Watching Spark Sport (including launch and pricing)

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#2319397 17-Sep-2019 19:44

me or Networkn? I know the shield is not supported, but it does work fine for the moment... the Sony TV range is the confusing ones... no 1080p native support by the app but Chromecasting appears to work fine... seems like magic to me!

Jase2985

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#2319456 17-Sep-2019 20:17

Benoire:

me or Networkn? I know the shield is not supported, but it does work fine for the moment... the Sony TV range is the confusing ones... no 1080p native support by the app but Chromecasting appears to work fine... seems like magic to me!

why? chromecast has hardware in it thats different to the TV and can support sparks stream at which ever resolution (version dependent)

Benoire

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#2319457 17-Sep-2019 20:22

Yes but with Android TV, the chromecast is 'built in' i.e. software of the chromecast is running on the main android tv. both the mi-box and shield tv utilise the main android tv hardware for chromecast and I can't imagine the vu x puck having seperate chromecast hardwear seeing how small it is. A chromecast unit is different to an Android TV unit with chromecast built in.

dfnt

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#2319474 17-Sep-2019 20:52

Benoire:
me or Networkn? I know the shield is not supported, but it does work fine for the moment... the Sony TV range is the confusing ones... no 1080p native support by the app but Chromecasting appears to work fine... seems like magic to me!

networkn

In reference to his chat with spark sport support

Benoire

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#2319475 17-Sep-2019 20:53

dfnt:

networkn

In reference to his chat with spark sport support

Ah, I assumed the chat was about his 2018 Sony TV with Android TV built in... but then it migrated on to other devices as the CSR was all over the shop.

Oblivian

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#2319477 17-Sep-2019 20:57

Being described a little funny with chromecast references (given its a brand name often confused with a function) :) I think I get what ya'll both trying to say.

Keep in mind a cast stream, often hands over and offloads responsibility to a raw remote stream. An app, requires more local storage and CPU to a bit of the work and make it look flash/interactive around it.

The helpdesk likely have a bit of paper, and no technical knowledge to the differences.

In that respect, suspect the CPU used for the OS/prettyness on those (Sonys). Is likely maxed/crippled when loading an ap within the UI/Skin (ontop of android). When using a cast stream, is probably less intensive.

That said, you never know how the manufacturers have implemented it once it leaves google dev.

https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#video_codecs

networkn

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#2319479 17-Sep-2019 20:58

dfnt:
Benoire:

me or Networkn? I know the shield is not supported, but it does work fine for the moment... the Sony TV range is the confusing ones... no 1080p native support by the app but Chromecasting appears to work fine... seems like magic to me!

networkn

In reference to his chat with spark sport support

And yet I was told by Spark it would provide me with 60FPS 1080P if it's Android 5 or later.

If, as they claim, all Android 5.0+ devices work 60FPS and 1080P then surely, on the list of devices supported, they would have a line to denote it. Would save a lot of hassle.

They don't need to list all devices, just the OS. IOS isn't listed in that 60FPS list either, though I am pretty sure it's working fine.

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networkn

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#2319483 17-Sep-2019 21:00

For the record, I do NOT want to cast. I want to use an app with a remote, as I plan on watching all 48 games, and there will be a lot of skipping of players walking to lineouts, injury time, and if what the head of referees said is true, lots of time spent analysing tackles to see if they warrant cards. Seeking with a CC is horrible.

I have also found CC broadcasts quite unreliable.

Oblivian

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#2319490 17-Sep-2019 21:06

networkn:

For the record, I do NOT want to cast. I want to use an app with a remote, as I plan on watching all 48 games, and there will be a lot of skipping of players walking to lineouts, injury time, and if what the head of referees said is true, lots of time spent analysing tackles to see if they warrant cards. Seeking with a CC is horrible.

I have also found CC broadcasts quite unreliable.

May not want to, But if you intend on 60fps 1080, you may not have much option.

Between all the lines I've seen so far, there is heavy weighting on it. Hence chromecasts being the cheap option pushed, and given out free if you are one of the few that thought an App was going to be native (or give a good experience) on your device as advertised

It's plain what they feel is the best experience. Asking them anything outside that for a suggested native Android OS/APP combo capabilities will likely bring blank faces.

tanivula

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#2319518 17-Sep-2019 22:25

Seems like people have missed my Sony Android TV / Sheild testing...

Short of it is, chromecast to the Sony TV (all Sony Android TV's) or Sheild as native Chromecasting is built into Android TV and it will work at 60FPS at 1080p because SS will see it as a chromecast it seems. I'm going to assume this is the same case for MiBox / MiBox S.

I suspect since SS haven't dealt with a Shield, the native SS app on the shield somehow gets lumped in with the smartVU profile as it definately plays at 60FPS when i've tried it with the JPN v SA game.

It's stupid, but casting is a relatively easy workaround - not ideal yes, but I'm guessing most people will have a phone/tablet on them to do this.

eracode

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#2319541 18-Sep-2019 04:51

networkn:
Well Spark Support can't tell me squat. So far the support rep has changed her mind multiple times.

How on earth in 2019, can we be in a position where those users with powerful android devices, can't be assured of 60FPS at 1080P 4 days from the start of the tournament!!?

Why do the support staff at Spark not have clear answers to these questions when asked?

The SS Support staff are absolutely bloody useless as I have opined on here many times. Because monkeys peanuts.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

eracode

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#2319542 18-Sep-2019 04:58

Yogi02:
eracode:

tanivula:

So after few emails with Spark Sport support. Turns out my Sony TV is not on the devices that support 60FPS however casting to it is because it's treated like a chromecast then....?

As of 13/9/19 the supported 60FPS list is (taken from SS):

Web Browsers

Chromecast 3 and Ultra

Apple TV HD and 4K

SmartVU Freeview streaming device

2017+ Samsung Smart TV

2017+ Panasonic Smart TV

Chromecast 1 and 2

Hopefully this will help others. PS, when I tried before, the Sheild did swith to 60FPS so god knows what's happening.

/edit - sort out horrible copy paste table formatting

The SS Support Desk is a joke - they are pretty much incompetent. Here are shortened versions of emails I have sent them this morning and their replies:

Me: On your website there's a list of devices that support 60 fps. The 2019 LG C9 is not on the list - does it support 60 fps?

SS: We don't support LG TVs. Because you bought your TV in 2019, you can get a free streaming device [CC, SmartVu, etc].

Me: Not correct, 2019 LG TV is supported - I have the app. Just want to know if it's 60 fps - because it's not on your list?

SS: Here's a link showing how to get the app on your LG TV ....

Me: I have the app - I just want to know if it's 60 fps ....

Now waiting for their next little gem.

Sweet - Go and get yourself a new CC - lol

No. I’m not eligible for a free CC.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

eracode

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#2319543 18-Sep-2019 04:59

tanivula:
eracode:
Me: I have the app - I just want to know if it's 60 fps ....

Now waiting for their next little gem.

If you're struggling to see the difference, have a look at this video on YouTube https://youtu.be/TJG_-HylgVk

Then watch the SA v Japan game (full game, not the highlights) and see if the motion - players running/Ball being passed etc is smooth or slightly choppy).

You might as well take the CC offer and use that to compare!

No. I’m not eligible for a free CC.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Jase2985

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#2319544 18-Sep-2019 05:17

@networkn why do you keep asking spark sport and believing what they say? over the 162 pages of this thread i would have though you would have realized to take why they say with a grain of salt.

its clear their call center/twitter/facebook/online chat dont have many clues when it comes to their service.

huckster

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#2319679 18-Sep-2019 11:22

I have been helping someone setup a Sony TV for Spark Sport.

If I use the Spark Sport App, it is acceptable but I would say not 60fps. This corresponds with what I see in this thread and with the Spark Sport site i.e. highly likely it is 30fps.

I tried casting to the TV itself (not using a separate Chromecast dongle) last night and it looked much better although there were tiny, tiny stutters now and again. I have a Chromecast Gen 1 at home and that seems to do exactly the same thing.

I have a colleague who has experienced the exact same thing on his Sony TV.

I agree, controlling Spark Sport via a Chromecast is not ideal. Am weighing up whether to get a Smart VU for them simply to make it easier to control.

To paraphrase elsewhere in this thread, Smart TVs don't seem to be all that smart. And viewing sport programs (so not Spark Sport per se) is making that abundantly clear.

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