Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Naughty naughty Sky trying to sell it to their customers on the basis that they can get it for free.:naughty::naughty:

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

They can get it for free - if they pay for something else first.....:D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

No surprise there.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

BSkyB, Atlantic greenlight 'Galapagos 3D'

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118047516?refCatId=14

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yes l saw this earlier but to be perfectly honest l am not going to purchase a 3D TV as l am still not convinced in its long term viability of there being enough content being produced to warrant getting one in the future.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The majority of our viewing is in 2D however there has been some excellent content on Sky 3D , I agree the amount of content needs to increase to improve take up though.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Series link function is now available on the Sky+ app , its working on my Android version not tried it yet on Apple devices.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yep, it updated today :)

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

A very welcome feature indeed

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/4351...-hits-sky-apps

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

If this thread is to be believed there could be some new features coming to Sky in the new year.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1601801

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Whether its Sky or Virgin l would expect new features to be part of their strategy to keep their current customers in order to stop them defecting to their rivals nevertheless all new features are always very welcome be it at Sky or Virgin.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sky EPG to reshuffle in April 2012.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...9&postcount=31

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Looks like some decent shows coming to Sky One in the new year.

Mad Dogs Series 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woUy0...e_gdata_player

Treasure Island
http://sky1.sky.com/treasure-island/...second-trailer

Hawaii Five O
http://sky1.sky.com/Sky1-hd-Hawaii-F...ing-to-Sky1-hd

Plus a few more
http://sky1.sky.com/sky1hd-shows/all...return-in-2012

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yes l am especially looking forward to Hawaii-Five-O after the excellent first series and Treasure Island looks quite good as well.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

7 Channels to close on Sky next week.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...5&postcount=40

9XM returns on Sky in February.

http://media247.co.uk/bizasia/newsar...sive_9xm_r.php

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The SBO content is being increasingly downloaded to the STB via Sky Anytime so I'm not surprised really.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

New and returning shows to Sky Atlantic

Mad Men Season 5 (March 12) http://skyatlantic.sky.com/shows/mad-men

Luck (February 12) http://skyatlantic.sky.com/shows/luck

Game Change http://skyatlantic.sky.com/shows/game-change-trailer

The Borgias Season 2 http://skyatlantic.sky.com/the-borgi...ason-2-trailer

Falcon (2012) http://skyatlantic.sky.com/shows/fal...sultry-seville

Hit and Miss (2012) http://skyatlantic.sky.com/hit-and-m...e-casting-news

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yes some good ones there MM and lets hope its not long before we get this channel on Virgin.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118048049?refCatId=14

Friday night lights lands at BSKYB

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Thanks for the summary. I always manage to miss the beginning of shows so this is very useful.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

No problem , think I may give that Luck a watch , there seems some ok shows coming on Atlantic this year.

You can use the never miss service to be reminded when a show starts , apologies of you already know.
http://epgservices.sky.com/nevermiss/

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Thanks. i actually only discovered that after I had posted. Very useful as alot of shows seem to have a season pt 1 and a season pt 2.

Luck is the one that stood out for me too. But there are a couple on there that I will definately give a try as my main two shows for the last couple of months have been Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire so something not crime/gang related will be a breath of fresh air.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Did you switch your BB and phone to Sky ?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Not yet. My VM contract finishes in April so I will order end of next month.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

BSkyB launches new iPad app and hails 2012 as 'year of the tablet'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...redirect=false

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Not really big news as FX did this a while ago but The Wire is beginning from S1 ep1 on Sky Atlantic tonight. Worth watching if anyone missed the earlier airings on other channels.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

How bizarre I noticed this on the Sky+ app this morning it was under the Showcase section , it's one programme I haven't watched so I've set a series link on Atlantic HD. :D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

One of the best HBO shows ever IMO. I made the mistake of watching S1 on VM vod and became addicted. I'm watching it again :D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Muppetman, do you happen to know what's happening with Sky's plans to let you access the Planner and control your box using the Sky+ app?

I noticed it mentioned as coming soon on the app store about a year ago now but haven't heard anything mentioned since

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Before I start this is purely speculation , however it has been stated so from Sky staff who have good standing on the forums.

The Sky planner is supposed to be available on tablets/smartphones while on the move also available in any outlet using The Cloud under what people are calling Sky Anywhere available at more than 5,000 places , not sure of the timeframe for this. A new look to the EPG has also been rumoured with new features (advanced search) supposedly one. Give this a read

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1601801

This video suggests things to come , you can see Sky box on desk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZee9-PrNX0

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Excellent post muppetman, thanks for that! :)

I've never even heard of those NDS guys before but going by that video, they look like they'll be shaping the future of TV UI's.

Do you think Sky may have scrapped their plans to expand on the Sky+ app then? I've just had a quick google to make sure I was remembering correctly and found the link below.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1453411

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

No these updates will arrive apps seem to be increasingly important to Sky http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...redirect=false it's just a matter of when , there appears to be quite a few advancements on the horizon. I remember someone on the forums stating only some of the Sky+HD boxes use NDS , I believe the old Thomson ones aren't compatible.
http://www.nds.com/
http://www.nds.com/Software_Solution..._STB_Software/
http://www.nds.com/Software_Solution...VR_Technology/

NDS have some nice looking innovations did you see NDS snowflake. http://nds-snowflake.com/
Pretty nice looking in my opinion.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The TiVo app for iOS is excellent & the ability to directly control your box, really adds a whole new element to the standard TV Guide apps. I'm looking forward to Sky's take on this as long as they don't leave it too long, which I don't think they will given their forward thinking approach when it comes to smart phones & tablets. :)

The snowflake UI you linked to is certainly different and graphically very attractive but i'm not sure how usable it would prove to be over prolonged periods. When you say that NDS doesn't work on the old Thompson boxes, are you saying all more recent Sky+HD boxes are capable of running that snowflake UI? It seems like it's going to be very resource intensive. :confused:

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

No I think Sky use some form of NDS media highway software see link in my previous post now but I believe this won't run on the old Thomson Sky+HD boxes which run Open TV middleware , snowflake probably is way off in my opinion. The two below are NDS work I believe so something similar could be possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEtcPtATRUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmYCc0mpvtw

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Thanks again MM,

That DirectTV HD guide looks super slick to navigate, this kind of buttery smooth UI is missing from all the EPG's we have in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfLyS...eature=related

I really like the look of the German Sky guide from the little glimpse we get in that 30 video. Do you have any links to a more in depth look at the German Sky EPG in action? I'd love to see more to make a better judgement. :)

Edit: Found a better video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfLyS...eature=related

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

A few screenshots but written in German
http://www.sky.de/web/cms/de/kundenc...kyplus_anytime

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Is there anyway to view all planned recordings for the week ahead? At the moment I can only see the first episode of a series record show on the planner.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Not sure what you mean, my planner shows my recordings upto 7 days from today.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

On mine if a show is set for series record and there is more than 1 episode of that show then only the first episode is shown in the planner. Once the first episode is recorded then the second episode will appear as a planned recording. E.g in a week where there is more than 1 match of the day the planner only shows the next episode to be recorded. Then once this is recorded the following episode will appear.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I've a feeling its done like that to simplify things however remember Sky's STB only currently give you 7 days listings , you may get a few episodes listed in your series links on TIVO but I believe this is because VM TIVO provides 10-14 days listings on some channels however someone may correct me I'm sure doz007 would know.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yeah, if you look at your planned recordings on TiVo it will show every single episode that's due to be recorded. VM provide 14 days worth of EPG data when it's available but I believe some channels only plan 10-12 days in advance. :)

Looking in my Planned recordings at the moment for instance, the last show currently scheduled is on 20th.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Shame really as all other pvrs I have used list all episodes that exist within its current EPG. Bit its not really a big deal. Will be irrelevant once the app shows the planner in the future.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I'm sure you've already checked but can't you click on the folder of the series link in question to expand it letting you view all of the planned recordings?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

As far as I am aware there isnt a folder in the planner for episodes to be recorded, only for already recorded shows

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

That's correct. I guess it's personal preference , Im not that bothered simplicity does it for me so long as the show records.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Ahhh, I see. I've not had Sky for a while so wasn't aware that the folder file structure wasn't used across the UI. Not being able to see all your planned recordings for the week is very poor.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Subs sales slump for BSkyB?

http://advanced-television.com/index...ump-for-bskyb/

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yes it will be interesting to what their next quarterly results are even though l am a Virgin customer.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I'm not surprised to be honest. I'm looking into signing up at the minute and their box prices are absolutely crazy! Once they see sense, I'm sure subs will improve. :)

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I used quidco when I joined
http://www.quidco.com/sky-digital-tv-and-broadband/

The standard 60hrs HD Sky+HD box is free whether you take HD or not
http://www.sky.com/quickbuy/build

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

With Virgin the 1TB TiVo box with 2 500gb TiVo boxes for multi room would cost a total of £200. (£100 + £50 + £50)

With Sky the 1TB box and 2 standard Sky+HD boxes for multi room would cost a total of £550!! (£150 + £200 + £200)

When you take into account that the TiVo boxes are newer tech, have more tuners and built in dedicated modems the asking price for Sky's boxes becomes very hard to swallow!

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

With that price differential its surprising that Virgin don't attract even more customers.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I've nothing to back this up but could the decline in year on year subs at Sky go hand in hand with increased TV subs at VM?

That would certainly indicate that they're attracting more customers due to TiVo and box pricing....

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Could this be the reason behind all these rumoured advancements ?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Possibly. Competition can only be a good thing for us paying customers at the end of the day!

I'm looking forward to seeing what Sky have in store for us. I'm hoping recommendations will make an appearance at some point but I'm unsure of how water tight the TiVo patents are in this area.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

From what l know TiVo patents are very strong as other companies have found to their costs.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sky to extend companion device leadership by integrating zeebox functionality into tablet and smartphone app family

http://corporate.sky.com/media/press...artnership.htm

Also reported here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012...redirect=false

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

You have used the maximum prices for the Sky boxes for your example. What would most likely be the case is

1st 500gb Sky+HD box FREE-2nd when taken with mulitroom FREE-1Tb currently on offer to exsisting customers for £49.99 self install. So a total of £49.99

The Tivo could at maximum cost be 1Tb Tivo £99+£49 activation 500gb tivo £49.99 per box plus £49.99 x2 if you have 2 500gb so around £350.

Plus of course the £3 per box Tivo fee

Ultimately though the difference in price is just not as far as people would like to think. Most VM customers only have 10Mb so..

The average package of TV/BB/Phoneline is pretty much the same price on Sky or VM.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Rangers TV back on TV.

http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20...254024_2570893

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

It would appear this is the zeebox app , wonder what advances there will be when Sky release their version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdxoC...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bxMV...e_gdata_player

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

That looks like a really smart, forward thinking investment for Sky. I really love the way they're supporting this new wave of phones and tablets. :)

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I think Sky really are heading in the right direction with this latest news. I mean they could release pointless apps like Netflix and Lovefilm or Youtube BBC iplayer, 4od ect ect.

But I have all of those apps on one or more devices EG xbox, PS3, Blue ray player, smart TV.

I want my content on the move now. This really makes Virginmedias Tivo seem very dated, especially as its flash based which is basically redundant now.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sony did something similar with its Play tv (allowing interaction via social media) and user feedback was quite good.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Do Sky offer a money back guarantee for new customers similar to VMs 30 day promise?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I personally can see more people interacting via social media on a companion device , not my thing but I guess there's those who'll love it.

I have to say I'm not sure if I'm honest.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yeah, I'm really liking the idea of watching the Gadget Show and the app giving you the option to buy the products being featured on the show in real time. Having access to your Sky+ planner on the go will be another big plus for the Sky TV platform.

The reason why I asked about the money back guarantee is because I'm not sure how usable the internet would be in my area. I'm currently spoilt by VMs 50mb service so I'm hoping adsl won't be as bad as I fear. :(

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Try your house no and postcode here
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/br...r?address=true
http://www.sky.com/quickbuy/build?ds...b=addressCheck

Should give you an idea of speed available.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Thanks for those links MM, you're a star! :)

Sky says I should expect 5.4 to 11.5mbps

Whilst Samknows gave me the following:

ADSL is available in your area
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL Max services
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL2+ services
According to BT Wholesale, houses at your postcode should be able to support

up to 2Mbps via ADSL
5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max
6Mbps or greater via ADSL2+

What type of ADSL connection does Sky BB utilise?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

ADSL2+ , Sky estimated my line would run 4-11mb it's currently running at 9mb.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Did you say the Tivo was dated.:(:shocked:

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Yeah, he did. :shocked:

Thanks for that, I could certainly manage with 9mb. I'm guessing it's sufficient for Anytime+ downloading and Skygo streaming?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

One thing though:

Does your exchange definitely have Sky LLU?

If you find that Sky cannot provide you with LLU broadband (Sky Broadband Unlimited or Everyday Lite) and all they can offer is "Sky Broadband Connect"... DO NOT GO NEAR IT.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Good question, is there a sure fire way to check if I'm eligible for Sky LLU?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

l have to disagree with that assumption.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sam Knows should list the LLU providers available, plus Sky should know what they can actually offer you if you ask them.


Sky's LLU broadband is excellent. I've had the Unlimited service for nearly five years now. £7.50 per month with no usage limits, no throttling/shaping/management, and no FUP :) Due to my line I only get around 6Mbps though :( ... but that's not Sky's fault - it'd be the same with anyone else.

I'd love VM for the speed, but my area isn't cabled.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

My line says this

up to 2Mbps via ADSL
5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max
6Mbps or greater via ADSL2+
My line receives 9mb through Sky
I'm aprrox 2.36km from the exchange

You have to click LLU xdsl to see whether Sky are at your exchange.

---------- Post added at 19:58 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------

I would agree its a decent service Netflix streaming has been excellent and on my PS3 I always get X-High HD when pressing select.

---------- Post added at 20:02 ---------- Previous post was at 19:58 ----------

9mb works no probs on Anytime+ , SD shows are ready to play in seconds and HD movies usually take 60-90 seconds to be ready.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sky Atlantic to air Showtime’s ‘House Of Lies’ with Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell and Ben Schwartz

http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/s...-ben-schwartz/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JRvXLiJagc

---------- Post added at 15:28 ---------- Previous post was at 15:25 ----------

[/COLOR]'Friday Night Lights' lands at BSkyB: U.K. satcaster picks up football drama

http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/f...-sky-atlantic/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG37AylK1_s

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Sky TV trumps tivo imo , ive been with sky for years and never had a single issue with the services received , sky is so much simpler to use and the box never freezes on me unlike tivo.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Well everybody to their own opinion but as regards potential and functionality for the future Tivo is increasingly way ahead of Sky's boxes and in the coming year you will see that come to fruition in spades.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Care to elaborate Den ?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Like all services there will be some areas where sky will perform better (sky HD box),and some areas where virgin (TiVo) will be better both are not the same in regards to the services they provide.;)

Like many on here i have never had a real problem with my service either NTL or VM over the years.

Mind you sky would have trouble providing an anytime service to me i can only get 1 MB at best 1.5 MB over my phone line.:erm:

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Superior EPG
Wishlists
Suggestions
Apps and many more to come including far superior BBC interactivety then Sky will ever have

Its own dedicated 10mb connection
The potential to deliver streamed content
Menus/GUI: Ease of Use
Catch-Up/Video on Demand (VOD) Services
And more more features as well

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

All crap it doesn't need , its a glorified skybox and the 10mb modem works like a dial up modem , it takes years to buffer stuff down here in my neck of the woods , and on top of that the menus on sky are 100x easier to use and faster and you dont get DONG or BEEP when your changing channels! =D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Perhaps if we has a poll l think you would find that the vast majority of people would vote for the superiority of Tivo rather then trhe old hat and tired Sky box.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Last post as not wishing to enter into yet another SKY v VM debate on here.

But you could say sky HD box is a TiVo box as sky had a partnership with TiVo first and after getting all TiVos know how sky done the dirty its all on the net if you look.;)

http://www.techradar.com/news/televi...uk-flop-674341

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

What about dynamic EPG , bbc/sky sports red button , reminders , easy intuitive use , speed of box , superior remote record apps I'm pretty sure the Sky+HD box isn't the dinosaur you believe it to be. :D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

First of all and l am sure deep down you will admit this in that the Tivo EPG is superior in most aspects and secondly once the BBC apps launch they will blow Sky's red button out of the water in regards to the BBC red button interactivety with 24 streams for the Olympics compared to Sky's how many, Now on to the other so called superior things like reminders to start off with as these are highly likely to come sometime in the next year and as for easy intuitive use well frankly the Tivo is as smooth as it comes and as for superior record apps well l suppose that is in the eye of the beholder in my mind and finally the Tivo is what other PVRs have always promised but have so often failed to deliver and the Tivo has delivered that by the bucketload.:D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The EPG may currently have a more modern look on TIVO but the Sky guide data is generally far more reliable as is speed and ease of use , each to their own though.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The real jewel in TiVos crown in my opinion is the 3 Tuners. If I do end up moving to Sky, that will undoubtably be the feature I miss the most!

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

You need to do some serious thinking a question for you. Why do you want to move to Sky ?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

I certainly do have some thinking to do MM & It's something I've been mulling over for the past few weeks.

The main reason is for the Sky HD channels that aren't available on VM (Sky Atlantic, Sky Sports 3,4 & F1HD, Sky Sports News HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, ITV2 HD etc) it would be really nice not to have to wonder if or when VM will ever get the channels. Coupled with this is the fact that I really enjoy using the Sky iPad app and most of them now carry a monthly sub if you're not a Sky subscriber.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

They are all excellent features you mention , I'll give you my opinion and stay neutral

VM+ points
3 tuners
Faster BB depends what you use it for I mainly browse and stream Video which is fine on my connection.
VM OD is a better delivery method
Free ESPN costs 9.00 on Sky if you have sky sports

Sky+ points
Better linear TV choice especially HD
Better mobile apps
Cheaper phone packages
Sky 1TB records 240 hrs HD double TIVO 1TB
Sky 3D included in Sky world pack

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Either they're using magic or the shows are compressed to hell?

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

The HD PQ is just fine ,It's called mpeg 4 James

Here you go
http://www.sky.com/shop/boxes/1TB

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

:( Wish I had Sky.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Hollywood blasts U.K. competition watchdog: Studios defend their contracts with BSkyB

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,7819286.story

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Thats typical and one must hope this cosy relationship is broken up sooner rather then later.

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Superiority Den is not a box were the customer has to check the EPG for data errors and report them
http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...te/td-p/963263

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

Better to have a system then to have none.:D

Re: General Sky TV Discussion
 

When you download a show from Anytime+ is it saved to the Anytime partition or the main Planner partition?