Foxtel iQ3: The other FAQs
What happens to my old iQ? Can I migrate my stored shows? When will it be delivered?
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Subscription
Yesterday I attended a demonstration of Foxtel’s iQ3 which is a very sleek upgrade of the iQ2.
I’ve put together some answers (I stress, these are my own words!) for other questions you may have.
How long will it take to receive my new iQ3?
New boxes are at all Foxtel distribution points around the country. For a self-install it will be a swift shipment via Australia Post. A serviced install will be subject to the next appointment time from an available technician.
What happens to my old iQ?
It goes back to Foxtel. You will be supplied postage / packaging to return it. If it’s not back soonish expect to be hearing from Foxtel.
Can I migrate my stored shows onto the new iQ3?
No. Bugger it. Better watch them before you install.
Will all FTA channels be available?
Local FTA is available in all broadcast markets. iQ3 has an extra 2 (for a total of 10) tuners to accommodate FTA signals, as one truly national box and can pull in all of the programming via the TV aerial (Seven, Nine, TEN, ABC and SBS + their respective multi-channels).
I heard there was a $25 monthly fee?
Not for standard upgrade. It does apply for multiroom iQ3. $25 is also the price for new subscriber’s entertainment pack.
Start Over and Look Back? I’m confused.
If you drop into a show late, Start Over lets you begin from the start. Look Back is an EPG rewind function that allows you to go back 24 hours in the Guide to catch up.
Do they have any other differences?
Start Over is SD only but Look Back is HD where applicable.
Do Start Over and Look Back work for FTA shows?
Nope.
Can I fast forward through them and ad skip?
Yes.
If iQ3 has a bluetooth remote do I still need a clear line of sight?
Nope. You can now keep the box behind a cabinet door (best not to be metal though). The range is said to be very good.
How does Suggested work on the menu?
It’s based on a household viewing pattern. It will show similar content available within your package, including shows about to air and Anytime (formerly On Demand) titles. It’s also based on the time of day. During kids viewing times it may suggest kid titles, for example. It will only suggest STV titles, not FTA.
What’s Trending and Highlights?
Trending shows you what the rest of the country are busy watching. Highlights are curated recommendations by Foxtel folk. Both may include titles outside your package.
I hear iQ3 has apps. Like what?
It’s early days here and these vary. The Weather Channel app allows you to drill down into local weather results. The Foxtel Tunes app is less interactive and is just a destination for music channels. But more apps will be coming and Foxtel does not rule out apps for other parties such as YouTube or even iView one day.
If I can Record up to three programs at once while watching a fourth, can they all be FTA channels?
No.
Did FTA multichannels finally get aligned with other FTA on the menu yet?
No. It’s complicated they say, due mostly to rights. They are all there but still in other genres such as Entertainment and HD.
Will there be a remote app to control my iQ3?
Apparently, coming. Dunno when.
What else is under the hood?
Technical advances aside, the interface is the sexy feature. It has been designed to allow you to discover the range of content, and there are little extras like a progress bar with EPG titles, clear indications what is / isn’t in your package, cast details for titles, a new x60 fast forward, more Search depth, posters and trailers etc.
Foxtel reiterates it has rebuilt its iQ from the ground up with a view for where it wants to be in 2, 3 and 5 years’ time. Updating the box with new features will now be much easier.
15 Responses
I don’t like being unable to transfer your recorded shows over, that is preventing me getting it. IQ3 does look good though.
Thanks David – another Q – does IQ3 still need a Foxtel ‘hardwiring’ to operate (i.e. can it operate off broadband & standard aerial coax alone)?
In my building I can’t get a Foxtel STB so relying on Play via XBOX which has limited offerings vs. the full suite and no recording capability (therefore more expensive).
If the IQ3 had the ability to connect via Broadband, it would be a viable option in my case
This is because there are only 2 FTA tuners built into the iQ3 box. the other 10 tuners you are referring to are for satellite (cable). However you do have the ability to series link FTA channels and set a 30 min buffer to ensure you do not miss a show because of over-runs.
Dos the IQ3 let me pause and rewind shows airing on the Main Event pay-per-view channel? Because the MyStar HD doesn’t…
Wondering if the IQ3 actually still will get the FTA channels via Foxtel signal – the fact they are no putting in FTA tuners (which they should have from the start) could mean, that once there is significant roll-out, that the FTA channels will no longer be rebroadcast on Foxtel – you pick them up via the FTA tuners.
Therefore the whole argument about who pays for re-transmission of said FTA signals is made redundant.
Just installed mine – cable install. All FTA channels available as usual.
Good to see that they are going to use Australia Post to send out the self install boxes. That other company they had used in the past was terrible to deal with.
– On returns:
Customers can simply return the FOX box back to Australia Post and over the counter unwrapped. There is no need to send it back. If you happen to lose the remote along the journey, well…
– On FTA Recordings:
This does not apply to FTA recorded via FOXTEL Satellite or Cable. So in fact, you can record multiple FTA, so long as you are doing this though Foxtel and not the local tuner.
– On Start Over/ Lookback
This is correct, however just a side note. If you want the HD version, such as WWE Raw HD, ..then lookback is the way to go from FOX8 HD. If your happy with the SD version of RAW, then you can select the show off Demand (after airing) or from FOX8 (Non HD).
i just read the above. So does this mean I cannot record channel 7,9 and 10 all at the same time. I thought it allowed to record 3 shows at once and now have read above this doesnt include FTA, This is the first time Ive seen this info anywhere
If you receive FTA via the antenna on your roof and not the satellite feed then you will only be able to record one FTA channel at a time, you can also watch another FTA channel at the same time. You can however record 3 foxtel channels at once.
what about if i dont use the antenna connection and I am taping channel 7,9,10 from the foxtel feed itself. Can I then tape those 3 channels at once
As Jengo mentioned, you can record 1 FTA via the inbuilt tv tuner and the rest can be made up of Foxtel transmitted FTA channels.
‘It’s complicated due mostly to rights’
Would love to hear what rights issues would there be grouping FTA channels together?
Just a question if it has 10 tuners why can you only record 3 channels and watch a 4th ?
Thanks for this David. Still doesn’t want to make me upgrade though.