Software upgrades:

Technika and FetchTV SmartBox 8320HD Software Update Information

As of July 25, 2011, a new software update v4.8.05-2 for the Technika and FetchTV SmartBox8320HD is now available, to address some of the issues that have been identified in the software so far. In particular:

  • Overall stability fixes
  • Consistency of recording playback resume behaviour
  • New logos for new Freeview channels and for Sky Go
  • Improved adaptive bitrate video streaming for Sky-branded live Sky Go channels. To display the current bitrate on live Sky-branded channels, press BLUE (for quality), then TXT

We're sorry for the trouble with the intermediate v4.8.04-11 release which caused compatibility issues with some hardware platforms. Thank you for your patience.


Improvements in v4.8.03-1 of Feb 2011:

  • Improved series linking manager
  • Correction of issue with disappearing recording schedules or series linking
  • Support for preferred region selection when receiving some channels from different transmitters
  • Correction for software reset under some conditions of poor Freeview signal
  • Fix for buzzer-type sound under some condition at start up
  • Use 1 hour grace period when protected on-demand content expires but it's still being played
  • Removed limit of 20 manually set recording timers
  • Miscellaneous stability fixes and improvements for lip-synching issues

We recommend that:

1. You delete your current series linking and set them again to ensure optimal operation

2. If you currently have a FetchTV movie or TV programme rental in progress, you postpone the upgrade until after you have finished watching the movie (this is due to a Digital Rights upgrade which cannot preserve existing rights).

We're sorry that we weren't able to address an issue that some customers have reported regarding occasional phantom key presses when using the remote control.


Improvements in v4.8.01-11 of 15 December 2010:

  • Improved HDMI handshake
  • HDD management improvements (the check disk manager is more reliable)
  • Correction of video and audio freezes
  • Added setting in "Display" to ignore broadcasters' recommendations (both in EPG and the green 'book me'
  • Added possibility to suspend timeshifting (press STOP while on PVR DIAGS page), it will resume when needed
  • Stop fan when in normal standby
  • Stop recording playback when it's being deleted from My Recordings
  • When starting recording via REC button on live, don't create series linking
  • Fixed condition when series link would be changed to one shot, and then disappear after next time
  • The 3rd F key (F-circle) now opens 'rec timers'
  • Improved messaging when WiFi authentication fails (both at start up time and when configuring WiFi via menu)
  • Reconnect to WiFi when connection is lost (if access point restarts)
  • If you rewind a movie once it reaches the beginning it resumes playback
  • Improved trickplay (FFW/REW and skip) when playing content from the box via PC (VLC) or from another SmartBox
  • Improved audio and video streaming compatibility with WMP12 on Win7


Improvements in v4.8.00-02 of 7 October:

  • Handling of series linking and recordings in general. Please delete your current recording schedules and re-set them for best results.
  • Improvements to conflict management when scheduling from TV Guide and in todo list
  • Issue with lip-sync on HD channels
  • Fixed issue where SmartBox doesn't wake up from stand by
  • Option to set up SmartBox to check for remote recordings regularly, even when in low power stand by
  • Many fixes and improvements to general stability
  • Option to makeTV Guide more opaque (press PiP) to improve readability
  • Improvements in Mediacentre playlist management
  • Fixed issue with loss of audio and/or video
  • Fixed support for RTMP
  • Allow toggling between two recordings in progress with P+/P-
  • Speed up loading of "my recordings"
  • Speed up initial start up
  • When two recordings are about to start, make sure that live channel is not changes
  • Improvements to TV Guide data loading (faster, more robust)
  • Improvements to HDD management to limit need for "disk being checked"
  • When playing media from PC via mediaserver, use progressive download manager to compensate for bandwidth issues
  • Fixed condition where the same programme is recorded twice
  • Allow V+/V- keys to control stereo sound on optical S/PDIF audio
  • Fix for WiFi WEP "open mode" authentication and hidden ESSID configuration


Improvements in v4.7.50-01 of 26 August 2010:

  • Fixed compatibility with BBC iPlayer streaming
  • Fixed occasional recordings schedules being deleted when new ones were set
  • Fixed occasional incorrect display conflict (clash) in EPG when programmes would actually be recorded
  • Fixed WiFi connection after having configured it manually
  • Removed green "POWER OFF" button which was confusing, blue LOW POWER should be used for energy savings mode
  • Improved overall stability and fixed specific instances of box restarting


Improvements in v4.7.49-03 of 21 July 2010:

  • Fix for occasional audio drop out during HEAAC-LATM audio format decoding (BBC HD)
  • Numerous fixes regarding recording timers and series linking management. Note that the recording manager does use the programme and series information present in the broadcast and tracks the schedule changes in order to delay the start of the recording until the programme actually starts.
  • Improvements to the HDD management to avoid corruption which may cause loss of segments of recorded programmes
  • Other fixes and improvements are listed here: What is the latest software version for the Technika SmartBox 8320HD?


Sky Go now available to FetchTV customers:

Now, with a FetchTV account and a broadband connection you can access great TV from Sky on your SmartBox with Sky Go without a dish, a Sky box or an annual contract. Find out more about this exciting new service on the Sky Go information page .


Important Information for your SmartBox: Software Update v4.8.05.01 of July 2011:

At FetchTV we are always working to improve our service to you, so from time to time we release software updates for your SmartBox that install these improvements.

A new version of FetchTV's software is now available and will install automatically if you follow the link on the main menu of your FetchTV SmartBox. It will only take a few minutes to complete.

Alternatively, you may download this ZIP file to your PC: http://media.fetchtv.net/upgrade/upgrade8000-4.8.05-01.zip and unzip it at the root of a USB memory stick, then attach the USB storage device to your SmartBox to start the USB upgrade.

This upgrade is designed for both the 7000 and 8000 series boxes (but not for the SmartBox 8320HD) and will help improve the performance of your SmartBox, and will also fix a couple issues.

February 2011: This update addresses issues regarding series linking

December 2010: This update addresses issues regarding the hard drive management as well as recording scheduling

October 2010: This update will improve the performance of the recording schedules and series linking of your SmartBox

May 2010: This update will improve the performance of your SmartBox and will also give you the opportunity to access Sky Go-- a brand new service on FetchTV.

April 2010: Improvements have been made to the USB exporting feature for archiving and storing programmes. Please note you should always follow the instructions on screen and always use the blue button to eject USB storage devices.

March 2010: We have added the ability to set your box to go into standby at the end of a recording, simply press the POWER button while a recording is in progress and the box will go into standby mode when the recording is complete.


UPGRADE NOW to get the most out of your FetchTV SmartBox:

  • Shortly after you restart your box, you will see a message informing you of the new upgrade
  • Press MENU and select the SW. UPGRADE menu item at the bottom
  • Follow the instructions on screen
  • The full update lasts between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on your broadband speed


ENDS