UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

zg3409 wrote: »

Having looked at the photos I see no "RF2" type coaxial output like a Sky box to feed the other boxes.

I use a TRIAX AV Sender for this.
On the back of my UPC decoder, there is a scart connection to connect to the TV.
You connect the TRIAX to this scart connection - and then you use a SCART from the TRIAX to the nearest television, and coaxials cables from the TRIAX to other televisions.
Before connecting the coax cables into the other televisions, you connect them to red eyes - this allows you to send a signal back the TRIAX box if you want to change channel. Then the TRIAX box sends the signal from your remote control in the other room, onto the UPC box via a thin wire that runs in front of the UPC box and has 3 little beads on the wire that act as remote controls.
Problems are however
1- you must watch the same channel on the televisions connected via coax as on the television connected via SCART from the UPC box.
2 - if you a 16-month old son, they won't stay away from the UPC box, and bloody love that wire with the three little beads from the TRIAX.

was on with UPC tech support last night for an issue i had.

asked about horizon and he said the latest rumors were January but were just rumors he'd heard and nothing confirmed.

TCP/IP wrote: »

Would be delighted if it was but I am part of the field trails and have had no word yet of trails been installed.

We'll be hanging on your every word in the coming months!

Article in today's irish times about horizon :

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/1106/1224326181331.html

New UPC set-top boxes will allow TVs to synchronise with devices

UPC plans to introduce its next-generation Horizon set-top box to the Irish market next year in a bid to boost its flat television subscriber base.

Mike Fries, chief executive of UPC’s parent company Liberty Global, confirmed the launch yesterday, as he described the group’s addition of Horizon TV to the Dutch market as “a watershed event”.

Does anyone know (perhaps our Dutch friend) whether ones iPad streams direct from the horizon box to ipad or horizon box->wireless network router->iPad.

If its the former I don't think the wireless from the box will reach next door from my house to my business premises for a direct connection between the horizon box and iPad.. If its the latter then I am good to go as I have the home network extended out to the premises with cat 5 and wireless access point providing wireless cover to the premises.

Calibos wrote: »

Does anyone know (perhaps our Dutch friend) whether ones iPad streams direct from the horizon box to ipad or horizon box->wireless network router->iPad

From looking at the photos and the design it seems as if the box has a Wifi access point built in AND a wired hub. In your case you could connect your wired network into the back of the box and use a remote wireless router.

Hopefully it works well with the remote control signal as opposed to those current issues.

scary wrote: »

That doesnt make sense to do that,

The current "on demand" capable boxes already have a cable modem inside to work the on-demand features. All they are adding is a 4 port switch and wireless access point.

I agree it would be a nightmare for existing customers if they gave out a horizon box and removed Cable modems and old multiroom boxes. The new systems would need ethernet cabling or wifi meaning many TVs and desktop PCs would need extra cabling or parts. Wifi based links will never be 100% reliable, especially for TV streaming.

I would expect that, for existing users, the horizon box would be in addition to existing equipment (expcept for the main recording box) until at least horizon compatable multiroom boxes are available.

I suggested before even an RF2, like a Sky box, would not work either as the way UPC wiring is run outside a house to the eves.

If renovating your home consider ethernet to every point where you may want a TV or computer in addition to multiple satellite quality cables.

ted1 wrote: »

.
Most peoples hub is beside the main box. I'd say the amount of people who have them in different locations would be less than 1%. Do your point is mute.

and you know this how? personally the majority of people I know dont have their modem in the same room as their DVR box so it is a valid point for these people who want to upgrade to horizon. Show me actual figures for this 1% or GTFO.

Anyone hear anything about this lately, any trials starting? Would love a refresh my box is ok however some new features would be nice.

TCP/IP wrote: »

Nothing as of yet. I am one of the beta testers for this product and even I have not been given a date of when I will get the box. So no news as of yet.

Not boding well for a Q1 release, eh?

Also a bit more info http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/01/09/upc-adds-21-apps-to-horizon-box/

I'm in a non-HD area (so I have a SCART-only UPC DVR connected to a full HD TV) of SE Dublin but I know that UPC are running new cables in my area for the past few days and I expect that I may soon be able to upgrade to HD.

I'm on 25 Mbps UPC BB at the moment but would like to upgrade to 50 Mbps which will require a router upgrade. I know that the UPC salespeople are always talking about the 'triple play' package meaning HD TV, phone and 50 Mbps BB so as far as I'm concerned, I want to maximize my negotiating position by signing up for all three at the same time.

But I don't want to get a new UPC box if it means that it will be obsolete pretty soon so I guess that means that I should wait for the general availability of the Horizon box.

Comments welcome.

sporteamon3 wrote: »

I have the same dilemma. I have a HD TV but not a HD Digital DVR. I'd like to get a HD box but how long will I be waiting for UPC to launch this new Horizon box?

It could be a year before it is generally available in most areas. At that stage you should be out of a years contract.

grindle wrote: »

I'd imagine they'd allow a jump from the HD to the Horizon HD package without having to wait for the contract to expire, they'll just start a new contract when you get the Horizon box - they have no problems with people moving up the scale, it's when you want to cancel or downgrade they pull rank.
That's the way it's worked whenever I've upgraded with them before.

Yeah, most likely. It'll probably cost a few euros extra for the Horizon functionality, and if so they'll be happy for you to switch over, even if in mid-contract.