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

Slightly late to the party, sorry!

These are my first impressions:

Using an ipad2 to download and run the app.

Give your overall impression when you first downloaded the Freesat App

It's a nice-looking app. I found it on the app store (Apple) immediately. Download was quick and painless. Comparing it to the Virgin Media app for their TiVo box, it seemed much less complicated.

How easy did you find it to set up the Freesat app and create a Freesat ID?
Ridiculously easy. My Freesat box wasn't connected to the internet (DH nicked the ethernet cable, naughty man) which added an extra step as I needed to do that first. However, it didn't get in the way of the set-up process at all, which just continued as soon as I got the Freesat box online.

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

Very, very easy. Thanks to the instructions, I think it would almost be impossible to get this wrong. I've suffered many malfunctions with my Virgin TiVo and the Virgin app not talking to one another, so I was braced for similar issues. Very happy to report there weren't any!

Still not able to pair box and pad. I am now replacing homeplug adapters and cables on advice from Freesat.

Thanks for choosing us :-)

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

A good app - slick just as the Freesat experience has been so far. Am completely sold on the whole Freesat experience and wouldn't go back to Sky for love nor money.

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

Very easy - not a problem at all

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

Easy, easier in fact than pairing with YouTube.

~ tell us which device you’re using to test the app (e.g. iPad 2)
iphone4 for me and iphone5 for DH

Follow-up questions:
~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?

Easy - although a little puzzled about the delete series recordings on the Freesat box and the app - as these seem to reappear (not just one episode but the whole series - just sometimes!)

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

Yes, used it while on hols and actually had a chance to peruse the tv / Freetime guide - set up loads to record in anticipation of watching some things for me when school resumes and I'm in last month of pregnancy.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?
Tried it for novelty value, but won't use going forward. I'd rather have less remotes - one for tv, one for freesat, one for dvd is quite enough at the mo!

~ 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, always find Showcase useful.

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

Parents found it easy and installed. Also recommended it to sister. She already had it.

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

Useful for checking that things are set to record when I'm out and can't remember if it's already on series link. Easier to use app for deletions too.

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

Definitely, already have!

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

Yes, just as good if not better than the SkyPlus app was.

further to below

immediate family - no, figure too complicated at the mo for DS age 6. DH not had a chance to use yet, although put app on iphone easily enough.

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

Very easy, pretty much self explanatory, no instructions needed

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

Yes, was very handy when talking to friends and they would recommend something that I could look it up straightaway and record it

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

Yes, was very amusing seeing the confused faces in my family before I let them in on it! Channels changing and volume having a mind of its own! Most handy feature was being able to put a recorded cartoon on for my DD and could see whilst I was getting ready upstairs how long was left then put another one on when it finished without having to go downstairs (lazy parenting!)

~ 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 was good to see new things I probably wouldn't have noticed before such as horizon documentaries.

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

DP has used it with no problems but he is a computer nerd!

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

Recording whilst out but also it's easier to find programmes using the app as you have a keyboard unlike the real remote control having to go through all the letters.

~ 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?

It's ok but I can't seem to see beyond now and next, would be good to scroll through the whole day like the sky guide. The pictures make it a lot more pleasing to the eye than most guides and nice and colourful.

Unfortunately today the app doesn't seem to be loading beyond the title page on my ipad or iPhone so can't do any further testing! :-(

Sorry for delay in adding feedback.
First impressions:
My overall impression when first downloaded was good,looked easy enough to use and quick to install on iPad.
Found it easy to set up, and straightforward to pair up.
Using iPad sorry not sure which version. Has retina display if that means anything?!

Follow up questions:
Found it easy to understand.
Used it record, didn't work the first time but prob user error but I have since got it to work.
Yes use daily as remote control to keep remotes out of ds reach.
I regularly record shows showcase recommends.
DH likes to use app too.
Found it useful for TV guide, and using as a remote.
Would recommend app to anyone with freesat.
Would recommend as a TV guide too, especially the showcase part.

Thanks Mn for letting me know about the app!

Follow-up questions:
~ How easy did you find it to understand how to use the Freesat App?
New homeplug adapters purchased, routers reset, wires changed, wires rechecked, wires shouted at. Lots of calls to Freesat helpline. The ipad and box will not link. I give up.

On two occasions Freesat said they would ring me back with further help and solutions. I didn't ask for this, they offered so it's annoying when companies don't follow through with promises.

It has let me record things though which is something I guess, how it managed this and still not pair up with the box I have no idea.

~ Did you use the Freesat App to record when you were out of the house?
No, although can see it would be a handy thing to be able to do.

~ Did you use the Freesat App as a remote control?
No we have totally failed to do this.

~ 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 this is useful and I did manage to record Houdini which might have passed me by otherwise.

~ Has anyone else in your family used the Freesat App? How easy did they find it to understand how to use it?
We have all tried various ways to get the box and ipad to link and have all ended up using it just as a TV guide.

~ What have you found the Freesat App most useful for so far?
raising my blood pressure.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App to a friend or not?
I haven't recommended it to anyone yet, when I have got to the bottom of my non linkage problem I may.

~ Would you recommend the Freesat App as a TV Guide (for the best free TV channels) or not?
It is a good TV guide, nice and clear and easy to use and it is far easier to see what is on than messing about with the remote control. I like being able to flick through to a later time. Also like the different sections music, news, children sections etc.

Roaring sounds like a nightmare. I don't think I would have persevered as much as you!

Got the vouchers today, thank you

Just got my vouchers today - thanks!

I hope we receive ours soon, does anyone know if they have all be sent out?

Me too WeAre. I've not received any yet either. Perhaps they're sending them out in phases?

I had to pick mine up from the post office as they needed to be signed for - you might want to check if there's a 'could not deliver' card amongst your junk mail - I nearly missed mine!

That's a good point, I will call the sorting office on my break.
If they are all sent signed for I wonder if there is a way to get the tracking number.

Have you received yours yet Gloom?

I have checked with the post office but there is no sign.

Is anyone else still waiting?

Yes I'm waiting WeAreEternal

I messaged MNHQ and got a reply yesterday saying they would chase. I reported my own post so it got looked at quicker, as had emailed last week with no reply since. Might be worth doing that too.

Hullo everyone,

Sorry some of you are still waiting for your vouchers - we'll try and get this sorted asap!

Thank you. =)