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Foxtel orders “iQ3.5”

Foxtel will begin rolling out new software to fix bugs in the iQ3 in coming weeks.

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iQ3 + Remote_Front_Light

Improvements are on the way for the troubled iQ3 set top box.

Foxtel will progressively fix bugs in existing units, following ongoing bugs that have attracted subscriber criticism.

“Basically, we have commissioned a new iQ3 version set-top, iQ3.5 if you like, that has all the same functionality of the existing box, but it has a processor speed which is significantly faster just with the advent of new chip sets, it’s a naturally faster box and it’s a significantly lower cost,” Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh told The Australian Financial Review.

“We’ll port the existing middleware, or software, across from the iQ3 to the new box. In doing that, it will perform better, just because of the high-speed processor, but it will be lower cost to us, which is obviously a good benefit.”

A roll-out of new software is expected in coming weeks.

“What we’ve been doing is basically working through systematically each of the bugs that we’ve identified. We’ve now got code that addresses a very large number of bugs within the box and providing we go through our early sign-off of that next week it’ll start rolling out within the next two weeks and progressively across the entire base and should lead to significant improvement for the people who have had bad experiences.”

It isn’t yet clear if the upgrade will mean a loss of shows stored on the hardware.

Foxtel will begin an aggressive marketing push for the iQ3, which it quietly stopped marketing earlier this year, and push harder on its broadband bundles with Foxtel-NBN connectivity.

Foxtel is also planning to release a “puck” streaming device as a cheaper entry point for prospective customers, tipped to include Netflix, Stan, Presto and free-to-air catch-up services.

32 Responses

  1. I would like to think Foxtel will offer the iQ3.5 to me as a free upgrade given the issues with the 3. The firmware update is great and all but that isn’t going to fix the main issue which is the box is just painfully slow. (I currently have the iQ3, bought when it came out).

  2. I tried the iQ3 and after so many problems with it happily returned to iQ2HD, I’m not willing to try it again. I’d simply prefer the option of more memory on the iQ2. No need to reinvent the wheel.

  3. Cannot wait, the Foxtel iQ3 was a huge disappointment and is a chore to navigate. Hopefully they add Closed Captions to Anytime whilst they are making changes..

  4. About time. IQ3 is hopeless. There are so many design flaws it’s almost as if the company set out to deliberately make a product less user friendly than it had previously been. And advice from the “help” line? “Reset.” Every. Single. Time. (That’s a lot of times.)

  5. Confirmed: iQ3.5 will be an entirely new set top box from a hardware perspective (but will use the same software as the current iQ3). The current fleet of iQ3s should expect a software update soon.

  7. Just to clarify – what exactly are Foxtel doing here? Are they releasing new firmware, or new hardware, or both? The article is a little confusing as you don’t get a faster processor with a firmware upgrade.

    And if it’s new hardware, do existing IQ3 owners get a free upgrade?

    2. I am likewise unclear about what Foxtel are intending to do, particularly with existing IQ3 customers.

      Foxtel’s announcements talks about new chipsets. Chipsets are physical electronic components, whereas a firmware update is just updating computer software coding which is why the latter can be done over the internet.

      It would be great if Foxtel would clarify as soon as possible exactly how they intend to approach updating their customers currently with IQ3s to IQ3.5s.

      2. David – this would seem to suggest new hardware as I’m unsure how firmware could create a new chipset/increase processor speed?

        “Basically, we have commissioned a new iQ3 version set-top, iQ3.5 if you like, that has all the same functionality of the existing box, but it has a processor speed which is significantly faster just with the advent of new chip sets, it’s a naturally faster box and it’s a significantly lower cost”

  9. And foxtel/broadband bundles are useless to those of us who have to have Satellite internet. When will companies click that not everyone has huge limits to watch things on demand? I have 60GB/month of which 30GB I can use between 1am and 7am. Unless they have some sort of nifty “time shift recording” in there, I wont be using it.

  10. LOL please foxtel call it something else. The IQ3 is already a well known disaster, and your only going to have problems when customers try to order the new box, but get sent the “old” IQ3 instead.

    Also if it’s cheaper perhaps foxtel can consider waiving the set top box upgrade fee, or making the $150 ($125 box + $25 self install) cheaper.

    Charging me $25 so I can unpack and plug in the box myself is even more offensive than charging $10 extra for HD viewing.

  11. I know a lot of people complain about the IQ3 but I’m actually very happy with mine. Never had an issue. Love all the internet connected stuff. And no i don’t work for Foxtel (or any media organisation) before that is suggested

  12. I made the mistake of getting the abomination IQ3 when it was first released, then another IQ3 after a month of problems, then asked to get the IQ2 back and have been very happy with it since. There’s no way I’ll be rushing out to get an IQ3.5, especially since they’re using the same software. Once bitten twice shy.

    1. Yep – I did exactly the same!! I can forgive the IQ2 for its less than contemporary display, but was not prepared to tolerate the shortcomings (as they were when I first got the IQ3) of the IQ3. I will consider going back to it, but I will certainly wait to get feedback through various forums before I do (that’s for sure).

  13. After weeks of frustration and umpteen phone calls , I soon learnt to demand to be redirected to the Gold Coast techs, I am reasonably happy with my IQ3. Being able to record more progs. simultaneously is a plus as is the far more contemporary display. They have fixed many bugs and I am pleased to read that there is yet another generation to be released. I hope I get the update.

  14. I upgraded to the IQ3 as soon as it was released and it has been riddled with problems but I have put up with it for 2 reasons: 1) the bugs are the same as those I had with my MyStar HD so given there is more functionality with the IQ3 there is no point going back, & 2) I don’t want to loose my recordings. I already had one IQ3 crash and lost all my recordings, and had to have the remotes swapped out cause the 2nd box didn’t seem to like the Bluetooth remote, so if I go and loose my recordings again I will be ringing to cancel my 10+ year subscription as that’ll be the last straw.

    2. We just got a replacement IQ3 box as our other one was faulty. This one won’t work either, it won’t pair with remote. It would have been helpful if they’d sent a replacement remote as well! Now they’re sending out a technician next week. I wish I still had my Mystar box, the iq3 box has been a disaster since we first got it last year. I think it’s stupid that there isn’t some way to save your recordings when you change boxes too!!!

  15. A big thank you to Telstra for not having iQ3 straight away when Foxtel launched it. This meant I had to wait and then when it became available, it was obvious the iQ3 was a disaster. Will adopt a wait and see approach this time too although surely Foxtel couldn’t stuff it up twice, could they?!

    With the exception of not having inbuilt Wi-Fi, the iQ2 is a fine device.

  16. So people who get the IQ3.5 get a box that will work, and us current IQ3.0 customers still have to bear the annoyances of a slow box and software upgrades? Once a week I have to reset my box as when I take it out of standby mode, it will not turn on, the button on the unit remains red with no activity. I’m heading off on holidays very soon and expect the majority of my recordings will not occur as the box will probably freeze on day one.

    1. I would imagine you will have the opportunity to “upgrade” to the newer 3.5 version. I would also expect you to lose all of your current recordings on your IQ3. In the meantime, why don’t you get an IQHD (if they are still available that is)? They are much more reliable and don’t fail on recordings. Just a thought.

      1. I have considered the IQHD, but I like the benefit of the FTA feed in the IQ3. South Australia is mainly a satellite base rather than cable, so it’s the only way I can get FTA via Foxtel.

  17. iQ3.5!! I had an iQ3 for a couple of months and didn’t like it at all. Got my old iQHD back. So does this mean a new box? Apparently they have a lot of returned iQ3 boxes in storage. Maybe they will re-fit these with new processors to alleviate prior problems. Or will they make a brand new box?

    1. Probably when all primary free to air channels are HD, and all FTA catch up services are HD which hasn’t happened yet.

      ABC still hasn’t done HD, and iview isn’t HD yet either. 9Now and SBS On Demand are all programs in HD. Plus7 and Tenplay are only HD for the programs 7 or 10 have exclusive rights to (examples are Neighbours or the project for 10, outback truckers or home and away for 7).

      In live online streaming, 9 is all HD, ABC & 7 are SD, 10 and SBS haven’t started yet.

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