06-09-2018
04:44 PM
- last edited on
06-12-2018
05:10 PM
by
RogersMoin
Had my install today!
Tech was really good and knowledgeable (well as much as they can be this early)
I need to head out shortly, so this will be just a QUICK overview, go into MUCH more detail about all the stuff when I get back later tonight.
Modem set up, put at demarc. Built in range was decent, but not great for my 3rd box, so installed a MESH wireless. Seems to work well from what I can see. (I am running NOT bridged right now.. as my RT-N66U is getting a little long in the tooth.) I was able to get 300+/25 on wireless (on 500u). Wired seems fine.
X1 boxes are TINY, like android box sized.
Seem to work well though, VERY fast to respond. Recording work. Playback works. Playback via cell/ipad works.
Cant seem to find where to change the wifi network right now.. will ask the concierge when I talk to them tomorrow.
Again, will write a much larger review later tonight. If you have questions, let me know and I can try and see/check about it.
*Edited Labels*
09-26-2018 10:53 AM
09-26-2018 10:54 AM
09-26-2018 10:55 AM
@RichardF wrote:Thanks for the detailed replies.
Apologies for real basic question, but I just want to get straight in my head the basic architecture... could someone please confirm:
- coax into the house to the new router
- ethernet or wifi from the router to the Xi6A (there is ethernet cable from my current router location to the PVR which is in cabinet under the TV) - so the Xi6A could just go where the current Nextbox is?
- wire from the Xi6A to the TV (TV is Sharp Aquos which however is sort of internet connected but I dont really use that
- ethernet from the new router to my router (if I continue my current set up)
They would fully support any TV issues on this set up. But wireless network is my problem, as currently.
Yes, you have it correct. The cable from the Xi6a to the TV is just the regular HDMI cable.
If you don't use the WiFi on the router, then you would connect the ethernet from the modem to your router, Xi6a box ethernet to your router. The wrinkle here is that then you would set the modem to bridged mode - and Rogers doesn't support that. You could leave the modem in gateway mode (and disable the WiFi on it), but then you would have a double NAT situation (ie the Rogers modem is performing NAT, and your Router is also performing NAT). Double NAT usually doesn't cause a problem, but if you have uPnP or port forwarding set up it may be a problem.
I have my modem in bridged mode, and just don't care if Rogers supports it or not. If you have TV issues, they will want you to set it back to gateway mode. I did have to set up my Xi6a boxes on my WiFi, then switch to hard-wired mode, otherwise they didn't work (they switch to hard wired mode automatically when you plug the ethernet cable in).
If the Xi6a's were hard wired to the Rogers Modem in gateway mode (via a spare switch), then they just worked. the Rogers Modem has two ethernet ports.
09-26-2018 10:56 AM - edited 09-26-2018 10:59 AM
@RichardF wrote:Netflix credit
Does that apply to existing Netflix customers or just new Netflix customers?
([n my pluses and minuses list, the integration with Netflix does sound like a cool feature - currently we have to go to the "watch DVD" activity (as that's the device that connects to Netflix) although its handled more or less seamlessly by the Harmony remote (dont ask - a small glitch due to the DVD being powered from the audio amp)].
The credit got applied to my existing Netflix account.
Also, Netflix integration is seamless. When you search (via text or voice) it searches everywhere including Netflix and on-demand. Very useful.
09-26-2018 11:09 AM
I can certainly see a lot of small to medium pluses with Ignite. (And a big one if you have 4K TV).
Against that is the hassle of switching.
Logically the lack of mobile control of recordings is neutral.
The other factor is this is clearly the path Rogers is going down so the conversion bullet will likely have to be bitten at some point. My guess will be that the current set up (Nextbox etc) will start being deprecated at some point.
09-26-2018 11:12 AM
One thing I haven't factored in yet is that we have a second TV in a guest bedroom.
If I'm hard wiring the Xi6A boxes that means a second ethernet connection from the modem? Can it handle that?
Can one Xi6A be hardwired and another on Wifi?
09-26-2018 11:20 AM - edited 09-26-2018 11:21 AM
@RichardF wrote:One thing I haven't factored in yet is that we have a second TV in a guest bedroom.
If I'm hard wiring the Xi6A boxes that means a second ethernet connection from the modem? Can it handle that?
Can one Xi6A be hardwired and another on Wifi?
Yes, you can hard wire one, and have the other on WiFi - any combination of the two connection methods really, as long as you have enough free ethernet ports. if not, just go with Wifi.
09-26-2018 11:20 AM
09-26-2018 11:23 AM
@Biollw wrote:Use a switch.
But yes one can be hard wired and another Wi-Fi. I have 2 hardwired and one Wi-Fi.
On a side note If you leave VB6 in gateway mode you can still use your router for Wi-Fi, check if it can go into access point mode. I have two other routers in my house just setup as access points.
Yes, good point, I had forgotten that possible configuration.
09-26-2018 11:32 AM
If you wanted to wire both, yes.
The modem has 2 ports by default, so could handle two connections off the bat (but nothing else).
But you could always run one off of the 3rd party router if your going that way, etc. Or just a basic switch.
But you can do mixed as well. As the boxes are not required to really talk to each other at all, as they both just talk back to Rogers itself for everything including recordings.
There is an additional rental cost for the other box.
09-26-2018 11:42 AM - edited 09-26-2018 11:54 AM
@RichardF wrote:I can certainly see a lot of small to medium pluses with Ignite. (And a big one if you have 4K TV).
Against that is the hassle of switching.
Logically the lack of mobile control of recordings is neutral.
The other factor is this is clearly the path Rogers is going down so the conversion bullet will likely have to be bitten at some point. My guess will be that the current set up (Nextbox etc) will start being deprecated at some point.
The pluses for me were:
The cons were
There are a bunch of "apps" on the TV interface as well (which I don't use much) Traffic, Weather (all local), and the Sports app - I don't care about sports, but the members of my family who are into sports were all over it this weekend - They thought it was fantastic.
Actually the biggest plus for us has turned out to be the UI. It is so much easier to use, and so responsive, compared to the Nextbox 3. Honestly, you are shocked when you key in a channel number, and it instantly changes channel! what? - no more waiting 2-3 seconds for each number to come up (if they do)?
It's like night and day.
09-26-2018 11:53 AM
Thanks, that's very helpful.
Voice search ... I assume that it has to "learn" your voice? Can it handle two masters? (Or rather a master and a mistress lol)? It sure sounds easier than the current clumsy way of entering text search.
Do the search results load any faster, or rather, more reliably? (I often get some sort of time out on loading search results).
09-26-2018 12:26 PM
@RichardF wrote:Thanks, that's very helpful.
Voice search ... I assume that it has to "learn" your voice? Can it handle two masters? (Or rather a master and a mistress lol)? It sure sounds easier than the current clumsy way of entering text search.
Do the search results load any faster, or rather, more reliably? (I often get some sort of time out on loading search results).
No, it doesn't learn your voice, it just works. We are British, so many of the North American devices have a hard time understanding us (my wife cannot get Alexa to understand her). Not with this, it understands her every time (this is one of the reasons she likes it).
I actually got a second remote from amazon, and added it to the Xi6a in the family room so she has one remote and I have one. Both work flawlessly at the same time (both TV and Xi6a box). Alexa can change channel (using the harmony skill) but as I say Alexa doesn't understand my wife most of the time, so now she just uses "her" remote. Instead of having to explain how to switch to Netflix, find "The Crown" - wait - wait etc. she just uses her remote, says "The Crown" and instantly it displays The Crown on Netflix, with the options for episodes, details, etc. etc. "Episodes" is the default option highlighted.
If you say "CTV" it instantly changes to CTV. If you say a movie/show name, or a quote from a movie, it shows that show/movie with what channel it's currently on, or next showing on, with the option to watch, record, episodes, on-demand episodes, more info etc. You can also say "skip forward 3 minutes" (on a recording), and it instantly skips forward however long you say. The page up button on the remote skips forward 5 minutes (but sometimes this is too long), and there is a skip back 15 seconds button. There are many other commands it recognizes.
As for searching, if you enter a channel number, it uses the numbers, but also reads them as letters (like on a phone keypad), and lists the matching shows/movies in a small sidebar on the right hand side. as you enter more numbers/letters the list shortens. when you press OK it selects whatever you have highlighted (ie channel number by default, or show/movie if you select it from the list). This is instantaneous (or nearly so). There is also a separate "search" screen if you want a full screen display of shows/movies. No more selecting letters from an on on screen keyboard.
It is hard to explain how fast and intuitive this is.
You do loose the ability to record programs from the start if you decide to record a program halfway through (it records from when you press the record button). You do get a "restart" option on some programs (not all), where you can restart the program from the beginning if you switch to it halfway through.
This is why I say the UI is the biggest benefit, it is literally that fast (which I was not expecting, having gotten use to the Nextbox 3 sluggishness).
09-26-2018 12:34 PM
Did very well with voices right off the shelve. We love the voice control. "Fast forward 3 minutes and 3o seconds". Right past the commercials.
"Weather" and any to goes. But you have to watch the word to, too, two. We tried "skip ahead two minutes". Doe snot work. Instead it searches for programs with minutes in it. Must use "fast forward".
"Netflix" bang done.
09-26-2018 01:04 PM - edited 09-26-2018 01:04 PM
Maybe keep the Doe in the garden to keep the snot off the sofa?
09-26-2018 01:46 PM
We have a puppy for delivering snot and such. She likes the remote as well (but mostly as a chew toy).
09-26-2018 02:37 PM
@Biollw wrote:Did very well with voices right off the shelve. We love the voice control. "Fast forward 3 minutes and 3o seconds". Right past the commercials.
"Weather" and any to goes. But you have to watch the word to, too, two. We tried "skip ahead two minutes". Doe snot work. Instead it searches for programs with minutes in it. Must use "fast forward".
I've found that "Forward, two minutes" with a slight pause at the comma, works very well.
One other thing that I've not seen anyone mention is that some of the apps available include YouTube, Weather, Apps, and Stocks as well as traffic information.
Also, The Harmony Hub works with Google Home so instead of reaching for the remote to turn the TV on you can say, OK Google, ask/tell harmony to turn on/off the tv and it does it for youas well as changing channels so you don't have to even pick up the remote.
I love being able to program series, especially for programmes/events that are irregular such as Formula1 racing. Just say Formula1 to the remote microphone and then select series, record new, HD only and it will record all sessions of every race, including practice, qualifying, the race itself and every pre and post event program. I set this up on the first day that I had Ignite TV installed and haven't had to programme the PVR since and I haven't missed a race, practice or qualifying since. Also, because the recording takes place in the cloud, if I have a local power failure the recording still occurs and if I want to watch something I can still watch it on my phone or iPad. The other benefit is that if the race runs past the scheduled time in the epg, the recording continues until the race is completed. It doesn't always include post-race interviews etc. but at least you get the entire race. With Navigatr I always had to extend the recording time by 3 hours just in case the race was delayed by rain or a crash that red flagged the race.
Someone (I think GD Kitty) in an earlier post was was asking about recording consecutive programs on the same channel and whether you have to add a few minutes before or after a recording to ensure that you get the beginning/end of each program that you're recording. On Navigatr this was a problem because if you were recording consecutive programmes on the same channel and extended the time of the first programme by five minutes or started the recording of the second programme five minutes earlier, Navigatr arbitrarily ignored the instruction and started/stopped the programme as if there were no instructions to start early or extend the time of recording. For example, on Mondays, CBC air consecutive episodes of Coronation Street starting at 7:00 PM. With Navigatr the last 10 or 15 seconds of the first program were cut off while the second episode started on time, however the end of the recording tended to get truncated. With Ignite TV the it automatically extends the first recording to include the first five, or so. seconds of the second recording. Likewise the second recording catches the last five, or so, seconds of the previous recording, so you don't miss any of either episode.
One other thing, now that I don't have to have cable to connect to a STB and can connect via WiFi, I have been able to take a smaller 20" flat screen TV out into the gazebo in my back garden and watch live TV, or if I prefer, watch on my iPad. You can also connect bluetooth wireless head phones (go to Menu/settings/preferences/device settings/audio/connect bluetooth devices) to the STB and listen without annoying the neighbours
I must say. I am totally satisfied with Ignite TV and would never consider going back to cable connected STBs.
09-26-2018 03:43 PM
@DouglasJM wrote:
@Nick_W wrote:
@DouglasJM wrote:What are peoples experience with the quality of the TV signal?
I had Ignite TV installed at our new home on Sunday, so I am still new to it and not totally sure what to be expecting. So far, its seems extremely obvious that your watching streamed TV. Any shows with lots of movement or camera panning (movies and sports especially) the picture quality drops right off. almost like a motion blur effect. the pixilation at these times is really obvious.
The internet portion, as I understand it, is running the same speeds as the ignite 150 I had at the old place. Was able to pull 22.5meg/sec there, cant pull 10 here. I'm wondering if the overall reduced speeds is what may be causing the poor picture quality on the TV.
Overall, I love the features and menus. Way smoother, and a lot more options to tinker with, just need to get the picture quality issues resolved.
I haven't noticed any problem with picture quality - however you seem to be talking about 4k TV exclusively. 22.5Mb/s is what 4k TV pulls, 7 MB/s is normal for regular HD.
Are you talking about 4k? or regular HD? and if its 4k is this Netflix or Rogers 4k channels?
The picture quality for regular HD on my set up seems to be superior to what I was getting previously with the old system.
What do you have the output of the Xi6 box set to? mine were set to 720p initially.
The TV is a 4K TV, however our package is only for HD content, not 4K content. The Xi6 box was set to 4K UHD, but I have now moved it down to just 1080p which hasn't really fixed the issue. Still wondering if I am getting a slow/poor quality signal into the home, which is hindering the quality. still experimenting. will see how it looks on a 32 or 42 inch TV vs. the 65. see if its still as noticeable.
the 22.5 meg/sec is what I used to be able to pull downloading on the home internet, now less than 10 meg/sec. My understanding is that all the TV's and internet are pulled through the same150mbps connection (I could very well be wrong about this tho)
You should call tech support and get a tech out.
I have the 150u package and constantly get 150+ speeds.
10-04-2018 02:30 PM
We have two Xi6 TV boxes on our LAN. We've be told by Rogers that they may be fussy in getting their IP addresses. I've assigned static IPs to both the wired and wireless connections of both boxes. I still see them connecting simultaneously to both wired and wireless, even though both are wired directly to the LAN. So, each box seems to maintain 2 concurrent connections. On the wired side, the IPs are periodically changing to 169.x addresses, which seems to indicate they're refreshing their lease but failing to get an assignment from the DHCP server. Anyone else having similar issues? I don't think there's a way to log in to the Xi6 box to configure anything, is there? So far, this issue is not affecting TV performance. I suspect the buffer is saving us while this stuff resolves in the background.
10-04-2018 02:59 PM
@denetizen wrote:We have two Xi6 TV boxes on our LAN. We've be told by Rogers that they may be fussy in getting their IP addresses. I've assigned static IPs to both the wired and wireless connections of both boxes. I still see them connecting simultaneously to both wired and wireless, even though both are wired directly to the LAN. So, each box seems to maintain 2 concurrent connections. On the wired side, the IPs are periodically changing to 169.x addresses, which seems to indicate they're refreshing their lease but failing to get an assignment from the DHCP server. Anyone else having similar issues? I don't think there's a way to log in to the Xi6 box to configure anything, is there? So far, this issue is not affecting TV performance. I suspect the buffer is saving us while this stuff resolves in the background.
I have my box wired directly to the modem and wireless through the Eero. Wired I get an IP6 address and IP4 over wireless both through DHCP, have not had any issues with either obtaining IP's (though I rarely check what the IP is). The Wired is the default connection, my understanding is both stay connected at all time for a seamless backup should the wired connection fail.
10-05-2018 02:07 AM
Providing for a failover event makes sense, but it's weird that the boxes seem to renegotiate their wired connection leases every 2 minutes or so. It seems counter-intuitive.