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

[Pib]

I did call AIS Fibre again this afternoon asking why I didn't get the promised call back yesterday from Rep XYZ regarding my HOOQ problem.   The rep I got today told me she would ensure Rep XYZ does call back by 5pm today.   Well, Rep XYZ did not call back but another rep did about two  hours later.  The rep said yes, the HOOQ app is having problems with the new boxes and AIS has asked HOOQ for a resolution/updated app but the rep could not provide a Get Well date.  

[SooKee]

I thought it might be a HooQ issue.  They had LOADS of problems with their new Android app which, if used on an Android TV device requires you to enter a code on your phone or scan a QR code to 'Link' (validate) the account.  Wasn't working for ages and I had numerous mails back and forth plus beta installs that they asked me to try out.  Finally resulted in the latest version which works fine.  One thing you have to watch with HooQ is your'e limited to 5 device installs.  Each install, even on the same device, registers as one so I hit my limit several times and they had to reset it.  It's working well now and the Android TV version is very good, just a shame the content is so dire.

 

PS: Forgot to post the link to the AIS fibre internet / Platinum TV combined offer above.  This is the page:  http://www.ais.co.th/fibre/en/package_premium.html

Edited July 22, 2017 by SooKee

[SooKee]

One final thing. Given the offer they have at the moment I decided to pull the trigger on the fibre / Platinum offer at 1,299. I'm still not really sure it's worth it for me but it's 400 a month more than I pay now, not 4,000. Sometimes when I'm on the laptop or whatever I quite like to have something playing in the background, the various documentary channels will do for that.

I made a mistake with my billing cycle though. It's the 20th for me. Thought it was 24th so I selected Next Billing Cycle as the effective date when I ordered online. After the SMS came informing me it would start from 20/8 I mailed them and asked if it could change with immediate effect, expecting that the usage on my current package would be charged prorate.

Oddly, they contacted me and said that I'd have to pay 900 for the current service AND full price for the new one!!!! That's not normal in my experience. When I've changed services like this before, like when I changed 3BB from VDSL to fibre, the VDSL was charged prorate to the date change.

I told the girl I would wait until 20 August as it sure wasn't worth me paying 2,200 for one month!! She then said if I changed, after I'd paid the next invoice, she'd credit back the prorate of my current package back to my about. So around 840 I guess. Sure is a clumsy and complicated way of doing it. I asked her to email me the offer before agreeing just in case they said, "oh we couldn't have said that. ". Pleased with the service and good of them to make the offer. But should be standard practice and automatic imo. And standard practice with bills issued for the correct amounts. Not pay over the odds first and we'll refund you after. Talk about making it as difficult as possible.


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[Pib]

Yea, AIS Fibre is not into the prorate thing.   It's pretty much start an added or upgraded service at the start of your next billing cycle....if insisting on starting it say 15 days before your next billing cycle they want a whole month's premium versus prorating a half a month. Just their way.

[SooKee]

Indeed. Lucky I didn't assume it would be prorate. Still. Got it sorted in the end, probably because it was only two days in and she had the authority to do it. Like I say. I waited for an email confirming the offer. A telephone call alone isn't worth the paper it isn't written on 5555 :)

 

 

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[SooKee]

FWIW. AIS delivered the new box version today. Quite impressed with. It certainly is much faster than the old one that I was happy to see the back of. One thing I do like about the Playbox vs the Fire TV is that it has the volume control on the remote. Still don't really like having to have two boxes but it's not the end of the world, particularly as I don't detest using the Playbox now it's snappier, at least as responsive as my Minix U9.

Can confirm that the Platinum service on the Playbox is indeed classed as a completely distinct service to the AIS Play phone app so subscribing to Fibre / Playbox Platinum not unsurprisingly doesn't unlock the same Premium channels on AIS Play.


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[SooKee]

One thing I have noticed.  If I go into the TV section and along the bottom banner to settings I can see 'Devices' listed as 

 

1) AIS Playbox with a long device ID

2) AIS Playbox with a long device ID

3) q201

 

q201 seems to be the device ID of the current / new box.  I'm not sure what the other device IDs relate to as I've only ever had one other Playbox, not two.  I'll maybe contact AIS about what they might be and about why the new box is listed as q201 and not AIS Playbox.  

 

No big problem with it BUT when I visit the Google Play Store it lists my devices as:

 

Nvidia Shield

AIS Playbox

Minix UP

No Carrier q201

 

I've since edited the device on the Play store to show as 'AIS Playbox (New)'.  One issue is I've found though is that a few apps that previously would install on the old AIS Playbox are listed as incompatible with the new one (e.g. MyTuner Radio).  I'm wondering if this is a glitch because of the configuration of the new Playbox (I've also changed the device name everywhere I can think on the box itself). The only other thing that I can think of that MIGHT be the cause is that some of these apps might be going along the Netlfix route of making themselves unavailable to install on 'Non Google certified devices).

 

Like you I have problems with HooQ.  Lots.  "Ooops there was a problem - please re-launch HooQ and if the problem persists......etc."

Edited July 24, 2017 by SooKee

[Pib]

If you only have one Playbox now (old or new) you should only have one Playbox listed in the Devices menu.   You can easily Remove boxes you no longer have and still appearing in the Devices menu by going into the Devices menu and clicking the "Remove" icon for any box you want to remove.   You get to the Devices menu by selecting the Setting icon on the far right hand side of those menus near the bottom of the TV channels selection.

 

I originally only had one box...and old box....and only one Device (that box) listed in the Devices menu.  When they upgrade/replaced that box the old box remained listed and along with the new box.  Simply click "Remove" for any box you want to remove/no longer have.

 

Below is snapshot of my Devices menu showing my two new boxes....both of them Q201 boxes.   But if I hadn't Removed the "old box" it would still be showing also.   And yea, they are no longer named AIS  Playbox...just Q201...guess AIS didn't think it was important to rename them and maybe helps them to specifically see what model of boxes are hanging on their system.  

 

The box with the Remove icon next to it is my box downstairs which I don't want to remove it. But even if I did it would  quickly reappear since the box is hooked to the system.  The box without the Remove icon is the box you are currently using to view the Devices menu....you can not remove the box you are currently using to access the Devices menu on that box.  But if I turned on the box on downstairs and go into it's Devices menu it would show a Remove icon for the box upstairs and not a Remove icon for itself.  Anyway, just click Remove for any box you no longer have.

 

Thanks for the remind to update how Google Play lists my Q201s...I just edited/changed the name to say Playbox Q201 Downstairs and Playbox Q201 Upstairs.

 

Glad to get confirmation from another AIS new box customer that the HOOQ app works intermittently with the new boxes.  Hopefully AIS will get that resolved semi-soon as more and more customer bitch at them about the problem.

 

P.S.  I just came back from a True Center....cancelled my TrueVisions.  I'm now completely free of True....no longer a customer of True Mobile, TrueOnline, or TrueVisions.  When I first got to Thailand almost  decade ago I signed up for TrueMobile and TrueVisions...cancelled TrueMobile about 6 months later due to piss-poor billings.    Later switched from TrueVisions DSTV (via satellite dish) to TrueVisions CATV (via cable when cable came to my moobann)....also got TrueOnline cable internet at that time.  Switched to from TrueOnline cable internet to AIS Fibre mid last year.  I'm was now down to only havingTrueVisons...and as of today I cancelled TrueVisons.  So I'm now True free.

[SooKee]

Equally, nice to hear they haven't stuffed up my device configuration and that yours are called q201 too. Will remove those which are listed for 'Remove' later. What I can't figure is why there are two seeing as I only ever had one box. I actually noticed 2 listed on the old box. Just figured one was the old box and one was the newly configured new box waiting to arrive. Obviously not. Maybe they had a duff box the first time round and configured me a replacement before bringing it. Can't think of anything else. I did think it may even be someone up to a bit of skulduggery, configuring a box for themselves on my account. Can't see how that would work though given that I think the box detects your AIS account configuration as part of its automatic sign on.

If you have time. Maybe you could check the MyTuner app in the play store see if it shows as being available to install on either of your two new boxes. If not, I'll bet it's a Google certification thing, same as Netflix.

I do find the Texpand app useful for app sign ins. I use the same email address for every app registration I do and reserve it just for that. I download Texpand first, configure that email address as a 3 character shortcut then it's much easier to input it for the various apps I then have as a standard box install. Really like the Aqua TV app as an aquarium screensaver when listening to the music apps too :)


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[Pib]

And if you ever do a factory reset of your box it will appear as a new box and you will need to Remove the old box's listing in the Devices menu.   Well, you don't "have to"....it's just it will still be listed...a useless listing that may cause some strange issue.

 

I found that out after doing a couple of factory resets (one requested by AIS when I first called in the HooQ problem) when trying to resolve the HooQ problem and playing around....every time I did a factory reset a new Device ID was assigned to the box.

 

So, for example say you had one box and it was only listed in the Devices menu once....if you did 4 factory resets in a row you would end up with 5 devices listed and 4 of those Devices would have Remove icon next to them....click the Remove icon for each old listing and those old Device listings are removed.

 

MyTuner shows incompatible for my Q201's also.

Edited July 24, 2017 by Pib

[SooKee]

Aha. That'll be it then, the reason for the two Playboxes being registered. I did do a factory reset at some stage so it's obviously doubled up and assigned a different device ID.

Will have to have a play with a few other things on it too. Currently trying to see if there's a way to change the layout of their launcher to get apps that you add to it using the '+Add' button to group together in some semblance of order rather than just squeezed in all over the place.

There is a CEC setting on the box under settings but I'm not sure if the device itself actually has the function. Be useful if it has as it'd save me reaching for yet another remote every time I turn it on to power on the sound bar.

I might also try another launcher on it like Nova which you CAN organise. Will have to have a look under the Apps list in settings to see that all the AIS stuff will come up. But I'm guessing that's only the AIS Playbox app.


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[SooKee]

Managed to get the CEC working now. Power cycled the box couple of times for it to take effect. Seems to be the same as the Fire TV CEC though in that, at least for me, it turns the sound bar on only, not off.

I did mail AIS about the device name in settings, just in case it's something that got overlooked. It might be deliberate of course. They said they'd pass it on to the dev team.


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[touch]

Is the Wifi on the new box better (stronger) than the old one? A better Wifi would be enough reason for me to upgrade the box.

Have asked AIS, but they couldn't (or wouldn't)say. And didn't have a box to try out...

[SooKee]

I did test the wi-fi just in case I decided I wanted an extra box and it was indeed MUCH better than the old one. Can't recall the spec on the old box but this one is 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 ac/b/g/n.

I did try Nova launcher on it too. Works, after a fashion, but I've reverted back to Playbox Metro launcher. Problem with Nova is that all of the Playbox Links use an identical icon with just labels for AIS TV, AIS HBO Go etc. Other than You Tube, Deezer and My Tuner (that I side loaded as the Tune In Radio app has an atrocious UI on this box) I've not really got anything else on it. It sits next to my Shield which I still use for Netflix, Amazon, iFlix and Kodi. I actually far prefer navigating on that with its own remote than with an air mouse. So I've plugged the air mouse USB dongle into the Playbox to use with some apps (like Deezer) which on the mobile version has the ability to add songs to playlists but on the ATV version doesn't. I do think the box is far more capable than the old one and could probably take the full compliment of apps I'd normally use. But I need the Shield for Netflix / Amazon so stick with it. I could probably work on Nova. Change the various icons etc but I simply can't be bothered as mostly I'm using the Playbox for live TV and when I want something on in the background.


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[touch]

Thanks for the reply SK. I'll order a box now☺️

[JaiMaai]

Just for experimentation's sake  did anyone try to extract the apk from the newer spec playboxes and see if you can make it run on the Minix or whatever?

[SooKee]

Just for experimentation's sake  did anyone try to extract the apk from the newer spec playboxes and see if you can make it run on the Minix or whatever?

 

Not tried to do it myself. Not sure how it'd do either to be honest but given there is no user input required to access the services save turning the box on, even for the first time and even after a factory reset, I'd suspect it's checking your customer credentials via your fibre line and account number. On that basis I'm guessing it wouldn't work.

 

 

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[SooKee]

Thanks for the reply SK. I'll order a box now[emoji5]

Welcome. It's well worth it I think, for 650 baht. The new box is much better. My WiFi test was hardly scientific though. PIB may be able to help out more on that front as I think he's done more robust and rigourous testing. That said nothing about my set up has changed and the old box was barely usable whereas the new one, no problem at all.


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[JaiMaai]

You can get an apk extractor app from the playstore. I tried unsuccessfully with the old version playbox to get it to run with my minix u1. I was just curious if there was maybe an updated app on the newer box might work.

In terms of authentication, maybe mac address, because the Android device ID changes on a factory reset and the fact that it's connected to the AIS gateway??

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[SooKee]

You can get an apk extractor app from the playstore. I tried unsuccessfully with the old version playbox to get it to run with my minix u1. I was just curious if there was maybe an updated app on the newer box might work.

In terms of authentication, maybe mac address, because the Android device ID changes on a factory reset and the fact that it's connected to the AIS gateway??

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Yeah. I already have an extractor. Just lack the inclination ATM to be honest. Kinda maxed out on box tinkering ATM (especially given the very low chance of it working) and too many other things to do that are further up the list of priorities.


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[Pib]

The CEC worked from the get-go for me....but by working I mean it only turns the TV on when I turn on the Playbox; but the Playbox does not turn off the TV when I turn off the Playbox.

 

The old Playbox is 2.4Ghz only; the new box of 2.4 and 5Ghz.  I run the downstairs box off Wifi only....it is connected by the time the menu/launcher appears.   I  have it connecting to a 5Ghz Access Point in the same room around 4 meters away.  But I also did run a couple of tests to where it connected to my upstairs router (signal needs to fight through a concrete floor)....can't remember if I did those tests on 2.4 or 5Ghz.  Summary:  have experienced zero problems with the second box running off a Wifi connection vs a hardwire connection like I have the upstairs box setup.

 

 

[SooKee]

AFAIK, once you start needing to go thorough walls 2.4 gives a stronger signal than 5 GHz.


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[touch]

SK and Pib thanks for the information, just got off the phone with AIS. Will get the new box beginning of next week. 

[SooKee]

Not wishing to drift OT but on the subject of CEC, I find it works differently across different devices, quite patchy. It's not as useful as it could be in my opionon.

 

Fire TV: Turns the TV On. Not off. Equally turning the TV on will turn on the Fire.

 

Shield: Turns the sound bar (which is then connected to the TV) on and off. Turning on the sound bar doesn't fire up the Shield.

 

Playbox: Turns sound bar on. Not off. Turning the sound bar on doesn't turn on the Playbox.

 

The TV the sound bar is connected to is quite dated I think so no CEC. Otherwise I think the Shield would turn on / off the TV through ARC as well I think.

 

 

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[SooKee]

One thing to be careful of with these Playboxes. If you open up the Play Store and sign in it will show HooQ as an installed app and offer you an update. Don't update! This installs the regular mobile app that you will then need log on credentials for. On top of that, it'll be the regular mobile app with the screwed up subtitles. Normally you'd get round the problem, if you accidentally allowed the update, by deleting it then using a file explorer to navigate to Device / System / Preinstall then install the original app from there. Trouble is that will then still open up with a mobile version requiring sign in not the 'configured for Playbox' version that Pib refers to as having a 'prod' suffix, the only way round it being too do a factory reset with the associated PITFA of starting over again!! I've not messed with it much yet but it seems even having that APK it will only install correctly upon doing a reset.

 

So you really don't want to hit update all in the Play Store. Will try and find a way to hide it ignore that particular update if I can.

 

 

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[Pib]

^^^^ Yeap....that's why I did several factory resets on the box when trying to get the HooQ to work since getting the new boxes....just to get the original/AIS Fibre-specific HooQ app loaded again.   And I set my Google Play not to do Automatic Updates in order to prevent HooQ from updating/replacing the HooQ specifically tailored for the AIS Fibre system.  It does however give a person more practice in "Removing" duplicate Playbox devices from the Playbox Devices menu because every time you do a Factory Reset a new Device number is created but leaves the old Device number in the Devices menu making it look like you have more devices (Playboxes) than you have.

 

 

[Pib]

SooKee,

   What Wireless Mouse or Wireless Keyboard w/touchpad do you recommend for use with Android boxes like the Playbox?   Since starting to load/use more apps with the new/improved/faster Playbox I've found use of only the Playbox remote frustrating.  Like you can't even scroll up & down in Youtube when wanting to see more videos listed further down the screen until you scroll down to get them to appear on the screen.   So, far I have just used a wired keyboard/wire mouse to supplement the Playbox Remote shortcomings.

 

Maybe a LogiTech K400 wireless keyboard?   On maybe just a much better wireless remote if not wanting the bulk of a keyboard?  What do you use/recommend for wireless keyboard and/or remote since use have used Android boxes a lot more than me?   Thanks in advance.

[SooKee]

40 minutes ago, Pib said:

SooKee,

   What Wireless Mouse or Wireless Keyboard w/touchpad do you recommend for use with Android boxes like the Playbox?   Since starting to load/use more apps with the new/improved/faster Playbox I've found use of only the Playbox remote frustrating.  Like you can't even scroll up & down in Youtube when wanting to see more videos listed further down the screen until you scroll down to get them to appear on the screen.   So, far I have just used a wired keyboard/wire mouse to supplement the Playbox Remote shortcomings.

 

Maybe a LogiTech K400 wireless keyboard?   On maybe just a much better wireless remote if not wanting the bulk of a keyboard?  What do you use/recommend for wireless keyboard and/or remote since use have used Android boxes a lot more than me?   Thanks in advance.

I use the Minix A2 Lite.  IIRC it's a Lazada 'ships from overseas' item (direct from Minix I suspect) but COD is still available.  I actually use mine with the Playbox now and have pulled it from the Shield as I find I don't need it, esp as Kodi 17 is much more TV remote friendly. It's useful as it has enter and mute buttons which do work with the Playbox.  I think the airmouse is much more useful then these keyboards, I know a few folks that bought them, they now sit a drawer.  Grabbing something the size of an air mouse much more couch friendly than a keyboard IMO. I do find that being wifi it's also much more responsive even when used as the D pad controller for the Playbox.  I sometimes find the AIS Playbox controller a bit unresponsive.  Only thing is, unlike say when used with a Fire TV, the remote doesn't wake the device with a click of the Home button.  Might have a play over the weekend just to see if there's any settings that might allow that to happen, anything to save the multi remote juggling when turning it on .

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/minix-neo-a2-lite-59-7201127.html?spm=a2o4l.search.0.0.nfpvhj&ff=1

 

As far as possible I try to use Android TV version apps on these boxes as I much prefer the simpler navigation.  Trouble is it's getting hard to differentiate now as more developers seem to be using these smart install APKs that configure per the type of box they are used on, vs having distinct ATV / Mobile versions, such that you can't find ATV specific apps in some cases (I did manage to find and download the MyTuner ATV APK though).  iFlix is one of those apps as is HooQ.  On a real ATV box they'll configure fine for ATV navigation and display.  Thing is, the Playbox and Fire TVs display in an ATV style, and with their own apps can do a good job it mimicking the OS, any other app though will detect the box as an Android Mobile  device and install in the mobile configuration.  AFAIK YouTube is one of the apps that still has an ATV version and V2 of the app actually works very nicely (now that's one that DOES install in an ATV style on the Fire TV, likely because it's a Amazon App store specific version).  I plan try to seek out that Amazon App Store version with and see if an APK extractor will help these apps configure on a Playbox as they would on a Fire TV.

Edited July 27, 2017 by SooKee

[SooKee]

Just installed the new YouTube ATV app (v 2.00.017), works very well.  I do prefer the notifications more from the mobile app for when you have subscription updates (on the ATV version as far as I can see there aren't any) but for playback / navigation I find the ATV app much better.  Unlike Deezer, YouTube lets you have both installed side-by side.  I also put the Netflix HD (720 hack) APK on it, mainly just in case I'm busy / out and my partner can't be bothered to mess about switching from the PB to the Shield (not hard but it does involve yet another remote juggle and switching inputs on a HDMI switch (one of the main reasons I'd still rather have just one box under the TV).

[SooKee]

Another thing I forgot to update.  For some reason the app 'Texpand' doesn't work on the Playbox.  It allows you to store the shortcuts and offers up the tick box to allow you to click it to accept the text completion, trouble is, no matter what you do or what input device you try and use your can't actually click / accept the green marker.  Will have a mess about over the weekend see if there's some setting I missed.