UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

sidekick

What is the correct forum to provide feedback and ask questions to UPC on the Horizon experience? I've looked around and found nothing. For a trial designed to solicit customer feedback this is rather odd. Generally I'm pleased but like others in this thread I have some issues with the performance and usability of the interface.

Issues include...
Blank screen with Philips TV -- I saw the post about having the most up to date software but what is the latest version number of this software?
Jumpy remote performance -- sometimes it misses a key press; other times it registers two key presses.
Setup code didn't include TV remote codes -- need to find those on boards.ie

I'm not looking for hand holding here, but I would like to know that UPC is receiving these questions and can provide feedback/address these issues in upcoming releases of the software and documentation.

Technoprisoner

sidekick wrote: »

What is the correct forum to provide feedback and ask questions to UPC on the Horizon experience? I've looked around and found nothing. For a trial designed to solicit customer feedback this is rather odd. Generally I'm pleased but like others in this thread I have some issues with the performance and usability of the interface.

Issues include...
Blank screen with Philips TV -- I saw the post about having the most up to date software but what is the latest version number of this software?
Jumpy remote performance -- sometimes it misses a key press; other times it registers two key presses.
Setup code didn't include TV remote codes -- need to find those on boards.ie

I'm not looking for hand holding here, but I would like to know that UPC is receiving these questions and can provide feedback/address these issues in upcoming releases of the software and documentation.

i received an email last week asking me to take part in a survey and to provide feedback on horizon

KenH

As a matter of interest....did those having speed problems put the UPC card in the back of the new box? You're not supposed to.

Technoprisoner

here is a link to the survey i took https://upcbroadband.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0Am9ZD6C7AvGiot

KenH

Just got the box. A couple of issues off the bat:

The buttons on the remote are small. Probably too small for general public...which includes older people.

Really miss the quick channel browser (press OK and left/right on old one). It could be easily implemented on the new one just by pressing right/left on a program to make it even quicker.

Mister Gooey

KenH wrote: »

Just got the box. A couple of issues off the bat:

The buttons on the remote are small. Probably too small for general public...which includes older people.

Really miss the quick channel browser (press OK and left/right on old one). It could be easily implemented on the new one just by pressing right/left on a program to make it even quicker.

Hit the Back button, then use the up and down buttons, and you get PIP channel browsing! Use the right button to browse ahead.

kippy

Got it in last week, this thread has been great by the way.

I'll only mention a couple of issues:
1. 1 recording (which was done at the same time as two more) - plays back okay for abuot 6 seconds then the picture goes all pixelated, pauses and stops, despite the information saying 54 minutes were recorded. Not sure if this is a once of glitch or caused perhaps when more than 2 recordings are taking place simultansously. (All other recordings are/were fine) Could well be a one of issues.
2. Slightly more concerning is the issue where by the "picture" goes blank, despite the channel logo staying on screen. Happened twice so far requiring a reboot of the box. Hasn't happened in a few days mind. Also had issues with the "menu" hanging which required a box reboot. Gonna take more note of when and how this happens next time it does.
3. On a minor side note, have not been able to get the home network thing setup on the box. Not too bothered as of yet but will have a proper look at this in the coming days.

I've had no other issues. I'd no problem changing the IP on the box, disabling the wireless and using my existing wireless router to manage the network (possibly linked to issues three above) but everything else, networking wise, is working.
Menu system is a lot faster, I would say more intuitive and the additional features on the box over the standard box is great.

totallegend

sidekick wrote: »

What is the correct forum to provide feedback and ask questions to UPC on the Horizon experience? I've looked around and found nothing. For a trial designed to solicit customer feedback this is rather odd. Generally I'm pleased but like others in this thread I have some issues with the performance and usability of the interface.

There's always the 'Talk to UPC' boards forum;
boards.ie > Biz > Talk to > UPC

UPC reps can't always provide the answer but they seem to be good about following up on issues or would at least know who to pass them on to.

Roland27

Hi, couple of queries:

Is this trial for the UPC Horizon Set Top Box over?

Does anyone know when/if UPC plan on making this UPC Horizon Set Top Box
available to its customers? As in when can I upgrade to it?

So_Fresh

My sound isn't working through HDMI, works fine through scart but obviously picture quality is worse through scart. I tried a new HDMI cable and the sound worked initially, but then I went to make a cup of tea and when I returned the sound had disappeared again. So I'm just watching through scart ever since. Any ideas appreciated.

Also, if anyone has a Mirai television and is trying to configure their remote to work with the TV, the code 1849 worked for me. UPC don't even have Mirai in their list of manufacturers.

who_me

Roland27 wrote: »

Hi, couple of queries:

Is this trial for the UPC Horizon Set Top Box over?

Does anyone know when/if UPC plan on making this UPC Horizon Set Top Box
available to its customers? As in when can I upgrade to it?

I doubt it - I just got an email telling me my trial box is being delivered this week!

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

Yup, we're missing this as well. It's just too slow to change channels as it's currently set up.

I'm now seeing the sound issues with recorded shows. There are gaps in the audio at random intervals of any show we record.

Also the channel that is playing does correspond to the channel icon displayed. e.g. It'll be showing RTE, but the icon shows as BBC. Thing a few people have mentioned this issue.

Record Entire Series seems to be flaky. It only seems to work sometimes.

Can't for the life of me get Twonky working, but will try again over the weekend.

The UI is ok. I expected better. There are far too many clicks to do simple actions.
IMO, the Sky UI is still much better.

KenH wrote: »

Just got the box. A couple of issues off the bat:

The buttons on the remote are small. Probably too small for general public...which includes older people.

Really miss the quick channel browser (press OK and left/right on old one). It could be easily implemented on the new one just by pressing right/left on a program to make it even quicker.

KenH

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Hit the Back button, then use the up and down buttons, and you get PIP channel browsing! Use the right button to browse ahead.

Pressing up/down isn't quite as comfortable on the thumb as left/right. Also, the picture in picture slows it down a little, but that will do for now. Thanks!

KenH

Another thing I miss:

Not seeing what is currently being recorded above the channel bar information like in the old one.

antoisspence

Anyone else been having their wireless connection dropping out?

Self-installed the horizon box yesterday, no problems at all. The delivery guy didn't take old UPC box or router although when I connected the router to my computer just to see if it'd still work there was no signal.

Got both laptops connected to the Horizon box just fine but the desktop doesn't have any in-built wireless capabilities so I'm using one of those wireless usb dongle thingies......pretty sure that's the technical term.

Anyways, while I'm using the desktop the signal will just randomly drop and I'm not sure if the problem is with the Horizon signal or the actual usb itself. The connection is easily restored by pulling the stick out and putting it right back in so that leads me to think that it may be the stick.

Anyone else gone through something similar?

KenH

I have wireless, but it's not connected to the internet. Rang UPC and they said it wasn't consolidated into the new box and just use the old modem.....the courier wouldn't take that or the old UPC box off me either.

paulboland

KenH wrote: »

I have wireless, but it's not connected to the internet. Rang UPC and they said it wasn't consolidated into the new box and just use the old modem.....the courier wouldn't take that or the old UPC box off me either.

If your using old modem max you will get is 30mb
If you have upc cisco 3925 modem it will run 50mb and above keep it as you can use your own router
use horizon to connect to upc router/modem by client mode
if though its the standard 2203 modem you wont get 50mb or above
so depends on your house and wireless signal
in my home horizon box wired and wireless is good but remember your pc or laptop will need to have gigabyte lan connection
and for good wireless n be wireless 300 not wireless n 150 network card or usb

paulboland

for those wanting good wireless speed make sure your wireless network card or usb wireless n device is wireless 300 don't bother using wireless n 150
download software inssider great program to check your max speed will tell you if your connecting by wireless g or n and more important if your wireless n is 300
and to see what channel is been use by close by other wireless networks

KenH

Anyone sort out the audio dropout on recorded programs?

KenH

My main gripe with the interface is you have to highlight everything in order to see details about it. What day is that recording set for? Oh wait...I have to select it first and press OK to see that. It's like a game of hide the info. In this respect, the old interface was miles ahead. The horizon tv website is the same.

Jonathan

My Horizon Box recorded a 1 hour programme for 12 hours last night. Is there a way to crop the 11 hours that I don't require? :rolleyes:

Mikey23

KenH wrote: »

Anyone sort out the audio dropout on recorded programs?

Just in case this might help, we'd intermittent dropping audio with both live & recorded shows. Thought it was our incoming cable to the house first, but then saw that it was doing the same with our own media from a NAS, so it had to be the box itself in some way.

Removed the NAS from 'My home network videos' on that hunch, and it's been perfect since. We've other issues (mostly Wi-Fi/internet ones) but at least we can watch television.

Another gripe is that i would rather the guide show in 1 hour chunks. You can set it but it is not permanent. Instead it defaults back to 30 mins chunks which suck because it has to compact the program name and only expands when you highlight it.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

This has happened to us as well. Adding it my feedback list.

Jonathan wrote: »

My Horizon Box recorded a 1 hour programme for 12 hours last night. Is there a way to crop the 11 hours that I don't require? :rolleyes:

Mikey23

Having a bit of trouble with my WiFi network compared to the old box. Speed is grand (ethernet & WiFi) but connectivity between devices (all Apple/iOS) is far less reliable than before.

• A few apps such as Rowmote are prone to dropping connections/failing to connect, e.g. to a networked Mac Mini ( our media centre).
  
• Airport Express (Gen 1) in the kitchen is struggling for a dependable connection. Sending audio to the connected stereo via Airplay is very hit and miss.
  
• Remote Desktop connections are now extremely laggy. Machines/assets are not appearing consistently under Bonjour.

Could anyone who considers their Horizon network setup to be pretty solid do me a favour and post your settings? Anything like:

• What Wireless Security Mode, Authentication & Encryption did you go for?
• Which options (WAN Blocking, IPSec pass through, PPTP pass through, Multicast, UPnP) are enabled?
• What 802.11 Mode works best?

We've a regular semi-D with WiFi networks all around us, so we've picked a unique channel and used to have reasonable coverage all around the house and garden with the apps above working perfectly. Quite happy with the Horizon box overall but would like our WiFi working as well as it can.

Hootanany

Anyone know how to connect Vuze to the My Devices
The list is coming up Mozilla Linux then Xbox Samsung Tv
Which one should I choose to stream.
many thanks in advance.

zg3409

Mikey23 wrote: »

we've picked a unique channel and used to have reasonable coverage all around the house

Just because no-nody is using a particular channel number (say 10) does not mean you will not get interference from adjacent channels (say 9 and 11)

You need to pick the channel with the quietest active users, which is hard to determine as a user may not use their wifi much one evening, but download continously another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

Mikey23

zg3409 wrote: »

Just because no-nody is using a particular channel number (say 10) does not mean you will not get interference from adjacent channels (say 9 and 11)

You need to peak the channel with the quietest active users, which is hard to determine as a user may not use their wifi much one evening, but download continously another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

Fair point. We've tweaked this in the past as more networks have appeared nearby. Currently using NetSpot I see users on channels 1 (2 networks), 2, 3, 5, 6 (5 unique networks!), 7, 10, 11 (2). Nearest and strongest signal is on Ch 2.

zg3409

In that case I would use channel 13. Some devices (especially ones from USA) and laptops depending how they are set up, cannot see channels 12 and 13, as they are set to USA for country.

paulboland

iPhone wireless is dropping with horizon box
I have setup using buffalo router (Wireless Disabled ) and using my belkin wireless router for iphone and pc is connected by wired from belkin and wirelees to horizon so all devices see my pc
no problems with iphone using belkin wireless so the horizon wireless must be problem with iphone dropping connection
At least I have backup wireless to solve this

paulboland

Mikey23 wrote: »

Having a bit of trouble with my WiFi network compared to the old box. Speed is grand (ethernet & WiFi) but connectivity between devices (all Apple/iOS) is far less reliable than before.

• A few apps such as Rowmote are prone to dropping connections/failing to connect, e.g. to a networked Mac Mini ( our media centre).
  
• Airport Express (Gen 1) in the kitchen is struggling for a dependable connection. Sending audio to the connected stereo via Airplay is very hit and miss.
  
• Remote Desktop connections are now extremely laggy. Machines/assets are not appearing consistently under Bonjour.

Could anyone who considers their Horizon network setup to be pretty solid do me a favour and post your settings? Anything like:

• What Wireless Security Mode, Authentication & Encryption did you go for?
• Which options (WAN Blocking, IPSec pass through, PPTP pass through, Multicast, UPnP) are enabled?
• What 802.11 Mode works best?

We've a regular semi-D with WiFi networks all around us, so we've picked a unique channel and used to have reasonable coverage all around the house and garden with the apps above working perfectly. Quite happy with the Horizon box overall but would like our WiFi working as well as it can.

Horizon Wireless there looks as if there is a problem with apple devices on wireless
I have solved this by using my own belkin wireless router

paulkeno

sidekick wrote: »

What is the correct forum to provide feedback and ask questions to UPC on the Horizon experience? I've looked around and found nothing. For a trial designed to solicit customer feedback this is rather odd. Generally I'm pleased but like others in this thread I have some issues with the performance and usability of the interface.

Issues include...
Blank screen with Philips TV -- I saw the post about having the most up to date software but what is the latest version number of this software?
Jumpy remote performance -- sometimes it misses a key press; other times it registers two key presses.
Setup code didn't include TV remote codes -- need to find those on boards.ie

I'm not looking for hand holding here, but I would like to know that UPC is receiving these questions and can provide feedback/address these issues in upcoming releases of the software and documentation.

go to the Philips website and download the newest software associated with your TV model on to USB and then update it from there, or just check for updates in the settings menu.
this didn't fix the issue for me, I still get drops now and again, I changed the box settings to RGB/1080i etc. but didn't make a difference.

I found that by turning off the auto standby it reduced the number of blackouts quite a bit.

I found that most problems occurred in the first hour of the box being turned back on, it wouldn't record morning programs, and sometimes would need a power cycle if the auto standby had kicked in during the day, if you still want to turn it off use the remote.

granturismo

paulboland wrote: »

..
download software inssider great program to check your max speed will tell you if your connecting by wireless g or n and more important if your wireless n is 300 and to see what channel is been use by close by other wireless networks

Dont download inssider from download.com - I'm getting popup ads, ever since I downloaded it yesterday. Have to run Malware & CCleaner to get rid of all the crap.

dub45

granturismo wrote: »

Dont download inssider from download.com - I'm getting popup ads, ever since I downloaded it yesterday. Have to run Malware & CCleaner to get rid of all the crap.

http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

MAJJ

Wifi analyser on Android download from Google play store, really good app

7upfree

MAJJ wrote: »

Wifi analyser on Android download from Google play store, really good app

Or Inssider

paulboland

Twonky licence key
called 1908
goto my twonky on my account page
clicked my twonky
error 404
Oops!

The page you requested can’t be found. It may not exist anymore or it might have moved. Here’s some links that should help you get back on track.

Here's some links that should help you get back on track
anyone else have problem

who_me

Hadn't seen the "My Twonky" link before, so clicked it and same result; 404.

nialldinho

paulboland wrote: »

Twonky licence key
called 1908
goto my twonky on my account page
clicked my twonky
error 404
Oops!

The page you requested can’t be found. It may not exist anymore or it might have moved. Here’s some links that should help you get back on track.

Here's some links that should help you get back on track
anyone else have problem

Got the same error but just downloaded twonky manager direct from twonky site and rang 1908 for licence code.

paulboland

nialldinho wrote: »

Got the same error but just downloaded twonky manager direct from twonky site and rang 1908 for licence code.

I rang them and they said will give me my licence code
asked them to send by email as my hand I use to write with is out of action due to broken arm
I can type with left hand but as I'm right handed write down code not possible for me
still awaiting for arrival of email

cronolly

Since installing UPC horizon my wireless printer (HP photosmart B110) won't work.
The printer picks up the network and asks for the passcode.
Printer diagnostics says printer is connected with a strong signal.
The problem is my Laptop (macbook pro) and iPad can't find the printer.
This wasn't an issue on the old router.

Anybody else experience the same problem or have a solution?

wush06

I have 2 ipads and about 4 to 5 iPhones connected and not once have any of us drop connection. My settings are straight out of the box.

Have the box 3 weeks tomorrow and it only froze two times. I also have a Philips TV with no problems at all like a lot of people not mad about the interface. Strange as it seems both my HD box and standard box have pack in over the last 3 weeks upc coming out tomorrow to have a look.

nialldinho

I self-installed on Tuesday and all has been going fine until this evening. I just got home to find broadband and phone not working and error code 6010 on screen.

Has anyone come across this before?

I've unplugged a few times but no change.

Thanks

Edit: this was resolved by self install team in 2 mins. The account wasn't provisioned correctly - probably when upgrading to the 50mb. All ok now

Deep Thought

paulboland wrote: »

Horizon Wireless there looks as if there is a problem with apple devices on wireless

Ipad, Apple TV (x2) Iphone , Macbook Air and Macbook...no problems

Tango One

I had a problem with my HTC phone constantly disconnecting but my laptop was fine. It turned out the box was picking channel 13 which was causing trouble for the HTC. I changed it to anything else it was grand

paulboland

Deep Thought wrote: »

Ipad, Apple TV (x2) Iphone , Macbook Air and Macbook...no problems

you may have not noticed it dropping this only happens using the horizon wireless
try using apps on iPhone 4 like air video or Air Playit it does loose connection then re connects
When using my own wireless router this does not happen I use a switch from horizon to my wireless router never drops connection
There have been lot of reports with apple iPhones with horizon you may just have not noticed it happen
sky wireless connector is the same drops connection using horizon wireless
again using my own wireless router it never drops connection

Note your iPhone using horizon wireless will show its connected at all times that does not mean its not getting dropouts

paulboland

Serviio Server works great with horizon by the way
just remember let Serviio build your library to see all files can take a while if you have very large number of files
but when its finished plays all except MKV

Windows Media Player Library also works fully no problems
no need for twonky to be used in fact windows media player library is the best plays all files and formats if you have Shark007 Codecs installed Will play all including mkv

Remember DONT let Horizon scan any of your devices library (don't let it scan)
just use my devices and by folder search just play and enjoy

Synode

I can't connect my IPhone 3gs to the Horizon WiFi but my wife's IPhone 4s is fine. Have to give UPC a ring later

bob11

Synode wrote: »

I can't connect my IPhone 3gs to the Horizon WiFi but my wife's IPhone 4s is fine. Have to give UPC a ring later

I see from here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_iOS_devices

that 3gs supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) but 4s supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)

Are you sure that you haven't set your wireless to N only ?

Check by logging in to the router on http://192.168.192.1/ (admin/admin)
make sure under /Wireless / 802.11 Mode that it is set to mixed mode ..

Synode

Yeh I think mine is set to N only. I'll change it now. Cheers.

I'm not getting anywhere near 100mb on wireless at home. Before I got the horizon box I was easily getting 60-80mb on wireless on my IMac and Win7 laptop. Now its only 12-20mb. Been trying to get UPC the last few evenings but no joy. Will give them a buzz today