Well, I took the plunge today and subscribed to the NexTV German package.

Over the weekend, I was able to install the firmware patch that was posted on VUTV's website on my Wave 300 STB.  It did take two attempts though, as the Wave 300 apparently could not read the first USB memory stick that I used.  The second memory stick did work.  For reference, the second memory stick was formatted as FAT, as opposed to FAT32 or NTFS.  It seems that makes a difference for the linux-based Wave 300.

Upon installation, the NexTV screen did appear, you then have to "accept" a user agreement and then you get a login screen.  The username is your phone number and the PIN you get from NexTV upon account activation.

After doing the above, you get the EPG.  For the German package there are 5 programs, as I have previously posted.  However, they are as follows in this order:  ProSiebenSat.1Welt, DW-TV, ZDF, RTLII, and Das Vierte.

The overall picture quality is actually better than that of OverseaTV.  So, I am guessing that the streaming rate must be higher.   I did not have any buffering issues (my ISP is Cablevision OptimumOnline). Additionally, I have noticed that when selecting a channel, it seems to load quicker than OverseaTV.  When you are in the EPG, the current channel appears as a PIP in the upper right corner, which is a nice feature.  The delay for the top of the hour "19 Uhr heute Sendung" was 31 seconds, which is comparable to that of OverseaTV, which for me ranged from 20 - 40 seconds.

As far as the financials are concerned (rounding to the nearest dollar), there is an initial $25 activation fee.  The monthly charge will consist of a $20 subscription plus a $3 connection fee.  The first three months, the subscription fee is waived, but the $3 connection fee still applies.

In terms of content, I am very happy to see ZDF as part of the line up.  I am hopeful that ARD (Das Erste) will be added soon.  To me this is a must in the long term to grow and maintain a German-speaking subscriber base.  I hope someone from NexTV sees this and makes it a priority to add ARD soon.  Considering that ARD, like ZDF, is a public (öffentlich-rechtlich) channel, I do not think this should be much of a hurdle.

As an initial impression, I am thus far pleased.  Time will tell how things are in the longer run and I will post accordingly.  Feel free to ask any questions on the above.

Thank` wkor1 for your update.

But i am still a bit concerned about the legal aspect, especially on ZDF,

Prosiebensat.1welt is approved by CRTC and have a contract with Ethnic Channel Group. Np problem here. DWTV is free anyway.

Here is a excerpt from ZDF homepage.

Warum gibt es nicht alle Sendungen in der ZDFmediathek?

Aus rechtlichen Gründen kann das ZDF nicht sein gesamtes Programm im Internet zeigen. Die Einschränkungen sind vielfältig, so müssen neben den Bild- und Musikrechten auch die Persönlichkeitsrechte von Mitwirkenden berücksichtigt werden.

 

 

wkor1 thank you for that update please let us know how you like Getnextv as you keep using it.          If others have upgraded there boxes and are now useing getnextv please tell us what do you think so far?? how does the picture quality compare to overseatv for you??

One thing that was being mentioned in another post was that Getnextv was using old technlogy in offering the wave 300 STB well i found out that there boxes are new second generation boxes.

So today i set up my account and will get there box in about a week i am very excited to see how things go.  I do belive this is the best iptv company out there.

I have had nothing but great customer service so far in dealing with them.

 

wkor1

i also got the german package with Nextv, waiting for my new box hopefully this week; i'm glad to hear that the quality is better than overseatvs was. Yes we really need ARD in the line-up, but we need the DSF channel too;  the Fussball season is starting soon again. So Nextv PLEASE bring back DSF, we need our Sports channel.

Hi wkor1

I am victim too.  Iam trying to get to nextv but getting voice mail and promise to call me back. Can you please post a phone number where you were able to reach them? none of the post one has a live person answering. much appriciated

Thanks wkor1 for the info on NexTV. RTL II is not in the line up on there website. Can I count on it being there?

Downtowner

Barber,

I hear what you are saying.  I don't know the answer other than what NexTV is telling us, namely that they have permission.  Considering that NexTV posted a letter above in the thread that was jointly signed by the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öfentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten Deutschland" and "Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen" (ZDF) and sent to Ethnic Channels Group stating how OverseaTV did not have permission to transmit ARD and ZDF, it would be very hypocritical of them not have permission.

At any rate the whole permission / rights issue is indeed nebulous.  In the ever increasing global marketplace, I think old views on this issue need to change. My personal opinion is that I do not see a reason that my rights to view a public program should be limited based on my geographic location.

Schöne Grüße

Hallo Leo,

ProSiebenSat.1Welt is part of the package and based on my experience with that channel on Dish Network, they do broadcast Fußball from one of the Premiere live feeds on Saturday, as well as one of the Sontagsspiele also live.

Servus

Iborov,

I called the main number 1-866-645-8792.  In order to reach a live person, try calling during typcal core business hours, i.e., 10 - 5 PM EST Monday through Friday.  It has been my experience that I did not get a live person on Sunday, nor at 8 PM EST in the evening.

Hope that helps.

Downtowner,

As I have previously stated the NexTV website is not up to date.  When I spoke to them yesterday, I was told they are in the process updating it.  I was told that RTL II is part of the package, and indeed it is there.  I would presume that it will thus remain as part of the package.  However, as the saying goes:  "Past performance is no guarantee for future results."  I think we all learned that lesson recently.

RedAce,

I would be interested in learning what new "bells and whistles" the second generation STBs have, so please keep us informed what your experience is.

For me, my Wave 300s (I actually have 2) are only approximately one year old.  As they just came out in Spring of 2006, the technology is still less than 2 years old.  While in the IT world, much happens in that time, in the end, the STBs are really only small PCs with media players that play streamed content.

Just a note to all of those thinking about SiftTV to record German Prgramming. I have been using onlinetvrecorder.com for a while. It works great and is FREE. I was pretty bummed to find a white screen on overseatv yesterday and to find this forum today. I hope nextv can pull off getting ZDF, ARD, KIKA, and DSF. I don't think they'll be able to pull it off since the German Gov't backed GermanTV folded after a year!!

Wollen wir mal sehen!

schon wieder

fischkopf here. got my new box and nothing works.

tried phoning keine anwort. then i am told to shut everything off and start over.

futsch. no instructions. not happy

usw

i have the ? Nextv on the tv. requires phone number and pin number.

have the phone but why no pin number. phoned the number on the screen

and get ethnic tv. phoning tomorrow. dumm und doff 

These boxes are crap, see solutions from companies that offer a decent service (not German channels though) and solution. Here are some:

ITVN.com
Connectv.ca
kylintv.com

Nextv is not even close in approaching to their level.