Is the DishTV SmartVU 11 worth buying or does it have the overheating problems of the X?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Is the DishTV SmartVU 11 worth buying or does it have the overheating problems of the X?

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#2833775 17-Dec-2021 07:36

GregV:

Question for those that have this unit - does your 'EPG' button (to the right of the home button) bring up an EPG? According to the printed instructions it should, but it tries to install/launch a 'Live Channels' app.

@LGSAM did you find out if it does CEC?

Live Channels is a core Android TV component to manage live TV playback.

It's the software component that manages live TV (if you have an onboard tuner) and IPTV inputs via modular input components.

RustyViewer

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#2836010 20-Dec-2021 14:54

Ok, so I'm being sent for free TP-Link deco with a free broadband upgrade and my phone now on the internet, all with Vodafone.

The problem is that SmartVU can not install the TP-Link software. Can I not then use the new Superwifi for my TV?

freitasm

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#2836037 20-Dec-2021 15:42

You shouldn't need to install any software to connect it to a WiFi network. Just open the settings, go to network and search for it.

RustyViewer

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#2862337 6-Feb-2022 06:12

Ok, my problems with SmartVU are my fault, When I installed over a year ago, I replaced my Chromecast dongle with it. Because the power plug looked the same (just plug in a USB) I just used that. I've got about 4 or 5 of those and I thought they were all just the same and interchangeable. It turns out they are not! They have different ampage. The one for the Chromecast stick was 850 amps but the one supplied with the SmartVU is 1000! Now that I'm actually using the proper one the device is stable, no more rebooting and so on. However, the glitches I mentioned of brief loss of sound or occasional picture disappearing briefly appear to have continued. I am concerned that because I haven't been putting enough power into the device for over a year - 150 amps short - that it may have caused some permanent damage. Is this possible or is it only when you put in too much power that you can damage it?

robjg63

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#2862422 6-Feb-2022 11:18

Wouldnt have thought that too lower current should have damaged it - but certainly would probably make it glitch/fall over and reboot when it couldn't get enough juice.

Having a USB power supply that is higher spec shouldn't do it any harm - If it can supply more amperage than the device needs the device just wont use it.

I note on my Chromecast with google TV (which runs Android TV like the Smart VU I think), its not always that smooth when streaming some video - especially when the video quality ramps up or down - it can glitch a little. Though its always faultless on Netflix so it could be more of an issue with some of the 'overseas' content I watch.

Have you got the option to do a factory reset on the Smart VU?

https://support.dishtv.co.nz/support/solutions/articles/47001169440-how-to-reset-android-tv-receiver

Also - check that its getting a good Wifi signal.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

farcus

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#2862497 6-Feb-2022 12:47

RustyViewer:

Ok, my problems with SmartVU are my fault, When I installed over a year ago, I replaced my Chromecast dongle with it. Because the power plug looked the same (just plug in a USB) I just used that. I've got about 4 or 5 of those and I thought they were all just the same and interchangeable. It turns out they are not! They have different ampage. The one for the Chromecast stick was 850 amps but the one supplied with the SmartVU is 1000! Now that I'm actually using the proper one the device is stable, no more rebooting and so on. However, the glitches I mentioned of brief loss of sound or occasional picture disappearing briefly appear to have continued. I am concerned that because I haven't been putting enough power into the device for over a year - 150 amps short - that it may have caused some permanent damage. Is this possible or is it only when you put in too much power that you can damage it?

it certainly wouldn't hurt to put a 2 amp charger on it. The device will only draw the current it needs.
However, don't just use a 2 amp phone charger, get a good quality 2 amp charger designed for a constant draw of current.

gzt

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#2862509 6-Feb-2022 13:23

robjg63: I note on my Chromecast with google TV (which runs Android TV like the Smart VU I think), its not always that smooth when streaming some video - especially when the video quality ramps up or down - it can glitch a little.

Mine is rock solid on Ethernet. A couple of months ago the sticky tape holding my hub on the tv melted in the summer heat and fell off. Since then it's been running on wifi. Still rock solid. I do have my wifi next to the tv even so, I'm impressed.

Sharesies

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

gzt

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#2862510 6-Feb-2022 13:26

farcus: Now that I'm actually using the proper one the device is stable, no more rebooting and so on. However, the glitches I mentioned of brief loss of sound or occasional picture disappearing briefly appear to have continued.

This part could.be network. Powercycle your router see if it helps. Move your router closer if you can.

Eva888

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#2862543 6-Feb-2022 15:06

My Dish Smartvu box is a few days old and I’ve installed the analiti app on it to check the Wi-Fi signal which is not bad with my Decos, but it's also connected to satellite in case of internet down time.

I do find it’s not as stable as my plain old Dish receiver which was idiot proof and used to cycle through the channels continuously in a loop whereas this box stops at Parliament TV but you can hear it has moved on to radio. The only way to change channel then is to cycle backwards through the channels or use the numeric buttons.

On and off was also causing issues sometimes with it turning off or on when I switched on the unsmart TV. Changed a few settings which fixed it. It’s also known to get a random blank screen, always when someone else is using it so you don’t know what they did to cause it. I suspect this could be a real bugbear for anyone old and non tech savvy coming off VTV or a plain receiver as they would be stuck not knowing what to do, meaning many help calls to family.

Netflix works perfectly as does YouTube with their designated buttons. Installed Kodi Matrix easily. Sound is not great and will try out some old Bluetooth speakers if they connect.

You don’t have access to all the Play Store Apps. It has a limited version of Play Store designed for Tv and boxes. Have yet to try sideloading an APK of the apps I would like using an app installer so unsure if they will be compatible.

At least you can watch Freeview channels via aerial, satellite or wifi and have the use of Apps but frankly nothing beats the Vodafone TVs ability to re-start a playing programme. That is truly missed.

RustyViewer

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#2866926 12-Feb-2022 13:01

How do you revert to a previous version for the SV11? Is it possible? I did a factory reset and seemed to work again briefly but then all the junk came back and the glitches started again. It appears the problem stems from the latest update.

Eva888

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#2867062 12-Feb-2022 14:41

Mine updated a few days ago and seems stable. It now starts up at the apps page, haven’t checked to see if that can be changed to live yet but one click on the Freeview button and back to live TV so not a big deal.

A few of the glitches went and can now scroll through the channels continuously without needing to scroll backwards. I suspect people have problems with it according to the age and type of the TV connected to it. Mine's connected to an older Panasonic Viera that was smart till they stopped updating

RustyViewer

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#2867791 13-Feb-2022 16:44

Ok, I spoke too soon. The glitches appear to be all but gone except a bit on YouTube. Because I didn't have enough power going through a few months ago, the update didn't apply properly and caused the glitches. It hadn't even given me the latest much superior software for TVNZ on Demand which is running without a hitch now after the factory reset.

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#2911149 6-May-2022 19:09

Hi guys,

I have a 2020 Samsung TV that runs their Tizen operating system. We have a UHF antenna that's on its last legs and its hanging off a chimney that we plan to knock down. Rather than invest $100s in a new antenna for the odd time we watch live TV I'd rather use either the TV or some kind of (wife-friendly) dongle. Freeview have an app on it but it only shows on-demand stuff, not live freeview channels which is daft. TVNZ have an on-demand app which has TV1, TV2 and Duke. But Three don't, which is really annoying. How can I get their channels to stream? I was thinking of buying an Apple TV and calling it a day, is this the best option or should I go with one of these Android TV options? (remember, has to be wife friendy..) Thanks!

Eva888

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#2911158 6-May-2022 19:27

Simplest option I’ve found to have free to air channels is Dish TV SmartVU which will give you streaming and TV via Internet no aerial needed. Apple TV won’t give you live free to air channels, only streaming.

I have bought a second Dish Smart Vu for a spare room to connect to a really old Samsung regardless that the the first one bought was a bit glitchy. I just can’t find any other simple to use option. Worst case is you need to power cycle it to reset. Otherwise, it has everything you need including access to Play Store to download apps, Netflix and YouTube have dedicated buttons.

farcus

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#2911285 7-May-2022 13:24

Eva888: Simplest option I’ve found to have free to air channels is Dish TV SmartVU which will give you streaming and TV via Internet no aerial needed. Apple TV won’t give you live free to air channels, only streaming.

I have bought a second Dish Smart Vu for a spare room to connect to a really old Samsung regardless that the the first one bought was a bit glitchy. I just can’t find any other simple to use option. Worst case is you need to power cycle it to reset. Otherwise, it has everything you need including access to Play Store to download apps, Netflix and YouTube have dedicated buttons.

It probably is the easiest for live TV - but any android TV (mi box etc) can be set up for live TV (via the live tv app in conjunction with tvirl).
Can use Matt Huisman sources for the feed.
Not sure about apple tv - but I'd be surprised if it couldn't be set up with the same functionality via an app or two.

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