Here's a new $30 coupon code to get the latest tvpad directly from the site. Free shipping code 19238315 You can still get it from ebay top rated seller and take advantage of ebay buyer protection. I've heard some had to pay custom duty fees from HK, DHL is notorious in charging VAT, so don't say I didn't warn you guys. here's the link to Tvpad ordering form. http://www.tvpad.hk/tvpad/01/index.html If you can't read the form, let me know. I'll try to help you out.
Phantoman: Yeah, my dad says he could watch TVB through two different apps on TVPad - but he suggested that this implies two different TVB server streams that are different, but without sniffing packets, I can't verify this Also, if I get success with Easycap external USB tuner, I'll report back to you guys.
I'm interested in the TVpad too however I've heard there is an annual subscription (about US$40 - 50). The 1 year subscription is already included in the initial purchase. Anyone who has a TVpad more than a year please confirmed? Thanks
I think you are confused with another product (offering similar service). As far as I know, currently you don't have to pay annual subscription fee after 1 year for the TVpad.
if there is any custom charges, it won't be Hong Kong, since HK is a tax free port for nearly all stuffs.
- how much VAT do they charge for Europe? - can you also buy the Tvpad in a physical store in HK/States? I'm from Europe and I think it would be easier to buy it offline
I've asked my friends to check for me in HK, and I myself checked last month when I was back for holiday, no physical store I found selling TVpad, some shops in Ap Liu Street are selling some sorts of TV box claiming to have similar function. Cost HK$1399 (~US$180), not trustworthy. I think you better buy it online with them, if you don't trust their payment gateway, pay it via paypal. I don't think there is VAT since HK doesn't have VAT, I just paid US$199 (after $30 rebate) from my credit card, and that's all. It included delivery by DHL to my home as well.
Here in Holland it's terrible You only pay taxes for items outside of Europe though. If the item that you ordered is above 22 Euros, then you page 19% tax. If it's above 150 Euros you pay the 19% tax + some variable import duty/tax I did read on another forum that they (TVPad) declare the item as a "commercial sample of no value" in order to prevent you from paying taxes.
Btw, looks like I won't be getting my TVPad today :(, the last update from DHL was like 24 hours ago that it left the HK office. A flight to Europe does not take 24 hours I assume.
well that's not only in Holland, as long as you live within EU and a produt aht comes from a place that is outside of EU you will have a chance beeing caught to pay tax, luckly this time I didn't have to pay any additional tax. ur package might get stucked in customs controll in Holland?
well, my DHL package comes with a commercial invoice, which it clearly stated that it's a Set Top Box, however the unit price is US$25 only.
yeah, I guess Dutch customs are Googling our thread just right now to find out that it's not $25 Ah come on, why me ? I was all ready for the weekend.
VAT from what i've been reading, only some countries charges VAT and even for those countries, they may not catch all shipments and some may get away without having to pay those fees. But 19% seems to be average and that's pretty hefty.
I just got the TVpad and set it up last night. Works pretty well, but the instructions are severely lacking. You can set the menu language to English, but the names of the apps are still in Chinese only. There is an annoying 9 second delay when you switch channels. The video quality is not HD by any stretch of imagination, but similar to what we were getting before with SOPCAST. You need to supply 2 AAA batteries for the remote. BTW, it was ordered on 2/29, and delivered on 3/7. The remote apparently can control the TV, but there is no documentation on how to do that.
I thought so..... but while browsing the Mainland Chinese forums for more info. they said there is subscription as these IPTV box uses the same sources (server?). Thanks for the info.
I agree the instructions are lacking. And yes the app icon is still in chinese. But does that really bother you? Once you use it you know what channels are in what icon. The english is only good for setup and configure video or make future upgrades. quality depends on channel, for me I watch TVBHD and anything that is broadcast in HD. It is very clear and I say at least 720p. Other non hd channels i say are at best 480p but still watchable. Seriously? you are complaining about a 9 second delay? That's just like going to netflix or hulu or youtube....it has to buffer first before streaming. It is still a computer like device and it is getting the data from the internet. The beauty of it is the convenience, the form factor and the ease of use for those who are not computer savy. If you have the time to build a HTPC (which I have) and you have the knowledge to install and configure apps than more power to you. Did you buy directly from TVPAD HK? 7 day delivery isn't bad. Where are you located? Did you get charged for VAT? thanks!
TVpad's remote can control TV as well, to do so, you have to teach it with your TV remote controller. 1) Press "Set" in your TVpad remote until it lights up 2) press the button which you want to set, e.g. Vol.+ 3) Press your TV remote's correspond button to teach it. 4) Remember! Two remote controllers' IR have to face each other. 5) It will blink if TVpad's remote received the signal 6) Press "Set" again to confirm ----- It seems, my TVpad's Vol+ button is malfunction, while others are working well with my Sony TV.
just saw tvpad forum, they found 2 fake websites. http://www.tvpad.us/ http://www.buytvpad.com/ watch out if you're shopping yours.... ---- though i already bought mine, i'm still waiting for sopcast or other solution, which i can watch TV on my iphone/ipad.
Wifi Adapter for tvpad Did anyone purchase the tvpad with the Wireless N WiFi bridge? If so, does it work as well as the ethernet RJ45 cable? Do you have buffering issue when using the WiFi bridge? I would like to know before spending an extra $40 dollars for the WiFi adapter, thank you.
