UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

Aquila wrote: »

How does this compare with the box sky offers in terms of features?

From what I've seen of it, a lot of the 'wow factor' is just down to the responsiveness and design of the interface. (I'm not playing that down, UPC's current interface is verrrrrry slow and looks dated). I don't have a Sky box, so can't compare.

The ability to stream videos to your phone/tablet is nice. I guess you can use Sky Player if you have a Sky subscription, but it's not quite the same.

Also, you can stream from your phone/tablet to the TV. This is a very nice feature, you'd otherwise need an AppleTV to do this. I haven't heard many details about it, so I don't know if it's exactly like Airplay. Still, I don't think it has any Sky equivalent.

It also has several tuners. I was wondering why these might be needed. My theory - if you have a list of a few favourite channels, it's constantly recording each of them. So, if you switch to that channel and just miss a goal being scored, you'll be able to rewind and see it. Or if you switch and a film has already started, you can rewind to the start. Of course, that would only work if you have some kind of favourites list.

i think the horizon box will lead to high levels of obesity in ireland!

elmoslattery wrote: »

Eamo71 wrote: »

Also the box will feature a host of third party apps such as twiter, Facebook, YouTube etc...
Being able to record four progs simultaneously is a major Plus.

I wonder if its possible that there will be a Netflix app.

Also, does anyone know how much it will cost? Is it a once off payment for the box or an extra monthly charge.

I doubt there'll be a Netflix app as it would canabalise UPC's On Demand service. No charges are yet known but it seems there'll be a fee for upgrading your box and it'll be a few extra euro PM.

a review of the horizon tv app translated via good translate

http://www.tabletsmagazine.nl/2012/09/review-upc-horizon-tv-app-live-tv-kijken-op-je-ipad/


The new Horizon UPC media box would watch television to give a new dimension and also numerous new opportunities entail. One of these new features is the (live) streaming content through your media box to your tablet (or smartphone). But how does it function in practice and how does the UPC compared to other providers?

Everyone was so far, except UPC ...
Other providers offer some time the ability to stream live TV to your tablet. UPC was one of the largest providers of digital television the only one who stayed behind. Until a week ago, it remained unclear why UPC a longer lead needed for the launch of the service than its competitors. Only after the official launch of Horizon UPC media box it suddenly became clear why UPC had used the extra time. UPC hopes the Horizon Mediabox a new product to market that watching television should give a new dimension. Self advertises the company with the slogan: "Experience TV like never before. Beautiful. Intuitive. Better. "

Horizon introduction video

Horizon subscriptions
UPC has introduced two subscriptions with the Horizon mediabox delivered. All information on subscriptions can be found on the website of UPC.

Horizon TV (the application)
We need to show two things separately, because you have the Horizon Media box (decoder) and the Horion TV app. In this review we look purely at the application that allows live look possible. The possibilities of the media box below this article are briefly discussed.

The Horizon TV application can only be used when your customer'm at UPC with a digital TV subscription and a UPC Internet features. In case of failure to meet one or both of these requirements, it is not possible to make use of the application and its functions. In addition, the application is currently only available for download for the iPhone and iPad. Early next year, the Android version not expected.

The possibilities
These are the features of the app:

Look up to 80 popular TV channels (live) on your iPad or iPhone
Simply browse through the UPC On Demand catalog
Trailers and information about movies
UPC On Demand programs on your iPad or iPhone
Programs look back whenever you want via Program Missed
Current TV guide view or programs retrieval day, genre keyword
Schedule a recording using the DVR in your media box, wherever you are
Get viewing tips for other programs
The appearance
In a word "Fan-tas-tic!", The work is devoted to the design of the application has borne fruit. The application looks very professional and stylish, also feels the control of the app is very intuitive.



When opening the Horizon TV app you get a screen with the best of Horizon and the highest rated content. Think of the top series, top movies, documentaries and even top top music. You can then easily navigate further by clicking on one of the five buttons at the top of the screen, scroll through content goes through a swipe (sweep) - movement on the touchscreen. If you want to watch live TV, you'll go in the overview above which all 80 (in my case) channels in an orderly grid shown.

Live streaming
The live streaming feature is one of the many points on which I am very happy. Not only the offer is overwhelming, but the image is of very good quality. By comparison, KPN, the provider as best tested in an article I wrote earlier, provides only 20 television channels. UPC contrast, provides up to 80 channels (depending on the closed subscription). In addition, the quality of which UPC its channels broadcasts (streaming) is significantly better than other providers, so a big plus.



Another feature that can be very useful is the pause option. When viewing a (live) program, the viewer has the ability to pause the program so as to broadcast to resume later. Of course, the social media is not like you are missing in the above picture. Sharing interesting programs thus belongs to the possibilities.

Record
Suppose a program can not view because you do not happen that night at home, with the Horizon TV app lets you record the desired program and later look back. Recording is very easy and fast. The broadcast is then recorded on your media box (current or Horizon) to look back.

UPC On Demand
So far nothing but praise for the Horizon TV application. However, one point of criticism I have on the way On Demand is integrated into the application. I liked that it was possible to live a movie to watch on your tablet. After some time playing and an email with an explanation of UPC became clear to me that you really can watch movies on your tablet, you can use them not only on your tablet ordering. You order an on-demand movie so through your decoder or Horizon Media box and then you can continue watching the movie on your tablet.



Missed
Wherever I really am about to speak is that UPC has chosen the customer the opportunity to offer a missed program looking back over his / her tablet. To my knowledge, UPC currently the only provider that offers this feature through an application. Well there are of course the Uitzendinggemist applications of the channels themselves, but a complete broadcast missed feature in the TV watching apps from cable companies I have not previously encountered.

The TV Guide
That this application is versatile, your probably noticed that this application but also a great replacement for the current paper TV guide, I hereby me explain. The simplicity which the TV Guide is displayed, the program statement very clearly and quickly loaded. You will immediately see all the stations in a minimalist overview and does not take long to find your favorite program. The user can therefore quickly open to the application, then only the TV guide to view.



Conclusion
UPC despite the relatively long development process has a strong brand in the market managed to convert. The application I've tested here is one of the many (new) features of the new line UPC pulls in its products and services.

The application looks very good and has many features, especially the latter is an aspect that other providers an example to follow. The wide range of channels of high quality makes UPC currently the most suitable provider for live (TV) streaming through your tablet.

More options
The above options are possible with both 'old' and new Horizon Media box decoders. However, the Horizon offers more features such as streaming media from your smartphone or tablet to the media box, and vice versa. Therefore, it is imperative that you have a Horizon Media box with matching subscription purchase. I have the extra features in combination with the Horizon mediabox have not tested since I am not at my disposal.

Read more about all the features of the Horizon media box.

Review Live TV on your tablet
Recently I made an extensive review of the other (and previously launched) watching Live TV applications, including KPN, Ziggo and Vodafone.

Greetings from Holland!
Here is a short video I made of the Horizon interface.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp5Gy9prVU0

Having looked at the photos I see no "RF2" type coaxial output like a Sky box to feed the other boxes. I suspect they may need to be connected by ethernet which would mess up all existing wiring for current multiroom setups.

The box may generate a signal on it's "aerial in" but I doubt it as then the signal would bleed back the cable into neighbouring houses etc.

There are only 4 ethernet ports, so assuming you are using at least one for a laptop or PC that leaves 3 for multiroom boxes, assuming you don't add an ethernet hub. I would therefore assume the multiroom boxes will act like an Ipad with the ability to view channels and change channel as if using the main box. IP based boxes are readily available that take streaming feeds.

I see there is a fan in the bottom, not ideal to have in a bedroom. Is the fan on all the time or is it temperature controlled?

Otherwise looks very exciting.

ted1 wrote: »

Totally off the mark, they have said that it'll be wireless...

The box has wifi built in, as shown by the stickers on it. There was a suggestion earlier it would be by coax to multiroom which is not the case.

The wireless would work in addition to the cables. However I cannot see how the wireless is going to work reliably in built up areas as 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz are very crowded. Sure it may work for some setups but for reliable multiroom I would say a cable would be the preferred method. Wifi can be very slow when multiple users are connected and this wifi is now going to be used for internet access for the whole house, including downloading, on demand showing of shows in multiple rooms and also all viewing of all content on all multiroom TVs.

Say for example a house with 3 multiroom boxes and one laptop. That's 4 users sharing the one wifi. Say a neighbour 3 houses away is using the same wireless channel. In the evenings when everyone is watching TV and downloading the system will struggle to cope with all the users and interference.

Hence the reason the supply 4 wired outlets. Some users have no choice but to use wireless as their device does not have a cable connector, such as mobile phones, iPads etc. but where possible fixed multiroom boxes should use a cable. Existing cabling does not seem to be of any use.

Is there any indication of when these might be available?