New SmartVu+ with uhf and sat builtin

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › New SmartVu+ with uhf and sat builtin

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

658 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2575201 28-Sep-2020 12:12

outdoorsnz:

Short answer is yes you should be able to. But I just tried my linux formatted external HDD and the android system said it was not compatible and wanted to format... Which is a pain as kodi will read most drives. And works fine on my MiBox S android TV.

will have to check on FIL's workflow if that is acceptable. not quite sure how he puts his media files on to the hdd. my guess is via a windows pc, which might mean this is too much trouble for him.

haven't managed to convince him to use a NAS... he thinks it's a waste of power leaving devices on all the time... until fairly recently, he used to switch his router off at night.

thanks for trying it out, and the quick reply!

CeilingCelery

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2577828 2-Oct-2020 10:06

Has anyone had a go streaming via Emby or Plex on this? Tossing up getting this or the Xiaomi Mi Box S, specs wise they seem very similar but this would be nice for the included Freeview streaming.

Karlosity

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2578574 3-Oct-2020 13:20

Whoops,

DishTV with the new SmartVU may have got to market just in time to be rolled over by Google.

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/google-nest-chromecast-with-google-tv-rock-candy.html

Though if they keep the IP for NZfreeview apps on AndroidTV (soon to be GoogleTV again) and hold off any ports of them to the new Google dongle (unlikely) they may sell a few.

I think I'll get one for the satellite channels and to see what I can plug into the USB jacks ;)

My Old SmartVU keeps crashing when trying to load the EPG so I need a new one anyhoo.

SCUBADOO

192 posts

Master Geek

#2578578 3-Oct-2020 14:11

SmartVU+ = Mi Box 3 & S + Tuners. Almost identical in performance here. All running Kodi (Apsattv, SlyGuy addons etc.), Netflix etc. perfectly for us.

With the A2 and Mi Box S currently in use in our motorhome I see little reason to change and it will be relegated to a backup unit in the meantime.

I have far too many boxes! The new Google device might have to wait a few weeks.

You can record one tuner Freeview channel with a little effort.

outdoorsnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2600447 9-Nov-2020 12:47

Pretty happy with A7070 as a Android TV box. Seems to be nice and fast for kodi, netflix, prime etc.

But I'm having a few issues and wondering others are having the same?

1. Freeview Satellite app has become unusable of late. Can't get past the Maori channel, App crashes. Tried killing app, clearing cache and data, rebooting and re-tuning channels. Streaming app seems fine. Same at friends place / their device. This happened before, but did come right for a bit and makes you wonder if a backend server / epg source is to blame.

2. Not sure if my setup, but sounds levels drop way down and either have to crank volume or reboot to reset levels.

Apparently an update is in the pipeline...

CeilingCelery

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2600543 9-Nov-2020 15:56

outdoorsnz:

Pretty happy with A7070 as a Android TV box. Seems to be nice and fast for kodi, netflix, prime etc.

But I'm having a few issues and wondering others are having the same?

1. Freeview Satellite app has become unusable of late. Can't get past the Maori channel, App crashes. Tried killing app, clearing cache and data, rebooting and re-tuning channels. Streaming app seems fine. Same at friends place / their device. This happened before, but did come right for a bit and makes you wonder if a backend server / epg source is to blame.

2. Not sure if my setup, but sounds levels drop way down and either have to crank volume or reboot to reset levels.

Apparently an update is in the pipeline...

I use streaming instead of satellite but I have some stability issues with the Freeview app too, my main issue it that if I try launch into the Guide from steaming a channel it just sits on a black screen and I have to restart the app. I also have to tell it I want to use streaming only every time I open the app which is a pain. The Freeview experience could certainly be improved.

I don't seem to have the same issues with sound volumes although mine does like to take control of my ARC soundbar but only in some apps which is annoying because of the inconsistency there.

Overall I do actually like the box though, works great for Emby/Plex and Netflix.

outdoorsnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2600560 9-Nov-2020 16:42

CeilingCelery:

outdoorsnz:

Pretty happy with A7070 as a Android TV box. Seems to be nice and fast for kodi, netflix, prime etc.

But I'm having a few issues and wondering others are having the same?

1. Freeview Satellite app has become unusable of late. Can't get past the Maori channel, App crashes. Tried killing app, clearing cache and data, rebooting and re-tuning channels. Streaming app seems fine. Same at friends place / their device. This happened before, but did come right for a bit and makes you wonder if a backend server / epg source is to blame.

2. Not sure if my setup, but sounds levels drop way down and either have to crank volume or reboot to reset levels.

Apparently an update is in the pipeline...

I use streaming instead of satellite but I have some stability issues with the Freeview app too, my main issue it that if I try launch into the Guide from steaming a channel it just sits on a black screen and I have to restart the app. I also have to tell it I want to use streaming only every time I open the app which is a pain. The Freeview experience could certainly be improved.

I don't seem to have the same issues with sound volumes although mine does like to take control of my ARC soundbar but only in some apps which is annoying because of the inconsistency there.

Overall I do actually like the box though, works great for Emby/Plex and Netflix.

What audio settings have you got on the A7070 end? Dolby Auto for me resulted in great sound volume but big sync issues in apps but not Freeview oddly enough. On another setup / sound bar dolby auto was fine.

Yes, agree it still is a great box with those issues aside.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

CeilingCelery

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2600575 9-Nov-2020 17:07

outdoorsnz:

What audio settings have you got on the A7070 end? Dolby Auto for me resulted in great sound volume but big sync issues in apps but not Freeview oddly enough. On another setup / sound bar dolby auto was fine.

Yes, agree it still is a great box with those issues aside.

I have my audio settings on:

Dolby sounds: RF

Audio Mixing: On

Digital Audio Format: AUTO

Dts sounds: 0% (but am going to play with increasing this - doesn't seem to be a good description of what it does)

Most audio I play through Emby is 5.1 (which gets downmixed as my soundbar is just a 2 speaker setup) and seems to work fine although some shows I do have to really increase the volume to hear them - I haven't taken note of what the difference is in the audio of those shows (ie Dolby audio or not etc).

K123

44 posts

Geek

#2612730 29-Nov-2020 19:39

Spyware:

In respect to the streams

TVNZ is 720p

MediaWorks is 576p.

But a lot of MediaWorks outside broadcast news content looks to be native SD and down sampled to TV-CIF, looks absolutely vulgar. Actually looks like there is some analog composite video sampling in the chain.

Disappointing, I came here to check how good a no-antenna-Freeview user experience could be (and I posted a question about it). UHF is an option for me/parents/mother-in-law.

"Google Chromecast with Google TV" looks very interesting.

Anyone load the SmartVU (or any Kodi/Android thing) up with something that could replace Sky's travel/living/lifestyle channels? Not sure Freeview has enough of this yet.

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2624996 21-Dec-2020 15:11

We have picked one up for a Christmas gift for my Mother In Law as they can't receive UHF but are getting UFB installed. I'll help set it up and will let you know how it goes, I'm also keen to see how it goes connecting to a remote PLEX Server at our place.

Also I'll haev a look at the quality of the streams as noted above I wonder if it auto down scales the resolution like YouTube to keep the stream up so a fast connection through Ethernet maybe the best solution for HD if you can do it.

Cybercat999

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2648808 6-Feb-2021 20:17

I am also curious about this. My flat doesn’t have freeview (or a TV) but I have a TV in my bedroom - mostly for Netflix. Wouldn’t mind being able to just flick on the news or whatever’s on. I’ve tried using the TVNZ on demand app and selecting the watch live TV option but it was pretty terrible. Hoping something like this would work.

theHackiNZ

12 posts

Geek

#2669073 6-Mar-2021 16:25

To >>RECORD<< on SmartVU+ A7070...

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=282696

Myst

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2672167 12-Mar-2021 09:47

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing one of these. (DishTV A7070)

Wanting a couple of questions answered first if anyone can help.

Is the remote Bluetooth only, or does it use both bluetooth and IR? (hoping to have the unit hidden away so need to know if I would need an extra IR receiver)

Can the power button on the remote be used to power on the TV? by learning or setting the IR code (Wanting this for a bedroom TV that does not have hdmi-cec - wife acceptance factor requires just 1 remote)

Cheers

outdoorsnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2672174 12-Mar-2021 10:07

Myst:

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing one of these. (DishTV A7070)

Wanting a couple of questions answered first if anyone can help.

Is the remote Bluetooth only, or does it use both bluetooth and IR? (hoping to have the unit hidden away so need to know if I would need an extra IR receiver)

Can the power button on the remote be used to power on the TV? by learning or setting the IR code (Wanting this for a bedroom TV that does not have hdmi-cec - wife acceptance factor requires just 1 remote)

Cheers

The remote is both Bluetooth and IR. And yes you can set the device to power on / off your TV / Sound bar etc if your other devices support the CEC function. So to make clear, it will not turn on / off your TV if it doesn't support CEC.

What you want is something like a Harmony TV remote as a work around for a non CEC device.

Myst

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2672197 12-Mar-2021 10:49

outdoorsnz:

The remote is both Bluetooth and IR. And yes you can set the device to power on / off your TV / Sound bar etc if your other devices support the CEC function. So to make clear, it will not turn on / off your TV if it doesn't support CEC.

What you want is something like a Harmony TV remote as a work around for a non CEC device.

Thanks - I thought that may have been be the case

I feel the easier option might be for me to replace the TV's with ones that support HDMI-CEC - although finding 24inch hdmi - cec enabled TV's has proven tricky.
Harmony remotes are OK - but adds another layer of fluffing about - and I would like to keep the remote with the google assistant buttons etc

1 | 2 | 3 | 4