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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781 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2163151 18-Jan-2019 13:14

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Download apk to PC or phone

Upload to Google drive (in new folder)

On android tv device, turn on unknown sources, usually in security settings.

Install es file explorer on android TV* (play store)

Navigate to cloud drive

Sign in with Google account

Find apk in folder

Download and install.

Voice gives context

robbon44

229 posts

Master Geek

#2163154 18-Jan-2019 13:24

simple ! awesome.

thanks

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#2163156 18-Jan-2019 13:28

Or you could just use TVirl with Matt Huismann or apsattv m3u8 sources and EPG. There are pros and cons to both solutions.

robbon44

229 posts

Master Geek

#2163331 18-Jan-2019 16:18

The new freeview recorder is on sale at HN for $416

https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/freeview-and-digital-tv/digital-tv-receivers/dish-tv-freeview-satellite-and-terrestrial-recorder.html

tempting... but harsh reviews and comments about basic functions not working properly are putting me off a bit...

sdavisnz

781 posts

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#2163340 18-Jan-2019 16:36

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Recording is so 90s.

We on demand in 2019

Voice gives context

Benoire

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#2163342 18-Jan-2019 16:38

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Not really, recording gives you full fast forward and rewind, much better than skipping plus you can get past ads easier.

djtOtago

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#2163344 18-Jan-2019 16:40

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sdavisnz: Recording is so 90s.

We on demand in 2019

No ondemand for Prime.

Not every one has a sufficient internet connection for streaming.

MarkGM

12 posts

Geek

#2165023 21-Jan-2019 21:08

After having a look through the thread, and all the good info, I picked one of these up yesterday assuming the On Demand piece would be sorted by now.... obviously I was sadly dissappointed. Does anyone know if there's an update on the likely availability of the "Freeview On Demand" app? I'm trying to migrate 'someone' used to the simplicity of a Skybox, who has no inclination to operate the fully functioning Media computer set up we have, to a simple to use system, ie the WAF is set high.

I also note the simple improvements that could be made, such as being able to select a program directly from the EPG, would improve the usability significantly. I thought of the workaround for On Demand and casting to the unit but the Chromecast function doesn't appear to be functioning. Anyone else had any problems with it?

MarkGM

12 posts

Geek

#2165031 21-Jan-2019 21:52

Got the Chromecast working. I was trying to 'Cast' Spotify from phone without realising I had to download the Spotify App on the SmartVu also. Tried to cast TVNZ On Demand and this wouldn't work, error in App simply says"sorry we can't cast right now'. Anyone know if this is down to needing the App, which is unavailable for Android TV, on the SmartVu as well?

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2165033 21-Jan-2019 21:59

You shouldn't need an app - the Cast functionality only needs the app on the "controller" side of the things.

MarkGM

12 posts

Geek

#2166477 23-Jan-2019 19:34

thanks but still not working. I first tried 'casting' TVNZ with an Iphone, so thought it might be an issue with IOS v Android TV. I then tried with a Huawei using Android, same result, error message. The TVNZ cast opens on the SmartVu but then times out with a simple "An error occurred (PLAYER_ERR-TIMEOUT).

Anyone know of any news on the Freeview on demand App to load direct on the SmartVu?

RedactedRetracted

41 posts

Geek

#2167078 24-Jan-2019 18:08

MarkGM:

thanks but still not working. I first tried 'casting' TVNZ with an Iphone, so thought it might be an issue with IOS v Android TV. I then tried with a Huawei using Android, same result, error message. The TVNZ cast opens on the SmartVu but then times out with a simple "An error occurred (PLAYER_ERR-TIMEOUT).

Anyone know of any news on the Freeview on demand App to load direct on the SmartVu?

Seems to be a consistent issue across "Chromecast Built-In" devices (including Sony TV's and other official Android TV boxes like the NVIDIA Shield). Not sure how TVNZ messed this up this badly!

ElectronicFerret

122 posts

Master Geek

#2167351 25-Jan-2019 10:43

I picked up one of these yesterday for testing (I own a small rural ISP) and I have to say I am not impressed..

Runs really hot
WiFi range is limited and depending on your physical setup, mounting it on the back of your TV will reduce the range/signal even more.
Requires you to have a google account to get the latest firmware
Bluetooth remote has limited range when the unit is mounted to the back of your TV
Out of the box, the freeview button did not start the freeview app (Required 1.2GB of firmware and app upgrades)
Firmware upgrade reset everything (WiFi password, google account, etc)
Freeview app asks me to re-enter password every time I start it
No EPG, always comes up EPG data is updating

And the biggie for me - no freeview on demand, I have absolutely no idea how to access this feature. I'm guessing it's via the inaccessible EPG.

Hopefully they sort this out as we were planning on recommending these to our less tech savvy customers as a way to access the upcoming Spark Sport service.

On top of this, when you set up a freeview on demand account, take note of the characters available on the onscreen keyboard. You set up your password on a different device by clicking on a link in an email, but then need to type that password into the SmartVU - I set up a password with an underscore and question mark in it, and then had no way to enter it on the SmartVU...and no way to reset it from the website. I had to click the forgot password link on the SmartVU, wait for the email and reset my password to one with more generic characters in it. It's a shame, they had the forethought to add a ".com" and a ".co.nz" button to the keyboard, but not even the standard character set found on a normal keyboard.

Groucho

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2167373 25-Jan-2019 11:51

ElectronicFerret:

I picked up one of these yesterday for testing (I own a small rural ISP) and I have to say I am not impressed..

Runs really hot
WiFi range is limited and depending on your physical setup, mounting it on the back of your TV will reduce the range/signal even more.
Requires you to have a google account to get the latest firmware
Bluetooth remote has limited range when the unit is mounted to the back of your TV
Out of the box, the freeview button did not start the freeview app (Required 1.2GB of firmware and app upgrades)
Firmware upgrade reset everything (WiFi password, google account, etc)
Freeview app asks me to re-enter password every time I start it
No EPG, always comes up EPG data is updating
And the biggie for me - no freeview on demand, I have absolutely no idea how to access this feature. I'm guessing it's via the inaccessible EPG.

Hopefully they sort this out as we were planning on recommending these to our less tech savvy customers as a way to access the upcoming Spark Sport service.

On top of this, when you set up a freeview on demand account, take note of the characters available on the onscreen keyboard. You set up your password on a different device by clicking on a link in an email, but then need to type that password into the SmartVU - I set up a password with an underscore and question mark in it, and then had no way to enter it on the SmartVU...and no way to reset it from the website. I had to click the forgot password link on the SmartVU, wait for the email and reset my password to one with more generic characters in it. It's a shame, they had the forethought to add a ".com" and a ".co.nz" button to the keyboard, but not even the standard character set found on a normal keyboard.

I don't have one of these devices but do have a previous (1st gen?) HDMI dongle SmartVU running Android ~4.2. Sounds like the weird keyboard layout is common across both as recently needed to enter either an @ sign or semi-colon into a form field. Do you think I could find it in any of the keyboard layouts? I finally noticed it as an alternative character on the full stop button. Found I had to press and hold the pointer on the button which bought up a popup and could then select it from there. Not hugely intuitive given the symbol colouring was hard to see against the background colour. I almost had to plug a USB keyboard in to be able to continue.

I hope they sort all these teething problems out as you're right, there's going to be a big wave of users wanting to access Spark Sport very soon. Being forced to watch it on a laptop or mobile device rather than the mega sized TV they bought to specifically watch whatever sport when Sky had the rights will go down very badly.

Bluntj

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2167381 25-Jan-2019 12:14

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sdavisnz: Recording is so 90s.

We on demand in 2019

Recording lets you skip the adverts.....

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