Can Now Get Extra AIS Playboxes...Max 3 Spots

Pib · July 5, 2017

Before you could only have one AIS Playbox (one spot) per AIS Fibre internet line, but now you can have up to 3 boxes. Bt1000 per box installation and Bt100 monthly fee. One of the benefits of having more than one Playbox would be able to expand AIS IPTV to more rooms in your residence. See belw AIS webpage for more info. I don't know anymore than what is at the webpage but I do plan to give AIS a call to ask a few questions.

http://www.ais.co.th/fibre/multipleplaybox/en/index.html

shady86 · July 5, 2017

Sounds like rip off, the box doesn't worth even 1k and paying 100b extra monthly to view on another room doesn't justify the cost.

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JaiMaai · July 5, 2017

It's a start but what I really want is to be able to install the app on my own higher spec'd boxes. My plaxbox is packed away due to being an under-powerd out of date paperweight.

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shady86 · July 6, 2017

I returned my playbox and changed to broadband package after they introduced the new ppv channels. I save 100b and invested on a higher spec android box which can view almost all the free channels in playbox.

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Pib · July 6, 2017

27 minutes ago, shady86 said:

I returned my playbox and changed to broadband package after they introduced the new ppv channels. I save 100b and invested on a higher spec android box which can view almost all the free channels in playbox.

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When you say you "view all the free channels" are you talking just free channels "out there in the world somewhere where you normally use other installed apps or a browser" or "are you talking the "AIS free IPTV and premium channels?" Unless you are able to install the AIS app, it's my understanding you can not view the AIS IPTV/premium channels...and JaiMaai's post above implies (at least to me) he could not get the app to work on his android box.

But what I do know, is the AIS IPTV and their premium channels (i.e., HBO channels, etc), HBO Go, etc., play just fine on the AIS-provided Playbox.

JaiMaai · July 6, 2017

3 hours ago, Pib said:

When you say you "view all the free channels" are you talking just free channels "out there in the world somewhere where you normally use other installed apps or a browser" or "are you talking the "AIS free IPTV and premium channels?" Unless you are able to install the AIS app, it's my understanding you can not view the AIS IPTV/premium channels...and JaiMaai's post above implies (at least to me) he could not get the app to work on his android box.

But what I do know, is the AIS IPTV and their premium channels (i.e., HBO channels, etc), HBO Go, etc., play just fine on the AIS-provided Playbox.

I agree that the Playbox works just fine for AIS's own app however, you can't load Kodi Krypton on it, and if you loaded it up with apps it's slow and sluggish.

shady86 · July 6, 2017

When you say you "view all the free channels" are you talking just free channels "out there in the world somewhere where you normally use other installed apps or a browser" or "are you talking the "AIS free IPTV and premium channels?" Unless you are able to install the AIS app, it's my understanding you can not view the AIS IPTV/premium channels...and JaiMaai's post above implies (at least to me) he could not get the app to work on his android box.

But what I do know, is the AIS IPTV and their premium channels (i.e., HBO channels, etc), HBO Go, etc., play just fine on the AIS-provided Playbox.

Most of the free channels in playbox are Thai channels which you can view using antenna. A few news channel can be viewed using Android app. For me it's pretty worthless unless you need to see the premium channels like HBO.

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SooKee · July 7, 2017

On 06/07/2017 at 6:01 AM, JaiMaai said:

It's a start but what I really want is to be able to install the app on my own higher spec'd boxes. My plaxbox is packed away due to being an under-powerd out of date paperweight.

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Absolutely. Their boxes are painfully slow and if you want to watch anything else (e.g. Kodi, Netflix, Prime Video, iFlix) your'e far better doing it on higher specced, faster and more responsive boxes IMO (and will need to in the case of Netflix and Prime if you wish to watch in HD as it requires the box to be 'service certified'), meaning you need two boxes. Currently the only thing I was bothered about from the Playbox was HooQ (and not that bothered about that TBH) but I have that installed and linked on my two primary boxes (Shield / Minix U9).

AIS really need to develop the service IN MY OPINION, charge you for it, but allow YOU to install an app (which would then need log on credentials as per any other paid subscription service) to watch it on a device of YOUR choosing. In all honesty I wouldn't pay 250 baht for the Playbox but I'm guessing they figure most customers have little product awareness about these things and will thus actually think the PB is good.

Edited July 7, 2017 by SooKee

JaiMaai · July 7, 2017

1 hour ago, SooKee said:

Absolutely. Their boxes are painfully slow and if you want to watch anything else (e.g. Kodi, Netflix, Prime Video, iFlix) your'e far better doing it on higher specced, faster and more responsive boxes IMO (and will need to in the case of Netflix and Prime if you wish to watch in HD as it requires the box to be 'service certified'), meaning you need two boxes. Currently the only thing I was bothered about from the Playbox was HooQ (and not that bothered about that TBH) but I have that installed and linked on my two primary boxes (Shield / Minix U9).

AIS really need to develop the service IN MY OPINION, charge you for it, but allow YOU to install an app (which would then need log on credentials as per any other paid subscription service) to watch it on a device of YOUR choosing. In all honesty I wouldn't pay 250 baht for the Playbox but I'm guessing they figure most customers have little product awareness about these things and will thus actually think the PB is good.

AIS are, in my opinion, really missing a trick here. They could, if they developed an APP to install on other Android boxes and used a password login and also opened it up to people on other ISPs, make a killing particularly on the Premium channels.

mtls2005 · July 9, 2017

There is a pretty decent Android app for AIS Play - we've had some discussions about this, and the fact that it only runs on a phone or tablet - which can access all of the channels including the premium levels. You can cast from a phone to a TV, using a newer TV or a device like a Chromecast. AIS is re-pedaling Chromecasts specifically for this app.

No clue why this app couldn't be enabled on any Android box, assuming the appropriate revision (5/6/7). The same company, MIMO, developed both the Playbox and Android apps.I run it on a phone using my home WiFi network.

There may be a regulatory issue, or maybe just a need for AIS to control the end-points making support a bit easier?

The whole OTT schema here is "under review" by the "Authorities".

Pib · July 10, 2017

After a couple of phone calls today to the AIS Fibre 1185 number I found out they have new Playboxes that run Android 6.0....and apparently they also have boxes that run Android 5.0.....and of course the original Playbox that runs Android 4.4.2 which I have. Don't ask me what the model number/specs are for the boxes as I didn't ask mainly because I have no control over what boxes AIS will deliver other than it will be their newer boxes capable of Android 5 or 6. The reps indicated the boxes being delivered now are capable of Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

According to the AIS reps, you can "not" upgrade the original Playbox past Android 4.4.2 but the newer boxes can be upgraded/come with Android 5 or 6. To get an upgrade box there is a one time fee of Bt650 which is billed from AIS Fibre. Forgot to ask if they take the old box back or not...don't really care. Now I talked to couple of AIS reps today and one rep said even the new box will come with Android 4.4.2 but it can be upgraded to Android 6.0 online just like any Android device is updated. However, in another call the rep said the upgraded box comes with 6.0. I will find out in a few days when the AIS tech delivers/installs it as I ordered one. Made it very clear to them I wanted a new/upgraded box capable of least Android 5.0 preferably 6.0.

I also ordered a second box, which will be an upgraded box, for a one time fee of Bt1,000 which you pay the installer. There is also a monthly fee of Bt100 as discussed earlier The same installer bringing the replacement box for my original box will also bring the 2nd box.

So, with the newer Playboxes now capable of Android 6.0, loading Kodi 17.X will not be an issue since Kodi 17.X requires Android 5.0 or higher. As mentioned, don't know the manufacturer/model number/specs of the newer boxes....my guess right now is the same manufacturer as the original box but just upgradeable to a later version of Android and maybe a little more horsepower....will know more once they are delivered.

I also confirmed my Premium TV package will be viewable on both boxes/no extra charge....wanted to make double sure the 2nd box would be able to show those channels also....just like if you get extra TrueVisions box you can see whatever package (Platinum, Gold, etc) you are signed up for.

shady86 · July 10, 2017

You can check your 2nd box if it comes with newer S905x or S912 cpu with 2GB of Ram. The box I got end of last year was older one with S812 Cpu with 1gb of Ram. Performance was pretty sluggish due to AIS launcher. I recommend using Cpuz or AIDA64 app.

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Pib · July 12, 2017

Update: Got my original Playbox replaced/upgraded and a 2nd Playbox installed today.

The original Playbox I got in July 16 when first getting AIS Fibre had the basic specs of:

- ARM Qaud Core A9r4 CPU (4 cores)

- ARM Octa Mali 600Mhz GPU (up to 8 cores)

- 1GB RAM

- 8GB Flash Memory

- 2.4Ghz Wifi

- Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The upgraded/replacement and 2nd box I got today has the basic specs of:

- ARM Octa-core A53 CPU (8 cores)

- ARM Mali T820MP3 750Mhz GPU (4 cores I think)

- 2GB RAM

-16GB Flash Memory

- 2.4 and 5GHz Wifi

- Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

With these new boxes which have Android 6 I will be able to install Kodi 17.X since it requires Android 5.0 or higher. Will load Kodi in the near term.

Although I've only played with the new boxes for a few hours between doing other things, I can tell the new boxes are a little more snappier than the old boxes when using them for basic TV and movie viewing. And the sound level on the new boxes is more steady/controlled. With the original box the sound level could at times vary quite a bit/go too high in some TV/movie scenes where the sound/music is suppose to get louder...the original box sound could just get too loud to where you wanted to turn down the volume until that loud sound scene went away. Summary: just better audio volume control with the new boxes....controls/maintains the sound level like the sound should be controlled.

Since I have the Premium TV package and HOOQ package both packages appear on both boxes....no additional monthly charge for any addition add-on package you have just because you have more than one Playbox.

As mentioned earlier, a one time charge of Bt650 to upgrade the original box to appear on my next monthly bill and a one time charge of Bt1000 for the second box that you pay the installer. You also get up to 20 meters free LAN cable to accomplish the installation/addition of second box. Although I will probably use the second box in Wifi mode only (which works fine during the setup today and couple hours use so far) I still had them make me the 20 meter LAN cable (since it's free) as I may do a hard wire connection later by neatly installing the cable along the baseboard...always better to have a hardwire connection than a Wifi connection for the most reliable connection....we did confirm the cable worked after it was made. Took them about 30 minutes to replace/setup the boxes and make the LAN cable. I was called yesterday that they would arrive today between 9 to 12am which they did do.

It was pretty much a no drama upgrade/install.

janclaes47 · July 12, 2017

On 7/7/2017 at 1:07 PM, JaiMaai said:

AIS are, in my opinion, really missing a trick here. They could, if they developed an APP to install on other Android boxes and used a password login and also opened it up to people on other ISPs, make a killing particularly on the Premium channels.

And sure all the other isp's, who have their own IPTV, would jumping up and down out of happiness.

Especially True I reckon.

I also doubt AIS pays for any rights that allows them to broadcast anywhere outside their own network.

Edited July 12, 2017 by janclaes47

Pib · July 12, 2017

1 hour ago, SooKee said:

Is there any USB for additional storage? Not sure if that SoC supports USB 3 or only 2.

There are two USB 2.0 ports on the new boxes just like the old/original box had.

JaiMaai · July 13, 2017

20 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

And sure all the other isp's, who have their own IPTV, would jumping up and down out of happiness.

Especially True I reckon.

I also doubt AIS pays for the rights that allows them to broadcast anywhere outside their own network.

Well, let the other ISPs have full access as well, ToT, 3BB and True all offer their own IPTV products. Let them all compete for rights to various channels / content, and then compete for customers. Let's have full market forces and competition - but that's probably too much like the 21st century for here.

shady86 · July 13, 2017

The new boxes are well worth it because s912 boxes normally cost more than 2k baht. Octa cores might be overkill but 2gb ram makes big difference because AIS launcher is quite memory consuming. I barely had more than 100MB of free Ram when using the older one with 1GB of RAM.

Pib · July 13, 2017

After 24 hrs of use of the two new AIS Playboxes I'm still happy. And the wife is happy as she now has AIS IPTV downstairs in the living room to supplement our free C/KU band TV capability and paid TrueVisions cable TV (will most likely be cancelling TrueVisions this month). The AIS IPTV channels are just so, so clear....much better than TrueVisions HD.

I have the AIS 100/10 internet plan...fiber all the way to my house/router....not VDSL for the final X-meters like typical for many highrise buildings where it's fiber to the ground floor and then VDSL from the ground floor to a person's residence on an upper floor.

I noticed getting extra boxes/spots with AIS Fibre was contingent on having at least a "50Mb" AIS Fibre plan according to their ad. I thought maybe a 50Mb plan was needed to provide enough bandwidth for multiple Playboxes and your computer/other internet devices....keep them all moving along sufficiently with enough bandwidth. I wondered how much a speedtest on my computer to a local server would slow down with both Playboxes on and playing a TV station while I'm also browsing with my computer....I use a 5Ghz Wifi to router connection for my computer.

My upstairs Playbox is connected to the router via a LAN cable and the downstairs Playbox currently connects to my downstairs access point/router via 5Ghz Wifi (later I plan to change that to a LAN cable connection). Summary: one Playbox has a hardwire connection; the other Playbox a Wifi connection.

Now, with both Playboxes turned "off" a speedtest.net to a Bangkok server always gave me around 102Mb down/12Mb up. With both Playboxes turned "on" playing a TV station, I get around 101Mb down/11.5Mb up....practically no impact on my computer use for browsing, emailing, etc.

Now, I expect if downloading a large file over X-minutes it may have a bigger impact. And I do realize both Playboxes "buffer" X-amount of video and my routers/access point also are doing their best to balance/buffer the flow to all devices hooked to them. This buffering surely helps the speedtest.net results which only take about 20 seconds to run.

Below is the typical Speedtest.net result with my AIS Fibre 100/10 plan with both Playboxes playing a TV station while using my computer also (to run the speedtest). I ran around a half dozen speedtests over several minutes...always got results similar to below which was my last speed test. I live in Bangkok. Your results with your AIS Fibre plan with Playbox(es) playing may vary.

Edited July 13, 2017 by Pib

metisdead · July 14, 2017

An inflammatory post has been removed:

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.

As this topic is about AIS Playboxes, posts discussing issues with Minix playboxes have been removed as off topic.

Edited July 14, 2017 by metisdead

SooKee · July 19, 2017

On 12/07/2017 at 6:02 PM, Pib said:

Update: Got my original Playbox replaced/upgraded and a 2nd Playbox installed today.

The original Playbox I got in July 16 when first getting AIS Fibre had the basic specs of:

- ARM Qaud Core A9r4 CPU (4 cores)

- ARM Octa Mali 600Mhz GPU (up to 8 cores)

- 1GB RAM

- 8GB Flash Memory

- 2.4Ghz Wifi

- Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The upgraded/replacement and 2nd box I got today has the basic specs of:

- ARM Octa-core A53 CPU (8 cores)

- ARM Mali T820MP3 750Mhz GPU (4 cores I think)

- 2GB RAM

-16GB Flash Memory

- 2.4 and 5GHz Wifi

- Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

With these new boxes which have Android 6 I will be able to install Kodi 17.X since it requires Android 5.0 or higher. Will load Kodi in the near term.

Although I've only played with the new boxes for a few hours between doing other things, I can tell the new boxes are a little more snappier than the old boxes when using them for basic TV and movie viewing. And the sound level on the new boxes is more steady/controlled. With the original box the sound level could at times vary quite a bit/go too high in some TV/movie scenes where the sound/music is suppose to get louder...the original box sound could just get too loud to where you wanted to turn down the volume until that loud sound scene went away. Summary: just better audio volume control with the new boxes....controls/maintains the sound level like the sound should be controlled.

Since I have the Premium TV package and HOOQ package both packages appear on both boxes....no additional monthly charge for any addition add-on package you have just because you have more than one Playbox.

As mentioned earlier, a one time charge of Bt650 to upgrade the original box to appear on my next monthly bill and a one time charge of Bt1000 for the second box that you pay the installer. You also get up to 20 meters free LAN cable to accomplish the installation/addition of second box. Although I will probably use the second box in Wifi mode only (which works fine during the setup today and couple hours use so far) I still had them make me the 20 meter LAN cable (since it's free) as I may do a hard wire connection later by neatly installing the cable along the baseboard...always better to have a hardwire connection than a Wifi connection for the most reliable connection....we did confirm the cable worked after it was made. Took them about 30 minutes to replace/setup the boxes and make the LAN cable. I was called yesterday that they would arrive today between 9 to 12am which they did do.

It was pretty much a no drama upgrade/install.

Forgot to ask, out of interest. Did they take your original box away when they brought the replacement one? Might have missed it if you included it already.

I see their charges for the Platinum package have now increased to the regular 899 pm. It'll depend on how folks view the value of what's left after you cross off the 'padding' channels that alongside the more useful ones like HBO Go, the main movie channels and maybe the discovery and Sky News. Not bad at 599 if you found the package attractive, much less so at 899 IN MY OPINION. HBO Go makes it much better VFM I think than if they didn't have it. Not sure whether there's a big enough catalogue of HBO stuff though, I'm guessing there might be.

Pib · July 19, 2017

Yes, they took the old/original box when I got the upgraded box (one time Bt650 fee to be billed on my monthly bill). And I also got one more box which you pay a one time Bt1000 fee to the installer.

SooKee · July 20, 2017

12 hours ago, Pib said:

Yes, they took the old/original box when I got the upgraded box (one time Bt650 fee to be billed on my monthly bill). And I also got one more box which you pay a one time Bt1000 fee to the installer.

Thanks. Buddy of mine is pondering changing his internet this month and signing up for this service. He's trying to decide between the Playbox or maybe an Nvidia Shield. He's asked me about two things with the Playbox that I can't really answer:

1) Is the Netflix app visible to the Playbox to download from the Google Play Store? I have an older Playbox in its box but I'm not there this week so not able to dig it out and check. I'm guessing though, that unless you have the app already installed, the Playbox (being essentially a generic Android box) will no longer 'see' the Netflix app on the Google Play Store in light of the latest Netflix move to restrict its app to only Google Certified devices.

2) Do you have an AIS mobile phone contract with the AIS Play app installed? My buddy has an AIS mobile phone with the AIS Play app / service that comes as part of his data package. Includes HooQ and the free to view channels. I have the same but never use it. If you subscribe to the Gold / Platinum package on your Fibre / Playbox package, does that automatically unlock the same channels on the AIS Play app on the phone (or at least the 20 of the 33 that the phone has)? I can't tell as I don't subscribe to the AIS Playbox Premium services (mainly because I don't want a second box under the TV and also because I don't find the 899 price attractive for what they offer). I notice that AIS DO have a separate page on their mobile phone website that relates to getting 20 premium channels on the phone app at a cost of 299 (IIRC). My buddy kinda assumes that if he subscribes to the Playbox Premium services that they'll automatically unlock the same channels on his phone. I doubt it personally, esp given that the phone Premium package is 20 channels and the Playbox Platinum is 33. He travels a lot in Thailand and plans to sling the premium service to the TV wherever he stays using an Apple TV on Airplay and also watch at home. I'm guessing he'll need to pay 899 for the Playbox services AND 299 (or whatever) for the AIS Play (phone) packages, unlike say Netflix where you pay the service and can watch it on whatever device you choose.

Edited July 20, 2017 by SooKee

Pib · July 20, 2017

Answers:

1. The Netflix app is not visible in Google Play when accessing it from the Playbox. However, when I just access Google Play for Netfix from my Samsung S4 then Netflix is visible...and when I click install just so Google Play will ask which device I want to install it on since I have around 6 different devices (to include the Playbox now), Google Play says the Playbox is not compatible which is identified as a Amlogic Q201 device....see snapshot below:

Answer 2: I do not have AIS as my mobile carrier; I use DTAC. So, I can not speak to if you subscribe to the Premium Channels on AIS Fibre would that unlock those channels if using AIS Mobile. My guess is as your that he would need to pay separately to get in on his AIS Mobile device.

And regarding use of HOOQ on the new boxes. While I said earlier the new boxes were working just fine, further testing shows the HOOQ application is intermittent on the new boxes which run Android 6. Both of my boxes are acting the same way. When I say intermittent I mean the HOOQ application always starts up, always offers all the movies/TV show episodes you can scan through to select one to play but when actually selecting a move/TV show you may get an error message and the movie/show don't play. You have to close out of HOOQ, start the app again, find that movie/show you wanted to play and try again. Now once that movie/show starts playing it plays fine...no problems. It's just getting the movie/show to play is a "hit-and-miss" situation....sometimes it works...sometimes it don't. Sometimes you can start HOOQ and just select/watch multiple movies/shows without a problem...no error message; other times the first movie/show you try to watch gives you the error. Completely intermittent/inconsistent on how HOOQ is going to work (or not work).

With the old boxes running Android 4.4.2 KitKat HOOQ worked 100% of the time....never-ever had any problem using HOOQ. In my initial HOOQ testing in my earlier posts HOOQ worked fine on both boxes for the "couple of movies/shows I played" to do some quick testing, but further HOOQ use brought this problem to light.

I have had a multiple phone calls with AIS Fibre over this HOOQ problem since late last week....to include another call this morning with a supervisor supposedly...and once again I was promised a phone call back this afternoon...a phone call that probably will not happen. Apparently their new boxes are indeed having intermittent problems with HOOQ based on how the supervisor responded to me which may require you to restart HOOQ multiple times to watch a movie/TV show. And supposedly AIS engineering has a problem ticket in with HOOQ....still awaiting an answer/resolution I was told.

I have tried a Factory Reset of the box multiple times and just many other things with the Android and HOOQ settings in trying to get HOOQ to work "consistently" with no joy. It appears to me AIS is using a old production version of HOOQ which worked fine on earlier Android versions such as 4.4 Kitkat but is not fully compatible with Android 6 "or" possibly the particular box AIS is now giving out. Apparently AIS Fibre didn't do enough app compatibility testing before buying/providing the new boxes to customers.

Other than this HOOQ intermittent problem the new boxes work fine for the AIS TV channels, HBO Go, Youtube, etc. I have Kodi 17.X loaded but haven't set it up yet for video add-on like Exodus...been busy with a lot of other things over the last week.

Yeap, although my AIS Fibre internet plan continues to work great (reliable & fast)...the new Playboxes definitely have a problem with the HOOQ app pre-installed by AIS. If a person don't use HOOQ I even tried installing the latest HOOQ app from Google Play, it does install/replace the AIS provided HOOQ, but since you don't have a personal account with HOOQ you can't use it. Although you can see the really long HOOQ User ID/email (dozen of digits long) in the AIS-provided HOOQ app it does not show any password since the HOOQ app used with AIS Fibre is specially modified for use only with AIS Fibre.

So, if you are a frequent HOOQ user, don't get the new AIS Fibre boxes until AIS gets this HOOQ problem fixed. If an infrequent user as said you can get a HOOQ movie/show to play depending on it's mood at the time which may require several HOOQ restarts to get it in a good mood.

SooKee · July 20, 2017

Thanks for the update. I figured as much with Netflix. From what I can see it's not just the generic boxes the can't see the app, it's quite a few phones as well. They have to be Google Certified and Netflix approved it seems. Samsung and Apple are two of the approved manufacturers (read so much over the last few days I can't remember if it's even down to specific model with the phones, have a feeling it might be), again IIRC there are others such as the Google Pixel.

Like you I don't use HooQ much. In fact there's only a couple of shows on it that I've never got round to watching that I'll eventually get to, the rest of the content is very old. They need to get it sorted out though for sure. I have a free HooQ account that I picked up from somewhere else too. Their latest app version seems to be a smart install APK that configured itself automatically for Android TV use on my Shield. Much improved over the Android mobile version as it's easier to navigate and subtitles display the correct size. It doesn't however recognise the Fire TV as being an Android TV device and still installs in a totally unusable mobile format on that, likely because the Fire is using Amazon's own fork of Android which is Android TV like in terms of display and navigation but not strictly Android TV.

My buddy is gonna hold off for now, see if there's any promotions on the service down from the 899 currently and see if HooQ gets sorted. Even if he could get Netflix on it (he could side load an APK) I stressed it would STILL only be in SD and like me, doesn't fancy having a second box (he has two Fire TVs currently IIRC) under the TV simply because AIS have no APK for their service.

I did mail AIS about the APK approach and why folks might want one (they could even require a valid AIS Fibre account number as part of the log on process to restrict it to AIS customers) and they've passed it to the development team. Have to wait and see if anything ever comes of it. I won't hold my breath.

With Kodi. You might want to have a read up on Covenant vs Exodus if you haven't already.

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SooKee · July 20, 2017

For those with the original Playbox who wish to upgrade to the new 2GB RAM S912 version you can request the upgrade online here:

https://newfibre.ais.co.th/replaceplaybox

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SooKee · July 21, 2017

On the subject of the HooQ app. It seems that the Playbox has its own version.

Old style Playbox (v 4.10.3.15): This seems to be a Playbox specific APK which displays in an Android TV style and where the subtitles do display in a readable format / size. The way the various views are presented do not match either the Android Tv or mobile app version, that's why I figure it's a Playbox specific APK, if that's the case, hopefully AIS can get any issues sorted out with them ASAP.

Play Store App (v 1.0.2): This auto-configures on install. On an Android TV it configures in an 'optimised for ATV' manner which is both easy to navigate and subtitles display in a readable font / size. On a generic Android box it configures in the mobile device format which is usable, to varying degrees, depending on what it's installed. On my Minix U9 it's usable with an air-mouse and the with the device configured to force landscape mode. On an Fire TV it's not even usable as it requires Google Play Services which the FTV doesn't have. It also configures in mobile format on that.

Be interesting to see what version is installed on the updated Playbox and whether that is a purpose built Playbox configuration.

SooKee · July 21, 2017

One thing I did see on the packaging for the old Playbox (got it out to test a few things as above) is that it says 'Android 4.4.2 - upgradeable to Android TV'. Have a feeling that must be a misprint, AFAIK a box either IS running Android TV or isn't. You can't upgrade a generic Android box (which the Playbox is) to run Android TV.

One would hope that the new boxes are MUCH snappier as I'd forgotten how much of drag it was ploughing through the old box waiting for apps to quit and menus to load. Talk about slow and clunky! I'm guessing to that their metro launcher hasn't changed on the new box? Think I'd ditch that in favour of Nova or Square Home Tablet if the new boxes haven't somehow had their speed screwed up.

Pib · July 21, 2017

3 hours ago, SooKee said:

On the subject of the HooQ app. It seems that the Playbox has its own version.

Old style Playbox (v 4.10.3.15): This seems to be a Playbox specific APK which displays in an Android TV style and where the subtitles do display in a readable format / size. The way the various views are presented do not match either the Android Tv or mobile app version, that's why I figure it's a Playbox specific APK, if that's the case, hopefully AIS can get any issues sorted out with them ASAP.

Play Store App (v 1.0.2): This auto-configures on install. On an Android TV it configures in an 'optimised for ATV' manner which is both easy to navigate and subtitles display in a readable font / size. On a generic Android box it configures in the mobile device format which is usable, to varying degrees, depending on what it's installed. On my Minix U9 it's usable with an air-mouse and the with the device configured to force landscape mode. On an Fire TV it's not even usable as it requires Google Play Services which the FTV doesn't have. It also configures in mobile format on that.

Be interesting to see what version is installed on the updated Playbox and whether that is a purpose built Playbox configuration.

Yes, last week when really into trying to solve the HOOQ app problem I did a fair amount of googling on HOOQ like what versions were out there/version history. I stumbled across some site that seemed to have a pretty good overview/history of the various HOOQ versions and there were a LOT of version numbers.

Some version numbers had "prod" or "prod release" for production/production release, some just had version number like 1.1.5.6.v2 or something along those lines without "prod" being in the version number anywhere, and it other cases it just said "varies by device."

I'm guessing, but maybe any version number with "prod/prod release" in the version number is used by internet service providers such AIS who control your HOOQ logon conditionals and the HOOQ version that must be used with their IPTV. For the new Playboxes running Android 6, I got the HOOQ version number of "1.0.2.3-prod-release" which I think is a old release based on my googling before and when playing around to change the Permissions in the app it will tell you when changing a permission that since "This app was designed for an older version of Android..." denying a certain permission may cause the app to no longer function as intended.

I changed the three different permissions to see if it would solve the HOOQ problem and it didn't help so I set them back to their default positions of being on.

And if you use Google Play to update the HOOQ app it will install but you no longer have logon conditionals (user ID and password) to make it work. Well, I guess you could try entering the 52 (fifty two) upper and lower case letters and numbers comprising the User ID shown in the HOOQ settings which was generated by AIS but no password is shown. Then to get back to the HOOQ version provided by AIS you have to do a Factory Reset of the box which I've done around a half dozen times.

Now where I said operation of the HOOQ app was inconsistent with the new boxes this morning when I turned on the box, clicked the HOOQ app, and started to play movies/TV episodes which I just refer to as videos from here on out. Below is how the test results went (and today I would classify as a typical day in using the HOOQ app every since getting the new/upgraded boxes)...old box always worked 100% of the time with HOOQ

Turn Settop Box On and then try to start videos

1st Test Run: 10 videos in a row start OK, then the 11th fails...get the HOOQ error. Close app to do another test run

2nd Test Run: 20 videos in a row start OK and then I stop and close the HOOQ app

3d Test Run: 1st video fails...get error....close app and do another test run

4th Test Run: 6 videos start OK and I just stop. I now turn off the box for about 5 minutes

Turn Settop Box back on 5 minutes later and try to start videos

1st Test Run: 1st Video fails...get error...close app to do another test run

2nd Test Run: 1st video starts but 2nd fails....get error...close app to do another test run

3rd Test Run: 1 video starts, but 2nd fails...get error....close app...enough testing for me.

Above is good example of what I mean by "inconsistent" operation of the HOOQ app with both of my new Playboxes. You just don't know what to expect in how well the HOOQ app will operate...it will either operate pretty good with no error message for a good many video if you happen to be briefly viewing different videos....and it other cases the HOOQ app will not work worth a durn as the first video you try to view errors or it may be the 2nd, 3d, etc. The majority of the time the HOOQ app errors out on the 1st attempted video play or the 2nd or 3d video.

The HOOQ pretty much acts like a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dr Bannon and the Hulk, a moody female, etc....you just don't know if it's going to work as it should/worth a durn when wanting to use it.

P.S. That promised call-back by Thursday evening from the AIS Fibre supervisor I talked to on Thursday morning did "not' occur just as most other promised call-backs from other AIS Fibre reps I talked to regading the HOOQ problem didn't occur. Not an all impressed with AIS in their desire and urgency to solve this problem....and I know now from my conversations with the AIS reps many others getting the new boxes are also calling in with the same HOOQ problem.

SooKee · July 21, 2017

Hmmm. That's not good. Must admit though I take any "We'll call you back" as meaning "You won't hear from us again unless you call us". To be fair they did call me back a few times when I had an issue I was trying to solve with their CGN vs public ipv4, was actually surprised.

Forgot to add with HooQ, while it works on the Minix U9 there is something wrong with the subtitles in that they still seem to configure as if your'e on a phone and you need a magnifying glass to read them. With the Shield (ATV) and Playbox versions it's fine.

In terms of digging around. AIS have a promotion running on the Internet 50/20 Package plus Platinum TV package at a combined cost of 1,299 vs approx 888 for the internet and 899 for Platinum TV. So 1,300 vs 1,800 (as near as damn it) - not a bad saving. Or looking at it another way, just 400 on top of an existing 50/20 package for the Platinum. The current state of uncertainty with streaming is causing me to look at the variety of options available and at the moment the combined cost of the AIS Platinum, including HBO Go (400 extra pm for me with this deal), along with Netflix at 350 and iFlix at 83 pm thats 833 for the lot. Hardly going to break the bank.

Pib · July 21, 2017

7 minutes ago, SooKee said:

Hmmm. That's not good. Must admit though I take any "We'll call you back" as meaning "You won't hear from us again unless you call us". To be fair they did call me back a few times when I had an issue I was trying to solve with their CGN vs public ipv4, was actually surprised.

I've been with AIS Fibre since Jul 16 and anytime I had called them regarding an "internet" problem (only a couple of times for brief outages and a couple of curiosity questions type calls) they always worked it fast, got good service, followed through with promised call-backs, etc. Zero complaints there.

But their support and call-backs for this "IPTV related problem" has just been "sad" to use one of Donald Trump's (Twitter Boy) favorite twitter words. Maybe it's because they must rely on the HOOQ company to help resolve the problem versus AIS being able to work/fix the problems totally by themselves. The last call they said they had sent the problem to HOOQ and was still awaiting a response....maybe true; maybe not. Regardless of the reason, the support on this new box HOOQ problem has been sad.

And fixing the problem may not even require an update of the HOOQ app installed on the box; maybe it's something AIS can do via a patch to their servers which interface with HOOQ servers.

And just to repeat, I do not have any other issues with AIS Fibre other than this HOOQ app problem with the new boxes.

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