Vodafone TV retirement plan: September 2022

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20045 posts

Uber Geek

#2829980 10-Dec-2021 14:30

sbiddle:

For those only using the box for watching Freeview there are plenty of replacement options - both off the shelf and DIY. With virtually every Freeview channel available as a HLS stream it's a 10 min job to turn an old PC or Android box into something for watching and/or recording live TV.

Are there any recommended websites showing how to do this for NZ freeview channels and best devices to use. eg with a android box

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Apsattv

2364 posts

Uber Geek

#2829982 10-Dec-2021 14:38

Igloo was a hot mess created by Sky to hold on to their UHF Channel frequency rights, nothing more nothing less. It was never viable and the Freeview channel were not broadcast by Sky they actually came via Freeviews own broadcasts Frequency.

mattwnz

20045 posts

Uber Geek

#2829984 10-Dec-2021 14:39

profrink:

Incredibly frustrating news. Cringing at the thought of having to inform a grandparent that we'll have to change things again, especially after issues experienced with the recent T-Box switch.

While it could have been better, VTV was probably still the best all in one box for NZ TV services on the market.

If thy have UHF, you could try finding an old Tivo which has been chipped. They still work quite well but many will be probably needing new harddrives.

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

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#2829989 10-Dec-2021 14:51

mattwnz:

If thy have UHF, you could try finding an old Tivo which has been chipped. They still work quite well but many will be probably needing new harddrives.

This is what I am doing :) Still a good interface.. I had two Series 1 units back in the day.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2829992 10-Dec-2021 14:56

ZollyMonsta:

mattwnz:

If thy have UHF, you could try finding an old Tivo which has been chipped. They still work quite well but many will be probably needing new harddrives.

This is what I am doing :) Still a good interface.. I had two Series 1 units back in the day.

"I had two Series 1 units back in the day."

Do you still have them or are you on the hunt for 1?

I have 2 sitting in my shed.

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

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#2830008 10-Dec-2021 15:23

3puttssuck:

Do you still have them or are you on the hunt for 1?

I have 2 sitting in my shed.

Series 1? No, but thanks for the offer. :)

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

mclean

581 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#2830012 10-Dec-2021 15:29

profrink: Incredibly frustrating news. Cringing at the thought of having to inform a grandparent that we'll have to change things again, especially after issues experienced with the recent T-Box switch. While it could have been better, VTV was probably still the best all in one box for NZ TV services on the market.

Worse than that, I'll have to re-program the (already derelict) Harmony remote again 😫. Why can't good things stay the same forever?

quickymart

13723 posts

Uber Geek

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#2830019 10-Dec-2021 15:38

"All good things must come to an end", as the saying goes.

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2830020 10-Dec-2021 15:51

ZollyMonsta:
3puttssuck:

Do you still have them or are you on the hunt for 1?

I have 2 sitting in my shed.

Series 1? No, but thanks for the offer. :)

Im pretty sure they are series 2. How would I check them?

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

Uber Geek

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#2830026 10-Dec-2021 16:09

Take a look at the model number on the rear of the unit. A quick google will show if it is.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

mattwnz

20045 posts

Uber Geek

#2830032 10-Dec-2021 16:21

Senecio:

The difference is that the VTV box provided a 1080p stream of the freeview channels where as the legal streams are normally provided in 720p or worse. Also the difference in WAF is night and day between the VTV box and a PC/Android box.

Maybe it has been discussed somewhere previously, but how were they able to get those good quality 1080p streams? Were they just converting them from a normal freeview UHF signal?

ZollyMonsta

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#2830033 10-Dec-2021 16:26

mattwnz:

Maybe it has been discussed somewhere previously, but how were they able to get those good quality 1080p streams? Were they just converting them from a normal freeview UHF signal?

Mezzanine feeds via Sky for Sky channels. For Freeview a mix of UHF/Satellite.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

Spyware

3723 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2830035 10-Dec-2021 16:32

I thought that Maori TV and Te Reo being SD was because it was Sky's stream but no it was by choice?

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

mattwnz

20045 posts

Uber Geek

#2830255 11-Dec-2021 01:37

I sent the email to someone I installed a box for, and they read through the long list of FAQs, and noticed at the bottom the following which applies to them and me.

What if I’ve recently purchased VodafoneTV Standalone?
You may be entitled to a partial refund depending on when you purchased and activated your VodafoneTV. This process will start in March/April 2022 and we will contact all customers who are eligible for a refund at that time.

Please Note: Refunds will be provided by Vodafone corporate office directly. They will NOT be available from any retail outlet that the box was purchased from.

So it appears that people 'may' receive a partial refund amount based on the amount of time they have had it for, so it appears some will only get a 'partial refund'. It doesn't say anyone is getting a full refund, although the email we got says 'refund', and nothing about a 'partial' refund. I am therefore wondering why they are waiting until March /April to inform customers about what sort of refund we can expect, as it appears that it is going to follow some formula.

mattwnz

20045 posts

Uber Geek

#2830256 11-Dec-2021 02:08

Apsattv:

Igloo was a hot mess created by Sky to hold on to their UHF Channel frequency rights, nothing more nothing less. It was never viable and the Freeview channel were not broadcast by Sky they actually came via Freeviews own broadcasts Frequency.

At the time Igloo was a lower cost way for people to buy a UHF freeview box, but also get the option to rent sky movies etc. This was at a time when people still had TVs that didn't have freeview tuners built in. Ironically those other alternative UHF boxes would still be working today, as they didn't need the internet for the EPG. I still have a UHF freeview set top box that is a good 10 years old that should should still be just as usable today.

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