Vodafone TV retirement plan: September 2022

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meow
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#2917410 22-May-2022 21:18

@ukoda The YouTube app serving ads is just YouTube being YouTube... It isn't specifically a Google TV issue at all. You can stop ads by using YouTube Premium. You'll also find that some videos may display ads more than others depending on their ad preferences (some content creators are very scummy with their settings).

I've actually found it very good and good value for money. The remote is great, and you can stream anything to it. There are ways to stream Freeview channels using something like Kodi if you do a quick Google search (and yes, this can run on the Chromecast too).

It is what I've switched my parents to. They're aware their Freeview stops once Vodafone pulls out, else may look into Sky's IPTV platform assuming it releases soon.

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richms

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#2917414 22-May-2022 21:24

Creators often don't get a choice with ad's now. Youtube without premium is IMO unusable - worse than broadcast TV ever was with the total number and intrusiveness of advertising. Worse than TVNZ on demand by a long way, but at least there is the choice to not have them.

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ukoda

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#2917416 22-May-2022 21:30

michaelmurfy:

@ukoda The YouTube app serving ads is just YouTube being YouTube... It isn't specifically a Google TV issue at all.

While the problem may be something other than the Chromecast device, I have been using for several days and it is very clearly showing ads at over twice the rate Youtube does on my phone, my VTV boxes and my TV. If it is something other than the device I'm all ears as I generally like Google hardware and I had high hopes for it.

mattwnz

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#2917434 23-May-2022 00:49

ukoda:

michaelmurfy:

@ukoda The YouTube app serving ads is just YouTube being YouTube... It isn't specifically a Google TV issue at all.

While the problem may be something other than the Chromecast device, I have been using for several days and it is very clearly showing ads at over twice the rate Youtube does on my phone, my VTV boxes and my TV. If it is something other than the device I'm all ears as I generally like Google hardware and I had high hopes for it.

Yes I had noticed that too. Not unless Youtube have just ramped up their adverts recently. Some you can't even skip now, with 2 x 15 second ads. Some channels and videos have no ads at all, so I am starting to avoid videos where I know they have lots of ads. I will have to test againest the VTV.

michaelmurfy

meow
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#2917435 23-May-2022 00:53

@ukoda There is zero difference with the ad experience on all platforms but as stated it can vary from video to video. If you want an ad-free experience on YouTube then just get Premium - IMHO it is worth it from that perspective alone and you get YouTube Music also.

But also this is off-topic. If you wish to discuss it further then please open up another thread however I am pretty sure many others will just tell you to suck it up or get premium also.

janszoon

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#2918647 25-May-2022 20:42

Ok sorry probably the most asked questions but:

1. Will the box still work for Freeview/ Netflix/youtube when service stops?

If not ..

2. Can it be converted to a generic tv box?

If not...

3. What's a good internet box for streaming Freeview channels and YouTube/ Netflix?

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Linux

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#2918658 25-May-2022 22:03

janszoon: Ok sorry probably the most asked questions but:

1. Will the box still work for Freeview/ Netflix/youtube when service stops?

If not ..

2. Can it be converted to a generic tv box?

If not...

3. What's a good internet box for streaming Freeview channels and YouTube/ Netflix?

Cheers

@janszoon

1) No

2) No

3 ??

sansom

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#2918661 25-May-2022 22:28

3. With the demise of VTV there will be no more streaming of Freeview natively. It must be streamed via TVNZ On Demand, ThreeNow and other Freeview apps. However there are a number of options to replace VTV:

a) Go for a new smart TV upgrade that has all the apps

b) buy a low cost Google ChromeCast or Android box (eg the Xiaomi 4K TV box)

c) if you like Sports then Sky will be launching thier new box that will support Freeview + Sky Sports + streaming apps

d) if you want the best streaming box go for the Apple TV, Nvidia box, or Sony/Microsoft gaming consoles. However these are definitely not low cost.

Hamish

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#2918667 26-May-2022 00:33

And don't forget a Modified Tivo is an excellent choice for Freeview channels, recording any, and all content, time shifting, and season passes etc. No streaming apps unfortunately, but these boxes are extremely family friendly, economical and well loved by their owners. You will need a UHF aerial and internet connection (ethernet or wifi) for the EPG.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

DjShadow

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#2920080 29-May-2022 17:15

I've asked VF's social media team to look into why the final offer to me was $0 but I'm getting the feeling they have no idea what they are talking about or trying to wiggle their way out of this and say the original e-mail I received back in March was in error.

My unit was activated originally on 20/09/2019 so would have ordered it a few days earlier (ordered VF's website), but the best detail I can find is a stuff news story that the refunds only apply to units activated from 23/09/2019 and onwards.

Tempted to just chuck the unit into the bin, @sansom can you provide any input on this?

ZollyMonsta

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#2920082 29-May-2022 17:30

DjShadow:
I've asked VF's social media team to look into why the final offer to me was $0 but I'm getting the feeling they have no idea what they are talking about or trying to wiggle their way out of this and say the original e-mail I received back in March was in error.

My unit was activated originally on 20/09/2019 so would have ordered it a few days earlier (ordered VF's website), but the best detail I can find is a stuff news story that the refunds only apply to units activated from 23/09/2019 and onwards.

Tempted to just chuck the unit into the bin, @sansom can you provide any input on this?

Did you email the email address in the offer? You will get a better response from them.. not social.

tvclosure@vodafone.com

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DjShadow

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#2920083 29-May-2022 17:34

Thanks I'll do this now

sansom

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#2920084 29-May-2022 17:37

That's right Grant. We trained a dedicated team to understand all the ins and outs of the VTV closure process and specifics around various scenarios. We supplied the tvclosure@vodafone.com email address so that customers can get the right answer to all their VTV closure questions.

The social media team, on the other hand, deal with the full range of Vodafone products at a general level (including VTV) but don't have the specialist training required to answer specific customer refund questions.

Hamish

antoniosk

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#2920088 29-May-2022 18:22

sansom:

That's right Grant. We trained a dedicated team to understand all the ins and outs of the VTV closure process and specifics around various scenarios. We supplied the tvclosure@vodafone.com email address so that customers can get the right answer to all their VTV closure questions.

The social media team, on the other hand, deal with the full range of Vodafone products at a general level (including VTV) but don't have the specialist training required to answer specific customer refund questions.

I don't suppose they deal with issuing the recycling bags to send the kit back? ordered mine a few weeks ago when the offer came through but crickets......

________

Antoniosk

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#2920154 29-May-2022 20:52

In that case it might have been far more helpful if the social media team had instead forwarded DJ Shadow's query to the correct team then - or at least pointed him in the right direction to reach out to them directly? That would provide far better customer service, IMO - instead of giving him the wrong information (as it sounds like they have done here).

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