Vodafone TV GEN 1 is it any good?

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Master Geek
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#2325849 27-Sep-2019 11:31

Hammerer:

But use any other surfing method and it won't work e.g. if I was on channel 21 and then I choose channel 4 then the up or down buttons will only take me to 3 or 5 rather than 21.

That's how I would expect channel up/down buttons to work. Logically, I would then expect the "Back" button to return to 21 in your scenario. Does it not work?

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Hammerer

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#2325870 27-Sep-2019 11:48

DonH:

Hammerer:

But use any other surfing method and it won't work e.g. if I was on channel 21 and then I choose channel 4 then the up or down buttons will only take me to 3 or 5 rather than 21.

That's how I would expect channel up/down buttons to work. Logically, I would then expect the "Back" button to return to 21 in your scenario. Does it not work?

When watching a TV channel, the existing Back button takes me to a channel selection list. So if I'm on channel 4 then I have to press Back, then press the down button multiple times to get to channel 21, and then then press OK to select it.

It is incredible that Vodafone did this which is why it is so hard for people who haven't used the system to accept this is an issue. We all expect a Back button to take us back to the previous channel we had selected. That is what such buttons have done for years. Vodafone have chosen to use the Back button for a feature which is usually labelled differently, e.g. as Return.

Aaron2222

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Master Geek
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#2325874 27-Sep-2019 11:55

Hammerer:

DonH:

Hammerer:

But use any other surfing method and it won't work e.g. if I was on channel 21 and then I choose channel 4 then the up or down buttons will only take me to 3 or 5 rather than 21.

That's how I would expect channel up/down buttons to work. Logically, I would then expect the "Back" button to return to 21 in your scenario. Does it not work?

When watching a TV channel, the existing Back button takes me to a channel selection list. So if I'm on channel 4 then I have to press Back, then press the down button multiple times to get to channel 21, and then then press OK to select it.

It is incredible that Vodafone did this which is why it is so hard for people who haven't used the system to accept this is an issue. We all expect a Back button to take us back to the previous channel we had selected. That is what such buttons have done for years. Vodafone have chosen to use the Back button for a feature which is usually labelled differently, e.g. as Return.

Is a previous channel button common on TVs and set top boxes? Our TV (a 2010 Panasonic Plasma) doesn't have one.

rugrat

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#2325975 27-Sep-2019 13:18

The free Light Box and Neon, can they be used on an existing LB Neon accounts or does it have to be a new one?

Considering buying but would rather get from shop then mailed, may put it in a pick and collect from The Warehouse/ Noel Leemings if don’t see them there.

Weather it ends up replacing Sky is dependant on recording limitations on Freeview, and if other people in house can use it ok. If they can’t I’ll just use it on a spare TV.

Aaron2222

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Master Geek
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#2326152 27-Sep-2019 18:25

Hammerer:

DonH:

Hammerer:

But use any other surfing method and it won't work e.g. if I was on channel 21 and then I choose channel 4 then the up or down buttons will only take me to 3 or 5 rather than 21.

That's how I would expect channel up/down buttons to work. Logically, I would then expect the "Back" button to return to 21 in your scenario. Does it not work?

When watching a TV channel, the existing Back button takes me to a channel selection list. So if I'm on channel 4 then I have to press Back, then press the down button multiple times to get to channel 21, and then then press OK to select it.

It is incredible that Vodafone did this which is why it is so hard for people who haven't used the system to accept this is an issue. We all expect a Back button to take us back to the previous channel we had selected. That is what such buttons have done for years. Vodafone have chosen to use the Back button for a feature which is usually labelled differently, e.g. as Return.

OK, didn't realise this is what you meant, but it works this way on the Gen 2 software, so you should get it sometime after the Rugby World Cup.

DonH

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Master Geek
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#2327679 1-Oct-2019 13:12

That's good news. The old T-box back-button worked like that.

People hear what they see. - Doris Day

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Hammerer

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#2327687 1-Oct-2019 13:28

Aaron2222:

Hammerer:

DonH:

Hammerer:

But use any other surfing method and it won't work e.g. if I was on channel 21 and then I choose channel 4 then the up or down buttons will only take me to 3 or 5 rather than 21.

That's how I would expect channel up/down buttons to work. Logically, I would then expect the "Back" button to return to 21 in your scenario. Does it not work?

When watching a TV channel, the existing Back button takes me to a channel selection list. So if I'm on channel 4 then I have to press Back, then press the down button multiple times to get to channel 21, and then then press OK to select it.

It is incredible that Vodafone did this which is why it is so hard for people who haven't used the system to accept this is an issue. We all expect a Back button to take us back to the previous channel we had selected. That is what such buttons have done for years. Vodafone have chosen to use the Back button for a feature which is usually labelled differently, e.g. as Return.

OK, didn't realise this is what you meant, but it works this way on the Gen 2 software, so you should get it sometime after the Rugby World Cup.

Good to know that it will get better.

I checked the firmware version and it is v3 so I am on the old software and not v5.

Yabanize

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#2358142 20-Nov-2019 18:00

Got a Gen1 box on Monday as part of an HFC max/sky/phone deal coming from the T-Box (which the installer didn't want to take away, or the Motorola modem, or our other Cisco modem (which is still working in the other room BTW), he said we should bring them into a Vodafone store)

First impressions: Good, it's obvious some thought, care and effort has been put into this by VF to create quite a nifty product.(if you overlook the licensing requirements for recording), There are a couple of things that aren't great in the UX, like if you press up or down while watching a channel to bring up the mini guide, you can't view any synopsis info until you open the full guide. (like the i button on T-Box). It was a bit odd figuring out how to restart the current playing programme, and how the left and right arrows go back in sections (that vary by how long you've been watching?)

And bringing up the regular guide takes a lot more button presses, I'd like to see some more use of the coloured buttons down the bottom of the remotes as shortcuts for things.

Is there a list of changes that the Gen2 firmware and Gen1 firmware that will be on the Gen1 soon?

Remember all the hype T-Box got when it was coming out, about all the amazing future capability it will have? Then it turned out to just be a mysky box but worse? I feel like Vodafone TV almost lives up to that kind of hype of a revolutionary way to watch tv (Not sure how it compares to Freeview on-demand / SmartVu) and with a few improvements can be really great.

Also hope priority is given to getting apps like Disney+ on too, if it wants to continue to be "The One"

Is it true that if you signed up to "Entertainment" (HFC, Phone, Sky) on a 12 month term that you downgrade from Sky to Intro without breaking the contract?

sansom

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#2358234 20-Nov-2019 21:27

Yabanize:

Got a Gen1 box on Monday as part of an HFC max/sky/phone deal coming from the T-Box (which the installer didn't want to take away, or the Motorola modem, or our other Cisco modem (which is still working in the other room BTW), he said we should bring them into a Vodafone store)

First impressions: Good, it's obvious some thought, care and effort has been put into this by VF to create quite a nifty product.(if you overlook the licensing requirements for recording), There are a couple of things that aren't great in the UX, like if you press up or down while watching a channel to bring up the mini guide, you can't view any synopsis info until you open the full guide. (like the i button on T-Box). It was a bit odd figuring out how to restart the current playing programme, and how the left and right arrows go back in sections (that vary by how long you've been watching?)

And bringing up the regular guide takes a lot more button presses, I'd like to see some more use of the coloured buttons down the bottom of the remotes as shortcuts for things.

Is there a list of changes that the Gen2 firmware and Gen1 firmware that will be on the Gen1 soon?

Remember all the hype T-Box got when it was coming out, about all the amazing future capability it will have? Then it turned out to just be a mysky box but worse? I feel like Vodafone TV almost lives up to that kind of hype of a revolutionary way to watch tv (Not sure how it compares to Freeview on-demand / SmartVu) and with a few improvements can be really great.

Also hope priority is given to getting apps like Disney+ on too, if it wants to continue to be "The One"

Is it true that if you signed up to "Entertainment" (HFC, Phone, Sky) on a 12 month term that you downgrade from Sky to Intro without breaking the contract?

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback. In response to your comments and questions:

- The Gen1 box will be getting a major firmware and associated UI upgrade soon : just a few more bugs to iron out before we roll it out.

- I agree it would be great to have Disney+ on VTV. We don't have anything to share on this right now sorry.

- There is no term commitment for the Vodafone TV component, so yes, you can downgrade from Sky to Intro. The 12 month term commitment relates to your broadband service.

Hamish

Yabanize

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#2360129 24-Nov-2019 16:10

Overall finding "Catchup" pretty good, I don't think it should be advertised as "3 day rewind" in the new ads because you can't just switch to a channel and start rewinding, "3 day catchup" would be a better term.

Yesterdays episode of Newshub 6pm wasn't available for catch-up or recording (so couldn't watch it at 7pm, No +1 channels anymore either) so its tough from there, if you wait a while it will appear in ThreeNow.

rugrat

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#2360149 24-Nov-2019 17:54

Yabanize:

Yesterdays episode of Newshub 6pm wasn't available for catch-up or recording (so couldn't watch it at 7pm, No +1 channels anymore either) so its tough from there, if you wait a while it will appear in ThreeNow.

Did you have record set up before news ended? I have never seen Newshub 6pm on catch up, though they look recordable.

TVNZ not so precious on what's available on three day catch up.

If record option missing before program started, not good.

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Yabanize

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#2360186 24-Nov-2019 20:26

rugrat:

Yabanize:

Yesterdays episode of Newshub 6pm wasn't available for catch-up or recording (so couldn't watch it at 7pm, No +1 channels anymore either) so its tough from there, if you wait a while it will appear in ThreeNow.

Did you have record set up before news ended? I have never seen Newshub 6pm on catch up, though they look recordable.

TVNZ not so precious on what's available on three day catch up.

If record option missing before program started, not good.

Yeah true, maybe if I chose record but didn't think about it until later.

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#2360189 24-Nov-2019 20:41

Folks, this is an old Vodafone TV discussion - if you want to discuss the new Vodafone TV gen 2 please use the existing thread here.

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Yabanize

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#2360632 25-Nov-2019 20:51

rugrat:

Yabanize:

Yesterdays episode of Newshub 6pm wasn't available for catch-up or recording (so couldn't watch it at 7pm, No +1 channels anymore either) so its tough from there, if you wait a while it will appear in ThreeNow.

Did you have record set up before news ended? I have never seen Newshub 6pm on catch up, though they look recordable.

TVNZ not so precious on what's available on three day catch up.

If record option missing before program started, not good.

Odd thing is, Tonight, before and while Newshub at 6 was on, the catch up and record icons were available in the guide (and I was able to restart it). But if I look now, the icons are gone (and it can't be watched)

sansom

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#2416297 11-Feb-2020 17:22

For Gen1 users following this thread we have news of an upgrade to R5.1 now available. Gen1 users please discuss it here:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=265798

Hamish

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