The iQ3 video recorder is designed to blend Foxtel, Freeview and streaming video in the one box. Given that users have been experiencing a slew of bugs affecting the iQ3 since, the launch timing has led some to question whether the device was rushed out before an appropriate amount of time was given to iron out any bugs before it went on sale. "Still shaking my head at the appalling stupidity of Foxtel [for] rushing this box out without proper testing," wrote one customer on Foxtel's support forums. "Netflix must have been the driver." Says another: "This is pretty poor form by Foxtel; we are basically paying for the privilege of BETA testing this box. Foxtel we are not happy and want these issues fixed … You think we are angry or rabid now? Wait until Game of Thrones starts and we record it in SD and we can't watch it because iQ3 has errored on us." Given the iQ3 was first announced in 2013 and scheduled for release in the final quarter of 2014 but was delayed, this seems to give some weight to the theory the device's launch date of a day before Netflix's local launch was no mistake, given it could've launched any other week but the week Netflix launched locally.



But even customers with the most up-to-date version say the issues remain; Foxtel support staff on its forum also openly acknowledge that many issues remain on the software versions installed on most of its customers' devices. A "Q&A" page created Saturday, for instance, which has already attracted over 1200 page views, lays out many of the problems iQ3 customers are facing. But when customers read it to see what can be done to fix many of their issues, they are often greeted with a message similar to this: "We are aware that some recordings won't resume from where you last viewed it, we'll have it fixed soon". Or this: "We're aware of the expiry date on recorded programming … Once resolved, we'll automatically send an update to the your iQ3 overnight and no future recordings will expire." And this (in relation to remote control issues): "At this stage we do not have a timeline when this issue will be permanently resolved."

* Foxtel rival Stan is joint owned by the Nine Network and Fairfax Media, publisher of this article Clarification: A reference to a Foxtel employee has been removed as Foxtel says he was not directly or individually responsible for the product. Read more: Foxtel iQ3 embraces Freeview free-to-air

Foxtel iQ3 aims to rain on Netflix's parade