sdavisnz: Just a blank banner saying it's not streaming.

None of the pool games were avail via the freeview app.

To be clear, are you saying it won’t be on TVNZ streaming via Vodafone TV?

sdavisnz: Just a blank banner saying it's not streaming.

None of the pool games were avail via the freeview app.

eracode:

 

sdavisnz: No, won't be avail on freeview app.

No streaming rights.

 

So that means also not on TVNZ via Vodafone TV?

 

What about TVNZ via Sky satellite?

 

No it doesnt mean that , as Vodafone TV is a real OTT iptv service delivering all the channels content. Rather than "internet streaming"

Its fine on vodafone tv

VODAFONE TV ISN'T webbased INTERNET STREAMING..

sdavisnz: Yes it is.

Not in the same way.

Vodafone TV is an IPTV platform delivered via the internet to "subscribers" using authorised devices to access it. No content is blocked as it isnt broadcast on the public internet via webpage. Also they have DRM on the streams going to the Vodafone tv device.

Smartvu is just an android device running an app that uses the exact same webstreams as the tvnz and tv3 websites. Hence if they don't have internet rights they cant play certain content.

sdavisnz: What a load of crap,

Sky is satellite , not streaming, all good.

Vodafone tv, I would assume it would not work. But I don't have a device to test.

Calm down. I was simply asking legit questions about VTV and Sky - based on your assertion - not making a statement and not even expressing a view. Seems you’re not totally correct as it happens.

nzkc:

 

A few of your gripes seem to be that you don't have Android, but Android TV, on the device.  And so some things you are used to on your phone simply aren't (and wont be) there by design.

 

I think Google intentionally keeps the Android TV interface clean and lean.

 

You're probably not wrong. I intentionally got this device as I wanted to get my feet wet having a poke at Android TV.
From what I can gather - and I'm happy to be corrected here - Android TV is little more than a stripped-down Android (as in mobile) with a different Launcher ("couch" IINM); I enabled adb & had a poke around the OS, sideloaded apk's in a regular fashion, can load apps via Play store in browser, etc

What's odd is the lack of Sky apps (guessing by design by publisher); can't imagine is being that much dissimilar to the app pushed for the Voda TV device - guessing that's also a fairly yet-another bog-standard Android TV device, for close to double the price.

Going by other helpful comments I've received, I may actually opt for a Mi Box capable of loading something like atvXperience, or some other custom ROM I've yet to find.

(I've managed to load Android on a RasPi 3B, got it working stable, but results were super-lacklustre)

Im not certain its Android with "just another launcher".  There do seem to be a few fundamental differences, enough to potentially make it its own OS in its own right. Happy to be corrected here - TLDR I dont know!

Sure there's Google Play for the apps and that works the same.

Ive got both a MiBox and a SmartVu.  From a hardware perspective I prefer the MiBox. Seems a bit better there.  Smoother etc.  From a "supported in New Zealand" angle the SmartVu is much better.  There are more native apps available to just install without side loading.  I've even attempted to take some apps off the SmartVu to side load to the MiBox and they wont run.  For example; the FreeviewTV app pops up its for SmartVu only.  Doesnt even seem to attempt to run.

So IMHO neither is quite the panacea.  If I were to be recommending a device it'd be the SmartVu because it'll have more "its just there" in terms of apps.  You might prefer the Mi Box as you clearly know enough to "tinker" ;-)  The SmartVu is more portable too - which is actually what I bought it for.  Love dragging it to a hotel/motel/bach and being able to watch my Plex server from anywhere!  In some regards here, a Chromecast may be better (thats what I was replacing) for most people.

Gordy7:

 

If you have problems with over heating then you should get a replacement.... Unless you are a tinkerer like me. :-)

 

As others have said... keeping the SmartVu X cool helps.

 

I added heatsinks to some of the ICs on mine.

 

 

 

 

 

Where did you get the heat sinks? I wanted to try this with my one. Does the heat sinks make a big difference?

madridista:

 

Where did you get the heat sinks? I wanted to try this with my one. Does the heat sinks make a big difference?

 

Hopefully this aliexpress link will work.. heat sinks 8.8x8.8x5mm with conductive tape.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32812478871.html

My SmartVu remains very stable for many hours viewing... never had picture stalling again.

I can't say that the heat sinks are the proper solution for the high temperatures of the ICs...

My measurements were based purely on a good engineering finger tests and an end result of stable viewing.

Gordy7: My SmartVu remains very stable for many hours viewing... never had picture stalling again.

 

I can't say that the heat sinks are the proper solution for the high temperatures of the ICs...

 

My measurements were based purely on a good engineering finger tests and an end result of stable viewing. 

Nice work Gordy. I take it from the lack of heatsink the WiFi chip isn't getting particularly hot?

Dratsab:

 

Gordy7: My SmartVu remains very stable for many hours viewing... never had picture stalling again.

 

I can't say that the heat sinks are the proper solution for the high temperatures of the ICs...

 

My measurements were based purely on a good engineering finger tests and an end result of stable viewing. 

 

Nice work Gordy. I take it from the lack of heatsink the WiFi chip isn't getting particularly hot?

 

Others on GZ have suggested that there may be a problem with the WiFi 'chip' and heat.

The WiFi 'chip' appears to be a dual band WiFi 5Ghz+2.4GHz plus Bluetooth module of ICs and other components with a metal shield for EMC.

To me the WiFi module did not feel particularly hot and from my limited experience there is probably a small airspace between the WiFi components and the shield. So I did not consider a heatsink on the Wifi module would help much.

I did not want to remove the WiFi module metal shield to have a look inside as that would more than likely have destroyed the module.