Lightbox press event release

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961 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1117187 28-Aug-2014 12:06

Lightbox:
CraigY: Signed up early this morning (4am) and it worked great. Good Job to Spark. Watched a full episode of X Files with no interruption, and quality was good. I then tried to add my IPad and got an error saying all devices were assigned and I would have to remove one. It showed for the devices:
PC Computer
PC Computer
PC Computer
PC Computer
PC Computer

So when I created the account on the PC it somehow registered all 5 devices to the PC. Or, maybe each time I watched an episode it added a new device.

I then tried to use the computer again and got this message:

Playback Error
and something about all 5 devices registered, so cannot use the service. Can log in though with no problems.

I have sent an error message to Lightbox help, hope to get something back in 24 hours.
I am using Wireless Nation satellite service and maybe they somehow keep changing the IP address or whatever it is that Lightbox uses to identify the devices. Anyway, I am down and will update the forum if we find a solution.

This can happen if you've got very stringent security settings, browse incognito or clear out the Silverlight cache when closing your browser - your device is registered with us, but you're clearing out the identity of it stored locally, so we can't recognise it and register it anew.

Our support will be able to help you with the multiple registrations, but you're going to see it happen again unless you change your settings.

Can't say you weren't warned that this would happen. You should have added a "name your device" option every time a new device got registered. Not only would it allow your users to identify their machines but it would alert them to the fact that they were using up their slots. Let's say it was working properly and a user wanted to de-register a device to register a new one - perhaps they replaced their PC - when presented with a list of 5 PC Computer entries how would they know which one to delete?

Procrastination eventually pays off.

Lightbox

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lightbox

#1117191 28-Aug-2014 12:18

gjen:

There are plenty of companies that deliver a cross platform capability for content .e Nuelion for PLP pass. These companies have been in the game a while. Not sure who lightbox have used or if they are doing it in house and re-inventing the wheel from scratch, possibly looks like it based on limited apps/platforms.

Lighbox can you comment if you designing the interfaces in house ?

Neulion and most other online video platforms/providers work with native apps. They do build apps and clients for multiple platforms. Kinda like we do it, actually.

Off course you recycle parts of code, work of a standard base etc. but that's not really what was suggested.

Our frontend/app partner is one of the major global players in their field, having built solutions across virtually every platform in existence for tons of customers around the world. I can't give away their name right now (not sure if it's been released - and should be a coordinated effort between them and us).

Lightbox - we are online TV.

Item

1717 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1117192 28-Aug-2014 12:26

I think Lightbox is great and truly a step in the right direction...but I am struggling to put my money where my mouth is and support the service:

I want it to succeed and to succeed it needs subscribers so I should subscribe...
It is more expensive and significantly lighter in content than Netflix, so why would I subscribe when I have that?

I dunno - I am not sure I want to make a charitable donation to a service I will never use in light of already having access to a far superior product.

Will we ever see a sea-change in the global copyright/content licensing system in order to finally acknowledge that physical geography is now irrelevant?

(I doubt it...)

CraigY

59 posts

Master Geek

#1117198 28-Aug-2014 12:38

I didn't see anything in the installation instructions about enabling browser settings. I do maintain a secure browser so it would be helpful to know which privacy or security settings need to be enabled. For example, all cookies and history are removed each time I close the browser. Maybe only the history has to be enabled. Would prefer not to set it wide open if not necessary.

I also agree that before a new device is registered that a warning message should be issued to give you the chance to stop, if this is not what was intended.

unsignedint

69 posts

Master Geek

#1117226 28-Aug-2014 13:31

bagheera:
unsignedint:
Any idea if any ISPs will/already offer unmetered traffic for Lightbox?

most ISP already have - it called unlimited cap - if you want to use the internet, you should pay for it you know.

You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. (Look back some years and you'll find many ISPs used to offer free NZ traffic). This is exactly one of the reasons why streaming TV was supposed to be one of the first killer apps for the fibre network.

I'm not sure I really want to pay an extra $30/mo (with my current ISP) to get on an "unlimited" plan just to watch some TV on Lightbox.

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1117228 28-Aug-2014 13:37

gjen:
Lightbox: Our app is available only for iPad, so no iPhone app.

/Jakob

I don't understand why the service is not available on a mobile device ? TV anywhere is name of the game... just like music :)

Fair enough, but a couople points to consider on this are:

1) more people have iphones than ipads, and this would make it cheaper for them to use LB on their TV (etc)
2) airplay from iphone would make a cheap (160 for ATV) entry for all iphone users to also have 'big screen' viewing
3) (ref #2) you don't yet have an ATV app OR any other way but 'tethered' to PC for Living/Media Room viewing

I have all 3 so matters not to me, though still holding out for more buffer! :)

BigPipeNZ

1170 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

BigPipe

#1117230 28-Aug-2014 13:40

unsignedint:
bagheera:
unsignedint:
Any idea if any ISPs will/already offer unmetered traffic for Lightbox?

most ISP already have - it called unlimited cap - if you want to use the internet, you should pay for it you know.

You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. (Look back some years and you'll find many ISPs used to offer free NZ traffic). This is exactly one of the reasons why streaming TV was supposed to be one of the first killer apps for the fibre network.

I'm not sure I really want to pay an extra $30/mo (with my current ISP) to get on an "unlimited" plan just to watch some TV on Lightbox.

you don't necessarily need unlimited to enjoy Lightbox (although of course it is recommended to avoid potential bill shock)

Even an extra 40-50GB would likely be enough to cover a decent amount of watching (say, average 1-2 episodes every single night of the month) and that should be no more than a $10 upgrade to your current plan. Or you could ask your ISP to unmeter it.

Or you could always switch ISPs to somebody who offers unlimited data for less (I hear Bigpipe is pretty good :P )

bigpipe.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/BigPipeNZ
https://twitter.com/BigPipeNZ

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1117231 28-Aug-2014 13:40

unsignedint:
bagheera:
unsignedint:
Any idea if any ISPs will/already offer unmetered traffic for Lightbox?

most ISP already have - it called unlimited cap - if you want to use the internet, you should pay for it you know.

You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. (Look back some years and you'll find many ISPs used to offer free NZ traffic). This is exactly one of the reasons why streaming TV was supposed to be one of the first killer apps for the fibre network.

I'm not sure I really want to pay an extra $30/mo (with my current ISP) to get on an "unlimited" plan just to watch some TV on Lightbox.

Handovers, regional fibre routes, equipment, peering exchanges etc still cost time & money to operate.

Additionally, one of the reasons that ISPs stopped the whole 'national traffic is free' thing, is it's become: a) too hard for the user (prior to usage)/ISP (in their billing/traffic accounting systems) to distinguish between local and offshore, b) with CDNs and failovers etc, it's hard to unmeter specific sites, c) on the same vain as 'a)' hard to explain/justify supporting issues such as "Ohhh, I'm streaming videos from BuzzFeed NZ...." [days pass] "... why does my bill read $1000 in excess charges?"

IPs are no longer assigned in large blocks to specific countries/big ISPs, and there are so many updates/oddities to the assignments, argh...

Talkiet

4793 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1117233 28-Aug-2014 13:41

unsignedint: [snip]
You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. [snip]

Utterly, completely, totally untrue. (The effectively free part)

N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

BigPipeNZ

1170 posts

Uber Geek

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BigPipe

#1117250 28-Aug-2014 13:48

Item: I think Lightbox is great and truly a step in the right direction...but I am struggling to put my money where my mouth is and support the service:

I want it to succeed and to succeed it needs subscribers so I should subscribe...
It is more expensive and significantly lighter in content than Netflix, so why would I subscribe when I have that?

I dunno - I am not sure I want to make a charitable donation to a service I will never use in light of already having access to a far superior product.

Will we ever see a sea-change in the global copyright/content licensing system in order to finally acknowledge that physical geography is now irrelevant?

(I doubt it...)

I don't think there is any reason to think of Netflix vs Lightbox is an 'either/or' dilemma. There is no reason why you can't have both. Even together at about $25/month they come in significantly less than the cost of just Sky basic ($45/month).

Whilst Lightbox has less content overall than Netflix, there is still quite a bit of very recent content on Lightbox that isn't on Netflix - Homeland, Vikings, Outlander, latest season of 24, Black Sails, are ones I have noticed, there may be more. None of those are on Netflix yet - likely too new since most Netflix content is at least 2 years old. Only their own stuff (house of cards etc) tends to be very recent.
And there is some other, older but still good, stuff too on Lightbox - like south park, community (awesome show!),The Wiggles, that Netflix doesn't have either.

I have both subscriptions, and actually found myself watching more Lightbox than Netflix during the Beta period.

bigpipe.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/BigPipeNZ
https://twitter.com/BigPipeNZ

unsignedint

69 posts

Master Geek

#1117301 28-Aug-2014 15:21

Talkiet:
unsignedint: [snip]
You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. [snip]

Utterly, completely, totally untrue. (The effectively free part)

N

OK, what is the cost differential to send data between, say,

(1) Spark ISP user <> LightBox (presumably on the same Spark network)
vs
(2) Spark ISP user <> random networks <> Europe/US

Yes, I accept there would be costs associated with (1) including equipment, maintenance, and obviously providing local capacity, but surely it would be significantly cheaper for traffic within the same network than (2) going out to the US or EU via submarine cable through paid transit providers.

I'm not saying I believe everyone should have the right to watch 24/7 free streaming TV; but I don't see this as such a wacky idea. For a typically "low volume" Internet household (like mine) this would be a really good incentive to ditch Sky, without having to bump up our Internet plan as well.

bagheera

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1117308 28-Aug-2014 15:29

unsignedint:

You do realise there is a distinction between international and local (NZ) traffic right? And that most local traffic is "effectively" free due to the way peering operates. (Look back some years and you'll find many ISPs used to offer free NZ traffic). This is exactly one of the reasons why streaming TV was supposed to be one of the first killer apps for the fibre network.

I'm not sure I really want to pay an extra $30/mo (with my current ISP) to get on an "unlimited" plan just to watch some TV on Lightbox.

yes i do know how peering works, i also know ""effectively" free" is wrong, and i also know how hard it is for isp to zero rate a CDN and why most do not do it any more - it not worth the tech calls every time the CDN decide to change things and your zero rating stop working and people like you complain. If you do not want to up your cap, then any internet tv service is not for you - videos use lots of bandwidth. You are right about fibre great for this sort of thing, but only if you want to pay for the extra gb to use it - I away warn people going to fibre that they are likely going to need a bigger cap if they want to use the fibre connection to it full potential

Lightbox

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lightbox

#1117316 28-Aug-2014 15:42

Item: I think Lightbox is great and truly a step in the right direction...but I am struggling to put my money where my mouth is and support the service:

I want it to succeed and to succeed it needs subscribers so I should subscribe...
It is more expensive and significantly lighter in content than Netflix, so why would I subscribe when I have that?

I dunno - I am not sure I want to make a charitable donation to a service I will never use in light of already having access to a far superior product.

Will we ever see a sea-change in the global copyright/content licensing system in order to finally acknowledge that physical geography is now irrelevant?

(I doubt it...)

I'd say that you should probably subscribe to our service if you like our content and our offering. I am pretty convinced about the value for money ratio here, but I certainly wouldn't be expecting anyone subscribe for altruistic reasons...

Lightbox - we are online TV.

Lightbox

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lightbox

#1117335 28-Aug-2014 15:57

CraigY: I didn't see anything in the installation instructions about enabling browser settings. I do maintain a secure browser so it would be helpful to know which privacy or security settings need to be enabled. For example, all cookies and history are removed each time I close the browser. Maybe only the history has to be enabled. Would prefer not to set it wide open if not necessary.

I also agree that before a new device is registered that a warning message should be issued to give you the chance to stop, if this is not what was intended.

Unfortunately, we can't detail every permutation of every possible setup. We've found that only a very small number of people have their browsers setup in a way that creates these issues - and trying to make these users aware proactively by telling everyone who signs up is a very ineffective way of doing it.

Lightbox - we are online TV.

KriMzOn

22 posts

Geek

#1117338 28-Aug-2014 16:14

Lightbox:
CraigY: I didn't see anything in the installation instructions about enabling browser settings. I do maintain a secure browser so it would be helpful to know which privacy or security settings need to be enabled. For example, all cookies and history are removed each time I close the browser. Maybe only the history has to be enabled. Would prefer not to set it wide open if not necessary.

I also agree that before a new device is registered that a warning message should be issued to give you the chance to stop, if this is not what was intended.

Unfortunately, we can't detail every permutation of every possible setup. We've found that only a very small number of people have their browsers setup in a way that creates these issues - and trying to make these users aware proactively by telling everyone who signs up is a very ineffective way of doing it.

Hmmm...why do you need a warning if a new device is being registered? It's more of a question as to why a new device is being registered without your prior knowledge as an account owner. If a device connected to the account, it is assumed that you gave the username and password. I say you need to facilitate this feature, check for unknown devices on your profile and if this happens you need to change your password immediately, that's what I would do.

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