Handsomedan:

 

I'm curious how the apps work...is there an app store? Do the developers have to create a version of their app specifically for this platform? Are they simply ported Android apps? 

 

On VTV there are two kind of apps:

• Native apps built into the firmware itself. For example Netflix
• HTML5 apps, like Lightbox and TVNZ On Demand.

Most apps are HTML5 apps, as they are much easier and quicker to develop. In essence, the set-top box runs a browser that all HTML5 apps run in.

In other words, the apps are not ported Android apps. We currently do not have an app store. The apps are curated and deployed by Vodafone.

olof:

 

DjShadow:

 

Does the unit support HDMI-CEC? The volume button on it shows a volume indicator on the TV but no change in sound volume on the TV or my soundbar

 

 

 

 

HDMI-CEC support is coming in the next major release of the software for the set-top box. 

 

It may be partly there, I've got the VTV plugged into my TV but when I try to turn my apple tv on which is on my soundbar the 2 boxes seem to have a little fight over who is going to work (i.e the apple tv flashes up but it quickly switches back to the VTV)

App wise it appears the iheartradio app is broken, it will say it is playing a station but not putting out any audio.

Would be nice if Rova was there also so you have the bulk of the NZ radio stations, also where is The Cheese?!

DjShadow:

 

[It may be partly there, I've got the VTV plugged into my TV but when I try to turn my apple tv on which is on my soundbar the 2 boxes seem to have a little fight over who is going to work (i.e the apple tv flashes up but it quickly switches back to the VTV)

 

App wise it appears the iheartradio app is broken, it will say it is playing a station but not putting out any audio.

 

Would be nice if Rova was there also so you have the bulk of the NZ radio stations, also where is The Cheese?!

 

You are right! We were originally going to support CEC in current release, but due to release schedule it was pushed to the next release. Meaning that there are some CEC in current release.

On iHeartRadio: we are currently working on this defect with app developers. Affects some stations.

Will let @Hamish comment on Rova. For The Cheese, I better talk to Grant! :-)

DjShadow:

 

olof:

 

DjShadow:

 

Does the unit support HDMI-CEC? The volume button on it shows a volume indicator on the TV but no change in sound volume on the TV or my soundbar

 

 

 

 

HDMI-CEC support is coming in the next major release of the software for the set-top box. 

 

 

It may be partly there, I've got the VTV plugged into my TV but when I try to turn my apple tv on which is on my soundbar the 2 boxes seem to have a little fight over who is going to work (i.e the apple tv flashes up but it quickly switches back to the VTV)

 

App wise it appears the iheartradio app is broken, it will say it is playing a station but not putting out any audio.

 

Would be nice if Rova was there also so you have the bulk of the NZ radio stations, also where is The Cheese?!

 

You're right, The Cheese is a major omission that we will need to correct asap.  I'll get @ZollyMonsta onto it asap!

The iHeartRadio app works with the global streams (eg Amy Winehouse Radio) but, you're right, there's currently an issue with local radio streams that we're working on.

We approached Rova a while back, but they declined due to some re-platforming work they were doing at the time.  We'll go back to them to see if it's now the right time. 

olof:

 

ttaotua: If you have more then one VTV in the same house, do both devices need their own sky subscription?

 

Vodafone TV works on the concept of "household" (=account) and all subscriptions, like SKY, are against the household. This means that:

 

• If you have more than one VTV set-top box, they all share the same SKY subscriptions. 
• If you record something, it is available on all your devices (set-top boxes and mobile). Big benefit of cloud PVR.
• If you start watching something on one device, you can continue on another device and it knows your last watching position

Noting that we have not yet officially launched support for multi-room (multiple set-top boxes). Coming very soon!

 

This is a game changer!!!

I've currently got a VTV unit in the lounge for the main TV and a non VTV solution for the secondary TV. 

If VTV units on one account can share everything... then I'll probably order another unit.

sansom:

You're right, The Cheese is a major omission that we will need to correct asap.  I'll get @ZollyMonsta onto it asap!

rogercruse:

 

olof:

 

ttaotua: If you have more then one VTV in the same house, do both devices need their own sky subscription?

 

Vodafone TV works on the concept of "household" (=account) and all subscriptions, like SKY, are against the household. This means that:

 

• If you have more than one VTV set-top box, they all share the same SKY subscriptions. 
• If you record something, it is available on all your devices (set-top boxes and mobile). Big benefit of cloud PVR.
• If you start watching something on one device, you can continue on another device and it knows your last watching position

Noting that we have not yet officially launched support for multi-room (multiple set-top boxes). Coming very soon!

 

 

This is a game changer!!!

 

I've currently got a VTV unit in the lounge for the main TV and a non VTV solution for the secondary TV. 

 

If VTV units on one account can share everything... then I'll probably order another unit.

 

@olof was just talking to the technical capability, for multiple connections to the same household with Sky we will have to pass on the Sky multiroom cost.  However, while Sky charge $45/mth for each multiroom MySky+ box, we will be able to pass on each multiroom box at the entry price ($25/mth) with a limit of 5 boxes (as we store recordings to the cloud).  Note that Sky has this pricing structure for a good reason: if there was no multiroom limit Sky would suddenly find most of NZ would be running a multiroom off just a few accounts loaded with all the channels!   

ttaotua: Thanks so much for the info. I think I'm going to ditch the smartvu and this looks promising.

I know that we weren't able to get a Spark Sports app for the world cup, but is this still something that could come in the future?

Baldrick:

 

I know that we weren't able to get a Spark Sports app for the world cup, but is this still something that could come in the future?

 

There are no plans at this stage, but never say never. 

SteveC:

ttaotua: Thanks so much for the info. I think I'm going to ditch the smartvu and this looks promising.

Which leads to a question I was thinking about. In a nutshell, what are the types of features that Vodafone has been able to bake into their box that that somewhat superior sources of Google can't get into theirs?

On a related note, @Hamish, how much of the baking in the VTV box is local, and how confident can we be that Vodafone will continue to support Vodafone NZ, which is now a separate company?

The strength of Vodafone TV is that it is a hybrid solution in the sense that it supports live TV, like Freeview and SKY, just as well as it supports video on demand. Then the Cloud PVR brings a number of advantages as well:

• Recordings available from all your devices: set-top boxes and mobile.
• 3 day catch-up without having to record anything
• Small set-top box without moving parts. 
• No need to have set-top box powered on to record.

VTV of course has most of the local and global apps, and more are coming.

The Vodafone TV platform and overall solution is indeed engineered by Vodafone Group in the UK, Portugal and Germany. However, the Vodafone NZ team is also actively involved in driving the Group roadmap and to localise the solution for the NZ market. In some aspects, like the fact that we are one of the few markets with a pure IP streaming solution, we are absolutely leading the pack. 

beenz: Re the update to the box.
How can I tell if my box had been updated?
I do not think mine has been wondering if they are rolling them out.

Which update are you referring to? You can check software version in Settings > More Settings > Information.