Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Thanks for sharing those images. :tu:

Welcome to the site also. :welcome:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I have a feeling that NTL may just wait to make sure things are working before they start advertising this new feature. I'm pretty sure alot of people would be down their necks telling them to stop advertising a service that doesn't work.

People have short memories - remember the L3.1 rollout? Didn't they send everyone information?

Lets just give them a while to get things worn in :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

No purchases yet just trying the free stuff, it works well so far, pausing rewinding etc.
Thanks for the welcome guys

Richard
____________

Forgot to attach these to the last post :rolleyes:

Richard

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

looks very good,

I have to say i am impressed with the way it looks :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

BBC has an article...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4184479.stm

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I wonder how long it'll be before the shopping channels start paying ntl/Telewest to include their infomercials on the service...

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

It's good that it's getting publicity, but somehow I thought that article didn't explain it very well. It was as if the reporter hadn't really grasped the difference between PVR and VOD, and hadn't quite caught on that this is a service that Sky cannot possibly have any answer for.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Well perhaps and e-mail to the BBC highlighting our problems with the article would work :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

But why are ntl claiming VOD is exclusive to them? :confused:

http://www.ntl.com/mediacentre/press/display.asp?id=766

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Because it technically is - its only selected associates on Telewest (or that is what has been said on other forums because there is a apparently alot more that 2,500 customers in Bristol) so for the moment it is an exclusive for ntl: customers

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

no if you read it, it says exclusive to ntl digital customers. So not available for analogue customers.

Thats the way i read it anyway :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

A good point - never noticed the 'digital' bit

Damn you skim reading ;)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

It's also not available to ntl digital customers outside of Glasgow-but they don't mention that.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

No mention about it being available everywhere straight away either :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

where does it say 'all digital tv' customers?

I think you are reading too much into it ;)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

:rolleyes:

Wouldn't it be refreshing to go, actually, isn't it good that they've got VOD up and running, and running very well (by all accounts), on the day they said they would?

Wouldn't it be good to say, well done NTL for starting to move your digital TV service forward?

Instead, you're worrying about one word in a press release?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Fair point-it does go on to mention the fact that it is starting with Glasgow. :tu:

But I'm still not sold on this "Exclusive to ntl Digital Customers" bit, I think that's a little misleading. :angel:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I agree it is a bit misleading. It is true at the moment though..

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Like I did here way back on page 5 you mean?

&

:rolleyes: is about right. ;)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Does anyone happen to know whether the content available to you will be dependent on your TV package. For example, you have to have the package that contains Nickelodeon to get access to its VoD content?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

no it won't....but that is a guess :p:

woo hoo 1400 posts :D

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

*ding*

This is precisely why it's been kept quiet. The roll out could have been postponed at the last moment for any number of reasons. I certainly know I wouldn't fancy being a CSR fielding calls from irate customers shouting "I want my VOD!"

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I want my V. O. Deeee .... sounds like a cue for a Dire Straits song :D

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Surely we should be demanding it?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

It will also be true again in a few months when NTL merges with Telewest!

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Which is, interestingly, banned on most radio stations in the UK.


Anyway, back on topic... can someone who's used the service tell me, what's the response time like when you pause, rewind or fast forward?
____________

Unless you live in London. Or Hull.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Very good. 1-2 seconds tops.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

ntl have now got an official on-demand page, where you can check availablility
http://www.home.ntl.com/page/ondemand

you can register interest, so that ntl will contact you, when the service is available in your area
:)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I would doubt a funding issue as apparently the cost of the upgrades is being funded by On Demand and a consortium of other companies including Seachange internation, in return for a fair whack of the profits.

The only issue I would expect is there not being enough qualified to carry out the work. We shall have to see.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Won't hold my breath. Still waiting for C&W to phone me to tell me that they put a cable in the road 6 or 7 years ago. zzzz

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

:LOL:

Looks like you're not alone though: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...040#post380040 :td:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Yes I agree about the funding, I previously posted months ago that they were upgrading equipment in hubsites that should of been done years ago. They were adding this to the cost of the VOD project, much of it was not necessary for VOD but they were getting long needed upgardes for free by adding it to the vendors bill. ;)

Yes, I think technical staff will be a problem. Most of the work will be carried out by the platform/headend guys, but these are also few in numbers these days although they seem to of missed this latest round of redundancies, I know there were stealth redundancies in this small department last year. I think they (dont quote me) may have one on notice still in Wales, so those redundancies are still quite recent.
(It was mentioned to me last week when being told about this weeks redundancies about one of the platform guys redundant and applying for jobs, I got the impression he was still there, but perhaps he has recently left)

The VOD project would of still relied on the Network Tech's heavily for support, but I guess those at the top who are not familiar with things are thinking the network is running so why do we need them for the project.

I think things are much worse now because there is even less high level technical support in the company these days, support was already lacking when they launched digital TV and cable modems, due to good corporate engineers who had got up and left. I think the situation is worse now, if everything goes without a hitch they have gambled and won. I believe if there are big problems though they have taken a gamble and could be paying the price.

Personally if I was in managements position making the decisions and being very mercenary about getting rid of engineers, I would of waited until after VOD was launched in a couple of areas successfully. To be hones I dont think they have that breathing space because it would get them too far in financial trouble.

As I have said many times before, I wonder what answer they will come up with when their figures dont add up and there are no employees left to make redundant. :monkey:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

So is it like you can watch it when you want for a sub fee of 20 quid a month ? (example)
A all you can eat buffet for 20 (a month) ?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

All we really have to go on is a survey that NTL commissioned about a year ago, which suggested that they'd be offering a range of (not brand new) films on a monthly subscription. This is probably similar to the stuff you see on Sky Movies.

The very latest flicks are likely to stay as pay-per-view -- it suits both NTL and the movie companies this way.

As to how things will really pan out, we simply don't know yet. NTL are probably holding off from offering anything but PPV content until VOD has launched in a few more areas.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Looking at some of the screenshots it would seem that there is both free and paid for content. The paid for content appears to allow you to watch the programme as many times as you want for 24 hours after booking.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Telewest confirmed to me that is the case earlier today, and I imagine ntl's "exclusive" service will be that way too, as both are provided by FilmFlex.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Who in there right mind would pay 7 quid for a softcore movie or channelk for that matter, when you can buy the hard stuff on dvd for a fiver down the barras. :p

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Ah, but you can't do that when you've come in from the pub, ****ed up and ****ed off because you haven't pulled...

EDIT: Come one! how is that a swearword?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Interesting :disturbd:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

you could say "piste" thats not a swear word:D

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Hee Hee Hee

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Nope it is still a pay per view based service. as well as free content.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Big story in The Guardian today on NTL and Telewest's VOD plans - I'd post a link from www.guardian.co.uk but can't access the site at the moment for some reason. Gist is confirmation only initially available to NTLers in Glasgow, Telewesters in Leicester. Also separate story on plans for "super fast broadband benabling cheap calls, speedy downloading and VOD through exisating phone lines", initiated by Bulldog and based on a new ADSL2+ technology. Allegedly 35 times faster than current broadband.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Traditionally the Guardian has spelled 'Bristol' 'Leicester'. Just one of those typos.

Leicester is an NTL area, with no VOD launched as yet.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

This may not bode well for the merged talents of NTL/Telewest as the FT has also spelt 'Bristol' as 'Leicester': http://news.ft.com/cms/s/6d5f6b0e-69...00e2511c8.html One paper getting it wrong suggests careless journalism but two - and the FT at that! - points to poor media briefing. However Brand Republic (http://www.brandrepublic.com/mediabu...gin=MB19012005) and Media Week (http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/articles/...ewest-ondemand) have Bristol as do others.

Playboy TV on ntl
 

We have just received information that Playboy TV has reached a long-term distribution agreement where they will be the exclusive provider for adult-themed VOD on ntl.

The press release can be viewed here.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Wasn't the Playboy deal announced some time ago? I was certainly aware of it before today.

Also, why is this now in General NTL? If anything's a TV service discussion, it's surely Video On Demand...

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Looking at it - The whole VOD thread got merged with the playboy news item in General ntl discussion, causing it to join that thread there, I've now moved it back to TV forum area.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Oh good someone else had read it. Thought I was going crazy :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

No it has never been formally announced until today, only rumours.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

The Playboy deal doesn't sound particularly good news for customers.

Isn't the idea of VOD that there will be an expanded choice?

Having an exclusive provider in a genre seems to be cutting off an awful lot of potential content.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

As they seem to do quite a few channels its not too limiting, but I have to agree with you on the whole though :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Bob has the front row guy got to chance to the FilmFlex guy now? ;)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

You'll have to wait and see... ;)

I honestly don't know :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Is it just me, or is "FilmFlex" is really rubbish name? "Front Row" had/has cinematic references, and makes you think about being "out in front". It's a good brand name. Why on earth did they drop it?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I wanted to know - I complained to them saying why ditch something that has bought so much success?

FilmFlex I suppose refers to the flexibility it offers with any start time you want. I agree its crapsville!

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Possibly because 'Front Row' means 'Buy a movie then wait for it to start'. New name for new paradigm - 'Buy a movie, it starts immediately, you can pause or rewind it when you feel like'.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I always thought they should market their adult films under the name "Back Row"...

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Had a play with VOD today, it all works very well, easily accessible. But.. can't ever see myself using it if the freebies are of the calibre of the current stuff nor if the pricing of old movies stays at the same level. £3 for an old movie ? Seems abit pricey to me.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Got to agree on the pricing issue, started playing around with it last night, and the first thing that came to mind was that this could kill off the local video shop - sure they may get the films ahead of this service, but apart from really new releases evrything you would expect from your local Blockbuster or whatever is now available without heading out on a wet and windy night.

Now if the older films were more reasonably priced it'll be a killer app, otherwise it's going to be a hard sell for joe bloggs in his flat.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

isn't this just a trial service at the moment with more content going to be added at a later date ?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

You COMPLAINED about a name of a product???? :erm: :rolleyes:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Well having contact with people within the On Demand Group, it came up as a passing comment in an e-mail when they were sending movie information to me for my site. If no e-mail had come from them, I wouldn't have gone out of may way to e-mail them about it.

:)

(vod)Roll out dates
 

Does anyone have any ideas about some kind of timescale for NTL on demand roll out dates to other regions of the network. :erm:

Re: (vod)Roll out dates
 

I think anyone that knows (I don't) will not be in a position to say. All that is "officially" known so far is that Glasgow have got it (or are in the process of receiving it) and it will take about two years to complete the roll-out. The two year figure might apply to the entire ntl: network, e.g. Langley, Bromley, ex-Videotron, etc., and some areas need more work than others. This means the roll-out completion for Langley and Bromley could be measured in months rather than years, but the fact is that no one outside of ntl: really knows.

Incidentally you might want to post VOD related questions in the main VOD thread below:

[Merged] VOD

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

NTL's CEO said that Wales is next on the list, but I've no idea when. It could be tomorrow, it could be in June (it won't be tomorrow though).

After that, I've heard that it'll either be Manchester or Belfast. Or none at all because NTL have run out of money.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Other areas are still currently being visited and surveyed this week, but again I have heard there is a freeze on implementation due to lack of money.

Edit: Of course I did say earlier this week that Wales is still on schedule to be launched. But I also said Manchester was on hold, it could prove to be wrong as things could change. I was given that info and passed it on in good faith.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Does anyone have a list of content , thats gonna be on the vod service, if its been posted then am sorry, i'v had the flu. :(

Cheers chris

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Does the flu stop you using the search button then, or maybe it prevents you from reading through this VOD thread, or perhaps just stops you looking at the News page?

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...rvice-update-1

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

meow...

a while back someone posted the market research link which NTL was using which showed an example of what kind of things they were thinking of putting on VOD. If i can find the link ill post it as it made for interesting reading, even though it could well have nothing in common with the service eventaullly offered.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Sorry-I didn't mean to sound so harsh. :)

The info is all here, it's just not fair that people are too lazy to search.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Well as Neil has said there has been named content providers, but not exactly what they are providing. The only ever list of content I have seen was over on digitalspy (http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=128846) although this will be somewhat dated :)

EDIT: The first links don't work though as that markey research website was removed, but someone made a copy fortunately so you'll have to trudge through the topic to get the links :)

EDIT 2: I'm so kind... here they are:

TV Plus.
Catch-Up TV.
Movies on Demand (pay-per-view).
Movies on Demand (monthly).

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

i tell you what would be cool on VOD, if its even possible, is the sky footy games for us to watch like they have on sky with the red button. It would be very cool to say press the red button on ss1 and then be able to watch any of the matches in full again (or extended highlights). Would this even be possible, so split VOD content depending on if you sub to the channel.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

What would be good would be live Premiership matches for all games (not just the few that Sky select). A bit like PremPlus but letting you watch any game live. You could charge a per-view fee and have a Season Ticket option where you could subscribe to see all games played by a specific team.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Yes i know, i should have known better.:dunce:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Would be nice if the BBC content includes radio programmes as well, like the "listen again" feature on the BBC website. I'd much rather listen again via the STB than a RealAudio stream on my computer.

VOD on a scale of 01 to 10
 

Just wondering if those lucky people up in Glasgow could rate the service and give us a clear picture of what they think?

Re: VOD on a scale of 01 to 10
 

The EPG needs a lot of work - 100's of films, but listed purely alphabetically, it seems. Very little 'Catch-Up' content, restricted to BBC, and nothing I want to watch anyway. Music, Kids and Adult content of no interest whatsoever. The technology may be impressive, but the service isn't (so far - it's only been available for a week, let's give it time to develop).

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

yeah, we can only hope!

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Is it possible to add a N/A option to the poll? Lots of people may be interested in the results, but don't live in Glasgow, so cannot give a meaningful vote. AFAIK, you have to vote in order to see the results.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Nope, at the bottom of the poll there's a link to "View Poll Results"

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/po...lts&pollid=466

HTH

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

instead of spending time and money on this, can't they spend some time getting their current product right? Running before they can even walk properly!

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

There is not much wrong with the current product, and the few glitches there are seem to be getting sorted out (slowly). If you are referring to bugs then most of them will be squashed in this release. I have a samsung with iEpg version 4.1 and it is very very good. Things will get better

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

I dunno, but upgrading to a new improved product across the board sounds like quite a good idea to me...

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

im starting to dream that i will wake up in the morning and the bromley area will have VOD ........ only 4 months to wait ...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Firstly, where did you get that figure from? No dates have been released by ntl regarding the VoD rollout. Secondly, the whole Bromley area won't just see VoD appear over night, it will be a gradual rollout, area by area, over several weeks or even months.

Sorry to ruin your dream ;)

Browneggsandham :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Just to let yu know I have a FULL list of all the movies available via FilmFlex on both Telewest and NTL. So bare with me while I try and format it for the article section :)

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Is it the current list or the list of what is coming soon?

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

It is the current list. Currrently its not like the Front Row listings (a monthly list), so you will not see what is coming a few months in advance. The difference is that the studios now have more control over the content (that explains pricing differences).

The list is now available...

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?a=54

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

well I tried for the first time this morning and I must say, there is not a lot of free content or channels, it may get better if discovery channels are all on it.

the remote is not good for it, although the screen does show you which buttons to use.
It is not so smooth, by that I mean when you pause and stop, a bit of a delay me thinks. but if it gets more channels and more content then I would have a better understanding.

I personally think a new remote should be given out for it, my parents wont know how to work it.

so I gave it an average rating, because of content mainly is so bare.

on a side note, I did notice that the STB numbers have four digits on VOD, so if that is the case can they not make that the norm and give us the time on our STB like in analogue????

ik

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Any of the new remotes have the labels printed on them but for the first 20 times a VoD event is viewed it will bring up an overview showing the buttons to use.
Also whenever one of the arrow keys is pressed it brings up the guide in the bottom corner. I don't really know how else it could be made simpler :shrug:

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

yes I can see what your chatting about, but I have 2 relatively new remotes in the house and they don't have anything to do with it, just arrows up, down, left, right and I was saying for the parents, some of which still don't know how to operate a video, let alone aDVD player so this will just confuse them.

ik

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

NTL could send everybody 4 sticky labels that they could stick on the arrow buttons of their old remotes - that would be cheaper than issuing new remotes!

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

How do you know it's improved? Have you got it?

I applaud NTL advancing forward with the VOD stuff but I say that they should get their product right before doing so.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

The software for VoD also includes a lot of bug fixes which helps to 'get the product right'

If you mean getting the whole network to exactly the same standard and running the same software before going ahead with any changes or enhancements I think you'd be waiting quite a while.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Havn't got it as yet, however most reports I've heard have all been positive. I was suggesting giving up on a product that is never going to be perfect and restarting from a more stable point. It's rarely I would suggest such a course of action, but I think in this case it's worth it.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

Feel free to list them as I'm curious.

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

It won't make the slightest bit of difference to you anyway. The only VoD which has been rolled out so far is in a Langley area, which previously had different software and therefore different bugs to the Bromley software you've got.

Browneggsandham

Re: [Merged] VOD
 

dont panic we still have 6 months to wait here in bromley :td: