tv you just want to flick on the remote and go through the epg.

Saorview Connect is a good idea, with the box it gives people access to both Saorview and Sat channels, hopefully with new software players and recordings will work well.

Not having 7 day epg on satellite is a pain for recording.

Ideally the best solution for Saorview Connect is for its software to be offered on Saorview approved TV's, like what's offered with Freeview Play - this would be a winner.

With a Freeview play TV you can get a roll back function by launching a player from the epg BBC, ITV, C4, C5, DAVE, CBS, Horror players etc.

However with the same Saorview approved TV set to Ireland with Saorview, no playback or any Connect function offered, just the Saorview channel's.

If RTE/Saorview could offer a Saorview Connect/Anywhere service on Saorview Approved Smart TV's it would be a great move.

Tigerandahalf · 13-03-2019 10:56PM

I agree that the product is best suited to being integrated into a tv. The satellite section will never cover the average user's needs with the lack of a 7 day epg.

But will any tv manufacturer bite given the potential cost.

Let's face it, if people had access to a proper functioning rte player app you have many of the features you need. Perhaps rte would be better served making sure their app is available on as many platforms as possible with the ability to download content.

patsryan · 14-03-2019 10:59AM

We have all seen how good Freesat's solution is in the UK - they didn't come to the point they are now overnight and neither will RTE / Saorview.

A lot of improvements have been made to the SVC box since the first recording beta.

The whole system is now much more responsive and the populated Now / Next guide on satellite channels really changes the game IMO.

Its a pity that a 7 day EPG wasn't added but I believe this was a commerical decision taken by RTE, likely to promote Irish FTA channels over the UK FTA ones.

I wouldn't be surprised that this is why the Satellite FTA channels appear in a different section that is buried within the menu.

I personally believe that if the last few bugs could be resolved and the below improvements can be made then this box is very close to being an almost perfect combi box for a non-techy TV watcher who wants to go FTA.

IMPROVEMENTS:

Create favourite groups e.g Entertainment, +1, Movies, Sports, Music, News, Movies, Kids etc

Type in a channel number on the remote when editing Satellite channels instead of having to scroll through tens / hundreds of numbers to set a channel number to the desired number.

Hidden channels should be hidden when editing channel numbers.

Ability to export the channel list so that if the box had to be reset one would not have to reorganise the channel list. This would allow a user to import the channel list onto another SVC box if necessary / wanted to do so.

Further improve on-screen animations so that the SVC box appears faster and fluid.

Add the ability for the user to play their own videos / photos via the SVC box.

Add the ability for users to watch other online content.

Other apps such as Netflix or YouTube could be one way to do this, although adding some casting technology such as Miracast / DLNA / WiDi / Google Cast / Apple AirPlay 2 could be another way to do so.

galtee boy · 14-03-2019 03:49PM

patsryan wrote: »

We have all seen how good Freesat's solution is in the UK - they didn't come to the point they are now overnight and neither will RTE / Saorview.

A lot of improvements have been made to the SVC box since the first recording beta.

The whole system is now much more responsive and the populated Now / Next guide on satellite channels really changes the game IMO.

Its a pity that a 7 day EPG wasn't added but I believe this was a commerical decision taken by RTE, likely to promote Irish FTA channels over the UK FTA ones.

I wouldn't be surprised that this is why the Satellite FTA channels appear in a different section that is buried within the menu.

I personally believe that if the last few bugs could be resolved and the below improvements can be made then this box is very close to being an almost perfect combi box for a non-techy TV watcher who wants to go FTA.

IMPROVEMENTS:

Create favourite groups e.g Entertainment, +1, Movies, Sports, Music, News, Movies, Kids etc

Type in a channel number on the remote when editing Satellite channels instead of having to scroll through tens / hundreds of numbers to set a channel number to the desired number.

Hidden channels should be hidden when editing channel numbers.

Ability to export the channel list so that if the box had to be reset one would not have to reorganise the channel list. This would allow a user to import the channel list onto another SVC box if necessary / wanted to do so.

Further improve on-screen animations so that the SVC box appears faster and fluid.

Add the ability for the user to play their own videos / photos via the SVC box.

Add the ability for users to watch other online content.

Other apps such as Netflix or YouTube could be one way to do this, although adding some casting technology such as Miracast / DLNA / WiDi / Google Cast / Apple AirPlay 2 could be another way to do so.

Near perfect combo box ? That's pushing it a bit. Even a €50 fta combo box has Saorview and satellite on the one EPG/channel list, ok it will never have 7 day epg for satellite channels, but surely to God, they could have allowed Saorview and satellite channels on the one list ? Try giving that box to a non techy elderly person and explain how to switch from RTE1 to BBC1 , it wouldn't pass any user friendly test.

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 05:02PM

Still trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

patsryan · 14-03-2019 05:44PM

galtee boy wrote: »

Near perfect combo box ? That's pushing it a bit. Even a €50 fta combo box has Saorview and satellite on the one EPG/channel list, ok it will never have 7 day epg for satellite channels, but surely to God, they could have allowed Saorview and satellite channels on the one list ? Try giving that box to a non techy elderly person and explain how to switch from RTE1 to BBC1 , it wouldn't pass any user friendly test.

With the improvements listed above, and the outstanding bugs fixed then yes in comparison to any combi box that I have used then it almost perfect.

No it won't give a list of all channels on one list but one of the improvements suggested to RTE / Saorview was to allow the user to create favorite groups which appear in the left hand side menu of the satellite screen, therefore defeating the purpose of a humongous single list of channels in the first place.

Also if my non-techy 60 year old parents could figure out how to change the modes on there own then I don't believe that there any issue here.

Also, I believe there isn't any other Generic FTA combi box on the market that pulls down now & next data out of the box without an internet connection although im open to correction on that one.

The high horse brigade · 14-03-2019 06:07PM

patsryan wrote: »

Also, I believe there isn't any other Generic FTA combi box on the market that pulls down now & next data out of the box without an internet connection although im open to correction on that one.

Enigma boxes like the Tiviar Alpha use a plugin called CrossEPG to pull down the 7 day EPG data from satellite, no internet connection is needed

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 07:14PM

patsryan wrote:

Also, I believe there isn't any other Generic FTA combi box on the market that pulls down now & next data out of the box without an internet connection although im open to correction on that one.

The 7 day EPG info is available from Satellite ....... obviously they do not wish to have it 'contaminate' their box.

patsryan · 14-03-2019 07:27PM

The high horse brigade wrote: »

Enigma boxes like the Tiviar Alpha use a plugin called CrossEPG to pull down the 7 day EPG data from satellite, no internet connection is needed

Linux boxes have to be built by a techy user and are not an out of box experience, therefore they don’t apply to my above comment.

Also, I believe there isn't any other Generic FTA combi box on the market that pulls down now & next data out of the box without an internet connection although im open to correction on that one.

patsryan · 14-03-2019 07:32PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

The 7 day EPG info is available from Satellite ....... obviously they do not wish to have it 'contaminate' their box.

RTÉ made a commercial decision not to include one - likely to promote there own channels

Sam Russell · 14-03-2019 07:40PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

The 7 day EPG info is available from Satellite ....... obviously they do not wish to have it 'contaminate' their box.

There is a question of copyright and ownership of the information. Do not forgt that RTE are a broadcaster with an interst in such matters, both as an owner of such and as a user.

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 08:03PM

Sam Russell wrote: »

There is a question of copyright and ownership of the information. Do not forgt that RTE are a broadcaster with an interst in such matters, both as an owner of such and as a user.

OK, and if I say there is no such question, then what?

Has a case been taken against any entity?

If RTÉ are in great fear of what might occur, then what is to prevent them from allowing a user installed plugin to achieve the same result?

Only reason I can imagine is they do not want it made available to end users!

This box has been a disaster from its first release.

Not that I care at all, as I have 7 day EPG and the other facilities I require on my devices.

Sam Russell · 14-03-2019 08:08PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

OK, and if I say there is no such question, then what?

Has a case been taken against any entity?

If RTÉ are in great fear of what might occur, then what is to prevent them from allowing a user installed plugin to achieve the same result?

Only reason I can imagine is they do not want it made available to end users!

This box has been a disaster from its first release.

Not that I care at all, as I have 7 day EPG and the other facilities I require on my devices.

You could ask why Freesat wil not allow the progammes to be ordered by the user. Same problem.

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 08:21PM

Sam Russell wrote: »

You could ask why Freesat wil not allow the progammes to be ordered by the user. Same problem.

I could ..... if the subject of discussion was Freesat.
I could also answer it.

Dunno what the point is in raising Freesat here.

Sam Russell · 14-03-2019 09:08PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I could ..... if the subject of discussion was Freesat.
I could also answer it.

Dunno what the point is in raising Freesat here.

Remind me - who provides the software platform for the connect box?

patsryan · 14-03-2019 10:33PM

Sam Russell wrote: »

Remind me - who provides the software platform for the connect box?

I wonder why did they choose that platform?

Oh wait.... yes... because it’s so well regarded.

Lots of people will judge what hasn’t been done,

I as I’m sure others are would rather help improve the Saorview implementation of Metaphors software to make it as best and close to the ideal Saorview / Freesat combi box as it can be within the limits RTÉ have set the developers.

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 11:48PM

Sam Russell wrote: »

Remind me - who provides the software platform for the connect box?

Who made the decisions on what the Connect box should be like; What functions it should have?

Who is responsible for it?

No point is saying Freesat is somehow responsible because RTÉ chose their software including the limitations they place on what they provide to third parties.

RTÉ are solely responsible for the disaster that is their Saorview Connect box.

lsjmhar · 14-03-2019 11:48PM

To be fair the box is quite stable now. Switching between Irish and UK FTA is quicker. Populating UK fta channels is working well. The recording is functioning well also so all that is required is the players. However, it will be impossible to please all people. RTE and Saorview are doing a good reconsidering the limited resources compared to BBC and ITV.

Johnboy1951 · 14-03-2019 11:55PM

the box is quite stable now

Hehehehehehe ..........

Saorview Connect

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