Originally Posted by devilincarnate (Post 35948575)

Just noticed this ?

https://www.whathifi.com/news/bbc-4k...tion-week-away

Originally Posted by devilincarnate (Post 35948575)

Just noticed this ?

https://www.whathifi.com/news/bbc-4k...tion-week-away

Originally Posted by ozsat (Post 35948609)

The SkyQ box has never had live or even streaming material on BBC iPlayer.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35948618)

Broadcastnow is reporting that Virgin media UK are looking into having an EPG relaunch with one idea being having all the +1 (like ITV +1 and Quest +1) having their own dedicated section. (cant post link do to broadcastnow paywall)

Originally Posted by ozsat (Post 35948609)

The SkyQ box has never had live or even streaming material on BBC iPlayer.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948629)

Really? That does surprise me. I'd heard from certain Sky viewers that the Sky Q system was better than the V6. I didn't think that sounded right at the time! :D

Originally Posted by Ultimate.Conj (Post 35948632)

This pains me to say, but I think the Sky Q UI is much better than the V6 at the moment. The fluid transitions between sections is really good.

The overall look and feel of it, is so much more modern too :mad::mad: lol

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35948608)

All I need is a 4k tv and an upgrade of my Sky Q box

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948634)

I agree with that, the UI is much more modern in look and feel on the Sky Q. Virgin's badly needs updating now.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948634)

I agree with that, the UI is much more modern in look and feel on the Sky Q. Virgin's badly needs updating now.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948629)

Really? That does surprise me. I'd heard from certain Sky viewers that the Sky Q system was better than the V6. I didn't think that sounded right at the time! :D

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948638)

Well we are pretty happy with it but its all in the eye of the beholder as they say..

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35948401)

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35948636)

I got a few 4K tvs about 4 years ago now (well 2 of them like 3 years ago, hubby got one) and the idea was that Sky would add in a 4K box but Q sounds like a disaster and the few updates that they have done on the old HD boxes suck...(there is now such a slow clunky interface, search has issues etc).

The amount of 4K content is abysmal, too. UK TV (not that specific set of networks but in general) really is in a bad place these days and patience is going to have to be the key right now. The wait may be long though - for now the likes of streaming services seem to be the only way to go.

Originally Posted by ozsat (Post 35948640)

Yep - any content from CatchUp or OnDemand (including BBC iPlayer) has to be downloaded to view.

Youtube streams so it can be done.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948644)

I've said it before - UHD takes up far too much recording space. HD is bad enough - I have to spread these recordings over three boxes now as opposed to the 1TB Tivo we had before, on which I recorded most programmes in SD. I wouldn't even think of recording UHD. For this reason, I think that most UHD is likely to be streamed or on demand, unless of course we can 'record' to the cloud. If it were to be otherwise, I am sure our UHD-ready V6 boxes would have been manufactured with a bigger hard drive.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35948618)

Broadcastnow is reporting that Virgin media UK are looking into having an EPG relaunch with one idea being having all the +1 (like ITV +1 and Quest +1) having their own dedicated section. (cant post link do to broadcastnow paywall)

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35948647)

Yeah they do take up more space but the problem that I have is that the storage size for boxes doesn't increase with UHD / 4K boxes. So, for Sky I have a 2TB and 1.5 TB box - both HD and from what I understand it is the same for Q - 2 and 1.5 for the mini. It would be nice to have had Q offer more space if size of programming was an issue.



The old Sky HD boxes are slightly more outdated, in that sense but the functionality cannot be questioned - it is maybe not as efficient as newer models but it doesn't break down and the old planner / search and cinema system was nowhere near as clunky as a 4K system UI / internal settings superimposed onto an HD box.

Even though I don't have as much experience with Virgin they do seem to both have some gimmicks as of late which is frustrating for their insistence of fluidity / ownership of boxes etc. What worked was something both companies have messed with some, and there is only so much you can do for now. It does not mean that you are sitting on your laurels if you don't come up with new idea every single year and some of these overhauls are useless.



Virgin have a far better system on that one in general due to the fact that you can record anything from like the previous week off the planner, too. I have to admit that I am irked by Sky's system of on demand, too - not just that it downloads and space becomes an issue too but you have to watch it out in a certain time before it goes so you are constantly micro managing your box altogether.



Yeah now that both companies have started selling boxes they better produce the content or customers will be left irate...especially those who had to pay for installations.

Not sure if Sky even has any native content of 4K - wouldn't effect us anyway as we still have the HD boxes.

Originally Posted by devilincarnate (Post 35948679)

World Cup 2018: BBC iPlayer to stream matches in 4K HDR - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44308154

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948644)

UHD takes up far too much recording space.... I wouldn't even think of recording UHD

Originally Posted by spiderplant (Post 35948722)

The UHD broadcasts now are about the same bandwidth as BBC HD was when it first launched. Yet you recorded that on your 160GB V+. You could record six times as much UHD on your V6.

And they are less than half the bandwidth of each analogue channel. I bet you used to record those too.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948730)

Thank you, spiderplant, that's news to me. If UHD takes up about the same space as HD, I shall be very happy!

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35948618)

Broadcastnow is reporting that Virgin media UK are looking into having an EPG relaunch with one idea being having all the +1 (like ITV +1 and Quest +1) having their own dedicated section. (cant post link do to broadcastnow paywall)

Originally Posted by SonicMaster (Post 35948740)

Anyone with a subscription able to share any more detail?

Link is: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broad...129711.article

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35948675)

So what are the secondary boxes even for then...just to use on a separate TV? This is ridiculous, they want you to get a new box, pay for install (and not get to keep the box / lose all your other recordings on your old set up) and all for the sake of no 4K content to begin with and boxes that can't record but cost you an extra 10 bucks a month to use? Hope somebody has a spare handful of TVs, too.

What a useless waste.

Originally Posted by Ultimate.Conj (Post 35948750)

I found these articles regarding the shake-up

http://www.cityam.com/265107/virgin-...ng-its-next-tv

https://advanced-television.com/2017...top-epg-slots/

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948801)

Probably because the ratings were pretty poor perhaps.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35948803)

Give me quality over ratings any day, probably the only decent channel Sky provide.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948801)

Probably because the ratings were pretty poor perhaps.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948824)

It could be that. The same reason, perhaps, that Sky are making Sky Atlantic available to all major platforms next year.

Originally Posted by cheekyangus (Post 35948827)

Sky Arts was better when it was two channels. They are too focused on modern(ish) music these days.

Originally Posted by cheekyangus (Post 35948827)

Sky Arts was better when it was two channels. They are too focused on modern(ish) music these days.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948837)

Well whether it comes to Virgin has still not been confirmed OB.

---------- Post added at 05:28 ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 ----------



l quite agree as it should be focussing more on what it used to do rather then going for a young modern audience..

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948840)

Sky Atlantic will be on 'all major platforms' by 2019. Sky's words, not mine.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948844)

Have you got a link to it?.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948840)

Sky Atlantic will be on 'all major platforms' by 2019. Sky's words, not mine.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35948925)

The question is of course how Sky define “major platforms”.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35948942)

The crucial paragraph is below and is open to interpretation. I prefer Old Boy's more positive interpretation.

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/m...of-tv-channels

Originally Posted by Raider999 (Post 35948762)

My post clearly states it is referring to SkyQ not virgin V6

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948801)

Probably because the ratings were pretty poor perhaps.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948840)

Sky Atlantic will be on 'all major platforms' by 2019. Sky's words, not mine.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35948953)

Preference is all very well and good, I’d prefer to win the lottery than buy a ticket and not.

That paragraph makes it even more vague. Distribution of brands doesn’t necessarily mean “all brands”.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35948925)

The question is of course how Sky define “major platforms”.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948967)

Well, if BT is one, Virgin Media is a bigger TV platform than that.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35948974)

BT have more bargaining power then Virgin do..

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948978)

Nothing to do with it, Den. Sky are monetising their assets so they are looking to get as big an audience share within a pay tv environment as possible. And I remind you that Sky themselves said it would be on all major platforms. The only question is whether Talk Talk is part of that group of platforms.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35948925)

The question is of course how Sky define “major platforms”.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35948987)

Not 100% correct both Sky and Talk Talk have some of their own equipment in exchanges.

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35949018)

I thought that it was all just using BT / Open reach's infrastructure?

Originally Posted by ozsat (Post 35949078)

It is unlikely there was update this morning which is why they would be confused - on a Sunday.

Sounds like you may be switching your box off at the mains and causing it not to do stuff overnight when it should be doing updates and guide calls.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35948853)

Really? This was discussed on here a little while ago. Sorry, just going away for a few days so no time to look it up now, but there is a link on an earlier thread.

Ah, here it is - wasn’t hard to find!

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/m...of-tv-channels

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35949100)

Isnt this just saying they'll make now tv available on major platforms? BT arent getting sky atlantic just now tv? Maybe they'll now add now tv on tivo

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35949115)

The press release makes clear that Sky’s portfolio of channels, including Sky Atlantic, will be available on all major platforms.

It doesn’t say any more than that, but whether it gets to VM as a conventional pay-tv channel or via Now TV does not concern me.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35949115)

The press release makes clear that Sky’s portfolio of channels, including Sky Atlantic, will be available on all major platforms.

It doesn’t say any more than that, but whether it gets to VM as a conventional pay-tv channel or via Now TV does not concern me.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35949149)

Surely VM is a major pay-tv service!

Originally Posted by oliver1948uk (Post 35949143)

It would be ridiculous to have to pay a Now TV subscription on top of a VM subscription just to get Sky Atlantic[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 23:03 ---------- Previous post was at 23:02 ----------

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35949160)

Do you have any friends/relatives with Sky ? They are allowed 4 devices on Sky Go - use one - it's how i get Sky Sports coverage.

tbh I don't get what all the fuss is about Sky Atlantic, just watched Patrick Melrose - v.disappointing, and rest seems to be imported US tripe, much like the rest of Sky's output.

Originally Posted by Mad Max (Post 35949196)

It's not all tripe, Mr K, there's been some decent shows shown on Atlantic over the past few years.

Originally Posted by vincerooney (Post 35949100)

Isnt this just saying they'll make now tv available on major platforms? BT arent getting sky atlantic just now tv? Maybe they'll now add now tv on tivo

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35949115)

The press release makes clear that Sky’s portfolio of channels, including Sky Atlantic, will be available on all major platforms.

It doesn’t say any more than that, but whether it gets to VM as a conventional pay-tv channel or via Now TV does not concern me.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35949148)

What the actual press release says is more ambiguous than you claim it to be:

This suggests that adding Now TV to BT's TV service is the final step in providing Sky's entertainment brands portfolio to all major pay-TV services. It does not say anything about the other step being required of adding Sky Atlantic to VM.
Personally, I think Sky Atlantic will be added when the Sky channels are re-negotiated by VM as the industry has matured and become less adversarial. But I don't think the press release provides definitive evidence of this, as much as I would like it to.

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35949160)

Do you have any friends/relatives with Sky ? They are allowed 4 devices on Sky Go - use one - it's how i get Sky Sports coverage.

tbh I don't get what all the fuss is about Sky Atlantic, just watched Patrick Melrose - v.disappointing, and rest seems to be imported US tripe, much like the rest of Sky's output.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35949228)

TiVo has reveal that Sky Cinema Comedy will be known as Sky Cinema Adam Sandler from June 11th to June 18th.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35949228)

TiVo has reveal that Sky Cinema Comedy will be known as Sky Cinema Adam Sandler from June 11th to June 18th.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35949229)

Blame them for what , they launched the channel , pay vast amounts for content on it so it's really upto them how they see fit distributing it.

BT have it's UHD channel and AMC channel they keep for its own customers , I fail to see the difference.

---------- Post added at 18:55 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------


Can't wait for that , months of poorly rated comedies.:D

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35949235)

Vertically integrating content with platform and artificially inflating the price restricts consumer choice. In any other market such restrictions wouldn't be tolerated.

I'm on the side of the consumer, only fanboys wouldn't be.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35949235)

Vertically integrating content with platform and artificially inflating the price restricts consumer choice. In any other market such restrictions wouldn't be tolerated.

I'm on the side of the consumer, only fanboys wouldn't be.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35949237)

I'd argue without being able to differentiate your platform you just have the same offering from everyone so whilst the only option is to reduce price this also results in seeing less players leaving the remaining platforms ultimately able to charge what they want.

Tell me an industry out there that doesn't have some form of exclusivity.

Purely personal opinion but I do believe Sky Atlantic will end up on VM at some point in the future.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 35949239)

If you think Sky Atlantic will become available do you think Virgin will suddenly be willing to pay more or that Sky will charge less? If Sky are charging less what market conditions would cause the value of the content to drop?

Originally Posted by Mr K (Post 35949160)

Do you have any friends/relatives with Sky ? They are allowed 4 devices on Sky Go - use one - it's how i get Sky Sports coverage.

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35949270)

You know, weird as it is the amount of devices that you can put it on, makes the mystique of the whole thing, wane more and more. When you had 4 or 5 networks and it goes to 900 it is like a big candy store but within like a month 95% of them are utterly useless to you.

Same with where you watch it...the fact that you could only watch it on TV was tough case you missed it. Now being able to record, and playback you just hate advertisements more and more.

With the phone / tablet capacity to watch it, it just gets to the point of "now I can watch it anywhere - on the move"...and then the diminished value kicks in on that front, too.

*On that last one, I am not 100% sure if it is just me though - my least spec'd TV is 65 inches, 4K / 1200 motion flow / 3D (and on and on - HDR etc) so watching on a 5 or 6 inch screen is not exactly worth the same.

I.e. if I want to watch something the least amount of energy I can put into it is to move my ass onto a bed / couch and fire up the TV to watch it.

That is the problem for me ; content in this day and age just sucks these days - TV programs and films just are not what they used to be.



I don't think that Sky's output is all bad but they have got into the production end of drama and series late. The films are all produced by one of the big 5 and they excelled at sports which they themselves covered and dominated but the production of TV drama is something they lack.

I tried one series on Sky Atlantic and it sucked - urgh I pay 80 + a month for this for like one network / show and the recording facility.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35949286)

I agree with you on most of this, Chloé. It is good that you can now watch your programmes on different devices because this gives you flexibility. However, like you, everything is so much better on the big screen and that's how I choose to watch virtually all the time.

As for Sky Atlantic, the quality of their programmes are certainly better than on Sky 1. Today's programming from 9am include House, Without a Trace, Blue Bloods, The West Wing, CSI, The Tale (film) and Westworld. Show me one other channel that can match that for dramas. Daytime on BBC1 is just the usual daytime trash such as Homes Under The Hammer, Bargain Hunt, Doctors (and so on) and apart from one good drama (My Girl), the evening programmes are just the regular tired old stuff such as The One Show, EastEnders and Holby City.

So I don't think Sky Atlantic is a bad channel at all - it is certainly the best for dramas.

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35949286)

I agree with you on most of this, Chloé. It is good that you can now watch your programmes on different devices because this gives you flexibility. However, like you, everything is so much better on the big screen and that's how I choose to watch virtually all the time.

As for Sky Atlantic, the quality of their programmes are certainly better than on Sky 1. Today's programming from 9am include House, Without a Trace, Blue Bloods, The West Wing, CSI, The Tale (film) and Westworld. Show me one other channel that can match that for dramas. Daytime on BBC1 is just the usual daytime trash such as Homes Under The Hammer, Bargain Hunt, Doctors (and so on) and apart from one good drama (My Girl), the evening programmes are just the regular tired old stuff such as The One Show, EastEnders and Holby City.

So I don't think Sky Atlantic is a bad channel at all - it is certainly the best for dramas.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35949288)

The Drama channel is pretty good as well..

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35948618)

Broadcastnow is reporting that Virgin media UK are looking into having an EPG relaunch with one idea being having all the +1 (like ITV +1 and Quest +1) having their own dedicated section. (cant post link do to broadcastnow paywall)

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35949303)

I wish I could just rearrange the EPG as I like, like I can do on Freeview, but I've long given up on that feature ever being available on cable. I actually like the +1s right next to the main channel.

This press the coloured button to access the HD version of a channel is rubbish too. The HD version should the be the default now and the SD variants get pushed out of the way.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35949328)

We have posted our version of that new EPG on Media Boy Blog.

https://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/20...ew-virgin.html

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35949332)

Hasn`t it been said previously simply add channals to your favourites in whatever order you like?

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35949332)

Hasn`t it been said previously simply add channals to your favourites in whatever order you like?

Originally Posted by telegramsam (Post 35949332)

Hasn`t it been said previously simply add channals to your favourites in whatever order you like?

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35949340)

All channels own by Sony has been transferred to a new company who is now the legal licensee. The licensee is called Columbia Pictures Corporation Limited.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35949375)

I think the name change makes a lot of sense, as using the same brand for different things is a bad idea in my opinion and the Columbia brand is a well recognised one.

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35949375)

As it goes, I was doing a bit of research into media related things last night and I was searching for Sony TV which game me Sony TV. The televisions made by Sony. I was half asleep and I should've searched for Sony Pictures.

Originally Posted by oxfordmark (Post 35949349)

I don't think that works?

Can you not do this on SkyQ?

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas (Post 35949444)

Out of interest do those awful Asian / India based networks like Sony TV all fall under that or is that just co-incidental on the naming?