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Permalink Reply by Biggles on August 24, 2015 at 15:46

As I understand it with FreeView Plus live TV is played using the DVB-T signal and previous episodes (OnDemand) is played using an Internet stream.

Yes

If I buy a AerialBox T2100, don't attach it to a UHF aerial but do connect it to an Internet connection will it be able to play OnDemand TV?

Yes.

And so will your PC or Laptop which can be connected to TV with HDMI cable for viewing provided your  video card supports HDMI output. So if not in UHF coverage no point in buying a Freeview Plus STB.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Clements on August 24, 2015 at 17:05

You mention using a PC/Laptop does Freeview plus have a website to stream media somewhere or are you talking about using the TVNZ & TV3 ondemand websites?

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on August 24, 2015 at 17:30

No.

 Just the On Demand websites. Freeview Plus Apps are just doing whats been available on your PC for years.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Clements on August 24, 2015 at 18:07

Yeah I can't stand the OnDemand websites (can't be bothered reciting the issues experienced) so I won't be using that but thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Clements on August 28, 2015 at 17:53

I also had confirmation from DishTV that the T2100 would be able to play OnDemand/FreeViewPlus without a UHF connection.  So I stopped in to JB HiFi today and picked one up for $114.  I tested it out in-store first (the guy was very helpful) and I was happy with how responsive it was to the remote...my main concern after many bad STB's.

However it does not allow me to play OnDemand with just an Internet connection...  I have a support ticket open with DishTV right now.

Apart from that I have to say I'm impressed with the STB.

I plugged it in, told it the country, region, and video aspect ratio.  Then selected my WiFi network and gave it the password.  It told me there was an update available online and proceeded to update itself without issue (took 1-2 minutes with regular screen updates so I knew it was still working away).

It provides access to some basic technical info that can be useful in diagnosing issues.  The UI/menu is a little rough/ugly but it is easy to navigate, comprehend info, make changes etc...  Very easy to control, very responsive to the remote control and it was easy to setup.

Physically its a tidy looking, small, light weight box with lots of ventilation.  Has a good collection of interfaces (HDMI, composite etc).  I like that the LED flashes when it receives an IR command from the remote so you know that its working.  The remote is physically dinky, as is typical with DishTV, but nothing horrible.

The IR transceiver seems pretty good, with new batteries its working at even the shallowest of angles from 2-5m away.  Not quite as good as the AppleTV IR which I can point anywhere in the room (including the opposite direction to the ATV) and it will still see it, but as long as your point the remote towards the STB its working fine and the menu responds quickly.

I like that it has builtin WiFi and a USB port for external storage but a 2.5" SATA drive bay would be awesome (as well as the USB).  Also it would be great to see Bluetooth LE and NFC built in for initial configuration (WiFi settings etc) and for remote control apps.  Not sure if there is a API available to control it via the network interface but that would be pretty cool as well.

Power usage is a little high (12v/1A) for devices these days, not sure if that is peak or constant.

With a "snazzier" interface I would say this box was nearly as good as the AppleTV to use (with different purposes obviously).

The maker in me wants to buy another and rip it open to see if I can make it better!  Maybe add these and a DVB-S interface...

MC

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