Ferguson Ariva 150

Tony,apologies, but I am barely able to navigate this site.What are the benefits of 1.23 over 1.24/1.25 updates? Is there only one 1.23 update, and could you put it on a link for me please?
On my box I had an old 1.17[i think] software, which I updated to the new v1.25 which seems ok , but I don't record etc and really just view the channels,I did a factory reset immediately after installation , and then my terrestial and sat. channel searches, all coming in grand[albeit in odd order,but not a major hastle]
Should I change my software again[in case I want to use more functions on the box]?The reason I changed at all was i had an issue with RTE1+1HR and RTE JNR
which the upgrade appears to have sorted. Many thanks

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Tony,apologies, but I am barely able to navigate this site.What are the benefits of 1.23 over 1.24/1.25 updates? Is there only one 1.23 update, and could you put it on a link for me please?
On my box I had an old 1.17[i think] software, which I updated to the new v1.25 which seems ok , but I don't record etc and really just view the channels,I did a factory reset immediately after installation , and then my terrestial and sat. channel searches, all coming in grand[albeit in odd order,but not a major hastle]
Should I change my software again[in case I want to use more functions on the box]?The reason I changed at all was i had an issue with RTE1+1HR and RTE JNR
which the upgrade appears to have sorted. Many thanks

Leave it alone. I'm on 1.18. Never had an issue so never changed. Too many useless updates with no change log. For the bulk of the people who just want to watch tv and record the odd channel, if your current version is problem free, then let it be.

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

thanks Dodzy, just bugs[which ones?] were mentioned a couple of pages ago in v1.25 new software[and indeed v1.24b8],and I'd like box to run without issues,as I can be away a lot and family rely on it for viewing. Tony seems to recommend V1.23.
As I mentioned, the v1.25 allows RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to work fine[ on both muxes], important in our house,at what update I wonder was this sorted?

It is hard to be definitive about the changes they have made in the firmware but I can tell you the following.
1. Versions 1.23 & 1.24b1 are fine; Tony posted a 1.23 version plus channels some time ago and I posted a 1.24b1 version.
2. The next version, 1.24b8, was a complete dud. The channel handling was broken and so you ended up with mixed channels. Total mess.
3. The next, and latest, version 1.25 fixed that again but reintroduced an old bug where, if you record, then the box does not power down afterwards. That makes it a dud for me but you say you don't record so I'd stick with that version. There is no benefit for you to drop back to earlier versions.
4. I think that most of the updates are minor web app changes. I don't use this so it doesn't affect me but for those that do I think they need to keep updating to keep that internet stuff working.
5. The older code mentioned was fine but it did suffer from a few issues; not playing video files very well (I found lots of files that wouldn't play), now/next text issues, didn't unmount external hard disks when powering down (causes a lot of filing issues on external disks), a bug where now/next text was getting mixed up when recording (this was an issue for me) etc. So I would say, older code is well worth upgrading.

So in summary, if you don't use record then stick that latest version. If you do and you would like to avoid the power off after record bug then drop back to either Tony's posted firmware or mine. At all costs avoid 1.24b8.

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Thanks Patchz, I may go for one of 1.23 or 1.24b1 as the kids are now wanting to record stuff. When you say box won't power down after recording what do you do,switch off at back of box or at wall plug?Also, do both v1.23 and v1.24b1 allow RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to tune in and work correctly as on v1.25 . I had jumped from v1.17 which didn't.

No problem. What I mean is that there is an option in the settings that allows the box to switch off when finished recording something. The bug is that it doesn't switch off. I want it to switch off because it powers down the external hard disk otherwise the external hard disk stays powered up and spinning. That may not be an issue for you, I don't know, but it is for me; hence I'm staying with 1.24b1.

Both 1.23 & 1.24b1 work fine with RTE1+1 & RTE Jnr as far as I can tell. Certainly 1.24b1 does as it is what I'm using.

A few of things about recording you should be aware of.
1. There is a bug where, while you are recording, you can play already recorded stuff (or other video files) but the record now fails. It doesn't tell you that but you will find the recorded program has not recorded while you were playing back the video files. A silly bug. They could just stop you from playing stuff or really fix it and allow both but they have ignored this bug so far.
2. When recording either satellite or terrestrial, then the relevant receiver is locked and you cannot watch other channels that require that receiver. A bit complicated but basically, if recording satellite then you can watch terrestrial (or satellites on the same freq). If recording terrestrial then you can watch satellite (or terrestrial on the same freq). Since a recent update on the saorview frequencies this has complicated this issue as RTE1 (I think) is on a different freq from the other saorview channels so sometimes you can record terrestrial and not view other terrestrial channels.
3. If you use favourite channel lists be aware that if you start recording then you cannot change favourite lists. This is a really stupid bug and really annoying if you have started recording something. For example I put all main channels together in one favourite list and film & news in others. Once I start recording, say RTE1, I can't change to the film or news favourites. But if I started recording while in the all channels list then I can change to any other channel (with the limitation as pointed out in 2 above). Hope that makes sense.

By the way, I think some of you guys are absolutely amazing. The amount of information you have ,and more importantly willingness to share is brilliant.

Many thanks , once I have it on a stick, is this ok?put in box,go to upgrade by usb,use the allcode and bootloader,proceed,wait for upgrade to finish, and then presumably reboot[does it tell me?] ,remove stick,do factory reset/restore,rescan channels. This is nerve racking stuff.
If I did the exact same thing WITH the channels added is that correct?

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Many thanks , once I have it on a stick, is this ok?put in box,go to upgrade by usb,use the allcode and bootloader,proceed,wait for upgrade to finish, and then presumably reboot[does it tell me?] ,remove stick,do factory reset/restore,rescan channels. This is nerve racking stuff.
If I did the exact same thing WITH the channels added is that correct?

Yes on that process.
In the case of the code with the channels included just don't factory reset the system. This removes the channels listing. I already did that before I scanned the channels.

Now a question; I have eurobird channels here but is astra a better bet? I know there were some legal issues recently between the operators of the two satellites.
Thanks.

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Patchz, I just experimented with a USB stick for short recording on timer[still on v1.25], box recorded and then switched off within 10 seconds [as per setting in pvr sub menu]. I changed setting in pvr menu to stay on after recording ,repeated test and indeed it did. Changed it back to switch off and it did . Repeated a couple of times ok,although once the picture on all channels[not recordings] wobbling- panic attack-ok when switched box off and on again-hopefully a once off. Did test again and seems ok,switching on and off after recording as per setting in pvr sub menu. Is a usb stick totally different to your powered recordiing device and is stopping box switching off ?

Blimey thanks for this. I will have a go again and see what happens.
I wonder if it might be my external disk? I have an issue with it where it gets unmounted correctly when the box powers down. However, when I restart the box I hear it trying to mount the disk again, over and over, but it fails and I need to switch the disk off then on again to get it to mount okay. Maybe I'm seeing something odd with this on the auto-powerdown although I don't think it likely. I'm sure I did a reset to factory when I put 1.25 in so probably not the programming although that's possible.
Anyhow, I'll test again and see what happens. Just finding time with the kids and work is difficult.

Thanks again for letting me know.

I was wondering [maybe it exists already somewhere], but would one of our contributors with obvious technical knowledge perhaps put up a SIMPLE ,step by step guide for putting a software update onto an Ariva 150 onto this forum. It would surely be of fantastic benefit to all us novice upgraders , who live in fear of making a mess of it, and damaging the box.Please

Thank you Tony ,but that doesn't mention factory restore after upgrade and subsequent reboot, which the Ferguson site says to do.Also,when is the correct time/stage to remove the usb from the box?

Sorry Tony, I meant if software update only[not including channel list]

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Patchz, I just experimented with a USB stick for short recording on timer[still on v1.25], box recorded and then switched off within 10 seconds [as per setting in pvr sub menu]. I changed setting in pvr menu to stay on after recording ,repeated test and indeed it did. Changed it back to switch off and it did . Repeated a couple of times ok,although once the picture on all channels[not recordings] wobbling- panic attack-ok when switched box off and on again-hopefully a once off. Did test again and seems ok,switching on and off after recording as per setting in pvr sub menu. Is a usb stick totally different to your powered recordiing device and is stopping box switching off ?

Cyclops, just tried this myself and I cannot get the box to turn off after record with the 1.25 firmware. Tried with both external hd and a reformatted usb key. Both failed. Back to 1.24b1 and it works fine. Odd. Now one thing I did and shouldn't have is switch off the timeshift. Set it back to on and no difference but I wonder is there a problem with the box where when some settings are changed. Got to be some difference between our setups.

When I get a chance I'll try it again.

What the user interface like to use on this Ariva 150?

I've used others and the EPG is flakey, also it requires setup every few months (not ideal).

PatchZ wrote: »

Is that my 1.24b1 firmware? If not then I think BBC 1 & 2 moved some time back so it may be that. Here's my latest version of 1.24b1 that should sort you out. It used Eurobird rather than Astra but it should work fine. Let me know if you have any difficulties. Just to note that the last two firmwares 1.24b8 & 1.25b4 are duds.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3432rij3le3z36n/Ariva150_124b1.abs

Hi PatchZ,

Hopefully you still around. I have never touched an Ariva but my brothers mother in law fell on the remote and all Saorview channels are scrambled and the UK free to air are jumbled. As I use E2 boxes she asked me to have a look.

From your post it may be easier for me to fresh flash the box as I am not familier with the menu etc - can I assume that
I use a blank USB to place the dropbox file onto
Insert in 150, find the update via USB option and let it do it's stuff
When box reboots the firmware and your custom channel list will be present

Your channel list - is it set up as Saorview followed by the FTA channels (astra)? Are they further broken into catagories?

Sorry for just jumping in here but I am hoping to get to her house and back to work within an hour (30 mins to update) - is this reasonable?

I see Tony has a similar post(s) with firmware etc - are there any differences?

Apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree!

cheers

PatchZ wrote: »

Hey. You're exactly right about the upgrade. Just make sure to remove the usb key safely from the pc; the box doesn't appear to check the binary and you can end up bricking the box. It will have the channels set up. Main channels in one list, film & odds&ends in the next, music, kids or something like that. Differences between the two versions are minimal; we're not even sure what they are as ferguson don't say. Good luck with it.

Spot on. Thanks for your time and effort. I appreciate guys like yourself (and many others on this site) who take the time to guide and help others.

Thanks again.