I thought it would be an excellent idea to put together Skippa improvements that have been suggested on the Forum (in no particular order of importance)
- add the ability to copy (multiple) files to USB HDD including all meta data - can be played as native file rather than media file. One-at-at time file copying is 'unacceptable'
- add an ftp server - able to copy files with correct names and meta data to PC or MAC
- add the ability to edit recordings (ability to remove pre and post padding would be a good starting point)
- add an alternative EPG guide (similar to JustEPG). Interim solution of bieng able to toggle on/off the current program details displayed in top half of screen
- add ability to apply padding (pre & post) to individual programs/channels.
- add ability to record manually i.e. to record back to back programs on the same channel as one recording so alleviating the need for padding between the programs.
- to be able to set the skips for playback for more than one specific interval. (at least two)
- add ability to change the default (whether to record first runs only or repeats) for individual shows
- add ability to create folders to store recordings in: recordings meeting specified criteria automatically moved to designated folder (update 28-09-15: all recordings made in a series recording automatically placed in spearate folder - blue key to do it manually or to undo the 'grouping')
- Ability to unmount usb drive from media menu. Settings/Device INfo seems strange place.
- Display disk name in media screen
- "Real" power switch on rear of the unit
- Removable internal HDD similar to the TRF-2200
- Fix the display on the front of the SKIPPA; it is recessed into the case, so you can only clearly see it when you a looking straight on.
- The ability to re-order the channels in the EPG.
- The ability to turn off ad-skip; Better yet, the ability to specify which shows to process at the time you set the recording.
Update: I have incorporated suggestions in post below in the initial post. I will add further points as they are made.
Ian
1. Add the ability to copy (multiple) files to USB HDD including all meta data - can be played as native file rather than media file. One-at-at time file copying is 'unacceptable'
2. Add an ftp server - able to copy files with correct names and meta data to PC or MAC
3. Add the ability to edit recordings (ability to remove pre and post padding would be a good starting point)
4. Add an alternative EPG guide (similar to JustEPG)
5. Add ability to apply padding (pre & post) to individual programs/channels.
6. Add ability to record manually i.e. to record back to back programs on the same channel as one recording so alleviating the need for padding between the programs.
7. To be able to set the skips for playback for more than one specific interval. (at least two)
8. Add ability to change the default (whether to record first runs only or repeats) for individual shows
9. Ability to create folders to store recordings in
Hi Just a small suggestion to remove a layer of complexity
Anywhere the manual says to use the +/-ch buttons to page through the list
Eg. My week,my recordings ect. You should be able to use the big blue arrow buttons to
Move through any list and have it auto scroll/page.
You may be able to do this already
Thank brian
Quote from: Klink1313 on August 13, 2015, 05:06:03 PM
9. Ability to create files to store recordings in
Create folders, rather than files?
Of course, there's always the one that people have been asking for for ages: the ability to specify the destination folder for a series recording in the IceTV series recording.
And not just on Skippa:D
My post does say folders...........well now it does ::)
Needs to ship...
provide PIP Picture in Picture so you can watch one channel and keep another in a PIP window
I actually though it would do that without even bothering to check, seems it does not.
Quote from: russell2200 on September 23, 2015, 07:01:24 PM
provide PIP Picture in Picture so you can watch one channel and keep another in a PIP window
I actually though it would do that without even bothering to check, seems it does not.
It may be a limitation of the Broadcom SoC; Topfiled PVRs with a Broadcom SoC do not have PiP; thye claim it is a harware limiation when used with free-to-air tuner.
Apparently satalite and cable are OK.
Ian
As some of the firmware updates contain new features, would it be possible to list the changes on your website for all updates?
That's a good idea, but it's also another reason why Ian requested sub - sub forum grouping, because then you could have a dedicated sub-forum for firmware alone for example and besides having the current firmware in there to download, they could list change logs etc...
Rubber feet, so it doesn't slide around if you try to press a button.
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 26, 2015, 11:42:32 AM
Rubber feet, so it doesn't slide around if you try to press a button.
Then you have the risk of the rubber perishing and sticking the PVR to the shelf. :'( :-[
I had not noticed this ... it probably has something to do with the mass of the unit. My Toppys are much larger and heavier so are not prone to move as easily. I suspect I have similar issues with the TRF-2100 and TF-T6211 which are similar size and weight.
On balance it seems like a good idea....
Ian
Ability to hide Moving recording... message and watch TV like on Toppy. Progress bar.
It is taking soooooo long to move file. 1hr25 SD 3Gb.
Windows formatted HD, Recordings to have meaningful names from EPG. I transfered this file and get a folder with meaningless name with .info, etc files all with meaningless names?
Ability to unmount usb drive from media menu. Settings/Device INfo seems strange place.
Display disk name in media screen.
Quote from: Dacho on September 26, 2015, 05:22:07 PM
Ability to unmount usb drive from media menu. Settings/Device INfo seems strange place.
Display disk name in media screen.
A really excellent suggestion. This seems to be common practice for PVR firmwares to place the unmount USB device option.
Ian
A proper on/off switch, so we don't have to keep pulling the power cord out when it freezes ;)
Quote from: SkippaBeat on September 27, 2015, 01:03:25 PM
A proper on/off switch, so we don't have to keep pulling the power cord out when it freezes ;)
Given the price it is selling for it would not be an unreasonable expectation. It is a feature that is usually only found on "premium" models. In my somewhat limited experience:
Topfield TRF-2400/2460/2470/7170, TF7100HDPVRt
Plus, TF-T6000, TRF-5300/5310/5320 have a power switch on the back.
Topfield TF7100HDPVR (not the
Plus), TRF-7160, 7260, 2100, , TF-T6211, TRF-2200 do not have a power switch on the back (the last three also have power packs - but not as robust as those that ship with the SKIPPA).
Ian
It would be really great if it had a removable internal HDD like the TRF-2200. It would make the replacement of dead or injured HDD straight forward. Would reduce warranty costs as the unit would not need to returned to fix HDD issues.
Ian
The display on the front of the SKIPPA is recessed into the case, so you can only clearly see it when you a looking straight on.
My Skippa is on the bottom shelf of the cabinet and sitting or standing half the top of the display is not visible. Same when you are viewing from the side. Never seen this problem with other devices I have used. Serious design fault.
IIan
Agreed ours is down low too and I can't read it.
Also had to rotate it because our cabinet is 45 degrees to our couch and you flat out couldn't tell if it was recording or not from the couch!
At first I thought there was an error message being displayed as it did not resemble anything you would expect to see. It also makes the time 'illegible' when in sleep mode.
Ian
The ability to re-order the channels in the EPG.
The ability to turn off ad-skip (which is far too slow).
For one show its does take about the same amount of time as a original recording, but by the time you add in the default padding a 30 min show becomes a 60 min recording. so basically you can watch you ad-free show after about 2 hours. If you record 4 * 30 min shows in a row, the last one won't be ready for 8 or more hours.
I'd rather turn it off and save the power and heat.
Better yet, the ability to specify which shows to process at the time you set the recording. Far more useful.
The ability to adjust the amount skipped, when you press left or right arrows, by a finer amount. i.e. by the second
The way beyonwiz does it in the P1 etc is great.
I like to skip forward by 30 sec but backward by 25 sec. The if I really only want to skip 5 sec I can quickly just go forward and back.
Quote from: Likkie on September 28, 2015, 02:48:24 PM
The ability to adjust the amount skipped, when you press left or right arrows, by a finer amount. i.e. by the second
The way beyonwiz does it in the P1 etc is great.
I like to skip forward by 30 sec but backward by 25 sec. The if I really only want to skip 5 sec I can quickly just go forward and back.
Which could be an addendum to #7 :P
- The ability to prioritise series over other series. For example I has the Simpsons as a series but if all the tuners are busy and it wants to record top gear and top gear is a higher priority it should record top gear and not the Simpsons.
- The ability to reorder channels in the EPG
- The ability to have a show on one tuner using chase and one on another doing the same and switch between them and even pause one while watching the other
- If a show is being recorded and you change to that channel you should be able to rewind to the start point of the recording and not just the time you changed the channel.
These are all things TiVo (the very very old PVR) has done for years.
Some interesting ideas in the previous post.
The last two I suspect are incompatible with the Braodcom SoC; the design is that ehre is n + 1 recording slots, with the "+ 1" slot used for timeshift. With 3 tuners you would need n + 3 slots. As the SKIPPA only has 7 slots, you would onky be able to record 4 programs.
Ian
I dunno I don't see why it wouldn't be possible..
We played back an in progress recording the other night.. Although I can't remember whether or not we had another recording going at the same time or not but don't see why it shouldn't work..
We turned off chase play to save some writing to the drive and because I channel flick so much the buffer wouldn't contain a full ep of anything anyway.. I wish that when it was off pushing the arrow buttons wouldn't flick up the skip indicators.. It doesn't do anything so why tell me you are trying to do something?
Which does bring me to my next question we were watching live a program that was recording, I tried to use chase play features to replay a part but couldn't.. however I was able to open up the recordings and chase play it that way.. Not sure why it can't just do that for me when I use the chase play features :/
Quote from: drjacka on September 29, 2015, 09:47:36 PM
- The ability to prioritise series over other series. For example I has the Simpsons as a series but if all the tuners are busy and it wants to record top gear and top gear is a higher priority it should record top gear and not the Simpsons.
- The ability to reorder channels in the EPG
- The ability to have a show on one tuner using chase and one on another doing the same and switch between them and even pause one while watching the other
- If a show is being recorded and you change to that channel you should be able to rewind to the start point of the recording and not just the time you changed the channel.
These are all things TiVo (the very very old PVR) has done for years.
As did the Toppy 5K with TAPs :-X And most of these, we have suggested to Heinz when he actually sought our opinion years ago. What a waste of time that was!
I have not had a chance to update the listing in the first post. I am a bit overwhelmed with things at the moment.
Ian
As a Ex-Tivo user there are 2 things I miss the most.
1. The ability to switch between the 2 tuners the TIVO had and being able to rewind/Chase each. Mildly missed.
2. Being able to control the pre and post padding for each recording. Badly missed.
A remote control that has glow in the dark buttons and a sleeker design. Maybe it's my small hands.
To be quieter in standby mode. It is driving me nuts that it sounds like it is constantly running. My Toppy was silent in standby.
Otherwise happy so far....
Quote from: Carljh on September 26, 2015, 10:42:49 AM
As some of the firmware updates contain new features, would it be possible to list the changes on your website for all updates?
Please tell me that ICE is not serious about preventing skipping of future program promotions. Those over-hyped (you know that excited voice-over guy with the deep scary voice) much repeated (start and finish of every break) promos are the most annoying things on television. I think that they are worse than the actual commercials. Surely there will be an option to skip them as well as the ads? Please?
And I'd like to add my request for an option to disable Auto-Skip processing altogether.
Quote from: Aussiebec on October 01, 2015, 09:33:46 PM
Otherwise happy so far....
I really can't wait to be able to make a post like that...
Looks like mine has hardware issues so a replacement is on its way
One feature I definitely like is ad skipping which I've found is working well
Hopefully next Tuesday's firmware update moves us forward