[Clem]

Apologies in advance if this is topic has been discussed before but does any one here use Sony's Google TV box for catch-up TV services? I ask, because as much as I'd like a Youview box, the current offering doesn't work for me. I don't need another Freeview PVR (certainly not whilst it's missing features available on other manufacturer's kit) and my Sony TV already has iPlayer and Demand5 built-in, so all I'm missing is ITVPlayer and 4OD (which is what I'm really after). Given that only iPlayer has a near HD quality playback level at present, watching catch-up TV via a web interface shouldn't be too much of a drawback. From what I can make out, the Sony Google TV box web browser deals with 4OD flash playback OK and the kit has the advantage of integrating with my Sony TV. It's over-priced at GBP199 though, so I'd be after a good deal.

It's a bit annoying really: I was expecting a simpler YouView STB to surface, but that's not happening (or if it is, it's away off yet) and the Humax Freesat Freetime offering has delays on 4OD/Demand5 until next year, and the box looks to be too flaky at present as a Freesat PVR (which I could use).

I did toy with the idea of a cheap media PC to do the job, but that seems overkill, although perhaps a Raspberry Pi with XBMC did cross my mind, if the 4OD playback issues get sorted.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Cheers


Clem

[Greyowl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clem

I did toy with the idea of a cheap media PC to do the job, but that seems overkill,

In the long run I don't think it will be.
I'm after exactly the same services as you.
Things are changing rapidly with Flash development being dropped for some OS and services, DRM being required for others.
A basic "Nettop" PC such as an Acer Revo or similar running MS Windows is one of the few solutions that can cover the majority of services.
I've been looking at the new dual-core Android units by Geniatech, but I don't think Android is at a stage yet to provide the services most people require as a TV/media connected device.

[1andrew1]

The PS3 is the only non-subscription, non-PC/tablet device except YouView that offers ITV Player & 4OD.

I would like to see a Roku-type device for YouView and I'm sure it will come in time. At the moment YouView is being driven by subsidised PVRs making such devices look unattractive. Alternatively, I wonder if these services will appear on Roku?

[tom558]

I use a Raspberry Pi,with XBMC,while I wait for more content via the YouView platform.
I am not aware of the 4OD problems? will have to have a look.

[Clem]

Thanks for the responses so far. The issue with XBMC is that there is (was?) a problem whereby content after 31/08 (or thereabouts) couldn't be played on XBMC from 4OD, because of the way that C4 changed the encoding. A colleague at work was explaining the issue to me, so apologies if I've got that wrong. If that's no longer an issue then perhaps a Pi + XBMC might be the way to go.


Clem

[tom558]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clem

Thanks for the responses so far. The issue with XBMC is that there is (was?) a problem whereby content after 31/08 (or thereabouts) couldn't be played on XBMC from 4OD, because of the way that C4 changed the encoding. A colleague at work was explaining the issue to me, so apologies if I've got that wrong. If that's no longer an issue then perhaps a Pi + XBMC might be the way to go.


Clem

I had a look,and yes the problem is still there,but given the low price of the Pi,why not get one anyway,and have a play.
There is other content on XBMC,some of it in HD,I like to watch the TWIT network on there,sort of tech internet television channel

[ovbg]

Welcome to the world nearly everyone is in who wants all the FTA UK on-demand services.

Pretty much the only constant are the good folk at the BBC who make sure their service is available pretty much on all devices.

ITV are probably the next best, though they are quite far behind, with Demand5 being in the odd situation of possibly sitting 3rd on the list due to their Sony SmartTV appearance.

4oD... not a chance. Sometimes it seems these guys have their heads in the clouds.

The best bet outside of the said mentioned Playstation (which also seems to get quite divided reviews where some say it has everything, whilst others say that comes at a cost of horrific UI for most of it) is the Xbox which seems to have everything but at a subscription fee.

After that, an iDevice (iPad or iPhone) using Airplay seemed to the best bet. All of the services have apps, and if you start with the BBC iPlayer, you could almost think this would be your dream UI. A tablet is simply the best way to navigate all the content available, and when you stream it to your TV via Airplay, it works and looks like a dream.

Sadly, that dream is cut short by ITV's app which works, but at the cost of horrific video quality. Demand5 shares the bad video quality and adds black borders around the video and 4oD have just given up again and stuck their head back in the clouds - very sad, since they have possibly the nicest of all the apps in UI, but actively block Airplay - the only known free on-demand service in the world to do this (???)

4oD like to claim their service is on a wide range of eqiuipment, but it's not.

All that said, they did say that (maybe) next year (sometime) possibly, (when they feel like it), they might add 4oD to the Samsung TV lineup, which would give them everything except Demand5, but I wouldn't hold your breath. Any on-demand service that walks in exactly the opposite direction of every other and blocks Airplay can not be too serious in wanting to get their content to your television.

Still, I'm in the same boat as you, so if something new develops, I'll be posting it here. And although I don't trust 4oD to move too fast into other devices, I do think in the near future, other 3rd party devices may be there.

[es6300]

I was informed when I purchased my Samsung TV that 4oD and Demand 5 would be available at some point in the near future.

I'm sure as few websites also anounced this....

Anyone does if this is definate.....

[ashjf]

Doesn't Google TV come with Google Play store which means you can download the apps for catch up tv from the PSB?

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashjf

Doesn't Google TV come with Google Play store which means you can download the apps for catch up tv from the PSB?

iPlayer and ITV Player are in the Play store, but I don't think the other two are.

[Clem]

No 4OD on Google Play though, so back to square one.

ISTM that 4OD access is only really constant across a web browser, and that's where the Sony Google TV box comes in, especially for accessing the 4OD archive of older programmes. It would also be useful (perhaps) in browsing the BBC website to play back stuff via iPlayer that doesn't appear in the regular iPlayer listings -- old archive material, for example. The BBC Four website is a case in point.

Right now though, the only consistent offering does seem to be the YouView box, the very thing that I'm trying to avoid!

I'm tempted to go for a Sony Google TV box. If I get it from John Lewis then I have 28 days to return it if it doesn't work. Trouble is, even at GBP160 I think that the box is way over-priced for what it is.

* Scratches head.

Sigh.


Clem

[ovbg]

I would imagine any browser usage for 4oD will be quite an unpleasant UI if using from a sofa. This is always an issue with TV-browsers.

@es6300, there is no such thing as definate, especially regarding 4oD, but the closest we have to a confirmation that 4oD will appear on the Samsung Smart TV platform is from 4oD themselves:
http://www.channel4.com/info/press/n...nnel-4-upfront
(It is mentioned at the bottom of the news article from Channel4, and it is interesting to note, that the only SmartTV hub they mention is Samsung. That said, they also say sometime in 2013 it will be available on Android platforms as well)

[Clem]

Yes, browser usage would be a chore. Running 4OD full screen on my Mac it's a pretty soft picture, so I agree, watching the web-based version on a large panel would be pretty poor. Perhaps the trick is to wait a bit longer. If that article on the Channel4 web site is correct then we've got a lot to look forward to.


Clem