Watching Spark Sport (including launch and pricing)

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Networkn
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#2309339 2-Sep-2019 11:02

I feel companies should "earn the right" with trials and things. Requiring a credit card which then relies on the end user to remember to cancel if they don't want it is poor form in my opinion (Which gives Spark revenue if the end user forgets because they don't really use it) . I know lots of people do it, but it's not right in my view. Amazon does it, but they have a no questions asked refund policy.

If you have a good product and the user is getting value from it, if it expires at the end of the trial, they will willingly give you their payment details.

tdgeek

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#2309341 2-Sep-2019 11:04

ALTRON: When is that Japan v South Africa game exactly??

This Friday, 1015pm NZ time ?

Set to take place on Friday, September 6 at 10:15pm (NZT), the test between tournament hosts Japan and one of the world cup favourites, South Africa, is the perfect opportunity for Tournament Pass holders to get familiar with streaming live sport using their Spark Sport app ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019™.

networkn

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#2309344 2-Sep-2019 11:08

Does anyone know what version of the APK still allows Android Appliances that aren't a mobile phone or Sony TV, to operate Spark Sport? 1.20 seems to not work at all, does some form of check to ensure you are running a Sony TV, so doesn't work on FireTV, or Shield.

Put another way, does anyone know what version of the Android TV APK does work with Shield an FireTV and does someone have a link? I did upgrade to 1.20 when I factory reset my FireTV to deal with another issue, but when it wouldn't work I uninstalled it and tried to install an earlier 1.10 and it won't install, saying giving an error about downgrading version error.

kipkip

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#2309350 2-Sep-2019 11:18

networkn:

Does anyone know what version of the APK still allows Android Appliances that aren't a mobile phone or Sony TV, to operate Spark Sport? 1.20 seems to not work at all, does some form of check to ensure you are running a Sony TV, so doesn't work on FireTV, or Shield.

Put another way, does anyone know what version of the Android TV APK does work with Shield an FireTV and does someone have a link? I did upgrade to 1.20 when I factory reset my FireTV to deal with another issue, but when it wouldn't work I uninstalled it and tried to install an earlier 1.10 and it won't install, saying giving an error about downgrading version error.

It sounds like their dev team probably implemented some logic around the different versions of the specific supported Android TV devices, and not really handling any other type of devices to still allow them to work as a default behaviour.

networkn

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#2309351 2-Sep-2019 11:22

Well, if the Dev team would hurry up and give us a supported Android compatible App that worked with FireTV and Shield, then we wouldn't need to end around to get a solution.

networkn

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#2309353 2-Sep-2019 11:33

hio77:

networkn:

Wow, that's seriously disappointing that Sony TV's aren't suited to 60FPS, given I expect to be wanting to watch at least half the games in bed which is a Android Sony TV.

Assumption here isnt quite right.. It's equally possibly the Sony TV simply presents itself in a way that it cant be isolated out for 60fps.

@hio77

How does one know whether they are going to get an optimal experience using a Sony TV then?

https://help.sparksport.co.nz/streaming-issues/quality/devices-that-support-60-frames-per-second-when-streaming-spark-sport

Sony TV's aren't on the list, but Sony NZ states they are 60FPS compatible from their side.

From within the app, how can one tell what FPS they are getting etc? Is it possible to get a statement from Spark about this, officially somehow?

dan

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#2309354 2-Sep-2019 11:34

networkn:

Does anyone know what version of the APK still allows Android Appliances that aren't a mobile phone or Sony TV, to operate Spark Sport? 1.20 seems to not work at all, does some form of check to ensure you are running a Sony TV, so doesn't work on FireTV, or Shield.

Put another way, does anyone know what version of the Android TV APK does work with Shield an FireTV and does someone have a link? I did upgrade to 1.20 when I factory reset my FireTV to deal with another issue, but when it wouldn't work I uninstalled it and tried to install an earlier 1.10 and it won't install, saying giving an error about downgrading version error.

not sure what yo mean 1.20 doesnt work at all on the SHIELD, it does work?

1.2.1 is useless image quality wise on the shield, but the app does run, but not usable on the content i have tried

all the android tv apks are here

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dkp38tmgh67d3t9/AABsd5qymEL6U-lUadhqONn4a?dl=0&lst=

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

networkn

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#2309359 2-Sep-2019 11:44

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I am looking for the version of the apk version that allows 1080 at 60FPS on FireTV and Shield TV.

dan

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#2309362 2-Sep-2019 11:53

networkn:

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I am looking for the version of the apk version that allows 1080 at 60FPS on FireTV and Shield TV.

install the 1.1.0 or 1.2.0 apks, 1.1.0 version was out before they messed with the framerates and still works well when i last tried it.

much better than 1.2.1 in any case which has been gimped, perhaps intentionally.

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#2309420 2-Sep-2019 12:43

Methodical thinking cap on, I think it's fair to say, with 154 pages and counting by the min (and things seem to keep being recycled at every adjustment/major change) Common experiences are few and far between with the sheer number of variables at play.

The only solid we seem to have at hand, is processed product sent to us started 60 FPS. It changed to not 60. It then wen't back to. And therefore all the archived stuff likely not going to bring the same experience as the 'now' app state or new content to compare to or get a feel of what it 'might' be. I think the catalogue will need to build up again from 'now' to get a fair reference since the VOD is archived current live stuff

The football, Rugby and Racing all come from different suppliers (more chance of quality variable introduction). They have been handled offshore/spark side differently to fix the major issues (more variables - even the bitrate change may add more load on devices), then there's the big unknown between the device/app versions.

It's clear the experience between ball and tyre differs (and the fans levels of emotion), again don't see it as an even playing field to compare nor base what the rugby from japan/other supplier may be like.

To me looks like it's almost time to admit defeat. 'Experience may vary' and the posts are a good example of it (and not really like an individual can fix or control it to an extent) But to me proving an independent 'issue' is due to something across the board would need attempts to drill into and compare the technical differences between the streams and devices as it's received and how it handles/processes it to get a baseline vs the experience once displayed. Or we'll be here all year adding fuel to others burning rage :p

smcc

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#2309435 2-Sep-2019 13:15

dan:

networkn:

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I am looking for the version of the apk version that allows 1080 at 60FPS on FireTV and Shield TV.

install the 1.1.0 or 1.2.0 apks, 1.1.0 version was out before they messed with the framerates and still works well when i last tried it.

much better than 1.2.1 in any case which has been gimped, perhaps intentionally.

I use the Silk Browser on Fire TV (labeled Internet now), works fine if you request the desktop site (browser option). I would not bother trying to sideload an app that may not work very well.

arnies

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#2309493 2-Sep-2019 14:43

networkn:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12263926

Spark has acknowledged some ongoing issues.

It's really disappointing to be this close to the RWC and still seeing regular issues.

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of why there were picture and sound issues at the AB's Squad announcement the other day?

The sound wasn't a streaming issue. It was at the venue - you could still hear everything at full bitrate but from the wrong mic.

arnies

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#2309494 2-Sep-2019 14:44

I had issues with DNS4me last night. Had left it on and was watching F1 through it. Changed to 2Degrees DNS and didn't buffer at all then.

Talkiet

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#2309497 2-Sep-2019 14:47

arnies:

I had issues with DNS4me last night. Had left it on and was watching F1 through it. Changed to 2Degrees DNS and didn't buffer at all then.

This isn't terribly surprising. For most providers in NZ, Akamai use your DNS server as an indicator of where you are and therefore what Akamai edge node you should be served from.

While for many CDNs, using your ISP DNS isn't critical, for Akamai, on some ISPs, it can be important - so if you have issues I highly recommend using your ISP assigned DNS.

Cheers - 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.

networkn

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#2309498 2-Sep-2019 14:47

arnies:

The sound wasn't a streaming issue. It was at the venue - you could still hear everything at full bitrate but from the wrong mic.

So does this mean the same issue was experienced on the TV Broadcast too (If it was indeed Broadcast this way?).

What about the heavily fluctuating video quality? (and before anyone asks, I have Gigabit UFB so it wasn't a "me" bandwidth issue).

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