Attention Australian Beyonwiz Users

[GaryG]

Hi Guys,

Welcome!

I think it might be a good idea to collect all the Beyonwiz firmware features that users would like made available on OpenATV. I can't promise that they will all be added but they will be given serious consideration. I know that most of the European users will not like or want these changes but I hope we can make then a user selectable configuration item that the Beyonwiz users can turn on for themselves. I have already noted the desire for the ARROW button navigation as defined on the Beyonwiz firmware.

In the current developer builds, which are used by testers to ensure correct firmware functionality before a wider release, we are testing a new option in the scanning code that will allow OpenATV to detect and use the LCN channel numbers as used in Australia. This means that you can have any number of bouquets (service lists) and they will *ALL* have the correct service numbering. That is, for example, that ABC HD with be LCN 20 everywhere in the OpenATV UI. Further, you will be able to enter the digits 20 to select ACB HD from any bouquet that contains the ABC HD service. On top of this you will be able to rearrange your bouquets to have the services in any order and you will still get the correct LCNs on all of the services. The option will be found under the ChannelSelection screen, currently activated by the UP or DOWN buttons, press MENU, select "Settings" and change the option "Numbering mode" to "LCN numbering". I hope this option will be widely published soon.

Please remember to use the Plugin Browser to load and install the Australian service picons (tv-australia) as maintained bu Prl. If you are so inclined, you will also find the OverlayHD skin is available in the Skins area of the Plugin Browser. You may also care to go to MENU > Setup > Usage & GUI > Locale / Language Settings and activate English (AU) for Australian English.

As more Beyonwiz users come online and decide to try out OpenATV I ask that you keep an eye open for any issues in functionality, screens designs or anything else that could be improved. Feel free to discuss those issues here and when there is a consensus just open an issue on the OpenATV GitHub repository and it will be considers/fixed. Also, if there is sufficient interest for a dedicated area on this forum for Australian users that is already being planned. We just need enough numbers to justify the reworking of the forum.

Thank you for joining us, I hope you enjoy OpenATV.

Regards,
Ian.

Thanks Ian. I think a compiled list of requests would be great and if the way to do it is user selectable that sounds fine as well.

[IanSav]

Hi All,

As more Beyonwiz people find their way here I should also note that the OpenATV Beyonwiz firmware has been available for a very long time. If you want to give it a try the download link for all the Beyonwiz modes is here:

https://www.opena.tv/app.php/information

I think that we will also soon have a separate area of the forum so that Beyonwiz users can go back to having specific threads to discuss specific issues. That will be easier for everyone to follow along. The name should be "Beyonwiz-OpenATV Hub".

Regards,
Ian.

[fogal]

I've just found this - I'm keen to try it out on my Beyonwiz v2 soon.

[IanSav]

Welcome Fogal,

Please note that there are differences between the Beyonwiz and OpenATV firmware. Please don't try to restore any of the Beyonwiz settings. Take it slow and look around you should find much that is familiar.

Regards,
Ian.

[prl]

Great to be here. A friend told me that OpenATV doesn't allow time skipping using the arrow keys. If this is correct can I suggest it would be a good feature to add

I wrote much of the Beyonwiz code that does skips on the arrow buttons. I did it very early on in my use of Python and in my work on enigma2-based software, so I'm sure that there are aspects of it than can be done better.

If anyone is planning on "lifting" features from the Beyonwiz code - be aware that the Beyonwiz code is still in Python2, not in Python3, so any developers need to be aware of the potential porting issues.

I have the ability to commit changes to the Beyonwiz repository, but I am unable to build or distribute images or packages, and the person who used to do it is no longer able to, apart from the Australian picon set used in the Beyonwiz software.. That's why there have been no image updates for the Beyonwiz firmware (the original, not the OpenATV firmware) since October 2020.

I also maintain the Beyonwiz Australian picon set that IanSav makes available in OpenATV for Australian use.

[IanSav]

Hi Prl and Beyonwiz'ers,

I have been thinking about the ARROW button navigation. Given that the only people who will want this are Beyonwiz users, we have an option available to us. All the Beyonwiz remote controls have a FAV button, we could create an option where the ChannelSelection function could be moved to the FAV button thus opening up the UP and DOWN buttons to be used for skipping. The LEFT and RIGHT service selection buttons could also be reallocated to the skipping function.

This would need to be a Beyonwiz only option as none of the hardware used by most, if not all, OpenATV users does not have a FAV button.

Perhaps, all the posts for ARROW button changes can be separated out and moved to the Bugs/Requests area of the forum where the options can be discussed.

Regards,
Ian.

[GaryG]

Sounds reasonable to me though we should give people a chance to raise any concerns with that approach,

[prl]

The Beyonwiz implementation of skipping on UP/DOWN already has a setting that allows UP/DOWN to be used either for skips or for their original functions. In the Beyonwiz firmware, its has UP/DOWN for skips set as default, but it would be trivial to change it so that it had the original functions as default. Or to have it to default to skips only on Beyonwiz hardware.

[Captain]

Or to have it to default to skips only on Beyonwiz hardware.

i think this is possible to add to e2 we have change the langaue for this model too before

[Dugby]

Hi as a beyonwiz U4 and V2 owner, I finally decided to step up and join this forum and have just read through the 13 pages of this thread.

Before I commit either my U4(with 2TB HDD) or V2(with 1TB SSD) to a OpenATV firmware-squash, I have a couple questions:

1. If I only flash either my U4 or V2 , what are the benefits of doing one over the other? ( I did notice that the OpenATV is available on both boxes according to https://www.opena.tv/app.php/information )

2. I recall there was a screen resolution limitation for Netflix on OpenATV boxes, is that still the case ?

3. Is 4K possible with Netflix on OpenATV ?

I have a working history of Unix/Linux/Networking and was a firmware tester for STB's in the early 2000s

Thanking you all kindly.

[IanSav]

Hi Dugby,

1. I am unsure what you are asking. Perhaps start with the box you least use and get familiar with the firmware and then decide how you want to proceed.

2 & 3. I am unaware of Netflix being available on any Beyonwiz hardware. Given that OpenATV like all of Enigma2 is based on Open Source software it is unlikely that Netflix will be available at all, and certainly 4K is unlikely.

Regards,
ian.

[listener]

I don't like the word it doesn't go
a better answer would be I don't know how
you should.
as far as I know netflix uses DRM there is opensouce
which can handle drm like qtwebengine.
I don't have time to bother with that am
busy with another project

[Dugby]

Hi Ian & listener, Thankyou for the responses.

Sorry, maybe I'm looking too deeply into the technical differences of the U4 vs V2 in trying to ascertain which box to squash the firmware with OpenATV

U4 being a 2017 Broadcom BCM7252 ARMv7 32bit, 1+1GB RAM and 4GB Flash.

V2 being a 2019 HiSilicon Hi3798MV200 ARMv7 (*) 32bit, 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash.

(*) The HiSilicon Cortex-A53 can be implemented in two execution states: AArch32 and AArch64. In the V2 it is configured as ARMv7 32bit.






I was wondering if one of the above technologies may be better suited for OpenATV.



Does OpenATV display similar data across the U4 VFD display like that which the BW firmware displays ?


Thankyou.

[IanSav]

Hi Dugby,

Sorry, maybe I'm looking too deeply into the technical differences of the U4 vs V2 in trying to ascertain which box to Squash the firmware with OpenATV

U4 being a 2017 Broadcom BCM7252 ARMv7 32bit, 1GB RAM and 4GB Flash.

V2 being a 2019 HiSilicon Huawei Hi3798MV200 ARMv8 64bit, 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash.

I was wondering if one of the above technologies may be better suited for OpenATV.

I think that the more powerful box will generally always offer the best performance. I would expect that both boxes should run OpenATV without issue. As I suggested earlier, why not try OpenATV on the least used box so as to minimise any interruption while you evaluate OpenATV.

Should you, or any Beyonwiz user looking to try out OpenATV, find any issues then please report the issue in this forum or in the issues area of the OpenATV GitHub so that the issues can be investigated and fixed.

Does OpenATV display similar data across the U4 VFD display like that which the BW firmware displays ?

Unfortunately, all my Beyonwiz units are in need of a repairer so I am unable to answer this question directly. My expectation is that the VFD should be as functional as the Beyonwiz firmware. That said, most of the current and new boxes do not have front panel displays so there may be issues in this area. Please report and problems found so they can be addressed.

Regards,
Ian.

[stephenh]

@IanSav and other pioneers...

I'm tempted to tinker and give openATV a go on my trusty U4 but find myself a bit unsure as to whether "newer and shinier" should outweigh "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

😀

I've skimmed through all the pages of this thread and am still not very enlightened as to what advances have been made in the software?
What would I gain and what would I lose in terms of day to day functionality?

I run a pretty plain setup and the fact that overlayhd and the Aussie picons seem to work is reassuring at least!

Any perspectives much appreciated!

StephenH

[IanSav]

Hi StephenH,

I think I am probably the worst person to ask. I tend to spend more time developing for and improving OpenATV rather than sitting back and using it. I have been using OpenATV for a number of years and haven't really used Beyonwiz firmware for a long time.

Here are some of my biased thoughts:

• I think OpenATV is faster than the Beyoniwz firmware.
• OpenATV now understands and properly respects the LCNs as used in Australia.
• OpenATV is a living and maintained image.
• OpenATV has access to a wider range of plugins though I doubt many will be of value to Australians.
• The OpenATV backup and restore system is miles ahead of the Beyonwiz processes.
• OpenATV has a wider range of available skins for those who want to try something new and different.
• OpenATV has a significantly wider range of skin capabilities for anyone who wants to try their hand at developing their own skins.
• OpenATV has a significantly improved set of Information screens.
• OpenATV has many UI improvements and enhancements in the Setup screens.
• OpenATV has implemented and completed the HELP system initially designed by Prl.
• OpenATV has a much improved File Commander that expands and improves on some of the Beyonwiz changes.

There is probably lots of other things to highlight but for me they no longer stand out. Perhaps others who have made the switch can offer their comments.

P.S. I seem to remember someone asked about IceTV support. At the moment IceTV is not part of OpenATV as the German IceTV service was withdrawn. I believe that Prl has been working on IceTV for Enigma2 (the OpenViX image I believe) and his work should be easy to implement on OpenATV if users want the feature and Prl agrees to add his latest code.

Regards,
Ian.

[stephenh]

Here are some of my biased thoughts:[.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Ian.
There are several things in there that could potentially pique my interest enough to give it a go, but I guess from my point of view no "must haves".
Nevertheless I'll probably continue to monitor this forum and inevitably probably "give in".

:-)

[IanSav]

Hi StephenH,

From my perspective, there are no imperatives or requests to force a change to OpenATV. I was aware that a number of Beyonwiz users were feeling abandoned and concerned about their investment in the Beyonwiz hardware. I thought that those users might be comforted to know there were options to maintain and continue their Beyonwiz investment.

When users do try OpenATV I hope they will see and experience the refined and improved user interface. OpenATV is a living image that has an active community of users, developers and skinners. Hopefully, Beyonwiz users can find a new home here to meet, discuss and help each other much like the old Beyonwiz forum that is no more.

Regards,
Ian.

[GaryG]

Hi StephenH,

From my perspective, there are no imperatives or requests to force a change to OpenATV. I was aware that a number of Beyonwiz users were feeling abandoned and concerned about their investment in the Beyonwiz hardware. I thought that those users might be comforted to know there were options to maintain and continue their Beyonwiz investment.

When users do try OpenATV I hope they will see and experience the refined and improved user interface. OpenATV is a living image that has an active community of users, developers and skinners. Hopefully, Beyonwiz users can find a new home here to meet, discuss and help each other much like the old Beyonwiz forum that is no more.

Regards,
Ian.

I think you are right overall though full control of skipping through the arrow keys may be a deterrent for some but hopefully that isn't far away.

And prl just posted on whirlpool that he has already ported IceTV over.

[stephenh]

From my perspective, there are no imperatives or requests to force a change to OpenATV. I was aware that a number of Beyonwiz users were feeling abandoned and concerned about their investment in the Beyonwiz hardware. I thought that those users might be comforted to know there were options to maintain and continue their Beyonwiz investment.

When users do try OpenATV I hope they will see and experience the refined and improved user interface. OpenATV is a living image that has an active community of users, developers and skinners. Hopefully, Beyonwiz users can find a new home here to meet, discuss and help each other much like the old Beyonwiz forum that is no more.

I realise that you are not trying to "press-gang" anyone into changing, and hope you don't think I was implying that ...

And I thank you very much for drawing this alternative to my attention and all your hard work, it is much appreciated!
I will be following and reading and will doubtless jump in at some point, probably sooner rather than later.

I guess the other thing that inevitably follows is what is the best replacement Enigma2 box for us Beyonwiz users once our boxes die?

StephenH