UPC Horizon Set Top Box trial

SteM

Hendrickp wrote: »

I apologise in advance if this has already been covered in this thread but i'll ask anyway as i cant find the answer.

Can anyone tell me if its possible to change the day on the TV guide of the new Horizon Box. On the old box you had to option to hit the blue button and the days of the week would drop down for choosing, i cant seem to find this option anywhere. Thanks

Incredibly the designers didn't think of this very important feature before release. They were too busy making the system look fancy rather than making it useable.

Hendrickp

paulboland wrote: »

That feature is not yet available but I was told there is plans for this to become available using the colour buttons red green yellow blue
The Horizon is still in development stage in all countries
When this feature become available they will let us know
Its planned along with other features not yet available some we have seen before on the digital + box and new features not seen before
I asked when we getting these features the truth is they don't know a date yet

Thanks very much for the quick reply.

I've only just received the new box and so far thats the only obvious problem i can find at the minute, i'm pretty happy with the box as a whole but this issue seems like a very poor omission from UPC for such an advanced new box. Hopefully we'll get this in the next update.

Thanks again

SteM

paulboland wrote: »

That feature is not yet available but I was told there is plans for this to become available using the colour buttons red green yellow blue
The Horizon is still in development stage in all countries
When this feature become available they will let us know
Its planned along with other features not yet available some we have seen before on the digital + box and new features not seen before
I asked when we getting these features the truth is they don't know a date yet

I wonder why they don't have a date? Horizon has been around for quite a while now, it was in some European countries before it even made it to Ireland. In all of that time they never got around to adding a piece of functionality that is so basic and core to the useability of a PVR. It's not like this functionality wasn't in the old box either!

This just smacks of bad design and bad project management.

coolisin

I get the impression that they are constantly re-adding stuff too it.
See what feature we are missing the most.
But start with building the fancy system and adding functions all the time.
The fancy features are the ones that take all the work building from UPC's end and fault finding from ours.

It would be nice to have control of the day, not a feature I overly miss as I hated the old UPC guide as it was slow to load up, so never really gave it much time.

But I am wondering is it gone because if you search a program or keyword it will throw you out a list of possible programs weeks in advance for you too remind/record.

Synode

You can scroll forward a good few days on the EGP. There's just no button to jump to a day yet.

I log into horizon.tv if I want to record something a few days away as it lets you jump to a day there

SteM

Synode wrote: »

You can scroll forward a good few days on the EGP. There's just no button to jump to a day yet.

I log into horizon.tv if I want to record something a few days away as it lets you jump to a day there

No one said you couldn't scroll ahead.

If you're watching TV on Friday and something is advertised for the following Wednesday you shouldn't have to either log on to PC or laptop to make a recording or scroll through 4 or 5 days worth of programs on the box to set a series link recording. It's bad design for a PVR, that cannot be denied.

Synode

SteM wrote: »

No one said you couldn't scroll ahead.

If you're watching TV on Friday and something is advertised for the following Wednesday you shouldn't have to either log on to PC or laptop to make a recording or scroll through 4 or 5 days worth of programs on the box to set a series link recording. It's bad design for a PVR, that cannot be denied.

I never said they did. I just outlined what I do.

The_Valeyard

SteM wrote: »

No one said you couldn't scroll ahead.

If you're watching TV on Friday and something is advertised for the following Wednesday you shouldn't have to either log on to PC or laptop to make a recording or scroll through 4 or 5 days worth of programs on the box to set a series link recording. It's bad design for a PVR, that cannot be denied.

A bad design???????


Its a mega Catastrofcuk. Seriously annoying, not to mention its causing my better half to get angry with me on a regular basis over this box.

Synode

The design is great, they just need to iron out some of the issues we are giving feedback on. Let's not forget this box has not been launched yet

kippy

Synode wrote: »

Let's not forget this box has not been launched yet

People are saying this a lot.
It's been around 18+ months.

Synode

And has gone through a fair amount of changes. It takes time to get things right

patrykeith

Rang upc yesterday morn. Box stuck in kinda search mode. Wont start. Wed earliest someone can look at it. Over 2 days no telly. When I gave out was told thats why you got 90 credit at start of trial. Box still freezing at least 3 times a day before monday

pc7

Anyone know if there is a plan to sort out the delete, its driving me bonkers having to do 5 clicks to delete something.

7upfree

Synode wrote: »

You can scroll forward a good few days on the EGP. There's just no button to jump to a day yet.

I log into horizon.tv if I want to record something a few days away as it lets you jump to a day there

Is this true??

Synode

Yes. What part are you asking about

cormoleah01

Hi, can anyone explain to me as if im a 2 year old how to set up the internet through the horizon box? I got the box a few months ago and got fed up ringing upc so i have just been using my old modem since then but id like to get it sorted at some stage.
It seems like it connects to the internet fine but whenever i try to connect my pc/phone it says i have no internet connection....
thanks

MAJJ

Did this recently, ring them and within an hour it will be working. This works via ethernet cable using lan1 port and telephone via tel1. Both are labelled and at back of box.Setting up wireless try follow the menu settings don't have box in front right now.

The 2 year old option for wireless is to read the manual that came with box:-)

Post back with any questions

cormoleah01 wrote: »

Hi, can anyone explain to me as if im a 2 year old how to set up the internet through the horizon box? I got the box a few months ago and got fed up ringing upc so i have just been using my old modem since then but id like to get it sorted at some stage.
It seems like it connects to the internet fine but whenever i try to connect my pc/phone it says i have no internet connection....
thanks

keps

pc7 wrote: »

Anyone know if there is a plan to sort out the delete, its driving me bonkers having to do 5 clicks to delete something.

what do you mean 5 clicks?

I recently wanted to (and did) delete the Tour de France recordings which were nearly each day for the best part of a month- and I had to go in and delete each day separatley :eek:

Don't ask me how many clicks that took.

MrVestek

cormoleah01 wrote: »

Hi, can anyone explain to me as if im a 2 year old how to set up the internet through the horizon box? I got the box a few months ago and got fed up ringing upc so i have just been using my old modem since then but id like to get it sorted at some stage.
It seems like it connects to the internet fine but whenever i try to connect my pc/phone it says i have no internet connection....
thanks

You can't do both at the same time.

cormoleah01

MAJJ wrote: »

Did this recently, ring them and within an hour it will be working. This works via ethernet cable using lan1 port and telephone via tel1. Both are labelled and at back of box.Setting up wireless try follow the menu settings don't have box in front right now.

The 2 year old option for wireless is to read the manual that came with box:-)

Post back with any questions

thanks, i did try to use the ethernet cable but the same thing was happening

also tried separately not both at same time

MAJJ

Np ring 1908 and they will activate in their systems . They are open until 21:00 and also work on Saturday but not sure times.

cormoleah01 wrote: »

thanks, i did try to use the ethernet cable but the same thing was happening

also tried separately not both at same time

keps

This thread is a better help-desk than UPC

MAJJ

In fairness to them last few people I have spoken to too have been good and helpful. Also had them follow up with me about issues I logged via tge the web. If your not getting the help you need PM UPC reps and Brian and team will assist.

keps wrote: »

This thread is a better help-desk than UPC

Synode

Have to say the customer support is great. Enormous improvement on what it use to be like when dealing with NTL\UPC

paulboland

keps wrote: »

This thread is a better help-desk than UPC

They do read all the posts but as there are a lot of posts it can take time
as its not just this thread but other separate threads so they can easy miss a post

The thread is useful for users as some information has helped users
but upc have told me on the phone when giving them feedback on the Horizon that they would much prefer customers who are testing the horizon to contact them by using there support site or by calling 1908

http://www.upc.ie/horizonsupport/?cm_item=upc_ie&cmid=32007618

If you need a upc to see your post pm upc reps with a problem but always best to contact them direct that way if there is a problem they will hear about it

who_me

Achilles wrote: »

I just noticed something about the Horizon TV box. I have a program installed on my PS3 called Showtime (it's a program that can only be run on jailbroken PS3s). I was going to play something from my media server when I noticed that the UPC box is broadcasting itself as a media server twice. One seems to be for rented on demand stuff and the other seems to pertain to functions of the TV unit itself.

I was able to browse to various locations and get full channel listings from the EPG and from my own recordings but none of these would actually play.

See pics attached. It would be fantastic if I actually COULD stream this content over my home network. It's make the fiancé very happy anyway!

Yeah, I think the Horizon box acts as both a Upnp server and client. As a client, it can play back content from any home PC/smartphone/tablet with a Upnp server installed. As a Upnp server, it can stream content to other devices.

However, all content hosted on the Horizon is probably encrypted, to prevent copyright infringement. If it's ever enabled, it probably will only work with selected devices. I'd imagine the content owners would roast UPC alive if UPC let users stream all their content off the box.

MonkstownHoop

I'm currently having the same problem some people had a few weeks back with the RTE2 HD channel ect with my new BT & ESPN HD channels were i have to manually enter the number to see the channel but the menu stays at the bottom of the screen and says contact customer care to subscribe, was on the phone for over 20 mins only to be eventually told to wait it out as they know there is an issue

pc7

keps wrote: »

what do you mean 5 clicks?

.

Exactly as you discovered to delete ONE program you have to press buttons 5 times on the remote to select it to delete it. On the old UPC you could just press the blue button to delete. Also if you had a series like your TdF you could delete the whole lot with the blue button. Serious pain in the hole with it, I'm OCD about the recordings being tidy, hate they way they are on the UI too. :mad:

Synode

A delete series button is essential so I'd say they'll get it sorted soon.

Has anyone tried to lock programmes (press ok then go to lock) then press the delete everything button? I presume this will keep any programmes that are locked and delete everything else? I've started to lock shows I want to keep in case anyone presses Delete Everything by mistake but am afraid to test the theory.

SteM

Synode wrote: »

A delete series button is essential so I'd say they'll get it sorted soon.

Genuine question - do you have any inside info from UPC?

For something (another thing!) that is essential on the PVR it hasn't been there for an awful long time so what makes you think it'll be available soon? Why they thought people would need a 'Delete Everything' option (which has already stung one person in our house) over this functionality is beyond me.

Synode

Don't have inside info but as I've said loads, the box is still being developed.

As per my previous post, I've a feeling they went down the route of putting locks on shows you don't want to delete when you press the delete everything button. However, with the amount of people giving out about the lack of a delete series button, I'd be suprised if they don't put this in.

zg3409

On a Sky box the "keep" button only marks a recording. It stops the box, when it has very little room left, from deleting old and valuable kept recordings. On a Sky box, by default, it deletes the oldest recordings without asking, when the hard drive is nearly full. I do not know if it still keeps the "kept" shows when delete everything, but I would suspect that it is unlikely to do this.

Sky boxes have an option, when the hard drive is full, instead of deleting anything, just to stop recording anything and displaying an error. You may miss some newest recordings and then you need to manually make room before more recordings take place.

Needless to say the user interface is a dream.

derek4567

Upc to launch the new horizon box this weekend and new update as well so I here best of luck

7upfree

zg3409 wrote: »

Needless to say the user interface is a dream.

Have you seen/used the Horizon interface?

derek4567

Yes I have it about 2 mouth now

former legend

derek4567 wrote: »

Upc to launch the new horizon box this weekend and new update as well so I here best of luck

Source?

derek4567

former legend wrote: »

Source?

Upc in did today in blanchardstown he was telling me it mite not just what he says

Technoprisoner

never had a problem with my horizon up till today.....when ive been getting picture but no sound. sound but no picture and no picture and no sound....have upc revealed what the last update did?

WoodenShoe

derek4567 wrote: »

Upc in did today in blanchardstown he was telling me it mite not just what he says

Officfial launch will be on next Monday 12th of August.

quenching

WoodenShoe wrote: »

Officfial launch will be on next Monday 12th of August.

That should be a fun week to work in UPC customer service :eek:

Synode

WiFi range is still a problem in my house. I've used inSSIDer and tried a number of channels but still not great up in my room. The signal tends to alternate between ok and poor. I might get them to have one more look before I de-consolidate and use the old router for WiFi.

Has anyone got a Vodafone Sure Signal working with Horizon. Mine seems to have stopped since last week

MAJJ

quenching wrote: »

That should be a fun week to work in UPC customer service :eek:

For sure there's trouble ahead! They haven't even finished a survey that I was asked to participate in. One thing though they will have to resolve issues quickly and improve the interface quickly, although am sure that's what the Dutch thought to. I can just picture a dilbert image with marketing versus engineering:-)

Second survey arrived this evening. In fairness to UPC this is all speculation and I doubt very much they will launch next week.

sweetie

So will people with regular crap hd box like me get the new horizon box if I ring up next week?

former legend

WoodenShoe wrote: »

Officfial launch will be on next Monday 12th of August.

Again, source?

And if the 'trial' is over and the box is going officially live, does that mean those of us on the trial will have to enter into new contracts?

WoodenShoe

former legend wrote: »

Again, source?

First hand

former legend wrote: »

And if the 'trial' is over and the box is going officially live, does that mean those of us on the trial will have to enter into new contracts?

You have to call your UPC representative for that.

who_me

Technoprisoner wrote: »

never had a problem with my horizon up till today.....when ive been getting picture but no sound. sound but no picture and no picture and no sound....have upc revealed what the last update did?

Is this when you turn the box on, or happening randomly?

Technoprisoner

who_me wrote: »

Is this when you turn the box on, or happening randomly?

it happened when i first turned the box on and then i t happened again when i paused live tv..i lost all sound

GHOST MGG

HAHA if this goes live next week it will be a massive massive head ache for UPC..
they still havent sorted out the rudimentary problems the box has.

coolisin

Surely, the rep was wrong, no way this box can be launch ready.

I like it I'm a fan but it has issues that need to be sorted.

Please pay attention here UPC reps, this box is not ready to launch.

Too many annoying things. To be sorted.

who_me

Technoprisoner wrote: »

it happened when i first turned the box on and then i t happened again when i paused live tv..i lost all sound

Do you have any devices between the Horizon box & the TV? I had similar problems when using HDMI switches. UPC boxes and HDMI switches do not play nice together.