PSA - Samsung BD-F8500A is NOT supported by TVNZ Ondemand

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Disrespective

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Topic # 128974 30-Aug-2013 09:45

So i've been jumping through quite a few hoops to try and talk to the right people and think I've finally got it figured out.

The Samsung BD-F8500A is NOT supported by TVNZ for the TVNZ OnDemand App.

Hi There,

Thanks for getting in touch.

There is an issue with the Samsung app submission process which is stopping us from being able to submit the app to that particular device.

We are in conversation with Samsung to attempt to resolve it, but unfortunately for now the official word is that it is unsupported.

I believe you would be well within your rights to return the product as not working as advertised.

If you have any issues doing this, please let me know and I will get in touch with my contacts at Samsung who will be able to help.

I spoke with Samsung who were adamant that it was TVNZ's problem. I asked if they felt it was a kind of false advertising to say that the app was compatible with all these devices but not actually supported, at which point things could have got very heated on the other end of the line but I cut it short. Using the term 'false advertising' doesn't go down well fwiw. Samsung's word was that it was TVNZ's problem for not submitting it and they weren't going to help. I might try calling again in a week or so to see if any information has filtered down to the phone support.

tldr; Don't buy the BD-F8500A if you want to use (or expect it to have) the TVNZ OnDemand App.

Talkiet

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Trusted

Spark NZ

Reply # 886922 30-Aug-2013 10:13

This is one of those relatively simple cases that the CGA can help with. If you purchased it based on the advertising that said it would work with the TVNZ ondemand app and it turns out it is not able to do that, then that's a solid justification for asking for a refund.

SUcks a bit for the retailer, but presumably you'll buy another device during the same visit that can do it, and they will return it to Samsung...

Cheers - N

Disrespective

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Reply # 886930 30-Aug-2013 10:22

Yeah, it's not so much about me wanting to return the device (I never said to anyone I wanted that). It just grinds my gears that Samsung listed the product as 'compatible' with the app but when it comes to actually using it, it is unsupported.

I'd hyped up the product to the 'powers that be' by saying it could do it but now it can't. When she's mad, i'm sad...

Other than not having TVNZ OnDemand it's a perfectly acceptable device. Just missing one of the selling points.

wellygary

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Reply # 886932 30-Aug-2013 10:24

IANAL but I would say that given the above, http://www.samsung.com/nz/tvnz/ is currently not complying with the fair trading act

Disrespective

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Reply # 896198 16-Sep-2013 09:23

A slight update:

Samsung now state on their website "TVNZ Ondemand App is not compatible with BD-F8500 Blu Ray Player Smart Hub Interface."

So it appears that I will never be getting the TVNZ On Demand app. Too little too late for me seeing as I've already bought the box.

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that it might be something to do with the fact that the BD-F8500 is a freeview recorder and Samsung have some weird sort of usage policies in place which mean they want me to record things to the box rather than stream them.

I've no idea what in the hardware, or software, would possibly make the box incompatible when the other models are fine.

*still sad*