Ok, here it goes.... Second post.
I work for a company called Ethnic Channels Group. They have a division called NexTV. NexTV is the new way to watch TV. No need for satelites and antennas. If you have a High Speed Internet connection you can watch TV from all around the world. Obviously from the name of the comany "Ethnic" NexTV's content is derrived from world wide television boradcasters.
Without going through the whole details about who they are, heres a quick link to wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEXTV
A link to our direct site is:
NEXTV
If your intersted in a specifc language, here are the direct links to them:
I look forward to any comments you might have. I will periodicly be re-posting about these sites, cuz, hence, I work for them and I could always use a few brownie points ;)
16 comments:
Hey,
I came across your blog and I noticed that you work for NEXTV, was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions about the service?!
1- Could you explain the technical aspects of this service, there is no real explanation at all on the NEXTV website. How does the setup work with the router? Can I use a wired router or does it have to be wirelesss- is there a difference?! My connection is around 3Mbps, is that high enough for a stable signal or does it need to be higher? What about bandwidth caps, how much bandwidth does this service use?
2- Do you plan on launching any other packages, specifically Serbian or Polish?
On another note, are you involved with the NEXTV / ECG websites? Any idea why the websites are updated so infrequently?
Thanks!
Wow, blogger.com really works....
Well here is what I am allowed to tell you ;)
1. Think of the device as a regular Set Top Box that you would get form your cable operator. But instead of connecting it to your Cable, you connect it to your internet connection. You asked about wireless. This is now not encouraged by the company. Too much setup, and customer service spends half their time explaining to customers why the cant watch TV via wireless when the microwave turns on. lol To keep your viewing experience as best as possible, we recommend that you connect to your router or modem directly to the device via Ethernet cable or via a home plug adapter (a device that uses your home power outlet as middle man, you connect this device to the wall outlet and your Ethernet cable connects to that, and on the other end where your modem is another one is plugged into the wall and the Ethernet comes out of there, this way you don't have to run cables through your home). This way you can maximize the speed connection to your router, and then to the internet. You also asked about 3Mps, in theory you should not have any problems. I say in theory!. A bare minimum of 1.5 Mbps would be recommended. Don't forget, stuff like torrents and download of music and videos on your computer will dramaticly reduce your internet speeds. Your last question of the first section is bandwidth caps. Tricky question. Every internet provider is different and has different rules. The easiest way to figure this out would be 1 hour of watching TV would be 700 megabytes to 10000 megabytes of traffic.
2. YES we are working on that as I type this to you.
Your last note. I apologize extremely. We all know that our company LACKS a bit on that website. (you should have seen the old one). We are constantly changing and upgrading services, that we would have to hire a full time web developer to change it for us DAILY. BUT.... We are launching a WEB based version of our services and are testing it as I type this. We expect a fully changed and updated/dynamically changing website by the end of January... I hope.... This is all in the works, and is our up most priority.
Thanks for the questions, keep them coming, and feel free to ask for me when and if you subscribe.....
Sashmo
Hi,
Thanks for the replies to my questions!
Regarding the technical aspect of NEXTV, you have confused me a bit. Let me explain in detail my interpretation of the setup of this system and you can tell me if I am correct and also answer a question that I will ask at the end.
NOTE: The info below refers to my situation which is based on the fact that my computer and TV are on different floors in my home
From what I understand the NEXTV service would be setup as follows:
1- I plug in my Router to a wall outlet then run a cable from my modem to the router
2- I insert a cable into one of the ports on the back of the router and then connect that cable to my Ethernet card in my computer (for Internet access)
3- I connect another cable into one of the other ports on the router and this cable would be connected to the set-top box (or in my case since the TV is on another floor I connect it to these adapter plugs you spoke about)
4- Plug in adapter plug on the main floor by the TV and then attach cable to adapter plug and connect it to the set-top box.
5- Connect set-top box to the TV
Is this set up process correct or am I missing something?! I may have simplified it a bit since I am a bit of a techie :)
Now my question which I don't think you understood in my first post is what type of router can I use with NEXTV? If I buy a wired broadband router, like this one (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10080885&catid=21111&logon=&langid=EN), will that work? I would prefer not to use a wireless one as I don't feel they are very safe.
From my understanding a router basically allows you to split your internet connection for multiple uses. In this case one line goes to the computer and another line to the TV via the set-top box, is this a correct interpretation?!
Regarding programming on NEXTV, can you not give any info on what other packages you plan on launching? I am not looking for specific channel info but general info like 'Serbian package'. If not then that is okay, I assume this info will show up on your site whenever you launch a new package.
Finally, regarding the websites, are your comments referring to the NEXTV site or the ECG website?? It seems to me as though the Ethnic Channels website has been abandoned and the focus has now shifted to NEXTV? I have heard that it is quite difficult to launch ethnic services in Canada (on cable & satellite), does that mean that you do not plan to launch any new services via ECG and that any new launches will now be on the NEXTV platform? You mentioned about 'the old site', if you are referring to the previous ECG website that had a red background color, I actually preferred that one to the current one. This site is rather bland and devoid of any information. There is no programming info on any of the channels that ECG carries and no schedule info. I suggest a re-designed site based on the layout of the old site, see here: http://www.ethnicchannels.com/russian.htm
Can you explain a little more clearly about this updated/dynamically changing site you mentioned?! Are these changing coming to the NEXTV website, what about the Ethnic Channels site?
Thanks again for the replies, I am looking to subscribe to your service but do to current economic conditions I have had to put it off for a while, unfortunately :(
You have the correct idea of how the hook up would be in your situation.
Any broadband router will do for your setup.
Yes you are correct a router will allow all your computers to connect to your internet connection, expect if you have DSL. DSL normally requires PPoE authentication for your internet to work. You would normally set that up in your router. I would just double check IF you have DSL for an internet provider, that your router supports PPoE.
Being a fellow Serbian my self. All I can say is "jedva cekam" for Serbian channels. They are finalizing a deal right now. I think its only paperwork left before the deal is complete. Ethnic Channels is the primary company and GetNexTv is the IPTV version of the company. Same people same place, just different name.
This new site will be a WEB Viewing version of our existing setup. This is for those people that would like to add or just have a WEB viewing experience, via a computer instead of a TV.
I tottaly understand. Everyone is looking to save and make a buck.
Hi,
A quick question for ya regarding programming. I noticed that NEXTV offers a couple of non-ethnic channels- Setanta Sports & Fox News, any plans to offer other such channels. Will you be adding other news channels, specifically CNN or other sports services like TSN from Canada??
Thanks.
I am only allowed to say a few things, but most definitely yes. We will be expanding more local channels as we continue to expand our business. Currently FOX is our only news would be the only equivalent to what you ask. From what I know, TSN is not YET, an affiliate with NEXTV, but I do see in the near future some sort of deal to sprout. I hope I've answered your questions.
Hi,
What channels are in your Portuguese pacakge, I cannot seem to find any info on this on your website?!
Any updated on the Serbian package- is it still in the works?!
No word yet. But it looks like something is in the works. I hope to know more soon.
According to your post from December, you said a deal was been 'finalized'- guess that deal fell through?!
Sounds like things at NEXTV move at a snails pace- why does it take so long to reach an agreement?! Broadcasters are a weird bunch?!
I would love to tell you that your right. but I can't. What I can tell you that deals that could potentially yield any source of large income can take time. Every aspect of the deal must be checked double checked and triple checked so to defend the company I work for, no we dont work at a snails pace. Be patient young sky walker.
Hey,
Is NEXTV any closer to launching a Serbian package or what?! Another month has gone by and still nothing- is this going to happen or should I look into GlobeCast TV for my Serbian channels??
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Great to finally see the Ethnic Channels website updated, hopefully the next update won't take 3 years! The Subscription page has several errors on it, is that still being worked on?
Also, NEXTV has finally launched a Serbian package! Little light on channels, would have been nice to see some of the Pink channels but its a start I guess?!
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