LCN115 CONNECT 3 will shortly be bringing some arabic stations to your TV via ipTV like Al Arabiya, Muslim TV & Arabia One, according to the Freeview EPG.

CONNECT 1 is Christian so what could CONNECT 2 be?

Channel 115 - getting "subscription has expired" [never had one!] Vision TV Network screen.

The fields in the various CONNECT series SDN EIT have been filled in incorrectly so a SD box won't show what's on. I can't decide whether it's deliberate or accidental.

LCN115 CONNECT 3 is now showing the Vision caption on non internet connected sets, once seen on LCN110 but different now.

What set top box would I need if I wanted to watch these and other IPTV channels? I have a Humax HDR Fox T2 but that doesn't support them, I've also been told that YouView boxes won't support them.

YouView Freeview HD boxes *should* support them if they conform to the spec. All Freeview HD boxes that were certified since March 2011 *should* support them.

It appears the Arabic package requires a subscription. Most of their channels are fta on satellite so who the hell is going to subscribe especially as suitable equipment is rare.
I remember a similar Arabic package on 28 east via a Sky box which only lasted a short while as well.

You will need the TVOnics HD500 box or the slimmer version of it

See Here for the HD500 box http://www.tvonics.com/freeview-hd-r...dtr-hd500.html

Here is the Slimmer version of it http://www.tvonics.com/freeview-hd-r...tr-z500hd.html

That is what I have been saying on another forum,but it would seem that the new Humax YouView PVR, will 'not' conform to this spec.
Shame really,I have a 2010 Bravia and a Sagemcom 2010 PVR,both were out too early to be required to include these services.

Had thought that when I get a YouView box,which I intend too,at some point,I would also get access to the new services springing up,as a sort of bonus.

Would seem not.

The Humax Freeview HD boxes (HD Fox T2 and HDR Fox T2) were both certified prior to March 2011 and as such neither of them support IPTV channels. Information via back channels from Humax indicate they have no plans to add support.

As for YouView, all I know is what I found online ie. the IPTV channels don't work in those. I believe YouView boxes are not considered to be "Freeview HD" boxes and as such are not bound by those specs, they just have to conform to the YouView specs. I think that IPTV channels are NOT part of the YouView specs.

So what I'd like to know is specific models of set top boxes which support IPTV channels. Saying "anything certified after March 2011 *should* support them" doesn't help because as a normal user I have no way of finding out on what date a box model was certified (I happen to know the story for Humax boxes). To date I'm aware of precisely zero boxes which support these channels. There must be some surely?

STOP PRESS
Just had an e.mail from Connect TV,




''We have been advised that all YouView devices, when they go on official sale, will support Freeview HD, including the IC streaming extension, that you are quite right, is required to support our services.''

Thanks, at last a specific model number. And almost as surprisingly a useful post from Mr. Welby! Keep it up please !

EDIT: Note however that TVonics have gone bust, so long term support for those boxes may be an issue:

http://www.reghardware.com/2012/06/2...f_tvonics_kit/

Tell that to Humax. Their current YouView box does not support the IPTV channels. I suppose there is time for this feature to be added before release, but it's really very late for such a thing to be added before YouView boxes go on sale.

Service is currently unavailable on Freeview as per the announcement on http://www.visiontvnetwork.co.uk/home/

Are the channels "broadcast"? I'd say they're not as they're delivered over the internet, and therefore have nothing to do with OFCOM. They don't regulate YouTube, after all.

Ofcom do however have a duty to ensure that content promoted by licensees is appropriate however. For example, if Channel A mentions its website on-air, then the content contained should also comply with their programming code.

Whilst Connect may hold a licence with Ofcom to be on DTT, Ofcom may be of the view that allowing a non licensed television service to load-up without much hassle (on compatible devices) is not acceptable.

It is for this reason, you don't see the likes of Television X/Playboy using MHEG-IC to deliver hard-core pornography.

I don't see any issue with these channels returning if they get themselves licensed by Ofcom.