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Cost-Effective, High-Functionality, User-Friendly Replacement for Pay TV

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    #62
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    Milsey wrote: »
    Hi, is e2i player available on open atv 6.1 version, do you know. Is that a good iptv player also.
    Thanks in advance.

    The E2i Player is no longer included in the OpenATV images, due to copyright concerns. It is included in my image and I use it to watch (legal) IPTV.


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    #63
    Gerry Wicklow
    Registered Users Posts: 4,538 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    It's no longer included by default but you should be able to add it. Look under add plugins>extensions. It's not the slickest of interfaces but does the job.


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    #64
    DavyD_83
    Registered Users Posts: 1,991 ✭✭✭DavyD_83


    I'm sold! I just saved 270 on my virgin media renewal for the year so I have a "budget" to put into it too. Thanks a million for sharing OP, looks amazing and just simple enough for me to set up and for my own wifey to get her head around too.
    Just gotta find best source for the box now. Will report back soon :)


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    #65
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭sligojoek


    NewClareman wrote: »
    Thanks for the feedback, appreciated.

    My image is probably best suited for people who want a replacement Tv box, with a low learning curve. Wifey kept pressing random buttons and jetting into menus, best left alone - that’s why I started down the customization journey.

    I’ve a small few items left to change and then I’ll post one final image. Taking your feedback on board, I’ll post the image with no active timers.

    If I'd just got the box Monday and loaded your image it woul;d have been perfect. WE'd have all got the hang of it fairly quickly. I was a newbie to all this back in April (and still am) . I got THHB's image and Wifey and I tweaked it as we went along. I had no choice only to revert back. Wifey doesn't like change. I had to run the old box in tandem with this for a few weeks as I weaned her onto it.


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    #66
    sligojoek
    Registered Users Posts: 25,420 ✭✭✭✭sligojoek


    DavyD_83 wrote: »
    I'm sold! I just saved 270 on my virgin media renewal for the year so I have a "budget" to put into it too. Thanks a million for sharing OP, looks amazing and just simple enough for me to set up and for my own wifey to get her head around too.
    Just gotta find best source for the box now. Will report back soon :)

    https://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/tiviar-alpha-plus

    About 127e delivered . I'd have a look on Amazon or somewhere For a HDD. You'd save a few quid. I got 2 Seagate 1TBs for less than 100e. Put the other one in a PS4 and no issue with either. (Well, there was with one but they had a new one out in 5 days even before I got to send the faulty one back). No issue since,


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    #67
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    The Movie Browser Plugin, configured in this image to start from the Blue button, greatly extends the functionality of the Tiviar Alphaplus. It can be used with Films/Series recorded from TV Channels, or with digital downloads or archives.

    It can take a while to learn all the features, so I created the attached picture, to show all the remote-control keys. For maximum benefit, I suggest that the PDF A4 sheet, available from the link in the first post, be printed out and, ideally, laminated.

    466281.png

    Location of Films/Series:
    I store TV Series/Programs in the internal hard drive. I store films on an external hard drive, and set timers for films to record to this location.

    It is easy to set an alternative location, using ‘Menu’ when the plugin is active. Once the database has been set up for one drive/location, i.e. the film information and covers have been downloaded, a new location can be set. The plugin will remember the first location and add the films in the second location to the database. Note, only the most recent location will be updated with new entries.

    Alternative Views:
    Three different views can be toggled, using the Red Button. The picture shows the backdrop view.

    466293.jpg

    Sorting & Filters:
    There are 12 sort options and 6 filters to display the movies. The filter "movies and / or series" (button 5) can be combined with one of the other filters. The last used filter can be loaded at the next start of the plugin. Note: The alphabetic sorting by movie titles ignores the leading article "The".
    Films can be grouped in separate folders and filtered using the "Folder Filter" (button 6).

    466294.png

    Movies / Series file names:
    The plugin uses the actual names of the movies and other programs to look for a match in the TMDb (The Movie Database) and TVDB (TV Database). Recordings made with the Tiviar Alphaplus automatically use the optimum format ("standard" or "short filenames"). TV Series must have the Season / episode numbers in the file name, to be correctly identified. This depends on the broadcaster, but is substantially correct, with the current configuration, for UK-based broadcasters. For other recordings, you should try and have exact names, with no additional terms, in the title. If you are getting an incorrect entry in the database, for a film/program, you can edit its name, using the ‘Teletext Button’, to try and get the correct match.

    Note: There is an occasional nag screen, which can be cleared for €5. I reset this for the posted image, to be fair to the plugin developer.


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    #68
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    The following information has been adapted from the Movie Browser Thread, in the OpenATV forum. Additional information can be found there.

    Supported file formats:
    avi, divx, flv, iso, m2ts, m4v, mov, mp4, mpg, mpeg, mkv, ts and vob (single).

    Database:
    The database is located in the plugin folder / db / database . The following database options are available:
    • Backup: With the setup option "Backup Database" a backup of the database is stored in the "backup" subfolder of the cache folder.

    • Restore: With the setup option "Restore Database" a previously made backup of the database is restored from the "backup" subfolder.

    • Edit: With the Teletext button, which can be edited for the currently selected movie or series, or the title of the movie.

    • Update: To check the movie folder for deleted or new movies and series and to download the data from TMDb and TheTVDB, the database must be updated.
    There are 3 options to update the database:
    • Manual: With the video button inside the plugin you can start a database update at any time.
    • With Timer: With the setup option "Update Database with Timer" you can schedule an automatic update at a specific time, every 24 hours.
    • At Plugin Start: I don’t recommend this option as it can take a long period of time, during which, the box is unresponsive.
    • Reset: In case of problems with the database, with the setup option "Reset Database" you can delete and recreate the database.

    Movies / Series folder:
    The plugin will search for the "Movie Folder" selected in the setup and any subfolders for movie files. If the movies are in multiple, physically separated folders - eg on a second hard drive, another USB stick or a NAS - there are two ways to add one or more additional folders:

    • Manually: Select in the setup the additional folder as "Movie Folder" and make a database update. The movies of the 1st folder remain in the database, the movies of the 2nd folder will be added. Future database updates wants to synchronize only the movies of the last selected "Movie Folder" in the setup.

    • Symlink below : "Movie Folder" pointing to the 2nd folder (eg on a second hard drive or a NAS). The first folder and future database updates will automatically synchronize all files in the 1st and 2nd folder.
    Example:
    First "Movie Folder": / media / hdd / movie
    New Folder: / media / usb / movie
    Telnet command to create the symlink: ln -s / media / usb / movie / media / hdd / movie / usb
    For the 2nd folder (/ media / usb / movie) the symlink / usb was created under the "Movie Folder" / media / hdd / movie .
    Attention:Do not create another symlink in the 2nd folder that points back into the 1st folder! This causes an infinite loop and the movies will be added multiple times to the database.

    Known Issues:
    • The exit key sometimes gives a black screen - locking user into the Movie Browser.
      The workaround is to press the TV/Radio Button, once, then exit.
    • The help button is unavailable, as there is no help button on the Tiviar Remote.


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    #69
    Mylow
    Registered Users Posts: 802 ✭✭✭Mylow


    What hard drive do people recommend for this receiver?
    Thinking about using this one

    TIA


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    #70
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    Mylow wrote: »
    What hard drive do people recommend for this receiver?
    Thinking about using this one

    TIA

    Yeah that's fine


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    #71
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    Mylow wrote: »
    What hard drive do people recommend for this receiver?
    Thinking about using this one

    TIA

    The Tiviar AP will only take 2.5” drives. I couldn’t find any dedicated AV drives, in that format. In the end I just ordered one fitted from WoS.


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    #72
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    NewClareman wrote: »
    The Tiviar AP will only take 2.5” drives. I couldn’t find any dedicated AV drives, in that format. In the end I just ordered one fitted from WoS.

    It's a standard SATA same as any laptop takes


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    #73
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    It's a standard SATA same as any laptop takes

    Yeah, I understand that the interface is SATA. However, a number of manufacturers, including Seagate and WD, manufacture dedicated drives for AV use - claiming lower power consumption and greater reliability, for such use cases. They are widely available in a 3.5” form factor but I was unable to source one in a 2.5” form factor. (There are online specs for these, but I couldn’t find a retail supplier.)


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    #74
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    NewClareman wrote: »
    Yeah, I understand that the interface is SATA. However, a number of manufacturers, including Seagate and WD, manufacture dedicated drives for AV use - claiming lower power consumption and greater reliability, for such use cases. They are widely available in a 3.5” form factor but I was unable to source one in a 2.5” form factor. (There are online specs for these, but I couldn’t find a retail supplier.)

    You won't find one in 2.5, at least I've never heard or seen one and I work with CCTV systems. Everything in enterprise and surveillance grade is 3.5, SCSI or PCIe


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    #75
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    You won't find one in 2.5, at least I've never heard or seen one and I work with CCTV systems. Everything in enterprise and surveillance grade is 3.5, SCSI or PCIe

    They are available, all right, just not in higher capacities. Options include the WD AV-25 and the Seagate ST500VT000. I have timeshift permanently on, and laptop hard drives are not designed for that sort of continuous use. I get around this by storing any content I’m concerned about on external drives so that if the internal drive fails, it’s not the end of the world.

    Having said that, I’ve just found a 1TB AV-25 2.5” on Amazon, which I’ll swap in - thanks for prompting me to have another look. 🙂

    (I know that I should ideally be using NAS, that is my next project.)


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    #76
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users Posts: 28,381 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Is there any professional installer who will supply and fit this kind of setup in Dublin, with the emphasis on the 'user-friendly' bit?


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    #77
    Gerry Wicklow
    Registered Users Posts: 4,538 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Is there any professional installer who will supply and fit this kind of setup in Dublin, with the emphasis on the 'user-friendly' bit?

    PM sent


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    #78
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Is there any professional installer who will supply and fit this kind of setup in Dublin, with the emphasis on the 'user-friendly' bit?

    Most professional installers fit basic satellite boxes, which will not give you this type of functionality. However, the Tiviar Alphaplus can be bought direct from World of Satellite, for approx €210 with a hard drive fitted, see earlier post. Any one with a (very) small amount of technical knowledge can then flash the image on the first post on this thread - that will give you all the functionality shown. All you need then is an installer to fit a Satellite Dish, if you don’t have one already.

    However, there are expert contributors on this forum, who may be able to assist. :)


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    #79
    Mylow
    Registered Users Posts: 802 ✭✭✭Mylow


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    Yeah that's fine

    Are the cables already in the receiver? Is it possible to confirm cables I need. I assume I don't need any frames etc.
    TIA


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    #80
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    Mylow wrote: »
    Are the cables already in the receiver? Is it possible to confirm cables I need. I assume I don't need any frames etc.
    TIA

    You just need the drive, it fits in a cradle


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    #81
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    Mylow wrote: »
    Are the cables already in the receiver? Is it possible to confirm cables I need. I assume I don't need any frames etc.
    TIA

    All the cables are included, all you need is the drive. I would strongly recommend the AV-25-1TB I linked to, above. It is designed for this type of application, which generic laptop drives are not. I know it is lower capacity, but it greatly ups the likelihood of a long life, especially if you have timeshift running all the time. (You need timeshift running continuously, to be able to rewind live tv.)


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    #82
    aka7
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭aka7


    Hi All,
    Tiviar box with openatv to be delivered ... Just to clarify:
    To be able to play-pause-play live tv and maybe record, beside hard-drive, do I need 2 separate cables all the way from lnb to the back of Tiviar (LNB IN tuners 1&2)?
    No way to combine the 2 cables into one and split again to save on the cabling job ?

    I will then install one of the images mentioned thanks to The high horse brigade and NewClareman and hopefully not get into too many issues.


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    #83
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    aka7 wrote: »
    Hi All,
    Tiviar box with openatv to be delivered ... Just to clarify:
    To be able to play-pause-play live tv and maybe record, beside hard-drive, do I need 2 separate cables all the way from lnb to the back of Tiviar (LNB IN tuners 1&2)?
    No way to combine the 2 cables into one and split again to save on the cabling job ?

    I will then install one of the images mentioned thanks to The high horse brigade and NewClareman and hopefully not get into too many issues.

    There's such a thing as a stacker destacker for running two satellite feeds over a single cable however they are nothing but trouble and require a very high quality cable because you are using frequency's the cable wasn't designed for. Just run a cable, it's easier and guaranteed to work


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    #84
    Reesy
    Registered Users Posts: 716 ✭✭✭Reesy


    Thanks @NewClareman for this - looks really good.

    Can I ask some questions please?

    1. I note your comment re wifi. Are you using one of the USB wifi yokes that World of Satellite offers as an optional extra? (I guess if you are, a pair of powerline plugs would be the answer).
    2. Can I use this box to view Netflix?
    3. That looks like a 7 day satellite EPG. Is it?
    4. I can customise the bouquets / favourites, can't I?
    5. Would you recommend this box as a replacement as for our Ariva 150? I'd need to get a new LNB & cable to avail of the second satellite tuner.

    Cheers, Simon


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    #85
    Barr
    Registered Users Posts: 6,991 ✭✭✭Barr


    Apologies if asked before , does this box have the Irish Terrestrial channels in HD?


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    #86
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    Barr wrote: »
    Apologies if asked before , does this box have the Irish Terrestrial channels in HD?

    Yes, RTE 1 and 2 are HD on Saorview


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    #87
    Barr
    Registered Users Posts: 6,991 ✭✭✭Barr


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    Yes, RTE 1 and 2 are HD on Saorview

    Great, so it has saorview:)

    Does the box need a separate cable to be connected to a saorview aerial


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    #88
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    Barr wrote: »
    Great, so it has saorview:)

    Does the box need a separate cable to be connected to a saorview aerial

    Yes, the box has 2x satellite and one terrestrial tuner so needs 2x feeds from a satellite and one from aerial to give a mix of Saorview and free to air channels


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    #89
    Barr
    Registered Users Posts: 6,991 ✭✭✭Barr


    I am giving up my q box so this looks like a good option. Nearly everything we watch is recorded so this is a huge advantage.

    If there is anyone around Cork that could assist with flashing/setting up the box i'd gladly pay for your time.

    I'd be useless at the tech stuff :pac:


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    #90
    The high horse brigade
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭The high horse brigade


    Barr wrote: »
    I am giving up my q box so this looks like a good option. Nearly everything we watch is recorded so this is a huge advantage.

    If there is anyone around Cork that could assist with flashing/setting up the box i'd gladly pay for your time.

    I'd be useless at the tech stuff :pac:

    If you've had a sky q box you'll need a hybrid lnb on the dish


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    #91
    Barr
    Registered Users Posts: 6,991 ✭✭✭Barr


    The high horse brigade wrote: »
    If you've had a sky q box you'll need a hybrid lnb on the dish

    I asked first day for a hybrid so hopefully will be ok on that front. Although when I tried putting the cable into the satellite connection of the tv today, it didn't pick up any of the FTA channels :o


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