Vodafone TV retirement plan: September 2022

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#2829405 9-Dec-2021 12:25

I think this is probably a good thing as Vodafone have never really been committed to it, and they need to focus on their bread and butter.

I bought one back in October 2019 but only used it for a few months as it felt like a science experiment that wasn't ready for mainstream consumers. Given the limited amount of use I got out of it I would like to get a refund, but I'm guessing they won't offer that to anyone who purchased their units more than a couple of years ago.

rugrat

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#2829406 9-Dec-2021 12:25

tripp:

Linux: I take it VodafoneNZ will be refunding all customers that have purchased a Gen2 VFTV STB? 4 family members have purchased Gen2 units including myself

Yes, but i don't see it happening. Like i said above it might just be easier to release a new update in september to "un-vodafone" the device and preload tvnz, neon, spark sports etc onto it. I would hate to think that 100,000 (or so) devices out there just going to waste because people can't use them without interface issues with they turn the service off.

”“We’ll be working closely with Sky to transition relevant customers directly to them - or to provide people with advice on alternative solutions such as Smart TVs, Chromecast or Freeview.”

If they’re providing advice on alternative solutions, sounds like it becomes a brick. I’ll need another trip to recycling centre. Guessing relevant customers will be ones subscribing to Sky on Box.

Also refunds are depending on when purchased, so I’m guessing if box 2 years plus by box retirement day no money.

Only a guess.

Disinfo

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Master Geek

#2829413 9-Dec-2021 12:26

heapsort:

Regarding refunds for purchased boxes, the email i received minutes ago has this:

"You may also be entitled to a refund depending on when you purchased and activated your VodafoneTV - if this is the case, we'll be in touch in the next few months. Please don’t go back to the retail store you purchased your VodafoneTV from, as they’ll be unable to help you. We’ll be handling all parts of this process directly with you."

I'm not sure vodafone gets to make that call - if a device stops working then why shouldn't I be able to return it to the retailer who sold it to me?

Rushmere

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Ultimate Geek

#2829414 9-Dec-2021 12:26

I'm not surprised by this. It is a developing market, and so far it looks like Vodafone is handling it as well as they could. I'm looking forward to getting Sky's new box next year.

MikeB4

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#2829415 9-Dec-2021 12:27

DjShadow:

To me its the last piece of Kiwi Cable/Saturn being shut down (apart from the HFC network which is still going) as VTV was born out of it.

Not surprising with Sky developing their own box which basically does the same thing and more flexible by the looks of it

Those were the days. I was also a trial user for Telecoms First Media which was very good but killed off before it went retail.

MikeB4

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#2829417 9-Dec-2021 12:29

@Linux Good luck put your sisters phone number on blocked list and go on a very long holiday 😄

Rushmere

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Ultimate Geek

#2829418 9-Dec-2021 12:29

In the FAQ, it does say that Vodafone will provide a pre-paid courier return bag for the old boxes, which will then be recycled.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

gustov

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Master Geek

#2829420 9-Dec-2021 12:31

The ability torecord and save broadcast TV in NZ is extremely limited now (I know Vodafone TV is not a recorder but I have a saved programme on it from more than nine months ago, so it is/was a quasi-recorder albeit in the cloud and not under your control).

There are now two brands of recorder only, in New Zealand.

There is Panasonic, but they have told me they are getting out of the market which is why they did not roll-out a TVNZ freeview upgrade last June when TVNZ left the Freeview group. If you want TVNZ on-demand, don't buy a Panasonic recorder as they don't have it installed, only Freeview.

There is DishTV. They were due to release a new model (one satellite, one terrestrial) to supersede the A2 before Christmas, but have had to delay this until 2022.

So for those you who prefer to record/save your NZ television and watch it when it suits you (knowing that not all programmes are made available in the streaming on-demand services), then the choices of recorder are very limited.

sansom

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#2829422 9-Dec-2021 12:33

Hi Guys, we are preparing a box buy back process all customers who purchased these via a Vodafone retailer. The process will be available from around April on vtv.nz and we will be in contact with all these customers at that time.

Hamish

Apsattv

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#2829424 9-Dec-2021 12:34

It might even a straight swap for skys new box, for existing users and a few months freebee paid channel as a sweetener as bait to get you on the sky subscriber list.

Sky already said many times that their box will be available for outright purchase , I doubt they would make such an offering without also including free channel pack such as freeview. Otherwise who would buy one?

I hope they dont end up trashing all the voda units and can release a new firmware, I wonder if they could flash it into a google TV type device,

Im backing up the firmware just in case there is a future "mod" community for it

SteveC

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#2829430 9-Dec-2021 12:42

@sansom: Hi Guys, we are preparing a box buy back process all customers who purchased these via a Vodafone retailer. The process will be available from around April on vtv.nz and we will be in contact with all these customers at that time.

Thanks for the update. Must be sad for you after managing introduction of the device. IMHO it is lovely hardware but the crazy rights issues in this market make this, or any other sustainable solution, very difficult.
Another kick in the guts for the planet - all the carbon used to build these will be part of the environmental damage caused hundreds of millions of electronic devices that the 'first world' countries are creating then destroying each year.
Steve

JoBudge

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#2829432 9-Dec-2021 12:44

What??!

I have just bought and installed six vodafone tv boxes to upgrade our old tvs to smart tvs and returned all the sky boxes including ones I had purchased lifetime use of and also removed sky dishes at 3 houses. Gave away all the Freeview boxes and chromcasts!

What will be my substitute to get Skynews and CNN and free to air channels and streami g services Netflix and radio?

Will the replacement work with 14 and 15 year old tvs? I was trying to not send big tvs to landfill just because it was old tech.

MikeB4

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#2829434 9-Dec-2021 12:45

I am not that fussed on a refund as we purchased our unit when it was released. I am concerned that this means 100,000 plus units going to E waste. I doubt they will be flashed as an Android TV box. We need to stop this this type of behaviour by service providers in Aotearoa.

tripp

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#2829437 9-Dec-2021 12:47

JoBudge: What??!

I have just bought and installed six vodafone tv boxes to upgrade our old tvs to smart tvs and returned all the sky boxes including ones I had purchased lifetime use of and also removed sky dishes at 3 houses. Gave away all the Freeview boxes and chromcasts!

What will be my substitute to get Skynews and CNN and free to air channels and streami g services Netflix and radio?

Will the replacement work with 14 and 15 year old tvs? I was trying to not send big tvs to landfill just because it was old tech.

What my plan will be is just using a google tv

https://themarket.com/nz/p/google-chromecast-with-google-tv-including-nz-wall-charger/4969-AACAAUG56?skuid=11222636

Will load apps like netflix etc onto it. Also has chrome case so can cast from your mobile etc.

Live TV will be the interesting one.

Disinfo

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Master Geek

#2829438 9-Dec-2021 12:53

sansom:

Hi Guys, we are preparing a box buy back process all customers who purchased these via a Vodafone retailer.

Can you expand on this? What counts as a 'Vodafone retailer'?

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