UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

Heisenberg1 · 07-09-2012 04:18PM

ciaran75 wrote: »

it seems the horizon box is now live in holland.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/09/07/upc-launches-horizon-in-holland/

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/09/07/4243688/liberty-global-launches-horizon.html

"will be rolled out in Switzerland, Germany and Ireland over the next 3-6 months"

http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/09/07/horizon-dawns-for-upc-netherlands/

http://www.upc.nl/horizon/

Raoul Duke · 07-09-2012 04:35PM

is it only the Ipad that works with it? I hope they're working on an Android equivalent and that it will be ready by launch time here.

mmcd98 · 07-09-2012 10:24PM

I was given a demo of the Horizon box at IBC broadcast show today. It is very impressive but although it is launched today in Netherlands all the features are not fully developed.

Some of the highlights I gathered are:
- very intuitive interface
- 500GB hard disk
- 6 tuners assigned dynamically (depending on function required)
- multi recordings at same time
- stream recordings or live tv to iPad/iPhone (Android in development)
- simple remote control for basic functions (very similar to current DVR remote) but IOS app for more complex remote control functions
- play photos/video via DLNA
- push iPad content to TV via Horizon box
- 3 hour buffer which is not cleared when channel changed
- integrated modem for broadband (although can disable to use existing modem)
- integrated wifi and ethernet port to connect to home NAS
- smaller slave boxes connected via coax for secondary tv's (not yet released)
- learning function based on viewed programs to recommend similar content via live tv or ondemand (can be disabled)
- 'spare' tuners will record programs that you may be interested in based on previous viewing habits

It seems the box is being rolled out in Switzerland next week. The guy giving the demo didn't know about Ireland but he expected it to be within a few months as UPC are eager to get box into use as quickly as possible. I asked if it was targetted at new cutomers only but he said it would be fully available to existing customers to ensure faster takeup in the market.

Eamo71 · 08-09-2012 07:52AM

Pricing on the dutch site for Horizon (translated by Google)

All-in-1 Horizon 60 Mb

Standard Horizon TV
50 + TV channels
10 HD channels
Up to 4 programs simultaneously recording
Program Missed
UPC On Demand
Cheap calls from € 0.05 cents per minute

6 months free HD channel package (29 channels)
6 months free Extra TV (110 + channels)
6 months Film1
Free installation by technician
€ 39.50 pm
After 6 months € 54.95

All-in-1 Skyline with 120 Mb

Standard Horizon TV
50 + TV channels
10 HD channels
Up to 4 programs simultaneously recording
Program Missed
UPC On Demand
Cheap calls from € 0.05 cents per minute

6 months free HD channel package (29 channels)
6 months free Extra TV (110 + channels)
6 months Film1
Free installation by technician
€ 47.50 pm
After 6 months € 62.95

This when you go onto an order page
All-in-1 Horizon TV with 60 Mb €54.95
- Horizon TV Standard
- 60 Mb Internet
- Call
- Cable TV and Radio
Welcome Offer
Includes the first 6 months Film1, Horizon TV Extra and HD channel package. You pay the first 6 months only € 39.50 pm Includes free installation (you within 2 days call for an appointment). Promotions stop automatically. Read the terms and conditions .
Promo price first 6 months €39.50
Normal price per month €54.95
Activation Fees € 49.00
Deposit modem "> €45.00

If you're an existing UPC customer:

I am a returning customer, can I package?
Yes, even if you are already a customer of UPC, you can order this package. You will also receive six months discount on Horizon TV package and 6 months Film1, Horizon TV Extra and HD channel package gift. After 6 months of stopping automatically. If you already Film1-subscriber you will receive for 6 months off Film1. More information can be found in the conditions.

What happens to my current subscription?
To create a new subscription, we will automatically convert your current subscription (s) or package to the new package. Order at checkout what you ultimately want in the house, even if you already have all the channels or you already have an HD channel package. Your additional channel package is automatically taken to your new subscription. Our system automatically identifies which devices you already have. You receive nothing twice.

Is there an additional fee?
You pay the one-time activation fee may be named Horizon TV or modification cost Horizon Mediabox from € 49,00.
For this package you will receive a Horizon Media box and / or modem on loan. These remain the property of UPC. You pay a maximum fee of € 45, - deposit.
Are you already a customer of UPC and are you moving? In that case there is removal (€ 25, -) when you will be charged. These costs are in addition to other non-recurring costs.

I suffer from double subscription fee?
No, your subscription will be charged only once.

And here's a link to a Horizon Brochure http://www.lgi.com/PDF/horizon/horizon-brochure-2012.pdf

Solair · 08-09-2012 12:07PM

It's interesting that UPC Ireland's got probably the largest range of TV channels of any of its European operations.

Being an English-speaking market drives up the TV content quite a bit.

Eamo71 · 09-09-2012 01:01PM

Solair wrote: »

It's interesting that UPC Ireland's got probably the largest range of TV channels of any of its European operations.

Being an English-speaking market drives up the TV content quite a bit.

It'll be interesting to see the price points here as we already have lots of channels on the digi max package. Certainly Ireland seems to have more content than the Dutch if this is anything to go by. I wonder if Horizon will bring a few extra channels with it here?

Here's an interesting piece on Horizon http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/09/09/nair-reveals-horizon-challenges/

It's an interview with Liberty's CTO Balan Nair. He speaks of the challenges that the company faced developing it. It all seemed very arduous. Tivo is mentioned. interesting that they decided to ditch Tivo and go with their own box (if I'm picking up what's been said correctly).
Also some interesting tidbits in it:
Horizon will Be UPC's standard box in Netherlands (Hopefully same here).
Demand for Horizon is, allegedly, through the roof in Holland at the moment.
The Swiss will see Horizon rolled out in two months.
Horizon comes to Ireland in Q1 2013 (hurrah!)
Germany gets it Q1/Q2 2013

web site informitv.com took a look at it and said it was possibly the most ambitious next-generation television experience it has seen. http://informitv.com/news/2012/09/09/libertyonhorizon/

clint123 · 09-09-2012 06:03PM

Nice clip from UPC NL site.

http://www.upc.nl/horizon/#intcmp=promo1_horizon

TCP/IP · 10-09-2012 09:25AM

Now that look really good. I could really be tempted to give UPC my TV business with a service like that.
If only they had Sky F1 HD I deffo move.

Sponge Bob · 10-09-2012 09:38AM

I assume Digital MMDS customers can get this too.

who_me · 10-09-2012 03:58PM

clint123 wrote: »

Nice clip from UPC NL site.

http://www.upc.nl/horizon/#intcmp=promo1_horizon

Nice. I'd want to see that UI in real life before I'd jump on it. The existing UPC product looks great on adverts too, but try ............ using............ it in........... person and................

Calibos · 10-09-2012 04:36PM

- smaller slave boxes connected via coax for secondary tv's

OH, things just got really interesting! Any more information on this feature.

Obviously the slaves aren't as fully featured as a mirror box as that would cannibalize mirror sub revenue or have I got it wrong and the slaves are effectively the new mirror boxes with a morrir sub required for each?

If its the former, does anyone know what the limitations of it over a mirror box would be.

In my case I have a few rooms/Tv's that I would like to access most content on from time to time but which don't really warrant paying a permanent full mirror sub for.

As a personal example, the National lottery fitted a 42 inch LCD screen in our Newsagency/Shop for Lottery promo purposes. Its got the full gamut of inputs. Now obviously I would not be prepared to pay a mirror sub for a STB to hook up to this display in the shop the odd time there is a big match or event on but it would be pretty cool to have a sub-less small slave box permanently in the shop. I'd also have slaves in the other rooms that don't warrant a mirror sub but where I would like to access the UPC content from time to time.

Eamo71 · 10-09-2012 06:38PM

TCP/IP wrote: »

Now that look really good. I could really be tempted to give UPC my TV business with a service like that.
If only they had Sky F1 HD I deffo move.

F1 is on Setanta HD...?

who_me · 10-09-2012 06:51PM

Eamo71 wrote: »

F1 is on Setanta HD...?

Ah.. hadn't realised Setanta have every race this year (in HD). I must have checked BBC HD and forgotten to try Setanta.

icdg · 10-09-2012 07:40PM

who_me wrote: »

Ah.. hadn't realised Setanta have every race this year (in HD). I must have checked BBC HD and forgotten to try Setanta.

To go off topic slightly - Well, that's what we were promised at the start of the year. The German Grand Prix was on Setanta Sports 1 though in contradiction of what UPC had announced. That was the same weekend as the Open which to be fair if Setanta had moved that to Setanta Sports 1, their viewers would have deserted them for the BBC and they'd have never got them back.

zg3409 · 10-09-2012 08:22PM

I would suspect the slave boxes will act like sky multiroom using a Sky eye except that each box can watch different channels and access shared recordings etc.

The main box would be expensive, contain a hard drive, and a cable modem for on demand etc and have connections to take in external video.

I suspect the slave boxes will have a similar setup to the main TV. I doubt they will be cheaper or free just like the current multiroom. In fact they are more likely to be more expensive and more complicated to wire up. Existing multiroom wiring may not do.

ciaran75 · 11-09-2012 02:59PM

it mentions on one of the links the slave boxes will be wired via coaxial so existing wiring should do. It would be great if they didn't charge the multiroom charge for this box but rather an initial setup fee like they appear to be doing for the master box.

zg3409 · 11-09-2012 03:21PM

ciaran75 wrote: »

it mentions on one of the links the slave boxes will be wired via coaxial so existing wiring should do.

Existing wiring is usually split outside the building and sometimes a seperate cable is run all the way to the eves of the house or even the eves of the house next door.

For multiroom boxes to get their feed directly from the horizon box, even by coax, I would expect a feed directly from the horizon box would be needed. While not impossible it does not look like it would be "self install" for most people.

UPC are a business, if there offer is better than Sky they will charge more for the service. At the moment they charge less with current offering. Nothing will be "free"

Eamo71 · 11-09-2012 05:44PM

Follow this link and you can browse through Horizon's content that's currently showing in the Netherlands.
https://www.horizon.tv/nl_nl/programmas/most-popular.html

Eamo71 · 18-09-2012 04:51PM

Interesting that UPC's broadband speeds entry level is now 50 Mb. That's the minimum entry package with Horizon. It's on the way folks...

TCP/IP · 19-09-2012 10:17AM

Really looking forward to this new box.

elmoslattery · 19-09-2012 11:14AM

Eamo71 wrote: »

Interesting that UPC's broadband speeds entry level is now 50 Mb. That's the minimum entry package with Horizon. It's on the way folks...

when did that change.
I am on the 25mb package (which is the same price as the 50mb package is now).
I went to speedtest.net and i am getting 24.7 down.
It looks like i am paying the same amount for 25mb that a new subscriber will pay for 50.
Hopefully my speed will be upgraded at some point...

elmoslattery · 19-09-2012 11:27AM

I got this letter in the post today from UPC.

...soon be upgrading your TV service to give access to some exciting enhancements.

...changes to our network will happen on Thursday September 20th and will enable us to improve your service in the coming months.

...reset any seried linked shows...

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1zhe07aNkAM2Ep65upJ1D0oyfKdCkXAnkxhX1cAbdyIU/edit

Eamo71 · 19-09-2012 01:07PM

elmoslattery wrote: »

Eamo71 wrote: »

Interesting that UPC's broadband speeds entry level is now 50 Mb. That's the minimum entry package with Horizon. It's on the way folks...

when did that change.
I am on the 25mb package (which is the same price as the 50mb package is now).
I went to speedtest.net and i am getting 24.7 down.
It looks like i am paying the same amount for 25mb that a new subscriber will pay for 50.
Hopefully my speed will be upgraded at some point...

You will have to request the upgrade. It'll cost about 3 euro extra per month if you're on the triple play packages. Also if you've an older modem such as the Cisco 2425 you'll need a new one which will cost 45 euro. The older ones only take up to 30Mb while the newer ones up to 150mb.

RnR · 19-09-2012 01:50PM

TCP/IP wrote: »

Really looking forward to this new box.

When might it be in RoI?

elmoslattery · 19-09-2012 04:23PM

RnR wrote: »

When might it be in RoI?

early next year is when its expected

Missymoohaa · 20-09-2012 02:29PM

The problem with UPC/Chorus etc is that these fantastic enhancements are only available in big towns through out Ireland. I rang about this service to be told that in my area I would only have channels available to me, no recording, no box sets, no broadband etc. I only live about 18 miles outside Dublin. This IMO puts UPC at a distinct disadvantage to Sky. I asked the rep. if he had any idea when these functions would be available in my area and he told me honestly that there were no plans at all in the future.

0ph0rce0 · 20-09-2012 07:33PM

Eamo71 wrote: »

Follow this link and you can browse through Horizon's content that's currently showing in the Netherlands.
https://www.horizon.tv/nl_nl/programmas/most-popular.html

HAHA PIETER POST

HZ_NL_Postman_Pat_S03_20120827-956ddd38-6fba-48b1-a5b3-4d619790da4f_110x159_33994631.jpg

Its <MOD EDIT> POSTMAN PAT

icdg · 20-09-2012 07:37PM

Mind the language please. Dubbed programmes are sometimes retitled.

Eamo71 · 20-09-2012 07:49PM

Missymoohaa wrote: »

The problem with UPC/Chorus etc is that these fantastic enhancements are only available in big towns through out Ireland. I rang about this service to be told that in my area I would only have channels available to me, no recording, no box sets, no broadband etc. I only live about 18 miles outside Dublin. This IMO puts UPC at a distinct disadvantage to Sky. I asked the rep. if he had any idea when these functions would be available in my area and he told me honestly that there were no plans at all in the future.

Agreed. Their restriction (if you want to put it like that) to major urban areas/towns/cities is their Achilles Heel. But I imagine there's where most of the business is. Perhaps a team up with a company along the lines (geddit?) of the ESB to provide services on its infrastructure. But I don't have enough knowledge to know if that's even technically feasible or if its something UPC would even be interested in.

Crann na Beatha · 21-09-2012 11:58AM

This post has been deleted.

UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

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