What would you like to see on the new IFE System?

[oz_mark]

After reading up info on the recent IFE conference in the US. It seems Virgin RED Entertainment system Mark II is not far away from being released.

Will be interesting to see if this makes an appearance on either the Long Haul (777) or Short Haul (737/330) fleet.

Is that the one that uses BoardConnect?

 

[samh004]

A power port per seat for everyone’s iPad’s would be better.

I don’t need IFE on a 1-2 hour flight unless there’s a tail cam…

 

[jsd]

You obviously do not follow the forums that much...

You need to take those rose coloured glasses off your face... Virgin Australia is NOT perfect :!: (I challenge you to find me something in this world that is)

All of this transformation process is costing money, and nobody (especially airlines) have a bottomless pit of it, if Virgin were going to install RED on their 737s they would have done it when they went into that hangar for refitting the first time. not creating a possible financial blow-out by pulling aircraft in and out of a hangar when they please.

The costs involved in refitting these aircraft span far deeper than just the cosmetic refits themselves, an aircraft on the ground isn't making money...

 

[lovestotravel]

All of this transformation process is costing money, and nobody (especially airlines) have a bottomless pit of it, if Virgin were going to install RED on their 737s they would have done it when they went into that hangar for refitting the first time. not creating a possible financial blow-out by pulling aircraft in and out of a hangar when they please.

The costs involved in refitting these aircraft span far deeper than just the cosmetic refits themselves, an aircraft on the ground isn't making money...

^^ THIS ^^

The new aircraft coming would have had their interiors signed off on many many many months ago, so any changes wouldn't be able to be made until later deliveries.

However, existing aircraft going into be re-fitted would have been a much later decision, and if they were going to do seat back IFE, they would be doing it now.

They can't afford to take each plane out of service for days to re-wire the aircaft

 

[lovestotravel]

A power port per seat for everyone’s iPad’s would be better.

I don’t need IFE on a 1-2 hour flight unless there’s a tail cam…

There was another thread for that 91.8% of people on here want a fixed IFE solution

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/in-flight-entertainment-poll-33316.html

 

[oz_mark]

There was another thread for that 91.8% of people on here want a fixed IFE solution

Yes, but fixed may not mean wired.

 

[Noob]

I am starting to think the iPad or tablet option may be the way to go, here is why:

• Tablet can be mounted on the seat back and removed if the guest wants to play a game or read in a more comfortable position.
• If there is a problem with one of the tablets it can quickly be replaced saving costs and assuring every guest always has a working system.
• The picture quality could be better (depends on the tablet).
• Can store the same amount of content as the best built in AVOD systems currently in the market.
• Children are able to use it with more ease because it can be dismounted and hand held
• The fleet could be fitted with tablets quickly with little infrastructural costs like a built in system

Basically, the tablets (if done right!) could do the same thing as a 'built in' system but have more flexibility and cost less.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I am starting to think the iPad or tablet option may be the way to go, here is why:

• Tablet can be mounted on the seat back and removed if the guest wants to play a game or read in a more comfortable position.
• If there is a problem with one of the tablets it can quickly be replaced saving costs and assuring every guest always has a working system.
• The picture quality could be better (depends on the tablet).
• Can store the same amount of content as the best built in AVOD systems currently in the market.
• Children are able to use it with more ease because it can be dismounted and hand held
• The fleet could be fitted with tablets quickly with little infrastructural costs like a built in system

Basically, the tablets (if done right!) could do the same thing as a 'built in' system but have more flexibility and cost less.

Wow, that's some lateral thinking that I was not equiped to do!

I was about to post "I hope not" after just reading your first line, but having read the reasons I see a great deal of merit in what you say. Basically, more user choice!

Am I converted? Well not yet, but I am now thinking about those possibilities. OK, you've mentioned some positives, how about some negatives;

• Theft. How do you prevent those who believe they deserve the tablet more than the next pax?? The FAs already have enough to do without playing store security as well.....
• Damage from dropping etc..
• Screen size. I hope they think of something bigger than a piddling 10" screen.

I bet if Noobs points (above) were pointed out in the poll thread, the Wifi option would have a greater response, provided they don't "expect" all pax to bring their own. I hate having to lug around a laptop and I'm not yet convinced to buy an iPad and I'm as sure as sh#te I don't want to watch movies on my iPhone!

 

[greenfish]

"Integrated" tablets would be nice, but will still require wiring (for power) and some decent engineering to prevent them turning into missiles in the event of an accident.

For my trans-tasmans at Xmas with the family the lack of IFE is a pain - I don't want to have to lug 5 laptops / tablets to/from NZ purely to replace the missing IFE. The NZ codeshares are looking far more appealing.

Please, DJ, do IFE soon - I'm sure your friends at NZ would lend you theirs!

 

[Justchecking]

I hate having to lug around a laptop and I'm not yet convinced to buy an iPad and I'm as sure as sh#te I don't want to watch movies on my iPhone!

Can I convert you? :mrgreen: I bought a refurbed iPad I, as like you I thought they didn't look like $900 worth. Mine only cost around $400 which is something I was prepared to pay for it. I bought it because my laptop is a PITA at airport security and a lot of people said they don't have to remove the iPad at most security checkpoints. My laptops polycarbonate case was also fracturing due to being handled through security so often. They're not designed for that and it's too heavy at over a kg.

From the day I got my iPad it was not been out of my sight or hand for more than the 8 continuous hrs I sleep per day. Here's why it's so precious to me....


It's true, at many airport security points removing the iPad is unnecessary. I mostly just throw the bag through to try my luck and rarely ge asked to remove it. Evenif I do have to remove it, it's an easything to reach into the bag with a single hand while in the line, flick it in a tray and be through well before the guy in front has even unbuckled his belt. It's slimline design, lighter weight and the fact it fits in my handbag make airport security a different experience for me. It's also a lot more hardy than my laptop. The glass and metal casing is extremely strong and quite rough and tumble. I've dropped it a few times...

It's so handy to catch up on missed episodes of the ABC while I am stuck on some godawful ground transport or waiting in line for a cab. Easy to hold in one hand even while I'm standing. Watching TV\Films on an iPad is nothing like doing the same on an iPhone. One has a tiny screen, the other is big, bright, and hi definition. Headphone jack included.

I can connect to my works extranet anywhere without having to startup a laptop. The iPad is always on,
just touch the screen and your on the net. The battery life is great. I always get 10hrs in use mode longer
if it's sleeping most of the day while I work.

I'm one of those people who never bought an iPhone, because it is 'an expensive toy' and my cheap non-smart phone works just fine. But I cannot live without my iPad. It's large screen and dimensions make it more suitable for my purpose and it's extremely handy. I have not used my laptop at all in the past year.

End off-topic evangelical rant

 

[Justchecking]

A power port per seat for everyone’s iPad’s would be better.

I don’t need IFE on a 1-2 hour flight unless there’s a tail cam…

I'm with Sam, in-seat power is much higher up my want list than a sodding screen I need to dim to off anyway. I think fixed IFE is the Atari of the airline world, something too outdated to truly add value. Sure some people still like to play PacMan and Space Invaders, but the world has moved on and I'd prefer the airline to cater to my needs by providing in-seat power.

 

[notzac]

A power port per seat for everyone’s iPad’s would be better.

I don’t need IFE on a 1-2 hour flight unless there’s a tail cam…

One truly irritating problem that I've found is most in-seat power plugs shut down when you plug in the iPad power adapter - it would seem that it draws too much power

The battery life is long enough for flights to the US, but not quite enough for the two flights over to Europe..

Has anyone else had a different experience?

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes, but fixed may not mean wired.

Except for charging the devices :shock:

 

[lovestotravel]

I'm with Sam, in-seat power is much higher up my want list than a sodding screen I need to dim to off anyway. I think fixed IFE is the Atari of the airline world, something too outdated to truly add value. Sure some people still like to play PacMan and Space Invaders, but the world has moved on and I'd prefer the airline to cater to my needs by providing in-seat power.

Refer to the thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/in-flight-entertainment-poll-33316.html

 

[Justchecking]

Refer to the thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/in-flight-entertainment-poll-33316.html

Yes I've read the thread and I'm well aware that I'm in the minority of individuals who don't need to be entertained on very single flight they board. I still think that it's unlikely we'll see anything except a portable solution on DJ, for the simple reason already stated.....if it was going to happen, it would have happened already. So....if you are going to give me a portable device you need to make sure it won't run out of charge on me,so give me a power point as well. And if you're giving me a power point anyway make it a USB one and keep your portable device because I have my own thanks.

You'll have to forgive me for expressing my own point of view. It's the only one I've got...:mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

There was another thread for that 91.8% of people on here want a fixed IFE solution

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/in-flight-entertainment-poll-33316.html

I voted in that, but that was an ideal solution. For Virgin, I’m not too bothered.

I'm with Sam, in-seat power is much higher up my want list than a sodding screen I need to dim to off anyway. I think fixed IFE is the Atari of the airline world, something too outdated to truly add value. Sure some people still like to play PacMan and Space Invaders, but the world has moved on and I'd prefer the airline to cater to my needs by providing in-seat power.

It’s starting to appear that way, we’ve got to the stage where everyone has their own devices, and save for long-haul where I would still think that we need some form in built-in IFE, the short haul routes really don’t need it.

One truly irritating problem that I've found is most in-seat power plugs shut down when you plug in the iPad power adapter - it would seem that it draws too much power

The battery life is long enough for flights to the US, but not quite enough for the two flights over to Europe..

Has anyone else had a different experience?

To be honest I’ve not yet tried it with an iPhone/iPad but would assume with the proliferation of those such devices these days, notwithstanding the planes we’re flying in being built and designed long before, you’d think they’d be designing power systems to accommodate a plane full of Apple and Samsung fan-bois.

No, do it yourself.

I see you’re continuing to make friends. Remember that thing we talked about? Community.

 

[DJ332]

• Screen size. I hope they think of something bigger than a piddling 10" screen.

Have we seen anything larger than 10" in economy class? My understanding was all the Panasonic systems are 9" or 10.6".

 

[Deleted member 29185]

[/LIST]Have we seen anything larger than 10" in economy class? My understanding was all the Panasonic systems are 9" or 10.6".

Fair comment!

Personally I hate the screens on the F2A as it appears the Foxtel is broadcast at 19:9 but the sceen is 4:3. I sometimes amuse myself trying to figure out what the missing text portions are

........come to think of it, doesn't everyone have a claim against DJ for the missing portion of TV viewing that was paid for :shock:

(only joking, no flames please )

 

[travelislife]

I am definitely for seat back entertainment system. Hate having something in my hands/on the table, just takes up the little space you already have. Love NZ's system over the tasman, free TV, seat back ordering, all worked brilliantly.

 

[winglets747]

Is that the one that uses BoardConnect?

Virgin America's new Red system (more than anything "Red" describes the OS, not hardware) is wireless IFE plus tablets that can be mounted in seatbacks (this is the more expensive option).

For Virgin Australia, expect there to be one IFE solution for wide-bodies as they will be flying long sectors, and a separate solution for narrow-bodies (where fitted ) that will be flying short/medium sectors.


As for Y embedded IFE screens bigger than 10", don't forget you're constrained by the size of the seatback and need to also fit in a traytable, even if you put in a hinged/folded traytable.