Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Any news on any extra channels being added yet?.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Coming soon,price increases are there priorty at min :(

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Need to get itv hd channels the darts on itv4 at the minute is terrible picture blocking in places awfull.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Nothing at all.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Thanks den that doesn't surprise me.:D

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

l suspect it will be some time in the first half of next year.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Now is that optimistic or pessimistic statement, Den :confused:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Optimistic given VM inability to move things at a reasonable pace.:)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I agree, it really needs to be all or nothing otherwise it is too complicated for us to remember what channels will stream to the other box or not. This will affect how/what we record and watch potentially. However, the below channels are what are currently showing as the ones it will work for. Not a bad start at least as you can start to spread out your recording between boxes. I record quite a lot on some of those channels so still a big help for me. I need to get me a second TIVO to replace my old V+ box first mind. :o)

Yesterday 203
Yesterday +1 204
Blighty 206
Eden 208
Eden HD 209
Eden +1 210
Discovery Channel 212
Discovery Channel +1 213
Discovery HD 214
Animal Planet 215
Discovery History 217
Discovery Science 219
Discovery Turbo 221
Nat Geo wild 228
National Geographic 230
National Geographic +1 231
The Community Channel 233
PBS 243
Good Food 260
Good Food HD 261
Good Food +1 262
Home 265
Home +1 266
Really 267
Discovery Realtime 271
Discovery Realtime +1 272
Travel & Living 273
Discovery Shed 274
Home & Health 275
God Channel 279
VIVA 313
MTV BASE 315
MTV HITS 317
MTV DANCE 319
VH1 320
MTV ROCKS 325
British Eurosport 521
Eurosport HD 522
British Eurosport 2 525
ESPN 529
ESPN HD 530
ESPN America 531
ESPN Classic 533
Box Nation 546
BBC News 601
BBC Parliment 612
CNBC 613
NDTV 24x7 621
Disney XD 707
Disney XD +1 708
Nickelodeon 712
Nick Replay 713
Nick Junior 715
Nick Jr 2 716
Nicktoons TV 717
Disney Channel 724
Disney Channel +1 725
Disney Junior 727
Disney Cinemagic 728
Tiny Pop 737
QVC 740
Gems TV 755
Jewellery Maker 756
ABP News 802
Star Plus 803
Zee TV 809
Zee Cinema 810
Zee Punjabi 812
B4U Movies 815
B4U Music 816
ARY Digital 818
COLORS 826
TG4 877
Channel7 879
BBC Radio 1 901
BBC Radio 2 902
BBC Radio 3 903
BBC Radio 4 904
BBC Radio 5Live 905
BBC World Service 906
BBC Radio 1Xtra 907
BBC R5LiveSportX 908
BBC Radio 6 Music 909
BBC Radio 4 Extra 910
BBC Radio 4 LW 911
BBC AsianNetwork 912
BBC Radio Scotland 930
BBC Radio Wales 931
BBC Radio Ulster 932
BBC Radio NanGiadheal 934
BBC Radio Cymru 936
BBC London 94.9 937

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Thats not a bad selection of channels to start with. More than i thought would be available that quick

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

How are the peeps on here connecting for MRS ? Does HD content stream ok ?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'm connected by hard wired ethernet connections, so just plug each Tivo into the router. HD works fine.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Ethernet into a Netgear FS608 switch. No problems, including multiple simultaneous HD streams.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

What HD content are you streaming?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Good Food, Discovery, Eurosport, whatever... :shrug:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Channel available at moment are as embarrassing as the new channels just launched m8,another vm promise that amounted to nothing:(

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Thanks for the info guys , anyone got it working via homeplugs ?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes! But not without problems. If you look for my posts on the forums you will see what I mean. It's working ok now but, quite frankly, there is nothing worth streaming. All the major channels are blocked from streaming. The big improvement is the ability to control and set recordings from the iPad. That works beautifully and is very welcome.:)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes I had my boxes seeing each other since November 2011 and it all worked first time (after my 2nd box had notified my first box that it was now activated).

---------- Post added at 12:45 ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 ----------

The iPad app does not require your TiVO to be connected to your home network in order manage recordings. I believe it uses the same service as the website which communicates through Virgin Media's network.

Of course you could be talking about setting/controlling recordings via the "remote control" function of the app which would require you to be connected to your home network.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Many people have, but it can be tricky to get the TiVos to see each other with some types of homeplug. Apparently rebooting both/all TiVos at the same time resolves it. Also be aware that on any connection type it can take a few minutes for the TiVos to find each other.

edit: Ooh, 5000 posts. :)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Is it just me that sees this whole thing as a massive damp squib?

Back when I was still a VM customer, TiVo was being hyped up. It took seemingly forever to arrive (so long that I had actually moved away and moved back to a cabled area), and when it did it lacked some of the features that it had been hyped for (streaming to other boxes included).

Now, 2 years on, the big launch - and it only works between TiVo boxes (so is of much less use than it would have been had it worked with V HD boxes as was stated), and it only works with a scattering of channels, including very few in the 1xx range.

It's stuff like this that keeps me a paying Sky customer.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

It took exactly one year.

So you think they should have delayed the launch ever further? :confused:

As I said, it was one year.

1. Did they ever say anything else?
2. You can also now stream some channels to other devices.
3. More on the way this year.

1. Where was this stated?
2. It may well do when these boxes have the Tivo software put on them.

More to be added this year.

---------- Post added at 09:13 ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 ----------

And there we have your real reason for posting :rolleyes:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

There cutting it dam close and there is a network freeze so how are they going to add them :rolleyes:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Sorry. Meant "next year" of course. :o:

And when you're perfect, Sirius, then you can start mocking me :rolleyes:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I was correct so whats the problem :erm:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

And there's no chance it was a typo then? You just had to make fun instead of simply pointing out the error?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'm sorry Carl but one of the main reasons of multiroom streaming is to enable users to stream their DVR recordings around the home without the need for a PVR in every room , in the US its known commonly as 'Whole home DVR'. I agree with your point hopefully streaming to the VHD will be part of their future roadmap especially considering collections now include a TIVO and a VHD box.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Come on Carl; anyone who who believes that the selection of channels available for MRS is anything but utterly dissapointing, is looking at it through rose coloured glasses (and that is the diplomatic way of saying what I mean).

MRS was potentially a great USP for VM, and currently because of the limited channel selection, it is pretty insignificant.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I've not been keeping up with ten MRS lauch, what channels do work at the moment?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I agree, which is why I didn't argue the point.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

These

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35513129-post110.html

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

As I said, enough time for me to move away and move back. And are you taking the date from which ex-TiVo customers were contacted, or the general release, which was IIRC about 4 months later?

I meant between the launch of TiVo and the launch of multiroom streaming, which is almost 2 years since the launch of TiVo, and more than that since the functionality was first promised.

Virgin Media and/or their representatives definitely stated that streaming to V HD boxes would be possible. I'm not going to trawl through the archives on here and through various interviews and press releases - if you don't remember these then either you don't read this board as much as your post count suggest or you have memory issues.


No, the crux of my post was very well summarised by you yourself in the end of your original reply:
And therein lies the problem - and it did for the 10 or so years I was with NTL and Virgin cumulatively. Vague promises which are as often as not not kept or not what they're expected to be.

HD Channels? We'll get some 'soon'.
Piracy making broadband unusable? We're clamping down 'next year'.
Addition of channels x,y,z? 'In discussions'.
A fix for the bug that causes V+ boxes to be unusable between midnight and 1am? We're working on it.


The shocking truth, Carl, is that I left as a loyal Virgin Media customer, and begrudgingly joined Sky as the other half wanted more than the limited Freeview offer available.

On 'the dark side' you actually get stuff, if not straight away then in a reasonable amount of time. A couple of examples:
Anytime content for non Sky Broadband customers, promised late-Winter 2012, delivered Spring 2012.
Sky+HD firmware improvements (not that there was much wrong with the old one), promised spring 2012, arrived summer 2012.

This is before you go in to all the useful legacy features Sky+ have which Virgin have never and will never bother[ed] with, like magic eye support.

Dare I mention Sky Atlantic? Oh I just did.

So yeah, occasionally I stop by when I have thoughts about rejoining, and it doesn't take long for me to realise what a frustrating experience it was most of the time.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Okay. I also I owe you an apology. I have just checked my bills which show I have had my Tivo nearly two years now :eek: Really thought it was only one year! How time flies :o:

And it will, eventually....

This :)

Which Sky won't let anyone have; not just VM.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Sky will let vm have it but vm have stopped investing in high quality channels especially hd for freesat channels and foreign channels and of course +1 channel.the main focus is price increases,poor version of sky active and worse selection of streaming channels between tivos and iPads ever

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

That may be your opinion but unless you can back it up with some facts that's all it will be.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

There it is again! Here's this feature you've been waiting for. Where's the bit we were really waiting for? Oh, it'll happen. Maybe.

I don't buy that, and even if that's factually true, Virgin sold Flextech to Sky in 2010 - effectively flogging off their bargaining chip. As I understand it, part of the deal was carriage of the basic channels then in existence for an extended period.

Clearly, whoever compiled the deal neglected to include basic channels which Sky might later launch, including Sky Atlantic - but never mind that, what if Sky were to launch Sky 1a, and move all their premier programming from Sky 1 over to there? Effectively this would place VM in exactly the same place they were in 6 years ago, except this time Virgin would have no channels of their own to bargain with.

In other words, it's Virgin's fault they don't have access to Sky Atlantic.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Mmmm, I wonder why BT or Smallworld don't have Atlantic then?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Life it's perfect. We don't get everything at once.

On the first bit, I don't care. On the second bit, facts are all that matters. If it were available on any other platform then there might be reason to wonder if it is, indeed, VM. But it isn't so it's not.

"You know that exclusive channel you're going to launch in three year's time? We want that one too."

Not sure Mystic Meg is a VM employee ;)

I'll bet you won't get an answer :)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

By end of next year I think bt will have it and probably more channels,if reports are right they are going to do a thing called invest.something vm seemed to have give up as for small world nobody knows

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Because BT haven't begun bargaining and Smallworld are in exactly the same boat as Virgin?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Good answer trouble is the boat vm is in called titanic :(

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

No reason why VM might not have it by then either, of course.

---------- Post added at 23:18 ---------- Previous post was at 23:15 ----------

But then WillPS said that VM should have been negotiating for this channel (that didn't actually exist of course) back in 2009. By that logic, shouldn't BT be well into all such negotiations right now?

---------- Post added at 23:19 ---------- Previous post was at 23:18 ----------

Actually, they're not at all as they are no threat to Sky. In areas where both are available, VM's TV service gets more customers. (According to some posts on here recently; iirc.)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

The same reason VM don't. The difference is that VM should have ensured carriage in the same way they've ensured carriage of the pre-existant basics.

There aren't really other platforms are there - that's the issue. YouView will change that I'm sure, but in the here and now...
It's really not perverse to protect yourself against a party doing something which it is entirely in their power to do. See the "Sky 1a" hypothesis. There is nothing to stop Sky launching channels and moving content to them to deprive Virgin, if they so desire. Virgin should have ensured they had access to these channels in that eventuality.

Having engaged in contractual negotiations for the last month - you'd be very surprised at the level of future obscurity organisations require circumstances defining. VM cocked up the contract in that respect.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

That's okay then.

I wasn't aware that you could design a contract around channels that don't exist :confused: Care to tell me a little more about how that works?

Well there's BT and SmallWorld.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Well I won't be holding by breath Carl,been a big supporter of vm over the years Carl.but this last 12 months new channels as been a insult and to put prices up as high as there have without anything to justify it is just plain suicide,tv anywhere is a joke were the ipad is concerned and as for TiVo to TiVo streaming that's just plain embarrassing.management at vm is totally clueless were tv is concerned or just plain ignorant,no doubt you will rip everything I have said to pieces.but whilst I agree with many of your comments Carl you sometimes come across as along as you got your TiVo your happy with price increases filling it with +1's and freesat and freeview channels all in sd .big year for bt 2013 and if they get it right vm slide to just becoming phone and broadband company could come a little closer

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Of course.
As I understand it, a clause, or series of clauses exists which state something to the effect of:
i.As an integral part of this agreement, BSkyB will ensure carriage of the channels set out in Appendix x for the fixed amount set out in appendix y for a period of no less than 20 years.

The following clause or similar would ensure the Sky 1a and Sky Atlantic situation would not have occurred:
ii.In addition, BSkyB will ensure that any channels not included in Appendix x which are not Premium channels (as defined in Appendix z) will be made available at the rate set out in appendix y for a period of no less than 20 years. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all channels (other than Premium channels) wholly owned by BSkyB or their wholly owned subsidiaries.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes because both offer similar services to Sky and Virgin where Sky and Virgin are available.

OH WAIT.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Or perhaps the fact that Sky have it as "exclusive" may be a clue.....

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Or they used the brilliant negotiation team that didn't foresee Sky Movies Classics HD.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes - any company would be happy to sign a contract that states that things that don't yet exist will be covered (because, of course, that would be signing away any future product differential they have.....)

Really? have you ever been involved in major contract negotiation with a multi-national corporation?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I did try to point this out at the time but people on CF were too outraged at Sky Atlantic's absence on VM to realise that no company is going to allow a competitor access to a product which doesn't even exist yet - let alone give away a valuable USP.

Oh - and the channel selection via MRS is, well, currently crap.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes, in the last couple of weeks no less. Sky clearly wanted control of VMTV pretty badly (they paid a massive sum).

Future proofing a contract is standard, especially when you are selling your future negotiation power.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Of the two, I think Hugh's is the more likely really.

---------- Post added at 09:53 ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 ----------

One further question about MRS (as I only have the one Tivo!)

If you have one Tivo in one room and another in another and they both have the same channels on them, why on earth would you either want or need to stream the same channels from one box to the other. Your own programmes I can understand, but you have the same channels on all boxes.

Or did I miss something? :confused:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Isn't it pretty obvious

Your children are watching a show in your main room as guests call , they can go into your other room and continue where they left off.

The other advantage is for non PVR customers who can watch PVR recordings in another room (not available on VM yet).

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

:banghead::banghead:
Recorded programmes streaming from one box to another so you don't have to record same program on both,but unbelievably the selection(no surprise vm) available is worse than the ipad.yet again vm's failure to deliver again

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yes. I get that bit :)

---------- Post added at 13:19 ---------- Previous post was at 13:17 ----------

I guess not :)

They can do that already, pretty-much?

Of course. But that's recordings, not channels; which is all you have at the moment. Which was my point :)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Carl as you well know we're talking MRS which is streaming recordings from one box to another why on earth would you think we're on about live linear TV on a thread specifically about Multiroom streaming


Why would you need to stream linear channels when you have another STB with a viewing card to receive them , seriously Carl what an earth are you on about.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I dont see where Carl is going with this. MRS is obvious its called MULTI ROOM STREAM for RECORDED content. Like everyone has said if you have 2 boxes then no need to stream LIVE channels. Streaming RECORDED content makes sense

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification. Will leave you all to it :)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

:D

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

So is this multiroom streaming similar to having a plex server with addons and a tv with a plex type client?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Have any new channels been added to the MRS list yet?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I hope they do, i might start using it then.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Indeed me as well but as we all know its coming soon.:)

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

:LOL:

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

My problem with MRS is that half of the recordings we do will not stream to the other TiVo due to licencing restrictions. I cannot see how this should be a problem as both TiVos are in the same house and content on both can be viewed by anyone in the house, Parental Guidance permitting.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Yer another vm cock up I'm afraid been banging on about TiVo2tivo streaming for 12 months and havent bothered to change contracts with operators when active.so typical of vm :(

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

My feelings as well.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Completely agree, all of the program's we record aren't possible to stream with the exception of a few program's on Discovery.

I also find that trying to stream HD program's really do stutter. Tried with home plugs and a wifi router acting as a bridge.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I had to connect my tivos together via cat5 and my router to get HD working well.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

The lack of universal channel MRS is ridiculous. If I were building my house from scratch I could easily put an HDMI splitter box behind a TiVo and then run it to both a local and a remote television using either a long HDMI cable or HDMI over Ethernet for the remote one. I know it's not quite the same because both televisions would be showing the same programme which doesn't have to be the case if one TiVo is streaming from another TiVo via MRS. I'd have expected the main five networks to have made arrangements with VM by now to enable MRS.

How many streams can a single TiVo cope with? Can I record three programmes whilst watching a fourth locally and stream a different fifth and sixth to remote TiVo boxes too?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Are the terrestrial channels part of the MRS product ?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Virgin haven't updated the page since the Time Warner so here's hoping CN, TCM and all the Discovery channels are now included;

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

The terrestrial channels aren't.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Has anyone tested it out?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I've seen recordings stream successfully from Disney Channel. Any particular channel you want testing?

Update: CN (Cartoon) on 704 won't multi room stream. Just made a recording and tried. Nothing I've recently recorded from Channel 4 or 5 does either.

Update 2: TCM HD is also restricted so won't multi room stream either. Just tried.

---------- Post added at 18:26 ---------- Previous post was at 17:45 ----------

I'm very disappointed with lack of MRS particularly on the terrestrials. I cannot understand what the hold up is. Don't VM have enough security in place preventing MRS ever working except between TiVo boxes linked to the same VM account which would/should all be located on the same premises? Assuming they do, other than exchanging signed pieces of paper, what more could broadcasters realistically expect or require?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'm amazed its not available on the new channels recently added , the offering is disappointing in its current form.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'd go for pathetic.


VM had a brilliant, limited time, USP on their hands and have blown it.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Well it does work, just not with most of the popular channels including terrestrial! Does Sky have an imminent MRS streaming product? If they do surely theirs would potentially be open to wider abuse because AFAIK Sky's way of ensuring multi room boxes are within the same premises is by requiring each box to be connected to the same telephone line. With clever use of VoIP surely that's possible to circumvent?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I believe that they do. MM would be the expert on that one.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

And when they do no doubt,most channel restrictions will have been sorted for launch day.Rather than the half a bucket of crap channels we currently we can stream

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I've not looked at the latest Sky+ HD information lately because I don't watch the service as much and have reduced my sub accordingly. They are currently limiting the Sky+ iPad app to those with at least one of the two newer Amstrad +HD boxes so presume MRS would be limited in this way too. Older Pace and Samsung +HD boxes are currently left out. Given Sky users have a much wider range of equipment I'd expect potential take up to be slower. VM have the advantage of a new platform but they need to get their finger out with regards MRS.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

That's not true the Sky+ iPad app now works on all Sky+HD boxes with the new EPG so basically all Sky+HD boxes with the exception of the original Thomson Sky+ HD box its also available on Android now.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Really? I thought the Pace and Samsung box firmwares were still in beta. When did that change? I'm trying to establish over on Sky User forum. :)

Update: I've just forced my Samsung box to do a firmware update and it now functions with the iPad app. I cannot try the Pace as it is disconnected but presume the same applies. I stand corrected.

Is the forthcoming MRS from Sky box to box or box to Sky Go app or both?

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Why is it that only Virgin seem to get perpetually stuck with these horrible rights issues. Soon it will kill them dead if they are not careful.

I have just subscribed to Netflix (for their exclusive new show, House of Cards). Here is what I can do:

- watch ALL their shows (not some handful of ancient/foreign/plain awful shows) on any number of devices and PCs I want. All I have to do is log on.

- currently I have Netflix on 2 Samsung Smart TVS, my iphone, iPad and 2 PCs. No ridiculous device limit. no problem.

- as I move from device to device I can instantly pick up every show/boxset from where I left it minutes/hours/days ago. I can start watching on one TV in the kitchen and then leave the house or move to the living room and watch via my HTPC from the exact same spot. All seemless.

What Virgin should have done BEFORE LAUNCH OF TV ANYWHERE is get similar access to all their channels and content.

As I understand it the traditional TV Networks and producers are very protective of the "Old-Fashioned" TV distribution system of which cable is a part. They should be receptive to any cable channel wanting to keep people subscribing in the traditional manor to cable services, rather than defecting to "over the top services" for a greatly improved user experience. If they are prepared to let Netflix show Downton, The Killing, etc. etc. without all these crazy limits surely Virgin must be able to get the same. It seems Virgin just do not try hard enough or do not understand the importance of getting this right.

To get over the "one device at a time" issue I could see Virgin allowing you to buy extra simultaneous device rights in a similar way to the way they offer additional boxes now. Each additional box in your home gives you one extra simultaneous device permission and if you need more (e.g. you only have one box in your home, but you want to be able to watch on your phone, while your family are watching at home) you can subscribe without a physical box.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Edit: I'd like to be able to change my post to correct a factual error or two, but it seems that isn't possible. So here is a revised version of the post:

I have just subscribed to Netflix (for their exclusive new show, House of Cards). Here is what I can do:

- watch ALL their shows (not some handful of ancient/foreign/plain awful shows) on up to 6 devices/PCs, rather than 2. i.e., for most, no practical limit.

- currently I have Netflix on 2 Samsung Smart TVS, my iphone, iPad and 2 PCs. No ridiculous device limit. no problem.

- I can watch on 2 devices simultaneously

- as I move from device to device I can instantly pick up every show/boxset from where I left it minutes/hours/days ago. I can start watching on one TV in the kitchen and then leave the house or move to the living room and watch via my HTPC from the exact same spot. All seamless.

What Virgin should have done BEFORE LAUNCH OF TV ANYWHERE is get similar access to all their channels and content.

To get over the limit on simultaneous devices I could see Virgin allowing you to buy extra simultaneous device rights in a similar way to the way they offer additional boxes now. Each additional box in your home gives you one extra simultaneous device permission and if you need more (e.g. you only have one box in your home, but you want to be able to watch on your phone, while your family are watching at home) you can subscribe without a physical box.

As I understand it the traditional TV Networks and producers are very protective of the "Old-Fashioned" TV distribution system of which cable is a part. They should be receptive to any cable channel wanting to keep people subscribing in the traditional manor to cable services, rather than defecting to "over the top services" for the greatly improved user experience, described above. If they are prepared to let Netflix show Downton, The Killing, etc. etc. without all these crazy limits surely Virgin must be able to get the same. It seems Virgin just do not try hard enough or do not understand the importance of getting this right.

All in all, good as the TV Anywhere service is for controlling the TiVo (and for that it IS very good), the streaming service is tragically poor, not just in abstract theory but against already available subscription services available on most new TVs and consoles. How Virgin have allowed themselves to be outmaneuvered in this way I really do not know.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

As you say, Netflix don't charge extra for this.

The content providers/channel providers are greedy and are trying to get more money for services such as this on Tivo. They won't be getting any extra money from me for what you describe above, and really, they need a smack round the head for being so greedy. But VM aren't blameless, as they knew the current rights issues and should have been sorting these out from the very start. OFCOM should look into this as well IMHO.

TV providers are preventing progress and laying the ground for more people, "Cutting the cord" and rebelling against their unreasonable restrictive rules. The sooner all worldwide content is legitimately available via subscription, the better.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'll reserve judgement until further pay TV firms have their MRS products out at least then we'll be able to see where the problems lie , I believe VM are the only traditional pay TV firm currently offering this product.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Truth is when I first posted I assumed Netflix only allowed 1 simultaneous stream. It was only when i did some checking i found 2 were allowed by default! I guess now I am thinking of households who need more than 2 locations. We currently have 3 Virgin STBs but I admit it is rare we are using all three. Still I would be annoyed if I couldn't watch in the kitchen because my son was watching on his phone. I think we need to be able to have more than 2 streams and Netflix do this ATM by requiring 2 subscriptions. Not too bad @5.99, but I wouldn't want to pay 2 Virgin XL subs!

---------- Post added at 17:01 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------

The point is the non-traditional services don't seem to have a problem offering much more content in a much more relaxed manor. The traditional services seem to be allowing their closeness to the suppliers to tie their hands, instead of using that closeness to get an edge!

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Anyone with this set up, are new channels (Vintage, Create & Craft, TLC, NHK, etc) MRS enabled? I'm wondering if Virgin are even bothering to include MRS in new deals.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

Currently with Netflix you can stream two separate shows at the same time with one £5.99 (US $8) account. They are currently doing, or about to, trial a subscription option for around $12 where you can stream four different shows at the same time.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I haven't checked in the past month, but most of the other additions this year are MRS-enabled.

See this post http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35556783-post10.html

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

You'd think VM would keep their website updated then

http://my.virginmedia.com/discover/t...s.snippet.html

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

I'm having a problem with the following setup:

Homeplug > Switch > TiVo1
Homeplug > Superhub
Homeplug > TiVo2

Doesn't work, where as:

Homeplug > Switch > TiVo1
//No homeplug to superhub
Homeplug > TiVo2

does work, I've tried without the switch as well but with the superhub still connected and it still doesn't work. I've tried every configuration on the network setup screen on both TiVo boxes as well to no avail. :(

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

That's pretty good then, though why they didn't get it for the ITV channels is beyond me.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

For clarity I just tried tried recording a minute from each of those four channels before checking that box from another box.

Vintage, Create & Craft, TLC HD = Yes, MRS works for what I recorded.
NHKWorld HD = No, MRS doesn't work for what I recorded.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

They should publish a full updated channel list for MRS then as there is no way of knowing a channel works unless you test it.

They also need to get the finger out and get some channels from 101-199 sorted!

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

It's rumoured that Sky will have a similar feature in the not too distant future. It's a guess, but I suspect that they will have more channels enabled.

When Sky's service does arrive, VM will have wasted what could have been a great USP.

Re: Multiroom streaming ... who's ready?
 

This was one of the reasons I opted for a 2nd TiVo and I have to admit I'm still shocked at the lack of channels supported and disapointed. VM should be doing all they can to improve this ASAP so they have one up on their competition.