Play TV?

[foreverwar]

Thanks for the info, but there is no need to shout.

[Acathla]

I think the shouting was incase Coggy was in the kitchen making more popcorn at the time. Didn't want her to miss anything...

[Maggy J]

I've had other worries today..See the Moans thread.

I need some tea..anyone else need any?

[foreverwar]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

I've had other worries today..See the Moans thread.

I need some tea..anyone else need any?

Any biccies?

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

Any biccies?

Ginger nuts....Looks around to see if Nugget is about.

[Vesuvius]

Continued from - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/27...l#post34435130

Right so first off I do NOT work for this company or knew anything about them until I came to this thread so I am not promoting them or slating them, this post is going to be purely factual and my honest opinion as to the info I have right now.

For the "pictures or didn't happen" element of the board look at the following links :-
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007083.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007080.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007084.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007082.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007077.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007085.jpg

Sorry about the quality (mobile piccies) but you can see they are real, my dad says he thinks this box is not the finished article that will be availabe to the public as there is another version but he's not 100 per cent sure. I have the brochure with the breakdown of specs, I will post a little later (word for word as he doesn't want me taking photo's of it, don't want him to get into trouble if you know what I mean).

Ok so onto the bit of kit its self, I think visually it's a very nice sleek looking piece of equipment but what can it do. The model we have is the 80GB one, firmware version 1.0.008, so straight off I hooked my ethernet into it and it found an update (already) ver. 1.0.009. Don't know what the software update achieved but my initial thoughts are that there needs to be a few more before it hits the general public.

There is one HDMI slot, one scart slot, co-axial, TV-in, TV-out, Component and Optical on the back, I hooked it up via the scart as my TV does not have HDMI and the only component cables I have are for the PS3 and 360 so obviously I was looking at it in SD so cannot comment at this time on the HD content of the box although in one of the settings options there is the function to toggle between 480i throught to 1080i but NOT 1080p.

I went into the SYSTEM menu and then scanned for channels to which it found the freeview chanels - 66 in total, don't know if thats all of them?
Setanta is in the list but wouldn't allow me to view it. Now one of the bugs I found was that there is no option to re-arrange your channel list, they better cater for this need as I for one like my channels in my order

I found there is a bit of a lag between the remote control and the execution of the command onto the tv, only about a second or two, but it's there, I'm sure one of ntl's remote was like it a few years ago but they sorted it so this is another bug that needs fixing before release.

As to the release my dad told me that January 2008 is when installations begin. I'm not saying this is definate but this is what he was told earlier this week. I will not divulge where he got the information from, but we have a box, which should tell you that I am speaking the truth, atm, the truth could all well be different in 8 weeks time!

There's still more info to share but I will post back later, I need a cuppa and ciggie

[foreverwar]

Vesuvius, thank you for that informative post.

[Vesuvius]

Your welcome foreverwar, that is is my only intention, fag break over now for the specifics - I know what alot of the following means but there is some of it that goes over my head and i'm sure some of you will be able to decipher with ease

Embedded Architecture -
- Processor: 450 DMIPS
- Flash Memory: 32 MB
- DDRAM: 256 MB
- Operating System: Linux

Video -
Decoding Standards:
- MPEG-2 MP@ML (ISO/IEC13818), up to 10Mb/s
- H.264/AVC MP HP up to L4.1
- VC1 AP@L3, Simple and Main Profile
WMV 9 Simple and Main Profile
DivX 3.11, 4.11 and 5.x support
MPEG-4 part 2 SP/ASP
- Video Form: PAL/NTSC
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 and 16:9, auto format detection
- Out Definition: 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p or 1080i.

Audio -
- Decoding Formats: MPEG (Layer1,2), MP3, AAC+, WMA
- Volume Control: 32-level adjustable, mute.
- Output Modes: Mono/Stereo/Dolby Digital 5.1

Protocols -
- IP Protocol: IPv4
- Network Protocol: TCP/IP, HTTP, POP3, DHCP, DNS, FTP, NTP, SSL, PPPoE, SNMP, SMTP.
- Streaming Protocol:
- Multicast IPTV (IGMP)
- Video On Demand (RTSP/RSVP control)
- Microsoft Windows Media Server (RTSP)
- Transport Protocol: ISMA, TS over UDP, TS over RTP

OSD -
- Video/Graphics Plane Multiple Layer
- Colour: 32-bit ARGB for video
- Alpha Blending: 256 level
- OSD Flicker Filter
- Picture-in-Graphics
- 2D Graphic Acceleration

Tuner -
- Tuner 1: Digital

Optional Features
Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n
- IR Keyboard
- JVM and Flash 6.0
DNLA/PNP browser

Still more to come, as for the above make of it what you want, i'm just typing it as it is on the document.

[Vesuvius]

Much of the following is not anything new from my previous post except for the fact about the USB port which I forgot to mention earlier

- Full codec support for MPEG2, MPEG4, H264, VC1 and WMV.
- DVB-T Tuner.
- Smart Card reader supports various Conditional Access systems.
- Hard disk (80GB as standard, other sizes available to order).
- Full scart and HDMI.
- Powerful HTML browser and DVR firmware.
- WiFi option.
- Well documented API.
- Full DVB-T support.
- Support of application intergration and porting.
- Support of a wide range of Video Servers, Middleware and Content protection.
- Cost optimized Technology and Design supporting Low Cost Ownership.

Application Software -
- Embedded Browser: HTML4.0, JavaScript 1.5
- Picture Formats: GIF, JPEG, BMP, PNG, etc.
- Multi-Language Support.
- Work with variety of Video Server, Support VCR Control and Trick Play
Function.
- Support a range of Middleware and Content Protect Solutions.
- Support for Multiple PID'sProvided.
- Support Remote Configuration and Diagnosis.
- Support Online Software Upgrade.
- Support IP Multicast Filter.

HD+ 80 Connectivity -
- Ethernet Interface: 1x10/100M Base-T, RJ45
- RF Video IN
- RF Video OUT
- 1x Scart
- 1x HDMI
- 1x Digital optical Audio
- 1x Digital Coax Audio
- IR Remote control for TV and Set-top Functions
- USB 2.0 rear
- Internal SATA for hard disk
- Plug-top Power supply (12V Power Adaptor)

There seems to be one piece of conflicting information from the document of which I have provided info from in this post and my previous post to the actual USER MANUAL that came with the set-top box-

From the User Manual -

- HDMI Connector
BCM7401 Internal HDMI 1.1 with HDCP
480i/480p/576p/720p/1080i and 1080p 24/30

This maybe the case when its due for release but on the one we have there is no 1080p option?

A photo of the remote and the back of the box -
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007090.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007087.jpg

As for the interactive side (games and whatever else is on offer) of PLAYTV my dad is waiting for a password to enable him to enter that section of the box. As soon as he has I shall hopefully post back with some more info.

Like I said I'm not endorsing or knocking this product only sharing information.
I will not be getting into any debates on customer services, pricing, availabilty etc. etc. but will reply to any other questions if I have the answer, but I don't think I can tell you any more than what has already been posted.

Thanks for reading, makes a change to me not being down the pub on a Saturday afternoon.

[craig5201]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

Much of the following is not anything new from my previous post except for the fact about the USB port which I forgot to mention earlier

- Full codec support for MPEG2, MPEG4, H264, VC1 and WMV.
- DVB-T Tuner.
- Smart Card reader supports various Conditional Access systems.
- Hard disk (80GB as standard, other sizes available to order).
- Full scart and HDMI.
- Powerful HTML browser and DVR firmware.
- WiFi option.
- Well documented API.
- Full DVB-T support.
- Support of application intergration and porting.
- Support of a wide range of Video Servers, Middleware and Content protection.
- Cost optimized Technology and Design supporting Low Cost Ownership.

Application Software -
- Embedded Browser: HTML4.0, JavaScript 1.5
- Picture Formats: GIF, JPEG, BMP, PNG, etc.
- Multi-Language Support.
- Work with variety of Video Server, Support VCR Control and Trick Play
Function.
- Support a range of Middleware and Content Protect Solutions.
- Support for Multiple PID'sProvided.
- Support Remote Configuration and Diagnosis.
- Support Online Software Upgrade.
- Support IP Multicast Filter.

HD+ 80 Connectivity -
- Ethernet Interface: 1x10/100M Base-T, RJ45
- RF Video IN
- RF Video OUT
- 1x Scart
- 1x HDMI
- 1x Digital optical Audio
- 1x Digital Coax Audio
- IR Remote control for TV and Set-top Functions
- USB 2.0 rear
- Internal SATA for hard disk
- Plug-top Power supply (12V Power Adaptor)

There seems to be one piece of conflicting information from the document of which I have provided info from in this post and my previous post to the actual USER MANUAL that came with the set-top box-

From the User Manual -

- HDMI Connector
BCM7401 Internal HDMI 1.1 with HDCP
480i/480p/576p/720p/1080i and 1080p 24/30

This maybe the case when its due for release but on the one we have there is no 1080p option?

A photo of the remote and the back of the box -
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007090.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...7112007087.jpg

As for the interactive side (games and whatever else is on offer) of PLAYTV my dad is waiting for a password to enable him to enter that section of the box. As soon as he has I shall hopefully post back with some more info.

Like I said I'm not endorsing or knocking this product only sharing information.
I will not be getting into any debates on customer services, pricing, availabilty etc. etc. but will reply to any other questions if I have the answer, but I don't think I can tell you any more than what has already been posted.

Thanks for reading, makes a change to me not being down the pub on a Saturday afternoon.

whats it like watch tv tho your internet any probs none freeview and how long did it take to set it up from out side the box

[Vesuvius]

whats it like watch tv tho your internet any probs none freeview and how long did it take to set it up from out side the box

It's basically a freeview box atm. I put my TV ariel in the back and scanned for channels after that. Not able to do any internet options yet (apart from the firmware update) until we get the password.

Took 2 minutes to set up if that, after connecting the ethernet cable the box automatically found IP address, DNS settings etc.

[fr0g]

Guys I have sat the latest courses oon Vehda and PlayTv and after spending the past 14yrs fitting the usual satellite,aerials and cable have come to one conclusion.
Vehda is the future of TV, Wirless and telecoms.
Think about it How can you get true HD if the format is compressed? (and their all compressed)
Solution = put a True HD upscaler in the box.
The other thing we have to think about is the quantity of chans on this system is endless and the setup costs of launching a channel is nothing. Anybody can afford to launch their own TV channel and sky cannot add anyore channels for to their system its full.
This system is going to be big and thats without the mention of the built in mesh which once activated will give you free wireless and Mobile phone calls (VOIP).

[Stuart C]

Originally Posted by fr0g

Guys I have sat the latest courses oon Vehda and PlayTv and after spending the past 14yrs fitting the usual satellite,aerials and cable have come to one conclusion.
Vehda is the future of TV, Wirless and telecoms.
Think about it How can you get true HD if the format is compressed? (and their all compressed)
Solution = put a True HD upscaler in the box.

Upscaled from what? If you upscale a signal from a lower resolution to HD, then it's still an upscaled signal. It is *not* true HD.

BTW, *all* streamed video is compressed. I know whereof I speak, and, indeed, on many occassions have spoken via email with a few different members of Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies team.

There isn't a telecoms system on earth that can handle uncompressed HD.

The other thing we have to think about is the quantity of chans on this system is endless and the setup costs of launching a channel is nothing. Anybody can afford to launch their own TV channel and sky cannot add anyore channels for to their system its full.

Actually, the EPG on the older sky boxes is full. The newer boxes will still have more channels. The Vehda boxes may, at some point, suffer the same problem as they (as with all STBs) have a finite amount of storage for the EPG.

This system is going to be big and thats without the mention of the built in mesh which once activated will give you free wireless and Mobile phone calls (VOIP).

So, free phone calls via VOIP. Like any of the other VOIP systems then.

BTW. how is *any* device that connects via your home network connection the future of Wireless and Telecoms? It's automatically limited by what you have available.

[alnero02]

It actually sounds like you are starting to believe that play tv is going to happen. Obviously there are going to be lots of glitches to iron out. If technical difficulties can be overcome what they are talking about offering the customer is quite revolutionary. I am off to see if I can buy shares in the company.

[Stuart C]

Originally Posted by alnero02

It actually sounds like you are starting to believe that play tv is going to happen. Obviously there are going to be lots of glitches to iron out. If technical difficulties can be overcome what they are talking about offering the customer is quite revolutionary. I am off to see if I can buy shares in the company.

Well, I didn't say that.. If the service launches, and people are happy with it, good. If the company does take money, and doesn't launch a service, then bad.

However, the service doesn't appear quite as revolutionary as you say. Homechoice has been offering something similar (albeit with different compression and not HD) since the mid 90s.

BTW, the website is still oddly light on details of what they are actually planning to carry.