New Vodafone TV sux

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Horseychick

150 posts

Master Geek

#243396 10-Dec-2018 12:32

I was persuaded to switch my SkyTV thru Vodafone to their new Vodafone TV back in August after watching their video's and reading about it plus a 'special' deal. It took them ages to deliver the box plus new modem (didn't want that) plus wifi extender (didn't want that either). I finally plugged it in about a month ago and it's a PITA.

Most of the programs I try to record can't be recorded. It only seems to work on the mainstream channels. It's hardly intuitive using the Guide and I'm pretty clued up, so trying to teach him indoors how to find or record is nearly causing divorce.

Their app which is supposed to be so handy is really not and I've had enough. I'm about to ring them and try to cancel the service I signed up for for 12 months, but I was wondering - is it just me? I'm generally an early adopter, but I'm currently feeling like a dinosaur

mdf

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#2142435 10-Dec-2018 12:38

Yeah, mum is on it too. She's not a fan at all. Similar complaints about recordings (and then not being able to find the ones she does record). She has some freeze ups too.

cyril7

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#2142481 10-Dec-2018 13:51

Yep a friend recently made this change, continual freezing, cannot ffwd or back easily, limited recording of only some channels, all and all pile of poop. And before you ask he is on FibreX, and VodaTV is cabled to router.

Cyril

richrdh18

210 posts

Master Geek

#2142489 10-Dec-2018 13:56

Thanks for the feedback, I was thinking of changing from Sky to Vodafone TV but will now cancel those thoughts...

cyril7

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#2142522 10-Dec-2018 14:10

I believe, but dont quote me, that if you go back to Voda and complain and say you want out they will sort you getting back to Sky with no penalty.

Cyril

Hammerer

2476 posts

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#2142603 10-Dec-2018 15:14

cyril7:

... continual freezing, cannot ffwd or back easily, limited recording of only some channels, all and all pile of poop.

Re those points, they are only a problem on Freeview/FTA TV. Streaming apps works much better:

But I don't get any TV freezing.
Fast forward and back is easy. The actual problem is that there is no preview while you are doing it.
Limited recording is only an issue if you watch Freeview/FTA channels.

There are many other TV issues which are particularly galling when compared with the old T-Box platform:

the assumption that you want to watch recordings in chronological order. My wife watches The Block and House Rules where the best return is to only watch the weekly room/house reveals and judging. She is continually confounded by the interface and can't get to the show she wants so she makes me watch it with here so I use the remote control.
having to move to a separate "button" to do anything except watch the currently selected item.
when viewing recordings the date of recording is often more important than the series and episode numbers. Vodafone TV doesn't provide the viewing date everywhere it is needed.
pausing, fast forward and fast reverse all make the display unviewable: obstructing visuals with large counter and the symbol for the current operation. This effect lasts for a couple of seconds after you use FFD/FRW to get to - with difficulty, see above - the part of the program you want to view.
I know that I've paused it: I don't need to be told the screen is paused - I can see that it's not moving and I haven't forgotten that I did use the remote only moments earlier.
If there is a beautiful scene that flashes past us, I want to be able to go back and view it paused. Other questions are difficult to answer when you can't see the screen, e.g. Who is that guy? What did it say?
TV channel guide wastes precious screen space on large visuals that reduce the information density to five channels. The old system could display about 12 channels per page. Even the online webpage is a vast improvement.
TV channel guide takes more than one button to get there from anywhere.
Only continuous scrolling in the channel guide which doesn't have buttons to page up and down the channels.
...

Fortunately, it's not all downside:

Casting works well - so don't need a separate Chromecast.
One remote for broadcast TV and streaming video. And even TV too if I actually watched it anymore ...
Health benefits from induced behavioural change to minimise exposure to Vodafone TV's negative user experience. I now watch one or two TV programs a week for, and with, my wife. I also don't watch many ads now.

bigalow

566 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2142693 10-Dec-2018 18:14

i got a box when i resigned to vodafone

i used it for about a hour

i put it back in the box

not a fan of it

my apple tv works for me

might be fine for someone with sky (when they fix the problems)

quickymart

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#2142720 10-Dec-2018 19:28

I liked my Saturn TV box, that thing was reliable as hell...but I don't think they do them anymore do they?

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ZollyMonsta

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#2142725 10-Dec-2018 19:48

quickymart:
I liked my Saturn TV box, that thing was reliable as hell...but I don't think they do them anymore do they?

Those were analogue, the analogue cable network is long gone. :)

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

Spyware

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#2142731 10-Dec-2018 19:54

ZollyMonsta:

Those were analogue, the analogue cable network is long gone. :)

The evolutionary upgrade to digitised (composite) analog was even worse.