Lightbox - 5 device limit problem

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trig42

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#1240595 17-Feb-2015 10:05

Would it be possible to code it in so that if a device isn't used for x days, it is automatically dropped off the list? That way if a Chrome update is done, the old version is removed automatically?

NonprayingMantis

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#1240602 17-Feb-2015 10:10

I wouldn't be surprised if the launch of Netflix into NZ gives Lightbox (and the rest) a lot more leverage when it comes to these kinds of rules.

i.e. they will be able to point to Netflix and say "These guys do it this way, so let us do it this way."

I imagine studios don't particularly like Netflix all that much - it's not good for them to have one globally scaled customer. The studios would much rather have lots of disparate regional customers so they can price discriminate on content more effectively.

Wade

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#1240629 17-Feb-2015 10:26

Lightbox:

While the implementation could certainly be improved, it's not a huge issue for most people - the people on this board are much more likely to be swapping around browsers, using a multitude of devices and changing setup than your average user. We're very happy to help you sort it on a case by case basis (and we're sorry about your trouble), but right now I've got other aspects of our service I'd rather spend my ressources improving and developing.

But this is a major problem... I am only able to access LB via ipad, through no manipulation of my own my win8.1 device has taken the remaining 4 device slots and still is unable to connect i.e. lightbox is unobtanium

Most mum and dad consumers aren't going to actively resolve these issues as happens here on GZ, they are just going to sideline this issue into the "oh well i tried, it broken, back to sky" and you just lost yourself a subscriber and anyone else they care to tell (misinformed or not)

In its present state would i recommend the service no, would i pay for the service, no, will i continue subscribing once my free 12mths is up, no... so yes it is a major problem, the best content in the world is not going to help you if you can't reliably access it

dclegg

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#1240682 17-Feb-2015 11:09

Wade:
Most mum and dad consumers aren't going to actively resolve these issues as happens here on GZ, they are just going to sideline this issue into the "oh well i tried, it broken, back to sky" and you just lost yourself a subscriber and anyone else they care to tell (misinformed or not)

In its present state would i recommend the service no, would i pay for the service, no, will i continue subscribing once my free 12mths is up, no... so yes it is a major problem, the best content in the world is not going to help you if you can't reliably access it

I actually think most non-technical Mum and Dad consumers will not be running Lightbox in a way that will cause them to run into these sorts of issues. As far as I can tell, the real problem is when running it via your browser. A far easier way for non-technical users to consume it is either via iPad->Airplay, the Samsung TV app, or the Playstation apps. If they had to consume it via a connected PC or laptop, you'd have probably already lost their interest.

I have recommended Lightbox to family and friends, and my extremely non-technical in-laws love it. It was initially a little difficult to do, due to the lack of options to get it onto the telly, but this is getting easier with every new device Lightbox supports.

Jase2985

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#1240696 17-Feb-2015 11:28

Wade:
Lightbox:

While the implementation could certainly be improved, it's not a huge issue for most people - the people on this board are much more likely to be swapping around browsers, using a multitude of devices and changing setup than your average user. We're very happy to help you sort it on a case by case basis (and we're sorry about your trouble), but right now I've got other aspects of our service I'd rather spend my ressources improving and developing.

But this is a major problem... I am only able to access LB via ipad, through no manipulation of my own my win8.1 device has taken the remaining 4 device slots and still is unable to connect i.e. lightbox is unobtanium

In its present state would i recommend the service no, would i pay for the service, no, will i continue subscribing once my free 12mths is up, no... so yes it is a major problem, the best content in the world is not going to help you if you can't reliably access it

Ditto. We are the people who know the what the problem is and how to fix it, we are the 10%, the other 90% of people will probably just give up and not bother with the service.

at this stage i wont be paying for the service once my free 12 months is up, i also wouldnt be recommending it to anyone either.

you need to get the little things right as well as the big things like content/devices

Wade

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#1240697 17-Feb-2015 11:28

Not everyone has Apple TV, Smart TV, gaming consoles etc, or is happy to invest for the privilege of using a service that is offered by already available means, even the LightBox advert on TV makes a big issue about how easy it is to connect your laptop via HDMI cable to your TV, well yes it is, at least for the first few connects :P

dclegg

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#1240707 17-Feb-2015 11:40

Wade: Not everyone has Apple TV, Smart TV, gaming consoles etc, or is happy to invest for the privilege of using a service that is offered by already available means, even the LightBox advert on TV makes a big issue about how easy it is to connect your laptop via HDMI cable to your TV, well yes it is, at least for the first few connects :P

Oh, I totally understand that. And for a while, it was a hard sell for me to give family & friends that didn't already have an iPad. If they did, getting them to spend $150 on an Apple TV was relatively easy. But now if they have a PS3/PS4 or a compatible Samsung device, I can push them down that route. Or possibly even suggest purchasing a PS3, which can be found reasonably cheaply now.

While you can connect a laptop directly to your TV, this is not an overly convenient way for many non-technical users to watch. The real solution here is wider device support, so it's great to see that Lightbox aren't resting on their laurels in that regard.

Hatch

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

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#1240744 17-Feb-2015 12:06

Wade:
Lightbox:

While the implementation could certainly be improved, it's not a huge issue for most people - the people on this board are much more likely to be swapping around browsers, using a multitude of devices and changing setup than your average user. We're very happy to help you sort it on a case by case basis (and we're sorry about your trouble), but right now I've got other aspects of our service I'd rather spend my ressources improving and developing.

But this is a major problem... I am only able to access LB via ipad, through no manipulation of my own my win8.1 device has taken the remaining 4 device slots and still is unable to connect i.e. lightbox is unobtanium

Most mum and dad consumers aren't going to actively resolve these issues as happens here on GZ, they are just going to sideline this issue into the "oh well i tried, it broken, back to sky" and you just lost yourself a subscriber and anyone else they care to tell (misinformed or not)

In its present state would i recommend the service no, would i pay for the service, no, will i continue subscribing once my free 12mths is up, no... so yes it is a major problem, the best content in the world is not going to help you if you can't reliably access it

whilst it is an issue, when the resolution is as simple as:

step 1: email the helpdesk to get the devices reset.

there is no step 2...

I really don't think that is beyond the reach of most 'mum and dad' users.

Especially when the average 'mum and dad' probably doesn't even bother with having separate profiles and multiple browsers on their win machines, so likely wouldn't run into this issue at all. i.e. if they aren't technically minded enough to email the support desk when they have an issue, they probably aren't technically minded enough to get into trouble in the first place.

(and, since you're comparing it directly to sky, the standard number of devices sky allows you to use their service on is exactly 1(one). Not 2, 3, 4, or 5. Just one. You have to pay a whopping $25/month extra to get a second device ($40 if you want it to be a mysky)

Wade

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#1240803 17-Feb-2015 13:03

NonprayingMantis:

whilst it is an issue, when the resolution is as simple as:

step 1: email the helpdesk to get the devices reset.

there is no step 2...

I really don't think that is beyond the reach of most 'mum and dad' users.

Especially when the average 'mum and dad' probably doesn't even bother with having separate profiles and multiple browsers on their win machines, so likely wouldn't run into this issue at all. i.e. if they aren't technically minded enough to email the support desk when they have an issue, they probably aren't technically minded enough to get into trouble in the first place.

(and, since you're comparing it directly to sky, the standard number of devices sky allows you to use their service on is exactly 1(one). Not 2, 3, 4, or 5. Just one. You have to pay a whopping $25/month extra to get a second device ($40 if you want it to be a mysky)

I use a single profile on my win8.1 device, i only use Chrome, i do not use incognito mode, I use this device as most mum's and dad's do and i have this problem, i am not sure how i could avoid the issue so having the only answer being that i need to ring helpdesk periodically to clear devices does not sit well with me as being a viable solution

rugrat

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#1241019 17-Feb-2015 18:09

mattwnz: Also in the lightbox system, it is very difficult to identify the PC, as all it shows is 'PC Computer', so there is no way to know which one you are deleting anyway. Anyone know of any other workarounds? Lightboxes helpcentre doesn't help, as it doesn't discuss this problem.

I only just joined light box, had a few problems but managed to solve, still got some playing around to do with it.

Found with device name, each pc gets PC Computer. But then go into devices, and can change name to anything you like, then just hit save names at bottom, so I do this everytime think device may have been added, so I can identify whats, what later on.

I first ran it on internet explorer, but keeped getting the blank screen after 5 minutes or so, I changed to chrome browser and it then ran fine. Went into devices expecting each browser would count as serperate device, to my surprise the PC was still showing as only one device, so running a different browser on the same PC in this case didn't count as another device.

So far have just got 2 devices PS3 and one laptop. Found watching BSG a better experience then skys Zone channel, no add breaks and no channel logos on screen. See what happens in future .

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