Ferguson Ariva 150

Tony

I see version 1.25 Firmware now available today from Ferguson. I wonder if this solves the issue reported with 1.24 ?

PatchZ

Indeed. It was only that last release 1.24b8 that caused the channel mix up. I was surprised they left it up for so long as it was getting reported on quite a few sites. I'll be giving 1.25 a try this evening and let you know how it looks.

Also to note that saorview are saying that they are planning RTE1 HD release come end of year and that a rescan should be done over the next 3 weeks. I tried it last night and did end up with a bit of a mess of terrestrial channels but just to mention it so people know what's coming.

Tony

Would be great if you could report back if it solves the issue . Its easy enough to edit and move the terrestrial channels, I'm still wondering why they have RTE 1 and 2 on separate muxes . This and the fact that they are using channels with no ID makes it look a bit messy alright.

PatchZ wrote: »

Indeed. It was only that last release 1.24b8 that caused the channel mix up. I was surprised they left it up for so long as it was getting reported on quite a few sites. I'll be giving 1.25 a try this evening and let you know how it looks.

Also to note that saorview are saying that they are planning RTE1 HD release come end of year and that a rescan should be done over the next 3 weeks. I tried it last night and did end up with a bit of a mess of terrestrial channels but just to mention it so people know what's coming.

PatchZ

Okay tried out the new firmware and they have fixed the bug with channel mix ups that they introduced in 1.24b8. I have a copy of the firmware with a fresh scan of the channels on astra which I'll post tonight; just didn't get the channel edit finished last night. Haven't noticed anything new or weird or good so not sure yet that it is worth the upgrade but I'll let you know.

Tony

Thanks Patch, i'll make up a list too

scruffy66

Tony wrote: »

Would be great if you could report back if it solves the issue . Its easy enough to edit and move the terrestrial channels, I'm still wondering why they have RTE 1 and 2 on separate muxes . This and the fact that they are using channels with no ID makes it look a bit messy alright.

Hi Tony, i agree its pretty easy to delete and move channels and rescan Dtt
but for those more challenged , what would you think is a fair call out charge
to sort it out ? im thinking mainly of people using combi boxes .

PatchZ

Folks,

As promised, latest firmware 1.25B4 with channel list from scratch. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3acfelze968liyc/Ariva150_125B4.abs
Removed what I consider to be useless (mostly god and shopping channels) and grouped the rest into favourites; 1=main channels, 2=news, 3=music and 4=kids. Just a note that the timeshift is disabled; easily re-enabled if you use it.

I can confirm the previous version's bug with channel mixing is gone but nothing else really of note. Read somewhere it's mostly web fixes. I still see my main bugbears; hdmi bug where hitting the stop button always causes the hdmi channel to drop (anyone else see this?) and the unmount of my external hard disk works when the box is switched off but it fails to remount when turned on again. So not much to shout about.

Tony

That's difficult to say as each dealer would have his own idea on whats fair.

scruffy66 wrote: »

Hi Tony, i agree its pretty easy to delete and move channels and rescan Dtt
but for those more challenged , what would you think is a fair call out charge
to sort it out ? im thinking mainly of people using combi boxes .

PatchZ

PatchZ wrote: »

Folks,

As promised, latest firmware 1.25B4 with channel list from scratch. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3acfelze968liyc/Ariva150_125B4.abs
Removed what I consider to be useless (mostly god and shopping channels) and grouped the rest into favourites; 1=main channels, 2=news, 3=music and 4=kids. Just a note that the timeshift is disabled; easily re-enabled if you use it.

I can confirm the previous version's bug with channel mixing is gone but nothing else really of note. Read somewhere it's mostly web fixes. I still see my main bugbears; hdmi bug where hitting the stop button always causes the hdmi channel to drop (anyone else see this?) and the unmount of my external hard disk works when the box is switched off but it fails to remount when turned on again. So not much to shout about.

Okay, just a warning, but they've broken something again in this version. The 'turn off after record', which they broke and then fixed a few revisions back, is broken yet again. Now that is something I use so I will be switching back to the last stable version; that is 1.24b1 NOT to be confused with 1.24b8 which is a mess.

I really wish they would get their act together. That is two bogus releases in a row and, if their history is anything to go by, they will just leave the broken version there from now until xmas. Hope I'm wrong but really, I have to wonder about their software quality control.

Tony

I agree, seems to show a lack of attention to detail on their part.

PatchZ wrote: »

I really wish they would get their act together. That is two bogus releases in a row and, if their history is anything to go by, they will just leave the broken version there from now until xmas. Hope I'm wrong but really, I have to wonder about their software quality control.

Tinker13

PatchZ wrote: »

Just a note on recording. Don't try to play any recordings while making a recording. I tried this and, although the channel stays red and it looks like it's still recording, it isn't.

Can anyone confirm whether or not this bug has been fixed by any of the latest firmware releases?

PatchZ

Tinker13 wrote: »

Can anyone confirm whether or not this bug has been fixed by any of the latest firmware releases?

I can't right now because I went back to the last stable release 1.24b1. But I think it unlikely. In 1.24b8 they made a hash of the channel lists and in the latest, 1.25b4 they reintroduced a bug where the box does not turn off after making a recording. If I get a chance to reload the newer firmware I'll have a try of it and confirm either way but like I say, I think it is unlikely.

EDIT: Tinker, just tried it with latest code and the bug is still there. I have an ongoing list of bugs/requests and one got fixed in 1.24b1; others are outstanding (ahem, being ignored). List if you're interested:

1. FIXED: While recording terrestrial channel as part of fav group of mixed terrestrial/satellite, pressing info gives channel info for first satellite.
2. Cannot change fav group while recording.
3. Playing from pvr during record is allowed but recording has stopped with no warning.
4. Pressing stop button at any time causes tv to switch away from hdmi channel. Need to keep hdmi disabled.
5. Pressing play during pvr playback gives blank multifeed box. Used to give same as info before.
6. Pressing skip buttons during playback doesn't work unless info pressed first.
7. Cannot remove youporn from menu. Or alternatively, cannot block menu listing with pin.
8. Cannot add web channels to favourite groups.
9. External disk now unmounted when box turned off but, disk fails to mount again when box turned on. It does attempt to mount, you can hear it spin up several times, but it fails. It is a Verbatim powered drive, formatted for FAT32.

willwe

PatchZ many thanks for testing the software for us other users. I am just amazed that any company would release two faulty upgrades in a row. It really makes you lose confidence in their abilities. I am starting to draw up a list of things I dont like about the 150!

Tony

Calling them faulty is not entirely accurate and they are not alone in this sector with regards to releasing firmware with bugs . I'd go so far as to say they are the best of a bad lot.

willwe wrote: »

PatchZ many thanks for testing the software for us other users. I am just amazed that any company would release two faulty upgrades in a row. It really makes you lose confidence in their abilities. I am starting to draw up a list of things I dont like about the 150!

PatchZ

Willwe thanks. It is frustrating that we get these broken updates. Particulary when we get old bugs creeping back in. I work in firmware development and can appreciate how difficult it can be to keep people satisfied but I have found that quality control and communication generally do the trick. Both of which seem to be lacking in ferguson right now.

I'm not too experienced with these boxes but I can say two positive things about the ariva;
1. it is miles ahead of the few boxes I have encountered and
2. they have really improved some things since I first got the box.
In particular their ability to play video files was very poor in the first rev I tried. Forward maybe 8 revisions and I'm hard pushed to put a file in there that won't play.

Tony

I agree. Frustrating when an old bug gets back in.

PatchZ wrote: »

but I have found that quality control and communication generally do the trick. Both of which seem to be lacking in ferguson right now.

joe6pack

Hi,

Ive updated my boxes with the above channel list and firmware and its working great!
But now i dont have BBC 1 or BCC 2 anymore i mean the channels are there but now they say no signal any ideas on what ive done wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Alan

PatchZ

joe6pack wrote: »

Hi,

Ive updated my boxes with the above channel list and firmware and its working great!
But now i dont have BBC 1 or BCC 2 anymore i mean the channels are there but now they say no signal any ideas on what ive done wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Alan

Is that my 1.24b1 firmware? If not then I think BBC 1 & 2 moved some time back so it may be that. Here's my latest version of 1.24b1 that should sort you out. It used Eurobird rather than Astra but it should work fine. Let me know if you have any difficulties. Just to note that the last two firmwares 1.24b8 & 1.25b4 are duds.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3432rij3le3z36n/Ariva150_124b1.abs

PatchZ

Edit: Also to say, be very careful updating. When you copy the firmware to a USB key make sure to remove the key properly or you may end up with a half-written file that can brick the box.

joe6pack

Thanks for the responce the firmware was 1.24 b4.
So I'll try the one above.
Just so im sure is the procedure like this:
1.put a heart beside eurobird and nothing else.
2.do a full channel scan
3.upgrade firmware via usb
4.safely remove usb

Thanks for your help.
Alan

PatchZ

joe6pack wrote: »

Thanks for the responce the firmware was 1.24 b4.
So I'll try the one above.
Just so im sure is the procedure like this:
1.put a heart beside eurobird and nothing else.
2.do a full channel scan
3.upgrade firmware via usb
4.safely remove usb

Thanks for your help.
Alan

No problem. No what you need to do is load the firmware above into your box, channels and all.

So copy this file on to your usb key, safely remove from the pc, put it in your box and go to upgrade from usb. Select allcode plus bootloader, I think it is, select this file and upgrade. You don't need to worry about the channels as they're included in this firmware.

If you use timeshift (i.e. live tv record) then you will need to re-enable it as I have it disabled. And if you are missing any channels then you can always add them. Let me know and I'll let you know how to do that.

GKiraly

Folks, im hoping someone will be able to advise me about rescanning my Ferguson Ariva 150. I'll sum it up in points what im doing, coz its still saying on RTE1 that rescan needs to be carried out after I have it done

1. Select Menu on remote
2. Select TP List
3. Then on Astra 2A/Eurobird I immediately select blue button
4. FTA Only: Yes Scan Channel: TV+Radio Network Search: No
5. Select OK
6. Search completes, then I exit and screen is still the same on RTE1 with message on it.

So, where am I going wrong?!?! Thanks in advance

jjf1974

GKiraly wrote: »

Folks, im hoping someone will be able to advise me about rescanning my Ferguson Ariva 150. I'll sum it up in points what im doing, coz its still saying on RTE1 that rescan needs to be carried out after I have it done

1. Select Menu on remote
2. Select TP List
3. Then on Astra 2A/Eurobird I immediately select blue button
4. FTA Only: Yes Scan Channel: TV+Radio Network Search: No
5. Select OK
6. Search completes, then I exit and screen is still the same on RTE1 with message on it.

So, where am I going wrong?!?! Thanks in advance

you need to to a terrestrial scan not a tp scan which is a satellite scan

Tony

RTE is not available free on satellite so what you need to do is an automatic terrestrial scan, nothing at all to do with the satellite side of the box.

GKiraly wrote: »

Folks, im hoping someone will be able to advise me about rescanning my Ferguson Ariva 150. I'll sum it up in points what im doing, coz its still saying on RTE1 that rescan needs to be carried out after I have it done

1. Select Menu on remote
2. Select TP List
3. Then on Astra 2A/Eurobird I immediately select blue button
4. FTA Only: Yes Scan Channel: TV+Radio Network Search: No
5. Select OK
6. Search completes, then I exit and screen is still the same on RTE1 with message on it.

So, where am I going wrong?!?! Thanks in advance

hesker

GKiraly wrote: »

Folks, im hoping someone will be able to advise me about rescanning my Ferguson Ariva 150. I'll sum it up in points what im doing, coz its still saying on RTE1 that rescan needs to be carried out after I have it done

1. Select Menu on remote
2. Select TP List
3. Then on Astra 2A/Eurobird I immediately select blue button
4. FTA Only: Yes Scan Channel: TV+Radio Network Search: No
5. Select OK
6. Search completes, then I exit and screen is still the same on RTE1 with message on it.

So, where am I going wrong?!?! Thanks in advance

I'm no expert but I just did this yesterday on an Ariva 150.

As far as I remember the HD RTE1 was located on a new channel number and I just needed to resort the channels manually. So if you have the old RTE1 saved as your "Channel 1" it will still show up as "rescan required" until you resort.

Of course it needs to be a terrestrial scan as pointed out.

GKiraly

As far as I remember the HD RTE1 was located on a new channel number and I
just needed to resort the channels manually. So if you have the old RTE1 saved
as your "Channel 1" it will still show up as "rescan required" until you
resort.

Right, so now RTE1 is showing up on channel 872 as opposed to 1 previously, does that mean that because its there its fixed now?

Speaking of sorts, how do I do that?!?

Tony

You can edit any channel into any position on the ariva receivers using the channel edit function.

GKiraly wrote: »

Right, so now RTE1 is showing up on channel 872 as opposed to 1 previously, does that mean that because its there its fixed now?

steveon

Tony wrote: »

You can edit any channel into any position on the ariva receivers using the channel edit function.

to put the terrestriaL channels in the right order simply tune them in then press ok to list the channels and then hit the red button and list by lcn and rte one will automatically move to 1

mac_daddy

Wondering if any of you guys can help me. I changed the frequency from 1080p 50mhz to 60mhz on the menu last night, and then the screen went blank. Unable to view the menu now to change it back. Anybody know how I might resolve this?

mac_daddy

Disaster averted, pressing F3 on the remote managed to solve it.

youngblood

Having a problem with my box,

When i go to Installation,
the option to TP scan, Single Satellite Scan and Multi Satellite Scan is not highlighted,

ie I cant select those 3 options, the cursor just skips them?

Is the something turned off?
Any help appreciated

Tony

Check that the satellites you need are selected in the satellite list.

youngblood wrote: »

Having a problem with my box,

When i go to Installation,
the option to TP scan, Single Satellite Scan and Multi Satellite Scan is not highlighted,

ie I cant select those 3 options, the cursor just skips them?

Is the something turned off?
Any help appreciated

youngblood

I've managed to add back the satellites but what should I be connected to?

Where would I find out what satellites I can connect to in my area?

Tony

You don't add anything, just press the ok button and you should see a "heart" symbol next to the selected satellite.

youngblood wrote: »

All of the satellites are listed
When I press green to add one,
I have to name them? Is that correct?

Tony

youngblood wrote: »

Where would I find out what satellites I can connect to in my area?

Its got nothing to do with area, it depends totally on what your dish is set up to receive.

youngblood

Ok,
My dish seems to have picked up over 20 different satellites (its an old sky dish)

Some of these seem to be adding stations that are scrambled

As I do not know which ones are scrambled and which are not,
do I scan all satellites and delete all the scrambled ones after?

I thought there might have been a list of certain satellites and what channels they broadcast

Tony

Your dish is unlikely to be picking up 20 satellites unless its motorised. An old sky dish is most likely pointed as astra2/eurobird so you should start over and just select these two satellites in the list. When you scan select FTA only so you will not store pay tv channels .

If you are still having problem i'd suggest starting another thread so as not to derail this one which is for items specific to the 150.

youngblood

Tony wrote: »

Your dish is unlikely to be picking up 20 satellites unless its motorised. An old sky dish is most likely pointed as astra2/eurobird so you should start over and just select these two satellites in the list. When you scan select FTA only so you will not store pay tv channels .

If you are still having problem i'd suggest starting another thread so as not to derail this one which is for items specific to the 150.

Thanks for your help

Over 37 satellites come up in the satellite list

I'll try Astra2 & eurobird now and will start another thread can scanning issues

Thanks

CYCLOPS1

Sorry,this may appear stupid, but am I to understand that the best software update for an Ariva 150 is 1.24b1, not the 1.25 version ? If so ,why,and where is it available please?

Tony

I'm currently using 1.23 which is stable and seems to work well. The last channel list/firmware that i posted on this thread is 1.23 if that helps.

CYCLOPS1

Tony,apologies, but I am barely able to navigate this site.What are the benefits of 1.23 over 1.24/1.25 updates? Is there only one 1.23 update, and could you put it on a link for me please?
On my box I had an old 1.17[i think] software, which I updated to the new v1.25 which seems ok , but I don't record etc and really just view the channels,I did a factory reset immediately after installation , and then my terrestial and sat. channel searches, all coming in grand[albeit in odd order,but not a major hastle]
Should I change my software again[in case I want to use more functions on the box]?The reason I changed at all was i had an issue with RTE1+1HR and RTE JNR
which the upgrade appears to have sorted. Many thanks

CYCLOPS1

Forgot, after reading back it appears an r232 cable connected to a pc can sort out a friend of mines 150 box[we bought 2 ] which is coming up ASH. However when we go to ferguson website,downloads section-r232 for Ariva 150 which has the 'fix'[for sorting out such faults], it won't let us actually download it,any suggestions/info?I used to think I was reasonably competent at this stuff, but...........obviously not

dodzy

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Tony,apologies, but I am barely able to navigate this site.What are the benefits of 1.23 over 1.24/1.25 updates? Is there only one 1.23 update, and could you put it on a link for me please?
On my box I had an old 1.17[i think] software, which I updated to the new v1.25 which seems ok , but I don't record etc and really just view the channels,I did a factory reset immediately after installation , and then my terrestial and sat. channel searches, all coming in grand[albeit in odd order,but not a major hastle]
Should I change my software again[in case I want to use more functions on the box]?The reason I changed at all was i had an issue with RTE1+1HR and RTE JNR
which the upgrade appears to have sorted. Many thanks

Leave it alone. I'm on 1.18. Never had an issue so never changed. Too many useless updates with no change log. For the bulk of the people who just want to watch tv and record the odd channel, if your current version is problem free, then let it be.

CYCLOPS1

thanks Dodzy, just bugs[which ones?] were mentioned a couple of pages ago in v1.25 new software[and indeed v1.24b8],and I'd like box to run without issues,as I can be away a lot and family rely on it for viewing. Tony seems to recommend V1.23.
As I mentioned, the v1.25 allows RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to work fine[ on both muxes], important in our house,at what update I wonder was this sorted?

PatchZ

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

thanks Dodzy, just bugs[which ones?] were mentioned a couple of pages ago in v1.25 new software[and indeed v1.24b8],and I'd like box to run without issues,as I can be away a lot and family rely on it for viewing. Tony seems to recommend V1.23.
As I mentioned, the v1.25 allows RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to work fine[ on both muxes], important in our house,at what update I wonder was this sorted?

It is hard to be definitive about the changes they have made in the firmware but I can tell you the following.
1. Versions 1.23 & 1.24b1 are fine; Tony posted a 1.23 version plus channels some time ago and I posted a 1.24b1 version.
2. The next version, 1.24b8, was a complete dud. The channel handling was broken and so you ended up with mixed channels. Total mess.
3. The next, and latest, version 1.25 fixed that again but reintroduced an old bug where, if you record, then the box does not power down afterwards. That makes it a dud for me but you say you don't record so I'd stick with that version. There is no benefit for you to drop back to earlier versions.
4. I think that most of the updates are minor web app changes. I don't use this so it doesn't affect me but for those that do I think they need to keep updating to keep that internet stuff working.
5. The older code mentioned was fine but it did suffer from a few issues; not playing video files very well (I found lots of files that wouldn't play), now/next text issues, didn't unmount external hard disks when powering down (causes a lot of filing issues on external disks), a bug where now/next text was getting mixed up when recording (this was an issue for me) etc. So I would say, older code is well worth upgrading.

So in summary, if you don't use record then stick that latest version. If you do and you would like to avoid the power off after record bug then drop back to either Tony's posted firmware or mine. At all costs avoid 1.24b8.

CYCLOPS1

Thanks Patchz, I may go for one of 1.23 or 1.24b1 as the kids are now wanting to record stuff. When you say box won't power down after recording what do you do,switch off at back of box or at wall plug?Also, do both v1.23 and v1.24b1 allow RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to tune in and work correctly as on v1.25 . I had jumped from v1.17 which didn't.

PatchZ

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Thanks Patchz, I may go for one of 1.23 or 1.24b1 as the kids are now wanting to record stuff. When you say box won't power down after recording what do you do,switch off at back of box or at wall plug?Also, do both v1.23 and v1.24b1 allow RTE+1HR and RTE JNR to tune in and work correctly as on v1.25 . I had jumped from v1.17 which didn't.

No problem. What I mean is that there is an option in the settings that allows the box to switch off when finished recording something. The bug is that it doesn't switch off. I want it to switch off because it powers down the external hard disk otherwise the external hard disk stays powered up and spinning. That may not be an issue for you, I don't know, but it is for me; hence I'm staying with 1.24b1.

Both 1.23 & 1.24b1 work fine with RTE1+1 & RTE Jnr as far as I can tell. Certainly 1.24b1 does as it is what I'm using.

A few of things about recording you should be aware of.
1. There is a bug where, while you are recording, you can play already recorded stuff (or other video files) but the record now fails. It doesn't tell you that but you will find the recorded program has not recorded while you were playing back the video files. A silly bug. They could just stop you from playing stuff or really fix it and allow both but they have ignored this bug so far.
2. When recording either satellite or terrestrial, then the relevant receiver is locked and you cannot watch other channels that require that receiver. A bit complicated but basically, if recording satellite then you can watch terrestrial (or satellites on the same freq). If recording terrestrial then you can watch satellite (or terrestrial on the same freq). Since a recent update on the saorview frequencies this has complicated this issue as RTE1 (I think) is on a different freq from the other saorview channels so sometimes you can record terrestrial and not view other terrestrial channels.
3. If you use favourite channel lists be aware that if you start recording then you cannot change favourite lists. This is a really stupid bug and really annoying if you have started recording something. For example I put all main channels together in one favourite list and film & news in others. Once I start recording, say RTE1, I can't change to the film or news favourites. But if I started recording while in the all channels list then I can change to any other channel (with the limitation as pointed out in 2 above). Hope that makes sense.

CYCLOPS1

Hi Patchz, and all others, so to sum up,is v1.24b1 the best software for Ariva 150,so far, all things to all men so to speak?
As regards box not going off after recording is finished,on v1.25, will it do so manually?Where can I get v1.24b1[without channel add ons etc-just the actual upgrade]please?

CYCLOPS1

By the way, I think some of you guys are absolutely amazing. The amount of information you have ,and more importantly willingness to share is brilliant.

PatchZ

CYCLOPS1 wrote: »

Hi Patchz, and all others, so to sum up,is v1.24b1 the best software for Ariva 150,so far, all things to all men so to speak?
As regards box not going off after recording is finished,on v1.25, will it do so manually?Where can I get v1.24b1[without channel add ons etc-just the actual upgrade]please?

Well...yes and no. I think Tony's (1.23b??) works as well as the 1.24b1 but this being latest available that works okay I'm happy with it. But there is always a risk of updating the firmware (I bricked it once myself) so take your time when you do. Watch that files are copied to usb devices properly by removing devices safely. My mistake was that I took a copy of the firmware from the device, put in the update, scanned the channels but because the kids got home I restored the backup that I had saved. Only to find that the backup hadn't been complete and voila, bricked.

This is the original firmware as supplied by Ferguson https://www.dropbox.com/s/78s08gw5o88fdi4/A150Combo_20130705_V1.24B1.abs

And this is my latest incarnation with channels https://www.dropbox.com/s/3432rij3le3z36n/Ariva150_124b1.abs

Best of luck.