T-Box Connection to Fibre

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › T-Box Connection to Fibre

prevaljo

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#271788 26-May-2020 23:15

Hi Team,

I have been a T-Box user almost since day 1. I now want to upgrade my Internet connection to 900/400 Unlimited, however I want to retain the T-Box. From reading these forums I get the feeling that the new VTV 2 STB is not as functional as the T-Box.

1. Is there a supported way to connect a T-Box to an fibre based IP network.

2. Is there an equivalent or better product on the market in NZ.

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Ultimate Geek

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#2492405 26-May-2020 23:24

I think the answer is that the T-Box requires the cable network, and won’t work on fibre. I’ve actually found the Vodafone TV to be very good. I would say it’s arguably the best device if it’s type in NZ, given the access to NZ TV and wide range of streaming apps.

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sbiddle

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#2492448 27-May-2020 07:44

Are you connected to HFC or fibre at present?

NickR1

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One NZ

#2492452 27-May-2020 08:04

Hi there,

While our legacy TV box is compatible with UFB, due to account type constraints you'll need to pick between Fibre Max speeds or our legacy TV box.

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#2492658 27-May-2020 11:15

As I'm not on fibre I must be on HFC (cable). As I'm wanting to move to fiber I guess it's farewell to the T-Box then and probably Voda as there are a few players in the market and I still haven't got over the loss of @paradise.

sbiddle

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#2492967 27-May-2020 16:46

prevaljo: As I'm not on fibre I must be on HFC (cable). As I'm wanting to move to fiber I guess it's farewell to the T-Box then and probably Voda as there are a few players in the market and I still haven't got over the loss of @paradise.

Well there are no other options on the market except from Vodafone that offer what you want.

Lias

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#2493074 27-May-2020 18:31

We have a T-Box running via IP on UFB so it's definitely possible.

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michaelmurfy

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#2493079 27-May-2020 18:40

@prevaljo To be perfectly honest the new Vodafone TV box (Gen 2) is a far better product for the following reasons:

1) It has Netflix, Amazon TV, TVNZ On Demand, 3 Now etc preloaded on it (it however doesn't include any ability to load more apps).
2) It uses regular broadband via Ethernet or WiFi and doesn't matter which provider you're with.
3) If you've got more than one box - recordings show up on all of them. You can still activate Sky channels as per normal too.
4) It is easy to use, has a far quicker interface and is the current product.

I note that Vodafone currently have these for sale at $99 - that is worth it IMO: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164&topicid=271750

From there, you're free to pick any provider you like.

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sbiddle

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#2493080 27-May-2020 18:41

Lias:

We have a T-Box running via IP on UFB so it's definitely possible.

It is - but you can't have 1000/500 with a T-box as that product doesn't support Multicast which is required for the T-box to work.

Lias

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#2493150 27-May-2020 20:27

sbiddle:

Lias:

We have a T-Box running via IP on UFB so it's definitely possible.

It is - but you can't have 1000/500 with a T-box as that product doesn't support Multicast which is required for the T-box to work.

Right, with you now, that's useful to know.

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#2493157 27-May-2020 20:41

michaelmurfy:

@prevaljo To be perfectly honest the new Vodafone TV box (Gen 2) is a far better product for the following reasons:

1) It has Netflix, Amazon TV, TVNZ On Demand, 3 Now etc preloaded on it (it however doesn't include any ability to load more apps).
2) It uses regular broadband via Ethernet or WiFi and doesn't matter which provider you're with.
3) If you've got more than one box - recordings show up on all of them. You can still activate Sky channels as per normal too.
4) It is easy to use, has a far quicker interface and is the current product.

I note that Vodafone currently have these for sale at $99 - that is worth it IMO: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164&topicid=271750

From there, you're free to pick any provider you like.

I get this and the fact that you can record to the cloud. I think the big issue for us is that only 90% of available programming is recordable because of licensing issues. As a family that doesn't regularly watch TV but records most of what they watch over longish timeframes the potential for user frustration and dissatisfaction is fairly high if programs are not recordable. Also currently most of the available add-ons (Netfix etc) are available on the smart TV, yes multiple controllers are an issue but if it was a concern that could be resolved relatively easily (I think).

michaelmurfy

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#2493233 27-May-2020 23:31

Why not take the punt and try it out? This was my parents main area of concern too (the 90% of recording thing) but the fact is almost all of this content is available on the On Demand apps as soon as they're broadcast anyway and you can go back 3 days (may be 2, I can't remember, don't quote me) in the past on any channel.

Even with this current limitation - I honestly think you'll be totally fine. My parents were so satisfied they actually removed their satellite dish from their roof (that was serving their Freeview recorder) a couple of months after getting a VTV box and keep talking about the content on the On Demand apps.

D1023319

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#2495056 30-May-2020 12:57

I live in Hataiati, Wellington with a VF cable connection = 50mbps-Netcom NF5 .

My T-Box has stated to have issued with pixelation and frequent failed recordings (says due to poor signal strength even though it shows good strength in diagnostic), - regrettably we will have to upgrade as a new box is not offered.

And yes the loss of long term recording will be a big loss. My wife often records a series like The Great British Sewing Bee (which is not available elsewhere but i stand to be corrected) and it might take us months to watch it.

I have also been told I cannot stay with my faulty T-Box and upgrade to a faster connection with Fibre X HFC.

I guess as tech and DRM marches on - we have to change like it or not........

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#2495059 30-May-2020 13:14

My issues are the same, not the specific recorded series. But we do have hours of pre-recorded watching on the box. Nothing I have seen or heard has convinced me that the new VFTV is a "better" replacement than the T-Box. I'm trying to convince the "watcher in the dark" it's time to go forward into the light.. However the next challenge will be finding a Vodafone Customer Service rep that has a clue what I'm talking about. Rather than attempt the phone call to h*ll I tried to get into a Voda shop today, couldn't get through the door due to Covid and I don't need to make the change so urgently that I'm prepared to queue outside in the street to see a Ninja, well not a Vodafone Ninja....

Lias

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#2497127 2-Jun-2020 23:37

D1023319:

The Great British Sewing Bee (which is not available elsewhere but i stand to be corrected)

Maybe not legally available, but it certainly seems to have some fans aboard a certain well known pirate ship.

michaelmurfy

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#2497165 3-Jun-2020 01:56

Lias:

Maybe not legally available, but it certainly seems to have some fans aboard a certain well known pirate ship.

And that is how you end up on https://iknowwhatyoudownload.com/

Why not just sign up to Sky directly? Gives you the ability to stream via MySky also. But also we have a (very long) thread here who had people following that may be able to answer your Gen2 questions but in the meantime I am sure @sansom or @ZollyMonsta may be able to answer your question regarding recording.

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