Broadband Television: ITVN?

[GoldenBoy]

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.ht...1041&t=0&c=474

[GoldenBoy]

Bump.

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

[GBertler]

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.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by GBertler

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....

[GBertler]

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.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by GBertler

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.

[ntode]

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?

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by ntode

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.

[riffjim4069]

There is a very good review of the ITVN service over here . Hope this helps.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by riffjim4069

There is a very good review of the ITVN service over here . Hope this helps.

Thanks for the link.

[soccer89]

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

[ntode]

Originally Posted by soccer89

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

[ntode]

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

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by ntode

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?

[soccer89]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoy

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

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by 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.

[swazi1]

Originally Posted by ntode

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.

[ntode]

Originally Posted by swazi1

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.

[CMR]

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

[CMR]

Originally Posted by ntode

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.

[swazi1]

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.

[soccer89]

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

Happy viewing!

[ntode]

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.

[soccer89]

Originally Posted by ntode

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!

cheers

[swazi1]

Originally Posted by swazi1

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...

[ntode]

Originally Posted by swazi1

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!

Originally Posted by swazi1

-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.

[swazi1]

Originally Posted by ntode

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....

[soccer89]

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

[ntode]

Originally Posted by soccer89

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.

[soccer89]

Originally Posted by ntode

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 !!

cheers