Freesat App feedback thread

[AngelieMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnetters who are testing out the Freesat app.

Freesat say " Our clever little telly app is a TV guide for all free TV viewers and is free to download. Browse through the next seven days worth of TV listings or scroll back to see the programmes you?ve missed from the past week. Need help deciding what to watch or something to entertain the kids during the holidays? Showcase can help you with our top picks chosen daily from our team of telly experts.
If you own a Freesat box with Freetime then use the app to record your favourite programmes on the go. You?ll never miss an episode of your favourite shows again. Plus, with your iPhone or iPad you can take control of your viewing without needing to use your existing remote control. "

Testers: we'll be asking you to add feedback twice - we'd like your first impressions now and in a week (or when you're ready) we would like you to answer the follow-up questions.

So, in terms of your first impressions. please...

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App
~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
~ tell us which device you?re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)

Follow-up questions:
~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?
~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?
~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?

Everyone who ads their feedback, as well as a review on the app pages on MN, will receive a £100 Love2Shop voucher.

Please note: your anonymous comments may be used by Freesat on their website and other marketing materials.
Thanks,
MNHQ

[ritagcabrita]

Hello! Thank you for choosing me as a tester.
Here is my first feedback:

1)give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

It was very easy to download the Freesat App. It was also a quick and smooth task.

2)How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
I was very easy to set up the Freesat App and create a Freesat ID. All was done in less than 2 minutes.

3)How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
I was very easy to pair it with my Freetime box because it was only needed 3 simple steps and the instruction on how to do it were very clear and easy to follow.

4) tell us which device youre using to test the app

I am using an Iphone to test the app.

[ClaraDeLaNoche]

Yes, thanks from me as well. First impressions:

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App
Very straightforward.

~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
Very easy to set up. Clear instructions. Then I put in my details, name, address etc. To get the Freesat ID I had to go into my email, and the Freesat ID email was there seconds later. Clicked on the link in the email and that was it.
~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
Very easy, you just put the 6 digits in and then you can see on the tv that it has worked right away. In fact whole process from downloading app to pairing took less than five minutes.

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)
iphone 4.

Off to plan my viewing!

[RustyBear]

Hi, here's my first feedback

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App
Downloading was easy, no problems, first impression was that it was similar in looks to iplayer

~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
Again no problems, process was very quick, easy to follow

~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
instructions clear, worked first time (much easier for eg than pairing my LG box with my iPad)

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)
iPad Air

[RustyBear]

Will also be trying it out on my iphone5 as it's downloaded onto that as well!

[Skina]

My first feedback, and thanks for picking me planning spree just for meeeeee

Hi, here's my first feedback

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

Downloading was easy and quick. A nice looking app.

~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?

Very simple, very quick. Less than a couple or three minutes.

~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?

Child's play. Very easy, clear and concise instructions. So quick.

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)

iPad Air, and it's automatically on my iPhone 5S, so will be trying it out on there too.

[1gglePiggle]

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

Was very quick and easy to download. Was impressed with the layout of the app, pictures accompanying tv programmes make it more interesting to scroll through to see what's on. Showcase is good to see what's coming up. App is colourful and graphics clear. Very user friendly.


~How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?

Very easy, just followed instructions on screen, done in less than 2 min.

~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?

Very easy, found devices straight away.

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)

Using iPhone 4S and iPad 3

[noisytoys]

Your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App: it was very simple to download, self explanatory and perfect in terms of ease of use while offering all the features I would expect from a sophisticated app.

How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?: Very easy. I like this because if it wasn't I would be tempted to give up at the first hurdle, but didn't need to.

How easy did you find it to pair with your Freetime box?: Couldn't be easier. Just had to follow a few simple steps.

Tell us which device you're using to test the app: iPhone 5c

[FiloPasty]

Thanks for letting me test, here is my first feedback

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App
Downloading was easy, very straightforward and I instantly liked how you can use the iPad as the remote (much easier to find!)

~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
Very easy, very quick process

~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
instructions clear, super quick and easy

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)
iPad 2 (i think, it's an older model)

[WeAreEternal]

In terms of your first impressions.


give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

I had read the description for the app (in the App Store) and read up about it before hand so I was expecting quite a lot in this app. I was really surprised by how quickly it downloaded and how small in app is (in MBs).

How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID

Very easy, just follow the step by step instructions.
I liked how you didn't have to give info you didn't want to, I chose to leave most of the personal information blank, expecting it to tell me I had to fill it in but it didn't.

How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?

It paired with the box quicker than I expected and it was very easy to do.

Tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)

iPhone 4S

[DollyTwat]

In terms of your first impressions.

give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

Very easy to install

How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID

Very easy

How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?

Surprisingly easy

Tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)

iPhone 5

[bluebump]

First lot of feedback:


It was very easy to instal, I could find the app, download it and register quite easily.

It was really easy to pair it to my box, I have linked it with my iPad 2. I will link it to my iPhone too if you can link it to two devices - having thought about it this would be better if I wanted to record something and i'm away from the iPad.

My highlight so far has been changing the channel from the app whilst my DS stood holding the remote confused!

[ClaraDeLaNoche]

One week on - Follow-up questions:

~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
Ease of use depends on what you are trying to do. Seeing what is on next, and setting up recordings is very easy (although some of the recordings are not automatic if the box is on standby). I think the “On Demand” section isn’t that easy to understand as it has the BBC iplayer and ITV player logos, but when you click on them nothing happens (unlike the shortcuts for 4OD and Demand5 which includes the options to launch). I think the Saved Items section is really easy to use. It is much easier to delete Saved Items on the app than it is on the Humax, where you have to go through about fours steps to delete one episode. One part of the app which I found really hard to use is the remote control part (see later comments)

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Yes, I used it twice in a week. Very handy. This is very useful. I know I can usually catch up on demand with missed programmes but it’s handy to have them recorded so I can watch when I like/forward the ads.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?
I tried to but found the instructions really tricky. They say to drag the chosen programmes to the TV icon at the top of the screen. Every time I tried this I ended up going backwards in the TV Guide so it just showed details of what was on earlier. The only way I could do it was to click on the programme. Even then I think I will stick to the proper remote control.

~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
I was a bit put off the Showcase section by the amount of sport in it – football and Formula 1 in prominent places, it didn’t really have many shows which appealed to me. I thought it was going to be a bit like Spotify where new stuff is recommended based on playlists. However I am glad to see from Showcase that the X Factor is back this weekend!

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it? DH has tried it and intends to use it when he is away to record stuff. He wasn’t convinced either about the Remote Control bit. DC a bit young and spend too much time on my phone anyway!

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far? For deleting recorded shows and recording programmes when I am out of the house. It’s also handy to see what’s on – the Humax has good points put takes a looong time to start up so I now use the app to see if there’s anything on I want to watch before starting up the box.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not? Yes I would, it’s a lot more useful than a lot other apps on my phone.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not? Yes it’s good this way. I usually keep the TV section from the Sunday papers but it doesn’t demarcate Freesat channels so it’s good to have the info in one place.

[ritagcabrita]

Hello again,

So for the past week I have been using the Freesat App. Here are my impressions of it:

~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
I found it very easy to understand and very easy to use it.

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Yes, I used the Freesat App to record the 6 o'clock news on my way to the supermarket.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?
Yes, I tried it out and it was easy to use.

~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
I think there was a good selection of recommended shows. I didn't watch any because my young toddler boy wants my attention once I come from work, and once he is asleep the housework takesover.

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?

Yes, my husband used it and found it very easy to use and understand.

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?
I found the FreeSat App very useful for recording TV programmes when I'm out and about.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes, I would recommend it because it is very easy to use.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?

Yes, I would recommend it because even though I did watch any suggested programmes, it was very handy to know what was on.

[noisytoys]

Follow Up Questions

How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
Very easy. It was self explanatory - no trouble at all.

Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Yes. I love this feature. Never have to worry about missing anything now.

Did you use the freesat app as a remote control?
I did just because I could, but I prefer a regular remote control.

What do you think of the shows that were recommended in the showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
I thought it was great, it made me think about watching shows I wouldn't have otherwise thought of watching and broadened the range of shows I watched. I watched 2 programmes last week from the showcase.

Has anyone else in the family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
No one in my household, but BF used it at his house and also downloaded it onto his ipod because he thought it was a brilliant app.

Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes. I have already recommended it to a lot of people.

Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (For the best free TV channels) or not?
Yes. Especially if they use a different TV guide App. It is better to have everything in one place without cluttering the divice by having lots of apps that do similar things

[RussTDaviesBear]

Follow-up questions:

~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
Pretty intuitive, uses a lot of familiar iPad gestures, eg return to top by touching top of screen
Reminders for programs work well, I especially like that you can vary how long a warning you get.

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?

Yes, the app gave a warning that it might need half an hour notice, which is useful to know. Recording was fine.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?

Yes, it's much easier to use than the ordinary remote, especially when searching - much easier to enter text. Love the drop and drag programme to tv icon to watch, also return to top of TV guide by touching top of screen.
However, even though I've turned the Automatic power down off and Standby maiden to Normal (rather than power saving), I still have to use the ordinary remote to get started - it won't connect till I've turned the box off then on again. It would be useful to be able to turn the box on with the app.

~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions? I watched one History programme and have put the second episode on record. Most of the suggestions were not really my type of programme - would be nice if the app could base recommendations on past viewing, like the Netflix app does.

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
DH used it, he generally liked it but was concerned by the lack of confirmation to delete a recording -he thought it could be too easy to press delete instead of watch as the buttons are close together

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?

Browsing and looking at various programmes through the drag and drop, also accessing my recordings - again it's much easier to use than the normal on-screen way. Though it took a couple of goes to realise that you ned to touch and hold the programme icon before you can drag it - the intro video didn't make that clear.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes, definitely

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?
Yes, it's easy to use and clear to read.

[RoaringForties]

Sorry to be late to add feedback.

~ give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App
A good looking app

~ How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
I found it very easy to do, instructions are clear and the whole process of obtaining my Freesat ID was very simple.

~ How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?
This is where it's all gone wrong and I see that everyone else has managed to pair box and device without any problem so I must have done something stupid somewhere. I just cannot get my ipad to link with the Freetime box. I've gone into settings, read FAQ, double checked wires, Homeplug adapters and rang the helpful Freesat helpline. On their suggestion I rebooted the modem but it's not helped.

I can see all our saved items, programmes we have yet to watch etc so it is partially there but it is adamant that my ipad and Freetime box are not on the same network and I'm now paranoid that I have somehow got my neighbours broadband on the Freesat box!
Things are a bit hectic at the moment so I haven't been able to get to find out why I have a glitch, any ideas anyone?

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app
ipad mini

[DollyTwat]

How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
Very easy and user friendly

Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Yes. Brilliant feature. Love this

Did you use the freesat app as a remote control?
Yes very handy when the kids have left the control somewhere

What do you think of the shows that were recommended in the showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
Yes was good to see this, have recorded some to watch later

Has anyone else in the family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
No as it's on my phone

Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes definitely

Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (For the best free TV channels) or not?
Yes

[DaisyFlowerChain]

First feedback thread.

1)give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

Instantly downloaded, user friendly and a lovely straight forward layout.

2)How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?

Very easy. Registering took seconds re the ID and then just a few simple steps to set up the app.

3)How easy did you find it to pair your Freetime box?

Needed the PDF as didn't find the option in the settings without it but once I actually read the instructions it was easy to get the code and my iPad linked easily.

4) tell us which device youre using to test the app

I am using an IPad to test the app but will try on an android as well if you can connect two devices.

[bluebump]

Follow Up Questions

How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
I found it really easy to use, no need for instructions.

Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Not yet, I need to activate it on my iPhone, at the moment I have it on the iPad. This is such a good feature of the app though and probably what i'll use it most for.

Did you use the freesat app as a remote control?
Yes to confuse my DS as I was changing channels whilst he was attempting to watch CBBC! I only got it to work by dragging and dropping once, I now seem to have to click on a programme to change it.

What do you think of the shows that were recommended in the showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
It was good, it reminded me that a series I like is back on next week so i've set it to record already.

Has anyone else in the family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
No, but i'm sure my DS will want a go soon enough.

Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes I would.

Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (For the best free TV channels) or not?
It is good as I can flick through it rather than disturbing the telly we are watching at the time. My only criticism is I wish it went along sideways like when you load it on the telly - I don't like having to click into each channel to see what's on later, I want to see what's on compared to other programmes at the same time...unless there is a way to do this that I haven't figured out yet!

[Skina]

Evening. Back with part two of the questions.

~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?

Very easy. No real instruction needed at all.

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?

Yes, have used it to record a few things. Just bloody brilliant. Playing with the app in the middle of Trafalgar Square and saw something on that I'd not noticed before, did it and it was done. Did the others just because I could

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?

Yes I have and actually I think I prefer it. Definitely easier when doing a search and rather amusing (to me anyway, the DC not so much) to change the channel just to wind them up.

~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?

Hmm, bit sport heavy for my liking, but DH and DS were impressed. Order was restored for me and the DDs when X Factor was listed though.

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?

Yep, we've all had a bash. Everyone has now downloaded the app. I fear the memory in the Freeview box may fill up in record time now.

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?

Browsing definitely, and the remote recording is a revelation.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?

Yes, absolutely no question.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?

Yes I would. It's so easy and clear, and far better than the tatty weekend supplements that drive me potty.

[RustyBear]

Anyone else got any problems with it today? I can change channel with the drag and drop and it says I'm logged in, but it won't record and it says I have no saved items - when I use the ordinary remote it works Ok and my saved stuff is all there.

[RustyBear]

Now working again - no idea why!

[DaisyFlowerChain]

Follow-up questions:

~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?

Very easy. The TV guide appears instantly and it talked you through it the first time of use.

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?

Not yet but will do at some point. Don't tend to take the iPad out of the house.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?

Yes, the drop and drag didn't really seem to work so I just click the watch now button. Took DS a while to work out why it kept switching channels!

~ What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?

Yes, have recorded and watched a few shows from the suggestions I may not have watched.

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?

DS picked it up in seconds when I showed him.

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?

Recording, will admit to not checking the guide and missing things but I tend to always have my iPad close by so far easier.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?

Yes I would.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?

I'd like to see it tweaked a little. Unless I'm missing something I can only compare "now and next" but would like to compare the whole evening.

[FiloPasty]

Follow Up Questions sorry they're late!

How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
Very easy. It follows the usual way things work on the iPad if that makes sense, very user friendly.

Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
Yes, great feature, I keep forgetting to do it but it will be invaluable over the Xmas period.

Did you use the freesat app as a remote control?
I loved this!! I am forever losing my remote so it's great using the iPad as a remote, brilliant in fact.

What do you think of the shows that were recommended in the showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?
It highlighted a few things I'd been thinking about watching anyway but I've not had time to watch anything new as I'm too addicted to CBB


Has anyone else in the family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
My other half loved it too, he is very into gadgets so loved the remote control aspect too.

Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
Yes. I have already recommended it to my mum, she really needs to get the new HD box.

Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (For the best free TV channels) or not?
Yes it's really well set out, and saves keeping the TV pages all week.

[WeAreEternal]

Follow-up questions:

How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?

Very easy, everything is easy to navigate and figure out.

Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?

Yes, it works well and is really useful.

Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?

Yes, it is easy to use.

What did you think of the shows that were recommended in Showcase, did you go on to watch or record any of the suggestions?

There is usually a good variety of popular program's listed.
I have not watched or record any though as I haven't seen anything that I like.

Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?

DP and DS (8) have both used it and both found it easy to use.

What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?

I like the TV guide, being able to drag and drop program's directly from the guide and being able to record program's while out, they seem like the most useful features.

Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?

Yes, it's definitely worth having if you have freesat.

Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?

Yes.
I do use another TV guide app usually, and the TV guide in this app is of a very similar layout.