Hey Guys,
Here is the Link to the Skippa Pre-order Page:
http://skippa.tv/
And a link to the specs:
http://skippa.tv/technical-specifications/
So am I reading the specs right when comparing the Skippa to the WizT3? Half the Flash memory, but twice the RAM.
Will this make it more responsive or less? I'm considering getting one of these as a sister box to my WizT3, but I'd like to see more of a response on these specs.
Also, I know that 10/100 ethernet is adequate, but why not use the newer specced system, surely it's not that more expensive. Even my laptop is capable of faster speeds than this,
and the WiFi card is 5Ghz capable and the size of a postage stamp.. Just a thought.
Quote from: Nodeity on May 25, 2015, 04:10:24 PM
So am I reading the specs right when comparing the Skippa to the WizT3? Half the Flash memory, but twice the RAM.
Will this make it more responsive or less? I'm considering getting one of these as a sister box to my WizT3, but I'd like to see more of a response on these specs.
Flash is used to store the bootloader, firmware and settings. RAM is used to do day to day stuff like decoding the video, audio and subtitles, responding to remote control or front panel button presses, processing auto skip, playing from and recording to the hard drive, and displaying menus etc. More RAM would make a more responsive PVR, when compared to a PVR with not enough RAM. But if 2 PVRs have different amounts or RAM but neither of them uses all of their RAM then they'd seem the same to the user.
The T3 Beyonwiz does pause a lot while doing day to day stuff (for me at least).
Quote from: Nodeity on May 25, 2015, 04:10:24 PM
Also, I know that 10/100 ethernet is adequate, but why not use the newer specced system, surely it's not that more expensive. Even my laptop is capable of faster speeds than this,
and the WiFi card is 5Ghz capable and the size of a postage stamp.. Just a thought.
It's all down to the Chipset. A chipset that has a faster 1Gb Ethernet could increase the cost dramatically... for no real benefit... and could delay the release if the new chipset is more complicated or untested. If the skippa could copy recordings via the network then maybe a 1Gb Ethernet port would be desirable. But for streaming network and Internet media and downloading from IceTV the 100Mb Ethernet is plenty fast enough.
cheers
The Ethernet port controller is on the Broadcom 7241 chip (together with the USB and SATA controllers); it is standard for Broadcom PVR chips to only have 10/100 Ethernet (the ones used by TMS Toppys for example). While it would be possible to include a separate Ethernet controller the advantages of doing so may be minimal.
Ian
Quote from: Nodeity on May 25, 2015, 04:10:24 PM
So am I reading the specs right when comparing the Skippa to the WizT3? Half the Flash memory, but twice the RAM.
Will this make it more responsive or less?
The T3 seems to run without any swap/paging files, so it looks like there's unlikely to be a data paging hit because of lack of memory. There may be some paging activity loading read-only program executable pages from their images. As the main memory fills with program data, though, the amount of space for the HDD cache will reduce, and that may affect performance.
The T3 can run diskless, so it's quite possible for its flash to be the only paging space available. And you probably don't want to do that. The flash read speed is only about 1MB/sec anyway.
On a quiet T3, running no recordings except the timeshift buffer and displaying live TV, top(1) shows:
KiB Mem : 290576 total, 23976 free, 113624 used, 152976 buff/cache
Quote from: Nodeity on May 25, 2015, 04:10:24 PMAlso, I know that 10/100 ethernet is adequate, but why not use the newer specced system, surely it's not that more expensive.
I don't know about Skippa, but my understanding is that the T3 simply uses the Ethernet on the System-on-a-Chip, and that's 10/100.
Thanks guys, still not sure if I'll get the Skippa yet, need to see some dedicated forum responses from users to be sure. But at least from these responses, it looks like the two boxes are going to be similar in ability. The T3 atm is still quite choppy when it's doing more than one thing at a time and I was hoping the skippa would be a bit more powerful. The actual ad-skipping ability, at least for me, seems like it will be more of a gimmick though and not why I buy it if indeed I do.
From memory the Skippa pre-order was going to be save $100 at $399 with the standard price $499 after the pre-order, now all of a sudden the standard price has been raised to $599 wow that is confident considering the price of some of the comparative competition IMO. I hope it does prove to be worth that much as that would make it a top tier PVR.
So how long does the pre-order window stay open for??? can I still buy one at the pre-order price up until the end of June if the 1000 units don't sell out before then??
I have only seen evidence of 3 units being sold so far, I'm sure there would be more orders but they don't seem to be flying off the shelf so I would like to risk waiting for more details, pictures and answers to questions before hitting the buy button.
Quote from: Rat on May 25, 2015, 08:20:48 PM
so I would like to risk waiting for more details, pictures and answers to questions before hitting the buy button.
I don't think we can expect much more information anytime soon. They stated the User Manual would be made available closer to the delivery date
Quote from: EdQld on May 25, 2015, 10:16:47 PM
. They stated the User Manual would be made available closer to the delivery date
Which I don't think is very fair, considering how long we've waited patiently
Quote from: csutak40 on May 25, 2015, 10:55:01 PM
Quote from: EdQld on May 25, 2015, 10:16:47 PM
. They stated the User Manual would be made available closer to the delivery date
Which I don't think is very fair, considering how long we've waited patiently
I wonder why this is? are they still frantically typing it up in a last minute rush? why not make it available for download now and update it as needed?
They stated ages ago that they had a Skippa there to test, why wouldn't they want to release more pictures of it? I really don't understand this style of marketing :o
Speculation: It is possible that the firmware feature set will only be finalised just before the pre-order shipment is shipped to Australia, so release may be premature. That may not be for week or so. The manual may not yet have been written, or is only partly written. All sort of reasons why this could happen.
There have been cases where PVR manuals were released 6 months before the PVR made it to market - for example the TRF-7260 manual appeared on the Topfield Korea www site in early 2013 but it was not released until about August of 2013.
Ian
PS I am a eager as others to get my hands on the manual.
Quote from: IanL-S on May 26, 2015, 01:04:36 PM
Speculation: It is possible that the firmware feature set will only be finalised just before the pre-order shipment is shipped to Australia ...
That sounds like a bad idea to me, if it's true.
Quote from: prl on May 26, 2015, 05:54:47 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on May 26, 2015, 01:04:36 PM
Speculation: It is possible that the firmware feature set will only be finalised just before the pre-order shipment is shipped to Australia ...
That sounds like a bad idea to me, if it's true.
Well, possibly because I am not very technically minded and most of the specs is all Greek to me, I am
much more interested in the software side of things. I want to know what it can do and how.
What I
could understand from the specs, I wasn't that excited about. Even if the "autoskip" works as advertised, I am not that excited by it. I doubt I'd go to the trouble of using it that often (except if I planned to keep the recording long-term) Sounds to me like a gimmick, one I could live without
At one stage, I am sure, we were told that we can watch everything on our network through the (now named) Skippa. So, I want to know if this is still true and if so, how simple or complicated that is (and how fast/slow)
And what does "everything" mean? Can we watch various extensions (.mkv, .avi or, for that matter, even .wtv or by some miracle .rec)?
And how
precisely does the EPG work (padding, etc) I know that the "smart" padding has sort of been explained in very superficial terms and some people guess that it will work like the newer Topfield does, (that one can set different padding on different networks) but that is just a guess on their part. None of us know for sure.
In my case, I want to know if it will be a good replacement for TED
I would like to order but I need to read the manual first. How else will I know what the machine can do for me?
Quote from: prl on May 26, 2015, 05:54:47 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on May 26, 2015, 01:04:36 PM
Speculation: It is possible that the firmware feature set will only be finalised just before the pre-order shipment is shipped to Australia ...
That sounds like a bad idea to me, if it's true.
I have seen it happen - usually something is almost working but not quite and they hoped to get the final bugs out but did not.
Ian
Signing off the manual, before it goes to the printer or goes public as a pdf file, is usually one of the last things done with a new PVR as there is nothing worse than a manual that shows incorrect images or incorrect steps to perform important functions because the firmware has been updated after the manual was signed off.
For those who need help understanding what the technical specifications mean, the Key Features that should stand out are:
IceTV AutoSkip (automatic Ad-Skip Technology) - Watching a movie or TV show without constant interruptions at the worse possible time is one of those things that will make you later wonder how you ever watched TV without AutoSkip.
IceTV Smart Recording and IceTV Electronic Program Guide - IceTV will be more tightly integrated into skippa than in any previous recorder that is able to use IceTV. This also makes future improvements and new features possible to be more easily added to skippa.
Record up to 6 programs simultaneously and watch a 7th program (either live or pre-recorded)
1080p Video Output - Sharp, clear images on even the largest TV or projector. Most PVRs only upscale to 1080i. Some don't do a good job of upscaling the SD channels.
1 TB Hard Drive - The goldilocks of hard drive sizes (just right). Hard drives smaller than 1TB are too small. Hard drives larger than 1TB hold more hours of recordings than you could ever watch.
HbbTV Enabled - All of the Catchup TV channels and Freeview Plus (and whatever else becomes available via HbbTV in future).
Opera TV Store - 100s of apps (mostly free) including Plex, games and Internet TV channels and radio channels etc. etc.
Media playback via USB and DLNA Streaming - play your home videos or recordings off other devices, even if they are mkv format.
Plug and Play (intuitive setup wizard) - User friendly so anyone can set up a skippa.
Closed Captioning - Any PVR that does not have closed captions is not suitable for a growing percentage of the market.
OK Dave your answer tipped me over in terms of making a decision - I'm in - a bit of a leap of faith but I really need a new PVR and IceTV have delivered to me for many years
Fingers crossed for a great product
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on May 29, 2015, 01:46:02 AM
Media playback via USB and DLNA Streaming - play your home videos or recordings off other devices, even if they are mkv format.
Not being very technically minded, this question only occurred to me because of some of the comments here (most of which, admittedly, is above my head). So, it is possible that my question is silly, but please bear with me. ;D
So, would the streaming be seamless, fast? How exactly is it done? I mean do you need cables etc to connect your other devices to it? And can you play ALL recordings? For instance avi? Or is there a list of what it can or can't play? :-\
For playing content on USB storage device, you will need a cable to attach it directly to the PVR (except if it is a USB Stick).
For other devices, they would all need to be attached to you home netwwork by either Ethernet (cable) or wifi, as would the Sikppa.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on May 29, 2015, 04:28:44 PM
For playing content on USB storage device, you will need a cable to attach it directly to the PVR (except if it is a USB Stick).
For other devices, they would all need to be attached to you home netwwork by either Ethernet (cable) or wifi, as would the Sikppa.
Ian
Thanks for that. So, anything that is connected to my network, should play on the Skippa, right? (I did realise that any USB storage device would need to be connected ;D ) And they would play seamlessly? I mean no buffering?
Also, having read Dave's answer to a different question... Do I understand correctly that you can't play the contents of the Skippa on other devices on the network?
I have now found some of the comments that confused/worried me:
It seems that DNLA media servers need to build a library everytime they are started, that sounds very slow and frustrating and a major step back.
I am not pretending that the above is clear to me, but if true, it doesn't sound promising.
Then, aren't these two comments (made by IceTV staffers - Dave and Leon) contradictory?
Currently the HDD is not sharable
The Skippa can also act as a DLNA server itself - streaming recordings to Ipads / Computers around the house too.
Again, I repeat, all of this is way above my paygrade, so I could quite easily have the wrong end of the stick, but I am hoping that someone will explain in language that even I can understand :D
Judy
This discussion is getting beyond my pay grade as well. Cannot share but is a DLNA server? There are several ways of granting access to content on a computer (PVRs are just specialised computers). Some of these are include 'share' in the name, other do not.
The information currently available gives no information on the Skippa's ability to run FTP server and WedServer (for remote administration for tasks not handled by IceTV Interactive).
Ian
Hi Dave. I'd also like to know if the SKIPPA has a built-in FTP server. I find FTP a convenient way to reliably copy a large number of recording files off my Topfield across the network. What other options does the SKIPPA have for copying recording files off it?
Ice reps
How responsive is the skippa unit to the remote when skipping fwd and back and shifting through the menus and epg? When compared to something like the topfield 2400.
I'm starting to change my mind on the skippa with some of the info released. Considering a purchase.
I've pulled the trigger. The biggest thing for me is being able to stream to my ipad etc and ease of recording.
Dave spoke to me at length.
1TB is not the right size for everyone as stated. Yes if you watch everything frequently maybe but I record a ton of programs and often don't watch series until the end and binge watch. 1TB won't do that not even close. I record a lot and if it's crap I delete it and I delete a lot but it may take a long time until I get to it, I don't want to micromanage 1TB, it't just that size to make the target price, remember record 6 programs at once, that will fill the 1TB in no time.
My main concern is how the padding is handled. Discussions concluded not that well guaranteed as it is still a 3 tuner device although it is smart 3 tuner where more than one channel on the one frequency can be used but no going to get the same flexibility as 6 tuner setup in a Media Center
Having a very fast desktop doing video editing and VideoRedo can't even get close to reliable advertisement detection without a lot of manual intervention but maybe Skippa has some magic way of outperforming a video workstation I think I would leave it off but I think it might work watching cricket as that is quite predictable and distinct break pattern.
If I was buying a PVR for the average person including my Parents Skippa looks like it will be a no brainer PVR to use. I am tempted but my Wife says what do I need Windows Media Center and skipper for. Well it will be easier to setup for the price on each TV and will handle different file formats much better than the xBox 360's but she is not convinced particularly as IceTV guide data has been so erratic lately ;-)
All the IceTV development will obviously go into making Skippa the main project so that is the future. Microsoft hasn't wanted to support Windows Media Center for some time and abandoned it and now killing it which is a pity so I don't think it will get a lot of love from IceTV either, it's a dead end without a clear replacement yet.
The Storage space can be fixed with NAS or even a PC with lots of storage.
One more tuner and guaranteed hard padding is the sticking point. I hate recording and missing the end of something and hard padding is necessary. Two Skippa's that could automatically spread the recording load would solve that problem but likely make so much complexity to take away the simplicity of Skippa that will suit 95%+ of users.
It is a bit hard to make final judgement without having a look at it or even seeing a manual but that is what the $100/$200 discount for the early birds is for I suspect it will need a few software updates over the rest of the year but won't be worse than Foxtel's new IQ3 as that would take a lot of effort.
Here is an off the top of my head no facts involved guess by me :)
Seeing as the initial price for Skippa was $499 with $100 discount for us as beta testers........do you really think they will now suddenly change their minds and put it in the shop at $599 on general release?
I guess it will now have a general release of "Special new release $499" save $100 limited time only.........nearly gone......get in quick.........
Yes you can look at the negative but I think a product they are so passionate about will be good long term. I don't think they are going to sell Skippy and leave unmatched bugs and I think they will keep it fresh with updates hopefully with not a lot of problems. If I was working and money not an object I would love to get muy hands on this. I have invested too much in Windows media center to exit at the moment. Australian designed products are to be commended.
Quote from: Ian Spencer @ Home on June 01, 2015, 09:55:36 PM
My main concern is how the padding is handled. Discussions concluded not that well guaranteed as it is still a 3 tuner device although it is smart 3 tuner where more than one channel on the one frequency can be used but no going to get the same flexibility as 6 tuner setup in a Media Center
That is also a thing I worry about. I am using good old TED ATM, which allows me to change the padding manually, if need be, on individual programs. I am very used to, and love, the fact that I get a daily conflict report (only have two tuners on my ancient Toppy 5k) and I can then manually make adjustments to fix those conflicts. It sound to me that Skippa would decide for me and I'd have no (easy) way of fixing it - if at all.
Quote from: Ian Spencer @ Home on June 01, 2015, 09:55:36 PMMicrosoft hasn't wanted to support Windows Media Center for some time and abandoned it and now killing it which is a pity so I don't think it will get a lot of love from IceTV either, it's a dead end without a clear replacement yet.
Hmmm... I wasn't aware of that. ATM, I record things I want to keep long term on the WMC, so that I can run it through VideoReDo and get rid of the ads, then move it to my NAS drive. Another reason is that it is a pain to transfer things off the Toppy. If WMC disappears, I'd have to find a replacement for that as well.
Quote from: Ian Spencer @ Home on June 01, 2015, 09:55:36 PMThe Storage space can be fixed with NAS or even a PC with lots of storage.
Except (and admittedly, I am
very confused on this point) I believe the only way to transfer things off the Skippa is with a USB drive? (
michaelwho wrote in another thread, that he spoke to Dave, who said:"You can copy skippa's recordings to a USB drive to archive or play on another device or computer.
You can also copy the file's url from a network media player app like Windows Media Player and then paste that url into the address bar of a web browser and download the recording (but it's a little fiddly to do).
It currently cannot see other devices' shared folders on the network, or be seen as a shared drive by other devices on the network (but that may be added by firmware update)"
If that is true, that sounds like a real pain to me
Quote from: Ian Spencer @ Home on June 01, 2015, 09:55:36 PMOne more tuner and guaranteed hard padding is the sticking point. I hate recording and missing the end of something and hard padding is necessary. Two Skippa's that could automatically spread the recording load would solve that problem but likely make so much complexity to take away the simplicity of Skippa that will suit 95%+ of users.
Well, again, from what I read in these threads, seems you can't spread anything between two Skippas as they aren't shareable. So, you would need to go searching on both to find what is on which. :-\
Quote from: Ian Spencer @ Home on June 01, 2015, 09:55:36 PMIt is a bit hard to make final judgement without having a look at it or even seeing a manual but that is what the $100/$200 discount for the early birds is for I suspect it will need a few software updates over the rest of the year but won't be worse than Foxtel's new IQ3 as that would take a lot of effort.
$200 is a lot of money for me, but I am still worried that, not having all the answers I need, I'd be disappointed and (as I already know that my needs are complicated) possibly not being able to set it up. I don't know anyone that could assist me here in Melbourne, so I'd have to be convinced that I could do it myself without too much stress, before I'd be willing to jump.
I also have to say that I am rather disappointed by the general lack of info. 90% of what we know (or think we know) was gained by people getting in touch with IceTV directly and asking questions, then publishing their answers here. Some of those answers seem contradictory to me, but that may very well be my lack of understanding. All the more reason why they should put something in writing, so that we can ponder (possibly Google) and make an informed decision.
Why can't they publish a detailed specs, not just the tiny bit that they did publish? After all, even $399 is not peanuts, aren't we entitled to know more details, without having to beg for it, before we spend that much money?
Quote from: Vortical on May 29, 2015, 08:17:50 PM
Ice reps
How responsive is the skippa unit to the remote when skipping fwd and back and shifting through the menus and epg? When compared to something like the topfield 2400.
I'm starting to change my mind on the skippa with some of the info released. Considering a purchase.
Had a chat with Dave @ IceTV over the phone today and he advised it's definitely not laggy at all so skipping using the remote should be very quick.
I'm taking the plunge and hoping given how long this device has been in development that it's going to be a fairly rock solid device.
Figured my 7100HDpvrt is pretty much on it's last legs as it keeps having problems maintaining current time when it goes to standby and I'd rather buy in at $399 than $599
I hope I don't regret this purchase :-\
Yep fingers crossed vortical, hope these are a great unit...
As for your 7100, the issue you have is a flat battery on the front panel PCB, you need to take the front panel out as its on the front of the PCB. It's a CR2032.
It's a common issue, machines are getting old and the batteries usually only last 4 to 5 years or so max.
Mark
Quote from: warkus on June 02, 2015, 10:47:15 PM
Yep fingers crossed vortical, hope these are a great unit...
As for your 7100, the issue you have is a flat battery on the front panel PCB, you need to take the front panel out as its on the front of the PCB. It's a CR2032.
It's a common issue, machines are getting old and the batteries usually only last 4 to 5 years or so max.
Mark
I actually replaced it myself with a brand new battery about 6 months ago when it first exhibited the problem.
It's now started doing it again, so perhaps there is more to it than just the battery.
It's also getting a bit noisy so I presume the HDD is on it's way too.
TBH I'm surprised it's still working.
wakus, this is a bit off topic, but can a flat battery result in the front display not showing anything when Toppy is in standby (TRF-2400); the odd thing is that the power button glows very brightly when in standby. The units appear to be waking up OK.
Ian
Quote from: Vortical on June 02, 2015, 11:37:49 PM
It's also getting a bit noisy so I presume the HDD is on it's way too.
TBH I'm surprised it's still working.
I had all sorts of problems with my TF7100HDPVRt - failure to respond to RCU and constant HDD checking. Put in a clean 500gig HDD and it is working perfectly.
Ian
Hi Ian,
No that's odd for a 2400, I doubt it's the battery... Possibly some fault with the front panel board, battery not likely. Hmmmmm, I have one here, I'll have a look and see what I can figure out...
Mark
Hi vortical,
You didn't happen to use one of those Energizer cheap arsed batteries when you replaced it did you or an eBay battery?
A lot of people purchase the Energizer Button Cells, they are Indonesian made and last sometimes less than 6 months, and some of the cheap eBay ones last less time. Ordinarily Energizer batteries are pretty good, but not button cells.
I use the maxwell Japanese cells, last for years... Just a thought...
As for your unit, yeah if it hasn't had a PSU rebuild, that will be right around the corner for sure and the hard drive probably not far away...
Bring on the SKIPPA!
Mark
Quote from: warkus on June 03, 2015, 10:34:55 AM
Hi Ian,
No that's odd for a 2400, I doubt it's the battery... Possibly some fault with the front panel board, battery not likely. Hmmmmm, I have one here, I'll have a look and see what I can figure out...
Mark
Thanks Mark. It could be a firmware issue - Topfield firmware released since March 2014 has settings corruption bug that is usually fixed by doing a second service scan after installation. It is characterised by output stuck on 576i and function keys not working in some circumstances. I have the problem on 2 of my 3 TRF-2400 and on a TRF-7260. I am certain it is a firmware bug as one unit displayed the time when it powered down yesterday; next time I powered it down just the bright red light from the power button (which is not present of the 2400 which does not have the front display problem).
Ian
Ordered one too, as the price is worth taking a chance. Would like to see a bigger hard drive though.
Quote from: spinifex on June 04, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Ordered one too, as the price is worth taking a chance. Would like to see a bigger hard drive though.
Agreed. Hopefully it is possible to swap in a larger HDD. Unfortunately it appears to have a 2.5" rather than 3.5" HDD so the options will be limited.
The largest I could find by quick internet search was a 2TB WD Green for just under $200.
Ian
Please oh please tell me these units DO NOT have WD Green hard drives in them, please!!!
They are cheap n nasty and are NOT suited to an AV unit like this, as is evident by the fact that I have over 200 drives here in boxes, faulty, not working, ripped out of beyonwiz machines over the last 5 years, they are appalling drives.
The number 1 cause of wiz failure for sure are those freakin drives, on par with the power supply issues.
They obviously have a purpose, as a generic Desktop hard drive, but in an AV environment, they simply don't stand up...
I can only hope and pray the skippa doesn't use them...
Quote from: warkus on June 04, 2015, 04:10:51 PM
Please oh please tell me these units DO NOT have WD Green hard drives in them, please!!!
I can only hope and pray the skippa doesn't use them...
It probably won't get a response, but it would be nice if a IceTV Rep could let us know this is Not the HDD in the Skippa
Out of interest, are you referring to WD green drives or WD AV drives (which are also green)? I have a WD 2T AV drive that has been going strong for over 4 years (made is Sept 2010); I have never had problems with WD AV drives. Also have 2 1TB WD AV drives that have been in constant use for over 5 years (made in August 2009). I have had 2 Seagate AV Drives which were problematic; on died within 18 months an the other developed significant issues within three months.
Topfield seem to use 2.5" WD Blue drives in the TRF-2100; some 2400 and 2760 shipped with 2.5" Seagate Momentus HDD.
Ian
When I get my Skippa, it is my first priority to make sure it works, then see if the HDD can be replaced. 1Tb isn't enough so it's the first thing I'll be replacing before recording anything essential. Expect updates if nothing comes out sooner.
I have been unable to find any information on 2.5" AV HDD larger than 1 TB (Western Digital and HGST both have them - could be the same drive as HGST is owned by WD). Seagate apparently do not have 1TB or larger 2.5" AV HDD.
We can only hope that the Skippa has a 3.5" rather than 2.5" HDD.
Ian
Lots of thread drift on this topic!
Have just received an email from Beyonwiz to say that they have specials on refurbished T3's. The 1TB refurb costs $590, so the pre-order Skippa seems quite a bargain!
My basic BW-Lite is starting to get annoying with sound braking up on live TV and a small HDD, so am really tempted by the Skippa.
Must. Not. Spend. Too. Much. Money...
Quote from: IanL-S on June 03, 2015, 08:04:39 AM
wakus, this is a bit off topic, but can a flat battery result in the front display not showing anything when Toppy is in standby (TRF-2400); the odd thing is that the power button glows very brightly when in standby. The units appear to be waking up OK.
Hi Ian,
The 2400 and 2460 has a standby menu option that gives you a choice of 'front display off and power button red' or 'clock on front display and power button off'.
Maybe something reset the Topfield or reset this option. Can't remember where the option is what it is called, but have a look in all of the settings and installation menus for a Standby or VFD or Front Display setting.
Quote from: IanL-S on June 04, 2015, 02:34:57 PM
Quote from: spinifex on June 04, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Ordered one too, as the price is worth taking a chance. Would like to see a bigger hard drive though.
Agreed. Hopefully it is possible to swap in a larger HDD. Unfortunately it appears to have a 2.5" rather than 3.5" HDD so the options will be limited.
The largest I could find by quick internet search was a 2TB WD Green for just under $200.
The skippa's HDD is a
3.5 notebook size 2.5 inch SATA HDD. 2TB is the largest 2.5" HDD I could find online too (at twice the price of a 1TB HDD).
Not sure of the HDD brand or model
but it is a DVR/PVR specific drive so that rules out the WD Green drive. If it is a WD brand drive it would be the Purple drive. Edited due to incorrect information.
Dave
IceTV Support
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 06, 2015, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on June 03, 2015, 08:04:39 AM
wakus, this is a bit off topic, but can a flat battery result in the front display not showing anything when Toppy is in standby (TRF-2400); the odd thing is that the power button glows very brightly when in standby. The units appear to be waking up OK.
Hi Ian,
The 2400 and 2460 has a standby menu option that gives you a choice of 'front display off and power button red' or 'clock on front display and power button off'.
Maybe something reset the Topfield or reset this option. Can't remember where the option is what it is called, but have a look in all of the settings and installation menus for a Standby or VFD or Front Display setting.
Thanks Dave. I have played with those settings and it does not seem to make any difference. The condition arises when you do a recovery firmware installation from a USB stick when the Toppy boots up.
Ian
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 06, 2015, 03:22:18 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on June 04, 2015, 02:34:57 PM
Quote from: spinifex on June 04, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Ordered one too, as the price is worth taking a chance. Would like to see a bigger hard drive though.
Agreed. Hopefully it is possible to swap in a larger HDD. Unfortunately it appears to have a 2.5" rather than 3.5" HDD so the options will be limited.
The largest I could find by quick internet search was a 2TB WD Green for just under $200.
The skippa's HDD is a 3.5 inch SATA HDD.
Not sure of the HDD brand or model but it is a DVR/PVR specific drive so that rules out the WD Green drive. If it is a WD brand drive it would be the Purple drive.
Dave
IceTV Support
Thanks Dave. From the image the unit did not look large enough to take a 3.5" HDD.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on June 06, 2015, 03:25:14 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 06, 2015, 03:03:35 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on June 03, 2015, 08:04:39 AM
wakus, this is a bit off topic, but can a flat battery result in the front display not showing anything when Toppy is in standby (TRF-2400); the odd thing is that the power button glows very brightly when in standby. The units appear to be waking up OK.
Hi Ian,
The 2400 and 2460 has a standby menu option that gives you a choice of 'front display off and power button red' or 'clock on front display and power button off'.
Maybe something reset the Topfield or reset this option. Can't remember where the option is what it is called, but have a look in all of the settings and installation menus for a Standby or VFD or Front Display setting.
Thanks Dave. I have played with those settings and it does not seem to make any difference. The condition arises when you do a recovery firmware installation from a USB stick when the Toppy boots up.
Ian
Try this: Turn it off to standby, then off at the power point or rear switch for 1 minute. Then turn it on and do a factory reset twice. Do not restore any saved settings.
Quote from: IanL-S on June 06, 2015, 03:26:04 PM
Thanks Dave. From the image the unit did not look large enough to take a 3.5" HDD.
The skippa is fairly small compared to other, older design, PVRs but skippa has an external power supply and a tiny main board.
Quote from: csutak40 on May 29, 2015, 04:20:38 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on May 29, 2015, 01:46:02 AM
Media playback via USB and DLNA Streaming - play your home videos or recordings off other devices, even if they are mkv format.
Not being very technically minded, this question only occurred to me because of some of the comments here (most of which, admittedly, is above my head). So, it is possible that my question is silly, but please bear with me. ;D
So, would the streaming be seamless, fast? How exactly is it done? I mean do you need cables etc to connect your other devices to it? And can you play ALL recordings? For instance avi? Or is there a list of what it can or can't play? :-\
Yes, DLNA can be seamless and fast. In my experience the skippa can start playing avis, mp4s and mkvs via DLNA without any buffering. it is as if the file is one of it's own recordings on the internal hard drive.
The server and client both need to be connected to the same home network (either wirelessly or via network cables). Your computer(s), tablet(s) and smart phone(s) would be connected your home network already. Skippa needs to be connected to your network for IceTV to work anyway.
Some routers have media servers built in and you only need to enable the server and plug in a USB drive that contains your photos, music and videos.
What can and cannot be streamed via DLNA depends on the media server and the player. If the server app (on the PC or NAS or router etc) detects that the Player cannot play a certain audio or video format it has 2 choices: Either not show the file in the file list sent to the player or transcode the video or audio to a format that player can play. Not all DLNA media servers can transcode. But if the player can play all file types then transcoding is usually not needed.
Transcoding is often needed for tablets, phones and game consoles that either only support small video resolutions or cannot play specific audio formats or are limited in the number of audio channels they support.
Dave
IceTV Support
Thank you, Dave. So, I only have one more question, that confuses me. Given what you've said above, what did you mean when you said that the Skippa is not shareable?
To explain what I mean... If I recorded stuff on the Skippa, can I play those files across my network (say, on another TV - other than the one Skippa is directly connected to?)
Actually, I will give a proper example... If I have a TV that is not a Smart TV, and connect the Skippa to it, (goes without saying that the Skippa is connected to the network) I presume I should be able to play the stuff recorded on the Skippa on that TV, but what if I have another TV, that is a SmartTV, connected to the network, can I play the Skippa's content on that as well? Also, now I think about it, can I play stuff on the TV that the Skippa is connected that I stream through the Skippa from the network?
Hi csutak40,
I already answered that for you in whirlpool and we even looked up ur tv model to ensure it was DLNA supported.
Yes, your smart TV if DLNA compliant (which we confirmed it was on your Sony) can stream recordings from the skippa if both the skippa and TV are connected to the same network whether wireless or wired connection, just both on the same network. The Skippa apparently acts as a media server as well as allowing you to play recordings on the skippa hosted on another DLNA media server on the same network, ie your windows media centre PC you mentioned on whirlpool, so both ways it is in theory possible and compatible.
Mark
Quote from: warkus on June 06, 2015, 09:44:30 PM
Hi csutak40,
I already answered that for you in whirlpool and we even looked up ur tv model to ensure it was DLNA supported.
Hi Mark, I am not double checking on you, (even though I now realise that it must sound like that to you :D) it is just I am having trouble getting my head around all of this, and am trying to understand, so that if I jump in and buy it, I don't get disappointed. Given my finances, it is quite an investment for me. :-\
I still can't understand what it is about the Skippa that is "
not shareable" ;D
Quote from: IanL-S on June 06, 2015, 03:26:04 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 06, 2015, 03:22:18 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on June 04, 2015, 02:34:57 PM
Quote from: spinifex on June 04, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Ordered one too, as the price is worth taking a chance. Would like to see a bigger hard drive though.
Agreed. Hopefully it is possible to swap in a larger HDD. Unfortunately it appears to have a 2.5" rather than 3.5" HDD so the options will be limited.
The largest I could find by quick internet search was a 2TB WD Green for just under $200.
The skippa's HDD is a 3.5 inch SATA HDD.
Not sure of the HDD brand or model but it is a DVR/PVR specific drive so that rules out the WD Green drive. If it is a WD brand drive it would be the Purple drive.
Dave
IceTV Support
Thanks Dave. From the image the unit did not look large enough to take a 3.5" HDD.
Ian
My mistake. It actually is a 2.5" sized HDD.
Quote from: csutak40 on June 06, 2015, 09:54:14 PM
I still can't understand what it is about the Skippa that is "not shareable" ;D
'Not sharable' means you cannot create, move, rename and delete folders or move, rename and delete recordings on the PVR's hard drive while sitting at your home computer. You also cannot copy home videos and photos from your computer to the PVR's hard drive or copy recordings from the PVR to computer.
Network sharing allows a shared drive or folder on a computer (or PVR) to be accessible in 'My Computer' on a Windows PC that is on the same home network, as well as in the Mac and Linux equivalent of 'My Computer'. If you have 2 or more computers on your network and can open My Computer on PC 1 and browse the My Documents, My Pictures or My Music folders on PC 2 then you are using network sharing.
Windows 7 and newer has Home Group which is like a plug-n-play variation of network sharing (using SMB 2 in the background). The network protocol that Microsoft uses is SMB 2 (and SMB 3 in Win 8 ). SMB is also known as Samba - and CIFS which is an old form of SMB. Mac and Linux computers default to using different or more robust protocols like AFP and NFS.
If you can sit at your computer at home and browse files (documents, photos, music or video) stored on another computer at home or a home NAS server, or a USB drive plugged into your router, or browse photos and video on your security camera(s) or browse recordings on your PVR(s) or media center PCs etc then you are using some form of network sharing.
Network sharing only works within a home network. It is not supported over the Internet.
Your old SD toppy is not network sharable. If you had a Beyonwiz T3 it would be because it has SMB and NFS, and maybe also AFP.
Hi Dave,
I have pre-ordered a Skippa and would greatly appreciate more information regarding whether or not the 2.5" HDD can be easily upgraded and what are compatible replacement drives (Brand, Model, Size, etc.) when you have that information on hand.
Cheers,
Biznitch
As well all eagerly await the delivery of our Skippa's I am reminded of the numerous release date slips in the past which have still been happening recently causing it to be delayed by a month as each month passed even after the website and promotional emails went live.
It must be a difficult and frustrating process dealing with overseas manufacturers, I do hope that firmware will be updated in house by IceTV??? and we won't be waiting 18months to fix the beta release bugs???
Also have we been told who the manufacturer is??? I think this question was Skipped when I posted it before?
So in the spirit of having a bit of fun, I'm willing to bet this 6 pack of grog that my Skippa won't hit my letter box until August !!!! anyone want to take up my bet?
(http://numerounopizza.com.au/image/cache/data/56-315x315.jpg)
Biznitch,
Dave from icetv has stated that it is actually a 3.5" drive in another post, and that it will be an AV rated drive not a desktop rated drive, but he doesn't know which brand as yet. (Edit, I just saw that he reversed that comment and stated it is in fact 2.5". Still in theory should be the same for replacement as below...)
Based on 3.5" or 2.5", I would imagine it is entirely possible to swap it out with another large drive, assuming you can in fact get a larger 2.5" drive, but be aware that I'm pretty sure this would be something you would definitely want to discuss with ICE first before doing it to ensure warranty is maintained etc.
Thanks
Mark
Nis200sx, csutak40,
As per what nis200sx has stated, yes that's it in a nut shell, you can play media across the device in both directions, on it from a DLNA server and off it on another DLNA compatible device, but when it comes to editing, copying, moving media over the LAN, there is no network drive support to allow you to do that, but seriously once you have used Plex or something like that, you will realise that network drive access isn't really important...
Also in reference to transferring recordings off the unit to another PC or device, apparently there is talk that FTP can or will be enabled so this is actually likely...
Mark
Hey Guys,
Just to please note too that the warranty will be void if opening the box / replacing the HDD, as it is not designed to be upgraded.
Don't any of the staff know who is manufacturing this box? or have they been told to withhold this information? my question is a valid one and has been ignored twice now.
Also I repeat who will be doing the bug fixes and upgrades?
Quote from: Rat on June 08, 2015, 04:37:44 PM
Don't any of the staff know who is manufacturing this box? or have they been told to withhold this information? my question is a valid one and has been ignored twice now.
Also I repeat who will be doing the bug fixes and upgrades?
Do you ask that question of every supplier of consumer electronics you buy - or for that matter any item you purchase?
Seriously - IceTV are offering us the SKIPPA - pretty simple really - take it or leave it...
But rolling into the forums and demanding answers to these sort of questions, which no other supplier would expect to answer, isn't going to get you answers
I can answer the bug fixes and upgrades question - it will be IceTV, the supplier of the unit
As I understand it IceTV have contracted with an OEM (original equipment manufacture) to manufacture the Skippa. The operating system (firmware) is developed and provided by IceTV. The OEM has no role in firmware development and maintenance. All the OEM does is to load the firmware at some time before the Skippa is put into its carton.
Ian
Quote from: bodogbodog on June 08, 2015, 04:42:10 PM
Do you ask that question of every supplier of consumer electronics you buy - or for that matter any item you purchase?
Seriously - IceTV are offering us the SKIPPA - pretty simple really - take it or leave it...
But rolling into the forums and demanding answers to these sort of questions, which no other supplier would expect to answer, isn't going to get you answers
I can answer the bug fixes and upgrades question - it will be IceTV, the supplier of the unit
Thanks for the answer regarding the bug fixes and upgrades, I'm glad it will be IceTV doing that as I imagine that will speed up the process and we will be able to give feedback directly.
Most purchases I make I am able to look up reviews and information about so Seriously YES all major purchases I would know that information. Skippa is not a major purchase at $400 but it will be a major PITA if it doesn't work as expected. I have taken a blind leap of faith by pre-ordering and paying for a box that there is scant info about and no one here has reviewed or beta tested, well not publicly anyway.
This is the information age, it is normal for people to ask the type of questions I have especially about high-tech purchases such as this and especially from a seller who has no previous experience releasing hardware. To tell people to just take it or leave it when it is a Pre-Order is quite an arrogant attitude IMHO.
Quote from: Rat on June 08, 2015, 06:33:36 PMTo tell people to just take it or leave it when it is a Pre-Order is quite an arrogant attitude IMHO.
but reality nevertheless
I am relying on the protection we have as consumers that the goods must be of merchantable quality - if they are not normal redress would be to return them and get a refund
I'm more concerned about the $2,000,000 or so "cash" that IceTV are sitting on assuming that they've got 500 pre-orders...I guess most of that will pretty quickly go to the supplier to secure the production of the first run
Quote from: Leon K on June 08, 2015, 12:52:51 PM
Just to please note too that the warranty will be void if opening the box / replacing the HDD
What is the warranty period for SKIPPA?
Hi bodogbodog,
The warranty is 12 months.
Quote from: Leon K on June 08, 2015, 07:04:06 PM
The warranty is 12 months.
Thanks Leon
Can you clarify - is that return to IceTV offices or does IceTV provide a courier pickup and delivery for warranty repairs?
I can't confirm just yet, but depending on the cause of the warranty claim ie. if it is outside the first month you most likely would have to return it to us for the warranty repairs / inspection - similar to other PVR manufacturers:
http://support.icetv.com.au/entries/20293087-If-I-need-to-return-my-item-for-repair-or-replacement-who-pays-for-the-postage-costs-
Quote from: Leon K on June 08, 2015, 07:42:48 PM
I can't confirm just yet, but depending on the cause of the warranty claim ie. if it is outside the first month you most likely would have to return it to us for the warranty repairs / inspection - similar to other PVR manufacturers:
http://support.icetv.com.au/entries/20293087-If-I-need-to-return-my-item-for-repair-or-replacement-who-pays-for-the-postage-costs-
Thanks for the link - but it raises as many questions as it answers - Beyonwiz put the onus on the customer to pay and Topfield provide a pickup and delivery service. Of course in the case of SKIPPA it will be IceTV's call on what is to happen so we look forward to learning how warranty will be handled
Quote from: bodogbodog on June 08, 2015, 08:00:40 PM
Quote from: Leon K on June 08, 2015, 07:42:48 PM
I can't confirm just yet, but depending on the cause of the warranty claim ie. if it is outside the first month you most likely would have to return it to us for the warranty repairs / inspection - similar to other PVR manufacturers:
http://support.icetv.com.au/entries/20293087-If-I-need-to-return-my-item-for-repair-or-replacement-who-pays-for-the-postage-costs-
Thanks for the link - but it raises as many questions as it answers - Beyonwiz put the onus on the customer to pay and Topfield provide a pickup and delivery service. Of course in the case of SKIPPA it will be IceTV's call on what is to happen so we look forward to learning how warranty will be handled
I have to agree, that doesn't answer anything at all. Basically, it is up to IceTV to decide which supplier they want to emulate, as they are all different. AFAIC, packing up and safely shipping a PVR interstate would be quite costly, so arranging a courier would be a fair thing to do (of course, they could stipulate that if the fault is not with the equipment, the customer has to pay)
Quote from: Leon K on June 08, 2015, 12:52:51 PM
Hey Guys,
Just to please note too that the warranty will be void if opening the box / replacing the HDD, as it is not designed to be upgraded.
That's fine and of course understandable, I have pre-ordered mine already and have no problem with this. However given the nature of recorders like this, they do tend to fill up rather quickly depending on individual use. My T3 currently has only about 25% storage left on a 1 TB HDD. I can and will update it sooner or later Warranty or not, because I can. Will the Skippa allow HDD change and what is the maximum size HDD it can handle? I'd like to put a larger one in there probably sooner rather than later. Looking forward to playing with it. ;)
The max HDD size is presumably governed by the Linux kernel that is being used. Ancient kernels support up to 2TB (this is the case for TRF-2400 and similar generation Toppys), more recent kernels which support GPT and can support any size HDD.
Ian
Bodogbodog,
Your info on returns from other companies isn't correct.
I can't categorically speak for topfield, however I am fairly sure they DO NOT organise pickup and delivery, only delivery, on machines older than 3 months. For machines less than 3 months old they pay both ways but if more than 3 months old, they can organise pickup for you but at your cost.
Beyonwiz, definitely DO pay both ways for machines that are 30 days old or less and fail, as has been the case with many T3 owners. After that again it's at your cost for sending to them.
Once it goes past a certain time most manufacturers put the onus back onto the customer to return the item at their expense, that's why it's called a return to base warranty. The DOA period differed greatly, but the mains ones I know seem to be 30 days from invoice, after that you ship yourself. Almost all companies seem to pay for return freight however so at least it's only one way you have to fund yourself.
This is often why you pay more from an in-store retailer local to you as they have to factor that cost of return in to the price, if it fails inside the warranty period with a store, you just take it back there and it becomes their problem.
I imagine ICE will implement a similar system with a set DOA period etc, just like the rest do.
Mark
Quote from: warkus on June 09, 2015, 01:00:48 PM
Your info on returns from other companies isn't correct
Mark
I'm just taking the info from the link that the IceTV guys have posted ie http://support.icetv.com.au/entries/20293087-If-I-need-to-return-my-item-for-repair-or-replacement-who-pays-for-the-postage-costs-
ie:
Beyonwiz:
If your unit is dead on arrival (DOA) or faulty within 1 month of purchase, it will be replaced and shipping costs will be covered by Beyonwiz.
If your unit is faulty after 1 month of purchase, you will be required to pay the shipping cost to send the unit back to them and for the unit to be returned to you after repair.
Topfield:
If the unit has to be replaced or repaired, Topfield will organise for a courier to pick/deliver the unit from/to you.
If it's not correct then they should correct their www site information and not quote the link
Bogdogbogdog......why is it that my questions about who manufactures the box aggrieve you and yet after that you have unleashed a tirade of less relevant questions?
Quote from: Rat on June 09, 2015, 11:34:19 PM
Bogdogbogdog......why is it that my questions about who manufactures the box aggrieve you and yet after that you have unleashed a tirade of less relevant questions?
Warranty is relevant - it will inevitably be an issue and it's reasonable to ask how it will be handled
I'm not aggrieved by your questions - but your inference that IceTV MUST answer them is interesting
They could answer my question with "IceTV choose to withhold the information regarding the manufacturer of Skippa due to commercial confidentiality reasons" then I would have to accept that.
I can't really understand why they would say that, but I'm sure there is much about their business I don't understand, I am no expert. I guess that as soon as Skippa is released that someone with a great deal of knowledge about the hardware will open the box up and have a look and will probably know from that who makes it. That is why I don't understand the thoughts behind trying to keep it a secret.
I assume that IceTV have chosen a well known and trusted manufacturer that has a history of producing quality PVR hardware, so why would they not want to promote that?
My question about the bug fixes did not get an official response from staff either but was answered thanks, I assume this is from info gained from ringing them up? or have you been asked as a beta tester to report back on the software?
I have already purchased, so the questions are just a matter of interest, I doubt I'm the only one interested in the answers, it would take very little time and effort to answer. At first I thought maybe the question had not been noticed, that is why I posted it again, but it is now apparent that IceTV chose to ignore it instead of addressing. That is why my tone changed and yes I accept that I did sound demanding and in hindsight I would have been better off just letting it go rather than letting being ignored annoy me. Yes each to their own, and they don't have to do anything and we can take it or leave it. I do hope the IceTV staff provide timely and appropriate responses to the numerous questions that will no doubt fill these forums when Skippa gets to people's homes.
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AMor have you been asked as a beta tester to report back on the software?
No - I'm not involved with SKIPPA in any way apart from as a pre order purchaser just like others
Like you I have lots of questions and expectations - but I'm not optimistic about getting them answered until IceTV choose to share more info or we receive the units
Right now my priority is that my old Wiz hangs on long enough that I don't have to send it off to Warkus for a repair
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
They could answer my question with "IceTV choose to withhold the information regarding the manufacturer of Skippa due to commercial confidentiality reasons" then I would have to accept that.
I can't really understand why they would say that, but I'm sure there is much about their business I don't understand, I am no expert.
You answered your own questions. Commercial confidentiality agreements and licensing etc. TiVO, Fetch, Foxtel, Beyonwiz etc don't mention who makes their boxes, so why should IceTV.
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
I guess that as soon as Skippa is released that someone with a great deal of knowledge about the hardware will open the box up and have a look and will probably know from that who makes it. That is why I don't understand the thoughts behind trying to keep it a secret.
Someone voiding their warranty to open the case and guesstimate who made the box is different to a company breaching any commercial confidentiality or marketing agreements.
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
I assume that IceTV have chosen a well known and trusted manufacturer that has a history of producing quality PVR hardware, so why would they not want to promote that?
Realistically Skippa should stand on it's own build quality and reliability without needing to bolster it's image by referring to a manufacturer's past successes.
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
At first I thought maybe the question had not been noticed, that is why I posted it again, but it is now apparent that IceTV chose to ignore it instead of addressing. That is why my tone changed and yes I accept that I did sound demanding and in hindsight I would have been better off just letting it go rather than letting being ignored annoy me.
Have you considered that those answering this forum may not know the answer, or aren't allowed to answer your question. Posts can often be overlooked if other people post shortly after you, resulting in only the last post getting noticed. Other times it may be a case of "I don't the answer so I'll try to find the answer and reply later" or "I don't know the answer so I'll leave it for someone else to reply" (but everyone else is thinking the same thing).
Also, product forums generally tend to be for users to help each other rather than for the manufacturer to answer each and every question.
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
I do hope the IceTV staff provide timely and appropriate responses to the numerous questions that will no doubt fill these forums when Skippa gets to people's homes.
I expect they will provide their usual level of service.
Quote from: nis200sx on June 10, 2015, 01:26:09 PM
I expect they will provide their usual level of service.
Well I hope upon Skippas release that they apply a bit more than their usual level of service on the forums which at best could be described as spasmodic, but you are probably correct.
New Beyonwiz T4 just got announced - http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d14dd19ff33a326dbda099b2b&id=cb3f488e77&e=b27f800a37
Interesting to see how this stacks with the Skippa, ICE TV seems to be working with it too.
I've been using IceTV on a T4 for some time. A test T4 is currently our main PVR. With IceTV, of course.
I'm interested in how Beyonwiz prices the T series against Skkipa. ;)
QuoteThe Beyonwiz T4 will come in 6 Flavours, Barebone (No Internal HDD), 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and a whopping 6TB ranging in price from $599 - $1099.
From an email I received today.
On paper the T4 looks very impressive!
It has the 4 Tuners first promised by IceTV but dropped to 3 Tuners on the Skippa, and is sure to give the Skippa a run for it's money
Quote from: Rat on June 10, 2015, 03:32:43 PM
Quote from: nis200sx on June 10, 2015, 01:26:09 PM
I expect they will provide their usual level of service.
Well I hope upon Skippas release that they apply a bit more than their usual level of service on the forums which at best could be described as spasmodic, but you are probably correct.
I've been with IceTV for years and they have always been pleasant to deal with via phone or website support tickets.
I'm sure their after sales service for the skippa will be of a very high standard.
Quote from: prl on June 10, 2015, 10:30:26 PM
I'm interested in how Beyonwiz prices the T series against Skkipa. ;)
The weblink snuke posted above states the T4 will be from $599 and I presume that is barebones model with no hdd.
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/seored/u=aHR0cDovL3VzNS5jYW1wYWlnbi1hcmNoaXZlMS5jb20vP3U9ZDE0ZGQxOWZmMzNhMzI2ZGJkYTA5OWIyYiZhbXA7aWQ9Y2IzZjQ4OGU3NyZhbXA7ZT1iMjdmODAwYTM3
edit:
The Beyonwiz T4 will come in 6 Flavours, Barebone (No Internal HDD), 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and a whopping 6TB ranging in price from $599 - $1099.
Pricewise I already don't want a T4. btw did the T3 ever even make it to retail stores?
Quote from: Vortical on June 10, 2015, 11:36:13 PM
btw did the T3 ever even make it to retail stores?
No - and I doubt the Skippa will be there either. This seems to be the new marketing model - I hesitate to use the term 'price fixing', but this sales model certainly manages to avoid price competition between retailers.
I see both the T3 and T4 have separate tuners requiring and external pass-through cable. Networking - 10/100/1000 is a good move. It also has HDMI input.
Ian
What does Beyonwiz's T4 model and specs have to do with Skippa preorders?
If it's that interesting why not start a dedicated thread to discuss it?
Quote from: bodogbodog on June 11, 2015, 10:14:35 AM
What does Beyonwiz's T4 model and docs have to do with Skippa preorders?
If it's that interesting why not start a dedicated thread to discuss it?
Good point!
Also.. and I'm being serious here, can I cancel my Skippa order? Because the new T4 looks uber specced and I'd prefer it to the Skippa.
I think the T4 release is very relevant to Skippa pre-orders, as above perhaps there will be quite a few people asking for their pre-order money back. Personally I would still pick the Skippa at $399 over the more expensive and better specced T4, but the risk of being a beta tester for Skippa still concerns me.
But if the Skippa was selling for it's recently inflated RRP of $599 then it would be a very different story.
Quote from: Paul55 on June 11, 2015, 07:18:40 AM
Quote from: Vortical on June 10, 2015, 11:36:13 PM
btw did the T3 ever even make it to retail stores?
No - and I doubt the Skippa will be there either. This seems to be the new marketing model - I hesitate to use the term 'price fixing', but this sales model certainly manages to avoid price competition between retailers.
It has always been our plan that Skippa will be available in retail stores.
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 11, 2015, 04:51:45 PM
It has always been our plan that Skippa will be available in retail stores.
Excellent news. I'll be happy to be proved wrong once that happens.
Price competition is good for users and probably for the distributor as well. Competition will make Skippa more attractive to potential T3/T4 buyers as there seems to be no appetite from Beyonwiz to subject itself to market forces.
I probably would have gone the T3 route a few months back if I wasn't concerned by their monopoly artificially inflating the ticket price.
Mind you, my philosophical objections haven't always worked in my favour ::) ::) :'(
Quote from: Nodeity on June 11, 2015, 10:47:14 AM
Quote from: bodogbodog on June 11, 2015, 10:14:35 AM
What does Beyonwiz's T4 model and docs have to do with Skippa preorders?
If it's that interesting why not start a dedicated thread to discuss it?
Good point!
Also.. and I'm being serious here, can I cancel my Skippa order? Because the new T4 looks uber specced and I'd prefer it to the Skippa.
Dave, your blood deserves bottling.! Thank you
Quote from: IanL-S on June 04, 2015, 02:34:57 PM
Agreed. Hopefully it is possible to swap in a larger HDD. Unfortunately it appears to have a 2.5" rather than 3.5" HDD so the options will be limited.
The largest I could find by quick internet search was a 2TB WD Green for just under $200.
Ian
Ian,
I recently had a HDD failure on my laptop and researched a replacement. 2 reports , one from the US equivalent of Choice, give the Hitachi 2.5"HDD's the thumbs up and I picked up a 2tb (7200RPM, ussually 5400RPM) from a Sydney supplier for $109 - I'll look for a name when I get home.
Seagate and WD (now the same company) cop a bagging based on failure rates.
cheers
Emmsee
That's not quite the full picture emmsee, look a little deeper...
Firstly, WD own HGST (hitachi), have done for a long time. Seagate own Samsung HDD's, also have done for a long time, and most importantly, Seagate do NOT own WD.
I am pretty sure only Toshiba and Fujitsu are the only 2 other name brands left that are not owned by someone that owns someone that owns someone.
So basically it's, WD, Seagate, Toshiba... That's about it... Anything Hitachi is WD technology nowadays, not like their old stuff.
Quote from: warkus on June 12, 2015, 03:52:20 PM
That's not quite the full picture emmsee, look a little deeper...
Firstly, WD own HGST (hitachi), have done for a long time. Seagate own Samsung HDD's, also have done for a long time, and most importantly, Seagate do NOT own WD.
I am pretty sure only Toshiba and Fujitsu are the only 2 other name brands left that are not owned by someone that owns someone that owns someone.
So basically it's, WD, Seagate, Toshiba... That's about it... Anything Hitachi is WD technology nowadays, not like their old stuff.
Quite right Mark,
I read this article some time back and assumed (yeah, I know) that the buyout had proceeded - http://www.storagenewsletter.com/rubriques/mas/seagate-acquires-wd-for-16-billion-new-company-named-seawest/
Not so, it seems!
Re the reliability of Hitachi v WD v Seagate.
Have a read of this - http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/175089-who-makes-the-most-reliable-hard-drives
I'd certainly buy Hitachi before a WD or Seagate.
cheers
emmsee
I wouldn't, it entirely depends on the drive series, and model and time of manufacture.
As is evident by that article, manufacturers, all of them, at one time or another have had bad batches of drives, it's across the board and not a specific brand thing. Seagate had a bad batch of 3 and 4tb drives, most definitely, but does that mean I wouldn't buy them, no definitely not.
I have had just as many hitachi failures lately, I used to love them, so believe me, they are mechanical and they can fail...
That article by the way was an April fools joke... Look further down.
Mark
Getting back on track, I've just ordered the Skippa. For the pre-order price, I couldn't justify the T3 or T4 price difference.
Let's hope us early adopters won't be doing too much guinea pigging. (Yes, to guinea pig is now a verb)
Quote from: injidup on June 13, 2015, 01:52:57 PM
Getting back on track, I've just ordered the Skippa. For the pre-order price, I couldn't justify the T3 or T4 price difference.
Let's hope us early adopters won't be doing too much guinea pigging. (Yes, to guinea pig is now a verb)
An IceTV device developed by IceTV should work exactly how they want it to, that's what I'm expecting anyway.
I'm also hoping for Eastern states owners these boxes can automatically handle daylight savings time changes without too many dramas.
Other devices I've owned from Topfield & Beyonwiz rely on overseas firmware coders to try to get it right but I'm yet to see a box that can perfectly do everything icetv is capable of doing.
eg Latest icetv capable topfields (2400/2460) can't handle shows that change time after the timer is already set on the pvr, I've had to do it myself manually.
Luckily icetv has timer clash notifications sent via email to let users know.
Quote from: Vortical on June 13, 2015, 02:55:53 PM
An IceTV device developed by IceTV should work exactly how they want it to, that's what I'm expecting anyway.
I agree, but I am not convinced that is the same as what the users want. In the beginning, Heinz was asking us users for ideas, but none of those ideas were ever acknowledged.
Now that is is finally out, we are still in the dark about what it will do as far as the software is concerned. We already know that some of the initial promises have been changed (i.e. number of tuners) with no explanation as to why.
Well my 2 cents again...
We are not in the dark about what the software will do at all, much of the info has been answered and is out there...
In theory, a PVR that has the following...
Easy to use and is user friendly without the need for complex system knowledge
3 tuners - enough for pretty much 85% of people
Record 6 shows on 3 networks whilst watching a another show
App support (secretly hoping that Netflix is one of them).
Ad skip manual and auto
Plex app
DLNA server and client built-in
Possible FTP app or built in client - hopefully - for transferring recordings off the box
USB recording playback
Is what most standard / basic PVR users could ever want, if you want more than that then you probably fit better into the T3/4 mould due to its complexity and additional configuration / features but sadly they goes too far and are definitely not easy to use so definitely won't appeal to everyone and of course what comes from complexity is system bugs and constant updates to rectify them.
I'm quite sure the skippa won't appeal to everyone either and there will be many that wish it had this and that etc etc, but honestly, on paper it looks like it has most of what is needed, about the only extra things i think it probably should have or is missing would be AV input and gig LAN, but I can live without that.
I agree with vortical, a unit from ICE should work just how they want it. It's also probably based on a lot of user feedback. why they changed the tuner number to 3, no idea, nor do I care really as it's not that big a problem. i honestly doubt there would be more than a handful of times a year that ANYONE would need to record 4 shows on 4 networks all at exactly the same time, it's definitely not going to be an everyday occurrence. People appear to want it just for the sake of having it.
The only question I have left now is does it live up to itself on paper... That will be the big question and I can't wait to find that out...
Mark
This may have been answered but is there a better picture of the remote and all its functions available also can the remote control the TV's volume.
Thanks
Quote from: warkus on June 14, 2015, 09:26:53 AM
The only question I have left now is does it live up to itself on paper... That will be the big question and I can't wait to find that out...
Mark
Agreed, on paper it looks just like what I want in a PVR, already owning a FetchTV, I can cope with the reduction to 3 Tuners and now look forward to receiving my Skippa ;D
Quote from: warkus on June 14, 2015, 09:26:53 AM
Well my 2 cents again...
We are not in the dark about what the software will do at all, much of the info has been answered and is out there...
By software, I am talking about the nuances, that we won't know until we see the manual. Mainly (in my case) I want to know how it will compare to TEDS.
You can see here what TEDS could do http://home.exetel.com.au/trappett/teds/ (http://home.exetel.com.au/trappett/teds/) The reason I have held onto Toppy5K this long is because of TEDS.
Reading what it can do, obviously some of those things are not needed with the Skippa, but I am still not clear on how the Skippa would handle some of the handy things that TEDS is so good at, like, for instance, handling conflicts. OK, I realise that conflicts would be a
lot less frequent on the Skippa than on the 2 tuner Toppy, but we still don't know how they will be handled when they occur, or (for instance) can the padding be varied by show or at least network?
Or, (another great way to avoid conflicts) can one pick which repeats one wants to record? I mean, if there is a show that I like that gets repeated several times during the week, the first one showing in prime time, so it may clash with other shows, but some of the repeats do not. So, with TED, I can mark that show to record repeats, but only on, say, Saturday night. So, I don't end up with 4 recordings of the same show and I can choose to record the show at a time when it is least likely to clash with other programs.
Anyway, these are the sorts of things I meant when I said we are still in the dark about the software
Quote from: csutak40 on June 14, 2015, 05:36:57 PM
By software, I am talking about the nuances, that we won't know until we see the manual. Mainly (in my case) I want to know how it will compare to TEDS.
You can see here what TEDS could do http://home.exetel.com.au/trappett/teds/ (http://home.exetel.com.au/trappett/teds/) The reason I have held onto Toppy5K this long is because of TEDS.
Reading what it can do, obviously some of those things are not needed with the Skippa, but I am still not clear on how the Skippa would handle some of the handy things that TEDS is so good at, like, for instance, handling conflicts. OK, I realise that conflicts would be a lot less frequent on the Skippa than on the 2 tuner Toppy, but we still don't know how they will be handled when they occur, or (for instance) can the padding be varied by show or at least network?
Or, (another great way to avoid conflicts) can one pick which repeats one wants to record? I mean, if there is a show that I like that gets repeated several times during the week, the first one showing in prime time, so it may clash with other shows, but some of the repeats do not. So, with TED, I can mark that show to record repeats, but only on, say, Saturday night. So, I don't end up with 4 recordings of the same show and I can choose to record the show at a time when it is least likely to clash with other programs.
Anyway, these are the sorts of things I meant when I said we are still in the dark about the software
Judy, your concerns seem to come from never having used IceTV smart recording. TEDS and your old SD toppy only use the IceTV TV guide.
Most of what TED/S does IceTV smart recording does too. The only TEDS features that IceTV doesn't have (yet) are star ratings to automatically manage conflicts and separate padding options per TV network or channel or channel type (Commercial versus National).
Star ratings for each series really aren't needed when you can record more than 2 shows at once, and they're not wanted if you prefer to manage your recording schedule yourself. If there's a conflict I want to decide what gets dropped. When I used TEDS (8 years ago) I had most of my shows set to 5 stars because I wanted to record them. If I didn't really want to record them I wouldn't have scheduled them in the first place. The shows I didn't care about (which had 1 star) ended up getting cancelled by me anyway. Which made the whole star rating system pointless for me.
When using IceTV smart recording, if you notice a conflict you can set a keyword recording to make that show only record repeats, or set a series to only record on the HD channel or only on SD channels or to only record at a certain time of day or only record 1 episode per day.
Conflicts are handled by the PVRs (not just skippa) then the PVR reports the conflict to you (in My Week on the apps and website and optionally also via email). When you are alerted of a conflict (which is usually 5 days away) you can manage your recording schedules to avoid the conflict this one time or for all future episodes.
Quote from: nis200sx on June 14, 2015, 10:55:56 PM
Judy, your concerns seem to come from never having used IceTV smart recording. TEDS and your old SD toppy only use the IceTV TV guide.
You could be right, of course. I do use IceTV on Windows MC, but not a lot - I only use it for shows that I want to keep, or when I want to record something and the Toppy is busy using both tuners to record something. I haven't spend a lot of time studying it, but do find it confusing. If you set it for "first run" then is there a reason to set it for how many times a day? Usually, first run would mean one, but there are some shows lately when they show two episodes back to back. So, I don't really understand the purpose of that setting.
Quote from: nis200sx on June 14, 2015, 10:55:56 PMMost of what TED/S does IceTV smart recording does too. The only TEDS features that IceTV doesn't have (yet) are star ratings to automatically manage conflicts and separate padding options per TV network or channel or channel type (Commercial versus National).
And I would have thought that would be a handy feature - quite possibly reduce the possibility of conflicts - you really don't need a lot of padding on National networks.
Quote from: nis200sx on June 14, 2015, 10:55:56 PMStar ratings for each series really aren't needed when you can record more than 2 shows at once, and they're not wanted if you prefer to manage your recording schedule yourself.
I find it very useful. I frequently change them around to help manage conflicts. For instance, if there is a show on the ABC I want to watch, I can give it one star and set it to tape repeats, because it will probably be repeated, so it can tape one of the repeats, (and I can even decide which of the repeats I want to be taped) instead of the first run - and if worse comes to worse there is always iView :P As I said, I realise that it is much less likely to get a lot of conflicts with the Skippa.
Quote from: nis200sx on June 14, 2015, 10:55:56 PMWhen using IceTV smart recording, if you notice a conflict you can set a keyword recording to make that show only record repeats, or set a series to only record on the HD channel or only on SD channels or to only record at a certain time of day or only record 1 episode per day.
Must admit, I hadn't noticed any of those settings (except the opportunity to pick between SD and HD - which, on the SBS at least, wouldn't help to manage conflicts, as they usually run simultaneously on the two channels. Also saw, as I said, the 1 episode per day setting, which I don't quite get) I haven't seen the setting for certain time of the day, or how keyword recording would help with conflicts
Quote from: nis200sx on June 14, 2015, 10:55:56 PMConflicts are handled by the PVRs (not just skippa) then the PVR reports the conflict to you (in My Week on the apps and website and optionally also via email). When you are alerted of a conflict (which is usually 5 days away) you can manage your recording schedules to avoid the conflict this one time or for all future episodes.
Yeah, you are probably right. If I think about it, there shouldn't be a lot of conflicts to worry about. Thank you very much for the explanation
I took the punt and pre ordered without the manual (not a huge cost). I hope I have a similar function to my Toppy - Skip forward 30sec and Skip back 10 sec. This function if very useful when skipping adds. Also the function of starting at the beginning of the recorded program or resume from last position. Having 60+ programs currently recorded it is now difficult to manage. The ability to "save" a recording to a dedicated folder would ne nice. One for wife /kids/sport etc
What's the current expected ship date in July?
Quote from: NRo on June 15, 2015, 03:45:37 PM
What's the current expected ship date in July?
Two weeks away from July we have a one month window for delivery so I think this is a very relevant question (just ignore little dog man yapping around everyone's ankles) I would like to know this also but I don't think we are going to get an answer and even if we did I would take it with a grain of salt due to the MULTIPLE release date slips in the past some of which were unannounced. Some of the date slips were no doubt beyond IceTV's control, but communicating to the public here was sometimes handled poorly or not at all. As I said previously we are not out of the woods until you have it on your doorstep, I'm preparing to get mine in August so if it turns up in July that will be a nice surprise :D
Insulting other people will not be tolerated on the IceTV forums.
Quote from: NRo on June 15, 2015, 03:45:37 PM
What's the current expected ship date in July?
Pre-ordered skippas will be shipped to customers in the last week of July. Depending on your location and courier efficiency etc those who pre-ordered should have it by the end of July or first week in August. Christmas in July?
Looks like I was right, seeing as I live in Tassie it is probable I won't get mine until August, I was not whining just being honest open and truthful.
LOL "July or first week in August."
August it is then ;D The ever slipping timeline
Seriously, it's just a tv recorder! An extra week or two's wait isn't going to kill anyone! Especially as most on here already seem to have at least one PVR already.
[pious mode] I'm happy to get the pre-release pricing and understand that its a new product and shipping times can slip. [/pious off]
I have ordered a new motorbike and was told early June delivery. It's now going to be mid-late July. Such is life. (Although I do have a suspicion that the dealer quoted an unreasonably early delivery date to get the sale).
"Although I do have a suspicion that the dealer quoted an unreasonably early delivery date to get the sale"
A bit like the IceTV PVR with 4 Tuners that was supposed to happen mid last year ;D
I'm not too fussed over the delay, we have come to expect that, but of course I am hoping to get my new toy as soon as possible 8)
Anyway they said it would ship in July and as Dave stated it will ship in July, they can't help delivery timeframes around the country pushing delivery dates into August.
"they can't help delivery timeframes around the country pushing delivery dates into August."
Yeah, post them on the 31/07/15 and you can't help deliveries occurring in August 8)
Hi
New member here. I've been looking for a replacement for my Tivo and Skippa is among the candidates. I have some questions which I hope someone might be able to answer for me.
1. Will the Skippa be able to use the FTA EPG? (Just in the unlikely event that IceTV goes bung/broke.)
2. Are there only 4 channels visible at once on the EPG "to record" screen?
3.Is there only 1 option for manual ad-skip? i.e. 30sec forward, 15 back, etc.
4. Can you only program recordings on an app, not on the machine itself? (maybe another tv recorder I'm thinking of.)
5. Can you only archive to a USB stick or USB HDD.?
Many thanks
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
Hi
New member here. I've been looking for a replacement for my Tivo and Skippa is among the candidates. I have some questions which I hope someone might be able to answer for me.
1. Will the Skippa be able to use the FTA EPG? (Just in the unlikely event that IceTV goes bung/broke.)
2. Are there only 4 channels visible at once on the EPG "to record" screen?
3.Is there only 1 option for manual ad-skip? i.e. 30sec forward, 15 back, etc.
4. Can you only program recordings on an app, not on the machine itself? (maybe another tv recorder I'm thinking of.)
5. Can you only archive to a USB stick or USB HDD.?
Many thanks
Yes, these are good questions. I'm about to hit the Buy button, but one of the features I would dearly love to have is the ability to set ICETV recordings on the machine UI itself. I believe the ICETV supported Humax already does this.
And yes, being able to use FTA EPG as well should be a must. Still sighing about just 3 tuners..... it's about the only thing that matters to me greatly wrt to missing functions (at least atm, and yes, it's definitely a step in the unknown...). Still vacillating a bit between Skippa and the BeyonWiz T4. Answers (in the positive :)) to all the question you've raised would certainly have a great influence in swaying me towards the Skippa.
I would think that you would be able to set timers on the PVR. At the minimum this would be for one off recordings (it works this way with Topfield TRF2400 and TF7100HDPVRt Plus). With RCU it may be challenging to do some more advanced scheduling but my expectation is that it will be an option.
I suspect that the Skippa will be able to scan free-to-air program information otherwise the number of channels for which data is required will increase significantly because the Infotainment channels are not currently included (another 5 channels). At one stage this possibility was canvassed on the forum.
Phil, I am also disappointed about there only being 3 tuners.
Ian
I would also like to know about the FTA EPG recording. We regularly lose our internet connection, sometimes for several days at a time. The TiVo stores 14 days of programs in the device, so it will still work without internet. I'm hoping the Skippa will have a similar option or some alternative.
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
1. Will the Skippa be able to use the FTA EPG? (Just in the unlikely event that IceTV goes bung/broke.)
You cannot turn off IceTV, so using the FTA EPG is not an option. If IceTV ever became unable to continue providing an ongoing service we would ensure that customer's SKIPPAs would be able to access the FTA EPG.
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
2. Are there only 4 channels visible at once on the EPG "to record" screen?
Correct. What you see in the screenshot (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/skippa-epg-screenshot/4485/) is how the EPG looks.
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
3.Is there only 1 option for manual ad-skip? i.e. 30sec forward, 15 back, etc.
You can set the manual skip buttons to jump from 5 seconds up to 10 or 15 minutes.
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
4. Can you only program recordings on an app, not on the machine itself? (maybe another tv recorder I'm thinking of.)
You can set single and series recordings from the EPG using the remote control, or from the phone app and website.
Quote from: rfk on June 18, 2015, 04:10:46 PM
5. Can you only archive to a USB stick or USB HDD.?
Correct. Though you could copy the recording's URL from a DLNA media player and paste it into a web browser's address bar.
Quote from: FMB on June 18, 2015, 04:59:11 PM
I would also like to know about the FTA EPG recording. We regularly lose our internet connection, sometimes for several days at a time. The TiVo stores 14 days of programs in the device, so it will still work without internet. I'm hoping the Skippa will have a similar option or some alternative.
If you lose your Internet connection SKIPPA will operate in offline mode until your Internet comes back online. SKIPPA would still have 7 days of EPG data and existing recording schedules. While the SKIPPA is in offline mode you can still set new single and series recordings from the EPG, but the series recordings won't be uploaded to your account until your Internet connection comes back online.
Thanks for those prompt answers Dave. It gives me some confidence having an "official" answer. :)
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 18, 2015, 05:44:50 PM
You can set single and series recordings from the EPG using the remote control, or from the phone app and website.
Can you set a recording "on the fly"? I mean to start recording a program instantly that you weren't planning to record earlier. (say, I am watching a show live and a visitor arrives)
Quote from: csutak40 on June 19, 2015, 04:06:20 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 18, 2015, 05:44:50 PM
You can set single and series recordings from the EPG using the remote control, or from the phone app and website.
Can you set a recording "on the fly"? I mean to start recording a program instantly that you weren't planning to record earlier. (say, I am watching a show live and a visitor arrives)
Yes. You can just press record to start recording the channel you are viewing.
So apparently they haven't even started manufacturing these things yet. Then they have to be tested? By family members? I'm thinking more like September shipping. And what's the deal with AutoSkip being on a subscription basis? I thought this was built-in functionality.
Here are the wife's questions based on how she uses our existing PVR, (topfied 2400 with TMSArchive TAP).
Are there two separate buttons for skip forward/backward? Can they be set to independent values? Eg, 30 forward, 10 back?
Can you create folders and move recordings into them post recording? eg, one for her, one for the kids, one for the series you want to wait to fully complete before binge watching?
Can you switch the list of recorded shows between date & name sorting with a button press.
Can you select multiple recordings and move them to folders or delete them in batches.
Can the Skippa be put to sleep, but still wake at least once a day to receive icetv updates. Useful for when you go away. If not, can a timer be set to wake for 5 minutes and then return to sleep, like the topfield.
Will you get an in-your-face notification if a recording is due to fail due to conflicts or if the Skippa has failed to connect to the internet for a period of time. At the moment we get an email if the Topfield has not connected to icetv for 7 days. Which is frustrating because you only send the last next 5 days of recordings, by the time you tell us there is an issue we've already lost two days of recordings. You might want to fix that.
Does the remote have a 'universal' function for volume that tries to adjust the TVs volume instead of the Skippas volume. Kind of like our 360 remote, you enter in codes till you find the one that works with your TV. Our topfield remote was supposed to have something like that but it never worked properly.
Can the Skippa push out 5V for the rooftop aerial booster like the Topfield or will I need to dig out the wall wart again?
Ta.
edit: Duh
Quote from: FMB on June 19, 2015, 04:59:11 PM
So apparently they haven't even started manufacturing these things yet. Then they have to be tested? By family members? I'm thinking more like September shipping.
Really? Do you have proof or are you just speculating? Have you ordered one? I'm sure there are beta testers on here.
I'm sure those who have pre-ordered are quite aware of the risks of buying a new product from a new manufacturer. I've had a Beyonwiz for about 5 years and it still feels like it's not fully tested.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Are there two separate buttons for skip forward/backward? Can they be set to independent values? Eg, 30 forward, 10 back?
There are independently configurable skip buttons buttons. Can't remember if it's 2 or 4 configurable buttons (I think it's 4, but there are at least 2).
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Can you create folders and move recordings into them post recording? eg, one for her, one for the kids, one for the series you want to wait to fully complete before binge watching?
SKIPPA will list your recordings in virtual folders that it creates itself. You can sort the recordings so they appear as one flat list with no folders. Or search the file list.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Can you switch the list of recorded shows between date & name sorting with a button press.
Yes.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Can you select multiple recordings and move them to folders or delete them in batches.
Honestly, I don't know and I'm not at the office right now. I think no.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Can the Skippa be put to sleep, but still wake at least once a day to receive icetv updates. Useful for when you go away. If not, can a timer be set to wake for 5 minutes and then return to sleep, like the topfield.
SKIPPA can record and update from IceTV without needing to wake up. So you can put it to sleep and go away knowing that it will record any new shows you schedule while you are away, without using as much power as it would if it was fully on. Sleep mode uses less power than fully awake but not as little as if it was fully off.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Will you get an in-your-face notification if a recording is due to fail due to conflicts or if the Skippa has failed to connect to the internet for a period of time. At the moment we get an email if the Topfield has not connected to icetv for 7 days. Which is frustrating because you only send the last next 5 days of recordings, by the time you tell us there is an issue we've already lost two days of recordings. You might want to fix that.
For all recorders, IceTV sends scheduling failure emails as soon as the recorder reports them - which for ongoing series would normally be 5 days ahead. If a recorder has not connected for 5 days we send an email alert - so I'm not sure why you are only getting emails after 7 days of not contacting the IceTV server.
As for SKIPPA, it will alert you onscreen if it is unable to contact the IceTV server. Failed schedules should appear onscreen with an error icon in SKIPPA's My Week schedule list.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Does the remote have a 'universal' function for volume that tries to adjust the TVs volume instead of the Skippas volume. Kind of like our 360 remote, you enter in codes till you find the one that works with your TV. Our topfield remote was supposed to have something like that but it never worked properly.
No. The SKIPPA's remote can only operate the SKIPPA.
Quote from: grahford on June 19, 2015, 05:04:34 PM
Can the Skippa push out 5V for the rooftop aerial booster like the Topfield or will I need to dig out the wall wart again?
No 5v antenna power option.
FMB is correct they have just sent out an email to all those who preordered giving the current status.
Please see below.
I am also confussed about the "substription to Autoskip" comment.
Does that mean if you bought the pre release Skippa with life time free EPG you also get life time free Autoskip subscription or is that something else???
I agree if they havent started producing or beta testing the Skipa units then there is no way we will see them in July.
This is starting to feel more like a crowd funding or kickstarter project than reality.
Im also starting to think that the Autoskip technology is not as advance as we have been led to believe and it is just simply someone watching the program in realtime at Ice HQ who tags the start and finish of the adverts on each TV channel and that data is then streamed to the home Skippa box which deleats the time slot in the recorded program. That would explain why you cant watch a recorded program until 10 minutes after it has been recorded.
I would like to hear from Skippas forum guru on these comments..
----------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a brief update on what's happening with SKIPPA:
SKIPPA HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY TESTED
User requirements, software programming and testing were conducted concurrently in an agile approach. This enabled us to work with well-tested software at every stage, with just a short pre-manufacturing test at the end.
MANUFACTURING IS STARTING
Next week, we'll manufacture our first batch of SKIPPAs in a pre-production run. This gives our employees' families a month to experience SKIPPA and suggest any changes. When customers set up their SKIPPA for the first time, it will automatically check for software upgrades via the internet.
SHIP DATE IS JULY
Mass manufacturing takes place in early July. We will dispatch your SKIPPA from our Sydney warehouse in the last week of July.
PRE-ORDER EXTENSION
About 1,000 of you have taken advantage of our special pre-order price of $399. For the next 500 units, pricing is now $449 and includes a 1-year subscription to AutoSkip™. You will still save big if you secure one of our early SKIPPA units.
---------------------------------------------------------------
There is a thread about this BS news on AutoSkip sub fee - http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/autoskip-pricing/4509/
They haven't bothered to update the site to actually explain this.
Dave said "No. The SKIPPA's remote can only operate the SKIPPA.".
This is a deal-breaker for me, silly as it sounds, as I don't want to have to use 2 remotes, one for the Skippa and one for the TV. I'd like to keep it simple. Nor do I want to have another remote such as the Harmony to combine the functions. The Tivo remote does both, and I assume, most other modern PVR remotes (open to comment on that).
Quote from: rfk on June 20, 2015, 10:07:25 AM
Dave said "No. The SKIPPA's remote can only operate the SKIPPA.".
This is a deal-breaker for me, silly as it sounds, as I don't want to have to use 2 remotes, one for the Skippa and one for the TV. I'd like to keep it simple. Nor do I want to have another remote such as the Harmony to combine the functions. The Tivo remote does both, and I assume, most other modern PVR remotes (open to comment on that).
Some Topfield PVRs have Universal RCU; the TP501 (shipped with older TRF-2400/2460/2470) and the TP850 ships with later TRF-2400/2460 and possibly the TF-T6000. The more recent Universal RCU only control TV and the Toppy (but will also control DVD integrated in the TV); the TP501 controls DVD player as well. Usually only premium models ship with Universal RCU. However the PVR Ready TFB-200HD ships with a TP850. There is also the TP602 which shipped with some TF-T6000 (similar to the TP850).
Ian
I just re-read what the email on the 19th of June says.............makes me wonder if they are assembling them by hand themselves in someone's shed in Sydney thus cutting out the shipping times from China. Although that would employ more people in OZ which would be great I seriously doubt that is going to happen, and even if it was their dates are not feasible. Quoted from email in Italics and Bold.
Here is a brief update on what's happening with SKIPPA:
SKIPPA HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY TESTED
User requirements, software programming and testing were conducted concurrently in an agile approach. This enabled us to work with well-tested software at every stage, with just a short pre-manufacturing test at the end.
Yeah ok sounds good.
MANUFACTURING IS STARTING
Next week, we'll manufacture our first batch of SKIPPAs in a pre-production run. This gives our employees' families a month to experience SKIPPA and suggest any changes. When customers set up their SKIPPA for the first time, it will automatically check for software upgrades via the internet.
SHIP DATE IS JULY
Here is my take on that second paragraph, happy to be told I am wrong, I actually hope I am, but so far my predictions have been correct.
So this email was sent on Friday 19th of June stating that next week they will start to manufacture their FIRST pre-production run, so from this I gather sometime this week the factory puts a short run of Skippa's online for testing. This will be a test run for the manufacturing line but lets be positive and say all goes well and they get a batch of them done in just a couple of days (is that possible?) and have them boxed up ready to ship by Friday. Then it's the weekend so they wait until Monday 29th and send them express airmail from China because IceTV have a deadline to meet. Maybe the Skippa families will have them in their homes and set up ready to test by about the end of the first week of July?
Then they will start their "month of testing" I'm sure the Skippa families are very familiar with PVR's but I do hope they have been put through a quick course on stress testing beta software and bug reporting. So that brings us into the first week of August.
Sometime during this month of testing the decision would be made to go into full production to supply our pre-orders. Maybe they will make that decision quickly and start full production after only having the test boxes for two weeks, meaning the factory would START a full run of them in the third or fourth week of July. These would need to shipped and not airfreighted, how does a week of manufacture to get the 1000 (plus a few to cover duds) produced and ready to ship and then add two weeks shipping time? That puts them at the Skippa warehouse towards the end of August, then a few days to get them ready for dispatch from the Sydney warehouse and delivery to our homes can commence in the first week of September, if everything goes well.
Mass manufacturing takes place in early July. We will dispatch your SKIPPA from our Sydney warehouse in the last week of July.
Really?
I notice that there is now no mention of delivery date on their website at all that I could find, July has been deleted and not updated. Those who are buying this second lot of pre-orders do not have any release date to go by, just buy one and pay now and assume you will get it sometime. I wonder how popular that is ?
I also thought their schedule was overly optimistic, given the pre-production units had not been manufactured yet!
Like you Rat, I thinks we are probably more than a couple of months away from seeing our Skippas :(
We can live in hope and they may prove us wrong ;)
Hm, where to start.
They said the first batch (the 1000 pre-orders) will be sent by air freight.
To date they have probably only had 'engineering samples', and they are doing a batch in pre-production run for the employees' families, who will have a month to experience SKIPPA and suggest any changes.
It is difficult to know what is meant by 'production'. There are 4 main components, the main board, the HDD, the case and the RCU. The main board has one key competent, the Broadcom SoC. If the OEM has a supply of the SoC then the process of manufacturing the main board is straight forward. Thing become more complex if the OEM has subcontracted the manufacture of the main board. It is possible that the main boards have already been manufactured for the first 1000 pre-order.
The case may be the main issue as it probably requires some custom moulding and finishing; the mould is probably already in place.
Ah humbug, enough of the useless speculation
Ian
Quote from: rfk on June 20, 2015, 10:07:25 AM
Dave said "No. The SKIPPA's remote can only operate the SKIPPA.".
This is a deal-breaker for me, silly as it sounds, as I don't want to have to use 2 remotes, one for the Skippa and one for the TV. I'd like to keep it simple. Nor do I want to have another remote such as the Harmony to combine the functions. The Tivo remote does both, and I assume, most other modern PVR remotes (open to comment on that).
:'(
Quote from: injidup on June 24, 2015, 10:47:16 AM
Quote from: rfk on June 20, 2015, 10:07:25 AM
Dave said "No. The SKIPPA's remote can only operate the SKIPPA.".
This is a deal-breaker for me, silly as it sounds, as I don't want to have to use 2 remotes, one for the Skippa and one for the TV. I'd like to keep it simple. Nor do I want to have another remote such as the Harmony to combine the functions. The Tivo remote does both, and I assume, most other modern PVR remotes (open to comment on that).
:'(
Of the PVRs I have used only the TFR-2400, 2460, 2470 and the TF-T6000 come with 'universal remote'; the TRF-2100, TF71000HDPVRt, TF7100HDPVRtPlus, TRF-7160, 7260, 7170 and TF-T6211 do not. It is a feature limited to 'premium' PVRs ... but is that not what the Skippa is?
Ian
PS I am not fussed by this - I have a Harmony RCU.
All the Beyonwiz PVRs have remotes that can control TVs, even the bottom-of-the-line DP-H1 (single tuner external recording drive only).
But I always found it clunky. Like IanL-S, we use a Harmony 785 to control everything in the A/V cabinet.
I'm in the Harmony remote camp. Everything goes through my AVR, so having to use multiple remotes for the TV, PVR and AVR would drive me nuts. I certainly wouldn't ever dream of using my TV's built-in speakers to watch TV *shudder*.
Quote from: EdQld on June 23, 2015, 10:52:19 AM
I also thought their schedule was overly optimistic, given the pre-production units had not been manufactured yet!
Not sure why you would think IceTV has not manufactured and extensively tested pre-production units yet.
Probably because you consistently said you could not answer any questions about what the finished product would be like and then we were told that the test units would go into production about a week ago to be tested by family members when they arrive, yeah I think that would be it.
"Not sure why you would think IceTV has not manufactured and extensively tested pre-production units yet."
From IceTV email of the 19/06/15:
"Next week, we'll manufacture our first batch of SKIPPAs in a pre-production run."
Beat ya :)
Quote from: EdQld on June 27, 2015, 07:41:18 PM
"Not sure why you would think IceTV has not manufactured and extensively tested pre-production units yet."
From IceTV email of the 19/06/15:
"Next week, we'll manufacture our first batch of SKIPPAs in a pre-production run."
That was a poor choice of words from us, that some of you are misinterpreting.
In the SKIPPA context, 'pre-production run' does NOT mean we are going to cobble together some alpha or beta test boxes to see if they work.
It means we'll pull the first 10 or so off the mass production line and test that first handful of final production SKIPPAs in the field to ensure that they meet our required standard... before giving the green light to turn the production line on again and start producing thousands of SKIPPAs. It's standard manufacturing practice to quality assurance test 100% of the first x amount of product off a production line. Then, as the rest get produced, every 10th or 100th item gets pulled aside for quality assurance testing to ensure it is identical to the first 10.
The hardware spec and design has been thoroughly tested and locked in for many months. It's just the final software version that is being fine tuned and probably will continue to be improved from our in-field feedback.
"That was a poor choice of words from us"
Thanks Dave for the clarification, yes, not clearly communicated in the email but your clarification is more encouraging and hopefully the stated delivery time-line will be met 8)
Hi Dave
This week my TIVO has died. Its stuck in bootup. Id say the harddrive is gone...
I now have no TV. Im might have to buy a tuner while i wait for the Skippa to arrive.
Can i get on the freinds and family list and do some beta testing for you.
Im in the preorder group.
Brett
My PVR has been on it's last legs and giving us the craps for about a year now, but seeing as Skippa was FINALLY going to available BEFORE Xmas last year we held off buying a different PVR.
Now here we are...........but I doubt I'm on the friends and family list :)
Good luck Brett.. nice try LOL
Quote from: qf8 on June 28, 2015, 10:16:25 PM
This week my TIVO has died. Its stuck in bootup. Id say the harddrive is gone...
I now have no TV. Im might have to buy a tuner while i wait for the Skippa to arrive.
You could try running the TiVO without a hard drive, as a set top box, to give you a digital tuner until your skippa arrives. Unplug the TiVO from the power point, let it sit a while to drain off any residual power, then remove the cover and unplug the cable(s) from the HDD. The tivo may still not boot up, but it's worth a try.
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on June 28, 2015, 07:01:35 PM
Quote from: EdQld on June 27, 2015, 07:41:18 PM
"Not sure why you would think IceTV has not manufactured and extensively tested pre-production units yet."
From IceTV email of the 19/06/15:
"Next week, we'll manufacture our first batch of SKIPPAs in a pre-production run."
That was a poor choice of words from us, that some of you are misinterpreting.
No, that is a poor choice of words that we are interpreting as written.
I hate harping on it, but... I just came across this article. Written in May, but without a doubt, with IceTVs full approval. http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/icetv-and-freeview-go-headtohead-over-adskipping-20150526-ghac9e.html (http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/icetv-and-freeview-go-headtohead-over-adskipping-20150526-ghac9e.html) Please note, no mention of subscription for ad-skipping
Quote from: csutak40 on July 02, 2015, 01:20:35 PM
I hate harping on it, but...
Then don't!
This thread does seem to have turned into a whinge fest.
Quote from: injidup on July 02, 2015, 02:50:34 PM
This thread does seem to have turned into a whinge fest.
Is anyone forcing you to read it?
Quote from: injidup on July 02, 2015, 02:50:34 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on July 02, 2015, 01:20:35 PM
I hate harping on it, but...
Then don't!
This thread does seem to have turned into a whinge fest.
If they didn't keep changing the story, or more to the point provide either misleading or just a complete lack of info, then they wouldn't have upset so many of us.
Now they have this just make it all clear as mud. I am disgusted with the way ICE has handled this. It has been so misleading with what the real deal is. I know it is their product and service, but they have flat out falsely advertised the options in pre-order program.
(http://i.imgur.com/00PLMEZ.png)
Quote from: snuke on July 02, 2015, 06:25:30 PMIf they didn't keep changing the story
They're changing the offer as previous offers expire to encourage people to act by ordering the unit, which happens in many instances to encourage consumers to act by placing an order - what's confusing about that?
Those who committed the earliest get the most benefit
Quote from: csutak40 on July 02, 2015, 03:11:43 PM
Quote from: injidup on July 02, 2015, 02:50:34 PM
This thread does seem to have turned into a whinge fest.
Is anyone forcing you to read it?
No but I live in hope of something useful being written.
Quote from: bodogbodog on July 02, 2015, 06:34:24 PM
Quote from: snuke on July 02, 2015, 06:25:30 PMIf they didn't keep changing the story
They're changing the offer as previous offers expire to encourage people to act by ordering the unit, which happens in many instances to encourage consumers to act by placing an order - what's confusing about that?
Those who committed the earliest get the most benefit
We don't need that sort of rational thinking around here, thank you very much!
Quote from: bodogbodog on July 02, 2015, 06:34:24 PM
Those who committed the earliest get the most benefit
I don't think anybody is complaining about that - it's quite appropriate. However, the information about the subscription that makes the Skippa a 'Skippa' was well concealed - if it was disclosed at all.
It is entirely reasonable to ask why and question the motivation behind it.
Finally decided to give it a go. Ordered the $399 Skippa (that's Skippa with just the one year Ad skipping). I will rarely use the ad skipping most of the time as I record everything we intend watch for that evening (just as an insurance if we for some reason can't watch the telly), and wind up Chase playing most of what we watch anyway. But, the one year subscription gives me a chance to test the ad skipping out.
I wonder here, just how long ICETV will keep the ad-skipping profile for past recordings? Three months, one year of for the lifetime of my Skippa?
Quote from: JPP on July 06, 2015, 03:28:48 PM
I wonder here, just how long ICETV will keep the ad-skipping profile for past recordings? Three months, one year of for the lifetime of my Skippa?
Skippa won't automatically skip the ads without an active subscription. Even with previously processed recordings you would need to press a manual skip button to skip 30sec or 60sec etc.
But AutoSkip continues to process all recordings with or without an active subscription. This means that once a subscription has been renewed, all processed recordings can immediately be played back without ads.
So what you're saying is that every time I go to watch a show I've previously recorded, it has to connect over the internet to IceTV's servers and confirm that my subscription is paid up. It then sends the result back to my Skippa to confirm that I can watch the show ad free?
What sort of lag time is that going to cause?
I can see the on screen message now: Please wait while we check if you owe us money.
Quote from: FMB on July 08, 2015, 03:47:54 PM
So what you're saying is that every time I go to watch a show I've previously recorded, it has to connect over the internet to IceTV's servers and confirm that my subscription is paid up. It then sends the result back to my Skippa to confirm that I can watch the show ad free?
What sort of lag time is that going to cause?
I can see the on screen message now: Please wait while we check if you owe us money.
No time lag at all. Skippa checks in with IceTV once each day in the early morning.
I assume if the account was expired then it might check in more often to see if the subscription has been renewed (maybe once every 15 or 30 minutes).
So no ad skip if you watch a program you recorded earlier the same day?
Quote from: prl on July 08, 2015, 05:40:06 PM
So no ad skip if you watch a program you recorded earlier the same day?
That's not what he said. Skippa will check each morning that you have a valid subscription. If you do, you can watch edited shows. If you don't, you'll watch the unedited version. Pretty simple really.
Can you confirm that you are still on schedule for a July (2015 ;) )delivery?
Any problems cropped up with testing?
Quote from: SkippaBeat on July 09, 2015, 10:27:28 AM
Can you confirm that you are still on schedule for a July (2015 ;) )delivery?
Any problems cropped up with testing?
Pre-ordered SKIPPAs will start shipping to customers from the 27th.
No problems found. Just a couple of words in menus that we want changed to make them consistent.
Excellent news
Can't wait to get my hands on it
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on July 11, 2015, 05:16:57 PM
Quote from: SkippaBeat on July 09, 2015, 10:27:28 AM
Can you confirm that you are still on schedule for a July (2015 ;) )delivery?
Any problems cropped up with testing?
Pre-ordered SKIPPAs will start shipping to customers from the 27th.
No problems found. Just a couple of words in menus that we want changed to make them consistent.
Thanks Dave. Think this news is what we've been hoping to hear.
That is certainly good news.
Any word yet on whether the pre-order customers will get early access to the user manual. I like to download and read the user manual before buying a product so I can get a head start on setting it up and learning about the features.
E-mailing it to us will be fine. :)
Quote from: FMB on July 13, 2015, 11:13:18 AM
Any word yet on whether the pre-order customers will get early access to the user manual. I like to download and read the user manual before buying a product so I can get a head start on setting it up and learning about the features.
I agree, the manual should be available not later than next Monday.
Ian
The manual just needs a final proof reading. Then it will be downloadable at skippa.tv/manual (http://skippa.tv/manual)
I just downloaded a pdf from the link on my phone and the pdf read manual coming soon. Just to save others from wasting their time.
Quote from: Rat on July 14, 2015, 01:05:59 AM
I just downloaded a pdf from the link on my phone and the pdf read manual coming soon. Just to save others from wasting their time.
Is that really a surprise?
As Dave said "The manual just needs a final proof reading. Then it will be downloadable at skippa.tv/manual" ie future tense - "will be" as opposed to "is"
I'm sure someone will check regularly and let us all know when the manual is available
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on July 13, 2015, 04:29:58 PM
The manual just needs a final proof reading. Then it will be downloadable at skippa.tv/manual (http://skippa.tv/manual)
I've been proofreading for over 30 years. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, flow, logic. You name I can check it. If you'd like someone to go over it, just send me a copy.
Yes Bob it was a surprise that the link actually opened a .pdf document. I expected a dead link until the real manual was uploaded. So I posted to let others know, is that okay with you?
Quote from: Rat on July 14, 2015, 02:51:31 PM
Yes Bob it was a surprise that the link actually opened a .pdf document. I expected a dead link until the real manual was uploaded. So I posted to let others know, is that okay with you?
It shouldn't have been a surprise. It makes perfect sense to have a blank PDF there so when the real one is finished, they can simply swap out the blank one for the real one. Much easier than activating a page, it's just an FTP upload.
Quote
Pre-ordered SKIPPAs will start shipping to customers from the 27th.
Can you please elaborate on this? e.g. how long do you expect it will take for ALL the pre-orders to ship?
I'm assuming they will be shipped on a first-come-first-served basis and as I only ordered mine a month ago, I'm trying to estimate how long before it's likely received.
Quote from: Tyrus on July 17, 2015, 08:10:48 AM
Quote
Pre-ordered SKIPPAs will start shipping to customers from the 27th.
Can you please elaborate on this? e.g. how long do you expect it will take for ALL the pre-orders to ship?
I'm assuming they will be shipped on a first-come-first-served basis and as I only ordered mine a month ago, I'm trying to estimate how long before it's likely received.
Yes, some elaboration would be useful. The speed will depend on the amount of preparation that has already been done, for example if the shipping labels are done in advance of receipt of the units, if there is a final local testing before shipment, and any constraints imposed by courier on the number of units shipped each day. Presumably the account details are already in the system, differentiating which units come with lifetime Skippa subscriptions and those that only have one year and so on.
Ian
Ian
Seriously people! Your Skippa will arrive when it arrives. You can't micro-manage it because it's outside your control and there is no point speculating about IceTV's logistics.
My guess is that they will receive a shipment into their warehouse, they will print and attach labels (probably in some totally random order just to annoy people), they will group them by region and call the courier company to collect and deliver them.
I'm just waiting for July 28 when one of you lot starts a thread called 'Where's my Skippa?'.
Just be patient.
Quote from: FMB on July 17, 2015, 09:31:18 AM
I'm just waiting for July 28 when one of you lot starts a thread called 'Where's my Skippa?'.
Yes, that is bound to happen! How about sending first to those in remote areas slower delivery) so that we all get them about the same time? ;D
Ian
Quote from: FMB on July 17, 2015, 09:31:18 AM
Seriously people! Your Skippa will arrive when it arrives. You can't micro-manage it because it's outside your control and there is no point speculating about IceTV's logistics.
Not at all! I'm not querying their warehouse dispatch logistics - I am seeking clarification on their production ability to fulfill the large backlog of pre-orders and how long that is expected to take?
2 weeks? 4 weeks? 3 months?
The reason I ask is that the last "pre-order" I purchased (another manufacturer) did in fact take over 3 months to get from their advertised shipment release date.
A reasonable question I would have thought?
Its been 3 days since anyone posted in this thread!
Is everyone OK? Do I need to call an ambulance?
I feel a bit weird.
But that's just me.
I'd get your phone ready for a week on Friday though. There may be some high blood pressure risk.
Quote from: Tyrus on July 17, 2015, 10:40:24 AM
Not at all! I'm not querying their warehouse dispatch logistics - I am seeking clarification on their production ability to fulfill the large backlog of pre-orders and how long that is expected to take?
2 weeks? 4 weeks? 3 months?
I honestly have no idea. Once they start shipping I'll have better idea.
So have they arrived in the Sydney warehouse yet and if so how many? If they are going to ship on Monday then they would need to be there today or tomorrow so you can spend the weekend putting postage labels on them.
Not much feedback on how the family and friends testing went. How is the manual proof reading going? Will that be uploaded before Monday?
A user (http://whrl.pl/RemkFP) on Whirlpool is claiming the IceTV "sales team" have told him the units haven't shipped from the manufacturer yet, and that they're expecting a two week delay.
Any truth to that, IceTV?
Quote from: SpocksBeer on July 24, 2015, 08:45:22 AM
A user (http://whrl.pl/RemkFP) on Whirlpool is claiming the IceTV "sales team" have told him the units haven't shipped from the manufacturer yet, and that they're expecting a two week delay.
Any truth to that, IceTV?
I'd say that it's a pretty safe bet that what you read is correct. IceTV seems to have gone to ground. They said they hoped to have the manual online by Monday. It's now Friday and there's no sign of it. Not only that, no-one from IceTV has posted anything on here since. There's something they're not telling us.
I have to words for you IceTV: Customer Service.
The lack of up-to-date information is frustrating.
To be fair to those IceTV staff that frequent the Forum, they are (I believe) part of the Technical Support team and are neither involved in the Skippa technical development program, or with the sales or logistics functions within IceTV. On the latter issues they can only post here what they have been told.
How about some off-the-planet speculation: The OEM building the SKIPPA is located in Indonesia and the recent volcanic activity has grounded all cargo planes. Not as silly as it sounds, some Topfield PVRs are built in Indonesia.
Ian
PS I see the latest iOS App update is said to be SKIPPA compliant - whatever that means.
Quote from: SpocksBeer on July 24, 2015, 08:45:22 AM
A user (http://whrl.pl/RemkFP) on Whirlpool is claiming the IceTV "sales team" have told him the units haven't shipped from the manufacturer yet, and that they're expecting a two week delay.
Any truth to that, IceTV?
Well, that is not some private info he told us about - it is an email from IceTV that they sent to all their subscribers (mine arrived at 5.17pm):
Due to greater than expected demand for SKIPPA pre-orders, delivery of the initial production run has been delayed. We now anticipate that we will begin fulfilling orders in mid-August.
We apologise sincerely and are working hard to deliver pre-orders as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we have extended our pre-order offer
As to why no info on here, you can make up your own minds
I haven't received that email yet and it's after 6pm WA time.
This pvr better be worth the wait.
I'm in WA too but I did get it...
Lol, that's what I said in the other thread, oh boy it I hope so.
i really really really really really really really hope so x infinity plus a million plus 1
😛
I'm in Melbourne and still no email (8.59pm, Friday).
Is it only me that is perplexed by the content of the email extract posted by Judy?
Will not say more ... too difficult to make forum posts from the iPad. Need a real keyoard and a big (BIG) monitor to compose a rigorous analysis of what we have been told to date.
Ian
PS Started wondering if I had really ordered a SKIPPA - checked my order history and I done so. The status is "Shipped: pending", the same as the TRF-2400 I purcased back in December 2009. Now I am really confused
I am REALLY having difficulty trying to figure out why we get NO INPUT from any IceTV staff here....
Customer service is about keeping in touch with customers: good news or bad news, if customers are kept informed they are always much more patient!
No word just fires off speculation.
Come on IceTV, be fair to the people who are your customers...
We may just be a bit more patient, if we at least get some input...
Thanks!
Ian,
I wonder maybe if you have the promotional emails turned off in your account, as the email that was sent with the info in it (that judy quoted from) was not specific to skippa pre-order people, it was just the weekly show update email with a section about the skippa in middle, and a big picture of a boat showing sea containers tipping over, lol, not sure I'd have chosen that picture but hey, we get the point, lol...
Mark
Remember my August predictions 6 weeks ago back when the fanbois told me to not be so skeptical?
I am subscribed to both the promotional emails and the pre-order emails and I have NO emails from them as of 10:40 Friday night, kind of makes me wonder how they can run an ad-skipping subscription service when they can't even send an email to their customers successfully?
No updates on their Facebook......No updates here in their forum to their most loyal fans (if any are left).........they still have the last pre-order offer open on their web page, but it seems all references to ANY shipment date have been removed, I wonder when they deleted those lines?
I'm upscaling my view of the Skippa promotional team (if such exists) from sloppy, lazy and unprofessional and cranking that up to Deceitful, Deceptive and Unscrupulous.
Why?
Well IMO there is NO WAY what they have written in that email excerpt is anywhere near the truth, from the early frantic and erratic changes to their promotions I would guess that pre-sales were disappointingly slow to start, the lack of interest on mainstream forums reflects this also, even people here have been holding back.
The initial pre-release offer was said to be capped at 1000 units, I find it difficult to believe that 1000 have been presold, but even if they have WHY could those 1000 not have been shipped as was always the plan from the start? WHY would extra orders after the 1000 cap delay the shipment of the first orders? Answer = They wouldn't.........unless Skippa staff actually did get more orders and decided to hold back the first orders on purpose so the later orders could be put in the same container and save them cash at the expense of not delivering on their promise.
I say the most likely scenario is that they have known for weeks now that the date was going to slip AGAIN and held off telling anyone while they deceptively kept pushing hard on the pre-order promotions while people purchased thinking the release was in July.
If that is true then IMO it's bordering criminal behavior :(
That entire post is almost completely baseless...
Total speculation - in reality you have absolutely NO IDEA how many they have sold and to make a post like that is just plain stupid.
You think that everyone that purchases a unit posts on here? I don't think so.
Actually considering how many people I've spoken to (and if you know who I am and what I do then you would know that's a LOT of people) I wouldn't be surprised at all if they have sold 2000. But again I have no idea just like you have no idea, and until they are released and more people start posting here about them or on whirlpool neither of us probably will.
I think personally the most likely scenario (but again this is speculation too) is that they were planning to air freight the initial pre orders across but due to significant orders in the first and second pre orders they have had to ship by sea instead due to massive costs in air freighting large quantities.
That's a far more likely scenario, but may also be totally untrue. The reality of it is that it's just a PVR and whilst mildly frustrating to have to wait and get delayed, it's still just a PVR and not worth getting so stressed and worked up over, it really isn't.
FYI, I'm not a fanboy either, but my previous comments of waiting until it happens are true, no point getting worked up over nothing. So Now that it has actually happened and you have been delayed, you can decide/make a choice to either wait patiently like everyone else or cancel your order and go and purchase something else, but neither of those choices should involve you getting upset as life's to short to worry about stuff like that. Not to mention your post really isn't based on anything concrete, just wait and see how it pans out like the rest of us. I really am hoping this is the PVR I am thinking it will be, and is well worth the wait, reminds me of the nandos menu board if you've ever been there...
The taste will be remembered long after the wait is forgotten.
Mark
PS,
I'm not trying to be annoying by the way, I'm just trying to make people see reason and calm down somewhat, as I honestly believe that some of these posts are just getting way out of control, especially that guy on whirlpool, he's in a league of his own he really is, obviously has nothing else to focus on in life at the moment that's for sure.
As for the email that ICE sent out, they may have possibly tried to cancel it from going out but by the time they did some had already received it.
Again, just a theory/speculation but it does seem odd that many received it and then it suddenly stopped and others haven't received it...
I can only assume that they either realised it wasn't appropriate or simply changed their minds and cancelled sending it...
Possibly???
Mark
Warkus I'm not really as upset as I sound, this is the ride I signed up for and expected, but that doesn't change what I said.
I do know who you are and I'm not trying to annoy you either, actually I admire your casual attitude, but I do think being so accepting of poor feedback is going a bit far. When a company offers a pre-release online to people like they have then I think timely and transparent communication is paramount.
Yes some of my post is speculation that is why I kept saying "IMO" to clarify that, I don't think that is stupid.
OK if YOUR speculation is correct and somehow not as stupid as mine, and they have decided to ship by sea freight instead of airfreight, is that not purposefully breaking a promise to ship (fly) deadline to maximise their profit at the expense of the first release pre-order customers like ourselves, just like I said. I paid and was told a deadline, if they broke that deadline when they could have kept it under the original conditions then is that not deceptive? so your speculation is saying the same as I did. The only difference is yours has a smiley at the end and mine has a frownie.
They were going to airfreight 1000 and get them here by end of July, now they are not, and they have not properly conveyed why apart from a half sent email which contents seem a bit incredulous.
You seem to disagree with me and yet agree at the same time :)
Well,
What I do agree with is that communication hasn't been very good regarding this delay, that is for sure...
I think they need to communicate better yes, it would definitely solve a lot of the issues and speculation and misinformation. Hopefully we will get something soon.
in the mean time, cheer up, it could be worse, our skippas could actually be at the bottom of the sea in a fallen sea container, lol, if the pic in the email comes true, bahahahahahahah
I do keep a sense of humor about this, but also a keep the %^%$&ers honest attitude that I have about everything.
Just last week as my wife reset our ailing old PVR that has been giving her/us the craps (her maintenance and updating responsibility is the PVR mine is the PC) for the millionth time in the last year or so that I have been telling her that we should wait for the IceBox/Skippa instead of throwing it in the bin or sending it to Warkus or just buying a new Beyonwiz, she groaned with the familiar frustration of it and I joked "only a few months to wait for Skippa now" LOL and we both smiled :D
I have not told her of this latest news yet, I'll wait till it's a good time, if Skippa is a buggy non performer I will not try to convince her to wait for updates. I will either sell it straight away at a small loss, or smash it with a hammer and upload to YouTube for great satisfaction :D
I understand.
For what it's worth if this unit is what I think it will be (rebadged Altech UEC OEM PVR) then I don't think it will be as buggy as hell. It may have some bugs, like the Altech 9600 does but not masses of them, hopefully anyway.
Can't be any worse than the new beyonwiz units, although they are much improved on the initial release of the T3 (almost not recognisable as the same unit now the firmware is that different) they still have issues, lots of them, and sadly the UI is still too complex for many. I guess it comes from having so many features and being so customisable, but at a cost of not being more user friendly.
I posted on whirlpool about what I thought this unit would be and why but it was moderated due to an apparent personal attack, which was nothing more than stating a specific users posts were being moderated...no idea how that's a personal attack but anyway.
Apparently they will unhide it when I edit it and remove those comments. I've done that but it's still hidden so check it tomorrow.
Mark
Quote from: IanL-S on July 24, 2015, 09:05:29 PM<<<SNIP>>>
PS Started wondering if I had really ordered a SKIPPA - checked my order history and I done so. The status is "Shipped: pending", the same as the TRF-2400 I purchased back in December 2009. Now I am really confused
Apparently they only recently added this field, and old orders have the default of 'Shipped: pending' in that field.
As to not receiving an email, it looks as if somehow my subscription to the weekly email letter was discontinued when I updated my details yesterday or the day before.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on July 25, 2015, 09:42:14 AM
As to not receiving an email, it looks as if somehow my subscription to the weekly email letter was discontinued when I updated my details yesterday or the day before.
Weird. Mine had become unticked as well.
I just got a second email but this time it was just the "missed the boat".
So it seems it was in the whats on etc email and one with just Skippa info.
I will now have to keep using my IQ-less (yes it's an IQ is 3) :o.
Kevin
Quote from: zoszos68 on July 25, 2015, 10:49:34 PM
I just got a second email but this time it was just the "missed the boat".
So it seems it was in the whats on etc email and one with just Skippa info.
I will now have to keep using my IQ-less (yes it's an IQ is 3) :o.
Kevin
I did not get that one either. Definitely some sort of conspiracy here. :o ;)
Ian
I got both, and I don't have a Skippa on order.
Patiently waiting but concerned...
the email says:
"Due to greater than expected demand for SKIPPA pre-orders, delivery of the initial production run has been delayed. We now anticipate that we will begin fulfilling orders in mid-August.
We apologise sincerely and are working hard to deliver pre-orders as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we have extended our pre-order offer."
I thought the pre-order was a special deal for the first 1000 - so how can it be over subscribed? Shouldn't pre-orders stop once 1000 is reached and they are made and delivered as promised - and then further orders are just "normal" orders.
The fact that they have extended the pre-order may actually mean that at the moment they have not received 1000 orders and are stalling to try and get more orders so they can then build and deliver the first 1000.
All conjecture I know - my main gripe is the lack of creditable information explaining what is happening - I know their email is an attempt at explaining it but it just doesn't ring true (with me)
Doo
There have been several pre-release offers.
for the first 1000 units the price was $399 plus delivery (includes lifetime IceTV and lifetime Skippa subscriptions)
after the first 1000 units - $499 (includes lifetime IceTV and lifetime Skippa subscriptions)
after the first 1000 units - $399 (includes lifetime IceTV subscription and one year Skippa subscriptions, pay-as-you go Skippa subscription after first year)
In this context 'lifetime' means life of the particular Skippa unit.
Ian
Hope this clarifies things.
IAn
Well... Dash and darn..................
Or maybe not !!
I was going to Pre-Order before Tuesday and then it completely slipped my mind.
I remembered just a few minutes ago when I received the email stating that they won't be shipping until late August.
I can pay for one now, at the "regular" price, which only includes three months of "Skippa".
As they say, thanks but no thanks.
I can see absolutely no advantage in paying full price for a unit that won't be shipping for another month.
Like I said, I WAS going to pre-order, at the lower than "regular" price, and for that discount you take the risks that the unit may not ship for a while, or that it might turn out to be a dog.
However, without a discount I can see no earthly reason to pre-order one now.
My strategy will therefore be to wait until those first pre-orders HAVE shipped and see what the reviews are like and then base my decision to purchase or not based on the actual shipping unit.
Worse case is that after the first run is air-freighted I might have to wait three or four weeks for the second batch to be sea-freighted.
And this second batch may have tweaks that the pre-order consumers have identified as being required from the first batch !
But pay full price now for a yet-to-be-shipped unit ?? No thanks !!
SG
Quote
We now anticipate that we will begin fulfilling orders in mid-August.
How about a mid-August update please?
Quote from: Tyrus on August 12, 2015, 04:20:23 PM
Quote
We now anticipate that we will begin fulfilling orders in mid-August.
How about a mid-August update please?
Hi Tyrus,
It was mid-August for about 24 hours. The news was something along the lines of 'delayed until mid-August but we're expecting a confirmation in the next day or two'. Then the next day the delivery ETA was confirmed as being the last week of August. And yes, we're still on for the last week of August.
"we're still on for the last week of August."
Thanks for the update Dave, fingers crossed ;)
Yes, that is good news. Fortunately with the help of warkus I managed to resurrect my failing TRF-2400 so it is not as urgent as it was at my end.
Ian
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on August 12, 2015, 08:05:32 PM
It was mid-August for about 24 hours. The news was something along the lines of 'delayed until mid-August but we're expecting a confirmation in the next day or two'. Then the next day the delivery ETA was confirmed as being the last week of August. And yes, we're still on for the last week of August.
Dave, I would appreciate guidance on what is meant by 'last week of August'; it it the last full week (Monday to Friday; week beginning 24 August), or last 7 days of August (some time between 25 and 31 August)? As there is only 10 days of August to go, is there any firmer indication of when orders will start shipping?
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on August 21, 2015, 03:44:04 PMis there any firmer indication of when orders will start shipping?
Ian - I just got an IceTV email about the Skippa having been reviewed and it has the headline "Skippa ships next week" - so I guess there's your answer
Are we there yet?
Last week of August has arrived and after a Very long Gestation, the birth of triplets is eagerly awaited, following on from the earlier disappointment of scans promising quadruplets not being accurate
The birth of little Skippa is just days away hopefully :)
Quote from: EdQld on August 24, 2015, 10:15:34 AM
The birth of little Skippa is just days away hopefully :)
Much like a marsupial I think Skippa is actually born already - we're now just waiting for them to emerge from the mothers pouch!
I guess I'm expecting it to be a little wobbly with it's first few hops as well...
Just got a IceTV - What's On This Week email and it says Skippa is shipping this week.
Ian
Today it is three months since I made by pre-order (25 May 2015). Still no information on firm shipping date.
Ian
Likewise - ordered (and paid for) my Skippa on 25 May, so 3 months waiting already. Sure hope it comes this week so I can junk my s**tbox Panasonic.
Same here 3 months and counting.
I just hope I get an email soon with a tracking number so then at least I know it's on it's way.
Kevin
Ditto on that.
The Comskip on my Sage box is having a hernia and I think the Sage box itself is on its last legs.
Quote from: IanL-S on August 25, 2015, 11:02:07 AM
Today it is three months since I made by pre-order (25 May 2015). Still no information on firm shipping date.
But Ian the expected ship date was always stated to be July - so I make it one month late. The wait is part of the trade off we have to accept in return for the low price charges to those who ordered in advance
IceTV have said very publically it will ship this week - so that's what I'm expecting
bodogbodog no one said it was three months late just that they paid three months ago.
So it has been a three month wait since paying.
Kevin
Quote from: bodogbodog on August 25, 2015, 04:14:37 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on August 25, 2015, 11:02:07 AM
Today it is three months since I made by pre-order (25 May 2015). Still no information on firm shipping date.
But Ian the expected ship date was always stated to be July - so I make it one month late. The wait is part of the trade off we have to accept in return for the low price charges to those who ordered in advance
IceTV have said very publically it will ship this week - so that's what I'm expecting
I was only making an observation about how long it is since I placed the order - it was intended as a humorous comment as it is the three month anniversary of the order. Obviously I am in need of humour lessons. :-[ :o ;D
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on August 25, 2015, 04:54:12 PMit was intended as a humorous comment as it is the three month anniversary of the order. Obviously I am in need of humour lessons. :-[ :o ;D
Ian - thanks for clarifying that - I think we'll all be glad to get our Skippas then we can start playing and experimenting. Then the IceTV community can share their experiences - I've always enjoyed the way the community has supported each other in these forums
This is one of the friendlier forums and like everyone else I'm looking forward to getting the skippa ;D
It was so long ago I originally asked IceTV about their own branded PVR and it's finally happened.
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/icetv-branded-media-center-pvr/1401/msg6345#msg6345
Received today....
QuoteFollowing a small initial run, the factory pushed our mass manufacturing slot back for a second time. Australia's order volumes are relatively small when compared to international markets. This makes it difficult for any Australian vendor to obtain priority, hence the delay. However, we are assured by the factory that our new production date will be adhered to.
A small quantity of SKIPPAs® will be shipped next week to customers who placed their order first. From September 10 onwards, we will fulfill the remaining orders on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that every customer will receive their ordered SKIPPA® in September.
Call me skeptical, but the spin here is so cliche and so disappointing. IMO its really poor customer service to continually make us wait in excited anticipation - right up to the deadline, only to then admit further delays.
Quote from: Tyrus on August 28, 2015, 11:48:39 AM
Received today....
QuoteFollowing a small initial run, the factory pushed our mass manufacturing slot back for a second time. Australia's order volumes are relatively small when compared to international markets. This makes it difficult for any Australian vendor to obtain priority, hence the delay. However, we are assured by the factory that our new production date will be adhered to.
A small quantity of SKIPPAs® will be shipped next week to customers who placed their order first. From September 10 onwards, we will fulfill the remaining orders on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that every customer will receive their ordered SKIPPA® in September.
Call me skeptical, but the spin here is so cliche and so disappointing. IMO its really poor customer service to continually make us wait in excited anticipation - right up to the deadline, only to then admit further delays.
Too right.
At the rate we're going, it will obsolete before it arrives :)
The bit in the e-mail I hated the most was:
"During our pre-order sale you saved up to $200 off RRP, and will be among the first to receive a SKIPPA® in Australia."
Because that makes it alright...NOT! Yes IceTV, I'm really clever for ordering early and saving money. I acknowledge that I will be one of the first in the country to receive a Skippa, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't receive it when you said I was going to receive it.
Your feeble attempts to placate me have failed.
Quote from: FMB on August 28, 2015, 12:02:12 PM
The bit in the e-mail I hated the most was:
"During our pre-order sale you saved up to $200 off RRP, and will be among the first to receive a SKIPPA® in Australia."
Because that makes it alright...NOT!
Thats was kind of insulting wasn't it.
I agree that the $200 pre-order discount is irrelevant to the (repeated) delivery delays.
Ian
and i would predict several months after release the price will drop to come back to be competitive with the majority of pvr's out there.
.
And they've had our money up front and IN FULL for all that time!!
Not impressed!
.
Makes you wonder how long they've known about this latest delay at the factory.
The reason for the delay is understandable, the lack of communication - not so much.
Quote from: Paul55 on August 28, 2015, 05:58:31 PM
Makes you wonder how long they've known about this latest delay at the factory.
The one thing we can be sure of, they certainly knew about it before this afternoon!
Has anyone heard if there has been any update, or confirmation, of the information sent out last Friday:
"From September 10 onwards, we will fulfill the remaining orders on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that every customer will receive their ordered SKIPPA® in September."
Ian
If my arithmetic is correct, 10 September is next Thursday, so only 5 business days until they say fulfilment will start.
And that's for the start of the remaining orders. The first small batch should have gone by now, according to that notice.
Has anyone received one yet?
Received yesterday ...
QuoteMANUFACTURING AND DELIVERY ON TRACK
Mass production of SKIPPA® remains on schedule. We have started to fulfill the earliest pre-orders. About half of the pre-ordered SKIPPA® volume arrives in Sydney by air freight over the weekend, with the remainder not far behind. We have increased staff in our Sydney warehouse to speed up customer shipments from Monday on a "first-ordered, first-shipped" basis."
Certainly good news that it hasn't had another slip, but to say "remains on schedule" and "on track" is a bit rude when its some 2 months later!?
Quote from: Tyrus on September 12, 2015, 08:17:41 AM
Received yesterday ...
QuoteMANUFACTURING AND DELIVERY ON TRACK
Mass production of SKIPPA® remains on schedule. We have started to fulfill the earliest pre-orders. About half of the pre-ordered SKIPPA® volume arrives in Sydney by air freight over the weekend, with the remainder not far behind. We have increased staff in our Sydney warehouse to speed up customer shipments from Monday on a "first-ordered, first-shipped" basis."
Certainly good news that it hasn't had another slip, but to say "remains on schedule" and "on track" is a bit rude when its some 2 months later!?
Not to mention that there is no confirmed date for the second half of the preorders...
Didn't the email (previous one not the one last Friday) say everyone would receive their skippa in September?
Didn't the last email say the rest of the skippas were not far behind?
You may not have an exact date but if the email stays true everyone gets there unit sometime in September, obviously in a first order first delivered basis.
Yeah it did but those last minute Friday emails have committed before and been "adjusted" later.
July 24 email states due to greater demand for skippa caused delays and orders will be fulfilled mid August
July 31 email states everything was rectified and all preorders will be fulfilled by end of August.
And it goes on....
Sorry but at this stage would rather an up front statement around we're sorry, doing our best and you'll get it as soon as possible. Any other messages or commitment coming from IceTV at the moment just do not carry any weight.
Looking for to getting to play and hoping they have produced a world class product, just very disappointed in their treatment of customers.
Ahhh the digital age of perfection where everyone is anonymous and perfect, don't ya just love it...
I'm quite sure you'll get your unit soon enough...
...and hopefully it'll be great, and hopefully we can all discuss its pros and cons and help to develop it in a respectful and polite manner without too much of a repeat of the last few months of insults and drivel.
I have also respectfully asked the mods on whirlpool to close that useless thread, and rename it to "Prerelease Dsicussions of SKIPPA" so that anyone that wants to return to that thread can do so, but a new thread needs to be started for actual skippa discussions of the unit itself, otherwise a new person to the thread will have to wade through 49 PAGES of posts to get to the START of any discussions regarding their actual actually new unit...
Not sure what you mean by the first line.
However to reinforce what i said (and have personally said to the chairman of icetv and customer support directly), don't care if i don't get the device for a few more months, set expectations appropriately. Product delays, changing industry standards, surprise bugs, supplier issues are all too common so we all understand. (well a most of us :) )
The delay was actually a positive for me for a few hundred bucks i got to experiment and resurrect my dead Tivo's.
That's great, Forum management is tough but i am sure once we all get the device the Whirlpool guys will give Skippa the appropriate space. We all are hoping to get behind an Aussie product.
No word yet if the Skippa landed in Australia over the weekend as per previous email, don't tell me, the Plane had to return to China due to engine problems :o
Quote from: EdQld on September 14, 2015, 01:36:26 PM
No word yet if the Skippa landed in Australia over the weekend as per previous email, don't tell me, the Plane had to return to China due to engine problems :o
What I'd really like is a post from someone at IceTV which says something like:
X Skippa's have arrived in the country and we are processing orders up to invoice number Y. We expect to have all of these shipped by Z.
Surely that isn't too much to expect and can't be that hard to do.
I thought they already did that in the last email with not quite the specifics of numbers you mentioned.
A shipment arriving over weekend (approx half the pre orders).
Units shipped to those that first ordered in terms of priority.
Being sent out Monday (today) onwards
The rest not far behind...
That was my understanding anyway...
Mark
Hey All,
Here is a link to a comprehensive Skippa update as at Sep 12, 2015..
SKIPPA - TechWebCast interview with Heinz Herrmann, IceTV CEO
http://techwebcast.podomatic.com/entry/2015-09-11T20_25_42-07_00
Cheers,
Leon
A good listen Leon. Heinz seems a genuine sort of guy!
Was recorded before Skippa's due to land, so still not sure if they are here though!
I sent a message to sales today to ask about the Skippa and have the arrived in Sydney and this in the reply.
"Hi Kevin,
Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
IceTV Pty Limited
Level 1/20 Chandos Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065"
Hope that's makes a few happy.
Kevin
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 14, 2015, 03:36:37 PM
A good listen Leo. Heinz seems a genuine sort of guy!
Was recorded before Skippa's due to land, so still not sure if they are here though!
If they arrived on schedule some of us should get tracking numbers today (I was told my tracking number should turn up on Sunday or Monday).
However, there is always the possibility of last minute shipping delay or glitches in the dispatch process.
Ian
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
Great News ;D
Quote from: Leon K on September 14, 2015, 02:33:39 PM
Hey All,
Here is a link to a comprehensive Skippa update as at Sep 12, 2015..
SKIPPA - TechWebCast interview with Heinz Herrmann, IceTV CEO
http://techwebcast.podomatic.com/entry/2015-09-11T20_25_42-07_00
Cheers,
Leon
OK, I have been keeping quiet for a while. Don't expect (if all goes according to the latest promise) to receive my Skippa till the end of the month.
I wasn't going to comment any further until I received it and got to play. After all, most of the questions we now have (except for the delivery date, or maybe even that) might be answered once we have it.
However, as we were invited to listen to this podcast, for a "comprehensive Skippa update " I decided to listen.
I just wasted an hour of my life, so decided that if we got invited to listen, I am justified in commenting :P
I do have to say (while I'm here) that the PR department of IceTV hasn't improved! Why can't they post something like; we received our shipment, working very hard to get it ready for the post on Monday. Here is a photo of our crew, working hard...
I actually thought that this podcast was something along these lines ::)
It really was a waste of time, silly me, I was hoping that Heinz will excitedly tell us about the shipment having arrived and that the staff are madly packing the boxes, for delivery on Monday. I was even thinking that he will invite people to go on the website to see photos. No such thing, of course, I should have known better.
So, what did he talk about?
I was scribbling notes as I listened, so here they are in no particular order of importance.
Basically listened to a lot of propaganda, and (sorry Heinz) fibs.
Didn't answer the question about the ad skip saving disk space. We know why – it doesn't. In fact, it wastes about 45 minutes for each recording, that can't be edited out. (if we add the recommended padding)
Sorry Heinz, I don't watch ads on Catch up TV now, so it would help to get your facts straight before commenting.
According to Leon on June 19, 2015 the subscription was $39. So, that, too, has gone up to $49. Just how many times can a company put their prices up
before delivery of even the first unit?
Two months delay?? Really?
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/new-icetv-branded-pvr/3886/msg20930#msg20930
Skippa will be in the IceTV store in
mid to late June with an RRP of $499 including an IceTV subscription for the life of the skippa box (with no time limit).
Then we have:
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/new-icetv-branded-pvr/3886/225
Am I reading correctly that it will cost $399 for those who order early and $499 later?
Dave:
Correct.
So, It was
NOT $200 off the RRP to begin with, but $100
To start with, we got promised 4 tuners, (even on the last podcast of Heinz' we got invited to listen to) that got reduced to 3, without any explanation - now Heinz says there will be a "
Fortuna" future? version with an extra tuner (for an extra charge, no doubt). So, here is our explanation. :o
Also sounds like they will put things in the interface on the "Skippa2" version that we had asked for from the get-go (the JustEPG-like EPG, for instance), instead of improving this one.
I have to say that if I am interpreting what I heard correctly - that is the "improvements" will be put on the "Skippa 2" instead of improving the firmware of this Skippa, I will be most unhappy.
In fact, I would love to get a straight answer to this question:
Will improvements be implemented on the firmware of the current Skippa, or will they be saved for the future "Skippa 2"?It may be a prudent to cancel my order and wait for the Skippa 2, which sounds like will aim to be what the "IceCube" promised to be, before it became Skippa
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 14, 2015, 03:47:09 PM
I sent a message to sales today to ask about the Skippa and have the arrived in Sydney and this in the reply.
Kevin
Thank you, Kevin, but I still have to say it.
Why does anyone need to get in touch to get that information? If we forget about PR (as they consistently have) wouldn't it save time to make a general announcement, save them having to answer individual emails and phone calls?
Quote from: EdQld on September 14, 2015, 04:53:22 PM
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
Great News ;D
Did anyone else notice this one?
I am very confused as to who "EdQld" actually is - is this a profile used by Leon at IceTV or did this post somehow get mixed up with Leon's posting?
Very strange...
I think "EdQld" is simply quoting a post from Leon, which has the same wording that "zoszos68" quoted
Quote from: csutak40 on September 14, 2015, 07:14:47 PM
I think "EdQld" is simply quoting a post from Leon
Correct ;)
Hey Guys,
Yes some SKIPPA's have been arriving over the past few weeks and dispatched, late this afternoon we got an update on our freight:
Our first mass manufactured SKIPPA shipment is still on its way via air freight. This involves a change of aircraft in Hong Kong. We still expect the entire shipment to be dispatched with tracking numbers to customers from our Sydney warehouse this week. Some customers will receive their SKIPPA this week depending on their geographic distance from Sydney.
Quote from: csutak40 on September 14, 2015, 07:14:47 PM
I think "EdQld" is simply quoting a post from Leon, which has the same wording that "zoszos68" quoted
Thanks - I gave up trying to follow this thread and make sense of everything a long time ago
Too hard to try and track historic posts - but it would be good if people used the "Quote" function if quoting other posts
Oh well - back to waiting for something to actually happen
One word ... ineptitude .......
Quote from: IanL-S on September 14, 2015, 08:08:37 PM
One word ... ineptitude .......
I can't believe Heinz is spruiking skippa2 when really next to none of the original skippa's have even landed in the country let alone shipped to real customers.
As a long time IceTV user I find that to be a real slap in the face to anyone who pre-ordered a skippa. >:(
Quote from: Vortical on September 14, 2015, 08:46:14 PM
I can't believe Heinz is spruiking skippa2 when really next to none of the original skippa's have even landed in the country let alone shipped to real customers.
As a long time IceTV user I find that to be a real slap in the face to anyone who pre-ordered a skippa. >:(
I agree - delivering on your current commitments would be a good thing
I cant believe anyone has received their Skippa and not posted on these or other forums about their experience with it
Quote from: Leon K on September 14, 2015, 07:46:30 PM
Hey Guys,
Yes some SKIPPA's have been arriving over the past few weeks and dispatched, late this afternoon we got an update on our freight:
Our first mass manufactured SKIPPA shipment is still on its way via air freight. This involves a change of aircraft in Hong Kong. We still expect the entire shipment to be dispatched with tracking numbers to customers from our Sydney warehouse this week. Some customers will receive their SKIPPA this week depending on their geographic distance from Sydney.
Sorry, Leon I am getting very confused.
We have been told (by Heinz, no less) on Friday the 11th, 4.45pm:
About half of the pre-ordered SKIPPA® volume arrives in Sydney by air freight over the weekend, with the remainder not far behind. We have increased staff in our Sydney warehouse to speed up customer shipments from Monday on a "first-ordered, first-shipped" basis.
We have been also told that a few (about40) were in stock and have now been sent out. (Coincidentally, they happened to all go to people who are not on any social media or Forum, so we haven't heard from any of them :o)
We were a bit disappointed at the lack of
drum-roll to announce the great news that they have finally arrived, but not very surprised. Par for the course, really
You replied, to at least a couple of people we know of, who emailed you
today asking if they have indeed arrived in Sydney on the weekend:
"Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
IceTV Pty Limited
Level 1/20 Chandos Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065"
So, what are we to believe? The message in your email or your post here?
And in case I am not being clear, it is not the delays I object to, (can happen) it it the duplicitousness that gets my goad, being treated like a mushroom >:(
I do not believe that Leon, Dave and the others who are customers primary contacts have been deliberately misleading us. They can only pass on what they have been told. At this stage we have no information on why they were not given a timely update on what was happening. Hopefully there will be a proper explanation provided in an mass email today.
The only thing that I can say is that it reflects very poorly on IceTV as a company.
Ian
What i read from Leon is that only some of the Skippa's have arrived not the amount that they were excepting. I am guessing i may get mine just before they release number 2. What a joke the have not even released pre release of the original and telling about number two.
Ice TV as a business look like a backyard one after this shambles.
Pete
Quote from: Leon K on September 14, 2015, 07:46:30 PM
Hey Guys,
Yes some SKIPPA's have been arriving over the past few weeks and dispatched, late this afternoon we got an update on our freight:
Our first mass manufactured SKIPPA shipment is still on its way via air freight. This involves a change of aircraft in Hong Kong. We still expect the entire shipment to be dispatched with tracking numbers to customers from our Sydney warehouse this week. Some customers will receive their SKIPPA this week depending on their geographic distance from Sydney.
So they're not here yet? I think I need to check the dictionary definition of "On Schedule".
Seriously the delays are fine. No problem with that but as an example of how not to do a new product roll-out this may became a textbook example.
My grip is the communication has been extremely poor. They always seem to wait until Friday to deliver bad news.
Oh well 15 days left in September. I think i'm order 480 or so so maybe before that.
Quote from: IanL-S on September 15, 2015, 06:50:28 AM
I do not believe that Leon, Dave and the others who are customers primary contacts have been deliberately misleading us. They can only pass on what they have been told. At this stage we have no information on why they were not given a timely update on what was happening. Hopefully there will be a proper explanation provided in an mass email today.
The only thing that I can say is that it reflects very poorly on IceTV as a company.
Ian
I agree wholeheartedly. I certainly didn't mean to shoot the messenger, but I can only ask for clarification from the messengers as we certainly don't have the CEO's email address :P
I agree wholeheartedly. I certainly didn't mean to shoot the messenger, but I can only ask for clarification from the messengers as we certainly don't have the CEO's email address :P
[/quote]
You could always PM him!
I do admit that it is now becoming a bit of a farce. Not knowing shipping details e.g.
We were promised Mon or Tues and with my Invoice Number 200814, still nothing.
But thats the Problem Skippabeat the lack of communication from them. My invoice number is way bigger than yours and i am thinking that the technology will be out of date by time i get it.
The need to keep us up to date and tell us whats going on they said Monday and still no contact, my gut says they don't have them yet.
Well they definitely did not have them last night at8.46pm when Leon made a post including the following statement:
"Our first mass manufactured SKIPPA shipment is still on its way via air freight. This involves a change of aircraft in Hong Kong. We still expect the entire shipment to be dispatched with tracking numbers to customers from our Sydney warehouse this week. Some customers will receive their SKIPPA this week depending on their geographic distance from Sydney." (emphasis added)
This suggests that the fist shipment has in fact left the OEM plant and it was at that time in transit. Wisely, no ETA in Sydney was given. They probably have not yet arrived in Sydney. It is unclear how may units are in this shipment (prior statement suggest that this will be enough for the first 1000 pre-orders). For customers to get units this week (those close to Sydney), they would have to be in the hands of the courier before close of business on Thursday.
Not sure where all this gets us ....
Ian
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 15, 2015, 04:01:14 PM
You could always PM him!
::) I actually tried that! Got this:
User 'Heinz' has blocked your personal message. :-X
Seems he doesn't want to hear from us plebs :'(
I PM'd him too and had no acknowledgement :(
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 16, 2015, 08:05:17 PM
I PM'd him too and had no acknowledgement :(
You mean yours actually went? I couldn't even send mine!
I didn't get any error, but I can't see a copy anywhere either.
Doesn't seem to be any replies on FB & Twitter either.
Poor show Heinz!
I see no one from Ice TV have posted on this forum......anybody know why that would be?????
I think this is one of those, 'the cheque is in the mail' moments. And before anyone flames me I placed an order on the 29th May so am waiting anxiously like everyone else.
Quote from: pbwhi0 on September 16, 2015, 10:11:53 PM
I think this is one of those, 'the cheque is in the mail' moments. .......
Yes it does have that feel to it. That can mean that someone is merely holding off paying for a while, or could be an excuse to cover-up an intention never to pay. Here I am sure there is an intention to supply the Skippa. They just have problems with working out when the cheque is being posted, or if it has in fact been posted.
Ian
Growl. I was trying to may a light, possibly humorous comment but failed dismally. Someone must have removed my funny-bone when I was not paying attention. :-[ :'(
Quote from: Vortical on September 14, 2015, 08:46:14 PM
I can't believe Heinz is spruiking skippa2 when really next to none of the original skippa's have even landed in the country let alone shipped to real customers.
As a long time IceTV user I find that to be a real slap in the face to anyone who pre-ordered a skippa. >:(
Heinz was not spruiking anything other than Skippa.
The USA host of the podcast asked was Skippa available in other markets and when told the Skippa was for Australia only the host asked would there be any future developments (in relation to exporting Skippa) to which the answer was that IceTV were looking at developing a box for export markets (call it Skippa 2 or whatever).
Quote from: Coopsp on September 16, 2015, 08:35:20 PM
I see no one from Ice TV have posted on this forum......anybody know why that would be?????
That would be because nothing much has changed. The first big shipment of Skippas left the factory on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Sydney warehouse today, tomorrow, or Monday and be posted ASAP. All of the remainder of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch.
So even those who ordered last will have their Skippa soon (if they live in Timbuktu their Skippa will be in Australia Post's hands before the end of this month).
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 17, 2015, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Coopsp on September 16, 2015, 08:35:20 PM
I see no one from Ice TV have posted on this forum......anybody know why that would be?????
That would be because nothing much has changed. The first big shipment of Skippas left the factory on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Sydney warehouse today, tomorrow, or Monday and be posted ASAP. All of the remainder of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch.
So even those who ordered last will have their Skippa soon (if they live in Timbuktu their Skippa will be in Australia Post's hands before the end of this month).
It's unfortunate that you think "Nothing much has changed" The email Friday stated that you would have them over the weekend and be posted from Monday this week. Now they may not be here until maybe next Monday and then be posted from Tuesday I assume. Then the 2nd lot about a week behind that or in other words October.
Earlier in the week people in Sydney would have some of them by tomorrow.
Personally I call that a change!
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 17, 2015, 02:19:13 PM
Quote from: Vortical on September 14, 2015, 08:46:14 PM
I can't believe Heinz is spruiking skippa2 when really next to none of the original skippa's have even landed in the country let alone shipped to real customers.
As a long time IceTV user I find that to be a real slap in the face to anyone who pre-ordered a skippa. >:(
Heinz was not spruiking anything other than Skippa.
The USA host of the podcast asked was Skippa available in other markets and when told the Skippa was for Australia only the host asked would there be any future developments (in relation to exporting Skippa) to which the answer was that IceTV were looking at developing a box for export markets (call it Skippa 2 or whatever).
Whether it's for other markets or our own it's still another product.
The more I listened to this interview the more I felt that we have been strung along this roller coaster ride with drip fed notices of delay after delay and none of us still know when we are actually going to get our skippas.There are also many conflicting reports over the last week of them being in the country, then stuck in Hong Kong now they're still not here. All this after we were advised via email that everyone that pre ordered should have their skippas by the end of September, now it's Australia post should have it by the end of September. How do you think we all feel given what we have been told so many times before over the last few months.
This pre-order debacle has led me to not want to ever pre-order another icetv product ever again.Quote from: Tyrus on August 28, 2015, 11:48:39 AM
Received today....
QuoteFollowing a small initial run, the factory pushed our mass manufacturing slot back for a second time. Australia's order volumes are relatively small when compared to international markets. This makes it difficult for any Australian vendor to obtain priority, hence the delay. However, we are assured by the factory that our new production date will be adhered to.
A small quantity of SKIPPAs® will be shipped next week to customers who placed their order first. From September 10 onwards, we will fulfill the remaining orders on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that every customer will receive their ordered SKIPPA® in September.
Call me skeptical, but the spin here is so cliche and so disappointing. IMO its really poor customer service to continually make us wait in excited anticipation - right up to the deadline, only to then admit further delays.
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 14, 2015, 03:47:09 PM
I sent a message to sales today to ask about the Skippa and have the arrived in Sydney and this in the reply.
"Hi Kevin,
Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
IceTV Pty Limited
Level 1/20 Chandos Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065"
Hope that's makes a few happy.
Kevin
Quote from: EdQld on September 14, 2015, 04:53:22 PM
Yes they have arrived - and your order is being processed, so you should get a tracking number soon, as it will be sent within a few days.
Best Regards,
Leon
IceTV Support Team
Great News ;D
Quote from: Leon K on September 14, 2015, 07:46:30 PM
Hey Guys,
Yes some SKIPPA's have been arriving over the past few weeks and dispatched, late this afternoon we got an update on our freight:
Our first mass manufactured SKIPPA shipment is still on its way via air freight. This involves a change of aircraft in Hong Kong. We still expect the entire shipment to be dispatched with tracking numbers to customers from our Sydney warehouse this week. Some customers will receive their SKIPPA this week depending on their geographic distance from Sydney.
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 17, 2015, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Coopsp on September 16, 2015, 08:35:20 PM
I see no one from Ice TV have posted on this forum......anybody know why that would be?????
That would be because nothing much has changed. The first big shipment of Skippas left the factory on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Sydney warehouse today, tomorrow, or Monday and be posted ASAP. All of the remainder of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch.
So even those who ordered last will have their Skippa soon (if they live in Timbuktu their Skippa will be in Australia Post's hands before the end of this month).
Quote from: gas667 on September 17, 2015, 03:04:16 PM
It's unfortunate that you think "Nothing much has changed" The email Friday stated that you would have them over the weekend and be posted from Monday this week. Now they may not be here until maybe next Monday and then be posted from Tuesday I assume. Then the 2nd lot about a week behind that or in other words October.
Earlier in the week people in Sydney would have some of them by tomorrow.
Personally I call that a change!
Yes, so do I. From Dave's comments I am 90% confident that they have arrived in Sydney. How long it will take to get to the IceTV warehouse is I suspect largely beyond the control of IceTV.
--
No general update notification (email) has been sent since last Friday. Only by trawling though the Forum do you find that not only that they did not arrive last weekend, but they still have not got to the IceTV warehouse.
I have not received the Friday
what's on this weekend email, so there may be something it that email.
Ian
PS I am not impress
ed by this situation
[Update: 17:32 18-09-15] Big question forum members: Why would I be expecting the regular Friday email on Thursday? The stress is obviously getting too much for me.
[Update: 10:58 18-09-15] Just got the
what's on this weekend email - no mention anywhere of Skippa. Not sure what significance, if any, in the absence of a mention.
I am having trouble understanding why the communication has not improved. They have been consistently kicked over the past few weeks but if anything it has got worse.
We're told they're here tomorrow. They're here and shipping shortly, They're not here. All without any email communication but bits and pieces of information through the forum. It's like they are trying to mitigate the damage to only those who read the forums. It's also hard to see this as anything but deliberately misleading.
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 17, 2015, 02:19:13 PM
Heinz was not spruiking anything other than Skippa.
The USA host of the podcast asked was Skippa available in other markets and when told the Skippa was for Australia only the host asked would there be any future developments (in relation to exporting Skippa) to which the answer was that IceTV were looking at developing a box for export markets (call it Skippa 2 or whatever).
Sorry Dave, I just listened to the podcast again. He talks about the overseas market at 21:42. He talks about "Fortuna/Skippa 2" at 31:53. The question put to him then had nothing to do with export markets.
BTW, he also told the podcast that the pre-sale started in July @ 27:54
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 17, 2015, 02:37:58 PM
Quote from: Coopsp on September 16, 2015, 08:35:20 PM
I see no one from Ice TV have posted on this forum......anybody know why that would be?????
That would be because nothing much has changed. The first big shipment of Skippas left the factory on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Sydney warehouse today, tomorrow, or Monday and be posted ASAP. All of the remainder of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch.
So even those who ordered last will have their Skippa soon (if they live in Timbuktu their Skippa will be in Australia Post's hands before the end of this month).
See Dave that's where the problem is we were all told that they were going out this week and now they have not even gotten to Sydney. And instead of Ice TV letting us know there has been another dealy You choose to basically have a smart arse back hand shot at me, with your reply.
I think Ice TV have forgotten who the customer is in this whole situation and without customers there is no Ice TV? Really need to stop treating us like mushrooms and keeping us abreast of what's going on. I am sure you would not be coping half the comments on here if you just gave regular updates
Skippa is not an isolated instance. Topfield announced the release of the TF-T6211 for delivery in June 2014 it did not ship until some months later (I think it was October). And they too were taking pre-orders for some, if not all, of that period.
So even established manufacturers have problems with meeting release schedules. I think the delay of the TF-T6211 was caused by firmware issues rather than manufacturing issues.
Ian
Quote from: ColdasIce on September 18, 2015, 07:56:28 AM
During those months did Topfield ignore their customers and on the odd occasion when giving updates were they condescending and deceitful?
If not then Skippa IS an isolated case.
Long time ago now. Release was originally scheduled for late may or early June. I think they did one delay announcement and then move to 'coming soon'. As I did not do a pre-release purchase, I cannot say what information if any was provided to those who did.
Normally I would not do a pre-order, particularly of a PVR as the street price tends to fall rapidly within 3 months of release. As the Sikppa (at least initially) is only available from IceTV there was little chance of that happening.
Ian
Companies typically promote pre-order "specials" to generate much needed cashflow.
The cost to R&D, source manufacturing and then secure a production run is significant, especially for a small and/or a rapidly growing company, to the point where there is little room for error and it often becomes the "do or die" event for the company.
I don't know IceTVs specifics and this is pure speculation, but all the signs are there ... If the original production date was lost due to lack of cash on hand at the time, it makes sense that they extended the pre-order offer to try and generate the extra dosh needed to get that run secured. Everything then snowballed from there ...
The reason for posting such speculation, is that if true, I sure hope they are able to sort it out and would be OK with waiting (as long as we were kept informed), as the alternative is that we will suffer far more than just a delay.
The real irony is that companies are too scared to come clean about sharing financials, fearing that it will lead to people heading for the hills. In reality though, the resulting PR crap they spew, stringing some 2000+ customers along for over 2 months now, does far more harm.
Quote from: Tyrus on September 18, 2015, 10:40:07 AM
Companies typically promote pre-order "specials" to generate much needed cashflow.
...
I don't know IceTVs specifics and this is pure speculation, but all the signs are there ... If the original production date was lost due to lack of cash on hand at the time, it makes sense that they extended the pre-order offer to try and generate the extra dosh needed to get that run secured. Everything then snowballed from there ...
The reason for posting such speculation, is that if true, I sure hope they are able to sort it out and would be OK with waiting (as long as we were kept informed), as the alternative is that we will suffer far more than just a delay.
I have pondered IceTV's wisdom in selling devices with "lifetime" subscriptions to their main product. Once all of those products are sold, where is their income stream going to be coming from if we aren't going to pay any subs for years to come?
With the advent of Netflix and other streaming services, PVRs have limited and dwindling appeal especially since Freeview+ offers seamless access to catchup via the TV guide.
I would have thought it would make more business sense to sell the Skippa as means of generating more subscriptions. I think most of us would have been quote happy to continue to pay our regular annual sub for the guide. Instead they seem to have lamely added a sub for the ad-skip feature at the last minute which seems like a half-baked and poorly planned money grab.
All in all I think the whole Skippa debacle has been handle very poorly. IceTV has gone down in my estimation significantly as a result.
If Skippa required an annual subscription for IceTV, I definitely would not have bought (I mean ordered) one. I simply wouldn't have looked twice at it. I would have bought another PVR and been using it already for months.
Quote from: FMB on September 18, 2015, 11:39:49 AM
If Skippa required an annual subscription for IceTV, I definitely would not have bought (I mean ordered) one. I simply wouldn't have looked twice at it. I would have bought another PVR and been using it already for months.
I was actually quite surprised that they offer lifetime, I would have expected maybe 12 months included. Especially at the $399 introductory price.
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 11:33:07 AM
I have pondered IceTV's wisdom in selling devices with "lifetime" subscriptions to their main product. Once all of those products are sold, where is their income stream going to be coming from if we aren't going to pay any subs for years to come?
With the advent of Netflix and other streaming services, PVRs have limited and dwindling appeal especially since Freeview+ offers seamless access to catchup via the TV guide.
I would have thought it would make more business sense to sell the Skippa as means of generating more subscriptions. I think most of us would have been quote happy to continue to pay our regular annual sub for the guide. Instead they seem to have lamely added a sub for the ad-skip feature at the last minute which seems like a half-baked and poorly planned money grab.
I think their main game is to attract TiVo customers and I think they therefore had no option but to include the EPG/Recording subscription as that's what TiVo is still offering.
Quote from: JPP on September 18, 2015, 11:48:43 AM
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 11:33:07 AM
I have pondered IceTV's wisdom in selling devices with "lifetime" subscriptions to their main product. Once all of those products are sold, where is their income stream going to be coming from if we aren't going to pay any subs for years to come?
With the advent of Netflix and other streaming services, PVRs have limited and dwindling appeal especially since Freeview+ offers seamless access to catchup via the TV guide.
I would have thought it would make more business sense to sell the Skippa as means of generating more subscriptions. I think most of us would have been quote happy to continue to pay our regular annual sub for the guide. Instead they seem to have lamely added a sub for the ad-skip feature at the last minute which seems like a half-baked and poorly planned money grab.
I think their main game is to attract TiVo customers and I think they therefore had no option but to include the EPG/Recording subscription as that's what TiVo is still offering.
What are you attracting them to if not your primary product (the guide). How much value is there in having a customer that isn't paying. The Skippa should have been used as bait for the guide.
Quote from: JPP on September 18, 2015, 11:48:43 AM
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 11:33:07 AM
I have pondered IceTV's wisdom in selling devices with "lifetime" subscriptions to their main product. Once all of those products are sold, where is their income stream going to be coming from if we aren't going to pay any subs for years to come?
With the advent of Netflix and other streaming services, PVRs have limited and dwindling appeal especially since Freeview+ offers seamless access to catchup via the TV guide.
I would have thought it would make more business sense to sell the Skippa as means of generating more subscriptions. I think most of us would have been quote happy to continue to pay our regular annual sub for the guide. Instead they seem to have lamely added a sub for the ad-skip feature at the last minute which seems like a half-baked and poorly planned money grab.
I think their main game is to attract TiVo customers and I think they therefore had no option but to include the EPG/Recording subscription as that's what TiVo is still offering.
If we ignore the various pre-shipping discounts, the RRP of Skippa (with lifetime Skippa and IceTV subscription) has not changed. What has changed is the ability to get a Skippa without lifetime Skippa subscription or without both the lifetime Skippa and Lifetime IceTV subscription. If you are not interested in the Skippa function and already have an IceTV subscription then you may not need the lifetime subscription since the ordinary subscription included 10 devices (up from the previous 5).
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 11:57:23 AM
What are you attracting them to if not your primary product (the guide). How much value is there in having a customer that isn't paying. The Skippa should have been used as bait for the guide.
Ah, but they are paying as the Skippa at just under $600 RRP is much more expensive than other 3Tuner PVRs. The Altech 9600t is selling on eBay (Bing Lee) for $249 with $5 for delivery. Except for wifi the
hardware specifications are similar to the Skippa. The updated Beyonwiz T2 has 3 tuners (1 is USB) and records 8 programs over 3 networks and has RRP of $299 (without HDD). Off course, as noted in the post below, they do not have automated add skipping. The add skipping is not a major consideration for me - attitude is at best ambivelent.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 11:59:14 AM
Ah, but they are paying as the Skippa at just under $600 RRP is much more expensive than other 3Tuner PVRs. The Altech 9600t is selling on eBay (Bing Lee) for $249 with $5 for delivery. Except for wifi the specifications are similar to the Skippa. The updated Beyonwiz T2 has 3 tuners (1 is USB) and records 8 programs over 3 networks and has RRP of $299 (without HDD).
Ian
5 years (lifetime) of IceTV sub at discounted auto-renew prices is $395 don't forget to add that to the price of those other units.
And do those units feature ad-skip? A valuable feature.
I reckon they should be selling the Skippa with 12 Months of IceTV subscription included for a rock bottom price with enough margin to cover warranty and support costs. After the first year they start having subscription revenue.
Dump the stupid subscription for not disabling the ad-skip feature or roll it into the normal sub and call it a feature.
I doubt the volume of Skippas would ever be enough to make them huge profits, they should be using it as a tool for getting subscribers rather than a profit making tool on its own.
That my 2c (seasonally adjusted) :)
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 01:36:37 PM
5 years (lifetime) of IceTV sub at discounted auto-renew prices is $395 don't forget to add that to the price of those other units.
And do those units feature ad-skip? A valuable feature.
You do not have to go for the device specific 5 year lifetime subscription. I got a 4 year multi-device subscription about a year ago for $149 special price. There was a similar offer not long ago. At the time it covered up to 5 devices and was recently retrospectively changed to 10 devices. I have just under 4 years to go. So the value of included IceTV subscription can be minimal for some users. The value of the included Skippa subscription depends on how you use the device. While I am sure many users will find it great, it is not essential for my viewing habits ... commercial TV, what is that?
Ian
PS Not wanting to get into an argument; just clarifying the situation. :) Wanting to avoid annoying anyone. :)
PS2 While I was pushing at the 5 device limit not even I come anywhere near 10 IceTV enabled recording devices. No where is that information on the T4? ;D ;)
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 11:59:14 AM
If we ignore the various pre-shipping discounts, the RRP of Skippa (with lifetime Skippa and IceTV subscription) has not changed.
Oh, but it has :) http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/new-icetv-branded-pvr/3886/msg20930#msg20930 (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/new-icetv-branded-pvr/3886/msg20930#msg20930) Originally, it was RRP $499
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 11:59:14 AM
What has changed is the ability to get a Skippa without lifetime Skippa subscription or without both the lifetime Skippa and Lifetime IceTV subscription. If you are not interested in the Skippa function and already have an IceTV subscription then you may not need the lifetime subscription since the ordinary subscription included 10 devices (up from the previous 5).
Not sure about that. I have a vague recollection that the Skippa is separate from your other devices
I just had another look at their ad and noticed an addition I haven't seen before:
*The period during which your SKIPPA is in active use connected to your IceTV account on our servers. Wonder what that means, translated from IceTV speak?
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 01:36:37 PM
And do those units feature ad-skip? A valuable feature.
Well, that remains to be seen. Even they aren't guaranteeing it to be perfect, so it may be more trouble than its worth. I use VideoReDo to edit some of my recordings ATM, and it, too, has a capability to remove ads. I found that correcting its mistakes is more of a pain than just removing them manually.
I would find being able to permanently remove unwanted parts of a recording (at the very least, the padding) a lot more valuable a feature
Quote from: csutak40 on September 18, 2015, 02:14:02 PM
Not sure about that. I have a vague recollection that the Skippa is separate from your other devices
I just had another look at their ad and noticed an addition I haven't seen before:
*The period during which your SKIPPA is in active use connected to your IceTV account on our servers.
Wonder what that means, translated from IceTV speak?
On the first point. At one stage that appeared to be the case. However, if you have the max number of devices on your account already you cannot add a Skippa (Dave at IceTV tried to do this). The multi-device subscription does not expressly exclude the Skippa. I will get clarification on this issue and report back.
On the second point, I suspect it merely refers to the fact that in order for it to work the Skippa must regularly check in with the IceTV server (possibly for some sort of upgrade to the Skippa functionality).
Ian
Update: Just checked and you cannot but a Skippa without the lifetime IceTV subscription. Clearly I am have problems today!
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 02:02:31 PM
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 01:36:37 PM
5 years (lifetime) of IceTV sub at discounted auto-renew prices is $395 don't forget to add that to the price of those other units.
And do those units feature ad-skip? A valuable feature.
You do not have to go for the device specific 5 year lifetime subscription. I got a 4 year multi-device subscription about a year ago for $149 special price. There was a similar offer not long ago. At the time it covered up to 5 devices and was recently retrospectively changed to 10 devices. I have just under 4 years to go. So the value of included IceTV subscription can be minimal for some users. The value of the included Skippa subscription depends on how you use the device. While I am sure many users will find it great, it is not essential for my viewing habits ... commercial TV, what is that?
The subscription I was referring to is the multi device sub and the price quoted was the ordinary price discounted for having auto-renew not a special deal like the 4 year one.
The point I was trying to make is that IceTV are doing themselves out of business by selling lifetime and heavily discounted subs.
At the time they sold the 4 year Subs for $149 I bought one too. They must have needed a cash injection which they would have gotten but the downside is that for the next four years all of those people are now going to be paying no annual sub fees.
What is going to sustain them as a business if they keep pre-selling their product at a discount and forgoing the trailing revenue? I wonder how many of IceTV's customers took up that offer are now effectively dead weight for the next 3+ years. How do they pay wages and continue to offer the service?
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 02:50:15 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 02:02:31 PM
Quote from: Likkie on September 18, 2015, 01:36:37 PM
5 years (lifetime) of IceTV sub at discounted auto-renew prices is $395 don't forget to add that to the price of those other units.
And do those units feature ad-skip? A valuable feature.
You do not have to go for the device specific 5 year lifetime subscription. I got a 4 year multi-device subscription about a year ago for $149 special price. There was a similar offer not long ago. At the time it covered up to 5 devices and was recently retrospectively changed to 10 devices. I have just under 4 years to go. So the value of included IceTV subscription can be minimal for some users. The value of the included Skippa subscription depends on how you use the device. While I am sure many users will find it great, it is not essential for my viewing habits ... commercial TV, what is that?
The subscription I was referring to is the multi device sub and the price quoted was the ordinary price discounted for having auto-renew not a special deal like the 4 year one.
The point I was trying to make is that IceTV are doing themselves out of business by selling lifetime and heavily discounted subs.
At the time they sold the 4 year Subs for $149 I bought one too. They must have needed a cash injection which they would have gotten but the downside is that for the next four years all of those people are now going to be paying no annual sub fees.
What is going to sustain them as a business if they keep pre-selling their product at a discount and forgoing the trailing revenue? I wonder how many of IceTV's customers took up that offer and there are now effectively dead weight for the next 3+ years. How do they pay wages and continue to offer the service?
Thanks for the clarification. You are making an important observation. IceTV have been periodically offering heavily discounted subscriptions since 2008 or earlier. Since first subscribing to IceTV (early Jan 2006) I have only paid "full price" for the first 2 years, since then I have taken advantage of four 1 year subs at $49 and one 4 year sub for $149. The full rate seems to have been $99 a year since 2006. Currently IceTV are offering 1 year for $99 and 5 years for $249 [works out at $49.80 a year ignoring time-value of money] (see attachment). These prices are not dependent on selecting auto-renew. Along the way I also got 12 month bonus subscription when I purchased a TRF2400, plus 4 x Topfield 3 months bonus membership.
The sustainability of heavy discounts is difficult to judge. Often they are limited to the first X purchases. So, it is difficult to work out how much those special discount cannibalise ordinary renewals. I suspect that the cost structure of IceTV is one where the variable costs of each subscription are relatively small, with the non-variable costs making up a substantial proportion of the total costs. But I could be wrong about this. If so these special deals may still result in the 'real value' of the resulting incremental cash flows being positive. (I will not get into the complexities of discounted cash flow analysis as it will confuse everyone ... including me.)
Ian
I just got an email regarding my previous enquiry about Skippa and was I satisfied with their support.
Well I told them them how I felt and got this reply almost instantly.
"Hi Kevin,
Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Leon would have believed that your Skippa was in the first small batch that arrived 2 weeks ago. Sorry about that.
Your Skippa order is in the 1st big shipment of Skippas which finally(!) left the factory last Monday and they arrived at Sydney airport today. Depending how soon they can be unloaded, clear Australian customs and get delivered to the Sydney warehouse some may be posted to customers today. Otherwise this whole shipment will be posted to customers on Monday.
You will receive an email with an Australia Post tracking number when your order is dispatched.
Best Regards,
Dave
IceTV Support Team"
Kevin
I wonder what their definition of a 'big shipment' is?
Quote from: FMB on September 18, 2015, 03:32:24 PM
I wonder what their definition of a 'big shipment' is?
I have just sent a question to Support asking that exact question. Will post if I find out.
Quote from: FMB on September 18, 2015, 03:32:24 PM
I wonder what their definition of a 'big shipment' is?
Hopefully it would include all of those who ordered as part of the 'first 1000' promotion.
Ian
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 18, 2015, 03:28:20 PM
I just got an email regarding my previous enquiry about Skippa and was I satisfied with their support.
Well I told them them how I felt and got this reply almost instantly.
"Hi Kevin,
Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Leon would have believed that your Skippa was in the first small batch that arrived 2 weeks ago. Sorry about that.
Your Skippa order is in the 1st big shipment of Skippas which finally(!) left the factory last Monday and they arrived at Sydney airport today. Depending how soon they can be unloaded, clear Australian customs and get delivered to the Sydney warehouse some may be posted to customers today. Otherwise this whole shipment will be posted to customers on Monday.
You will receive an email with an Australia Post tracking number when your order is dispatched.
Best Regards,
Dave
IceTV Support Team"
Kevin
If we assume today means Friday (as Kevin just got the email), it would appear that the earlier statement on the Forum by Dave that they arrived yesterday was erroneous.
[editorial note update: This may not be the case, see extract below.] Either that or Dave wrote today when he meant yesterday.
Update: Dave's posting yesterday in fact said:
.... The first big shipment of Skippas left the factory on Monday and is expected to arrive at the Sydney warehouse today, tomorrow, or Monday and be posted ASAP. All of the remainder of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch. [emphasis added]So it may be that they had not in fact arrived in Australia, but it was possible the
y would arrive and get to the warehouse yesterday. I am not convinced that it would be advisable to say this if they had not in fact arrived in Australia.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 03:20:43 PM
Thanks for the clarification. You are making an important observation. IceTV have been periodically offering heavily discounted subscriptions since 2008 or earlier. Since first subscribing to IceTV (early Jan 2006) I have only paid "full price" for the first 2 years, since then I have taken advantage of four 1 year subs at $49 and one 4 year sub for $149. The full rate seems to have been $99 a year since 2006. Currently IceTV are offering 1 year for $99 and 5 years for $249 [works out at $49.80 a year ignoring time-value of money] (see attachment). These prices are not dependent on selecting auto-renew. Along the way I also got 12 month bonus subscription when I purchased a TRF2400, plus 4 x Topfield 3 months bonus membership.
The sustainability of heavy discounts is difficult to judge. Often they are limited to the first X purchases. So, it is difficult to work out how much those special discount cannibalise ordinary renewals. I suspect that the cost structure of IceTV is one where the variable costs of each subscription are relatively small, with the non-variable costs making up a substantial proportion of the total costs. But I could be wrong about this. If so these special deals may still result in the 'real value' of the resulting incremental cash flows being positive. (I will not get into the complexities of discounted cash flow analysis as it will confuse everyone ... including me.)
Ian
In all of this, don't forget that the true cost of a Skippa to ICETV is around $150 or less (viz the Altec 9600 which is selling for less than $140 atm), so that leaves around $350 at the minimum to cover the 5 years or so of the expected life/usefulness of a Skippa, i.e. around $70 per year for the ICETV sub which is more than the often discounted $49 per year rate. True, this margin also has to cover the R&D spent on developing the Skippa.
Secondly, and I've made this point before, they can't really sell a Skippa without an included ICETV sub - even if they made FTA EPG available on the unit ala the Altec 9600 - after all, they make the claim time and time again that you can't rely on the accuracy of FTA EPG. Selling it without an included ICETV EPG is not a viable commercial option - as I said earlier, they are out to get the TiVo customers who are facing a dying machine and possibly EPG service as well. EPG is a FREE service for the TiVo - trying to get TiVo customers to now pay for an EPG service would not be well received to say the least.
Phil, there are two versions of the 9600, the 9600t (3 turner, 6 recordings) and the 9600q (2 tuner, 4 recordings). Please confirm which model your price is for.
If the speculation that the Skippa OEM is Altech (given the quantities that Heinz says the OEM makes this is probable) is correct, then a comparison with the street price of the 9600t would be useful. The cost of the units to IceTV (ignoring firmware costs which may or may not be meaningfully related to the number of units produce) will be significantly less that the street price of the 9600t.
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 03:51:55 PM
Phil, there are two versions of the 9600, the 9600t (3 turner, 6 recordings) and the 9600q (2 tuner, 4 recordings). Please confirm which model your price is for.
Ian
The 9600t which has been selling through various channels as low as $139. This is probably pretty close to the cost of the machine so I used this price as a guestimate of the 1000+ unit cost of the Skippa.
ICETV would have had little hardware R&D as the design is based on the 9600t. I don't know if the firmware mods/upgrades have been done by ICETV themselves or through Altec, but the cost would not have been that prohibitive.
Quote from: JPP on September 18, 2015, 03:58:54 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on September 18, 2015, 03:51:55 PM
Phil, there are two versions of the 9600, the 9600t (3 turner, 6 recordings) and the 9600q (2 tuner, 4 recordings). Please confirm which model your price is for.
Ian
The 9600t which has been selling through various channels as low as $139. This is probably pretty close to the cost of the machine so I used this price as a guestimate of the 1000+ unit cost of the Skippa.
ICETV would have had little hardware R&D as the design is based on the 9600t. I don't know if the firmware mods/upgrades have been done by ICETV themselves or through Altec, but the cost would not have been that prohibitive.
Thanks for the clarification Phil. You are obviously better an sussing out prices than I am. I do remember seeing the 9600t well under $200 (but more than $150) at Dick Smith on-line shop.
Ian
Dick smith often discount the 9600t to around $160 ish approx, and then if they have their 30% off online sales as well it brings it down again, that's how I got mine for $138.00
It was definitely confirmed that UEC are the OEM, but For price comparison, note that the SKIPPA has a faster CPU and WIFI which the 9600t doesn't so that may add a little to the production cost I guess.
Mark
Dick Smith seems to have a never ending (well, at least once a week) online (click and collect) "special" of the t model. If you use other "tricks" like, apparently, you can purchase DSE gift cards for at Coles which gives you 10% off your purchases, plus they (also quite regularly) offer $30+ off online purchases. Just checked... Today's "special" is $40 more expensive than their "usual" special, however they are offering $41 off your purchases, on top of the discounted price. Some people, using all the available discounts, ended up purchasing it for $99. :-)
Basically, if you're interested in purchasing one, you need to visit the DSE site daily :-)
Quote from: warkus on September 18, 2015, 04:05:26 PM.... It was definitely confirmed that UEC are the OEM, but For price comparison, note that the SKIPPA has a faster CPU and WIFI which the 9600t doesn't so that may add a little to the production cost I guess.
Mark
I had missed/overlooked/fogotten the greater processing power. The specification for the Skippa may have changed (there is no longer a reference to the SoC manufacture or model), however the information originally provided was summarised (by me :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[) as:
The Skippa uses Broadcom 7241; CPU power: +3000 DMips; Flash Memory: 256MByte; RAM: 1 GB DDR 3(see http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/skippa/44/new-icetv-branded-pvr/3886/285)
According to Broadcom:
The BCM7241 is a small IPTV Set-top Box System on a Chip (SoC) that integrates full STB capabilities with IEEE 802.11.ac standard Wi-Fi.(see https://www.broadcom.com/products/set-top-box-and-media-processors/iptv/bcm7241)
However the Skippa is claimed to only have Internal 802.11 b/g/n (no ac).
So it is unclear what SoC is being used, other than it is made by Broadcom. Definitely not a BCM7141 as it has 5000 DMIPS total processing power. The only Broadcom SoC I could find rated at 3000Dmips was the BCM7424 which also has wifi capabiliteis: see http://www.broadcom.com/products/set-top-box-and-media-processors/cable-%28stb-and-media-processors%29/bcm7424
The 9600t uses a Broadcom BCM7231 SoC.
Ian
Quote from: gas667 on September 18, 2015, 03:33:36 PM
Quote from: FMB on September 18, 2015, 03:32:24 PM
I wonder what their definition of a 'big shipment' is?
I have just sent a question to Support asking that exact question. Will post if I find out.
I have received an answer from Dave and, although I didn't get an amount, mine is in this delivery and my invoice number is 201241. So if your number is lower than mine it should ship early next week. If it is higher then I don't know. Sorry.
Where is our Friday 5pm email tell us that we have to wait longer again?
They seemed to have let zoszos68 put a post up on here instead of the Friday 5pm email......its called outsourcing ;)
Quote from: CuriousGeorge on September 18, 2015, 05:53:39 PM
They seemed to have let zoszos68 put a post up on here instead of the Friday 5pm email......its called outsourcing ;)
But I haven't been paid yet. :'(
Then come to think of it when was I contracted to do this ;D
Kevin
Quote from: CuriousGeorge on September 18, 2015, 05:53:39 PM
They seemed to have let zoszos68 put a post up on here instead of the Friday 5pm email......its called outsourcing ;)
It would be nice to get some type of official clarification. We got an add for another machine though.
Quote from: gas667 on September 18, 2015, 04:35:41 PM
Quote from: gas667 on September 18, 2015, 03:33:36 PM
Quote from: FMB on September 18, 2015, 03:32:24 PM
I wonder what their definition of a 'big shipment' is?
I have just sent a question to Support asking that exact question. Will post if I find out.
I have received an answer from Dave and, although I didn't get an amount, mine is in this delivery and my invoice number is 201241. So if your number is lower than mine it should ship early next week. If it is higher then I don't know. Sorry.
I was informed before all the September changes I should be in the first batch too, but I have no idea if that's still true or not. My invoice is in the 2017xx range and I was told there's around 700 orders before mine.
Hopefully it's the first 1000 that are on their way or better yet hopefully they've actually landed in Australia already.
::) I'm getting so tired of checking the forums for the latest news!!! ::)
I asked the question of where I was in the queue, ordered mine on the second day of sale on i/v 201199 and was told that I'm on the second batch arriving next week. Don't know if this second shipment is being air freighted also or coming by sea but do not expect for one minute for it to arrive as forecast. What about the email a couple of weeks ago saying all the orders would be delivered in September. Seeing Choice are doing a review on the Skippa, perhaps they should check out the Forums and report on Ice TV's customer service or lack of it. Perhaps they would also award them one of their 'Shonky Awards'!!
Quote from: Carljh on September 18, 2015, 10:50:03 PM
I asked the question of where I was in the queue, ordered mine on the second day of sale on i/v 201199 and was told that I'm on the second batch arriving next week. Don't know if this second shipment is being air freighted also or coming by sea but do not expect for one minute for it to arrive as forecast. What about the email a couple of weeks ago saying all the orders would be delivered in September. Seeing Choice are doing a review on the Skippa, perhaps they should check out the Forums and report on Ice TV's customer service or lack of it. Perhaps they would also award them one of their 'Shonky Awards'!!
OK I'm confused. Your invoice number is lower than mine but this is the message I got from Dave
"Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service
If you are asking is your Skippa is in this batch that landed at Sydney airport today then the answer is yes, yes it is :o)"
Quote from: Carljh on September 18, 2015, 10:50:03 PM
Seeing Choice are doing a review on the Skippa,
Did I miss something? Where did you see that?
Quote from: csutak40 on September 19, 2015, 12:37:05 AM
Quote from: Carljh on September 18, 2015, 10:50:03 PM
Seeing Choice are doing a review on the Skippa,
Did I miss something? Where did you see that?
Ice TV email 11/9
Thanks for that. Missed that bit. :D
Funny, I was under the impression that Choice does their "reviews" incognito, purchasing the item in a store. If they get one from the manufacturer, it is not the same thing, is it?
Quote from: csutak40 on September 19, 2015, 01:53:31 PM
... Funny, I was under the impression that Choice does their "reviews" incognito, purchasing the item in a store. If they get one from the manufacturer, it is not the same thing, is it?
It may depend on where the review appears. The blurb at the bottom of the inside cover of the print version of Choice says "We [Choice] pay full price for products we test, so remain 100% independent. We don't take advertising or freebies from industry."
I'm pretty sure that applies to everything that appears in the Tests section of the print Choice, but I'm less sure about the "mini-reviews" that appear in the Checkout section. Checkout in March 2015, for example, had a review of the Tesla S P85+ battery electric car. It was clear in the article that the unit they tested was a loaner from the distributor, so it's a little less certain what their rules are for those reviews.
Choice also published a test (Tests section) on PVRs in August 2015. The Skippa wasn't included in that test, and I wouldn't think that they'd have another Tests section on PVRs for a while (they hadn't done one for more than a year before the test published in August).
I am informed by a usually reliable source that the Skippa shipment did not get to the IceTV warehouse on Friday. Hopefully it will get there on Monday (preferably first thing).
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 19, 2015, 02:50:28 PM
Hopefully it will get there on Monday (preferably first thing).
Thanks for the update
At this point another days delay is not going to make much difference I guess
Roll on delivery day...
Quote from: csutak40 on September 19, 2015, 01:53:31 PM
Thanks for that. Missed that bit. :D
Funny, I was under the impression that Choice does their "reviews" incognito, purchasing the item in a store. If they get one from the manufacturer, it is not the same thing, is it?
Correct. They buy and test production versions that are the same as any customer can purchase. They anonymously ordered and paid for their Skippas the same way everyone else did. One of their's was in the first batch that arrived 2 weeks ago.
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 19, 2015, 03:43:59 PM
They anonymously ordered and paid for their Skippas the same way everyone else did. One of their's was in the first batch that arrived 2 weeks ago.
So, they ordered in first minute or two?? Seriously?? They must be the most dedicated reviewers in recorded history to beat the hundreds of buyers who had been hanging out for months for the release - none of whom are active on the forum.......
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 19, 2015, 03:43:59 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on September 19, 2015, 01:53:31 PM
Thanks for that. Missed that bit. :D
Funny, I was under the impression that Choice does their "reviews" incognito, purchasing the item in a store. If they get one from the manufacturer, it is not the same thing, is it?
Correct. They buy and test production versions that are the same as any customer can purchase. They anonymously ordered and paid for their Skippas the same way everyone else did. One of their's was in the first batch that arrived 2 weeks ago.
Can you please advise how many units are actually in the next batch (that is supposed to be arriving on Monday 21st September 2015) or preferably up to what invoice number, surely this is known at this point!
In answering this it would be a step in the right direction in repairing the sour relationship that now exists between pre-order customers and IceTV.
I really don't undertsand how a manufacturer that is capable of making 1.5million units that pushed out the skippa production the first time then the 0.5million units that pushed out your manufacture slot a second time, how on earth could it have not made your entire skippa order so that all units arrived at once instead of 3 separate shipments?
Also how is possible that not a single forum member on here or whirlpool was in this small first batch? The ones that jumped at the chance the web page was put up?
This just makes no sense at all and doesn't ad up to me!
Note: The quantities and information noted in my post was mentioned in Heinz's Tech WebCast interview on the 12th September!
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/seored/u=aHR0cDovL3RlY2h3ZWJjYXN0LnBvZG9tYXRpYy5jb20vZW50cnkvMjAxNS0wOS0xMVQyMF8yNV80Mi0wN18wMA==
Quote from: Vortical on September 19, 2015, 05:21:35 PM
I really don't undertsand how a manufacturer that is capable of making 1.5million units that pushed out the skippa production the first time then the 0.5million units that pushed out your manufacture slot a second time, how on earth could it have not made your entire skippa order so that all units arrived at once instead of 3 separate shipments?
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/seored/u=aHR0cDovL3RlY2h3ZWJjYXN0LnBvZG9tYXRpYy5jb20vZW50cnkvMjAxNS0wOS0xMVQyMF8yNV80Mi0wN18wMA==
Depends on their credit terms with the manufacturer. If this is their first order with a new supplier it is likely goods only released on full payment.
Quote from: Tyrus on September 19, 2015, 05:29:42 PM
Quote from: Vortical on September 19, 2015, 05:21:35 PM
I really don't undertsand how a manufacturer that is capable of making 1.5million units that pushed out the skippa production the first time then the 0.5million units that pushed out your manufacture slot a second time, how on earth could it have not made your entire skippa order so that all units arrived at once instead of 3 separate shipments?
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/seored/u=aHR0cDovL3RlY2h3ZWJjYXN0LnBvZG9tYXRpYy5jb20vZW50cnkvMjAxNS0wOS0xMVQyMF8yNV80Mi0wN18wMA==
Depends on their credit terms with the manufacturer. If this is their first order with a new supplier it is likely goods only released on full payment.
If 1000 were ordered at $399 + $18 shipping that $417,000 they received 3-4 months ago and who knows how many orders they have for the future pre-offers
I'd speculate it's close to $1 million worth of orders at least.
So how is it they couldn't pay in full when we're all paying up front?
Surely these units cost much less than the advertised price to IceTV they need to make a profit on them too!
Heinz interview states they had hundreds of orders on the opening day of pre-orders and I've been advised my order is around number 700 that I placed around a week after the opening day, so it's not like the orders came in dribs and drabs till the second pre-order offer came up.
I also wonder whether more than 1000 customers were able to buy in at the $399 offer.
Quote from: Vortical on September 19, 2015, 05:35:44 PM
Quote from: Tyrus on September 19, 2015, 05:29:42 PM
Quote from: Vortical on September 19, 2015, 05:21:35 PM
I really don't undertsand how a manufacturer that is capable of making 1.5million units that pushed out the skippa production the first time then the 0.5million units that pushed out your manufacture slot a second time, how on earth could it have not made your entire skippa order so that all units arrived at once instead of 3 separate shipments?
Depends on their credit terms with the manufacturer. If this is their first order with a new supplier it is likely goods only released on full payment.
So how is it they couldn't pay in full when we're all paying up front?
Of course they would have paid in full, when required to do so. It's not like they don't have the money. Remember they are buying through an Aussie branch of an OEM that has their HQ on another continent. IceTV would pay the local branch of the OEM. And the OEM's HQ would be paying the factory. Who knows what kind of relationship the OEM's HQ currently has with the chosen factory (who are apparently in another hemisphere and speak a different language).
When you think about the various personnel that the information has to travel through during it's trip from Factory to OEM HQ to Local OEM to IceTV to Us Consumers there's a lot of room for information about dates and deadlines and quantities to get misinterpreted by the Chinese Whispers (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chinese+whisper+effect) effect as the message goes down the line.
And that's not accounting for the language and cultural differences including sarcasm that may be taken as a factual statement, or a sense of humour that is not understood.
Vortical, you seem to be suggesting that some skippas were made after the 1.5million other boxes (STBs or PVRs?) but before the 0.5million boxes? I took it to mean that production of all skippas was delayed until after those pushinsky's 2million boxes were finished. The factory would have to be manufacturing the full order in one production run. They'd be crazy not to. If they'd started they wouldn't stop until all xx thousand skippas were made.
The small quantity that arrived(?) a couple of weeks ago may have been left over from the QA sample batch. If I was IceTV copping all this flak (or the OEM assumedly getting constant pressure from IceTV) I'd fly in the first pallet load as soon as they were ready while the factory continues to produce the rest of the order. Which seems to tally with what someone here posted about "the rest of the skippas are only a week behind this batch".
No I never suggested any were made in between, all I stated is that from what we've been told and what is in heinz's interview that the original production batch was pushed back twice.
Once for another countries order of 1.5 million units of a completely different device and another for setback due to 0.5 million.
If your confused listen to heinz's interview on tech webcast.
What I don't understand is why a manufacturer capable of fulfilling orders this large and we're getting skippa shipments in dribs and drabs surely this can't be the manufacturer causing this delay of shipments.
To date with what has been stated;
1. one order arrived and shipped that was in double digits so 99 max, amazingly not one forum member was in this batch.
2. a second shipment is supposed to be arriving Monday and no-one knows how much that is.
3. A third batch is coming around a week after the second batch.
I just can't understand how 2000 skippa units could not have been easily made and shipped by this manufacturer capable of fulfilling orders to other countries for 1.5million and 0.5million units.
It also makes no sense to send 3 or more shipments of such a small manufacturing quantity over a period of 1-2 weeks between shipments, which is what has been stated by icetv in the numerous posts and in the interview when you piece it altogether.
I'm no expert but this seems ludicrous.
In regards to paying in full I agree and was responding to the tyrus's post. Of course icetv paid upfront otherwise how else would manufacture start.
Quote from: Paul55 on September 19, 2015, 04:40:20 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on September 19, 2015, 03:43:59 PM
They anonymously ordered and paid for their Skippas the same way everyone else did. One of their's was in the first batch that arrived 2 weeks ago.
So, they ordered in first minute or two?? Seriously?? They must be the most dedicated reviewers in recorded history to beat the hundreds of buyers who had been hanging out for months for the release - none of whom are active on the forum.......
This smells a bit doesn't it. How does Icetv know that Choice is doing a review if they bought it anonymously? Besides the fact that their is no evidence of any Skippas in the wild but they got theirs in the first minute of sales. I'm having trouble with this whole story.
Quote from: ColdasIce on September 20, 2015, 11:27:18 AM
I don't believe any part of the 40? have been delivered story. Not a single person posting anywhere that they have one, not a single question about the functions on this forum from the new owners and IceTV still refusing to post a single picture of the units that supposedly arrived two weeks ago.
How likely do you think it is that all those things have actually happened and been truthfully represented?
I really want this device to be a winner. Small companies delivering great products are a wonderful thing.
That said with everything that's been announced and everything that hasn't there is a lot that doesn't seem to add up and some things that don't seem feasible. I sincerely hope that the issues are just on a customer relations level and the device can wipe away the current sour taste. If it arrives that is. ;)
On the shipment issue it occurs to me that all the Skippa would have been made in one production run (too disruptive to chop and change particularly for a small order). I think real problem is logistics in getting the Skippa to Australia - it may be that air cargo availability is the cause for much of the delay. Most shipments from the OEM factory would go by surface transport (much cheaper), however here IceTV were obliged to use air cargo due to the late delivery.
On the Choice issue, it is likely that Choice contacted IceTV to either do fact checking or just to tell them they had done a review. Nothing sinister in that. Letting IceTV know that the review will be appearing, and when, may increase Choice membership or at least 'pay-per-review' revenue.
Ian
PS I do not remember seeing any reference to the Skippa review in any of he briefing emails I have got from Choice, but I do not always read them carefully.
Quote from: IanL-S on September 20, 2015, 01:30:09 PM
On the shipment issue it occurs to me that all the Skippa would have been made in one production run (too disruptive to chop and change particularly for a small order). I think real problem is logistics in getting the Skippa to Australia - it may be that air cargo availability is the cause for much of the delay. Most shipments from the OEM factory would go by surface transport (much cheaper), however here IceTV were obliged to use air cargo due to the late delivery.
On the Choice issue, it is likely that Choice contacted IceTV to either do fact checking or just to tell them they had done a review. Nothing sinister in that. Letting IceTV know that the review will be appearing, and when, may increase Choice membership or at least 'pay-per-review' revenue.
Ian
PS I do not remember seeing any reference to the Skippa review in any of he briefing emails I have got from Choice, but I do not always read them carefully.
It's possible Choice contacted Icetv after getting their hands on a Skippa but I'm mystified that there is no mention of a Skippa in someone's hands yet.
Icetv say a small number have shipped to customers but that's it. Not exactly saying they didn't ship but is it more likely they didn't ship or that the people who were interested enough to be the first on the order queue don't read/post on either Whirlpool or this forum.
And then where did Choice get their unit from? Lots of supposition i know.
Hopefully by end of the week we can start talking about the Skippa itself instead.
Quote from: gas667 on September 20, 2015, 01:40:32 PM<<<SNIP>>>
It's possible Choice contacted Icetv after getting their hands on a Skippa but I'm mystified that there is no mention of a Skippa in someone's hands yet.
I suppose it is possible that IceTV asked them not to post comments on the Forum .... but not sure why they would do so.
It could be the few who got them are not posting to avoid having to answer a barrage of questions.
Ian
QuoteOf course they would have paid in full, when required to do so. It's not like they don't have the money.
Really? I'm not so sure. Lets say they get 2,000 pre-orders. To fulfill that and hold some stock until the next production run, plus in order to secure the volume discounts they would want from the manufacturer, I'm guessing the initial order was at least double that, so around 4,000 units. Lets say it cost them $150 per unit to build. That's $600k to the OEM. Typically the production cost represents only 30-35% of a company's total expenses to get a product out the door. So total cost of around $2m.
So after wages, rent, R&D costs, utilities etc, the $900k taken from pre-orders would only cover half their expenses.
Note, I'm not being critical of that process at all, its pretty stock standard practice - I'm just questioning the real reason for the delays and suspect that they have had to take delivery, both delayed and in in batches, as cashflow permitted. And if that IS the case, shame on them for not managing and communicating the whole process better.
Quote from: IanL-S on September 20, 2015, 01:54:22 PM
Quote from: gas667 on September 20, 2015, 01:40:32 PM<<<SNIP>>>
It's possible Choice contacted Icetv after getting their hands on a Skippa but I'm mystified that there is no mention of a Skippa in someone's hands yet.
I suppose it is possible that IceTV asked them not to post comments on the Forum .... but not sure why they would do so.
It could be the few who got them are not posting to avoid having to answer a barrage of questions.
Ian
It's not like we have their phone number. If they are sick of questions they don't post and i can't think of any reason why they wouldn't want a bit more hype from customers with Skippas nor why some customers would obey and not post anyway. I can't think why Icetv would ask either.
I think it's back to my last statement. Lets hope we are talking about the actual device this time next week.
They were supposed to have landed in Sydney on Friday, anyone have a delivery email yet?
If the calculation someone posted earlier is correct, my order should be around no 14 (nice and early) but I didn't get one of the very early released Units and have yet to get the much anticipated Email :(
Quote from: EdQld on September 21, 2015, 10:52:33 AM
They were supposed to have landed in Sydney on Friday, anyone have a delivery email yet?
If the calculation someone posted earlier is correct, my order should be around no 14 (nice and early) but I didn't get one of the very early released Units and have yet to get the much anticipated Email :(
I have been told that they have definitely landed in Sydney, but they did not make it to the (IceTV) warehouse by close of business on Friday.
Ian
Quote from: EdQld on September 21, 2015, 10:52:33 AM
They were supposed to have landed in Sydney on Friday, anyone have a delivery email yet?
If the calculation someone posted earlier is correct, my order should be around no 14 (nice and early) but I didn't get one of the very early released Units and have yet to get the much anticipated Email :(
There were a few invoices and queue numbers that seem to support this earlier but there has been a few lately that don't. Not sure what to think.
Well folks, it's Monday, September 21 and still no sign of our Skippa's. Time for another (fake) reality check update from IceTV.
The Skippa's arrived in the country, albeit later than expected (by several months), but we have encountered a new problem. The shipment was incorrectly labelled as 'Clocks'. When Border Force failed to see a big hand and a little hand on the X-Ray, they immediately went into lockdown. The entire shipment has been taken out to a facility where it will be destroyed in a controlled explosion.
IceTV has lodged an urgent claim for compensation from Border Force and as soon as we receive payment, we will arrange for a new batch of Skippa's to be manufactured by our OEM. This will result in yet another delay, possibly six months or more. We apologise for the delay, but we're sure you'll find your new Skippa to be an amazing product and well worth the wait.
I've had enough. :'(
Or...... We are sorry about the continued delay, but we are excited to tell you that you will be automatically updated to a Skippa2, as soon as we can get a production slot with our manufacturer.
Quote from: michaelwho on September 21, 2015, 11:57:34 AM
I've had enough. :'(
You're not the only one - I'm currently looking at WA Dep of Commerce - Complaint form. I have just emailed in my letter of complaint, it gives IceTV till the end of the week to tell the truth. I think I will be submitting the complaint next Monday.
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 21, 2015, 12:06:42 PM
Or...... We are sorry about the continued delay, but we are excited to tell you that you will be automatically updated to a Skippa2, as soon as we can get a production slot with our manufacturer.
Close, but I think the wording would be more like:
The replacement batch of Skippa's will be manufactured straight after the first batch of Skippa 2's. Pre-orders for the Skippa 2 will commence shortly. We're excited to offer existing Skippa owners (we have your money, so technically you own a Skippa), a special one off pre-order discounted price of $300 for a Skippa 2. That price includes a one year IceTV subscription (even though you've already paid for a lifetime subscription) and a free 90 day trial license of the Ad Skip functionality. Give us your money immediately to lock in this amazing offer.
QuoteFollowing a small initial run, the factory pushed our mass manufacturing slot back for a second time. Australia's order volumes are relatively small when compared to international markets. This makes it difficult for any Australian vendor to obtain priority, hence the delay. However, we are assured by the factory that our new production date will be adhered to.
A small quantity of SKIPPAs® will be shipped next week to customers who placed their order first. From September 10 onwards, we will fulfill the remaining orders on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that every customer will receive their ordered SKIPPA® in September.
Just when I thought that they had told all the lies they could, I have now discovered their biggest! I emailed Ice TV last week to get an update on when I would see my order and was told it was in the second shipment arriving a week after the first. I posted this information on the forum with the date ordered (26th May) and i/v number so other members could perhaps work out what shipment their's was in. gas667 replied to my post as he had a higher invoice number than mine but was told his was in the first shipment. As this seemed strange, I emailed Ice TV again and asked if they were supplying on a first come, first served basis and whether the invoices were in a consecutive sequence. This is the reply I got from Leon yesterday:
'Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Yes we are shipping in a first come first served order. We have gotten delivery updates throughout the process, and have then passed those updates on to you.
We are sincerely doing our best, but at times we haven't had all the shipping information available, and when being pressed for answers, we have replied with the most current information we have at the time.
All orders will receive a tracking number once dispatched.'
As he hadn't answered the bit about the invoice numbers, I emailed him again for clarification and in the mean time I contacted gas667 to find out when he ordered his. He replied that he ordered his the day after me, the 27th. With this information, I sent another email to Leon with a please explain. As this is a major issue in my opinion, I have been holding off posting on the forum to give them time to give me an explanation but as they have not have not bothered to reply yet, think this needs to be brought to everyone's attention. I believe the situation is now bordering on taking it to the ACCC. I, like most people on here have not got an issue with the hold up with the manufacturing, it is the lack of communication and lies we are being told.
I think this whole thing has been an epic fail and a complete PR disaster for IceTV. As I see it, they went into this without a clue as to what they were doing. They've been stumbling through the whole process and have tried to cover their tracks with vague and spasmodic responses. It's not so much a campaign of deliberate lies as it is an inherent inability to function effectively.
What they should have done, apart from employing people with proper marketing and customer service skills, is to give very specific updates right throughout the process. People understand and respect honesty. They should have said that the initial shipment was only 12 units or 15 units or whatever. They should have said that the first part of the order was 700 units or 800 units or whatever it was and that that would cover invoices up to # xxxxxxx.
Specific information like that keeps everyone in the loop. They may argue that this would provide too much information to their competitors, but they are the ones who started the direct conversation with their customers, so they should maintain it and do so with honesty and integrity.
At this point, I can honestly say that not only will I never buy another IceTV product, I will actively discourage everyone I know not to buy one. Not because of the quality of their products ( I can't judge that yet), but simply because I have no faith in their ability as a company. As for going to the ACCC, I think you'd be better off contacting the ABC and getting it on Gruen.
Just got this weeks "IceTV - What's On This Week" and there is no mention of Skippa anywhere.
Ian
I ask the question. " is anyone in Ice TV actually going to give us a real response to whats going on and when we may see the units we faithfully paid for months ago?" Come on someone stand up and tell us the truth and what is really going on, and if you guys don't know thats cool just for gods sake tell us what the hells going on!!!
This is the latest I've received from icetv yesterday.
The first big shipment of Skippas finally left the factory last Monday and arrived at Sydney airport on Friday. The rest of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch and should arrive by next Friday. All back ordered Skippas will be posted to customers before the end of this month..
Your Skippa order is in the 2nd big shipment so it will be another 1.5 to 2 weeks before you receive your Skippa. You will receive an email with an Australia Post tracking number when your order is dispatched.
Cheers,
Leon
Quote from: gas667 on September 20, 2015, 06:40:13 PM... It's not like we have their [Choice's] phone number. ...
1800 069 552 (https://www.choice.com.au/contact-choice)
It's not exactly a secret.
Whether they'd answer the questions being asked about the review or not, I have no idea, but they may well.
Monday is drawing to a close and No delivery email :(
If the flying kangaroo did drop off the Skippas in Sydney on Friday, they obviously have not made it to their Warehouse (read Garage in the Suburbs) yet, and so Mum has not had the chance to take some to the local Post Office on her bicycle :'(
Quote from: Vortical on September 21, 2015, 03:37:59 PM
This is the latest I've received from icetv yesterday.
The first big shipment of Skippas finally left the factory last Monday and arrived at Sydney airport on Friday. The rest of the Skippas are only 1 week behind this batch and should arrive by next Friday. All back ordered Skippas will be posted to customers before the end of this month..
Your Skippa order is in the 2nd big shipment so it will be another 1.5 to 2 weeks before you receive your Skippa. You will receive an email with an Australia Post tracking number when your order is dispatched.
Cheers,
Leon
Hm, 'end of the month' is Wednesday of next week - so they think they will get them all out of the warehouse by then.
Going on the progress of the first shipment* (as far as we can work out
none not have been processed yet) they will have at best 48 hours to complete the processing the remaining orders (ie had the over to Australia Post for delivery).
Ian
* On the latest information I have my order will be one of the earlier ones sent, and I have heard nothing yet.
A usually reliable source :-X reports that the first shipment has arrived at the IceTV warehouse. First pick-up by Australia Post (or whoever is doing the delivery) should be tomorrow.
Not sure when the emails with the tracking numbers will start hitting in-boxes.
If I hear anything more, I will make a further post ....
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 21, 2015, 05:56:35 PM
A usually reliable source :-X reports that the first shipment has arrived at the IceTV warehouse. First pick-up by Australia Post (or whoever is doing the delivery) should be tomorrow.
Not sure when the emails with the tracking numbers will start hitting in-boxes.
If I hear anything more, I will make a further post ....
Ian
That is good news.
Will check later how long a delivery to the Mornington Peninsula should take, although it is usually the same as South East Of Melbourne.
Kevin
Quote from: prl on September 21, 2015, 03:47:15 PM
Quote from: gas667 on September 20, 2015, 06:40:13 PM... It's not like we have their [Choice's] phone number. ...
1800 069 552 (https://www.choice.com.au/contact-choice)
It's not exactly a secret.
Whether they'd answer the questions being asked about the review or not, I have no idea, but they may well.
Not Choice's phone number. The phone number of the people who had a Skippa but didn't want to be annoyed with lots of questions.
to Quote Ian on the 20th
"I suppose it is possible that IceTV asked them not to post comments on the Forum .... but not sure why they would do so.
It could be the few who got them are not posting to avoid having to answer a barrage of questions"
Dave/IceTV
Have the units arrived in Australia and will you be shipping this week?
Quote from: CuriousGeorge on September 22, 2015, 10:08:05 AM
Dave/IceTV
Have the units arrived in Australia and will you be shipping this week?
According to an email from Dave yesterday the 1st large shipment arrived in the warehouse about 1pm yesterday and should ship today. Fingers crossed.
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 10:12:01 AM
Quote from: CuriousGeorge on September 22, 2015, 10:08:05 AM
Dave/IceTV
Have the units arrived in Australia and will you be shipping this week?
According to an email from Dave yesterday the 1st large shipment arrived in the warehouse about 1pm yesterday and should ship today. Fingers crossed.
I was discussing another matter with Dave yesterday and he volunteered the same information (I did not ask about it).
Ian
Quote from: CuriousGeorge on September 22, 2015, 10:08:05 AM
Dave/IceTV
Have the units arrived in Australia and will you be shipping this week?
More importantly, Dave, what's the highest invoice number being shipped from this batch?
Quote from: FMB on September 22, 2015, 10:44:02 AM
More importantly, Dave, what's the highest invoice number being shipped from this batch?
That would be great to know
My current status under My Orders is: Shipped: pending
No change...since 2015-05-29
Quote from: bodogbodog on September 22, 2015, 02:41:26 PM
Quote from: FMB on September 22, 2015, 10:44:02 AM
More importantly, Dave, what's the highest invoice number being shipped from this batch?
That would be great to know
My current status under My Orders is: Shipped: pending
No change...since 2015-05-29
I am getting the same except the date is 25-05-2015.
The impression I get (from the information provided to me) is that the intention is to send out
all tracking information for shipment 1 today. However, it may take longer to get the full shipment 1 ready to go to purchasers than anticipated. Similarly, that it is hoped that most, if not all, would be handed over to Aust Post today for delivery. The handover is usually as close to close of business as possible and early enough to 'catch' trucks departing for major interstate Aust Post facilities, to then be forwarded to the purchaser.
As soon as I know more, I will post on the Forum as my order is in the first 50 to be processed.
Ian
I'm in the second lot but this is the email I got this morning:
Hi Rowan,
It has been a very long wait. Thankfully the first big batch of finally Skippas arrived at the warehouse yesterday. Yours is with the rest of the Skippas arriving this Friday so it will be posted early next week.
Best Regards,
Dave
IceTV Support Team
IceTV Pty Limited
Level 1/20 Chandos Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065
1300 654 803 or 02 8424 7555
12pm - 8pm Mon-Fri
12pm - 6pm Weekends/Public Holidays
Just got an Australia Post tracking number from Australia Post for Icetv. :)
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 04:06:29 PM
Just got an Australia Post tracking number from Australia Post for Icetv. :)
So did I. To the wrong f***ing address!
Quote from: FMB on September 22, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 04:06:29 PM
Just got an Australia Post tracking number from Australia Post for Icetv. :)
So did I. To the wrong f***ing address!
Damn after all this then that. Can you move to the right address ;)
The tracking number is showing invalid but that's pretty normal until later this evening. The order page on Icetv is still showing "pending" but it seems that things are finally moving.
Same here,
Email just received... Looks like they have been working hard today to get them all out...
So angst, frustration, emails, and arguments about manufacturing and delivery of the items aside...
From the time of arrival at ICETV in Australia (Yesterday) - to sending out, they have been pretty efficient...
so did I - to the right address :-\
wow i'm amazed it has finally shipped ;)
Have just (at 4:04pm) received an email from Australia Post saying "Your delivery is ready to be shipped from
IceTV" and giving a tracking number. It can only be the Skippa as I have nothing else on order.
My Invoice number is 200802 and I ordered at about noon on 25 May. Could it really be true that it's on its way.....
Mind you, there is no indication of this in My Order on the IceTV website where it still says "Shipped: pending" as it has for 4 months or so.
Germy
Me too for Invoice Number 200814.
My order was about 447 (invoice 201241) i think so at least that many (minus what ever went out in the small shipment) are going out today.
Got my email from aus post 8)
Shame it says the number is invalid..... :(
Quote from: stretch4x4 on September 22, 2015, 04:16:17 PM
Got my email from aus post 8)
Shame it says the number is invalid..... :(
They don't normally show until they're picked up. The jobs are registered electronically. Anytime after 6pm.
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 04:10:58 PM
Quote from: FMB on September 22, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 04:06:29 PM
Just got an Australia Post tracking number from Australia Post for Icetv. :)
So did I. To the wrong f***ing address!
Damn after all this then that. Can you move to the right address ;)
The tracking number is showing invalid but that's pretty normal until later this evening.
I placed the original order on my home address. When I found it was Australia Post doing the delivery, I asked support to change my address. Dave advised me weeks ago that it was changed. Apparently not. No great surprise there. I'm trying to change it in the AusPost website.
Yes, It's Happening at Last, also received this email from IceTV:
"Your delivery is ready to be shipped from IceTV......Once your delivery is on its way, you'll receive another email to keep you in the loop. You can also find out where your delivery is by clicking the link below."
Wow, I might even have it before the end of the week ;D
Quote from: stretch4x4 on September 22, 2015, 04:16:17 PM
Got my email from aus post 8)
Shame it says the number is invalid..... :(
Ditto here - I still take it as a major step forward :-)
I'm in Sydney metro so maybe delivery tomorrow
I have a Aust Post Tracking number. The Skippa has not yet been scanned by Aust Post but it is a great first step.
Ian
I'm in Hobart so maybe Friday. Maybe. Probably Monday. Oh well it still on the way.
Interesting.
According to the Australia Post MyPost site the sender is Altech UEC P/L although the email from Australia Post has Icetv as the sender.
Yippee! Me too. Invoice 200882.
Going to my street address and not the PO but that's okay, the PO will intercept it for me.
Can't wait!
The Skippa is real yeahhhhh haaaaa!!!!!!
You beauty!!!!
Ok I have calmed down now lol
Now to actually see it here.
Kevin
Oh Crap! What are we gonna bitch about how????
I feel so empty ;)
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 05:06:30 PM
Interesting.
According to the Australia Post MyPost site the sender is Altech UEC P/L although the email from Australia Post has Icetv as the sender.
Makes sense as some time back they said they had contracted out the delivery. With hindsight not surprised that it is Altech (the reputed OEM).
No information given on the sender for my item - merely says 'shipping information received' (edit 17:37)
Ian
Quote from: gas667 on September 22, 2015, 04:17:54 PM
Quote from: stretch4x4 on September 22, 2015, 04:16:17 PM
Got my email from aus post 8)
Shame it says the number is invalid..... :(
They don't normally show until they're picked up. The jobs are registered electronically. Anytime after 6pm.
Ahh is that how it goes.. Yeah it is initiated now.
I did think afterwards that it was probably related to not having been picked up but it's a little silly that the email is sent before you can actually follow the link in the email.. All good and now we wait 8)
Quote from: Likkie on September 22, 2015, 05:22:55 PM
Oh Crap! What are we gonna bitch about how????
I feel so empty ;)
I know your on holidays with the kids and wont be back till Sunday week!!!!!! :)
Who might have that problem. :)
Not me anyway.
Kevin
Congrats to all those in the first batch, look forward to reading your opinions.
Unfortunately I'm definitely in the second batch and have to wait another 1.5 to 2 weeks :(
Me too, thanks to gas 667 giving me the heads up on his invoice number being higher than mine or otherwise I would have been waiting another 1 - 2 weeks. Was worried that they might have put your order back because you brought to light the fact they weren't shipping first come, first served as they said, but glad to see you have got your tracking number. Not so important now but would like to know there explanation now the rush is over as I still haven't heard from them. Despite everything, think they have done a great job over the last couple of days to get all those Skippas on their way, I am guessing there were 500 in that first shipment.
Those in Sydney metro may well be lucky yet for delivery tomorrow.
If you actually click on the tracking link in the email, you should probably see what I'm seeing, they have actually scanned in now at an Australia Post facility in Chullora, NSW, so have officially been collected clearly and are on their merry way, it's no longer just an electronic lodgement, they are moving!
:)
Mark
Quote from: warkus on September 22, 2015, 10:18:52 PM
Those in Sydney metro may well be lucky yet for delivery tomorrow.
If you actually click on the tracking link in the email, you should probably see what I'm seeing, they have actually scanned in now at an Australia Post facility in Chullora, NSW, so have officially been collected clearly and are on their merry way, it's no longer just an electronic lodgement, they are moving!
:)
Mark
Telstra and Foxtel have a logistics centre in Chullora (might be the same place).
Both used Startrack for my deliveries from them
Seems I will have had a few deliveries go through Chullora this year.
I just hope the Skippa is better than the T-Box and the IQ3.
Kevin
Kevin
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 22, 2015, 11:43:31 PM
I just hope the Skippa is better than the T-Box and the IQ3.
I think we're all expecting a lot from this IceTV skippa box. :)
Expected delivery to Hobart is Tuesday the 29th. 7 days from Sydney. I get parcels from England faster than that. ???
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 22, 2015, 11:43:31 PM
Telstra and Foxtel have a logistics centre in Chullora (might be the same place).
Both used Startrack for my deliveries from them
Seems I will have had a few deliveries go through Chullora this year.
I just hope the Skippa is better than the T-Box and the IQ3.
Kevin
Kevin
The Chullora distribution centre is definitely one of Australia posts massive DCs in NSW, virtually all my parcels that I send east to Sydney end up there before delivery...
Also StarTrack was acquired by Australia post back in 2012...
Mark
Quote from: gas667 on September 23, 2015, 07:41:18 AM
Expected delivery to Hobart is Tuesday the 29th. 7 days from Sydney. I get parcels from England faster than that. ???
That is appalling; it is two business days longer than it takes to Melbourne; it should only take 24 hours to get from Melbourne to Hobart (assuming there is a ship running to the deep north). It seems they like to have items sit around for 24 hours between each stage - in my case there is one, in yours there is two (Melbourne and somewhere in the deep north).
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 23, 2015, 09:10:31 AM
Quote from: gas667 on September 23, 2015, 07:41:18 AM
Expected delivery to Hobart is Tuesday the 29th. 7 days from Sydney. I get parcels from England faster than that. ???
That is appalling; it is two business days longer than it takes to Melbourne; it should only take 24 hours to get from Melbourne to Hobart (assuming there is a ship running to the deep north). It seems they like to have items sit around for 24 hours between each stage - in my case there is one, in yours there is two (Melbourne and somewhere in the deep north).
Ian
Not sure how they float things to Tassie but there is a Spirit leaving Melbourne each day. Australia Post. What can you do? ???
It's on it's way and it may turn up sooner. 1 week to go. Anyway it's a better situation than we were in yesterday morning when we were hoping it would ship. :D
Quote from: bodogbodog on September 22, 2015, 04:25:37 PM
Ditto here - I still take it as a major step forward :-)
I'm in Sydney metro so maybe delivery tomorrow
Well a disappointing day - no Skippa for me and my shipping tracking has only changed to:
Wed 23 Sep 2015 20:35
Processed through Australia Post facility
CHULLORA NSW
Wed 23 Sep 2015 13:52
Shipping information approved by Australia Post
Tue 22 Sep 2015 16:04
Shipping information received by Australia Post
So it looks like mine missed the pickup yesterday
Oh well I'll let some of you sort out the setup and teething issues
Update 24/9/2015: Received a shipment update from Aust Post saying it will be delivered today - so fingers crossed...
Mine has arrived in Brisbane. Hopefully it arrives tomorrow.
Quote from: FMB on September 23, 2015, 06:15:33 PM
Mine has arrived in Brisbane. Hopefully it arrives tomorrow.
Now, Melbourne is closer to Sydney than Brisbane, so you would think it would have got to Melbourne. But, no the most recent entry is:
Tue 22 Sep 2015 22:15 Processed through Australia Post facility CHULLORA NSW
So, I suspect no chance of delivery tomorrow - the estimated ETA I was given was Friday. What was your ETA?
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 23, 2015, 06:42:13 PM
Quote from: FMB on September 23, 2015, 06:15:33 PM
Mine has arrived in Brisbane. Hopefully it arrives tomorrow.
Now, Melbourne is closer to Sydney than Brisbane, so you would think it would have got to Melbourne. But, no the most recent entry is:
Tue 22 Sep 2015 22:15 Processed through Australia Post facility CHULLORA NSW
So, I suspect no chance of delivery tomorrow - the estimated ETA I was given was Friday. What was your ETA?
Ian
Mine says Friday but maybe sooner or later. Deliberately vague. But it was received at the Underwood mail centre at 5:47pm. That usually means it will be processed overnight and stuck on a van for delivery tomorrow. Still no idea where it will be delivered to, but I don't really care.
My ETA this morning was the 29th for Hobart. This afternoon it's the 30th. Apparently my Skippa has moved further away. 8 days from Sydney to Hobart. Awesome.
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
Quote from: Mantorok on September 23, 2015, 07:20:57 PM
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
Mine is in Sunshine west as well but the delivery date was the the 25th Sept but now is the 28 Sept.
So not until after the weekend but you never now with Australia Post.
Mine has to go to Mornington so hopeful sooner.
I could pick it up from Sunshine West if it was a choice but I'll just have to wait.
Kevin
Well, my status has still not changed; my Skippa apparently has not left Sydney, whereas some others bound for Melbourne or Tassie have made it to Sunshine West. Hopefully it will arrive there today. If not I will have to assume that Australia Post has misplaced it. I have not recived an email with updated ETA so hopefully still for delivery on Friday.
Not impressed!
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on September 24, 2015, 01:51:34 AM
Well, my status has still not changed; my Skippa apparently has not left Sydney, whereas some ohers bound for Melbourne or Tassie have made it to Sunshine West. Hopefully it will arrive there today. If not I will have to assume that Australia Post has misplaced it. I have not recived an email with updated ETA so hopefully still for delivery on Friday.
Not impressed!
Ian
Ian,
I'm sure it's just Australia Post being slow letting it sit 24-48 hours somewhere before moving on to the next depot. There is also the missing scans scenario's where there is no scan then suddenly it's getting delivered the next day.
Can you imagine how we have it in WA?
I had something sent to me from Adelaide last week and It's still not in WA and ETA is Friday.
East Coast to WA can take a week and a half sometimes although usually a week.
The sad thing is I can get stuff from Amazon UK to my door in 6 days on the cheapest shipping option.
Australia Post's service is quite a joke, and I think a lot of people that are working for them really could not care less about making the process any better so we all just have to suck it up unfortunately.
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 22, 2015, 11:43:31 PM
I just hope the Skippa is better than the T-Box and the IQ3.
Those aren't really Skippa's target competitors.
Anything will be better than T-Box. I expect most owners have either stuck their T-Box in a drawer somewhere or dumped it. It is limited to Telstra customers and is a terrible, non-competitive PVR.
IQ3 is primarily for recording Foxtel. I'm pretty much certain Skippa won't be able to do this.
Quote from: IanL-S on September 24, 2015, 01:51:34 AM
Well, my status has still not changed; my Skippa apparently has not left Sydney, whereas some ohers bound for Melbourne or Tassie have made it to Sunshine West. Hopefully it will arrive there today. If not I will have to assume that Australia Post has misplaced it. I have not recived an email with updated ETA so hopefully still for delivery on Friday.
It's been my experience with AusPost eParcels that the status doesn't generally get updated very much until its at the final destination depot. You might find that the status updates with all various stops appears online just before it is delivered.
Hopefully this is the case for you and not something else.
Cheers,
Erik.
Quote from: Paul55 on September 24, 2015, 07:24:00 AM
Quote from: zoszos68 on September 22, 2015, 11:43:31 PM
I just hope the Skippa is better than the T-Box and the IQ3.
Those aren't really Skippa's target competitors.
Anything will be better than T-Box. I expect most owners have either stuck their T-Box in a drawer somewhere or dumped it. It is limited to Telstra customers and is a terrible, non-competitive PVR.
IQ3 is primarily for recording Foxtel. I'm pretty much certain Skippa won't be able to do this.
My recollection is that Telstra no longer sells the T-Box. They were desinged to be used with slow ASDL connections, so if you had cable you got the same low quality video.
I suspect you can use the T-4 to record Foxtel as it has an HDMI input.
Ian
Quote from: Likkie on September 24, 2015, 07:35:24 AM
Quote from: IanL-S on September 24, 2015, 01:51:34 AM
Well, my status has still not changed; my Skippa apparently has not left Sydney, whereas some ohers bound for Melbourne or Tassie have made it to Sunshine West. Hopefully it will arrive there today. If not I will have to assume that Australia Post has misplaced it. I have not recived an email with updated ETA so hopefully still for delivery on Friday.
It's been my experience with AusPost eParcels that the status doesn't generally get updated very much until its at the final destination depot. You might find that the status updates with all various stops appears online just before it is delivered.
Hopefully this is the case for you and not something else.
Cheers,
Erik.
Yes, that is my experience also. And the email update service is woeful. Often I do not get the 'on board for delivery' email until after it has been delivered (two hour later). Even if you go on-line to check the data is not necessarily up-to-date. To be fair, with eParcel's they only promise to update by email on the date that it is to be delivered. It appears that with eParcels they are not scanned at each step, or if they are the information is not available to the recipient.
I do not mind if it takes 4 business days for an eParcel to arrive, if that is what they promise to do. But I do expect accurate data on where the parcel is. Is it still in a processing centre or is it in fact on a truck and moving in my direction. If I want something quicker I would choose StarTrack or Express Post Parcel. At present the eParcel tracking is joke.
Ian
I got an update this morning to say my Skippa will be delivered today. It's currently at the Aus Post DF in my suburb. Only a few K's away. Can't wait to set it up tonight. Bit worried after my comments on here, that I may receive a Skippa shaped lump of coal.
Quote from: FMB on September 24, 2015, 08:01:47 AM
I got an update this morning to say my Skippa will be delivered today. It's currently at the Aus Post DF in my suburb. Only a few K's away. Can't wait to set it up tonight. Bit worried after my comments on here, that I may receive a Skippa shaped lump of coal.
Could my problem be that I have been too nice? :'( ;D
If the second batch is shipped to customers on Friday, it is possible that I will get mine at the same time as some in the second batch
that are going to purchasers who are located in Melbourne ???
Ian
Quote from: Mantorok on September 23, 2015, 07:20:57 PM
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
My Skippa is now at Wantirna Sth and will be delivered today! :D Strangely it also says "Estimated delivery by 28 Sep"
Just got an e-mail from my wife saying: The eagle has landed. I assume she means the Skippa because I didn't order an eagle.
My ETA is still the 30th and there has been no update since Chullora on Tuesday. I don't expect any update until it is out for delivery but it would be nice to know roughly where it is.
I found out this morning I will be out of the office all day tomorrow so I bet it turns up early. If it does I hope someone else can sign for it.
Quote from: Mantorok on September 24, 2015, 08:26:10 AM
Quote from: Mantorok on September 23, 2015, 07:20:57 PM
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
My Skippa is now at Wantirna Sth and will be delivered today! :D Strangely it also says "Estimated delivery by 28 Sep"
That estimated delivery date of
29 28 Sep does not make me feel any better - I was told that mine was 25 Sep. Clearly something very wrong with Australia Post systems is such discrepancies can occur. I would be nice if on the tracking it indicated the currently estimated delivery date.
Ian
Updated for typo
Quote from: IanL-S on September 24, 2015, 09:23:19 AM
Quote from: Mantorok on September 24, 2015, 08:26:10 AM
Quote from: Mantorok on September 23, 2015, 07:20:57 PM
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
My Skippa is now at Wantirna Sth and will be delivered today! :D Strangely it also says "Estimated delivery by 28 Sep"
That estimated delivery date of 29 Sep does not make me feel any better - I was told that mine was 25 Sep. Clearly something very wrong with Australia Post systems is such discrepancies can occur. I would be nice if on the tracking it indicated the currently estimated delivery date.
Ian
Never fear, My estimated delivery date was the 28th until today when it arrived.
Cheers,
Erik
Perhaps this belongs in a new thread, but but I'm a fairly newly-minted member and only have posted a couple of times before so be kind!
As one of the few to have already received my Skippa, I just wanted to share my initial thoughts so far on the unit. Mine arrived yesterday and I have to say that, if you can get over the cheap looking green LED display straight from the 1990's, it's a neat little unit. The smaller form factor means it's unobtrusive and fits in well. Easy setup AND there was an HDMI cable included in the box - a nice surprise seeing as a lot of other manufacturers consider it an optional extra on an HD device, so well done IceTV for that! The remote looks nice and feels good in the hand, but I have to say that there was a fair bit of button mashing going on as it seems at times either unresponsive or too responsive adding double characters from a single press.
One thing I found distracting was the IR sensor flashing red when the Skippa wasn't even the device in focus and I wasn't even using the Skippa remote. That is to say, the unit was still receiving the blasts from our Harmony remote, when it was controlling our Topfield TRF7160 at the time. Difficult to tell if anything was going on as the Skippa wasn't the device showing on screen, but I sure hope not otherwise I could have done some damage somewhere! Perhaps that could be fixed by a firmware update or something?
I had no trouble connecting to my IceTV account, except for having to use the cacky remote, so no complaints there. I've scheduled a couple of shows to record via the Android app today so will let you know if they're successful or not, but all looks good so far. I'll also post this in a new Topic I think, so that it doesn't get lost here and others can add or reply to that as well.
Happy "Skipping" all!
Quote from: IanL-S on September 24, 2015, 07:35:40 AM... I suspect you can use the T-4 to record Foxtel as it has an HDMI input. ...
Some people have reported being able to do so on the Beyonwiz forum.
However, the process is still somewhat flaky, and also seems to require stripping DRM from the HDMI output.
It appears that there are problems when ads are aired - there seems to be some sort of break or change in the audio encoding that causes the T4 to lose track of audio. There may be other problems, too. Some of the posters on the Beyonwiz forum who are experiencing the errors aren't always as clear about the circumstances that cause the problem as would be ideal to help with diagnosis and/or replication.
You might also want to take good look at the Foxtel T&C and make sure that you're not contravening them.
Quote from: Mantorok on September 24, 2015, 08:26:10 AM
Quote from: Mantorok on September 23, 2015, 07:20:57 PM
My Skippa has arrived in Sunsine West (VIC) so it's getting close. That's probably about 50kms away as the crow flies. However estimated delivery is "by 30 Sep" :'(
My Skippa is now at Wantirna Sth and will be delivered today! :D Strangely it also says "Estimated delivery by 28 Sep"
It has arrived. I'll have a brief play but I'm about to go on a weeks holiday so won't be able to say much about it til I get back
I just got my Skippa in Mornington Vic.
Will have a play with it later today as going to buy some speakers as only using the TV's crappy internal ones.
Just getting some Logitec pc ones for now.
Yes it is smaller than I expected as well.
Kevin
Just checked at my Skippa has made it to Melbourne at last:
Thu 24 Sep 2015 19:06 Processed through Australia Post facility SUNSHINE WEST VIC
Not sure how it go separated from the other that were delivered to Melbourne recipients today. They got theirs two days early, mine will be on time (assuming it does not put on another disappearing act).
Ian
That's really odd..
Must have been split into different batches at some point, I wonder if it was at the icetv end or aus post somewhere..
Ah well fingers crossed for tomorrow!
Friday September 25th. 7:30am. Hobart. Skippa hasn't been seen since Chullora. Hope diminishing that a weekend setup will occur.
Quote from: gas667 on September 25, 2015, 07:33:35 AM
Friday September 25th. 7:30am. Hobart. Skippa hasn't been seen since Chullora. Hope diminishing that a weekend setup will occur.
Looks like with eParcels they only update when it gets to the initial receiving centre, when it gets to the regional distribution centre closest to the recipients address, when it get to the local distribution centre, and when it is loaded onto the delivery vehicle. Not information is given on when it leaves the initial receiving centre or when it arrives and departs from any intermediate processing centres. All in all it leaves a lot to be desired.
Unless it gets to your local distribution centre before 7.00am I'd say there is no chance of delivery before the weekend.
Ian
PS My Skippa arrived at 9.45 this morning. Have not yet had a chance to set it up.
Skippa is out for delivery. :D
Quote from: gas667 on September 28, 2015, 09:40:01 AM
Skippa is out for delivery. :D
Too late to say they have a cargo ship to send stuff to Tassie (saw it once when dropping of a worker when I used to drive cabs).
I think it was called the Bass Trader but not too sure.
At least you will have it soon.
Kevin
Skippa landed about 12pm.
My 2 cents worth after initial inspection.
After some discussion on the look of the Skippa I'm quite happy with it. I always thought the photo on the Icetv website looked pretty crap but wasn't worried if it did what it claimed to do.
The back panel however doesn't line up with the inputs. They're close but it means very slightly pulling the board down to line up correctly. The HDMI is fine as is but the antenna sockets are 1-2mm too high for the holes in the back panel. I don't think it will be an issue though just poor manufacturing.
The remote doesn't feel as bad as I thought it would from the board discussions. I haven't tried it yet though. I already have the Harmony setup so won't use it anyway.
Maybe a case of bad press bringing down expectations.
Of course I haven't plugged in yet. That will have to wait until I get home this afternoon.
Update:
After a few few hours with Skippa I havent really found any issues. I have the purple screen after Skippa has been in standby for a bit but it turns back on normally when you hit the power button on the remote and as the TV is off anyway not sure if it is a problem.
Recordings made on Skippa worked as normal and recording set on the Android app worked as well. Season passes on both Skippa and app show on Skippa. I have only tried setting a recording from the web site this morning so yet to see if that works. They did transfer through to the app though so I don't expect issues.
Catch up works well.
I am using a Harmony remote and except for a possible button error on my part it all worked well.
I did have an issue with moving a recording to my Surface but only tried it once. The surface saw the drive without issues.
I won't be using the Opera store as I prefer my Xbox One for Plex and didn't see anything else that I would use. Playing from a network drive worked fine but was slow getting through the folders. Skippa is plugged into a ac wifi extender with my Seagate Plex server on the ac wifi router so the wifi is certainly fast enough.
I only had 1 program for autoskip to work with last night and it seemed to work ok. I wish we had the option of turning off stations promos but otherwise it worked as advertised. Nothing tricky about the show though so will see how it works across the board.
So I'm pretty happy at this stage. It does what I need which is just record and use catchup. Hopefully it will continue to do this. :D
Anyone got a shipping notice from the second batch yet?
Quote from: bridjee on September 29, 2015, 09:24:07 AM
Anyone got a shipping notice from the second batch yet?
Nope. At least I havent :(
Quote from: Tyrus on September 30, 2015, 01:10:33 PM
Quote from: bridjee on September 29, 2015, 09:24:07 AM
Anyone got a shipping notice from the second batch yet?
Nope. At least I havent :(
I got nothing from IceTV, so followed up and apparently they are held up in customs. I followed the lead from a few others and pulled the pin.
After months of reading the forums and patiently waiting I have had a gut full. I am a glass half full kind if guy but the glass has been sitting around for a long time and gone sour leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Seriously Icetv you need to get your Sh.. Act together. I could have spent my $399 on something a little more useful than empty promises and appalling communication. One the plus side when I finally get my unit then maybe all the bugs will have been sorted out and it will be worth the wait
Rant over
Has there been any word on the shipment that was due last Friday? Any communications at all?
The last I remember was that they would definitely be shipped to the customer by the end of September. I gather this has not occurred.
It's easy for the ones who received their Skippas to forget that there are many who are still waiting. :(
Nada.
I heard that there was supposedly another customs delay, which I took to mean that the release of the goods is still pending payment of the import duty & taxes.
Sorry - please ignore that last post that I've just deleted! ;D
Quote from: Tyrus on October 02, 2015, 01:27:52 PM
Nada.
I heard that there was supposedly another customs delay, which I took to mean that the release of the goods is still pending payment of the import duty & taxes.
Actually the delays in customs at the moment are due to strike action by customs staff.
Please tell me that there are not still delays in customs as I was told the following by Dave at about 8.00pm yesterday.
"Hi Gary,
Thank you for contacting IceTV Customer Service.
Sorry for all of the delays. All Skippas have finally arrived at the Sydney warehouse. The Skippas were on track to arrive late last week and be posted last Monday, the 28th, but they were delayed at Sydney International Airport for 5 days due to the airport workers and customs daily 4 hour stop-work strikes since the 21st. Thankfully all of the Skippas have been released from customs now and have arrived at the warehouse. All orders have been sent to the warehouse for processing and packaging. Tracking numbers will be sent by Australia Post instead of directly from IceTV. You will be sent a tracking number from Australia Post once they have picked up the parcel and scanned it in at their parcel sorting centre late Friday or Tuesday (assuming the Post Office don't work on public holidays).
Best Regards,
Dave
IceTV Support Team"
Quote from: Daniel Hall at IceTV on October 02, 2015, 01:33:49 PM
Quote from: Tyrus on October 02, 2015, 01:27:52 PM
Nada.
I heard that there was supposedly another customs delay, which I took to mean that the release of the goods is still pending payment of the import duty & taxes.
Actually the delays in customs at the moment are due to strike action by customs staff.
Fair enough, but then why keep us in the dark until after another deadline is blown? All that does is piss off everyone that is still waiting.
They have sent an email out this afternoon - I'm assuming everyone involved would have gotten it or will be getting it shortly...
It details stock, supply and also firmware update pending for Tuesday 1.1.10600
Mark
Dear SKIPPA® Community,
We're pleased to confirm that our backlog of SKIPPA® orders has finally been cleared. Australia Post will be sending tracking numbers on Tuesday due to the long weekend in New South Wales.
We've had some unexpected delays, both in the factory and with the current strike at Customs. But we have plenty of supply now in our warehouse to fulfill every order.
This has been a frustrating time for all of us. We appreciate all of you who reached out with reports, questions and feedback, especially those who took time to give us valuable feedback after starting up your SKIPPA®.
IceTV has an extraordinary community of "power users" with a deep technical understanding. Your feedback on our Forum and Customer Support has helped us prioritise issues quickly. IceTV is an Australian company and remains committed to responding promptly to your feedback.
We will be releasing a new software update on Tuesday (version 1.1.10600) for your SKIPPA®, which addresses some of the problems you reported. You can wait for your SKIPPA® to update automatically (usually within 24 hours from release, but you must press OK in the pop-up to update) or do an immediate update via Settings/Device Info. We'll release further software updates this month, adding new functions and improving your SKIPPA®.
From all of us here at IceTV, thanks again for your patience, loyalty and support.
Regards & success,
Heinz Herrmann, CEO
Has anyone actually received a tracking number today? I know we didn't. :(
Not us either - Invoice Number 202153 :'(
ditto invoice 201576
Invoice 201613
Where's my F***ing Skippa!!!!!
What still in customs. But then it doesn't account for the previous delays.
I was told Friday that it was packed and addressed and waiting to be picked up.
What a lie.
I would definitely get a tracking number Tuesday,
Yeah right, off to dispute with Paypal.
What will the excuse be now!!
Anger aside, if you ask them for a refund I'm sure they will oblige, they have for many others so not sure why you need to dispute it with PayPal, pretty sure it would be quicker to just get IceTV to refund it directly rather than go through that process of dispute waiting for parties to reply back and forth etc.
I don't think they would object to refunding you.
I have no knowledge of this but they may well have posted them, perhaps they just haven't lodged the electronic lodgements yet with Australia post. It wouldn't be the first time I've has something posted to me that has had the electronic lodgement (which has the customers details and email in it) lodged after the item was received by Australia post already.
Anyway, guess I'm just being optimistic, I really don't have a clue if that's true or not...
Remember until Australia post received the electronic lodgement from IceTV, they can't send you an email confirmation that your package is on its way, but it doesn't mean it's not on its way already...
Mark
Hi Mark,
I tried that on friday and was told by your customer service to take a hike.
Actually they were quite abrupt when asking when it will be posted and if I would be receiving it.
They said under no circumstances will they refund and that they couldn't trace if my Skippa was there or not.
But it was likely there definitely addressed to be picked by Auspost before tuesday when I would be getting tracking number.
Hard to know which it is.
Therefore they couldn't stop the order.
If you could give name and number of someone who I could ring tomorrow to cancel it would be good.
I'm not sure that was accurate advice that was given to you, perhaps that person ha a bad day, I don't know.
First off they are not my customer service.
Second, heaps of others have gotten a refund so why they singled you out and said no I'm not sure, but you are definitely saying the opposite to what many others have said when they cancelled their units.
Perhaps it depends on who you speak to. Others have definitely cancelled their orders with no trouble at all in doing so.
Had they gone out today, I would have said that the only reason I can think of why they would have said no to a cancellation, would be that they thought it may already be in transit.
However, as no one was notified that the shipment had left (nor that the new firmware promised for Tuesday was available) I am at a loss. I had no problem cancelling my order and the refund appeared in my PayPal account.
I honestly don't understand IceTV. Why can't they at least keep people posted about what's happening? It is as if they are trying to lose all credibility. This would be farcical, if it wasn't so sad.
I'm posting these comments in both Whirlpool and the IceTV forum so apologies in advance for anybody reading them twice.
I really do not know what to do anymore with this Skippa debacle.
It's increasingly obvious that we are simply being lied to from all levels within IceTV.
Here it is now 07/10/2015 which means it's over 4 months since I ordered my Skippa which when ordered had an ETA of the end of July. Being a new product coming to market I did not fully expect it to arrive by the end of July but on the other hand did not think that on 07/10/2015 I'd still be waiting for it with the latest lot of delivery "promises" expired with no further updates from IceTV. Ie. The latest I have was Heinz note last Friday indicating that tracking details would be provided yesterday. As has become the norm with IceTV over recent months a date or timeframe has expired with no further update until sometime after that expiry.
My "lie" comment above can be fully supported by a service ticket which I opened on 14/09/2015 when I first asked IceTv when I can reasonably expect to receive my Skippa. Looking back through the history of that there are numerous contradictions in the messages given to me not to mention that every date and timeframe they gave me has expired without being met.
The most recent example being:-
28/09 - Told IceTV to cancel my order as I'd had enough
29/09 – Ice TV (Dave) told me that if I did not cancel, I'd have a tracking number on 30/09 or 01/10 at the absolute latest (unequivocal guarantee) as the Skippas had cleared customs and were expected in the warehouse that afternoon (ie 29/09). When I asked what compensation I'd get if the unequivocal guarantee was not met he did not respond. Anyway like a fool I agreed to rescind the cancellation, something which I now very much regret doing.
Combine this with Heinz notes of 11/09/2015 and 02/10/2015 really creates what should be an extremely embarrassing situation for Ice TV and that is without even referencing the comments/feedback in the on-line forums.
When I first signed up with IceTV about 18 months ago, I was most impressed with their service and the couple of initial teething problems I had were quickly sorted out by a call to support. As I result, I'd been strongly singing the praises of IceTV to family and friends. I also took advantage of one of the various extended subscription offers that were regularly advertised.
Today, I cannot think of a circumstance that would see me give IceTV another cent of my money or recommend it to anybody. I'm certainly now telling anybody that may be interested in taking up IceTV or even worse, buying a Skippa, to closely look at the comments in both Whirlpool and the IceTv Forum before making a decision so they can go in with their eyes open.
Apologies for the length of this rant but I just needed to get it off my chest.
Gday Gary,
I agree that the communication from icetv regarding the Skippa has been average! Some of the updates with promises in them should not have gone out as the information was far from concrete and at the point the information was found to be incorrect then it would have been nice to get updates with the new information.
On the plus side the time they not putting towards communication they do at least seem to be putting in to dev. The third update has been pushed out and the bugs for the next update have been listed, so they seem to be making good progress on the teething issues those of us with skippas are seeing. And whether due to hardware or software, everyone with major issues seems to be promised an exchange (even though supply of the exchange is clearly going to be an issue currently). So while their communication is very much lacking, I think the support is still there.
The only thing I can suggest is to completely forget that it is coming, get a nice surprise when it does finally arrive and hopefully you will have a less buggy Skippa experience than those whose shipped earlier.
Cheers
Hi, im hoping someone will give me an answer on here as to what is going on with the pre-orders. I was emailed last week saying that on Tuesday I would receive confirmation from Australia post that my Skippa had been sent.
I still haven't received anything and constant emails and calls to the help line (which no body answers) has left me in the dark. It would be nice if someone from Icetv could actually reply or even better take the time to call me .......... Not a happy customer after having pre-ordered on June 26th
At least you seem to have been able to actually talk to someone. All I get when I call is to leave details or to email and they will get back to me.
My experience is exactly the same as yours in regards to it being posted yesterday (Tuesday) and still nothing to say its posted.
Have received notice - Now in Receivership!!
Just been emailed that IceTV is in voluntary administration >:(
Where's my skippa.
Better still where's my money :'(
I also just received the same notice. I Wonder where Heinz is !!
Oh my god!!!
WOW....
I'm speechless... Are you for real?!?!?!
I have received the same notice. :(
Well#$%^ :o
Can someone post up the contents of the email?
Nevermind posted here: http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general/44/icetv-in-voluntary-administarion/4638/msg22861
We should be covered by PayPal I would think. Anyone checked that out yet?
Well, that answers that.
Given the length of time this debacle has run, its highly likely that Heinz knowingly continued to trade whilst insolvent, and if so, I hope they come after him hard.
I do feel sorry for the employees as chances are they were also kept in the dark and fed the same lies, right up to the point they lost their jobs!
I just wonder if that second shipment is in fact still sitting in a warehouse somewhere, still under the ownership of the manufacturer and just waiting on a final payment for release.... and desperate now to find any buyer ... hmmmm
What good are they even if they are waiting for buyers...
They only work on ICE EPG, and if the company goes, im presuming so will the EPG service they traditionally sold.
Ergo - the skippa wont work!
few months back i can renumber reading on the ice TV forums that if ice TV goes bankrupt the company would release an update for the skippa to work with FTA
Don't like your chances...
There has to be staff left at the company first to make such a firmware available...I prey they don't all loose their jobs.
Hopefully they all keep them and the guide keeps going, fingers crossed, because skippas aside (which is bad enough) loosing the ICE EPG will be a mammoth blow for many tens of thousands of people that use it on other devices like Beyonwiz and Topfield etc.
So looks like we have done our money but like others have said I hope there arn't to many people that are going to lose there jobs.
Have opened a dispute with Paypal so see what happens there.
Can someone tell me then what is the best PVR to be looking at ? something I can buy off the shelve this time I think :)
Quote from: warkus on October 07, 2015, 07:02:37 PM
Hopefully they all keep them and the guide keeps going, fingers crossed, because skippas aside (which is bad enough) loosing the ICE EPG will be a mammoth blow for many tens of thousands of people that use it on other devices like Beyonwiz and Topfield etc.
Nothing good about this news
But I think we need to let the dust settle...
Clearly the whole Skippa debacle cost them a lot of money...
I guess I now have a 1TB HDD that I can reuse (once I figure out how to get it out of the Skippa :-[ )
I too hope the IceTV guide does continue on so I can reliably record FTA TV
Despite it being less user friendly unfortunately I'd have to say now that it looks like the Beyonwiz t4 is the only "real" choice for a PVR with 3 or more tuners.
The Skippa was to me a product that could have had a massive potential, of being a user friendly PVR that was just plug in and away you go, really simply to setup, not many options - it just worked out of the box...something I could recommend to non technical people.
But no...not to be.
Fucking shambles, was actually hoping to be pleasantly surprised this week with a skippa in the mail
Despite its initial flaws I bought into the idea and could see the potential
Now that I've spent $400+ on a non existent Pvr (at least the ones who have a skippa a can repurpose the hdd or hope the altech software might work in it) I doubt the Mrs will let me splurge on another one for a while.
Well I still have the trusty TiVo ,see what happens next
Check out the new thread on IceTV in Voluntary Administration for info on PayPal buyer protection and possible delivery of Skippa's.
Quote from: warkus on October 07, 2015, 07:39:09 PM
it looks like the Beyonwiz t4 is the only "real" choice for a PVR with 3 or more tuners.
Actually, the Beyonwiz T2 is a much cheaper choice and it ships with an extra USB tuner, which makes it a 3 tuner PVR.
You could actually convert your Skippa boat anchor into $50 credit towards a new Beyonwiz T2, given their current trade-in offer!
Quote from: peteru on October 08, 2015, 12:05:50 AM
Quote from: warkus on October 07, 2015, 07:39:09 PM
it looks like the Beyonwiz t4 is the only "real" choice for a PVR with 3 or more tuners.
Actually, the Beyonwiz T2 is a much cheaper choice and it ships with an extra USB tuner, which makes it a 3 tuner PVR.
You could actually convert your Skippa boat anchor into $50 credit towards a new Beyonwiz T2, given their current trade-in offer!
I had not seen the trade in offer. I wonder if Telstra T-Box counts?
Ian
Quote from: IanL-S on October 08, 2015, 10:45:56 AM
Quote from: peteru on October 08, 2015, 12:05:50 AM
...
You could actually convert your Skippa boat anchor into $50 credit towards a new Beyonwiz T2, given their current trade-in offer!
I had not seen the trade in offer. I wonder if Telstra T-Box counts?
https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/trade-in-deal/ (https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/trade-in-deal/)
"All brands all models."
But... "The offer only valid toward brand new T2/T4 purchase only." T3 doesn't seem to be an option with this deal.
It also says "Hurry limited time," but doesn't say how limited.
They require you to ship the trade-in PVR with its HDD, so you can't pull the trade-in's HDD and buy a barebones T2 or T4 and drop the trade-in's HDD into the barebones Beyonwiz.
If you decide to replace a SKIPPA with a T2 (both use 2.5" HDDs), the SKIPPA is probably worth more for its HDD alone than it is as a trade-in in this deal.
If you already have a SKIPPA, it may be worth waiting to see whether the IceTV EPG/series recording service has a future, rather than spending more to replace something that is working now and which might survive the insolvency process.