I did a search but couldn't find mention of this anywhere. I wasn't sure where to post it, so I posted here. Has anyone seen or used this?:

http://www.itvn.com/tour/04/index.html?s=3&p=4&w=101041&t=0&c=474

Bump.

I take it no one has seen this or used it?

I have seen it at a friends house, but probably nothing I would get. The quality of the video was kinda washed out. Looked like an old VHS tape.

I have seen it at a friends house, but probably nothing I would get. The quality of the video was kinda washed out. Looked like an old VHS tape.

Would you say it was better than typical streaming internet content? I have to admit that, some streaming content looks decent to me; not great, but good for what it is.

I've been watching webisodes of Eureka on SciFi.com, and I was amazed at how the PQ was not that much worse than the SD PQ I get now on DirecTV. OTOH, the audio was horrible. With that said, it did look washed out.

With that said, I have seen streaming content that was even better than those webisodes, so....

I would say better then streaming video. I didn't really get much of a chance to go through all the channels he had, but it is better then streming video, but not much better. This was a few months back.

I would say better then streaming video. I didn't really get much of a chance to go through all the channels he had, but it is better then streming video, but not much better. This was a few months back.

Thanks for the info.

I'm also interested in this. Specifically I'm looking at getting the Setanta channel since I play on sticking with my cable provider.

I only see two drawbacks:
No DVR (I know I could set up my media center to record it pretty easy)
Quality of the channel.

I'd like to see it first, as I can't imagine the quality is going to be that good on my 50 inch tv. However, I was listening to the HTGuys podcast the other day and some company is coming out with HD over broadband that only uses 2.5mbps. If they can get HD over that little bandwidth then my 6mbps should be able to recieve SD just fine from someone else if they are sending a decent signal.

I want to check this out, but I'm not sure I'm willing to try the 30 day trial. Anyone else on this site actually have itvn?

I'm also interested in this. Specifically I'm looking at getting the Setanta channel since I play on sticking with my cable provider.

I only see two drawbacks:
No DVR (I know I could set up my media center to record it pretty easy)
Quality of the channel.

I'd like to see it first, as I can't imagine the quality is going to be that good on my 50 inch tv. However, I was listening to the HTGuys podcast the other day and some company is coming out with HD over broadband that only uses 2.5mbps. If they can get HD over that little bandwidth then my 6mbps should be able to recieve SD just fine from someone else if they are sending a decent signal.

I want to check this out, but I'm not sure I'm willing to try the 30 day trial. Anyone else on this site actually have itvn?


Yep, Setanta is what I'm mostly interested in. Even though I already get Setanta on DirecTV, I've been looking for alternatives and would love to move to FIOS if they come to the area. Unfortunately, FIOS does not carry Setanta, DirecTV is the only provider that does. If I could move to FIOS and get Setanta through a service like this, I'd be pleased. I need my Rugby Union. Period.

There is a very good review of the ITVN service over here (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=75888) . Hope this helps.

There is a very good review of the ITVN service over here (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=75888) . Hope this helps.


Thanks for the link. :cool:

I have ordered and received this box, in order to watch Setanta Sports for the soccer. (They have now added Starz on demand!) I am using a DSL connection and I am based on the east coast. (FYI, ITVN farms located in San Jose)

At first, I was experiencing buffering at their highest quality stream 1000 kbps so I had to watch at 700kbps (lesser quality). Was thinking of returning before the 30 day trial ran out.

At present, I am no longer experiencing buffering, since the last s/w upgrade by ITVN. I rate the picture quality on 1000kbps stream as fair to good. Not for those with big LCD screens expecting hdtv quality! I'm more than pleased with my 27" sony tube TV and I am keeping the box for the length of the contract.

if you want free shipping, please use my promotional code and pass it on:
101096

Happy viewing

Not for those with big LCD screens expecting hdtv quality! I'm more than pleased with my 27" sony tube TV and I am keeping the box for the length of the contract.


this is my fear. I have a 50 inch samsung 1080p DLP. SD looks like crap, but I didn't have an expectation of it being that great. My fear is that this will be even worse. I'm actually thinking of getting this box and putting it on one of my smaller TVs so I'm not frustrated with the quailty. Or I may just suck it up and check out how bad it looks at 50 inches :)

anyone have any idea of what the resolution I can expect for 1000mbps?

this is my fear. I have a 50 inch samsung 1080p DLP. SD looks like crap, but I didn't have an expectation of it being that great. My fear is that this will be even worse. I'm actually thinking of getting this box and putting it on one of my smaller TVs so I'm not frustrated with the quailty. Or I may just suck it up and check out how bad it looks at 50 inches :)

Yep, same for me here. I would have this on a 50" Samsung 720p dlp from about 12' away or a 43" Samsung dlp from only about 8' away. My SD PQ from DirecTV is already horrendous, how bad would this look in comparison?

Yep, same for me here. I would have this on a 50" Samsung 720p dlp from about 12' away or a 43" Samsung dlp from only about 8' away. My SD PQ from DirecTV is already horrendous, how bad would this look in comparison?

We'll never know until one of you with the big screens tries LOL

seriously, you're missing some great footy!!!!

Soccer89

We'll never know until one of you with the big screens tries LOL

seriously, you're missing some great footy!!!!

Soccer89


I'm not missing anything, that's my point. I get Setanta on DirecTV. :) I was looking into this option in the event I decide to drop DirecTV and move to FIOS, should they ever get to my area.

I'm not much of a football (read:Soccer) fan, but I absolutely cannot live without my Rugby Union. :D

No DVR (I know I could set up my media center to record it pretty easy)


This is the one piece of info I cannot find anywhere. Is it possible to record Setanta on ITVN with MCE? Would I be able to set up a program guide and record the rugby I want to see. I know most of the rugby I'm interested in is shown at obscure times.

Information on ITVN is very limited but I think it would be possible to just run their STB to a (dedicated) analog tuner. Then it's just a matter of getting the program guide in there and leaving the STB on all the time.

This is the one piece of info I cannot find anywhere. Is it possible to record Setanta on ITVN with MCE? Would I be able to set up a program guide and record the rugby I want to see. I know most of the rugby I'm interested in is shown at obscure times.

Information on ITVN is very limited but I think it would be possible to just run their STB to a (dedicated) analog tuner. Then it's just a matter of getting the program guide in there and leaving the STB on all the time.

I think the answer to your question is:

Yes = if you manually set up recording
No = program guide

to my knowledge Media center doesn't support ITVN - at least not from am program guide standpoint.

I'd say you'd have to do video in to the media center and set up manual recordings.

FWIW, the last upgrade of ITVN is a Major Improvement in both picture quality and buffering. I am on the east coast and am not disappointed in the quality.We are viewing ITVN on a 50" Plasma and things have definately cleared up (especially from the previous versions). No it is not HD quality and you will get the occaional "buffering" message but not very frequently.

Mark

I think the answer to your question is:

Yes = if you manually set up recording
No = program guide

I'd say you'd have to do video in to the media center and set up manual recordings. I agree with this statement, MCE will definately not show the program guide.

Some more thinking on my side (can anybody smell the burning?). It may be possible to cheat MCE by setting up sattelite and only enabling one channel (Setanta). This would only work if you do not have any other analog signal configured (STB or basic cable).
But regardless I can think of one more problem - to be able to schedule a recording, the feed needs to be running continuously. That means a continuous download through your broadband connection, possibly making it useless for anything else.

I spoke to ITVN, the promotional code 101096 is for free shipping within the U.S.A.

Happy viewing!

I just listened to the worldsoccerdaily podcast and an executive from ITVN was on answering questions. One of the most interesting things he talked about was the fact that very soon they will have all games shown on Setanta available On Demand for the next 24 hours after the game is origionaly shown.

Not quite DVR, but it would be good enough for me. 24 hours is plenty for me as I don't like watching sports too long after they happen anyway.

I just listened to the worldsoccerdaily podcast and an executive from ITVN was on answering questions. One of the most interesting things he talked about was the fact that very soon they will have all games shown on Setanta available On Demand for the next 24 hours after the game is origionaly shown.

Not quite DVR, but it would be good enough for me. 24 hours is plenty for me as I don't like watching sports too long after they happen anyway.

Yup the sales department just confirmed to us that they WILL be offering Setanta on Demand :-) in the near future. Perfect for me to watch EPL review show & MUTV ANYTIME I want :)

If you are thinking of joining and are in the U.S.A, promo code 101096 will get you free shipping of the box :)

Also, if you do join, whether or not you use that code, I strongly recommend you join their referral program.
Put it this way, you refer 3 or 4 people, the payout will pay for your year subscription to Setanta!

I am not an employee nor a shareholder, but I really want this company to grow as huge as possible, because it will prompt them to add more and more programming and the possibilities are endless! :eek:

cheers

Some more thinking on my side (can anybody smell the burning?). It may be possible to cheat MCE by setting up sattelite and only enabling one channel (Setanta). This would only work if you do not have any other analog signal configured (STB or basic cable).
But regardless I can think of one more problem - to be able to schedule a recording, the feed needs to be running continuously. That means a continuous download through your broadband connection, possibly making it useless for anything else.

OK - got ITVN last week and set it up over the weekend - and got MCE to work!

First the facts - I have one analog and 2 digital tuners. The 2 digital tuners are used for OTA HD TV. The analog was there because MCE needs it - not used for anything else. No basic cable/sat or and STB connected.

So I hooked up the ITVN STB to the analog tuner. And set up MCE to think I have DirecTV. Next I disabled all channels other than Setanta (#615 I think).

End result = program guide shows Setanta and I can pause/rewind & record.


ToDo:
====
-Figure out how to only start playback on ITVN when I want to watch/record. As opposed to continuous download happening
-Volume up on my speakers' remote (Logitech Z5500) is the same comand as power on the ITVN remote. Not sure how to fix this one...

OK - got ITVN last week and set it up over the weekend - and got MCE to work!

First the facts - I have one analog and 2 digital tuners. The 2 digital tuners are used for OTA HD TV. The analog was there because MCE needs it - not used for anything else. No basic cable/sat or and STB connected.

So I hooked up the ITVN STB to the analog tuner. And set up MCE to think I have DirecTV. Next I disabled all channels other than Setanta (#615 I think).

End result = program guide shows Setanta and I can pause/rewind & record.


Awesome. good work!



-Volume up on my speakers' remote (Logitech Z5500) is the same comand as power on the ITVN remote. Not sure how to fix this one...

that sucks. I have a harmony 880 remote and I'm hoping this isn't the same problem. You could just leave the ITVN on all the time and block out the IR reciever. That's probably what I'll do.

I have a harmony 880 remote and I'm hoping this isn't the same problem. You could just leave the ITVN on all the time and block out the IR reciever. That's probably what I'll do.

I also have the 880 (not really in use). I will try it out this weekend and let you know.

Some more thinking today - if I always leave the ITVN STB on the Setanta "ready" screen - (all you have to do from here is press "OK" on the remote). Then I can tell MCE I have a remote for DirecTV. Then every time I want to record/watch live and select Setanta from the program guide, MCE will enter 615 (as in the channel number). I can configure MCE to learn the ITVN remote but with a twist - When MCE asks for the command for "6" I will learn it the ITVN "OK" command. I will set "1" and "5" to bogus commands. So chaning shannels - MCE will press 615 and thus start the Setanta stream.
Then I just have to figure out how to get MCE to press "Stop" once I'm done recording/watching.

With MCE's remote blaster taped to the front of the STB and it hidden out of way, there will be no issues with the speakers' remote. But I believe every now and again the STB would need more "remote interaction" - say once a week. Reasoning for this is it checks for updates once a week.

Also what to do if ITVN/ISP drops the signal - apparently it kicks back to the Setanta ready screen and you have to press OK again. I don't think OK does anything while the stream is in progress. Is there some sort of devide that can be tought the OK command and then continuously (maybe every 30 seconds) press OK? Actually thinking of it - I have a USB IR Blaster - maybe with the aid of Girder I can set this up. And even get it to do the "stop" command....

FYI all. ITVN is currently Beta testing the VoD service of Setanta and will probably roll it out in the next few weeks. Apparently, the will keep up to 48 hours of broadcasts, so that should service a majority of the people. For the rest, we'll have to keep figuring out to hook up to our PVRs & TIVOs. Remember, promo code 101096 for free shipping within the U.S. Pay it forward :p

I spoke to ITVN, the promotional code 101096 is for free shipping within the U.S.A.

Happy viewing!


Hey Soccer89,

I just used your promo code so you should get a month free.

Your Welcome!

I hope you are still enjoying the coverage. let me know if you are having any problems.

Hey Soccer89,

I just used your promo code so you should get a month free.

Your Welcome!

I hope you are still enjoying the coverage. let me know if you are having any problems.

Thanks ntode ;-)

Guess what...ITVN just released their Setanta VoD!! You can now catch up upto 24hrs of Setanta viewing! Very cool functions including play, ff, rew, pause!

I just caught some games over the weekend I had missed (i.e. Liverpool vs Man Utd)

ITVN is really stepping up and listening to their subscribers needs :-)

Remember, help a friend promo code 101096 !! :p

cheers

Thanks ntode ;-)

Guess what...ITVN just released their Setanta VoD!! You can now catch up upto 24hrs of Setanta viewing! Very cool functions including play, ff, rew, pause!

I just caught some games over the weekend I had missed (i.e. Liverpool vs Man Utd)

ITVN is really stepping up and listening to their subscribers needs :-)

Remember, help a friend promo code 101096 !! :p

cheers

:cool:

So how is the picture? Have you been having any issues with the streaming and so on?

:cool:

So how is the picture? Have you been having any issues with the streaming and so on?


also, I asked this question to ITVN, but I didn't get a response. What if I'm traveling and my hotel connection isn't always over 1.5mbps? Will the ITVN box adjust? How will the quality be affected? Will I constantly get buffering messages?

anyone know? My ITVN box should be at my house today. Can't wait to use it.

I'm in Manitoba, Canada, and we have braodband tv here. Believe it or not, it's comparable (if not better) to cable.

I LOVE it!

We just started recieving FULL hd tv about a month ago... IMO, it's better than cable or satelite... they did have to run a second phone line into the house though for the hd (at no extra charge).

I can't extract a definitive verdict here about picture quality. So I guess I'll do the trial subscription. Has anyone here declined to subscribe beyond the 30-day (it is 30 days, yes?) trial period? If so, what was your experience with getting your money back?

Thanks.

I can't extract a definitive verdict here about picture quality. So I guess I'll do the trial subscription. Has anyone here declined to subscribe beyond the 30-day (it is 30 days, yes?) trial period? If so, what was your experience with getting your money back?

Thanks.

I have a 50 inch 1080p DLP TV. The quality is "good enough." It's not great, but if you are a football(soccer) fan, you won't be dissapointed.

I'd say the quality is about as good as an old VHS tape or a good quality internet streaming video (much better than youtube.)

When I first plugged it in on the lowest quality (didn't realize it was on the lowest) i was dissapointed at the quality, but it still wasn't bad enough for me to consider sending it back. Then I realized I could up the quality, and I was much more pleased.

I thought nobody was going to reply, so I went ahead with the trial. I'll first hook it up to my router and plug the s-video out into my computer's TV tuner card. Get a good idea of how it looks before I bother to rig up a wireless connection to the 62" DLP in the living room.

I'll post my impressions, too.

Thanks for your help.

The short answer is that the itvn picture quality is unacceptable. I am however a total nutter Arsenal fan, and I will keep it to see the games I miss on FSC. I wish Setanta could get a cable deal. I don't know who owns Setanta -- for all I know it could be Murdoch. In any case, the Setanta deal with Sky/Fox probably prohibits direct competition on cable. Boo hoo.

I am watching on a 62 inch DLP. It does tend to highlight faults in the source. If itvn compressed to maybe 3K or 4K instead of 1K, the quality might be marginally OK.

Also, the Setanta On Demand service, which was critical to my original decision to try itvn, has been inexplicably dropped. Setanta on itvn (hence outside my cable box's DVR reach) without On Demand is almost useless.

But, as I said, I'm just a stoopid gooner, so I'm keeping it. I am very far from a satisfied customer.

The short answer is that the itvn picture quality is unacceptable. I am however a total nutter Arsenal fan, and I will keep it to see the games I miss on FSC. I wish Setanta could get a cable deal. I don't know who owns Setanta -- for all I know it could be Murdoch. In any case, the Setanta deal with Sky/Fox probably prohibits direct competition on cable. Boo hoo.

I am watching on a 62 inch DLP. It does tend to highlight faults in the source. If itvn compressed to maybe 3K or 4K instead of 1K, the quality might be marginally OK.

Also, the Setanta On Demand service, which was critical to my original decision to try itvn, has been inexplicably dropped. Setanta on itvn (hence outside my cable box's DVR reach) without On Demand is almost useless.

But, as I said, I'm just a stoopid gooner, so I'm keeping it. I am very far from a satisfied customer.

Sorry to hear that. I suppose I will have to just be satisfied with watching Setanta on DirecTV, which has got to look better than ITVN, I would think, and if they no longer have the on demand service, then there really is no reason for me to get it. I am getting pretty much all the rugby I can handle right now anyway.

The on-demand was dropped at Setanta Sports' request.They do not have the correct licensing to VoD on ALL their programming. The way ITVN was working (more or less) was just recording and playing the next hour. I suspect this makes ITVN's job harder, now they have to selectively show what Setanta has licence for.

Heard it may be back up in 2007. We'll see.

Still a great service and I love Setanta.

cheers

I'll be very dissapointed if they don't get the VOD back up for next year. I used ITVN 3 times as much with VOD.

ANybody know why can't I record setanta in vista MCE? I got it a week ago. The remote response is really slow. When I try to record it, it says the broadcaster is not allowing to record. I tried Beyond TV which is like Windows MCE, it recorded the shows but with no sound.
In one of the post somebody said you could hide all other channels except for setanta when u tell MCE that it is DirectTV. How do you do that too?

Help will be greatly appreciated. I want to keep ITVN but if I can't record the shw then it is just an average TV like FSC. Most of the UEFA Champions league comes whne I'm at work so.

I'll be very dissapointed if they don't get the VOD back up for next year. I used ITVN 3 times as much with VOD.

did they ever get the video on demand back up?

did they ever get the video on demand back up?

Nope.

that's too bad. i keep hoping that time warner will add setanta so i can watch the aussie rules coverage but so far no go. in the mean time i'm thinking about picking up ITVN but without the on demand option i'm not sure how useful it would be.

Yeah, Setanta will always be a very fringe network in the US until it hits cable. ITVN on a 62" HDTV is PAINFUL. If it weren't for English footie, I'd certainly not watch it.

that's too bad. i keep hoping that time warner will add setanta so i can watch the aussie rules coverage but so far no go. in the mean time i'm thinking about picking up ITVN but without the on demand option i'm not sure how useful it would be.

I keep hoping that Verizon would pick up Setanta so I could drop DirecTV and move to FIOS whenever they finally decide to come to the NYC area. I need my Rugby Union - Tri-Nations, Six Nations, Heineken Cup, Premiership, Magners League, Super 14, Air New Zealand Cup, Rugby World Cup - I need it. I was looking into the Setanta Broadband option, but I see now that, not only do they not have the VOD services, but when I checked the the ITVN website a couple of days ago it showed that Setanta was blacking out coverage of certain crucial Rugby matches - that just WON'T do. :( It looks like I will be stuck with DirecTV, and stuck having to upgrade to the Mpeg-4 equipment too. :mad:

According to the guys at AFANA "We expect Setanta US to begin to be available on some cable systems as early as September, but no announcement has been made by Setanta yet."

http://www.afana.com/drupal/node/646

Their info is usually pretty good. I just hope one of the cable systems is time warner and that they get it up in time for the aussie rules grand final.

That would be the end of ITVN. Too bad it's not higher quality -- good competition to cable and satellite is very welcome. ITVN just isn't good.

That would be the end of ITVN. Too bad it's not higher quality -- good competition to cable and satellite is very welcome. ITVN just isn't good.

that's for sure. ITVN can't seem to compete in quality, and more importantly, they can't compete with the DVR. I loved when they had on demand setanta, but since that's gone, I find myself longing for my cable company to pick up setanta so I can simply record the games and watch them when I want.

If Comcast carries Setanta, it will almost definitely be on the Sports Tier, so I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay the extra $6 (since my bill is already $135+).

No way it would be on the sports tier. It's $15 a month standalone, it would be a separate subscription like Playboy.

No way it would be on the sports tier. It's $15 a month standalone, it would be a separate subscription like Playboy.

Oh wow! I didn't know it was that expensive!

If it means I can see three Premier League matches a week and one or two Coca-Cola Championship games a week, it's easily worth $15 a month. And I'm dirt poor. Even if all I got out of it was ONE Arsenal match a month I wouldn't otherwise see on FSC, it'd be worth it to me.

- Crazed Gooner

Yeah, when you consider it's only half the cost of the old EPL package over the course of the year, and you get like 10 live games a week (including the other leagues) instead of 2, plus all the other stuff, it's definitely a good value if you're a European sports fan.

any way to use/modify the itvn box?