IceTV Forum

IceTV Guide for IceTV enabled PVRs => SKIPPA => Topic started by: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 05:58:18 PM

Title: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 05:58:18 PM
Just received an email to advise that IceTV have been placed in voluntary administration.

Read it an weep those who, like me, haven't yet received there SKIPPA.

Disastrous!



Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: eafywan on October 07, 2015, 06:02:59 PM
Yep, just got that one myself. Pretty piss poor effort considering this:

"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."

Just another in the long line of lies we've been fed. Not happy at all.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 07, 2015, 06:04:13 PM
I knew this was a fucking scam.
Hope the people in charge of this company get the rightful jail sentence they deserve.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: jacqpinks on October 07, 2015, 06:07:34 PM
how disgusting, my mother purchased 2 skippa's and has lost almost $1000 this is so wrong and just really wrong :( this was a deliberate scam :( ICE TV got greedy and has stolen our money. :(
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 07, 2015, 06:13:18 PM
And I assume that those who have received a unit now have nothing but a basic DVR.
And maybe not even that. Does the unit work without an ICE subscription?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 07, 2015, 06:13:40 PM
IT wasn't a scam, I have a Skippa.

They do exist...

Clearly however mismanagement is the issue, and it looks likely that they have obviously traded whilst insolvent...

Totally appalling situation I must say...

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 07, 2015, 06:14:29 PM
No it doesnt...

Only works with ICE EPG - Not FTA EPG

So its a boat anchor even for those that do have one.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: jacqpinks on October 07, 2015, 06:16:13 PM
Just b/c you have your skippa doesn't mean it wasn't a scam, they could have decided to keep selling them and they knew they didn't have the units :( I knew there was something wrong when we were barred from writing on their facebook page
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:28:32 PM
Bugger.

Ordered/paid 2 weeks ago for the whole shabang SKIPPA plus lifetime IceTV. $600 smackers.

If someone could clarify. SKIPPA is in admin only? Or is it SKIPPA and IceTV?

Also, could someone repost in a more legible form the contact details for the administrator?

I got the email, but my version does not have the 2nd part as captured in previous post

Ta

James (not skipping)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 07, 2015, 06:31:20 PM
Quote from: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:28:32 PM
... If someone could clarify. SKIPPA is in admin only? Or is it SKIPPA and IceTV? ...
The barely legible Subject line of the letter says "ICETV PTY LIMITED".
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:34:33 PM
Thank PRL.  Double Bugger

Ps. I can see full test now from Windows (iPad only showed 1st page of letter)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Merton Kidd on October 07, 2015, 07:21:00 PM
Quote from: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:34:33 PM
Thank PRL.  Double Bugger

Ps. I can see full test now from Windows (iPad only showed 1st page of letter)

I was trying to be optimistic, not having received  my Skippa but looks like it's another Aussie venture that can't compete with the big boys...what's the chance that An Aussie firm puts in a rescue bid...come on Aussie come on...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JRB on October 07, 2015, 07:36:58 PM
So anyway - paid with CCard so have lodged a dispute based on non receipt of goods, which is about as much as you can do.....
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 08:56:29 PM
I've also lodged a dispute with PayPal and await there responses,  but I'm not holding my breath
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Dave at IceTV on October 07, 2015, 09:08:07 PM
Quote from: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:28:32 PM
If someone could clarify. SKIPPA is in admin only? Or is it SKIPPA and IceTV?

IceTV and therefore Skippa as well.

Quote from: JRB on October 07, 2015, 06:28:32 PM
Also, could someone repost in a more legible form the contact details for the administrator?

I got the email, but my version does not have the 2nd part as captured in previous post

Mark.Everingham AT tphinsolvency.com.au

Mark Everingham CPA Senior Accountant
TPH Insolvency
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 07, 2015, 09:16:25 PM
Dave,

I feel for you and your staff and what you must be going through at present.

Are you still employed?

Can you give some indication on what's going to happen next? is the guide going to continue to be produced, at least for the interim?

Will the shipment of Skippas that were supposed to be in stock now ever see the light of day?

Will Skippa FTA firmware now be released based on these events?

So many questions...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: ozgreg on October 07, 2015, 09:42:33 PM
Clearly this is a terrible blow to the staff of icetv and of course us who placed our faith in Icetv..

For those who purchased Skippa through Paypal and have not received your goods (and I suspect unlikely that we would ever do so) I would strongly suggest you open a dispute in paypal ASAP as Paypal buyer protection could provide you with a way to get your money back..

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Disputes-and-claims/company-goes-into-liquidation/td-p/913217?profile.language=en-gb
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 07, 2015, 09:47:17 PM
Quote from: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 08:56:29 PM
I've also lodged a dispute with PayPal and await there responses,  but I'm not holding my breath

Thanks. I have also opened a dispute with PayPal.
I just wished I had taken the offer of a refund a month or so ago when I complained about the late delivery of the unit.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: snuke on October 07, 2015, 09:51:38 PM
This is truly horrid, I hope for all the staff they can come out the other side of this and still operate as they once did.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 11:03:10 PM
This is PayPal's Buyer Protection, so I believe we have cover, despite IceTV's Insolvency!
I've also written to Mark Everingham from TPH asking if they intend to honour the  ".....at this stage intend to continue trading in the normal course for a short period of time whilst an urgent sale of business campaign is conducted".
Will advise of a reply.
Meanwhile, if you paid for your unreceived Skippa via PayPal I'd suggest lodging a dispute claim with PayPal.
The news re IceTV/Skippa is not necessarily all doom and gloom.
If TPH do as they say, the IceTV guide will continue and the Firmware update will happen.
On On!
emmsee
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: themolk on October 07, 2015, 11:26:56 PM
Dave - this is just horrible news for all you guys.I understand people are (rightly) upset they haven't got their Skippa however I hope you guys don't take too much heat for that when I know it won't have been your decision. I hope you all get all your entitlements and are able to either keep your jobs or find new ones easily. I really feel for you and the rest of the team at IceTV.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 11:47:51 PM
Reading through the PayPal Buyer Protection policy I came across this:

S16.1 Credit Card Chargeback rights, if applicable, may be broader than the PayPal Buyer Protection Policy. Chargeback rights are not limited to specific amounts per transaction and may cover intangible items.

S16.2 You may pursue a claim or dispute with PayPal or contact your Credit Card provider to pursue your Chargeback rights. You may not pursue both at the same time or seek a double recovery. If you have an open claim or dispute with us and subsequently file a Chargeback with your Credit Card provider, we will close your dispute or claim.

S16.3 Before contacting your Credit Card provider or filing a dispute with us, you should contact the seller to resolve your issue in accordance with the seller's return policy.


May be of interest if you paid via PayPal/credit card
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 07, 2015, 11:52:28 PM
Quote from: emmsee on October 07, 2015, 11:03:10 PM
This is PayPal's Buyer Protection, so I believe we have cover, despite IceTV's Insolvency!
I've also written to Mark Everingham from TPH asking if they intend to honour the  ".....at this stage intend to continue trading in the normal course for a short period of time whilst an urgent sale of business campaign is conducted".
Will advise of a reply.
Meanwhile, if you paid for your unreceived Skippa via PayPal I'd suggest lodging a dispute claim with PayPal.
The news re IceTV/Skippa is not necessarily all doom and gloom.
If TPH do as they say, the IceTV guide will continue and the Firmware update will happen.
On On!
emmsee
I too have lodged a dispute claim with PayPal. Note that you require to contact your supplier and if that does not solve the issue, you have about 20 days from the date you made your claim to elevate the dispute to a PayPal Claim.

I quote:"You can escalate this dispute to a PayPal claim until 27/10/2015. On that date, we will automatically close the dispute. We encourage you to respond to the seller as soon as possible. A closed dispute cannot be reopened or escalated to a PayPal claim"
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 07, 2015, 11:54:54 PM
just escalate straight away JPP, you can do that...

Escalate and if it asks why, state - Company in Administration.

Its fine to escalate prior, especially knowing they are not going to reply to anyone from here...

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: grahford on October 07, 2015, 11:59:33 PM
Quote from: JPP on October 07, 2015, 11:52:28 PM
I too have lodged a dispute claim with PayPal. Note that you require to contact your supplier and if that does not solve the issue, you have about 20 days from the date you made your claim to elevate the dispute to a PayPal Claim.

What is the correct way of contacting the supplier in cases like this?  Do I fill in the webform to sales first, quote my order number and say I want to cancel it and then wait a few days?  Or can I just use the email I got about going into Voluntary Administration as hearing from them first and move straight to elevating to PayPal?

edit: And Warkus has already answered the question while I was typing it up.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 08, 2015, 12:08:05 AM
that system Paypal use is mainly geared up to Ebay purchases where the seller would normally reply in a disputed case.

The likelihood that IceTV will respond to any request for information from Paypal after what has happened is little to none.

Just escalate immediately stating administration as the reason, I'm sure by now the number of disputes that are going through that Paypal has already worked it out anyway.


Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 08, 2015, 12:14:26 AM
We're not talking small cookies here. Say there is a claim of 2000 odd units at $400 average; that's nearly $1M.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 08, 2015, 12:50:51 AM
Well this really sucks. I got an e-mail just last week telling me they were going to ship after the weekend, and now this. If this goes on and someone doesn't take over the company and deliver the paid for Skippas, then I don't see how anyone could stay loyal to just using their guide service. I know they wouldn't get another cent out of me, and I've got about 5 years of IceTV subscrition service left.

Just sucks

gib

More like 50 years when I add in the cost of the non-existent SKIPPA
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 01:01:57 AM
Paypal will only take disputes within 180 days of the transaction so anyone prior to early July I expect will be out of luck with that process.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 08, 2015, 01:20:55 AM
The skippas only went on sale from May 25, that wasn't 180 days ago for anyone... its only 135!!

everyone that ordered and paid using paypal still has claim options open to them.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 01:24:31 AM
Ahh, so it is.  Easy for you Mark, it's still before midnight for a sand groper!   ;)

Interesting reading - only $15K in their company bank account!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Vortical on October 08, 2015, 01:34:16 AM
Quote from: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 01:24:31 AM
Interesting reading - only $15K in their company bank account!
Where did you read that!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 08, 2015, 02:16:26 AM
Vortical,
Read the letter from TPH Insolvency.
Not only the $15k in the bank account but TPH get $45k now and then an hourly rate starting with the Administrators at about $580 per hour.
That $45K could have manufactured another 300 Skippa's!

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Vortical on October 08, 2015, 03:07:44 AM
I Never received the email with the letter.

The images on the forum are a bit hard to read.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 08, 2015, 03:48:04 AM
Quote from: themolk on October 07, 2015, 11:26:56 PM
Dave - this is just horrible news for all you guys.I understand people are (rightly) upset they haven't got their Skippa however I hope you guys don't take too much heat for that when I know it won't have been your decision. I hope you all get all your entitlements and are able to either keep your jobs or find new ones easily. I really feel for you and the rest of the team at IceTV.

Ditto!  I spent the day in bed, unwell, just got up and found this!  Shocking news, although I must say I am not entirely surprised.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 08, 2015, 03:56:59 AM
Quote from: gibster on October 08, 2015, 12:50:51 AM
If this goes on and someone doesn't take over the company and deliver the paid for Skippas,
Well, I'm afraid that is not likely to happen.  Even if they have stock (who knows) having received this news, all the people who have not yet received their Skippas, will be cancelling, so if they were in "slight" financial trouble before, they will now become truly bankrupt.  It is like a run on a bank, once the ball starts rolling.....
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 08, 2015, 04:01:42 AM
Quote from: Vortical on October 08, 2015, 03:07:44 AM
I Never received the email with the letter.

The images on the forum are a bit hard to read.

Neither did I...  I presumed it only went to people who are still awaiting their Skippas.  I am lucky - I have cancelled a few weeks ago, but of course, I still have my subscription. 

Incidentally, just checked (not easy to fine, they have changed the website) I used to be subscribed till 2020 - I seem to have now lost a year, it now says 2019  ???  Also can't find the bit that tells you how many devices you can use it for
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Fester on October 08, 2015, 08:10:28 AM
Quote from: csutak40 on October 08, 2015, 04:01:42 AM
I still have my subscription. 

I wonder for how much longer! I was seriously thinking of the Skippa, glad I never went through with it now.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SkippaBeat on October 08, 2015, 10:30:09 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/online-tv-guide-icetv-put-into-voluntary-administration-20151007-gk3u4y.html
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 08, 2015, 10:30:28 AM
Quote from: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 01:24:31 AM
Ahh, so it is.  Easy for you Mark, it's still before midnight for a sand groper!   ;)

Interesting reading - only $15K in their company bank account!


And that will already have been sucked up by the fees just to file that paperwork.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 08, 2015, 10:51:54 AM
What happens next depends on the outcome of the first meeting of creditors. If the business cannot be sold, then the company could be liquidated, and the various assets sold; the intellectual property (i) IceTV EPG and IceTV Interactive and (ii) SKIPPA ad-skipping technology.

I suspect a liquidation could be very messy in terms of working out who owns what, and what it is worth.

I purchased the SKIPPA knowing there was a risk of this happening, as I did when I purchased a 4 year subscription. So I am not complaining. At least I actually got one to play with.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: spinifex on October 08, 2015, 10:54:30 AM
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/online-tv-guide-icetv-put-into-voluntary-administration-20151007-gk3u4y.html
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 08, 2015, 11:18:11 AM
Those articles in the Age and Sydney Morning Herald (identical articles by the same reporter.) put a different slant on 1/ the reasons for IceTV going into VA and 2/ the chances of the Administrator shipping the additional 1000 Skippy's to pre order customers.
UEC,  the manufacturer of Skippa,  had withheld delivery of the Skippy's to IceTV waiting for payment in full of all manufacturing orders.
The 1000 units were not ever in IceTV 's warehouse and probably now never will be.
If you were holding hope of your Skippa being delivered that is now looking less than slim.
UEC has them - but what can they do with them?
I feel there's a good chance that IceTV guide will continue,  but Skippa is dead!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 08, 2015, 11:29:20 AM
I doubt that it was ever intended that IceTV would have physical possession of the SKIPPA. I suspect the UEC were to hold on to them and send them out on IceTV's behalf.

Not sure how many SKIPPA they have in the warehouse. I know what I would do if I was UEC and wanted to minimise the losses, but will not say more.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 08, 2015, 12:12:04 PM
Agreed Ian,

I think its *reasonably* common knowledge that IceTV don't hold any stock themselves, i doubt everyone knows this but i think enough people do to know this is true. They take the order and the item is then dispatched directly from the importer, in this case UEC.

My Skippa was definitely sent to me from Altech, not IceTV. I know they do the same thing with Topfield and other brands too so they obviously leverage a deal with the importer for them to hold onto the stock.

Regardless of where the stock is however, it does not look likely that UEC will ever release the items when they have obviously not been paid for them. Why would they...and with $15k in the bank, its not likely they can ever be paid.

The whole thing is a mess, very sad situation, even worse if the guide goes too.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 08, 2015, 12:23:49 PM
The last line of the article(s) says it all.
QuoteThe Skippa can not extract the television guide from the broadcast signal and is completely dependent on the IceTV guide, rendering it useless should the company fold

Even if we get the unit, and those who already have a unit, they are nothing but an electronic brick.
A very expensive brick, but a brick any way you look at it.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: juergen on October 08, 2015, 12:30:00 PM
I haven't thought too much about it, but maybe there's a way to provide an alternative feed to PVRs dependent on IceTV, not just Skippa.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 08, 2015, 12:30:19 PM
Quote from: warkus on October 08, 2015, 12:12:04 PM
Agreed Ian,

I think its *reasonably* common knowledge that IceTV don't hold any stock themselves, i doubt everyone knows this but i think enough people do to know this is true. They take the order and the item is then dispatched directly from the importer, in this case UEC.

My Skippa was definitely sent to me from Altech, not IceTV. I know they do the same thing with Topfield and other brands too so they obviously leverage a deal with the importer for them to hold onto the stock.

Regardless of where the stock is however, it does not look likely that UEC will ever release the items when they have obviously not been paid for them. Why would they...and with $15k in the bank, its not likely they can ever be paid.

The whole thing is a mess, very sad situation, even worse if the guide goes too.

I'd hope that maybe UEC would contact all the customers that have units waiting and agree to send them out for a fee (cost).

Then, I'm sure someone could probably write new firmware to use the Freeview EPG data embedded in channel stream. Or  maybe IceTV Guide will continue.

I'd just like to get the one I paid for since I doubt I'm ever going to see my money again.

It's be interesting to know where $600,000.00 or so went to if now paying for the Skippas.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: face44 on October 08, 2015, 12:33:55 PM
I never received this email and only found out from a friend at my work that new I had bought a SKIPPA and sent me the link to the news article. Not impressed. But feeling sorry for the employees
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gas667 on October 08, 2015, 12:41:40 PM
QuoteOther arrangements may be put in place to save IceTV, instead of finding a buyer for the company.

This line from the SMH article is interesting. At least for the ones who received their Skippas. Does it suggest that Icetv may go back to just the guide? And what then. I gather it will be a different company so we will have to pay for the guide again even though it was included in the price.

Unfortunately it's probably the best possible outcome.

I wonder how long Beyonwiz's $50 trade in offer will last?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 08, 2015, 12:43:25 PM
Quote from: gibster on October 08, 2015, 12:30:19 PM
...
Then, I'm sure someone could probably write new firmware to use the Freeview EPG data embedded in channel stream. Or  maybe IceTV Guide will continue.
...

Hard to work out what you mean by "Freeview EPG".

If you mean the MHEG-5 Freeview EPG that was launched by Freeview, then that has a limited lifetime (finishes (http://www.freeview.com.au/about-us/news-press-releases/freeview-announcement-sunset-mheg/) November 2017) and is DRM protected, so it can't be accessed without the appropriate keys from Freeview.

The Freeview Plus EPG isn't in the broadcast stream. It will continue, but it also appears to be tied up with DRM.

The EIT EPG data in the broadcast stream is really the only EPG that's freely available, but it lacks some useful metadata that's in the IceTV EPG, like reasonably reliable repeat markup.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 08, 2015, 12:53:19 PM
Quote from: gas667 on October 08, 2015, 12:41:40 PM
... I wonder how long Beyonwiz's $50 trade in offer will last?
https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/trade-in-deal/ (https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/trade-in-deal/)

It doesn't say. Just "limited time".

But they require you to return the PVR with its HDD. I suspect that if you have a SKIPPA and want to abandon it for a Beyonwiz you'd do better to pull the HDD out of the SKIPPA and use it in a barebones T2 with a third USB tuner. The T2 takes a 2.5" HDD, like the SKIPPA. The other models take a 3.5" HDD, so you'd need spacers to re-use the SKIPPA HDD in them.

I still think it's a bit too early to take action like that on the assumption that the IceTV EPG won't continue in some form.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gas667 on October 08, 2015, 01:01:20 PM
QuoteI suspect that if you have a SKIPPA and want to abandon it for a Beyonwiz you'd do better to pull the HDD out of the SKIPPA and use it in a barebones T2 with a third USB tuner. The T2 takes a 2.5" HDD, like the SKIPPA. The other models take a 3.5" HDD, so you'd need spacers to re-use the SKIPPA HDD in them.

I still think it's a bit too early to take action like that on the assumption that the IceTV EPG won't continue in some form.

Actually I was thinking of my dead Tivo and 1TB drives are less than $100 but you are right in that the EPG may survive. The Beyonwiz doesn't seem to have series recording either.

Wait a bit and see what happens I suppose. Even though there may have been issues outside of Icetv's control I'm having trouble believing that they weren't responsible for this in some part and wonder what type of trust they will have if they just rebirth the Icetv EPG.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 08, 2015, 01:03:01 PM
I'm certainly hoping the guide continues that's for sure...

Fingers crossed they sort something out for that at least... Skippa aside, as i don't really care too much about that, its still on test in my office and hasn't been put into mainstream use in the house, but i have several machines i use IceTV on...Really don't want to loose the guide.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 08, 2015, 01:08:00 PM
Quote from: gibster on October 08, 2015, 12:30:19 PM
I'd just like to get the one I paid for since I doubt I'm ever going to see my money again.

If you paid by credit card, ask for a charge back, if you use paypal use its facility for failed delivery.

If you paid by direct debit or debit card(?), then you are out of luck.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: chuck_2330 on October 08, 2015, 01:18:30 PM
Really very sad. I feel for Dave and all the staff at IceTV. I've subscribed to IceGuide since 2007 and had ordered a Skippa for my wife for her birthday, saying that I had a surprise for her. I'll have to come up with something else now!
Like others, I have initiated a Paypal dispute but have yet to escalate it to a claim. Should I wait or go straight to a claim?
There really is no chance of a buyout?

BTW, I never received an email and only found out about it in an article on SMH.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 08, 2015, 01:24:35 PM
Quote from: gas667 on October 08, 2015, 01:01:20 PM
... The Beyonwiz doesn't seem to have series recording either. ...
The DP series doesn't. The T series does, in the form of AutoTimers. They're quite flexible, but the broadcast EPG data is missing some useful features of the IceTV EPG, like reasonably reliable repeat flagging.

I'd still much rather use IceTV on the T series than AutoTimers, though.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 08, 2015, 01:24:47 PM
Quote from: warkus on October 08, 2015, 01:03:01 PM
I'm certainly hoping the guide continues that's for sure...

Fingers crossed they sort something out for that at least... Skippa aside, as i don't really care too much about that, its still on test in my office and hasn't been put into mainstream use in the house, but i have several machines i use IceTV on...Really don't want to loose the guide.

Same here Mark. I have 4 Toppys that use IceTV EPG and IceTV Interactive. I too have not been using the SKIPPA as my main device. I do hope that the IceTV EPG and IceTV Interactive continue in some form.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SkippaBeat on October 08, 2015, 01:57:26 PM
Guess the HDD will fit in my PS4?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SkippaBeat on October 08, 2015, 02:14:17 PM
Update:

TPH Insolvency says that the IceTV business continues to exist in its normal state for the time being, apart from the hold of shipping on Skippa boxes. With 10 staff and approximately 16,500 customers, IceTV has a long list of unsecured creditors to pay if it moves into insolvency. "The first steps are to keep the service going whilst we seek expressions of interest in the business. The service will continue as normal for the moment however that is subject to the prospects of finding a buyer in the immediate future.

"All orders for Skippa boxes have currently been put on hold given the uncertain future of the company. There is a hold on all supplies on new boxes and new subscribers. At this stage customers who have an outstanding order for the supply of a Skippa Box and suppliers are being considered as unsecured creditors. All creditors will be treated in accordance with the priorities legislated in the Corporations Act.

"We have not had an opportunity to investigate the basis for the company's financial position or any specific aspect of it. We will be reporting more fully to creditors on this aspect once we have done our statutory review. The report will be released in approximately 5 weeks."

Gizmodo has contacted IceTV's CEO Heinz Herrmann, for comment. [IceTV]
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: spinifex on October 08, 2015, 02:45:55 PM
Quote from: SkippaBeat on October 08, 2015, 02:14:17 PM
Update:


Gizmodo has contacted IceTV's CEO Heinz Herrmann, for comment. [IceTV]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/10/icetvs-ad-skipping-set-top-box-may-be-its-downfall/
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Tyrus on October 08, 2015, 03:19:02 PM
One option I hope the staff consider is putting forward an employee buyout offer.   

I don't pretend to know the real numbers involved, although it seems that the potential is still definitely there, if not only for the ongoing EPG service. 

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: FMB on October 08, 2015, 03:26:37 PM
Someone get Kogan on the phone.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 08, 2015, 03:50:16 PM
A quick point for clarification, if anyone can help.
According to the liquidators we have until the 16th of October to sign up as an unsecured creditor.
Paypal state that you cannot run a dispute case with them and, in their example, a credit card company concurrently.
That's fair, you shouldn't try to double dip.
So how long will it take Paypal to decide if they will refund us?
Because I believe signing up to the liquidator would be attempting to double dip. Even though any chance of a return from the liquidator will be very small.
The clock is ticking as far as one option is concerned.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 08, 2015, 04:21:51 PM
Well, I just talked to my bank (Wells Fargo) in the states and filed a claim for undelivered goods. The lady told me I'd have a resolution in 10 business days so guess I'll see what happens.

Good luck everyone.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SkippaBeat on October 08, 2015, 04:40:03 PM
Well, I have funded 2 Australian companies upfront; Dillenger bikes through Kickstarter and Icetv/Skippa.

Not pleasant experiences!

Won't be doing it again!!!

P.S.  Hope EPG is saved and no more big ideas above their station.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: spinifex on October 08, 2015, 05:09:45 PM
Just got back from the shop to this email....

Dear Jon,

I refer to our correspondence yesterday which advised of the voluntary administration of Ice TV Pty Limited.

We have received a large quantity of enquiries with respect to the appointment and accordingly will correspond with customers regularly to update you of the progress of the matter.

Our activities have primarily focussed on approaching parties which may be interested in purchasing the Company's business and/or assets. This work is expected to continue for the immediate future, during which time the business will trade as normal with respect to provision of its subscription service.

We wish to take this opportunity to answer the most frequently asked questions below:

    Will the Company's subscription service continue

    The service will continue as normal for the immediate future, however that is subject to the prospects of finding a buyer urgently.

    Will you receive your SKIPPA/set top unit?

    All orders for Skippa boxes have currently been put on hold given the uncertain future of the company. Accordingly, these customers are being treated as unsecured creditors by the Administrators.

    We are not in a position to comment on the supplier arrangements in place, however as noted above the supply of all goods (Skippa Boxes) is currently on hold pending the outcome of finding a buyer for the business.

    Will you receive a refund?

    Unfortunately you will not receive a refund from the Administrators, but you will be able to claim as a creditor in the voluntary administration and will be treated in accordance with the priorities legislated in the Corporations Act.

    It is currently too early in the process to make any comment on likely distributions to creditors. The sale program will however have an impact on what the creditors will receive.

    What is the future of the Company?

    We advise that we are currently attempting to identify a buyer/investor for the business to enable the business to continue operating.

    What caused the Company to enter Administration?

    Given that the appointment is in its infancy, we have not had an opportunity to investigate the basis for the company's financial position or any specific aspect of it. We will be reporting more fully to creditors on this aspect once we have done our statutory review. The report will be released in approximately 5 weeks.

Should you have any questions in relation to this matter please contact Mark Everingham of TPH Insolvency on (02) 4305 2405.

Yours Faithfully

Timothy Paul Heesh
Amanda Caroline Lott
Administrators
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: FMB on October 08, 2015, 05:27:58 PM
Allow me to assure everyone who is an 'unsecured creditor'. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANYTHING!

I have been through this too many times to count. The administrators get first dibs on anything. That's followed by staff entitlements, then secured creditors (banks etc.) followed by those with the presence to extract payment (ATO, larger suppliers etc.).

Unsecured creditors are way down the list and rarely, if ever, receive anything. If you haven't received your Skippa, begin action immediately to recover your funds through your credit card company or Paypal. If those options aren't available, your best bet is to just curl up in the foetal position and vow to never make the same mistake again.

P.S. Anyone in the market for a near new Skippa? Only two weeks old, hardly used (three recordings). Going cheap.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 08:44:27 PM
This may be of interest to a few (many...).  Taken from the Beyonwiz Forum;
"Offer: Purchase a Beyonwiz T2 - Triple Tuner PVR (2 fixed + 1 x USB Tuner) use the coupon code 100off and get $100 off the price + Free Shipping
Conditions: Only applies to T2 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 250GB SSD, 500GB SSD models, not available with T2 Barebones unit. Offer ends at midnight on Sunday 11th Oct. Limited 2 units per customer. Not available with any other offer.
We have stock ready and available for immediate shipping from our Sydney warehouse.
How to claim:
* Pick from the available models here: https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/t2/ (remember not available with T2 Barebone)
* Once you have added the item to your cart go into your Shopping Cart" befor you check out and enter the coupon code and hit apply
* You should then see the $100 has been deducted and a Free shipping option has appeared, you can now checkout.

Feel free to share this offer with your family and friends and it is ok to mention it in the relevant forums if you wish."
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 08, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
Quote from: celicasx on October 08, 2015, 08:44:27 PM
This may be of interest to a few (many...).  Taken from the Beyonwiz Forum;
"Offer: Purchase a Beyonwiz T2 - Triple Tuner PVR (2 fixed + 1 x USB Tuner) use the coupon code 100off and get $100 off the price + Free Shipping
Conditions: Only applies to T2 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 250GB SSD, 500GB SSD models, not available with T2 Barebones unit. Offer ends at midnight on Sunday 11th Oct. Limited 2 units per customer. Not available with any other offer.
We have stock ready and available for immediate shipping from our Sydney warehouse.
How to claim:
* Pick from the available models here: https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/t2/ (remember not available with T2 Barebone)
* Once you have added the item to your cart go into your Shopping Cart" befor you check out and enter the coupon code and hit apply
* You should then see the $100 has been deducted and a Free shipping option has appeared, you can now checkout.

Feel free to share this offer with your family and friends and it is ok to mention it in the relevant forums if you wish."

So which is the best model?
In terms of reliability.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: ozgreg on October 08, 2015, 09:24:32 PM
All,

For those who paid through Paypal  and lodged a claim you MUST escalate the claim with Paypal as most likely the administrators will not be monitoring the paypal emails and may just consider paypal as a creditor.. 

if you go down the unsecured creditor path then the most likely outcome is a low return like in a few cents per dollar in your investment or maybe nothing at all..

To the staff we feel your pain :(

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 08, 2015, 09:44:03 PM
Quote from: Pursya on October 08, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
...
So which is the best model?
In terms of reliability.
The $100 off deal is only for T2s.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 09, 2015, 12:46:44 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.

Good luck to you Dave. Hope things work out OK, for you the rest of the crew there, and for IceTV.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: celicasx on October 09, 2015, 12:53:32 AM
Quote from: prl on October 08, 2015, 09:44:03 PM
Quote from: Pursya on October 08, 2015, 08:55:37 PM
...
So which is the best model?
In terms of reliability.
The $100 off deal is only for T2s.
Totally stealing Peturu's post from the BW Forum from July 2015.  If you're interested in the T2;
"There is also the T2, which has the same amount of RAM and flash as T3, but only two tuners. In terms of speed, the T2 is faster than T3, but slower than T4.

The T2 can do full 1080p, like the T4, but no PIP at all. The T2 has no front panel display at all, only a power LED.

The T2 is a lot smaller than T3 or T4 (or any DP-series) and only takes 2.5" (laptop size) HDDs. The T2 has no fans and if you chose an SSD variant, you can have a completely silent box.

In my opinion the T2 is actually a very, very nice box. If you have multiple screens in the house, I would probably recommend getting a few T2. The way the T-series can network and share content, you would end up with a very convenient and flexible solution.

My setup has T2, T3 and T4, with various sized drives and different sets of autotimers on each box. Playing content from any T-series on any other T-series is very easy as is playing files from the NAS. The DP-series PVRs I had previously are all decommissioned now and no one is missing them at all after taking about a month or so to adjust to the different user interface on the T-series.

The T-series are pretty good media players too. So far they can handle more media files than any other media player box I've ever owned."

The T2 normally is only a dual tuner, however it looks like it currently comes with an additional USB tuner to make it a 3 tuner machine, capable of recording 8 channels across 3 stations.

Damn, I'm talking myself into this.....
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 01:10:19 AM
Quote from: prl on October 08, 2015, 12:53:19 PM

But they require you to return the PVR with its HDD.

Well, it just so happens I have a spare Toppy 5K (besides the one I'm still using), which I bought on eBay for spare parts.  It is in perfect working order (with the original HDD) so would be happy to sacrifice that for the purpose.  Wonder if they would accept that? :)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: EdQld on October 09, 2015, 02:25:29 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.

Thanks for the positive reply Dave

I  feel sorry for all the employees at IceTV, must be very stressful, facing an uncertain future
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 02:35:34 AM
Quote from: gibster on October 09, 2015, 12:46:44 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.

Good luck to you Dave. Hope things work out OK, for you the rest of the crew there, and for IceTV.


gib

+100  And we do appreciate you answering questions here
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 09, 2015, 10:52:46 AM
Quote from: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 01:10:19 AM
...
Well, it just so happens I have a spare Toppy 5K (besides the one I'm still using), which I bought on eBay for spare parts.  It is in perfect working order (with the original HDD) so would be happy to sacrifice that for the purpose.  Wonder if they would accept that? :)

The ad for the trade-in deal (https://beyonwiz.com.au/product-category/trade-in-deal/) says: "All brands all models accepted: Beyonwiz, Humax, Topfield, ..." so I can't see why they wouldn't accept it.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 09, 2015, 10:56:42 AM
Has anyone who doesn't have an outstanding pre-paid SKIPPA order received the letter from IceTV's Administrators inviting them to register as unsecured creditors?

Why don't subscribers appear to be being treated as unsecured creditors? I have pre-paid IceTV for services out to 2020.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 09, 2015, 11:28:51 AM
Peter, I am in much the same position as you; only prepaid to some time in 2019.

For me the it was less than $150 so it is not worth the effort of 'registering' as a creditor.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 09, 2015, 11:49:46 AM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 09, 2015, 11:28:51 AM
Peter, I am in much the same position as you; only prepaid to some time in 2019.

For me the it was less than $150 so it is not worth the effort of 'registering' as a creditor.
...
I'm more curious about the process than any prospect of actually getting a refund (or seeing more than a fraction of my pre-paid service being fulfilled), no matter what happens from here.

I'm already planning to start setting up AutoTimers on our T4, and not enjoying the prospect.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 12:26:34 PM
The IceTV service is still being fulfilled, so you cannot be an unsecured creditor until the service stops.
The Skippa unfulfilled orders have been told the order will never be fulfilled. Even if a new owner for the business is found.
So they are unsecured creditors already.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: FMB on October 09, 2015, 12:36:02 PM
Quote from: prl on October 09, 2015, 10:56:42 AM
Has anyone who doesn't have an outstanding pre-paid SKIPPA order received the letter from IceTV's Administrators inviting them to register as unsecured creditors?

Why don't subscribers appear to be being treated as unsecured creditors? I have pre-paid IceTV for services out to 2020.

I wouldn't recommend registering as an unsecured creditor. You just end up getting bombarded with meeting minutes and reports all written in 'accountant'. It just makes for depressing reading when you realise how bad the situation is, how much money the insolvency firm is making (at your expense) and how unlikely it is you'll ever see any money.

I made that mistake a couple of times when clients went belly up. Now I just write off the debt and move on.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Dave at IceTV on October 09, 2015, 12:49:12 PM
Quote from: gibster on October 09, 2015, 12:46:44 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.

Good luck to you Dave. Hope things work out OK, for you the rest of the crew there, and for IceTV.

gib

Thanks gib. We're all hoping for a good outcome.

Personally I'm thinking more about those still waiting to receive their Skippas or replacements for DOA Skippas.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Coopsp on October 09, 2015, 01:30:43 PM
Hey Dave, I too hope you all keep your job and they find someone to buy the company. Because besides the Skippa issues you guys do do a great job.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: lespato on October 09, 2015, 02:34:42 PM
Hi Dave

I am very sorry to hear about the situation at IceTV.I don't post on the forum very often but I do read the forums regularly. I have been a member for several years now and found you and your colleagues very courteous and helpful. The guide service is excellent. Hope everything can be resolved and all your jobs are safe and IceTV can continue their great service.
Lcp
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 09, 2015, 02:34:56 PM
Quote from: FMB on October 09, 2015, 12:36:02 PM
I wouldn't recommend registering as an unsecured creditor. You just end up getting bombarded with meeting minutes and reports all written in 'accountant'.

Hmm, written in 'accountant', I may be able to understand it. But I have been 'out of the game' for over seven years now so the jargon may have changed and my 'accountant speak' may have deteriorated. I agree about the likelihood of getting money back if it comes to liquidation. That said, I did get some money back on a liquidation once - but that was about 25 years ago.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 09, 2015, 05:10:42 PM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 09, 2015, 12:49:12 PM
Quote from: gibster on October 09, 2015, 12:46:44 AM
Quote from: Dave at IceTV on October 08, 2015, 11:22:12 PM
Quote from: EdQld on October 08, 2015, 10:55:21 PM
Dave, if the plug is pulled, is there any chance of a f/w upgrade that will give the Skippa access to FTA EPG?

That is the plan. We all own Skippas ourselves and don't want them to become doorstoppers either.

Good luck to you Dave. Hope things work out OK, for you the rest of the crew there, and for IceTV.

gib

Thanks gib. We're all hoping for a good outcome.

Personally I'm thinking more about those still waiting to receive their Skippas or replacements for DOA Skippas.

Yep, I understand. I'm one of those who was looking forward to this week when my Skippa shipping notice was supposed to go out.. LOL

Well, live and learn I guess. I've been a crowd funder for quite a few things on Kickstart and never lost out yet. I was just looking forward to a PVR that actually worked as advertised in conjunction with IceTV guide service.  I must say my Windows Media Center PC has been pretty reliable for the most part. So guess maybe I'll invest in some new harddrives and stick with it. I've got a quad tuner in it and it's been pretty amazing.

So here's hoping that IceTV Guide service does stick around.

Cheers

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 05:52:46 PM
Quote from: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 12:26:34 PM
The Skippa unfulfilled orders have been told the order will never be fulfilled. Even if a new owner for the business is found.

Actually,I've been wondering why that is.  If someone buys the business, surely Altech would be happy to get rid of their stock of Skippa?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 05:58:50 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 09, 2015, 02:34:56 PM

Hmm, written in 'accountant', I may be able to understand it. But I have been 'out of the game' for over seven years now so the jargon may have changed and my 'accountant speak' may have deteriorated.
Ian

LOL I'm in the same boat, except in my case, it has been nearly 20 years, so I know that the jargon has changed  ;D
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 09, 2015, 07:03:45 PM
All the best to Dave, Madeleine and all the other staff at IceTV. Thanks for the service you've helped deliver.

I hope that IceTV can continue on in some form.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 08:14:16 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 05:52:46 PM
Quote from: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 12:26:34 PM
The Skippa unfulfilled orders have been told the order will never be fulfilled. Even if a new owner for the business is found.

Actually,I've been wondering why that is.  If someone buys the business, surely Altech would be happy to get rid of their stock of Skippa?

As I understand it the Skippas are no longer the property of the purchasers.
They are the property of the manufacturer. And as the manufacturer is apparently in receivership then no one actually owns them.
If they are ever returned to the market it will be as a brand new unit that you would have to pay for......again!
If the Skippas ever came to market I certainly would not buy one. They are dependant upon the IceTV EPG and even if that discontinued and a s/w update changed that dependency, the unit then becomes nothing more than a standard PVR.
And there are plenty of those around with better warranty and service backup that the Skippa will ever have.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 09, 2015, 09:42:55 PM
Quote from: FMB on October 09, 2015, 12:36:02 PMI wouldn't recommend registering as an unsecured creditor. You just end up getting bombarded with meeting minutes and reports all written in 'accountant'. It just makes for depressing reading when you realise how bad the situation is, how much money the insolvency firm is making (at your expense) and how unlikely it is you'll ever see any money.

I made that mistake a couple of times when clients went belly up. Now I just write off the debt and move on.
Just a word of advice on that. If you ever get audited by the ATO, that's not good enough. If you haven't taken reasonable steps to recover those debts, you can't just write them off. What the ATO likes to see is the final wind up letter from the administrator.

As unpleasant (and possibly time consuming) as it is to be shafted out of money, you have to put up with the administrators rubbing the salt in it too. :-(

I know, I've been through this several times too, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  >:(
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Ea5e on October 09, 2015, 10:39:31 PM
Well, as lucky unsecured no-box creditors, we can attest to the disappointment of premature evaluation.
Back of envelope calculations of ~16,000 subscribers (now) @$99 - staff costs of 10 - stock - other expenses = Ooops! The administrator is right. Maybe someone will buy, but the value equation will be a $1 sale and a big cash injection, and if Altech UEC has folded it's tent.... That also prevents the liquidator clawing back payments to Altech under Oz liquidation laws. So, the relatively few unsecured creditors at the moment will turn into many thousands. The news is enough to stop many renewing (like me), so say 1/12 of 16,000 per month, enough to deliver the final killer loss of cash flow.
Sorry to miss a great service that took on a box too far.
I'm off for Fetch TV tomorrow at comparable pricing, curated EPG, streaming and series recording. No subscription either, that's supported by users paying for premium packages (not me)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: NBOSTI on October 09, 2015, 11:44:02 PM
The writing was on the wall. When I first saw IceTV promoting this machine I knew trouble was on the way for the EPG service in general. It all started earlier this year when the server " Upgrades" left us in the lurch. Too many eggs in one basket or greed? I don't know, but they would never be able to deliver "Ad-Free" recordings.
The majority of networks , including ABC and SBS no longer have visible triggers when a program starts, rather just jumps into it straight from promos. No intro credits, watermarks nor any other signal.
They have more money and resources than IceTV and will always be ahead of the game for whatever their reasons are. They are all in on the FreeView, so is that behind it?
I was never going to buy a Skippa, (my mac mini set-up has given me 4 tuners for years),..I feel for those that ordered and paid for one and now look like not getting a refund. But more I am going to miss the convenience of the online scheduling and EPG should they fold altogether.
I hope that an investor is found to bail them out,...and please stick with delivering an up to date scheduling and EPG service.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 10, 2015, 12:40:20 AM
Quote from: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 08:14:16 PM
Quote from: csutak40 on October 09, 2015, 05:52:46 PM
Quote from: Pursya on October 09, 2015, 12:26:34 PM
The Skippa unfulfilled orders have been told the order will never be fulfilled. Even if a new owner for the business is found.

Actually,I've been wondering why that is.  If someone buys the business, surely Altech would be happy to get rid of their stock of Skippa?

As I understand it the Skippas are no longer the property of the purchasers.
They are the property of the manufacturer. And as the manufacturer is apparently in receivership then no one actually owns them.
If they are ever returned to the market it will be as a brand new unit that you would have to pay for......again!
If the Skippas ever came to market I certainly would not buy one. They are dependant upon the IceTV EPG and even if that discontinued and a s/w update changed that dependency, the unit then becomes nothing more than a standard PVR.
And there are plenty of those around with better warranty and service backup that the Skippa will ever have.



This is totally inaccurate, these rumours going around about Altech Multimedia or UEC going under as well as icetv are simply untrue. (Thats the manufacturer).

Go to uec.com.au main page and read the blurb on there.

They are simply closing their australian operations to concentrate on other sales areas, and have appointed a distributor/agent here instead to sell the Altech line.

The brand and products will continue, its just the direct wholesale that will stop.

This is likely the reason that icetv are in trouble, i imagine they had an arrangement in place with them for payment, but when altech MM overseas decided to close the doors on their australian operations, they most likely wanted to wind it all up without any strings left attached or debt.

I dont know the real reason, its just a guess, but i do know that the manufacturer is not in administration. Far from it.


Mark




Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Tyrus on October 10, 2015, 08:10:35 AM
I wouldn't be blaming UEC for IceTV's troubles.  For all we know it was IceTV's inability to pay per their original terms that caused UEC to withdraw from Aus.  IceTV tried to renegotiate payment terms, which UEC originally tried to support, then pulled the plug when IceTV failed to meet those terms as well. 

Like I said in my post back in early September,  I suspect that all the funds IceTV received from pre-orders was pretty well all used on R&D, wages, utilities and other overdue bills.  So when it came for paying the balance of the initial production run they were already up the creek - which is why they extended the pre-purchase offer in a hope to attract more cashflow.  Big mistake and potentially illegal if it can be shown that they were technically insolvent at that point.

Like others have said here, this blame falls only on the executive, not the staff who are just more victims like ourselves.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 10, 2015, 08:31:23 AM
Quote from: warkus on October 10, 2015, 12:40:20 AM

This is totally inaccurate, these rumours going around about Altech Multimedia or UEC going under as well as icetv are simply untrue. (Thats the manufacturer).

Go to uec.com.au main page and read the blurb on there.

They are simply closing their australian operations to concentrate on other sales areas, and have appointed a distributor/agent here instead to sell the Altech line.

The brand and products will continue, its just the direct wholesale that will stop.

This is likely the reason that icetv are in trouble, i imagine they had an arrangement in place with them for payment, but when altech MM overseas decided to close the doors on their australian operations, they most likely wanted to wind it all up without any strings left attached or debt.

I dont know the real reason, its just a guess, but i do know that the manufacturer is not in administration. Far from it.

Mark

Spot on mark. The administration puts the manufacturer is a difficult position. As they do no own the SKIPPA firmware (IceTV Elements) or the SKIPPA brand name, they would have difficulty selling them. They could change the firmware to remove proprietary IceTV aspects, cover up the IceTV identifiers and ship it with a different RCU. A lot of work.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: GXK on October 10, 2015, 11:11:18 AM
Add skip/ auto skip has stopped working on my skippa. Been stuck on one programme for days. I rebooted the skippa and tried a few things without luck. Came to the boards to see if others were effected and saw this thread.. SoI guess that auto skip has been deactivated for everyone?

Yes, I know this is a small thing compared with jobs at stake and others that have paid for units that they will not receive, but I am interested to know if it is just my skippa having issues or if this feature has been disabled despite the life time auto skip subscription.. I realise that this will be toast anyway If ice tv folds, but if it is still supplying the epg for the time being, then I don't see why they would have turned off the add skip feature?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 10, 2015, 11:26:00 AM
I've noticed that ad skip feature has ceased also. Figured it had been switched off as part of the Ice TV problems. My Skippa isn't a brick yet but I can see that coming soon. Pretty disappointed.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 10, 2015, 11:31:25 AM
Quote from: Heideho on October 10, 2015, 11:26:00 AM
I've noticed that ad skip feature has ceased also. Figured it had been switched off as part of the Ice TV problems. My Skippa isn't a brick yet but I can see that coming soon. Pretty disappointed.

This seems to be a widespread problem: http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/bug-reports/47/autoskip-not-working-since-upgrading-to-1-1-10600/4640/

Hopefully it will be fixed in the next firmware update.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: GXK on October 10, 2015, 11:39:59 AM
Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Dan9477 on October 10, 2015, 11:40:26 AM
I think we've had more communication from the liquidators in the last few days than we have from ice tv since skippas conception  :-[
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 10, 2015, 12:35:20 PM
I suppose you're getting that news because you didn't receive your Skippa? I received mine but have heard nothing about this except what I've discovered here. I only came here to find out about firmware updates.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 10, 2015, 12:38:20 PM
Quote from: NBOSTI on October 09, 2015, 11:44:02 PM
I was never going to buy a Skippa, (my mac mini set-up has given me 4 tuners for years),..

So how does the Mac Mini setup work? I've thought about those at various times but stuck with my Topfields until Skippa showed up. Are the tuners built in or are they add-ons and if added what's the situation with those please?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 11, 2015, 02:34:18 AM
Quote from: Dan9477 on October 10, 2015, 11:40:26 AM
I think we've had more communication from the liquidators in the last few days than we have from ice tv since skippas conception  :-[

The communication is not from the liquidators, it is from the staff, who are working without pay ATM, so a bit of appreciation wouldn't go astray.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 11, 2015, 10:22:46 AM
G'day Judy,
I think you'll find that Dan9477 is referring to the 4 emails we've received from the Administrators in the past 6 days,  not Dave's responses to posts  on the forum. If you've already got your Skippa,  you won't have received the Administrators emails.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 11, 2015, 12:48:02 PM
Is the total demise of IceTV a foregone conclusion or is the subscription service still a viable business as it seems to have been for many years.
All indications are that Heinz has flown the coop after his grandiose hardware experiment seems to have brought the company to its knees. I hope this perception is wrong, but it is consistent with the behaviour of entrepreneurs and 'visionaries' when things go wrong.
Unfortunately, it looks like the harsh critics and sceptics questioning the integrity of the IceTV management may have been correct. I have been a long time supporter, subscriber and defender of IceTV over many years, so I hope the naysayers are eventually proved wrong. At best it is yet another example of pathetic communication - at worst criminal deceit to keep promising product and taking money from customers.
I wish luck to the Skippa buyers, but suspect the best outcome will be cutting the Skippa away and trying to continue the subscription service as a viable business.
Good luck to the fine staff who have provided the EPG service so many of us value highly.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 11, 2015, 02:38:20 PM
I don't see how the EPG could be viable proposition. All the existing customers are a liability, not an asset, because they expect to receive service (in some cases for many more years) without generating any additional revenue for the company.

Time to wake up and smell the manure under the withered roses.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 11, 2015, 03:07:24 PM
Quote from: peteru on October 11, 2015, 02:38:20 PM
I don't see how the EPG could be viable proposition. All the existing customers are a liability, not an asset, because they expect to receive service (in some cases for many more years) without generating any additional revenue for the company.

Time to wake up and smell the manure under the withered roses.

There are considerable problems. While it is possible to sell the assets, without transferring the obligation to provide EPG and Interactive services, it will make it difficult to get 'existing' subscribers to pay for something they rightly consider that they have already paid for. Not sure how many subscribers have more than 12 month subscription to IceTV service (excluding those that have one device 'lifetime' subscription). There may well be some creative mechanism to keep the service going but it is likely be cash flow negative for some. We can only wait and see what happens.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: bodogbodog on October 11, 2015, 03:53:58 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 11, 2015, 03:07:24 PM
There may well be some creative mechanism to keep the service going but it is likely be cash flow negative for some. We can only wait and see what happens
I think any ongoing offer is going to be for "new subscriptions" for a new service  - the current ones are IMHO dead in the water as anyone taking on the provision of an IceTV replacement EPG must be able to generate income from a subscriber base
Whether that comes to pass is well and truly up in the air
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 11, 2015, 04:05:56 PM
Quote from: peteru on October 11, 2015, 02:38:20 PM
I don't see how the EPG could be viable proposition. All the existing customers are a liability, not an asset, because they expect to receive service (in some cases for many more years) without generating any additional revenue for the company.

Time to wake up and smell the manure under the withered roses.

You are quite possibly right Peter. But there must be an army of Toppy/Humax/Beyonwiz DP (and, according to the Beyonwiz forum, many T) series owners who will crave the IceTV experience under any name. One would think the software/hardware/staff system would be available as a mature, running concern for a song with all the development complete for current PVRs.
I know you have significant history with IceTV - some of it impressive and some far from positive - and a significant interest in T series Beyonwiz, but there has to be a 'nice little earner' opportunity for a savvy service provision company. After all, not every business has to grow massively to produce a steady return.
A lot of people are going to suffer to varying degrees if the EPG service falls over.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: bodogbodog on October 11, 2015, 04:28:54 PM
Quote from: Paul55 on October 11, 2015, 04:05:56 PM
But there must be an army of Toppy/Humax/Beyonwiz DP (and, according to the Beyonwiz forum, many T) series owners who will crave the IceTV experience under any name
and let me add to that list many Windows Media Center users as well (albeit for as long as Win7 and Win8 last given that Microsoft have already abandoned Windows Media Center)
and as far as I know they/we have no other guide options in Australia
Update: - I saw this thread on Whirlpool on options for Windows Media Center if IceTV guide doesn't survive so Win Media Center uses may want to keep an eye on that @ http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2458187

My bet would be that despite losing the value of the current subscriptions there would be many who would be interested in subscribing to a replacement guide - I know I would just for the WAF alone

I'm getting too old for "fiddling" around with technology - I just want it to work...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 11, 2015, 04:38:51 PM
I regard my pre-paid subscription as gone, no matter what happens. I'd be happy to continue on as a new subscriber, though, if that were to turn out to be possible.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 11, 2015, 04:52:12 PM
I think there may be potential in monetizing the EPG itself through advertising ... At least on newer units running the ICE EPG.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 11, 2015, 04:52:46 PM
Quote from: emmsee on October 11, 2015, 10:22:46 AM
G'day Judy,
I think you'll find that Dan9477 is referring to the 4 emails we've received from the Administrators in the past 6 days,  not Dave's responses to posts  on the forum. If you've already got your Skippa,  you won't have received the Administrators emails.

Oops, sorry.  I have cancelled my Skippa before the s**t completely hit the fan and got a refund, so I got no letter from the Administrators.  Although, in a sense, I am still among the creditors as I have a subscription till 2020  :P
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 11, 2015, 05:01:05 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on October 11, 2015, 04:28:54 PM

My bet would be that despite losing the value of the current subscriptions there would be many who would be interested in subscribing to a replacement guide - I know I would just for the WAF alone

I'm getting too old for "fiddling" around with technology - I just want it to work...

That is exactly how I feel.  As much as it would go against the grain to pay for something I have already paid for, I would consider doing that if that would facilitate the EPG service continuing.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 11, 2015, 05:28:16 PM
I too would resubscribe.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 11, 2015, 05:28:28 PM
I've already said this to several people that have asked me, but my opinion is that existing subscriptions are gone forever. I think peteru summed it up well.

What most people probably don't yet realise is that IF - big IF - the TV guide service does continue and gets taken over by someone else, they will likely NOT honour the lifetime Skippa subscription for the skippas or anyone else's paid subscriptions for that matter either, otherwise that company buying into it will be zero profit for a long time to come as they have no income stream until people start to subscribe again. Technically if they are only purchasing the guide service itself, they don't have to honour the previous subscriptions which were contracted to the previous owners not the new owners. They could choose to just purchase the technology, hardware and even employ the staff to run it all, but the existing subscriptions are as good as dead.

If you think about it how will any prospective buyer purchasing the guide service make any money out of it when everyone currently using it is either a lifetime IceTV subscriber or has many years to go, not all that many people I've seen posting are due to renew any time soon. I remember reading that there are 16500 subscribers, if a large chunk of them are already paid up, then where is their income source.

People have signed up to these 5 years subscription services now, they have been on offer for at least 6 to 12 months now. And many of the hardware items they have sold lately have been with lifetime IceTV as well, Like those lifetime humax deals, and the Skippa too. So again no income stream for the prospective buyer.

No income stream for the foreseeable future means not profitable which means no takeover...I am very hopeful that I'm wrong about it, but I give it a low probability of success for takeover. Who in their right mind would pay money for a business where most of its customers have already subscribed so far into the future or for life, with little chance of income being generated...

The only hope is for someone to purchase the technology and hardware and employ the staff and start over possibly offering existing subscribers a good price for 12 months of service including skippas too, i cannot see them continuing to provide a service to people for free for life once taken over.

Only my opinion.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 11, 2015, 05:34:20 PM
PS, I too would resubscribe if given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate.

But I do consider my existing subscriptions as gone...

The more I look at this situation, the more I see the writing was well and truly there, I guess I just didn't want to believe it...

Extending subscriptions to 10 devices instead of 5
Continuing to offer cheap deals for subscriptions
Offering 5 year deals
Constant delays with Skippa

The list goes on, I feel pretty stupid in hind sight...

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 11, 2015, 07:10:47 PM
Quote from: warkus on October 11, 2015, 05:34:20 PM
PS, I too would resubscribe if given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate.

But I do consider my existing subscriptions as gone..

Add me to the list as well. I think most subscribers would fit in this category.
We would remain pissed off at the stupidity of the Heinz/Skippa debacle and the collateral damage to subscription holders. However, there seems to be widespread agreement that the subscription service is an excellent product worth retaining.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM
Quote from: peteru on October 11, 2015, 02:38:20 PM
All the existing customers are a liability, not an asset, because they expect to receive service (in some cases for many more years) without generating any additional revenue for the company.
IMNSHO, the existing subscription customers are only liabilities until their subscriptions expire and are ready for renewal, then they become assets again.  The best way for a potential buyer to realise that potential cashflow would be to keep the EPG feed alive for as long as it can to allow existing subscribers to resubscribe.

Any organisation that would consider buying the EPG business would have to analyse the current portfolio of subscriptions and evaluate the potential future cashflow to be generated as and when the existing subscriptions are renewed as well as the sale of new subscriptions.

They would surely have to know that positive cashflow would take some time to kick in and that there will be some degree of attrition as some users elect not to renew and build this into their business case.  They can get historical churn rates from the existing owners and make some educated projections.

Perhaps a new owner could also offer "early renewals" whereby existing subscribers could get cheaper/longer/whatever renewed subscriptions if the sign up today.  This would also boost the immediate cashflow.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 11, 2015, 07:21:46 PM
Quote from: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM
... IMNSHO, the existing subscription customers are only liabilities until their subscriptions expire and are ready for renewal, then they become assets again. ...
Clearly. But in my case that would be nearly 5 years. That really doesn't help much with cash flow here and now.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: emmsee on October 11, 2015, 07:26:51 PM
I also would pay to renew to a new owner.
Perhaps it would help if the site admin were to commence a POLL, the,  hopefully,  positive result could be passed on to the money grubbers - oops,  Administrators.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:39:19 PM
Quote from: prl on October 11, 2015, 07:21:46 PM
Clearly. But in my case that would be nearly 5 years. That really doesn't help much with cash flow here and now.
Let's scribble on the back of an envelope for a sec. . .

I read somewhere that ICE have 200,000 subscribers.

Let's assume that 10% are "lifetime" subscribers and that another 10% fail to renew.

That leaves 160,000 subscribers to generate future revenue.

Let's say that a subscription is $100 annually, that gives us $16m annual revenue.

Assuming that renewals happen fairly smoothly throughout the year, that means about $1.3m revenue per month.

Yes, the assumptions are just that, to do this properly we would need the real data.  Any potential owner would get this real data during their due diligence prior to putting ink to paper.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 11, 2015, 07:48:23 PM
 If and when they do write off existing subscribers, one thing is sure from my perspective: I will not be sucked into a long subscription period again to simply facilitate the new owners running a similar scam, claiming poor and resetting the clock yet again.

What has happened here appears to be a Pondsey Scheme, conning longer and longer subscriptions whilst knowing all along there was little to no intention to fulfill them ... Then there was the ultimate scam grab distraction with the Skippa ... So new, we really don't know if it was all that was promised, or would ever be ... Upper management should be held accountable and jail terms should be on the table, as they knew they were trading while insolvent.

These who were really screwed are the staff ... Most, if not all if us can suck up a weeks lost pay or so (represented by the skipper and lost subscriptions) ... But these guys have lost much more than that and possibly entitlements such as sick leave, LSL, holiday pay and maybe even compulsory super that hasn't been paid.

Again, Managers heads please ... On pikes preferably.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 11, 2015, 09:56:37 PM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 11, 2015, 07:48:23 PM
conning longer and longer subscriptions whilst knowing all along there was little to no intention to fulfill them ...

I choose to believe this was not the case - even towards the end.

QuoteThen there was the ultimate scam grab distraction with the Skippa ...

IMO the Skippa was an over-ambitious, poorly planned and managed mistake, not a scam. However, the lack of honesty in the final couple of months was disgraceful and typical of slick entrepreneurial behaviour.

QuoteUpper management should be held accountable and jail terms should be on the table, as they knew they were trading while insolvent.

Probably warranted, but unlikely to occur. Some hard time might send a message to others who are happy to play fast and loose with other's money.

QuoteThese who were really screwed are the staff ... Most, if not all if us can suck up a weeks lost pay or so (represented by the skipper and lost subscriptions) ... But these guys have lost much more than that and possibly entitlements such as sick leave, LSL, holiday pay and maybe even compulsory super that hasn't been paid.

As usual. I wonder how much salary etc. Heinz lost.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: GXK on October 11, 2015, 10:10:29 PM
https://imia.edu.au/HeinzHerrmann

It is hard to imagine that a person with these qualifications could be undone by the few hundred thousand Ice tv owe the importer (for the 1000 Skippa units).

Something is a bit fishy... I mean even more fishy than I first thought.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 11, 2015, 10:32:26 PM
The rules for employee entitlement protection have been improved in the last couple of decades, so the risk to employees (besides being suddenly unemployed) are minimal. It is extremely unlikely that employees will run any loses. The same can not be said for contractors, although in my experience, if the exposure is large enough and you get yourself a decent lawyer, you can recover as much as 25-33%. Unsecured creditors are looking at 0-3% return if they are lucky.

As far as the "back of the envelope calculations" are concerned, I'm pretty sure that they are way, way off the mark. Probably at least an order of magnitude inflated, if not two.

Another thing to consider is the assets and intellectual property vested in IceTV. Given the multi-tier structure that has been already exposed, I'd be very, very surprised if the entity known as IceTV Pty. Ltd. (the organisation under administration) owned much. I suspect that any intellectual property would be owned by a different entity and IceTV would be licensed to use that technology. The patents applications that come up against ICeTV are mostly lapsed/ceased. The only patents that have been granted/certified (AU2014101162, AU2013101518) are based on technologies that have been commonly used before the application was made and would be trivially challenged in court. (One really has to wonder about the cluelessness of the institutions issuing patents!) This effectively puts any intellectual property either at an arms distance from IceTV or makes it worthless, thus minimising any positive value in the equation when it comes to winding up the business. We already know that IceTV uses the Amazon cloud hosting infrastructure to provision the services, so there would be minimal hardware assets (not that used computer hardware is worth anything anyway) to dispose of. Or in another words - what is there to buy? As far as I can see, IceTV Pty. Ltd. is a bag of liabilities with no obvious assets to acquire.

If the administrator has another view of the value proposition of IceTV, I'd like to see it, but from where I sit, I see nothing worth investing in. Maintaining the guide will at a minimum involve the capacity to employ at least 4-5 people full time, which will require at least $500,000 per year, perhaps more.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 11, 2015, 10:36:13 PM
Quote from: GXK on October 11, 2015, 10:10:29 PM
https://imia.edu.au/HeinzHerrmann
:o

That picture is way, way out of date. It barely bears the resemblance to Heinz you'd meet today.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 11, 2015, 10:59:13 PM
Quote from: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM

IMNSHO, the existing subscription customers are only liabilities until their subscriptions expire and are ready for renewal, then they become assets again.  The best way for a potential buyer to realise that potential cashflow would be to keep the EPG feed alive for as long as it can to allow existing subscribers to resubscribe.
Would you really purchase a business with no (or very little) income for about 5 years?   You could get a higher return if you put your money in the bank!

Some of the subscribers have lifetime subscriptions, so if you wanted to honour that as well - there is no income, ever.  There are a few subscribers who kept to the yearly subscription (I know of one)  but I'd say 99% have at least a few years up their sleeve. 
Quote from: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM
Any organisation that would consider buying the EPG business would have to analyse the current portfolio of subscriptions and evaluate the potential future cashflow to be generated as and when the existing subscriptions are renewed as well as the sale of new subscriptions.
As I said, no one would purchase a business, when the only chance of income is years away. And of course, there are current expenses - wages to pay, etc. 
Besides, some of those subscribers would be a lot more cautious and a lot less trusting in future.  Personally, I jumped at every offer of a "special" deal up till now - I would definitely only purchase 12 months at a time in  future
Quote from: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM
They would surely have to know that positive cashflow would take some time to kick in and that there will be some degree of attrition as some users elect not to renew and build this into their business case. 
So, why would anyone be interested in a business model like that?
Quote from: DeltaMikeCharlie on October 11, 2015, 07:13:01 PM

Perhaps a new owner could also offer "early renewals" whereby existing subscribers could get cheaper/longer/whatever renewed subscriptions if the sign up today.  This would also boost the immediate cashflow.
That may work, provided existing subscribers were willing to write off whatever they have paid in the past and re-subscribe anew.   I would be certainly interested, but not in a "longer" deal, as I no longer trust that model.  So, it couldn't be called "renewals" but re-subscribing, as a new company couldn't be expected to honour what ever IceTV had promised
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gas667 on October 12, 2015, 09:14:23 AM
I believe that the lifetime EPG for my Skippa is gone. I can't believe an Icetv buyer would honour any prepaid subscription or one included with a device.

Having said that I would be prepared to pay a yearly sub if and only if the new company had nothing to do with the owners/board/CEO of the the old company. As long as Icetv isn't just rebirthed.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: GaryT on October 12, 2015, 09:25:59 AM
I was initially sceptical and hesitant about the ides of paying for an EPG. However, about 18 months ago when my TiVos started to die I purchased a Topfield which came with a 3 month ICE TV subscription so I decided to give it a go. I was quickly converted, mainly for the ease of use and the fact that I could set up all my programming from one spot (ie the PC) and I now have 3 ICe Tv enabled boxes. As a result I signed up to one of the long term discounted offers. Therefore, at this point I'm out of pocket for the unfilled Skippa order I place in June, (Paypal claim has been lodged) and assumably will be out of pocket for my remaining subscription (about 3 years) on the basis that ICE TV goes the way most people are predicting. ie. It ceases to exist along with the EPG or somebody else takes on the EPG and starts from scratch.

Moving forward, should some organisation take on the EPG component of the ICE TV business and continue to deliver it the way it's done at the moment and assumably not honour existing subscriptions, there's no way I'd sign up again even for a term as long as 12 months. However, should a new provider offer a month to month option, even if that were to work out slightly more expensive than say a 12 month or longer subscription I'd most likely consider it. Simply speaking that achieves two things, firstly subscribers have no long term exposure and secondly, the provider has a regular/steady source of revenue.

I also say this on the proviso that Heinze Hermann and Colin O'Brien have absolutely no involvement in whatever comes out the other side of this mess. From my perspective and based  on what I've personally experienced over the last couple of months and what I've read on the various forums, at the very least these two should finish up facing Fraud based criminal charges. Unfortunately though they will probably not and will disappear under a rock for a year or two, come back out when they think everybody has forgotten what happened and likely, do it all again.

edit - Gas667 you must have posted while I was composing this. It appears we have not dissimilar thinking on this.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 03:22:44 PM
It appears that someone is assessing the viability of a monthly subscription service for IceTV. Just got the following email from IceTV Support:

Dear IceTV subscribers,
We, Amanda Lott and Tim Heesh were appointed Voluntary Administrators of the Company on 6 October 2015.
The following request has been written by the Director to the company Mr Colin O'Brien. We as administrators have continued to maintain the ICE TV service to the subscriber base since we were appointed on the 6th October 2015. We know that the service will need to be sold or licensed to another provider for it to remain operable as the company in voluntary administration cannot continue to provide the service indefinitely. Mr O'Brien, in attempting to assist the Voluntary Administrators in finding an alternative service provider, would like to know how many of the current subscribers would immediately renew their subscriptions and pay a new monthly fee if the ICE TV service was to continue. Your immediate response, by midday Tuesday 13 October 2015, will be of assistance in determining whether that service can continue to be provided.
Although we, as Voluntary Administrators are forwarding this email to you as written by Mr O'Brien, we do not express a view as to some of the personal sentiments he conveys in the message.
"To say we are sorry for the mess that has ensued is trite in the extreme but nevertheless I hope you can believe how saddened we are by the events of the past week. Our Skippa project is defunct but it may be possible to licence our complete IceTV EPG and Smart Recording service to a new party. Before we can go ahead with discussions about saving that business we must know how many current subscribers would be prepared to re-subscribe to maintain their enjoyment of the ease of use that it brings to managing TV recording. Unfortunately I must state that your current subscription value is lost although you may he able to recover the unused proportion if you used a credit provider.
Our proposal is for a monthly subscription of $7:99.
We believe our 24/7 accurate EPG data, produced in-house, and integrated smartphone apps, website and PVR hardware for just $2/week represents extremely good value.
If you would subscribe to this service we believe we can get it running so that your current EPG data and PC/Smartphone functionality will not be interrupted.
Colin."


There is a link at the bottom of the email which takes you to a www page where you can indicate if you would interested in taking up the proposed monthly subscription.

[update] This information will apparently be used as part of the process of tempting possible purchasers. If you want IceTV EPG and IceTV Interactive to continue, then this is you chance to indicate your willingness to continue purchasing the service.

It is clear from the information provided that the SKIPPA is dead. The question is how long with firmware updates be provided to deal with the currently known bugs.

Ian

      
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: RubberChicken on October 12, 2015, 03:29:38 PM
I'd resubscribe despite meaning I'd lose the 3 years I have already paid for. I think I got every subscription extension for a huge discount anyway. I have to admit each time I kept seeing these huge subscription discounts a tiny alarm went off :-( so although I'd be saying goodbye to more than $100 prepaid the service is definitely worth keeping.

If only they had stuck to the service and not tried to build a box to compete with a saturated market, and a box with features guaranteed to antagonise. I mean, was skipping through ads with a few presses really so inconvenient it was worth all that?

Cannot imagine watching FTA without IceTV, I've used it since inception and program everything through the app.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: kazz on October 12, 2015, 03:33:50 PM

I got the email as well, replied with a yes as, even though I've lost a 4 month old 5 year subscription I can't imagine not having icetv anymore.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 12, 2015, 03:35:48 PM
Price is not as low as I'd hoped, but on par with the normal $99/year subscription. So, I answered YES.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gas667 on October 12, 2015, 03:37:05 PM
As long as it's a new company with no links to the old.

At least i got my Skippa (actually not sure if that was a bonus - could have lodged a claim with Paypal otherwise) but if anyone from the old company shows up in the new one I won't have anything to do with their products (management and board that is - not support or other staff).

I sent an email explaining all this to support and saying Yes if it's a totally different company. Not sure if it will count but there you go.

I wonder if we see any more firmware for the Skippa. At least to fix the ad skipping. Maybe that's part of the problem?

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 12, 2015, 03:39:16 PM
I say yes also, BUT at $7.99 a month, they had better maintain it to the same level as current or better otherwise I'll switch to auto timers on the T3 instead.

What worries me is if the level of service or quality drops because the new company cuts corners or cuts costs to make it more attractive to them...

Dave and all the others at IceTV have worked hard to make the guide a really good product, I just hope that whoever takes it over can maintain it to the same standard otherwise I'll pull the pin pretty quickly.

I knew the existing subscriptions were gone, it had to be the case, there is just no income stream for an new company to take it over if they honour existing subscriptions, why would they...

Mark
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: jbrogan on October 12, 2015, 03:39:51 PM
I also received the email. Although I found the EPG useful, I find that I watch so little FTA these days that I could easily live without it. I certainly wouldn't send them a single dollar until I was certain the operation was up-and-running under completely new management with no ties to the old. I'll be sitting on the sidelines for now.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Vortical on October 12, 2015, 03:43:12 PM
Quote from: RubberChicken on October 12, 2015, 03:29:38 PM
Cannot imagine watching FTA without IceTV, I've used it since inception and program everything through the app.
+1

I'm losing 5 years of my subscription but I can't imagine dealing with tv guides, repeats and time changes again so I've also clicked YES to the $7.99 monthly proposal.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: ahpigsy on October 12, 2015, 03:43:45 PM
Even though I have a 'Lifetime' subscription I also answered yes. I find the Humax with IceTV a great service and wouldn't like to lose it. So convenient to record anything from your smart phone. Even though it won't recognise ABC as I get a failed timer continually.
I hope Dave still has his job. Somehow I think not.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Mr_Q on October 12, 2015, 03:44:59 PM
I love the "your current subscription value is lost" but we'd love to get another $7.99/month from you ...

Very disappointed the IceTV is going, but given the state of FTA TV these days I guess I'll manage without. Shame about losing several years worth of subscription. :(

It's also annoying that they've removed any details about our current expiry dates which makes making any claims difficult.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gas667 on October 12, 2015, 03:46:20 PM
Quote from: jbrogan on October 12, 2015, 03:39:51 PM
I also received the email. Although I found the EPG useful, I find that I watch so little FTA these days that I could easily live without it. I certainly wouldn't send them a single dollar until I was certain the operation was up-and-running under completely new management with no ties to the old. I'll be sitting on the sidelines for now.

That's my problem though. I watch little FTA but the shows i do watch I want my system to just record. My old Tivo did this wonderfully and I was hoping the Icetv EPG would also just work.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Mantorok on October 12, 2015, 03:53:45 PM
I also voted YES even though I had about 3.5 years of subscription left for my Beyonwiz and a lifetime subscription for my Skippa.

Without the IceTV EPG and Interactive I'd give up on FTA altogether and probably just subscribe to Stan/Netflix or, heaven forbid, Foxtel!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 12, 2015, 03:54:50 PM
If, and only if, the Guide gets up, then I would contemplate buying "my" Skippa that I paid $399 for, for the difference between that and the normal $500 price (I think that would be a Skippa without either the Guide or Ad skip subscription). In other words, I would be prepared to pay another $100 tops. That should come close to the outstanding buy price to ICETV for a Skippa. I think it's such as waste to bin all these units.

But, I would want my Guide subscription to INCLUDE my Skippa, i.e. be valid for up to 5 devices INCLUDING the Skippa. I'm already ducking for cover for such an outrageous suggestion  :o.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: GaryT on October 12, 2015, 03:57:31 PM
I also received the email but replied with 2 questions that I'd need answered before committing to a monthly subscription.

Question 1 - How many devices would be covered by the new monthly subscription ?

Question 2 - Would any of the current Executive/owners/directors be in any way involved in the new arrangement ?

If the answer to question 1 is 5 or higher, the answer to question 2 is ABSOLUTELY NONE and provided I was able to cancel on no more than a months notice then I'd be in.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: logger on October 12, 2015, 04:01:37 PM
I understand the Skippa project is defunct.

However for those of us who actually have Skippas..... Is there any possibility that a licenced version of the Ice TV EPG, operated by a 3rd party would provide Ad skipping functionality.   

I read a suggestion the current lack of skipping is due to a firmware issue. But is true or could it really be due to lack of a monkey in the organ grinder?

I guess my real Q is... IS the Ad Skipping possible with nothing but a functioning Skippa firmware and the Ice TV EPG.   

My vote is YES as I have nothing else to lose and I can actually decide at a later a date is I wish to proceed.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: jezza on October 12, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
I replied with as yes, as although I have money lost with IceTV, I always felt it was a cheap offering and found it was always very useful and accurate for our needs.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: lespato on October 12, 2015, 04:08:48 PM
I renewed about a year ago for 5 years. But I would miss the guide if it went. Wanting to vote yes but GaryT makes a good point. How many devices will they allow for $7.99 per month. This was not mentioned. If it is 1 device per subscription then I would reconsider my vote. I am wondering also if they would keep the existing staff. Dave and the others know the system inside out.

lcp
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: logger on October 12, 2015, 04:01:37 PM
I understand the Skippa project is defunct.

However for those of us who actually have Skippas..... Is there any possibility that a licenced version of the Ice TV EPG, operated by a 3rd party would provide Ad skipping functionality.   

I read a suggestion the current lack of skipping is due to a firmware issue. But is true or could it really be due to lack of a monkey in the organ grinder?

I guess my real Q is... IS the Ad Skipping possible with nothing but a functioning Skippa firmware and the Ice TV EPG.   

My vote is YES as I have nothing else to lose and I can actually decide at a later a date is I wish to proceed.

The add-skipping subscription was, as I understand it, to cover the cost of updating the relevant part of the firmware. Provided that the need to log into the relevant server at least once a day is removed, it will continue to operate indefinitely (problably with ever-decreasing efficiency due to changes in the way adds are placed by commercial TV networks).
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 04:14:07 PM
The way the IceTV Interactive servers currently work, devices with device specific subscriptions are included in the max number of devices that can be used. So, if you have 4 non-SKIPPA devices and a SKIPPA, and the max number of devices allowed per account is say 6, then the SKIPPA will be able to access the service. If it is less than 5, then one or more device would not be able to access the service. This was one reason why they increased the number of devices from 5 to 10 ... because there would be some users who would be unable to add their SKIPPA to there existing account.

The same applies for other device specific subscriptions.

Of course, they new owners could change this.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SpocksBeer on October 12, 2015, 04:18:45 PM
It'd have to be unlimited devices for that price - $7.99 is almost the cost of a Netflix or Stan subscription. I voted yes, but that's also a lot of money for my usage pattern (I've got the Skippa and occasionally use NextPVR with a HDHomeRun as a backup).

I think we're starting to get a feel for exactly how little lube they're going to use with the people who were actually delivered a Skippa...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Stalky on October 12, 2015, 04:19:49 PM
I'm a 'yes' (losing 4+years subs to 2019 and my "lifetime" Skippa sub in the meantime) but only on the no-previous-management proviso that others have raised. Happy to have the "workers" from the old IceTV roll over to a new company but certainly none of the hierarchy. That's a given!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: logger on October 12, 2015, 04:21:09 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 04:09:06 PM
Quote from: logger on October 12, 2015, 04:01:37 PM
I understand the Skippa project is defunct.

However for those of us who actually have Skippas..... Is there any possibility that a licenced version of the Ice TV EPG, operated by a 3rd party would provide Ad skipping functionality.   

I read a suggestion the current lack of skipping is due to a firmware issue. But is true or could it really be due to lack of a monkey in the organ grinder?

I guess my real Q is... IS the Ad Skipping possible with nothing but a functioning Skippa firmware and the Ice TV EPG.   

My vote is YES as I have nothing else to lose and I can actually decide at a later a date is I wish to proceed.

The add-skipping subscription was, as I understand it, to cover the cost of updating the relevant part of the firmware. Provided that the need to log into the relevant server at least once a day is removed, it will continue to operate indefinitely (problably with ever-decreasing efficiency due to changes in the way adds are placed by commercial TV networks).

Thanks, Sounds slightly promising then. I will definitely pay for the EPG if it allows skipping to function.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Likkie on October 12, 2015, 04:23:54 PM
Well I voted YES even though, like many of you, I had years of subscription left.


I've been an IceTV user for 10 years, I like it and I want it to continue.


I don't really care about ad-skipping but I do care about having an accurate and complete TV guide and the automated scheduling is fantastic.  We won't get anything like that elsewhere.



They aren't asking you to commit to anything, they are just trying to suss out numbers to see if it is a viable option moving forward.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: zoszos68 on October 12, 2015, 04:40:10 PM
I just got my email today at 3:02 pm and as I had been in Adelaide (back in Melbourne now) on a short holiday I had not read the forums till after the email.

Not surprised but still annoying although I did get a Skippa it will be useless unless a buyer is found or the firmware can be changed to allow the fta guide or any guide online for that mater.

I will now read right through the thread.

Kevin

Edit I voted yes as well.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: bodogbodog on October 12, 2015, 04:41:22 PM
I've responded YES - lets hope it can be realised
For those vowing never to deal with the ex ICETV management - I suspect some of them will be involved in the new entity - so be prepared to have to accept that or not utilise the new EPG and make alternate arrangements

As an aside I have loved the Skippa ad skipping function (when it works) - its been great to have - but not sure how long that's going to be available for
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: kidhazy on October 12, 2015, 04:42:53 PM
Quote from: Mr_Q on October 12, 2015, 03:44:59 PM
.....
It's also annoying that they've removed any details about our current expiry dates which makes making any claims difficult.

It's still there.   You need to go to the "My Records" tab and hover your mouse over the Ice TV logo next to your device and it will be displayed in a pop-up bubble.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 04:43:27 PM
Add-skipping is not particularly important to me. But I would like my SKIPPA to work properly. For that to happen IceTV EPG and IceTV Interactive are essential.

I am happy to pay the equivalent of two (large) cups of coffee each month to keep my 5 Toppys and SKIPPA humming along because they have IceTV. From the time I took out my last subscription update (4 years for under $150) I knew there was a risk that I would loose all or some of it. It is a sunk cost and irrelevant to my desire to keep my PVRs Iced.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: ghuth on October 12, 2015, 05:05:46 PM
Many of our questions have been answered fairly well, one way or another.

One that remains unanswered for me is with regards to the following quote from the email above received October 2 and signed by Heinz Herrmann.

QuoteWe'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.

I suppose having "plenty of stock in our warehouse" was poorly worded at best.

I'd love some commentary from an employee (Dave?) on this one...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: EdQld on October 12, 2015, 05:26:40 PM
I also voted yes, but like most that is conditional to the Skippa f/w being supported.

I would want a fully functional Skippa, including Ad Skipping, which I quite liked, when it was working   ;)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Eelsfan05 on October 12, 2015, 05:43:06 PM
I will vote No. Once bitten twice shy. I'll get Netflix instead for that price.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Mr_Q on October 12, 2015, 05:46:51 PM
Quote from: kidhazy on October 12, 2015, 04:42:53 PM
Quote from: Mr_Q on October 12, 2015, 03:44:59 PM
.....
It's also annoying that they've removed any details about our current expiry dates which makes making any claims difficult.

It's still there.   You need to go to the "My Records" tab and hover your mouse over the Ice TV logo next to your device and it will be displayed in a pop-up bubble.
Thanks for that. Silly me was looking on the page for it. :P
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
 Sorry @$7.99 someone is living in the previous decade ... That close to the close of a Netflix or Stan subscription and there is no way I am paying THAT much to access An online FTA Guide ... Half that perhaps but this is gouging loyal subscribers to cover their own incompetence!

the FTA guide and auto timers on the T3 are way better value this this proposed rip off!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 06:13:07 PM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Sorry @$7.99 someone is living in the previous decade ... That close to the close of a Netflix or Stan subscription and there is no way I am paying THAT much to access An online FTA Guide ... Half that perhaps but this is gouging loyal subscribers to cover their own incompetence!

the FTA guide and auto timers on the T3 are way better value this this proposed rip off!

I think it good value given the way I use my PVRs. It is the remote management of recordings that provides the greatest value to me, closely followed by knowing a transmission is a repeat or not. Just depends on what an individual values.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Stalky on October 12, 2015, 06:20:34 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on October 12, 2015, 04:41:22 PM
I've responded YES - lets hope it can be realised
For those vowing never to deal with the ex ICETV management - I suspect some of them will be involved in the new entity - so be prepared to have to accept that or not utilise the new EPG and make alternate arrangements

As an aside I have loved the Skippa ad skipping function (when it works) - its been great to have - but not sure how long that's going to be available for

If any of the previous management are involved in a new "IceTV" company, I'll walk away, throw my Skippa in the bin, and buy something totally unrelated (probably a Beyonwiz or such running on the std EPG). I can't stand being lied to or being led along for a ride!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: nis200sx on October 12, 2015, 06:23:15 PM
Quote from: gas667 on October 12, 2015, 03:37:05 PM
As long as it's a new company with no links to the old.

At least i got my Skippa (actually not sure if that was a bonus - could have lodged a claim with Paypal otherwise) but if anyone from the old company shows up in the new one I won't have anything to do with their products (management and board that is - not support or other staff).

I sent an email explaining all this to support and saying Yes if it's a totally different company. Not sure if it will count but there you go.

I don't have a problem with the existing/previous owner(s) rescuing ice tv. 

Going by what I have been told by icetv staff, once it all comes out we will realise that the management and owners of icetv were not to blame for the current situation. It plays out like a falling row of dominos as they struggled to reverse the unfolding situation.

Apparently ice tv got repeatedly stuffed around and lied to by a company that was supplying their Skippa and then repeatedly changed their terms as they went along. Previously agreed to shared development costs became solely icetv's costs, skippa's manufacturing cost price went up minimum order quantities tripled, then they had to pay in full in advance, and delivery timeframes blew out to 4 months, the manufacturer suddenly decided to cease operations in Australia on 30 September and the manufacturer's previously arranged service and retail distribution deals vanished. Once icetv realised that to meet the current version of these ever changing terms they would need to then operate dangerously close to the red for the next 6 months with no guarantee of retail chain stores taking up the skippa and aus post making more profit from delivering each skippa than ice tv would make last thursday one of ice tv's secured creditors called in the substantial loan that they had lent the company during the time of the channel nine court cases (where the court awarded costs were millions less than the actual costs), and to ensure icetv's growth over the following years. Once the funds from that loan were demanded the house of cards came down.

Even though I and my family are losing a combined decade of subscriptions I personally would still subscribe to a new/similar version of the ice guide and series recording as long UEC are not involved and I would prefer Colin O'Brien and the current/previous staff to still be involved. Colin is said to have been the enthusiastic driving force behind ice tv for the last decade or more and at least with him involved I'm confident that the right person is steering the ship. I believe O'Brien and his family have lost millions.

Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 06:56:10 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 12, 2015, 06:13:07 PM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 05:51:05 PM
Sorry @$7.99 someone is living in the previous decade ... That close to the close of a Netflix or Stan subscription and there is no way I am paying THAT much to access An online FTA Guide ... Half that perhaps but this is gouging loyal subscribers to cover their own incompetence!

the FTA guide and auto timers on the T3 are way better value this this proposed rip off!

I think it good value given the way I use my PVRs. It is the remote management of recordings that provides the greatest value to me, closely followed by knowing a transmission is a repeat or not. Just depends on what an individual values.

Ian

I have 1 pvr and always felt this multiple recorders was a con ... How many synchronous programs can you need to record anyway?  My T3 has 4 tuners and that is overkill.
Ice TV has been great to keep my timers organised, but it won't be that hard to convert them across to auto timers ... The only missing thing for me will be the occasional remote recording, but with all the free catch up services, who cares.

I really cannot see value in $8 per month ... $96 a year! Que Michael Caton: "Tell em their dreamin" there just ain't enough archivists, like those expressing the value proposition here, to make it work.

My prediction is they will require a year up front.... Service will decline ... Then they will bugger off with 3-6 months of the second bite you guys are going to pay them.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 12, 2015, 06:57:14 PM
Quote from: Eelsfan05 on October 12, 2015, 05:43:06 PM
I will vote No. Once bitten twice shy. I'll get Netflix instead for that price.

Don't forget to include the cost of a higher data plan for Netflix. Also, if you want Netflix on multiple devices, it will also cost more than $8 per month.
You also won't get a lot of shows that are still on FTA.
Netflix has done a brilliant job of promoting itself but make sure you know what you will (and won't) get.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: grmarks on October 12, 2015, 07:05:05 PM
My skippa will not record, seems it is linked only to the ice TV program guide. Is anyone who worked on the programming for skippa what to write a software update that will let it function as a normal PVR? After all it has 3 tuners so it is still useful for catching multiple programs on at the same time even without the ice TV EPG.
As it is now it's just a boat anchor. 
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: halcyonjohn on October 12, 2015, 07:16:20 PM
I'm with you Warkus

I feel for Dave and the others who have given exemplary service for many years.  I truly hope that they, and their company, can continue.  I have voted 'Yes' to indicate my willingness to contribute more dollars to the company's survival even though I've lost two subscriptions, and have a Skippa box that may not have an EPG (and hence the ability to record) if the company cannot find a buyer.  BTW: My wife and I have been retired for some years, so this really hurts.

Quote from: warkus on October 07, 2015, 09:16:25 PM
Dave,

I feel for you and your staff and what you must be going through at present.

Are you still employed?

Can you give some indication on what's going to happen next? is the guide going to continue to be produced, at least for the interim?

Will the shipment of Skippas that were supposed to be in stock now ever see the light of day?

Will Skippa FTA firmware now be released based on these events?

So many questions...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: bodogbodog on October 12, 2015, 09:24:34 PM
Quote from: nis200sx on October 12, 2015, 06:23:15 PM
I don't have a problem with the existing/previous owner(s) rescuing ice tv. 
Going by what I have been told by icetv staff, once it all comes out we will realise that the management and owners of icetv were not to blame for the current situation. It plays out like a falling row of dominos as they struggled to reverse the unfolding situation.
I don't have any inside insight but what you describe makes sense - the supplier they chose for Skippa let them down badly in terms of quality and their demise (at least at a local level) bought down both companies
I'm ok with the existing/previous owner(s) rescuing IceTV
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: bodogbodog on October 12, 2015, 09:29:04 PM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 06:56:10 PM
...but it won't be that hard to convert them across to auto timers ...

Way you go - pop back and let us know when you've got it working as from what I've heard from experienced Wiz users achieving IceTV functionality through Auto Timers will not be easy.
As Michael Caton said it may be a case of "tell them they're dreaming"...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 11:06:15 PM
Quote from: Paul55 on October 12, 2015, 06:57:14 PM
Quote from: Eelsfan05 on October 12, 2015, 05:43:06 PM
I will vote No. Once bitten twice shy. I'll get Netflix instead for that price.

Don't forget to include the cost of a higher data plan for Netflix. Also, if you want Netflix on multiple devices, it will also cost more than $8 per month.
You also won't get a lot of shows that are still on FTA.
Netflix has done a brilliant job of promoting itself but make sure you know what you will (and won't) get.

On iinet and westnet Netflix traffic is free 8D
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
Quote from: bodogbodog on October 12, 2015, 09:29:04 PM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 06:56:10 PM
...but it won't be that hard to convert them across to auto timers ...

Way you go - pop back and let us know when you've got it working as from what I've heard from experienced Wiz users achieving IceTV functionality through Auto Timers will not be easy.
As Michael Caton said it may be a case of "tell them they're dreaming"...

There just timers mate, not rocket science ... I've had a mix since I got the beyonwiz and ICETV screwed up my areas EPG anyway for all Win programming.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: nis200sx on October 13, 2015, 12:02:18 AM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 06:56:10 PM
I have 1 pvr and always felt this multiple recorders was a con ... How many synchronous programs can you need to record anyway?  My T3 has 4 tuners and that is overkill.
Ice TV has been great to keep my timers organised, but it won't be that hard to convert them across to auto timers ... The only missing thing for me will be the occasional remote recording, but with all the free catch up services, who cares.

Multiple recorders wasn't a con. Most people only have 1, so allowing you to have multiple recorders on 1 account was a bonus only for the small percentage who are power users. I think they said they increased it to 10 because some skipper buyers already had 5 recorders.

Catchup doesn't show every program, and my Beyonwiz is hopeless for viewing the catchup channels, so I'd rather record it when it was aired... which brings me back to needing ice tv.

IMHO auto timers and taps are a poor second if they have to use the fta guide.

Quote from: Chopsus on October 12, 2015, 06:56:10 PM
My prediction is they will require a year up front.... Service will decline ... Then they will bugger off with 3-6 months of the second bite you guys are going to pay them.

I read it is as $8 per month, paid by the month. So the most we could lose is less than $8.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chuckles on October 13, 2015, 12:25:23 AM
Despite being a long time IceTV subscriber with a registered e-mail address which successfully receives messages from IceTV, I haven't received any e-mails regarding the appointment of administrators, nor the latest query re: whether I would resubscribe to the EPG service. I've learned of both via the Beyonwiz forums.  ::)

I would express my interest in re-subscribing to the EPG service, but I have no e-mail and hence no link to click.

I wonder how many other people have also not received any communication and have absolutely no idea this is going on...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 13, 2015, 04:58:45 AM
Quote from: GaryT on October 12, 2015, 03:57:31 PM
I also received the email but replied with 2 questions that I'd need answered before committing to a monthly subscription.

Question 1 - How many devices would be covered by the new monthly subscription ?

Question 2 - Would any of the current Executive/owners/directors be in any way involved in the new arrangement ?

If the answer to question 1 is 5 or higher, the answer to question 2 is ABSOLUTELY NONE and provided I was able to cancel on no more than a months notice then I'd be in.

To be fair, I don't think they could answer question one, it could only be hypothetical and I doubt they would be willing to answer question 2 if there was a chance of the answer being in the affirmative  :P

I certainly agree with you that I wouldn't want to be part of anything that would profit the current management, but I suppose all we can do is vote yes, which of course is not a binding contract or anything, so if we find out that any eventual arrangement is not to our liking, we can still decide not to sign up

I am afraid that if we all vote no, or abstain, than no one will be interested in taking it up, so we will end up being the at a loss
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: csutak40 on October 13, 2015, 05:23:00 AM
Quote from: nis200sx on October 12, 2015, 06:23:15 PM


I don't have a problem with the existing/previous owner(s) rescuing ice tv. 

Going by what I have been told by icetv staff, once it all comes out we will realise that the management and owners of icetv were not to blame for the current situation. It plays out like a falling row of dominos as they struggled to reverse the unfolding situation.



All of that may be true (and I know nothing about O'Brien, as he kept in the background all through this) but all I do know is all the lies we have been fed by Heinz for years now.  Nothing excuses that.

I think most people would  have been a lot more forgiving if they were told the  truth, but it was one lie after the other.  I was lucky, I cancelled just in time.  For me, the last  straw was that podcast and then, having written to him to seek assurances based on what he said, and getting no reply, I was told that he doesn't talk to plebs (well, words to that effect :P)

That it when I decided that I will not be willing to be a beta tester at the prices they were asking, though I'd wait until they are available retail and the bugs have been  ironed out.  So. I was lucky. 

I certainly wouldn't  want anything to do with a company that Heinz is a part of.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: nis200sx on October 13, 2015, 11:06:25 AM
Quote from: csutak40 on October 13, 2015, 04:58:45 AM
, but I suppose all we can do is vote yes, which of course is not a binding contract or anything, so if we find out that any eventual arrangement is not to our liking, we can still decide not to sign up

I am afraid that if we all vote no, or abstain, than no one will be interested in taking it up, so we will end up being the at a loss

+1
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: nis200sx on October 13, 2015, 11:18:22 AM
Quote from: Chuckles on October 13, 2015, 12:25:23 AM
Despite being a long time IceTV subscriber with a registered e-mail address which successfully receives messages from IceTV, I haven't received any e-mails regarding the appointment of administrators, nor the latest query re: whether I would resubscribe to the EPG service. I've learned of both via the Beyonwiz forums.  ::)

I would express my interest in re-subscribing to the EPG service, but I have no e-mail and hence no link to click.

I wonder how many other people have also not received any communication and have absolutely no idea this is going on...

I was going to post the link from my email... but it includes a code that would link it back to my account. So basically everyone would be voting with my login details and those extra votes probably would not count as we probably can only vote once.

The following resub_query url with my id code removed takes me to a page that says to email admin@tphinsolvency.com.au

https://www.icetv.com.au/cgi-bin/webmembers.cgi?op=resub_query
Missing information from link, please contact admin@tphinsolvency.com.au

We need to vote or email admin@tphinsolvency.com.au by midday today (50 minutes from now). i.e. midday Tuesday 13 October 2015
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: grmarks on October 13, 2015, 12:27:44 PM
I started with a Beyonwiz recorder but really hated the user interface. It also had a faulty hard drive which made it unreliable to record with. Once the hard drive was replaced it worked much better, but the link to the ice TV EPG was a bit hit and miss.
Enter the Skippa. I have had it about 2 weeks now and am loving the user interface, and how well it intergrates to the ice TV EPG and app.
The add skipping (while not perfect but good enough) is great. I think this box is a real winner. I have foxtel (IQ3) as well but find myself using the skippa to record and watch free to air TV. It's just so good.
I set the skippa to record all the free to air programs and the foxtel box to record only foxtel channels. That way I get everything I could ever want. I record the news on both boxes. And as I said I gravitate to the skippa to watch it.
For comparison - I had foxtel IQ1, IQ2 and now IQ3. It took them years to get IQ2 debugged. IQ3 is so buggy it's almost a joke. There are still many features that don't work on it, or work this time but not next time????? It is also responds very slowly. Updates take months to come out.
Skippa by comparison has had 2 updates (in 2 weeks - first one was when first fired up), and a third which was not far away. Hope we still get it after all this stuff now.

If what they are saying is true, about the demise of the company, then I think someone should step in and rescue the current company as I feel there is a great future in this skippa unit and ice TV in general, once word gets out about how good it really is. I hope the receivers read some of these posts and try really hard to keep the company afloat. What about some government money to save some jobs, even if it's just a loan with a friendly repayment plan?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: grmarks on October 13, 2015, 12:44:39 PM
Just to add a bit more, Elon Musk the CEO of Tesla motors, got to the point where he invested his last $2,000,000 (from 250,000,000 to 0) to keep the company afloat. As luck would have it the US government stepped in at the right time and he got a grant and kept the company afloat. He is a bit of a genius, yet still could have failed. As it stands he is a billionair now. Kerry Packer and his dad has some close calls but luck saved them, also fairfax.

The point being that it takes some bold moves to make a strong company. I think the bold move to build a skippa unit was a good call, but it seems not just a bit of bad luck, but a LOT of bad luck has sunk the company. If the company could be propped up and skippa units get into stores and some advertising on TV, could be a really good company.     
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 13, 2015, 12:49:34 PM
Quote from: JPP on October 12, 2015, 03:54:50 PM
If, and only if, the Guide gets up, then I would contemplate buying "my" Skippa that I paid $399 for, for the difference between that and the normal $500 price (I think that would be a Skippa without either the Guide or Ad skip subscription). In other words, I would be prepared to pay another $100 tops. That should come close to the outstanding buy price to ICETV for a Skippa. I think it's such as waste to bin all these units.

But, I would want my Guide subscription to INCLUDE my Skippa, i.e. be valid for up to 5 devices INCLUDING the Skippa. I'm already ducking for cover for such an outrageous suggestion  :o.
Well, I did put in my 2 cents worth re reviving the Skippa, but so far no one has taken to comment on this idea. What on earth would UAC be going to do with the Skippas they now hold. Maybe reprogram them to the 9600 ? - that's one option to try to recoup some of the loss....

Maybe a better one would be to start a new company, and like what is being floated for the ICETV guide, do the same for the Skippa.

But, to ensure its (Skippa's) survival if the new company were to go broke, build in the ability to switch to FTA EPG from day one.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 13, 2015, 01:18:17 PM
It'd be nice to know what kind of money it would take to keep the company going. Maybe an investment group of existing IceTV/Skippa people could scrape enough up to keep the company viable.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: JPP on October 13, 2015, 01:29:36 PM
Quote from: gibster on October 13, 2015, 01:18:17 PM
It'd be nice to know what kind of money it would take to keep the company going. Maybe an investment group of existing IceTV/Skippa people could scrape enough up to keep the company viable.

gib
I would certainly want to keep the Skippa and ICETV as separate identities. If, and it's a big IF, existing staff that look (looked) after the Skippa specifically would basically need very little capital (on the assumption that I made that they would be able to buy Skippas that had already been paid for (to ICETV) from UEC for the $100 mark that I suggested earlier), and IF these existing "owners" were all ready and willing to pay the extra $100. All new units(i.e. new customers) to be at the full price of say $500. This price is comparable to most other ICETV enabled PVRs on the current market of similar capability and specs.

Now, there are many, many more things to nut out, like the IP for the Skippa needing to be handed over for free, and so on, and so on.....

But, I just wanted us to think a bit laterally and see if this "thought bubble" of mine has any credence. 
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SpocksBeer on October 13, 2015, 03:28:04 PM
Skippa's dead, Jim.  IMO, It's not coming back in any form.  I'd be super surprised if there was even another firmware release given that there's no money for...well, anything, and probable IP concerns that the administrator would be looking at.  Yes, I'm pissed since it seems like as someone who actually received their Skippa, I'm going to be left with an unmaintained brick. 

The EPG service may be of value to a prospective buyer, if it can be monetised (via enough people agreeing to a monthly fee structure), but Skippa is just a support nightmare with a tiny use base and a money pit. Time will tell, I guess.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 13, 2015, 03:39:21 PM
I'll be pretty sad if Skippa does become a brick regardless of the EPG getting new legs. I had 2 Topfields. Ive found myself lamenting that what I had recorded and wanted to watch was in the other room cause my kids are claiming TV rights now. The Skippa solved that issue for me by DLNA and I could watch what I'd recorded from any device on my network. I know there are other options that will do that but Skippa showed up right when I was considering options; I've been with Ice TV an awful long time; it offered ad skipping; was attractive based on lifetime EPG access included; and I do love the interface I've discovered since receiving the device.

I hope I'm not going to have to trash it and go back to the 2 Topfields. Despite all the bad things being said it's a good option for me.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 13, 2015, 03:45:04 PM
In all probability the absence of the promised firmware update goes back to the OEM. News reports indicate that they have not been paid for the SKIPPAs that have been delivered, so the licensing of the OS may be the issue.

It would be a bit heavy-handed of the OEM not to allow the release of a firmware update that has been in testing for over a week. Not sure if they are, for the purposes of the Australian Consumer Law the importer of the SKIPPA, but if they are then failure to fix the firmware problem may be a breach of the Law. The SKIPPAs were delivered to the OEM warehouse, and those still in the warehouse are apparently still owned by the OEM, so they could well be the importer. They also shipped them to the consumers.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: SpocksBeer on October 13, 2015, 04:01:10 PM
My reading of what's going on at the moment, WRT the firmware, is that the release/non-release is in the hands of IceTV.  Which is to say it's up to the VA.  IceTV were the importers of the UEC product.

Given the information vacuum, this is of course total speculation.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 13, 2015, 04:19:46 PM
Quote from: SpocksBeer on October 13, 2015, 04:01:10 PM
IceTV were the importers of the UEC product.

Given the information vacuum, this is of course total speculation.

Yes, it is speculation. The news reports suggest that the OEM was UEC Altech (the Australian company), rather than the member of the Altech group that actually manufactured the unit. If that is in fact the case, they would presumably be a manufacturer for the purposes of the Australian Consumer Law. The fact that they have suspended operations in Australia is a complicating factor.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Cashie on October 13, 2015, 05:27:05 PM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 13, 2015, 04:19:46 PM
Quote from: SpocksBeer on October 13, 2015, 04:01:10 PM
IceTV were the importers of the UEC product.

Given the information vacuum, this is of course total speculation.

Yes, it is speculation. The news reports suggest that the OEM was UEC Altech (the Australian company), rather than the member of the Altech group that actually manufactured the unit. If that is in fact the case, they would presumably be a manufacturer for the purposes of the Australian Consumer Law. The fact that they have suspended operations in Australia is a complicating factor.

Ian

Bit of a coincidence that the UEC webpage has also gone down? http://www.uec.com.au/ (http://www.uec.com.au/)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: warkus on October 13, 2015, 05:31:56 PM
Quote from: Cashie on October 13, 2015, 05:27:05 PM

Bit of a coincidence that the UEC webpage has also gone down? http://www.uec.com.au/ (http://www.uec.com.au/)

Actually its not...

The UEC web page has been flaky for years. Being an owner of an Altech 9600, there has been many times its been down for weeks at a time, let alone days.

This has been well reported by many users on Whirlpool in the 9600 thread.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: tonymy01 on October 13, 2015, 08:33:57 PM
Hi all, long time away from the forums, family life and young child now...I didn't get the receivership email like many,I learnt about this when going on the web on the weekend to set a timer...
I did get the email this weekend about the potential to pay to keep going,I too said yes despite losing my current subscription to around the 2020 mark:(
I rely heavily on setting timers from Ice now, with little time to dig around a guide tracking scheduling changes etc...I was shocked by the announcement as I could see missing out on lots of shows I record (in saying that, with overseas work, family etc,I have two Beyonwiz PVRs nearly full, 1TB+2TB!)
I am seriously thinking about a T4 now...
I did work a long time ago at getting a free xml guide working on the wiz (for setting timers only though!) but did require hacking the f/w a bit to enable telnet etc.  Perhaps I will look back at this again? It won't be able to manage timer clashes so well though :( (I use Ice to spread around my timers to deal with the 4 tuners over 2PVRs, and any clashes I would typically get an email from Ice which I could then resolve across the two PVRs).
Sigh...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 13, 2015, 08:38:56 PM
http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/thanks-and-farwell/4648/;topicseen
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 13, 2015, 08:41:55 PM
Quote from: tonymy01 on October 13, 2015, 08:33:57 PM
... I am seriously thinking about a T4 now...
I did work a long time ago at getting a free xml guide working on the wiz (for setting timers only though!) but did require hacking the f/w a bit to enable telnet etc.  Perhaps I will look back at this again? It won't be able to manage timer clashes so well though :( (I use Ice to spread around my timers to deal with the 4 tuners over 2PVRs, and any clashes I would typically get an email from Ice which I could then resolve across the two PVRs).
...

I've been running our T4 in parallel for a while with the same recording load as our DPs. The only failure I've had with unresolvable clashes was on the DPs. When IceTV ends, the DPs will get taken out of service, because it won't be worth the effort to keep them going with manual timers.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Paul55 on October 13, 2015, 09:01:49 PM
Quote from: prl on October 13, 2015, 08:41:55 PM
When IceTV ends, the DPs will get taken out of service, because it won't be worth the effort to keep them going with manual timers.

I'm using Ice on 3 DPs and a Toppy 2400 over 2 rooms. I also have another DP in a 3rd room.
I can see myself using the DPs for weekly recordings on ABC and SBS - more consistent show times. I'll keep a DP in each room to enable watching of other Wiz recordings.
I'll learn to use the SmartEPG TAP on the Toppy, but realise it won't give me all that Ice has (or as easily).
A T series Beyonwiz (yet to be purchased) will probably become the main recording device for the house - with the benefit of being able to view recordings on networked DP units. Then I'll need to learn to use AutoTimers on the T series. My initial research indicates increased blood pressure and Panadol consumption is in my future.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 13, 2015, 09:59:44 PM
Quote from: Paul55 on October 13, 2015, 09:01:49 PMI'll need to learn to use AutoTimers on the T series. My initial research indicates increased blood pressure and Panadol consumption is in my future.
Only if you are hell-bent on never recording a repeat. If you are happy to delete the repeats as you go, you'll be fine. With a 6TB option, you have plenty of time up your sleeve to get around to deleting unwanted shows.

IMHO it's a lot easier to get autotimers to record a few more things and just delete a few shows that you don't care about.

Quote from: tonymy01 on October 13, 2015, 08:33:57 PMlong time away from the forums
...
manage timer clashes
Yes, you have been MIA for a long time.

My advice would be to ditch the DP-Series and get yourself a T4 as the main PVR and a T2 as your development/hacking box. You can trade in your old PVRs when you buy the T-series. Even an old Toppy 5000PVRt will fetch you a $50 credit with Beyonwiz. The T-series are very clever when it comes to timer management and timer conflicts are extremely rare. The T4 will easily record 10 streams at the same time and timers can overlap any way you like.

It's all open source and very easy to hack. Basically, the T-series is the PVR you (and I) really wanted back in the Toppy 5k days ;-)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: tonymy01 on October 14, 2015, 12:28:49 AM
Quote from: peteru on October 13, 2015, 09:59:44 PM
My advice would be to ditch the DP-Series and get yourself a T4 as the main PVR and a T2 as your development/hacking box. You can trade in your old PVRs
The HDDs are nearly full though, pity I can't just pull out the HDDs and stick in a NAS and be useful for the T4 as is, no transferring/converting.  I kept looking at that trading option from BW thinking "hey, I might still need all my PVRs, I have nothing to trade" lol.  The 5K I keep around just in case someone one day wants me to check something TAP wise ;).
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 14, 2015, 09:22:28 AM
I don't know for sure, but I thought I noticed the possibility of saving recordings to a network location (ie:NAS) when dreading through the T3/4 settings?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 14, 2015, 10:54:49 AM
Quote from: Chopsus on October 14, 2015, 09:22:28 AM
I don't know for sure, but I thought I noticed the possibility of saving recordings to a network location (ie:NAS) when dreading through the T3/4 settings?
The T series setup is not the most user-friendly in the world, but "dreading" is a bit strong ;)

It's possible to set the default recording location to any folder, including to a NAS. It's also possible to set the recording location for a manual timer or an AutoTimer to be any folder.

If you're answering tonymy01's post, though, that's not what he's asking: he (ideally) wants to be able to play DP series recordings on a T series without any conversion, and he knows that's not currently possible.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: EdQld on October 14, 2015, 02:49:08 PM
Mark tried to use the PVR9600's f/w on the Skippa without luck, but perhaps all might not be lost, Altech UEC's next Unit might
have the same internals/SOC as the Skippa and we can then use it's f/w to get our Skippa's running again?

In the meantime we need to keep the Skippa alive in the Media and associated with the manufacturer, Altech UEC, to encourage them
to provide us with a f/w update to give the Skippa access to the FTA EPG

I just don't want to end up with a permanent, expensive paperweight
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 14, 2015, 03:10:06 PM
Come on someone..... Keep the IceTV Guide service going :)
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: lespato on October 14, 2015, 03:33:57 PM
You would think someone would invest in the Icetv service as it is not being done by anybody. There is nothing else on the market like it. Just reading the forums there are loads of people that will miss it. I think if a company took it over which had an advertising budget I think with the proper promotion they would have a real winner on their hands. I joined in 2011.Only stubbled on Icetv while surfing the net. I am the only one in our street with it. Nobody has heard of it. I showed my neighbour how it worked setting recordings   from your phone and he couldn't believe it. We all just took it for granted when we had it.
Anyway  just my thoughts. Best wishes to Dave and the rest of the staff.

lcp
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 14, 2015, 04:47:48 PM
So Gizmodo is reporting that Ice TV is now officially dead and buried. Can anyone confirm that?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 14, 2015, 05:11:12 PM
I expect we'll get some kind of work from the administrators soon one way or the other.

Wonder what kind of money it would take to get the guide part of the business.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 14, 2015, 05:12:52 PM
Quote from: lespato on October 14, 2015, 03:33:57 PMYou would think someone would invest in the Icetv service ...
Read Dave at IceTV's farewell message (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/thanks-and-farwell/4648/msg23494#msg23494). There was. They couldn't secure some of the IceTV staff that they thought they needed to keep it running.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: gibster on October 14, 2015, 05:20:19 PM
Quote from: prl on October 14, 2015, 05:12:52 PM
Quote from: lespato on October 14, 2015, 03:33:57 PMYou would think someone would invest in the Icetv service ...
Read Dave at IceTV's farewell message (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/thanks-and-farwell/4648/msg23494#msg23494). There was. They couldn't secure some of the IceTV staff that they thought they needed to keep it running.

So Dave, what do they need? There's a few thousand of us out here, maybe we could all figure something out.

gib
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Chopsus on October 14, 2015, 06:50:06 PM
Might be throwing good money after bad mate ... Sounds like the real brains trust of the EPG have told them to stick it ... Understandable given management managed to leverage everyone out of work on a pipe dream paper weight called Skippa!
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Ea5e on October 14, 2015, 08:14:48 PM
As a lucky unsecured creditor, I chucked the administrator's letter in the bin, went out and bought Fetch TV from HN. Very happy with it
Pluses
Hand curated EPG, no subscription, accurate so far
Smooth, easy and pretty EPG / GUI. Major step up from clunky Wiz
Movies on demand (Not opting for extra Foxtel-like subscription package). Streams nicely (Telstra cable)
Netflix app. Signed straight on to my US account (router is geo-unblocked)
Series recording, mobile apps.
1TB storage, managed
Minuses
No repeat exclusion, but does sort by seasons for easy recognition of repeats
Have to FF through ads. Jump back feature for overshoot

So, more capability than Skippa would ever have, $379, minus ad skip. Not a big deal
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Pursya on October 14, 2015, 08:20:24 PM
Quote from: Heideho on October 14, 2015, 04:47:48 PM
So Gizmodo is reporting that Ice TV is now officially dead and buried. Can anyone confirm that?

I posted this link; http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/thanks-and-farwell/4648/;topicseen
On this page yesterday.
Ice TV is gone because some of the staff, who obviously are the tech geniuses, have rightly got jobs elsewhere,
Can't blame them for that.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 14, 2015, 11:27:23 PM
I must have missed that.

Contemplating the change in my viewing habits tonight as life without Ice TV sinks in.

Got to replace the new Skippa with the old Topfield. Actually read the TV guide now and watch out for programs I want and make sure I keep the times/dates in step with airtimes. Keep an eye out for when those new programs are airing.

It's been so long I wonder if I remember how the Topfield uses the FTA guide.

I wish there was an affordable service that managed all this stuff for me. Oh, right...
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: dinkum on October 14, 2015, 11:55:19 PM
Simple question anybody, what is the future of my Skippa?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Garywg on October 15, 2015, 02:11:38 AM
Quote from: dinkum on October 14, 2015, 11:55:19 PM
Simple question anybody, what is the future of my Skippa?

Dust collector, at least its a spare hard drive...
One day there might be an updated firmware for them if the importers want to sell the rest of them in Australia, they might just junk them.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 15, 2015, 07:48:24 AM
A friend made the following suggestion:

* Get the Skipper EPG protocol documentation from ICE.
* Write a program that can get FTA or Internet EPG and convert it to the Skippa protocol.
* Run that program on a Toppy or Raspberry Pi or whatever.
* Change your internal DNS to point to your program and not the Skipper EPG site.

This would be a huge effort for very few users.


Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: markb on October 15, 2015, 09:09:29 AM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 15, 2015, 07:48:24 AM
A friend made the following suggestion:
I already thought of that myself so earlier this week I inserted a raspberry pi in bridge mode series with my toppy and used wireshark to capture the http dialog to reverse engineer the protocol. Most home routers allow you to set explicit DNS entries.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: peteru on October 15, 2015, 03:19:53 PM
You don't need to reverse engineer the protocol. There is already an open source implementation of the new API on the Beyonwiz T-series. It was available well before the Skippa even went on sale (actually, even before IceTV decided on who would OEM the Skippa) and it was the first PVR to support the new IceTV API.

All you need to do is write a compatible server. I would not bother.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: markb on October 15, 2015, 03:27:04 PM
Quote from: peteru on October 15, 2015, 03:19:53 PM
You don't need to reverse engineer the protocol. There is already an open source implementation of the new API on the Beyonwiz T-series. It was available well before the Skippa even went on sale (actually, even before IceTV decided on who would OEM the Skippa) and it was the first PVR to support the new IceTV API.

Any chance you can provide a link? Is it the same as your (old) stuff at http://icebox.sourceforge.net/?
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: prl on October 15, 2015, 05:00:28 PM
The Beyonwiz T4 IceTV API is in https://bitbucket.org/beyonwiz/easy-ui-4/overview

Click on the Source link in the sidebar, then lib/python/Plugins/SystemPlugins/IceTV in the file browser pages.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 16, 2015, 11:04:48 AM
I received the reminder email overnight that my Ice TV subscription expires next Friday. :(
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: IanL-S on October 16, 2015, 11:17:39 AM
Quote from: Heideho on October 16, 2015, 11:04:48 AM
I received the reminder email overnight that my Ice TV subscription expires next Friday. :(

Check to make sure you do not have auto-renew activated.

Ian
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Daniel Hall at IceTV on October 16, 2015, 11:33:21 AM
Quote from: IanL-S on October 16, 2015, 11:17:39 AM
Quote from: Heideho on October 16, 2015, 11:04:48 AM
I received the reminder email overnight that my Ice TV subscription expires next Friday. :(

Check to make sure you do not have auto-renew activated.

Ian

This is definitely not an issue, auto-renewals are not being processed.

Also any outstanding auto renewals would not carry across to whatever happens next.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Heideho on October 16, 2015, 11:49:29 AM
No my auto renewal was turned off when my Skippa was coming. Had to extend it a couple of times towards the end for an additional month on month to cover the shipping delays.
Title: Re: IceTv in Voluntary Administarion
Post by: Dave at IceTV on October 16, 2015, 12:10:44 PM
UPDATE: See IceTV Resurrected (http://forum.icetv.com.au/iceforum/general-discussions/1/icetv-resurrected/4654/)