Neon is Terrible

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ETLN01

21 posts

Geek

#2239258 16-May-2019 15:41

ETLN01:

Has anybody here experienced issues with mono audio output using Neon? I had issues about a Year ago using a Chromecast Ultra and I've recently re-subscribed to watch the latest series of Game of Thrones and the DC shows and the issue is still present. My Chromecast is connected to an Integra amplifier running to a Panasonic Viera TV. I have never had any issues with TVNZ on Demand or Three Now which are both stereo or Youtube with the Chromecast. Netflix plays back in Dolby Digital + through the Chromecast without issue as well or stereo with Pro Logic IIx for 2ch content.

The latest season of Game of Thrones has been stereo this time, however all the latest DC series have been mono. I've watched up to episode 3 of The Flash and just watched episode 1 of Legend of Tomorrow with them all producing mono audio. Game of Thrones doesn't really sound quite right though, its almost like the audio is slightly out of sync with each channel so you get weird warping type sound when using Pro Logic IIx, the DC shows only play back on the centre speaker which is why I know it is in mono given there is no information for the amp to work with the apply Pro Logic IIx to function correctly.

I do have a media pc running through the amp but I can't use Neon on the PC through the web browser given its using Flash player, the PC doesn't have enough CPU grunt to decode the video. Flash doesn't seem to use the GPU to accelerate the video.

I can't be certain but I believe the audio may have been mono when using my Samsung TV through headphones, I didn't notice any stereo sound when playing a show recently which makes me think it may not be the Chromecast that is the issue but the videos themselves being provided by Neon. Will do more testing and try and confirm that.

Really annoying issue, no reason to have audio in mono in 2019!

I can confirm that the content playing back with mono audio is also happening on my Samsung TV. I have been watching the latest seasons of the DC shows and every episode so far has had mono audio as well as Westworld Season 1 Episode 1. Chernobyl and Game of Thornes Season 6 have been stereo however.

I think Neon need to go through their catalogue and re-upload the episodes in stereo; I highly doubt they would have been provided mono masters to encode the videos with so I'm guessing something is setup wrong on their system that is changing the audio to mono for certain shows.

I've never had streaming issues with Neon myself, it’s always worked quite reliably.

Wash

57 posts

Master Geek

#2239261 16-May-2019 15:43

dafman:
MikeAqua: Neon only let's you delete one device every few weeks.
Why does that not surprise me? Yet another example of an anti-consumer draconian restriction from the granddaddy company of anti-customer focus - how dare consumers think they can easily swap between devices to fit in with busy family lifestyles! Let's hope the new CE's broom is a wide one.

From what I've heard/seen, it isn't Sky that set that rule, it is the content distributors so it isn't easy to change overnight.

I did notice though that my older registered devices disappeared from my registered device list some weeks ago, freeing up slots for newer ones. Perhaps a cleanup due to the customer feedback received recently?

Kiwifruta

1423 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2239376 16-May-2019 17:14

Wash:

dafman:
MikeAqua: Neon only let's you delete one device every few weeks.
Why does that not surprise me? Yet another example of an anti-consumer draconian restriction from the granddaddy company of anti-customer focus - how dare consumers think they can easily swap between devices to fit in with busy family lifestyles! Let's hope the new CE's broom is a wide one.

From what I've heard/seen, it isn't Sky that set that rule, it is the content distributors so it isn't easy to change overnight.

I did notice though that my older registered devices disappeared from my registered device list some weeks ago, freeing up slots for newer ones. Perhaps a cleanup due to the customer feedback received recently?

Seems like the rule would be to prevent too many people sharing one account.

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#2246252 27-May-2019 06:51

rugrat:
MikeAqua:

Neon is faultless on our Smart TV.

The only issue we have ever had is a T&C issue. After a burglary we needed to delete a number of devices from our account - so we could add the new ones. Neon only let's you delete one device every few weeks.

When we rang and explained situation they were great and deleted the old devices.

How do you do the sound? Just TV speakers?

Sound is via HDMI to an Onkyo NR with 3.1 speakers.

Mike

jnimmo

1097 posts

Uber Geek

#2247790 29-May-2019 15:53

Agree, Neon is terrible.

No Apple TV app, AirPlay I can't even lock my phone let alone switch apps. Browser requires Flash Player. No options for subtitles. 1 out of 10 stars.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2255863 11-Jun-2019 10:47

Possibly because I'd previously opened a ticket with them, Neon sent me a survey, and have now invited me to a focus group thing.

Is anyone else going?

I watch via HTPC/Chrome. I'm going to talk about my issues which are:
Flash
No subtitles
Shoddy compression
Not remembering where I left off.
The way the index page reloads/reshapes itself just as I'm about to click on something.
The non-intuitive way to select episodes.

From reading here, other people's issues are to do with:
Casting
No 5.1 support
No Apple TV app

On the plus side, Chernobyl is fantastic.

Anything else I should tell/ask them?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

sm1ff

122 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2255878 11-Jun-2019 11:24

My only concerns with neon is low picture quality, low bit rate, and the lack of surround sound. I have never signed up for neon due to my concerns about them, and I seen feedback time and time again that still prevents me from signing up as i believe my concerns have yet to be addressed.

Sharesies

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

ETLN01

21 posts

Geek

#2255961 11-Jun-2019 12:35

turb: Possibly because I'd previously opened a ticket with them, Neon sent me a survey, and have now invited me to a focus group thing.

Is anyone else going?

I watch via HTPC/Chrome. I'm going to talk about my issues which are:
Flash
No subtitles
Shoddy compression
Not remembering where I left off.
The way the index page reloads/reshapes itself just as I'm about to click on something.
The non-intuitive way to select episodes.

From reading here, other people's issues are to do with:
Casting
No 5.1 support
No Apple TV app

On the plus side, Chernobyl is fantastic.

Anything else I should tell/ask them?

Could you please mention about my issues with Mono audio playback on certain titles such as the latest season of the DC shows. I've e-mailed Neon just recently about this issue again because I was having it about 1 Year ago when I switched from the Xbox 360 app to a Chromecast Ultra and it is still occuring today.

I've also realised it is not limited to the Chromecast Ultra, it is also happening on my Samsung TV with playback through headphones. Its quite obvious if I switch to something in Stereo either on Neon or another service.

langi27

675 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2256038 11-Jun-2019 13:23

Would be nice if they let us cast to compatible chromecsat device, eg Mi Box, or create an official Android TV specific app.

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