VMedia Launches Firmware Upgrades!
For the last nine months since the soft launch of VMedia’s TV and Internet service we have been in constant development mode, working on new features, improving existing ones and generally focusing on providing a great VMedia experience.
We are – at last – in the position to rollout the first in a series of features and enhancements that will further establish VMedia as not only great value, and choice and flexibility in TV selections, but as a leading innovator as well.
On March 4 we will be pushing out a firmware update to your VBox to provide some appealing improvements to our existing TV services. The update should engage automatically but if it does not, then just unplug the power and reboot.
The more noticeable improvements include:
Last channel, or “back” button.
Seems so simple but not when you are building your own Remote software. Now you can flip back and forth between your favourite shows without missing a beat. AND not only can you flip between live channels, you can also flip between a live channel and a VOD selection. So you can be watching the latest episode of True Detective(a great show, or what?) on TMN/VOD, and flip to a live hockey game, and back. The VOD pauses at the point where you flipped to the live game, and restarts when you flip back! Use this magic button:
Easy and Better Search.
Our Search function has been upgraded. It is quick, easy to enter, and generates a wide selection of autosearches based on the first several letters you enter. The big keyboard reduces letter-fumble when accessed with your remote, and works even better with a wireless mouse at your side. Do your Search and go right to your selected live show or VOD content. Or better still, once you found it add it directly to your “Favourites” list.
Parental Ratings.
Our TV Channel Guide will show program ratings now, as provided by the channels, to give parents a head’s up on what is being shown. We are using the MPAA ratings system in an effort to streamline the various classification codes, as we find it the most conservative. It will provide parents with the guidance needed to ensure they are able to monitor their children’s viewing choices. In addition, adult content is uniformly blocked and can only be accessed with a pin number.
Better App Access.
The VBox’ defining unique feature – putting apps at your fingertips, right beside your favourite TV channels – just got better. VMedia will no longer be the one choosing which apps our subscribers choose to access. You will! With this upgrade, VMedia subscribers will be able to load apps from Google Play directly onto the VBox for quick installation, and easy access. Just follow the prompts and load up!
Bookmarking for Custom Viewing.
Our SVOD programs, as well as upcoming transactional(purchased) VOD(TVOD) and PVR, now will have a bookmarking feature allowing you to leave your show and come back to where it left off. Other tweaks for timeshifted viewing include the separation of SVOD from TVOD on the Main Menu. SVOD can now be accessed from the TV horizontal, and TVOD will be accessible from the Video horizontal.
Generally, everything is now in place for a terrific custom-viewing experience, leading up to our launch of our PVR service in March!
does this also receive an android update to something more recent?
What about a second Sportsnet Ontario channel so I don’t keep missing TML games.
There are already two Sportsnet channels.. I subscribe to both through the premium cable package.
And neither of the ones on Vmedia had the game last night, and actually there’s only one Sportsnet Ontario and it’s not from Toronto
I watched the whole game on sportsnet last night. I will admit the guide was wrong (listed something else I think nba.) But the game was definitely on as I watched it on sportsnet. There are two sportsnet channels I’m subscribed to on premium.
The advertising is a bit confusing… It looks like it’s Sportsnet One and Sportsnet Ontario that we get. Being in Ottawa I would love Sportsnet East
Either way Monday had basketball and soccer, no Leafs
George, what part of Ontario are you from? I am located in Kitchener, Ontario and Sportsnet on Vmedia was showing the toronto vs columbus game on my Vbox. As I stated before unless you actually clicked on the channel you wouldn’t have known though because the tv guide interface did not show that the hockey game was on (said a different sport was on, can’t remember what it said specifically, I think an NBA game)
wheres the new remote!?this remote sucks
I would really love to see an air mouse / keyboard OR can anyone recommend one to buy?
Iogear has a great one,http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=125406
That iOgear looks nifty. I ended up getting a Logitech k400 over the weekend. Does the job but find it too big. Looking forward to a remote app for this bad boy.
When exactly are we getting this update? Thanks
soooo.. how do i update the thing?
What’s one more day when we’re moving in the right direction. Keep it up!
Honestly the issue is not the additional day at all. The issue is the poor communication causing frustration and confusion.
Dear VMedia… can you verify when the update will be pushed? Your Facebook page and email suggest today but other folks are saying tomorrow.
I just messaged them.. they confirmed what some of the others said… expect the update tomorrow.
I haven’t noticed the update yet. Just wondering when it’s coming?
I have not received an update that gives me “last channel”, etc. When will this update be rolled out? I followed the instructions to unplug the VBOX and plug it back in so the update would start….nothing happened. Please advise.
I’m considering going back to cable. Sure I paid more but the service and communication was much more reliable. I’m getting tired of everything freezing when a prime time show is on like “The Walking Dead”.
Any one else have ridiculous amounts of freeze ups ? I find it unbearable to watch anything on this cable option.
I would gladly pay $5/month for VMedia to give up making hardware and just let me put the d@mned app on as many of my existing Android devices, that are much better than their VBox, so I could watch TV they way I already consume all my other content.
The freezing went away for me as soon as I realized I had some issues with my router. I had a Linksys RV082 router with the latest defective firmware, so I swapped it out for an HP 5750 SFF PC with 4GB RAM and 750GB of storage running pfSense (built in 15 minutes). Now I have no problems.
I am considering changing over how is the overall service. Also is it user friendly? TIA
There’s about 5 of us at work now who’ve all switched to Vmedia. Know this:
– The internet runs through Bell or Rogers lines depending DSL or Cable so you’re still getting the exact same service you once received. However take note, internet speeds are subjected to the amount of traffic you get in your neighborhood. That is beyond Bell, Rogers or companies like Vmedia’s control other than to increase the total pipeline speeds in your neighborhood. That is a separate issue to bitch about.
– The HD TV is pretty good but on a scale of real HD TV I’d say it’s about a 10% quality downgrade. But for the price it still looks fantastic. Keep in mind it’s Internet TV now, not cable or DSL. If you have internet disruption, you have TV disruption. Accept the technology limitations pro’s and con’s and you’ll be fine.
– The Vbox is a media player also so that’s a boon.
– Yes you will need (1) Vbox per TV.
– From group observation (1) TV will use approximately 3 to 5 Mbps of your internet bandwidth. On a 30 Mbps connection you’re fine.
– Netflix streams flawlessly on their 30 Mbps service.
– A router is what will create your home WiFi. Having a cheap one will most definitely affect the quality of your TV and Internet. For an average apartment or home go with a 1600AC router. It’s more than enough. They’re only $90 to $110 on sale. Shop around. Stick to brand name. If you have a very large 3000 sq. ft. type home, you may require a 1900Ac router or even the extra mile with signal boosters. Any computer nerd at a store can help with that.
– The modem Vmedia provides is perfectly fine. It does the job.
– The telephone they offer is 1 amongst hundreds of Internet Telephone providers. Nothing special here.
Negative’s so far:
All of us apparently agree the Vbox remote control is complete garbage. The power button is finnicky, the button you think is for selecting actually returns you to previous channels. They do sell a more improved remote control for around $30. Get it, it’s totally worth it.
Just purchased the new remote with keyboard on the back….does anyone know how to program it to the VBox mine will only turn it on and off