New Freeview SmartVU streaming device: Chromecast, 4K HDR, Android TV

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › New Freeview SmartVU streaming device: Chromecast, 4K HDR, Android TV

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1015 posts

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#2380290 23-Dec-2019 08:05

I agree, it seems like a rushed product. Lots of issues that dont get resolved.

I splurged and got a nvidia shield pro 2019

But If I was to get something else I would look at

Apple tv 4k (tvOS)
Old sheild pro. (Android tv)
Maybe Vodafone tv 2nd gen ( custom linux , not android tv)

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timbosan

2159 posts

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#2380323 23-Dec-2019 11:17

I have my SmartVu for a couple of weeks now, and whilst there are some issues, they are mainly app related:

* Disney+ works great
* Netflix works great
* TVNZ OnDemand works great (for both on-demand and live TVNZ. Honestly this service impresses me more every day)

The rouge one is the Freeview app, which is needed to actually watch live TV. It just blows, like hurricane force blows. Its:

* Slow
* Hard to use (navigation into and around the EPG mainly)
* Constantly freezes (EPG doesn't appear, live TV doesn't resume when going back into the app)

Compared to the TVNZ app, which also streams live TV, its a night-and-day comparison. This is a Freeview product, but why is the 'headline' app on it the worst of the bunch?

I am considering changing it for either a Shield or a Apple TV.

ATM

12 posts

Geek

#2380891 24-Dec-2019 12:39

Has anyone managed to get Sky Go loaded on the Smart Vu - it doesn't show up in my searches of Google Play Store?

Thanks

RichardJ1

17 posts

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#2380894 24-Dec-2019 12:54

I have just moved away from the smartvu it was too frustrating!!

I purchased the shield 2019 model and have been very very impressed!!

butlerboy

457 posts

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#2390651 12-Jan-2020 16:06

Has anybody else had issues with the Freeview app not working this weekend?

mattwnz

20164 posts

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#2390654 12-Jan-2020 16:20

I have sent my one back. It just became more and more unreliable, and the freeview part would just display a blank screen. Then whenever I switched it to standby it would just crash and reboot.

sbiddle

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#2390670 12-Jan-2020 17:09

ATM:

Has anyone managed to get Sky Go loaded on the Smart Vu - it doesn't show up in my searches of Google Play Store?

Thanks

Sky Go is an Android app for Android devices, not an Android TV app.

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Gwilson

136 posts

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#2390680 12-Jan-2020 18:16

I have two SmartVU devices and they both exhibited the same problem after returning from holiday. Clicking Freeview just produced a white screen and then a return to the Home screen.

I resolved this (for now...) by deleting the Freeview app and re-installing. Both working as normal after this. Normal means volume is muted initially on Freeview but a press of volume up/down does activate sound.

These devices are pretty cool but they are not rock solid. Software issues on Freeview for sure - Netflix and YouTube seem to work fine.

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2390701 12-Jan-2020 20:32

Gwilson:
I have two SmartVU devices and they both exhibited the same problem after returning from holiday. Clicking Freeview just produced a white screen and then a return to the Home screen.

I resolved this (for now...) by deleting the Freeview app and re-installing. Both working as normal after this. Normal means volume is muted initially on Freeview but a press of volume up/down does activate sound.

These devices are pretty cool but they are not rock solid. Software issues on Freeview for sure - Netflix and YouTube seem to work fine.

Yeah that's exactly what ours is doing, white screen then getting booted out. Will delete and reinstall the app tomorrow. Cheers

disillusioned

34 posts

Geek

#2390713 12-Jan-2020 21:25

I have noticed intermittent issues with the Freeview app, e.g. come back to it and it's a black screen - usually restarting the device fixes it for me. Haven't had my initial overheating/wifi connectivity issues for some time (I re-positioned the SmartVu) but otherwise like the remote control interface for navigation and the fact it brings together YouTube, Freeview, Google Play Movies, Netflix (and more) without me needing to pick up my phone and use that to Chromecast etc. I would have considered returning mine when I did have the issues as it was very frustrating, but the only bugbear for me right now is the volume one - as indicated a couple posts earlier, having to press volume up/down once when starting playback as the audio just isn't audible at all until doing that!

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2392564 15-Jan-2020 13:00

Gwilson:

I have two SmartVU devices and they both exhibited the same problem after returning from holiday. Clicking Freeview just produced a white screen and then a return to the Home screen.

I resolved this (for now...) by deleting the Freeview app and re-installing. Both working as normal after this. Normal means volume is muted initially on Freeview but a press of volume up/down does activate sound.

These devices are pretty cool but they are not rock solid. Software issues on Freeview for sure - Netflix and YouTube seem to work fine.

Thank you that worked perfectly.

AnneMargaret

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#2401666 19-Jan-2020 14:39

Purchased Smartvu X TV Dongle last week. Son installed this for me and all has been working well until yesterday when Netflix start showing a Ui-800-3 (307006) error code and would not load. Freeview and Youtube work fine. Have turned everything off and on again and reset Netflix on Smartvu device but nothing fixes it. I can get netflix using Sony Bravia remote but son said I should only using TV remote for turning tv on and off so am thinking Smartvu device is broken already! Son wanted me to get the dearer Apple one so am wondering given posts above if this device, though cheap, is prone to problems. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

freitasm

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#2401668 19-Jan-2020 14:58

@AnneMargaret:

Purchased Smartvu X TV Dongle last week. Son installed this for me and all has been working well until yesterday when Netflix start showing a Ui-800-3 (307006) error code and would not load. Freeview and Youtube work fine. Have turned everything off and on again and reset Netflix on Smartvu device but nothing fixes it. I can get netflix using Sony Bravia remote but son said I should only using TV remote for turning tv on and off so am thinking Smartvu device is broken already! Son wanted me to get the dearer Apple one so am wondering given posts above if this device, though cheap, is prone to problems. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

Have you cleared Cache and Data for the Netflix app?

Failing that, perhaps uninstall it and install again?

sdavisnz

1015 posts

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#2405487 23-Jan-2020 19:26

anyone else notice your tv randomy turn on overnight with the smartvu connected?

both my tvs will just randomly turn on .

i know i can turn off hdmi-cec, but its so useful i'd rather not do that.

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bazzer

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#2441755 19-Mar-2020 23:10

Does anyone know why the SmartVU can't play Netflix interactive content (e.g. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch)?

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