ALTECH NODE REVIEW

[GeoED]

So...after 3 days of nonstop playing and fiddling here's the pros and cons:

Setup:

Altech node connected to Satellite and dsl via WIFI
1TB 2.5" External connected to 1000mAh usb port
2TB 3.5" External connected to 500mAh usb port
BR-player connected to 1 of the 2 HDMI inputs
HDMI output to TV via Soundbar

I did not test any of the Smart home capabilities
Using the node as a hotspot works fine
Have not yet succeeded in streaming media between the node and other network devices.

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Awesome qwerty remote
Remote can be used as a pointer mouse (very laggy though)
Cheaper and larger collection of rental movies than Boxoffice
All movies and series are best quality as they were released\available
When you add a title to your favourites, it tracks you view progress for easy resume later.
The Altech node android app for the phone worked great (once)
Youtube works great


Cons:

Media playing lags from time to time if both externals are connected
No power switch off button
Subscription validation on movies\shows does not always pass the first time
Subscription content (series) are very old and appears to be the same titles since the node was released
Not a great selection of android apps from the store (Node apps)
No live TV, (will test the browser capabilities to stream supersport)
The node cannot access the Internet via LAN, only WAN. So I cant see a use for the LAN port yet. (NAS perhaps)



Personal comments:

The unit sells on special for R2000 until end January in stores.
I decided on the node as a cheaper monthly option to DSTV (DSL internet+Node works out more or less same pm as only DSTV)

After a weekend of playing with the node it is clear that there is a long way to go, but I remain hopeful.
There was one update over the weekend (Which ended my movie abruptly without an option to postpone the update).

It seems as if some of the apps can not connect to the internet to download further content.

Maybe if more people buy and subscribe, the Altech node can expand\improve.

DLNA server does not seem stable and I loose the connection before I can stream anything. (reason the android app only worked once)



Had the odd random restart from the device.

The node really is an attractive unit with a lot of capabilities, but still has a long way to go with lots of software updates still to come.

Regards

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Was thinking of this when it released. Even at 2k, I'm no longer interested I'm afraid. 2k or 1500 should have been the initial price point to start off with. In fact, it's a slap in the face for those who have paid 3500 initially

 

[Hemps]

What does interface look like regarding media stored on a hard drive?

Im guessing it doesnt come close to xbmc speed, interface and ability to play almosy any format?

 

[GeoED]

Will try to link a screenshot. (This is after I added my movie folder to my playlist)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/moudk1c4cyu45xl/Screenshot%201.jpg?dl=0

You can select list view or title view(no folder art)

when you pause on a file it scrolls the whole file name.

So far I can view all formats except FLV.

Interface is surprisingly fast (Faster than using the TVs USB) but depends on the HD.
as I said, when I plug in 2 HDD, the whole interface slows down.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Do you perhaps know what the internals are like of the Node GeoED? Interesting to know what sort of chipset it runs. I know a lot of people are curious about that. I know on the Quad Core Droid Box, I didn't see any slowing down of the system with 2 drives plugged in at the same time.

 

[diabolus]

I also got one of these, must also add, this device got a 3G modem also, so you can slot a simcard into it and turn it into a hotspot.

I'm not sure how many people will buy this for the smart home abilities, since you still need to buy the smart plugs / smart cameras / smart xx seperately that works with this. Most people will get it for the Netflix like content via satellite.

So i got it since i just wanted a means to watch some movies and series without constantly having to fiddle with my internet downloads , speeds , buffering etc etc. So the movie rentals costs between R15-R25 depending on how new the movie is. If you subscribe you get even more movies for free and a bunch of series+documentaries.

You can see the content here:
http://www.node.co.za/available-content

Most of the subscription content is about 2011 and older, the "premium" rentals are 2012-2014 content. So you won't find things like Game of Thrones or Arrow on there though, hope this will change. At least they did pick old series that will always be good (Breaking Bad / Mad Men / Weeds etc).

So ultimately i liked that all the data is downloaded through the satellite and i can just get home a press play for anything. So there's no adds, no "channels" , you just browse to the episode/movie and start playing (like you would do on XBMC/Plex etc).

I believe they said they update about 10-15% of the content each month, so for example Mad Men and Stargate Seasons 1-4 would be available for multiple months and they'll probably merely just add another season per month and so on.

I will see how the subscription is in the longer run, i remember Netflix a few years ago was pretty similar content wise , especially when it comes to movies. I just hope they consider giving discount to the premium movies for subscribers or some incentive to sub if the sub content is going to remain 4 years+ behind.

For 2k i think it's not a bad deal, you can turn your TV into a Smart TV with it, as in :
1. Connect to youtube / facebook / browser with it on your TV (and WII-like feature on the remote makes this quite alot better to browse around on these apps)

2. Stream your own content via Wifi from it (i.e. plugging your hard drive in there and it gets shared with DLNA)

3. Access satellite content without needing to invest in major uncapped types of internet OR any subscription (the premium movies is separate from the subscription content) . Particularly the dstv box-office rentals equivalent (i suspect this is where i will most likely use it the most) . As good as Netflix / DSTV Box-Office might be on the web , my connection just ain't stable and consistent enough to get home on a Friday/Sat and just start streaming a movie in HD quality . I'm more than happy to pay R25 for a movie that is in HD, pre-downloaded via Satellite without any data costs and plays on demand.

 

[GeoED]

Diabolus,

Can you confirm that you managed to stream data from your node?
Have been trying this the last few days, been in constant contact with their technical department, must give it to them, they are very helpfull.

Seems that there might be something wrong with my unit and they are considering replacing it.

 

[diabolus]

Diabolus,

Can you confirm that you managed to stream data from your node?
Have been trying this the last few days, been in constant contact with their technical department, must give it to them, they are very helpfull.

Seems that there might be something wrong with my unit and they are considering replacing it.

Well, the Satellite content (the movies/series that is downloaded as part of the subscription/premium content), i haven't been able to stream, i didn't expect this to be available or doable as it would be a major loophole for them (it would however be pretty nice if i could tap into the content from my tablet though).

Now, on the other hand, if i plug in my portable HD into the USB port of the node, and turn on the DLNA setting on the node, i can stream all those movies/content via wifi to any of my devices in the house that is on the same network . Did it on my android phone via the Node App and also to my tablet with the VLC player (both pick up the Node as a DLNA device and then your videos will be under the "Videos" folder etc).

Much mention, my node is connecting to my Wifi Router for internet, and so are all my other devices. So i'm not using the "wifi hotspot " thing of the node itself though.

Is this what you're referring to?

 

[GeoED]

Yip it is.

Seems there was an issue with my node. Had it exchanged and now the DLNA server works. now streaming is possible. Now I'm starting to like my node. The issue I had with the internet not connecting via LAN is also fixed now.

 

[Chevron]

Yip it is.

Seems there was an issue with my node. Had it exchanged and now the DLNA server works. now streaming is possible. Now I'm starting to like my node. The issue I had with the internet not connecting via LAN is also fixed now.

That's good news. It's turning into a nice device.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

at R1999 its pretty tempting now.. those who paid R3500 a month or so ago must be really peeved off

 

[diabolus]

at R1999 its pretty tempting now.. those who paid R3500 a month or so ago must be really peeved off

Indeed, i also think the sub should be R199 instead of R299 . I'm lucky to get the sub at R199 (group benefits) , but i do feel that is where it should be for everyone considering the price points of services like Netflix and the non-sport packages of DSTV.

 

[Chevron]

Indeed, i also think the sub should be R199 instead of R299 . I'm lucky to get the sub at R199 (group benefits) , but i do feel that is where it should be for everyone considering the price points of services like Netflix and the non-sport packages of DSTV.

But also you don't need internet for it. So for most of the population it's a cool device.

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Indeed, i also think the sub should be R199 instead of R299 . I'm lucky to get the sub at R199 (group benefits) , but i do feel that is where it should be for everyone considering the price points of services like Netflix and the non-sport packages of DSTV.

Out of interest sake. How would the contract situation work now? At 3500, you paid something like 599 which included the data and the Node. But how much now with the Node down to 1999? ALTECH have imo really messed this one up

 

[diabolus]

Out of interest sake. How would the contract situation work now? At 3500, you paid something like 599 which included the data and the Node. But how much now with the Node down to 1999? ALTECH have imo really messed this one up

No idea, i luckily bought my node cash , and the sub is month to month. So i think alot of people will be quite annoyed having a big contract like that now.

I must add, is the R1999 now the official price everywhere? I thought it was just an Xmas special at Makro/Game ? So it very well might go up again in Jan.

 

[diabolus]

But also you don't need internet for it. So for most of the population it's a cool device.

Yep, this is my main draw point, even with uncapped internet, it's extremely convenient to have the latest movies (and a ton of older movies) coming down via satellite. I actually find myself watching more movies now because it's in HD quality without worrying about buffering and all that internet related issues.

 

[snowwolf]

Has anyone tried indexing & playing content over LAN with the Node?
I have a NAS at home with all my content on it, and am considering getting the Node, but still trying to see if its viable... I get all my content online and play through XBMC on a PC....

Oh and I have a 40 meg VDSL line... so I'm not too concerned about buffering etc...

 

[diabolus]

Has anyone tried indexing & playing content over LAN with the Node?
I have a NAS at home with all my content on it, and am considering getting the Node, but still trying to see if its viable... I get all my content online and play through XBMC on a PC....

Oh and I have a 40 meg VDSL line... so I'm not too concerned about buffering etc...

I'm not sure the node itself have the software to "index" your videos. As far as i can see it merely "mounts" all your personal content under a videos/[yourdevicename] folder and presents you with a file browser interface . I have not seen it adding that content in their own series / movies interface (with categories/episode descriptions etc)

In short, i don't think it can do what Plex/XBMC can do on the node itself. However it looks like it's running some sort of Android OS and you can install Apps on it (whole seperate "app store" on there, but only like 10 apps on there) . I have unfortunately not seen a Plex/XBMC app, only Facebook/Browser/Twitter type apps.

I suspect maybe in the future they can add Plex/XBMC as an app, similar to what Samsung SmartHub has (it has a Plex App) and then you connect to your NAS via the app.

 

[snowwolf]

Thanks diabolus.

Still weighing out the option of getting one for what it is, vs getting a standalone zigbee controller next year for the smarthome automation and using my existing setup, especially at R299 a month subscription...

 

[diabolus]

Thanks diabolus.

Still weighing out the option of getting one for what it is, vs getting a standalone zigbee controller next year for the smarthome automation and using my existing setup, especially at R299 a month subscription...

Well, i don't know the zigbee controller that well, i have 2 Wifi Cameras at home which my node is not picking up. So there is evidence that despite all the smart home PR, it only works with very specific devices. I.e. if i want to add a camera on the node it has a drop down with 2 models on there etc etc. I don't have any other smart devices to play around with, so not sure what the compatibility levels are for that.

I am however relatively confident they will update the node to handle your own content better, i.e. like adding a XBMC/Plex/Roku type of interface or app in there. As it is, it plays and streams my content just fine , but it's missing critical features like being able to tell you "What's New" and "Recently Added" and "Unwatched Episodes" .

The only thing i could do is to add a folder or file to "My Favorites" , which is pretty much just a bookmark section. Satellite content is added there too if you favorite it.

In short, the node seems to handle your personal content exactly like an Xbox360 does. If you have used that, you'll know, it's just a file browser listing all your files and sharing it via DLNA in the same way , if you didn't categorse your videos on your HD/PC already you will be in for a hard time browsing your content.

As for the Node sub, since it's optional , you can still get alot out of the device without any sub, especially in terms of the premium video rentals.