software update 9.4.3 build 4091-16

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to ask a question about the new software update 9.4.3 build 4091-16,   Its a nice update but feels very unresponsive and slow does anyone else notice this ?

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

If it's the NOW Freeview Smart Box, then i have reported some bugs & glitches to a NOW Staff Member including slow pages updating on screen and the fluidity of the navigation buttons on the remote where i see jerky thumbnails when Moving up and down and across my television screen.

Maybe also report it too either NOW live chat or send them a message using the web form on this link page below.

https://help.nowtv.com/article/how-to-submit-a-complaint 

[Anonymous User]

Sorry I should have said which device it is, 

Model 4500SK , All 3 boxes is same problem

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

The NOW model 4500SK is the NOW Freeview Smart Box with the blue NowTV logo on the top of the box casing identical to mine.

Might be worth reporting your problems since the update to NOW (the more people who report it the more NOW hopefully take notice).

Best way to get in touch with NOW would be live chat or drop them a message on the web form that i linked in my first post.

[Anonymous User]

Reported this problem hopefully they fix this within the next couple updates, thanks for above link 👍

[Reddad]

Anybody having problems accessing the entertainment/movies/sport etc from the main screen?

When I select (for example) entertainment, an error occurs stating a bad internet connection. The freeview tv listings work fine, this only occured after the update. Bugs?!!!

[schnapps]

Hi @Reddad 

Are you referring to the live NOW channels ?

I haven't got enough device slots on my account to watch NOW on my Freeview Smart Box, but have you tried going into the box Settings > System > System Update to see if there are any updates ?

[Reddad]

Hi, I have just done a software update as suggested, and it seems to have
cured the problem.
Thanks.

[Shona]

Keeps freezing then gives me an error saying buffering issue and to check my internet connection stability.  Have absolutely no issues with my connection and it’s only started since the update.  No happy!

[Anonymous User]

I’m on an old 4200SK - Now TV box and it’s been very sluggish since the 9.4.3 update. I also find that 3rd party apps like Netflix or Amazon crash the first time I try to open them.

[Anonymous User]

I'm seeing the same issue on my 4500SK after applying the new green themed update. And it's obviously not an isolated issue, otherwise there wouldn't be so many of us saying that our boxes are noticeably slower now.

You'd swear that the box is only using 1 CPU core as both input responsiveness and animations are awful now.

[Anonymous User]

The firmware was updated to 9.4.3 build 4094-16 earlier this month, but it didn't fix this issue.

Surely they know how to reproduce the issue? It should be obvious since all you need to do is press the home button and then press up or down once. You'll notice that your box won't do anything for 2-3 seconds when switching to or from the home screen. And this used to be almost instant before the green NOW firmware was pushed out to everyone.

Switching between the TV guide, apps and settings seems fine. It's mainly the home screen that causes the box to stall for a few seconds.

The bugs that I've previously reported are all still there too, so I don't know if this will ever get fixed.

[UKTVPlayapp]

Now has just had software update to version 10.0.3 beta 4086. I have updated my now tv smart box with Freeview just a we while ago.

[36deedee]

@UKTVPlayapp  What does it include??

[UKTVPlayapp]

When is the next software update going to appear. I would to see the most updated version of Spotify app version 2.8 beta 90 to reappear again which will be fix by a software update. Apparently there is hopefully an 10.5 os update going to appear.

[Anonymous User]

I am having the same issues. We have a stick and a box, on both devices it's terrible.  The "reaction time" was never great, but now, it's horrendously slow. This update doesn't make the user experience pleasant at all.  It's like the software is too big now for the small devices that it's applied to.  This really does need sorting out and fast

[Anonymous User]

Why NOW TV had to screw up a perfectly working firmware only they know. The problem is that they are quite happy because this firmware works on Smart TVs, (mine in an 24inch LG), iPhones, iPads and also on Windows PCs. Sadly it does not work on either their set top adapters or a Roku Streaming Stick+. It should be a simple matter to see what is causing the problem by comparing the two versions of the firmware, i.e. the one before 17th March and this latest version. They are making an effort to update the firmware as the latest update is dated just two days ago, V.6.4.3 dated 8 April 2021. However they need a better class of softie! 

I can't comment on the performance as all I get is 'SORRY NOW TV is currently unavailable Please try again later.' HA! HA! I have been trying daily since 18 March. I have downloaded and reinstalled the NOW TV app on my Roku stick every day. I cannot do anything about my adapters, Type 4200SK-UK and 4201SK-UK. They just give the same result, blue/green icon, rotating broken circle and then the message. Why, oh Why, did they have to 'update' the firmware. It used work fine.

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

Are you using any sort of adblocking software on your Router for example Pi-Hole ?

Or you are  you using a BT Hub Router, where you need to go into it's Parental file sharing settings to make some changes.

These two above items seem to cause this recent error message.

Type "Sorry NOWTV is unavailable" in the Community search box for various methods how to get rid of this error message .

[UKTVPlayapp]

Just to let people know now boxes are having a new software update to os 11.0.3 beta 4063. I updated my box earlier.

[UKTVPlayapp]

Is there any news of a new software update as it’s been nearing five months since I last updated my now smart box with Freeview on the 7th June 2022. I hear a while ago there was an update os 11.5 coming up but not hear anymore about it.

[gavs82008]

@UKTVPlayapp 

Email support to find out. See below picture for the email address.