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Or you could just use TVirl with Matt Huismann or apsattv m3u8 sources and EPG. There are pros and cons to both solutions.
The new freeview recorder is on sale at HN for $416
tempting... but harsh reviews and comments about basic functions not working properly are putting me off a bit...
Not really, recording gives you full fast forward and rewind, much better than skipping plus you can get past ads easier.
sdavisnz: Recording is so 90s.
We on demand in 2019
No ondemand for Prime.
Not every one has a sufficient internet connection for streaming.
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?
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?
You shouldn't need an app - the Cast functionality only needs the app on the "controller" side of the things.
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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?
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!
I picked up one of these yesterday for testing (I own a small rural ISP) and I have to say I am not impressed..
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.
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.
sdavisnz: Recording is so 90s.
We on demand in 2019
Recording lets you skip the adverts.....
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