New SKY streaming devices

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130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3047941 9-Mar-2023 10:35

I installed my pod and my new box a couple of days ago. TVNZ 1 and 2 are not on the pod any longer, but are available via the TVNZ+ app. The box still has them.

stoal76

9 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3047946 9-Mar-2023 10:40

oh well, I am glad I did not subscribe to the new Sky Pod as rewind/restart of programs including free view channels was the main feature I wanted, plus the better quality that I thought the Internet based stream would have.

I have Sky Sport and Basic through VTV but I haven't signed up to anything with Sky, and I don't want their new Sky box and its ugly satellite. So I wonder what will happen on the 31st of March, does my Sky subscription through VTV just get cancelled so Sky loose a customer.

Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3047955 9-Mar-2023 10:45

I must say that before TVNZ1 and 2 disappeared, I couldn't find any programmes from the previous day that it would allow to be "replayed".

The instant I connected the first of the two devices to my Sky account, my VFTV boxes deauthorised.

Rushmere

359 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 188

#3048014 9-Mar-2023 11:09

evnafets:

It doesn't appear to be a capability issue - but rather a licensing issue.

i.e. TVNZ is not allowing Sky to stream their channels through the Sky Pod, because they want people to use their app.

This was one of the main beefs I believe people had with the VTV box - you couldn't 'record' TV1 News.

This might be a deal-breaker for the pod.

But it does seem odd that you can view TVNZ on the new box without the App, but not on the Pod. It seems like a technicality that one is coming via satellite and the other via streaming, but I guess TVNZ might be reluctant to license it for some reason.

Now I have to decide if I want to try it and put up with the inconvenience, switch to a box instead and lose rewind capability, or just to call it quits with Sky and take the dog out for more walks instead of watching TV.

Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3048016 9-Mar-2023 11:14

In the three years that I had a VFTV box, I don't think I ever used the "rewind" facility. We just recorded stuff and watched the recordings - or used the on demand apps through the box. I dunno - for me, the ability to record vastly outweighs the ability to "rewind" to the last couple of days. We've gone from two VFTV boxes (one living room, one rumpus room) to a box in the living room and a pod in the rumpus room. Most whanau use Netflix when in there, TBH.

SouthernGeek

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 47

#3048021 9-Mar-2023 11:22

Shadbolt:

In the three years that I had a VFTV box, I don't think I ever used the "rewind" facility. We just recorded stuff and watched the recordings - or used the on demand apps through the box. I dunno - for me, the ability to record vastly outweighs the ability to "rewind" to the last couple of days. We've gone from two VFTV boxes (one living room, one rumpus room) to a box in the living room and a pod in the rumpus room. Most whanau use Netflix when in there, TBH.

For our family its exactly the opposite. I don't think I ever used the "Record" function on VFTV. To be honest I would forget to record the shows I wanted to watch etc. But we would use the 3day rewind all the time.

Perhaps, what we are all getting to, is the new sky box (not pod) missed a beat by not having the record AND 3day rewind functions all in the one box?

If it had, and it worked on all channels, I think I might have easily justified the box price and sub price to just move to that from VFTV, just for freeview channels and convenience.

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Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3048024 9-Mar-2023 11:25

SouthernGeek:

Perhaps, what we are all getting to, is the new sky box (not pod) missed a beat by not having the record AND 3day rewind functions all in the one box?

Agreed!

The fast forwarding of recordings on the Sky box is very poor. I really miss the thumbnails that the VFTV box gave - made it simples to go past adverts.

SouthernGeek

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 47

#3048029 9-Mar-2023 11:34

Shadbolt:

Agreed!

The fast forwarding of recordings on the Sky box is very poor. I really miss the thumbnails that the VFTV box gave - made it simples to go past adverts.

Oh No, I also love that side of VFTV!
I never thought that it might be different on the new Sky Pod!
Perhaps that's why Sky feel the need for a non-refundable cost for the delivery of the box/pod? Do they foresee a lot of returns and cancelations as it just doesn't quite work as it should/could/might!

Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3048033 9-Mar-2023 11:37

TBH, I'm old, and I've stopped sweating the small stuff. I wanna record and watch my fave channels and programmes - and the new Sky box DOES let me do this. Not perfectly - but it DOES do it. Within a week I'll have stopped noticing the less ideal things.

YMMV ;-)

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#3048037 9-Mar-2023 11:49

Shadbolt:

Agreed!

The fast forwarding of recordings on the Sky box is very poor. I really miss the thumbnails that the VFTV box gave - made it simples to go past adverts.

Yes and only 4x/16x. I thought the same. It's so bad my guess is that it was deliberately munted. My memories of mySkyHDi aren't this bad.

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invisibleman18

1420 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 427

#3048041 9-Mar-2023 12:05

Also a bit disappointed the pod won't allow you to watch TVNZ channels from the guide as it was initially promoted as having much the same function as VTV. Anyway, it's just arrived by courier today so I guess I'm committed now. Also keen to drag out the last use of VTV so won't set it up just yet.

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John19612

86 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 96

#3048060 9-Mar-2023 12:27

Rushmere:

I also got an email this morning saying my Pod will be despatched by the end of March, although it hasn't been despatched yet.

I was a bit disappointed by this:

"Currently TVNZ channels, including TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, and Duke can be found on the TVNZ+ app, but not on the Sky Pod TV Guide. We’ll let you know if the TVNZ channels become available on the Sky Pod TV Guide at a later date."

"If" they become available? That really doesn't sound good, and it sounds like it just isn't a finished product. One of the key attractions of Sky for me is being able to browse many channels without having to constantly go in and out of Apps.

If this situation doesn't correct itself then the Sky Pod is dead in the water.

Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3048064 9-Mar-2023 12:37

John19612:

If this situation doesn't correct itself then the Sky Pod is dead in the water.

In all honesty, it's not that bad. I just tried it with the pod. From a standing start, it took about five seconds to watch TVNZ1. One "Apps" button to push on the remote, then scroll three or four places sideways to get to TVNZ+ and select it. As I had already logged into TVNZ+ the other day, it remembered that, and immediately offered me live TV on my channel of choice. Changing TVNZ channels within the app was just the usual single button up or down.

Going back to Sky channels was a single button push on the remote.

If it stays like this, it's no biggie. The usual on screen EPG info was appropriately displayed.

Shadbolt

130 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#3048065 9-Mar-2023 12:39

Oh I should say - unlike the VFTV box, the pod remembers where you were in the TVNZ+ app, and returns you right there. At least, my limited testing had that result each time. :-)

Rushmere

359 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 188

#3048073 9-Mar-2023 13:10

Shadbolt:

In all honesty, it's not that bad. I just tried it with the pod. From a standing start, it took about five seconds to watch TVNZ1. One "Apps" button to push on the remote, then scroll three or four places sideways to get to TVNZ+ and select it. As I had already logged into TVNZ+ the other day, it remembered that, and immediately offered me live TV on my channel of choice. Changing TVNZ channels within the app was just the usual single button up or down.

Going back to Sky channels was a single button push on the remote.

If it stays like this, it's no biggie. The usual on screen EPG info was appropriately displayed.

It's the inability to seamlessly browse content that's one of the key issues for me. The app-centric model of modern streaming boxes is not a great user interface, as it assumes the app is more important than the content.

Although written from a US perspective, this article at The Verge - "All the streaming boxes suck now" - sums it up quite nicely:

https://www.theverge.com/23621907/streaming-tv-boxes-roku-amazon-google-apple-nvidia

As there isn't a good choice available, we're just left with picking the least worst option.

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