UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

ted1 · 13-05-2013 08:03PM

Mr.S wrote: »

Yep Caller ID works fine for me

It would be great if the caller I'd showed up on the TV.

Evilbart · 13-05-2013 08:57PM

TCP/IP wrote: »

Got the box installed last week absolute dire interface, hangs about 5-6 times a day, phone working on and off, slow channel changes. If this is what UPC hope to compete Sky with they need a serious rethink. Idea is great product needs a lot of work. UPC collecting it this week.

It's still not near as good as sky but is far better than the old user interface.
Mine runs smooth and have only had to reset it once since I got it.
Also they will be constantly updating and tweaking the horizon box and this is a trial it can only get better pretty happy myself so far.

TCP/IP · 13-05-2013 09:09PM

Evilbart wrote: »

It's still not near as good as sky but is far better than the old user interface.
Mine runs smooth and have only had to reset it once since I got it.
Also they will be constantly updating and tweaking the horizon box and this is a trial it can only get better pretty happy myself so far.

You are right my problem was I have Sky and its not a patch on it at all. Sky is just so much better from an interface point of view, speed and also maybe the most important aspect the channel line up.

Evilbart · 13-05-2013 09:15PM

TCP/IP wrote: »

You are right my problem was I have Sky and its not a patch on it at all. Sky is just so much better from an interface point of view, speed and also maybe the most important aspect the channel line up.

Ah I see coming from sky this box would be awfull but compared to the old upc interface it is a big improvement and will only get better,I only chose UPC over sky because of the broadband and can see good potential in this new horizon box if they listen to the feedback and keep the updates coming fast

paulboland · 13-05-2013 09:16PM

coylemj wrote: »

Are people with the Horizon box able to see the Caller ID with incoming phone calls?

My box seems to be screening out the caller ID as it worked with the old Cisco router but now every call comes up as 'unknown', including when I call from my own mobile which I know is definitely sending caller ID. Called UPC on Friday and a guy worked on it for about 30 minutes but I eventually had to give up as I was going out and forgot to ask for a ticket number so I'll probably have to start all over again tomorrow!

Did you sign up online for horizon package in the online setup there was questions if you want your caller id shown and listed in phone book did you choose that option check your email they sent it will say if you choose to have caller id set up it will show Telephony options
----

List my number in the phone book Yes

Display my telephone number on other phones Yes

Please do not register me in the National Directory Database. No
Installation options
----

if you did not just call 1908 and ask them to set up caller id because unless you said yes to caller id it wont be set up

TCP/IP · 13-05-2013 09:22PM

Evilbart wrote: »

Ah I see coming from sky this box would be awfull but compared to the old upc interface it is a big improvement and will only get better,I only chose UPC over sky because of the broadband and can see good potential in this new horizon box if they listen to the feedback and keep the updates coming fast

Yeah me to I use UPC for my phone and broadband now that is a serious quality offering I would not dream of moving from them, but by god TV they have a long way to go.

patrykeith · 13-05-2013 09:29PM

Anyone else unable to watch youtube videos? Keeps saying unavailable . 46 mins on phobe to upc today. Most of it on hold. Box has frozen again. At least twice aday I have to restart the box.

demanufactured · 13-05-2013 09:33PM

Got horizon box this morning.
They disabled the Cisco router which is needed for a wired PC upstairs.
Not happy
They tell me I can only have one cable modem in the house at any one time...which is bollox.

Meesared · 13-05-2013 09:40PM

patrykeith wrote: »

Anyone else unable to watch youtube videos? Keeps saying unavailable . 46 mins on phobe to upc today. Most of it on hold. Box has frozen again. At least twice aday I have to restart the box.

The Youtube app isnt working yet, will be fixed in a forthcoming update, its a trial, stuff won't work 100%

Technoprisoner · 13-05-2013 11:08PM

Meesared wrote: »

The Youtube app isnt working yet, will be fixed in a forthcoming update, its a trial, stuff won't work 100%

the youtube app does work but only shows videos related to the show you are watching on tv

paulkeno · 13-05-2013 11:19PM

Every so often my audio and video goes blank for a second, it can vary from an hour to a couple of seconds apart. its not the signal to the box because if I rewind I can watch the blanked out part. Is anyone else having this problem. I have a Philips TV (40PFL7605h), I read somewhere back that the box might have compatibility issues with Philips TV's. Its driving me mad at this stage, would it have anything to do with the HDMI cable, I did a self install and had to get a longer HDMI cable due to the box being wider than my shelf unit, and it now sits on top (HDMI cable is BUSH, not high speed, Argos was the only place open).

Not really impressed so far, the record 4 and watch a 5th program is one of few highlights. it would be better if it just showed us now and next program instead of having to press multiple buttons, way too many menus to go through to find stuff. Also in my recordings it doesn't tell you what series the show is from, just the episode (maybe I just cant see it). Also the buttons on the remote are a little too close together for my fat fingers, and a page up/down would have been nice to have.

overall I think the nerds in UPC were trying to be too clever with fancy interfaces and functions and left out the simple tasks most normal people used in the previous box. (press blue to delete show, now its press ok on show, press down 5 times to delete, which is right above the DELETE EVERYTHING option).

Back to my original problem, anyone know how to fix the intermittent loss of signal, if I cant get this fixed the box is going back, already getting an earful off the misses for changing over.

coylemj · 13-05-2013 11:27PM

paulboland wrote: »

Did you sign up online for horizon package in the online setup there was questions if you want your caller id shown and listed in phone book did you choose that option check your email they sent it will say if you choose to have caller id set up it will show Telephony options

if you did not just call 1908 and ask them to set up caller id because unless you said yes to caller id it wont be set up

Thanks for the response but I already had the phone service via the old Cisco router and when I got the phone service originally (a few months ago), I got all that sorted so incoming calls were showing caller ID and my number was sent out and still is. The problem is that since I got the Horizon box, incoming numbers are not being shown.

I didn't get any kind of online menu when signing up for the Horizon box, I registered on Facebook and they sent me an invitation by e-mail to ring a 1890 number which I did, then a guy came on the agreed date and installed it so I never saw that menu you're describing.

I called them on 1908 on Friday, pressed the buttons for technical support on the phone service, explained the problem to a techie guy and after 30 minutes and a couple of restarts he couldn't fix it - strange.

Technoprisoner · 13-05-2013 11:42PM

paulkeno wrote: »

Every so often my audio and video goes blank for a second, it can vary from an hour to a couple of seconds apart. its not the signal to the box because if I rewind I can watch the blanked out part. Is anyone else having this problem. I have a Philips TV (40PFL7605h), I read somewhere back that the box might have compatibility issues with Philips TV's. Its driving me mad at this stage, would it have anything to do with the HDMI cable, I did a self install and had to get a longer HDMI cable due to the box being wider than my shelf unit, and it now sits on top (HDMI cable is BUSH, not high speed, Argos was the only place open).

Not really impressed so far, the record 4 and watch a 5th program is one of few highlights. it would be better if it just showed us now and next program instead of having to press multiple buttons, way too many menus to go through to find stuff. Also in my recordings it doesn't tell you what series the show is from, just the episode (maybe I just cant see it). Also the buttons on the remote are a little too close together for my fat fingers, and a page up/down would have been nice to have.

overall I think the nerds in UPC were trying to be too clever with fancy interfaces and functions and left out the simple tasks most normal people used in the previous box. (press blue to delete show, now its press ok on show, press down 5 times to delete, which is right above the DELETE EVERYTHING option).

Back to my original problem, anyone know how to fix the intermittent loss of signal, if I cant get this fixed the box is going back, already getting an earful off the misses for changing over.

ive the same problem.... ive an engineer coming out tomorrow to have a look over it...they thought it might have something to do with the signal because in the diagnostic section my signal quality is showing excellent and signal strength is showing weak.... but it wouldnt suprise me if it was a problem with the philips tv, as ive a philips tv too and im currently trying to go through a warranty claim with philips but not having much luck

knoxor · 14-05-2013 08:23AM

Technoprisoner wrote: »

ive the same problem.... ive an engineer coming out tomorrow to have a look over it...they thought it might have something to do with the signal because in the diagnostic section my signal quality is showing excellent and signal strength is showing weak.... but it wouldnt suprise me if it was a problem with the philips tv, as ive a philips tv too and im currently trying to go through a warranty claim with philips but not having much luck

Hi,

I had a similar issue, my sound kept dropping out on me. The box would work perfectly for a while after turning on then the sound would just disappear intermittently. I had the same strong signal quality but weak strength. I phoned up UPC and the guy told me to do a factory reset which actually worked. Give it a try and see if that helps.

devilabit · 14-05-2013 08:44AM

Im not that impressed so far as regards the TV service. The new TV interface is not intuitive, all the new functionality is difficult to use because of numerous usability issues. You have got to wonder who designs these interfaces, do they even consider the basic functions that the average user needs.

The broadband connection has been stable for me. I have been able to setup the integrated access point into DMZ mode to connect to my main router but in order to use the Home Network features I think i need to move to bridged mode. However i havent been able to get that fully working yet, has anyone tried bridging the horizion box to another router?

MrVestek · 14-05-2013 09:07AM

devilabit wrote: »

Im not that impressed so far as regards the TV service. The new TV interface is not intuitive, all the new functionality is difficult to use because of numerous usability issues. You have got to wonder who designs these interfaces, do they even consider the basic functions that the average user needs.

The broadband connection has been stable for me. I have been able to setup the integrated access point into DMZ mode to connect to my main router but in order to use the Home Network features I think i need to move to bridged mode. However i havent been able to get that fully working yet, has anyone tried bridging the horizion box to another router?

It doesn't have a bridging mode as far as I know. I haven't come across any settings for it anyway.

dkane · 14-05-2013 09:24AM

My Horizon box is being delivered today.
The biggest pain for me is going to be sorting out the desktop PC and phone.
Currently the UPC modem is upstairs beside PC and I have the phone wired up to all the phone sockets around the house.

I can understand from UPC's point of view that it is nice just having a single CPE unit with the Horizon box but it means I'm going to have to get a wireless interface for my PC and will have to move the phone to beside the box as I don't have either a LAN or phone socket near the TV and it's not practical to run either.

Has anyone else here with the same issue bought an 802.11n wireless interface for a desktop PC? Any recommendations? I'm also worried that placing the cordless phone base station next to the Horizon box will effect my WiFi signal...

MrVestek · 14-05-2013 09:28AM

dkane wrote: »

My Horizon box is being delivered today.
The biggest pain for me is going to be sorting out the desktop PC and phone.
Currently the UPC modem is upstairs beside PC and I have the phone wired up to all the phone sockets around the house.

I can understand from UPC's point of view that it is nice just having a single CPE unit with the Horizon box but it means I'm going to have to get a wireless interface for my PC and will have to move the phone to beside the box as I don't have either a LAN or phone socket near the TV and it's not practical to run either.

Has anyone else here with the same issue bought an 802.11n wireless interface for a desktop PC? Any recommendations? I'm also worried that placing the cordless phone base station next to the Horizon box will effect my WiFi signal...

The cordless phone operates in the 5Ghz range so it won't affect your wifi signal.

dkane · 14-05-2013 09:38AM

As far as I'm aware DECT phones operate in the 1.8GHz - 1.9GHz range in Europe but previously I had the base station next to the PC and it was constantly interfering with a wireless keyboard and mouse that run in the 2.4GHz band.

ted1 · 14-05-2013 09:41AM

Achilles wrote: »

The cordless phone operates in the 5Ghz range so it won't affect your wifi signal.

That doesn't sound right, 1.9Ghz is the standard for DECT.

what makes you say its operates at 5Ghz?

MrVestek · 14-05-2013 09:49AM

ted1 wrote: »

That doesn't sound right, 1.9Ghz is the standard for DECT.

what makes you say its operates at 5Ghz?

I thought that the box stated that when I installed it, my memory could be foggy though.

*edit*

Just checked there and apparently it is 1.9Ghz, my mistake!

seanie27 · 14-05-2013 09:57AM

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Happens to me, when I do the quick channel scroll option (hold the up or down directional buttons for a few seconds). Seems to scramble the channel logos. Goes away after a while.

Strange. Wouldn't work for me with Twonky, while the same files could be paused/FF/Rew. using serviio. Must be content/format-specific.

Think you're right. MP4s are fine. AVIs, however, don't work.

blackplum123 · 14-05-2013 10:01AM

Hi , I signed up for this trial over the weekend .does it take them long before they issue you the horizon box.

Thanks
Glenn

paradisepaddy · 14-05-2013 10:16AM

I think the interface is very nice and so much quicker than previous UPC box. It does have a learning curve but some features I think could be added to the remotes to solve this.

Page up / Down is needed.

When selecting the TV guide I need to scroll most times from top to bottom to find the things I need. This must be too much for the box to handle as the thing becomes unresponsive and requires that it be turned off and on again to regain controls.

I have an LG TV and the remote needs to be configured nearly every time I want to change volume so believe there are bugs here (pressing and holding the source+volume down button and then entering 1628 + power off).

Easier access / button on remote is needed to access favourites.

Signal wise, I find this lacking and in some cases very slow connecting to sites initially but when I refresh it loads instantly. I have 100mbs so don't think there should be any delay? Is there settings on the box I can adjust to improve signal? I'm using wireless N on iphone5 and laptop.

kippy · 14-05-2013 10:37AM

paradisepaddy wrote: »

I think the interface is very nice and so much quicker than previous UPC box. It does have a learning curve but some features I think could be added to the remotes to solve this.

Page up / Down is needed.

When selecting the TV guide I need to scroll most times from top to bottom to find the things I need. This must be too much for the box to handle as the thing becomes unresponsive and requires that it be turned off and on again to regain controls.

I have an LG TV and the remote needs to be configured nearly every time I want to change volume so believe there are bugs here (pressing and holding the source+volume down button and then entering 1628 + power off).

Easier access / button on remote is needed to access favourites.

Signal wise, I find this lacking and in some cases very slow connecting to sites initially but when I refresh it loads instantly. I have 100mbs so don't think there should be any delay? Is there settings on the box I can adjust to improve signal? I'm using wireless N on iphone5 and laptop.

You're broadband speed package SHOULD have no relevance to how fast the box itself connected to "sites".

ted1 · 14-05-2013 11:08AM

paradisepaddy wrote: »

I have an LG TV and the remote needs to be configured nearly every time I want to change volume so believe there are bugs here (pressing and holding the source+volume down button and then entering 1628 + power off).

sounds like your not saving the config, After you enter the code you need to vol - and TV standby again.

https://support-en.upc-cablecom.ch/app/answers/detail/a_id/4779/p/644,645//session/L3RpbWUvMTM2ODUyNTk4MS9zaWQvRE5vRWQ5cWw%3D

more like a user error than a bug

dkane · 14-05-2013 11:17AM

Horizon box just arrived.
On delivery the plastic around the box was all ripped open.
Did anyone else's box arrive in this condition?

mollser · 14-05-2013 11:29AM

Installed the box on Saturday so had a couple of days using it - main points so far:

1. Now/Next browsing is poor as has been mentioned several times above. They need to add the basic functionality of the old boxes to quickly zoom through the channels and ability to scroll through the programs for the remainder of the evening. The old boxes (and sky, freesat and Samsung TV Saorview EPG) do this, and quickly - this is the single biggest failure of this box.

It is so slow to browse the now/next EPG through the channels - used to be able to continue watching RTE1 and have browsed right through the music channels in probably less than a minute, it seems to take that long to even get to the 200's at which stage I get bored. I have found that it is now more necessary to remember channel numbers to get to the channel you want quickly.

2. Page down/up in Guide. Very frustrating to have to go down one by one, if you hold the down/up button it scrolls quickly but you've little control as to how far it will go, it can go a bit nuts when you do this!

3. HD channels often lose the picture, only a reboot fixes it.

4. Deleting programs in the recordings menu - 5 button presses as above rather than a simple press of the blue button - wtf

5. Remote control - Not a major complaint, but the way it's designed really feels like you're using the 'back' of the control the whole time - you would expect the qwerty keyboard to feel like the back of it, not the front. Its to do with how the sides are angled.

6. Has locked up once so far, the 4 year old got very upset!

7. Doesn't skip over unsubscribed channels as it used to.

8. HD channels should replace their SD variants on the EPG, as Sky do.

9. Fast-forwarding though Recordings - still can't skip through playback minute by minute quickly, you have to leave it on fast forward until you get to where you want to be. Have never seen another box that is so primitive in this regard. UPC, take a look at Sky/Samsung as to how this should be implemented.

Pros

The picture quality is superb, I was amazed at the TG4 HD picture during the leinster game, the SD channels look better too.

The apps are great, loving the Irish Times and The Journal implementation of their apps, well done UPC on this part. The Dailymotion app is super too, will be very good when youtube works properly.

Broadband hasn't switched over yet, and am not looking forward to that either as the desktop is connected by Ethernet into the modem at present, expecting the speeds to drop significantly if that needs to rely on wifi.

I can't see this box replacing my media sharing between the Samsung Tv and Serviio from the desktop which works flawlessly and so smoothly, I think UPC have acknowledged that the horizon box won't manage large libraries well.

All in all the box is fast, guide loads instantly, channel changes are instantaneous, if they can fix the now/next browsing it will be a joy to use. But at the moment very frustrating because of the EPG and the fast forward failure.

paradisepaddy · 14-05-2013 11:43AM

ted1 wrote: »

sounds like your not saving the config, After you enter the code you need to vol - and TV standby again.

https://support-en.upc-cablecom.ch/app/answers/detail/a_id/4779/p/644,645//session/L3RpbWUvMTM2ODUyNTk4MS9zaWQvRE5vRWQ5cWw%3D

more like a user error than a bug

My bad. I must have missed that part completely about saving the config from the user manual. Just thought once i turned off the tv and back on again that it was saved. Thanks amigo

ballooba · 14-05-2013 11:45AM

I've never had UPC phone service before. They never provided a phone when they sent out the Horizon box. I notice the two phone connections on the back. My question is: can I add SIP profiles for my other providers onto the box? I do currently have a VOIP account with a third party and I use an adaptor which allows multiple SIP profiles.

UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

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