Boxee

Regression: Volume lower on files with AC3 / Surround soundtrack w/ 1.0.4

Details

  • Severity:
    Major
  • Version:
    1.0.4.17443
  • Operating System:
    Boxee Box
  • Number of attachments:
    0

Description

Volume of the audio is much lower on files with a surround ac3 track compared to apps such as revision 3 or files with simple stereo tracks. Issue occurs with DVD rips, in .iso format and as files in Video_TS folder. It also occurs with recorded / transcoded TV-Shows in mkv format with AC3 sound track. It occurs over HDMI audio and analogue audio. This bug was not present with 1.0.3 or earlier. Fellow forum member believes it may be related to Boxee BOX not properly downmix surround tracks by maybe leaving out the middle channel causing low volume in dialogue in the content.

I believe this issue does not occur when sending the signal strait a receiver / amplifier capable of decoding ac3, if this were so many more people would be having this issue. Mine is not, so I need to downmix everything to simple pcm signal.

I will upload a log file asap.

Activity

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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment -
Forget to mention that the issue not occur with mkv files with DTS soundtrack. Then it plays flawlessly
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - Forget to mention that the issue not occur with mkv files with DTS soundtrack. Then it plays flawlessly
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stephan schill added a comment -
Issue only seems to affect local movies for me. Local shows play with the same volume as pre vday update.
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stephan schill added a comment - Issue only seems to affect local movies for me. Local shows play with the same volume as pre vday update.
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment -
Version 1,04 is using the internal hardware DD decoder.
Previous versions were using software decoding which is much less robust.
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment - Version 1,04 is using the internal hardware DD decoder. Previous versions were using software decoding which is much less robust.
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment -
Dear Eli,

This does not solve the issue with the volume being much lower compared to playing stereo or DTS content. That its using a Hardware decoder is great, but the volume is much lower than with old firmware. Please look into this, and resolve it. or am I experiencing a hardware defect?
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - Dear Eli, This does not solve the issue with the volume being much lower compared to playing stereo or DTS content. That its using a Hardware decoder is great, but the volume is much lower than with old firmware. Please look into this, and resolve it. or am I experiencing a hardware defect?
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited
ELI, or other Boxee engineers... Are you sure the internal decoder is set up correctly? Or is working properly? If the audio volume is off from previous versions to the extremes reported in the forum (and here) then it sounds like something besides the choice in decoder. It sounds like the contents of the center channel may not be getting used in the downmix. The center channel is responsible for a very large portion of volume, notably the majority of all dialog.

The telling bit of information is that the people reporting this are using stereo output and anyone with a multi-channel setup is going to get the center channel at correct volume and won't be subject to this issue.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited ELI, or other Boxee engineers... Are you sure the internal decoder is set up correctly? Or is working properly? If the audio volume is off from previous versions to the extremes reported in the forum (and here) then it sounds like something besides the choice in decoder. It sounds like the contents of the center channel may not be getting used in the downmix. The center channel is responsible for a very large portion of volume, notably the majority of all dialog. The telling bit of information is that the people reporting this are using stereo output and anyone with a multi-channel setup is going to get the center channel at correct volume and won't be subject to this issue.
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - - edited
Yes, my internal decoder is setup correctly. It hooked via hdmi, and all settings are off regarding dolbly digital, dts and like since my d/a convertor does not support surround sound. To make sure that its not an issue related to my d/a convertor or the internal decoder, i also hooked up using analogue stereo jacks on the back of the box. Same issue

Factory reset and updating the lastest firmware didn't help either.. No issues whatsover using stereo or DTS surround soundtracks. I agree, apparently people using a multi-channel setup are having no issues otherwise it would be much more widespread and reported bug

@ Bruno If Eli or other boxee engineers would respond to the issue, this would be great.. I feel this issue is just being ingnored
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - - edited Yes, my internal decoder is setup correctly. It hooked via hdmi, and all settings are off regarding dolbly digital, dts and like since my d/a convertor does not support surround sound. To make sure that its not an issue related to my d/a convertor or the internal decoder, i also hooked up using analogue stereo jacks on the back of the box. Same issue Factory reset and updating the lastest firmware didn't help either.. No issues whatsover using stereo or DTS surround soundtracks. I agree, apparently people using a multi-channel setup are having no issues otherwise it would be much more widespread and reported bug @ Bruno If Eli or other boxee engineers would respond to the issue, this would be great.. I feel this issue is just being ingnored
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited
Sebastiaan, my previous message was not intended for Boxee customers/users but for the Boxee developers. The issue I describe is a possible internal downmix issue.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited Sebastiaan, my previous message was not intended for Boxee customers/users but for the Boxee developers. The issue I describe is a possible internal downmix issue.
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Mark M added a comment -
Nice, so I spend $200 on a product, an update breaks features and the higher ups have decided it isn't worth fixing. Talk about laughable customer service, too bad I'm outside of the 30day return window.
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Mark M added a comment - Nice, so I spend $200 on a product, an update breaks features and the higher ups have decided it isn't worth fixing. Talk about laughable customer service, too bad I'm outside of the 30day return window.
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Mary Ann Paul added a comment -
No, "won't fix" isn't a good solution. Fix it properly.
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Mary Ann Paul added a comment - No, "won't fix" isn't a good solution. Fix it properly.
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barrasolen added a comment -
Affects mine as well. Anything I have that is AC3 5.1 is extremely quiet now. What you're telling me is I have to either buy a 5.1 stereo system or re-rip all my content without 5.1? I haven't complained through all the changes and the time it took for Netflix to be implemented, but I find this unacceptable.
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barrasolen added a comment - Affects mine as well. Anything I have that is AC3 5.1 is extremely quiet now. What you're telling me is I have to either buy a 5.1 stereo system or re-rip all my content without 5.1? I haven't complained through all the changes and the time it took for Netflix to be implemented, but I find this unacceptable.
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Greg Baker added a comment -
Is the "won't fix" status of this bug the final word? I bought this device at futureshop a few days ago and get 14 days to return it if I don't want it. I am seriously considering it at this point if this bug is permanent. I need to know ASAP if this will be looked at in the future.
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Greg Baker added a comment - Is the "won't fix" status of this bug the final word? I bought this device at futureshop a few days ago and get 14 days to return it if I don't want it. I am seriously considering it at this point if this bug is permanent. I need to know ASAP if this will be looked at in the future.
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Trygve Vea added a comment -
"Won't fix" ?

This is a serious issue. The audio is broken.
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Trygve Vea added a comment - "Won't fix" ? This is a serious issue. The audio is broken.
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment -
I will look into this again
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment - I will look into this again
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Justin Vasquez added a comment -
I have been having this issue since the last update to 1.0.4. It's almost unbearable to watch local content without having my 40" LCD's volume well above the limit intended and Boxee's own Volume control is 100%. This is affecting me since I have a disability with hearing and I never had this issue before. Any help in getting this resolved sooner rather than later would be greatly appreciated. I have no stereo speakers or amplifier, just my normal HDTV speakers.
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Justin Vasquez added a comment - I have been having this issue since the last update to 1.0.4. It's almost unbearable to watch local content without having my 40" LCD's volume well above the limit intended and Boxee's own Volume control is 100%. This is affecting me since I have a disability with hearing and I never had this issue before. Any help in getting this resolved sooner rather than later would be greatly appreciated. I have no stereo speakers or amplifier, just my normal HDTV speakers.
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Atur Shabbas added a comment -
I too am experiencing same issues as others have described here and on forums. I too would like to suggest this product to others. Please resolve this issue. Thank you for your understanding and efforts.
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Atur Shabbas added a comment - I too am experiencing same issues as others have described here and on forums. I too would like to suggest this product to others. Please resolve this issue. Thank you for your understanding and efforts.
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Samuel Sweet added a comment -
Same here on 2 seperate Boxees. Makes the £360 ($575) I just spent seem like a total and complete waste as I was primarily using to stream my local movies now I am using them as decor.
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Samuel Sweet added a comment - Same here on 2 seperate Boxees. Makes the £360 ($575) I just spent seem like a total and complete waste as I was primarily using to stream my local movies now I am using them as decor.
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Paul Smith added a comment -
I shouldn't have to invest in a receiver and a bunch of speakers to play some files with dolby 5.1 sound without turning my TV volume to 100%. Still not very loud at that extreme. I'm using boxeeeeeeeee in a bedroom, I don't want or need anything but my tv speakers, if this issue hadn't suddenly appeared. Fix this it's ridiculous.
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Paul Smith added a comment - I shouldn't have to invest in a receiver and a bunch of speakers to play some files with dolby 5.1 sound without turning my TV volume to 100%. Still not very loud at that extreme. I'm using boxeeeeeeeee in a bedroom, I don't want or need anything but my tv speakers, if this issue hadn't suddenly appeared. Fix this it's ridiculous.
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment -
Just a question, Will this issue be fixed with the next firmware update as mentioned by marcel? Its seems as if you going straight to version 1.5, just want to know if this issue will be fixed in that release? I mean I assume its a just version number change, and that it will incorporate all the fixes that were originally planned for Fiona 1.1...
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - Just a question, Will this issue be fixed with the next firmware update as mentioned by marcel? Its seems as if you going straight to version 1.5, just want to know if this issue will be fixed in that release? I mean I assume its a just version number change, and that it will incorporate all the fixes that were originally planned for Fiona 1.1...
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Luc Bouchard added a comment -
Just note that I have a DTS/DD receiver connected from my Boxee via HDMI and I get the lower volume on local media encoded with AC3. The I watch a Revision 3 show and the volume is 3-4 times louder.
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Luc Bouchard added a comment - Just note that I have a DTS/DD receiver connected from my Boxee via HDMI and I get the lower volume on local media encoded with AC3. The I watch a Revision 3 show and the volume is 3-4 times louder.
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment -
Volume behavior was changes in ver 1.1. The volume of AC3 soundtracks seems to work properly now.
 Please reopen if this bug is not resolved
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Eli Semory [Boxee] added a comment - Volume behavior was changes in ver 1.1. The volume of AC3 soundtracks seems to work properly now.  Please reopen if this bug is not resolved
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Lane Shannon added a comment -
Eli, I first noticed this problem yesterday (4/3) with all the same situation. Wishful thinking I'm sure but will we not see the issue resolved till the next update or were you able to make the fix into the current firmware and if we reloaded it, it would fix the problem? I seem to have the same issue - volume low during local MKV files with AC3 that are connected via HDMI to my display - opening sounds and navigation sounds seem to work properly but playing local AC3 files has to have volume at 70 - 80% on display with volume on Boxee Box at full.

Thanks!
Show
Lane Shannon added a comment - Eli, I first noticed this problem yesterday (4/3) with all the same situation. Wishful thinking I'm sure but will we not see the issue resolved till the next update or were you able to make the fix into the current firmware and if we reloaded it, it would fix the problem? I seem to have the same issue - volume low during local MKV files with AC3 that are connected via HDMI to my display - opening sounds and navigation sounds seem to work properly but playing local AC3 files has to have volume at 70 - 80% on display with volume on Boxee Box at full. Thanks!
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment -
It says right on this page that the issue is fixed in version 1.1 sprint 4. That is not something you'll be able to download at the moment. 1.1 has already been announced for May release.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - It says right on this page that the issue is fixed in version 1.1 sprint 4. That is not something you'll be able to download at the moment. 1.1 has already been announced for May release.
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Trygve Vea added a comment -
After owning a Boxee Box for 3 months, I returned it to the store for a full refund. This bug made that possible, due to Norwegian consumer laws.
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Trygve Vea added a comment - After owning a Boxee Box for 3 months, I returned it to the store for a full refund. This bug made that possible, due to Norwegian consumer laws.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited
Doesn't appear to be fixed in 1.1.0.18203

You guys should consider posting version numbers for the Fiona sprint releases, because to the rest of the community outside of the Boxee team, "Sprint 4" doesn't mean anything and we only have a build number to go by.

Down-sampling to stereo connected directly over HDMI to TV:

Playing back DTS-based 5.1 movie and volume is way too low to listen without adjusting TV to a volume level which is normally not suitable for other content. Further, the audio mix seems un-even in that dialog is often too low compared to music or other sfx within the movie.
Show
Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited Doesn't appear to be fixed in 1.1.0.18203 You guys should consider posting version numbers for the Fiona sprint releases, because to the rest of the community outside of the Boxee team, "Sprint 4" doesn't mean anything and we only have a build number to go by. Down-sampling to stereo connected directly over HDMI to TV: Playing back DTS-based 5.1 movie and volume is way too low to listen without adjusting TV to a volume level which is normally not suitable for other content. Further, the audio mix seems un-even in that dialog is often too low compared to music or other sfx within the movie.
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment -
@ Bruno

How can you test if this issue has been fixed in version 1.1.0.18203 if it hasn't been released yet. Maybe I'm missing something here, or you managed to download some beta beta alpha version... but I'm pretty sure the final release of 1.1 is scheduled for May. I'll wait till the final released has been issued, and then I'll complain if its working or not. It may be an annoying issue, but for me has not rendered the box useless, so I'll just wait for the next release and pray that's it fixed. Patience people.. just my 2 cents...
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - @ Bruno How can you test if this issue has been fixed in version 1.1.0.18203 if it hasn't been released yet. Maybe I'm missing something here, or you managed to download some beta beta alpha version... but I'm pretty sure the final release of 1.1 is scheduled for May. I'll wait till the final released has been issued, and then I'll complain if its working or not. It may be an annoying issue, but for me has not rendered the box useless, so I'll just wait for the next release and pray that's it fixed. Patience people.. just my 2 cents...
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment -
Seb, you should ask to be placed on the Early Access list so that you can test this issue before the version gets pushed to the public in May.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - Seb, you should ask to be placed on the Early Access list so that you can test this issue before the version gets pushed to the public in May.
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Ami Ben-David [Boxee] added a comment -
verified on 1.1.0.18527
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Ami Ben-David [Boxee] added a comment - verified on 1.1.0.18527
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment -
Dear Mr. Ben-David.. Apparently this bug is still there in the current version.. 1.1.0.19036 Seriously... yes, I wouldn't mind testing for this issue, so please sign me up for the early access list...

Thus Please reopen this issue and fix it.. two other cases are created around the same issue 9430 and 9433...
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Sebastiaan van den Akker added a comment - Dear Mr. Ben-David.. Apparently this bug is still there in the current version.. 1.1.0.19036 Seriously... yes, I wouldn't mind testing for this issue, so please sign me up for the early access list... Thus Please reopen this issue and fix it.. two other cases are created around the same issue 9430 and 9433...
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Daniel Gordon added a comment -
Yes, please reopen this. Bug is still there -- my AC3 tracks are quiet as ever. All other audio formats work fine.
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Daniel Gordon added a comment - Yes, please reopen this. Bug is still there -- my AC3 tracks are quiet as ever. All other audio formats work fine.
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Colby Glass added a comment -
Still have the issue on the new firmware.
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Colby Glass added a comment - Still have the issue on the new firmware.
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Kaes Kniestedt added a comment -
Also having the same issue on new firmware. Any AC3 tracks are very quiet. Once I convert the same clip to AAC, it plays at a normal volume. I am using my TV speakers through HDMI. Please reopen the issue.
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Kaes Kniestedt added a comment - Also having the same issue on new firmware. Any AC3 tracks are very quiet. Once I convert the same clip to AAC, it plays at a normal volume. I am using my TV speakers through HDMI. Please reopen the issue.
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Justin Vasquez added a comment -
This is still an issue. I'm about to just give up any hope of Boxee's Team on fixing this issue they made after it was working fine before. It would be amazing if this was fixed ASAP instead of waiting an additional 3-4 months for another update. Please re-open this ticket ASAP!
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Justin Vasquez added a comment - This is still an issue. I'm about to just give up any hope of Boxee's Team on fixing this issue they made after it was working fine before. It would be amazing if this was fixed ASAP instead of waiting an additional 3-4 months for another update. Please re-open this ticket ASAP!
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dave phair added a comment -
I've just brought a boxee and I'm having the same issue, please can this be reopened as it's not fixed in the the new update.
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dave phair added a comment - I've just brought a boxee and I'm having the same issue, please can this be reopened as it's not fixed in the the new update.
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Michael Rose added a comment -
Ami, Yuvalt or Eli: Can you either re-open this ticket, or change the security on ticket 9433. Thanks.

http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9433
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Michael Rose added a comment - Ami, Yuvalt or Eli: Can you either re-open this ticket, or change the security on ticket 9433. Thanks. http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9433
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PJ added a comment -
And add a feature to convert ac3 to stereo.
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PJ added a comment - And add a feature to convert ac3 to stereo.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited
This isn't the place for feature requests. Besides, all multi-channel modes can already be down-mixed to stereo when needed, depending on your settings. If you want to discuss this, post in the forum.

Sebastiaan should re-open this ticket if he can, since the issue has not yet been fixed.
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Bruno Fernandes added a comment - - edited This isn't the place for feature requests. Besides, all multi-channel modes can already be down-mixed to stereo when needed, depending on your settings. If you want to discuss this, post in the forum. Sebastiaan should re-open this ticket if he can, since the issue has not yet been fixed.
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Jan Rex added a comment -
I've created a new issue: http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9877
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Jan Rex added a comment - I've created a new issue: http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9877
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Jan Rex added a comment -
Everyone, please ensure you vote on the ticket linked above... they've flagged the issue to be fixed on v1.2 which may be months away!
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Jan Rex added a comment - Everyone, please ensure you vote on the ticket linked above... they've flagged the issue to be fixed on v1.2 which may be months away!
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Jan Rex added a comment -
They've closed the above issue and opened 9433 to the public. Please vote below!

http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9433
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Jan Rex added a comment - They've closed the above issue and opened 9433 to the public. Please vote below! http://jira.boxee.tv/browse/BOXEE-9433

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Dates

  • Created:
    Updated:
    Resolved:
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