Re: PVR release dates
 

It's not, same as all the other boxes (and most consumer STBs it seems!)

Re: PVR release dates
 

FWIW I just phoned NTL customer services. They said that the TVDrive would be available in my postcode (NW6) on 23 January.

Pinch of salt required but at least they could give a definite date...

Re: PVR release dates
 

I phoned up NTL sales and asked when the TVDrive would be released in the Dorset region. I was told by a lady that they had no official date but she'd heard it would be the middle of next month.

Re: PVR release dates
 

thay told me middle of next month offical roll out for us newcastle staffs 26th jan;)

---------- Post added at 15:49 ---------- Previous post was at 15:48 ----------

like how the smart card goes in the back stops little fingers messing.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in NW6 too and didn't manage to get anything out of them! I'm planning on coming over from Homechoice so it's good to know a date so I can plan giving HC my 30 days notice to cancel my contract!

Re: PVR release dates
 

When I called up last week I was told that based on my postcode (GU51 - North East Hampshire) Dec 12th was the roll out date in my area.

I was also told that they were not yet taking bookings, but that the letter/info pages were at the printers and I should expect a letter fairly soon.

I'll try ringing again at the start of Dec.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I phoned sales tonight after I got a TV Drive leaflet in the post today and I'm booked for the 28th. One thing I found odd was that they could relocate the current box for an extra £5 a month or take the box away and I pay the £75 installation fee. Being in a 1-bedroom flat I've decided to get rid of the old Pace box.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Purely cosmetic question - does the PVR display the time on the front at all anywhere or is it just the channel number ?

Re: PVR release dates
 

The time is displayed on the front panel if the PVR is in standby mode.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Excellent - thanks :)

Better than my NTL/Tivo combi and my Thommo DHD4000, none of which have clocks (luckily my rarely used Sony DVD recorder does)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ewww, that remote's ugly. I wonder if NTL are thinking about a new one in line with the excellent sharks...

Re: PVR release dates
 

Well as far as I am aware, the current purple shark will work with it. There just won't be any PVR controls on it :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

Does anyone know if you have to have the 2nd STB installed in a seperate room.

I'd quite like to avoid the £75 install fee and spread the £60 2nd STB cost over 12 months but I don't have another TV in the house so I'd just like to have the 2nd STB left where it is in my AV rack and have the TV Drive in the same rack. Will NTL do this?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yep, the engineer will install the 2nd box wherever you want it. But if you've got a Samsung, both remotes will control both boxes for some functions.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi

Does anyone know the release date for the Portsmouth/Solent area?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Can I ask a quick question please?

How responsive is the TV Guide on the TVDrive? I had Tivo a year or so ago and loved the fact that it's guide downloaded overnight so that its operation was instantaneous. Also, does the TVDrive have any search functionality like Tivo? ie, rather than browsing for the pgm you want to record, can you do a search dor say, "Prison Break" and it will list all upcoming episodes and what channels they appear on? Can you ask it to record anything that stars "Kate Beckinsale" or any pgm containing "Star" in the title? Just wondering if it's Tivo lite or just a variant on the cumbersome NTL Guide we have on our set-top-box.

Thanks.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm interested in a Tivo comparison too - the TVDrive will need to be pretty nifty before I consider giving up my Tivo.

I guess you could have both running in parallel though (Freeview stb & Tivo for backup, alongside the cable box).

Would need wireless power installed though to eliminate all those cables. :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

I've got both at home, and have had for some time (TiVo since October 2000 in fact!)

They both have their plus points and minus points, but suffice to say that I now mainly use TVDrive. TiVo's still there, recording merrily in the background in case TVDrive misses anything important, but that hasn't happened in weeks.

Re: PVR release dates
 

As a longterm TiVo user I'm struggling a little bit as the TVDrive is nowhere near as intelligent as the Tivo as a PVR. I'm no expert on TVDrive having only used it for a few days but it seems awkward in comparison with no search by title or wishlists and the remote has tiny FF/Play/Rewind buttons placed off-balance at the top instead of the central large arrow buttons on TiVo's remote. Recordings are scheduled via the 8-day EPG.

Nevertheless I'm slowly getting used to it..! :dunce:

Re: PVR release dates
 

The only real advantages the TVDrive drive are the multiple tuners and the that the video isn't being re-encoded. You could still use your TiVo as normal with the TVDrive using the 'live' tuner, then at least you'd have a backup recorder for important shows. Of course you wont be able to watch TVDrive recordings while TiVo is recording. Also I believe you wouldn't be able to use HDMI as that disables the SCART output which the TiVo would require.

I think I'll hook TiVo up and probably cancel all my season passes and then just use TiVo when I'm away to set recordings via TivoWeb, remembering to flick output back to SCART before I go!

Is the TVDrive capable of remote web based programming, should ntl impliment it in the future?


A.

Re: PVR release dates
 

does tvdrive suffer from the same slow tv guide and interactive as normal ntl stb's?

Re: PVR release dates
 

That's helpful for when you're away.

Can I also assume that there is no series link option too?

Edit - That box/remote is U.G.L.Y :sick:

Re: PVR release dates
 

That's OK, the 2nd STB will be unplugged. I just want to avoid having to pay the install fee of £75.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

8 day EPG + series link:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...8&d=1163678681

Re: PVR release dates
 

That's not true. The PVR has a full 8-day EPG. There is a Record Series option, although its reliability depends on the data supplied by ntl's listings supplier.

EDIT: Damn, beaten to it! ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

That is OK - I cheated by using one of Rankrotten's pictures to do all the talking! ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I rarely vent ny anger at ntl tech guys but this took the biscuit, the tech guy came up this morning to fix my brothers samsung box in the next room, after 10 mins (i knew what the problem was, they stoped the smart card) Smart card wasn't registerd even though it was, anyways to cut a long story short the guy came into my room and took out the smart card when i clearly told him i was recording a tv show, he just ignored me and then casualy walked into the living room where the tv drive is, he said whats this and i explained what it was and he said he's never seen one before
low and behold he started messing about with the diagnostics and then had the gull to say he's never been trained to install them, 20 mins later after he left...........THE BOX FROZED UP.

very angry indeed

Re: PVR release dates
 

Sorry to hear about the mess the tech left you in .There seems to a lot of faults at the moment where custmers are losing channels .I have reported this problem but who knows what will happen.I would of thought the techs in the aera you live in would of been trained before the roll out :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

The problem was, there was picture and sound however when i pressed TVD or to check see what was on nothing came up on the screen, then i realised what he did and that was simply put the scart lead in the wrong socket on the box.

All working now, as for the freezing it's all sorted now.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Only quoting another poster :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi again

IS their no one out there who knows the release date for Portsmouth/solent area? I REAllY want this now and can't wait till January

Re: PVR release dates
 

From the top of this thread - Early 2007.

If you can't wait, get sky?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Done :tu: :LOL:

Re: PVR release dates
 

just getting it installed as we speak, installer seems to be in a bit of a mood, i think he thought it was a straight swap of an old ntl box, but as i dont have tv, its a new install. His responce..."nightmare" Still excited as hell and cant wait!

EDIT: Also meant to say that the box does not have a telewest logo on it (or an ntl logo, theres no logo), but the remote does say telewest!

Re: PVR release dates
 

Can't get sky because I'm tied to my NTL 12 month contract till April. Was going to go over to sky then but I think I'll stick with NTL now as I really don't want to own my equipment :rolleyes:

Re: PVR release dates
 

OK its now in and its awesome. Its a bit slow at changing channels, and a little bit bummed to find out that my tv does not automatically switch to HDMI input when I switch on tvdrive the way it does when connected by scart.

Have watched Pride on BBC on demand in HD and its amazing! 108 the BBC HD preview channel is only giving me audio and no picture, not sure what thats about, hopefully will resolve itself soon.

Also very little on demand content, hopefully that will fix itself as well.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Well, ntl demonstrated their usual level of customer 'service' today.

Was due installation of tvdrive today, called late afternoon to query status of engineer. "Oh we had to cancel the installation as somebody made an error processing your order. Did nobody call to tell you?". Err, nope!

Aaaarghhh.

Now sheduled for next week, although now pricing up Sky. Been a customer since mid-90s and now spending over £80 a month.

They couldn't care less.

:mad:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ok got round to calling them on friday!
I said as i only have 10mb broadband, what will it cost to get the tvdrive installed?
They said to have tvdrive i would NEED to take a phone line, even though i said i currently use vonage with my 10mb via my router. for £7.99 a month with free landline calls, saving £11 line rental a month and have no need for it!
They said with the family pack all in all i was looking at £66 PER MONTH!!
I declined.
I called back and said "i was condsidering going to sky, and i am a long time standing ntl customer, cant you give me some sort of deal"?
To which i was told £61 was the lowest they could go, i declined.
Got the flyer in the mail yesterday, and it was just as vauge with pricing as the sales people on the phone.
Perhaps a better deal will arise?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Without wishing to bang on about the sound, I was flicking channels this evening and stopped at 108. BBCHD were showing Robin Hood (I think the reason for the lack of picture is, certainly in my case, the lack of an HD TV)

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I realised that Robin Hood on BBCHD is broadcast in 5.1 Surround:Yikes:

Life is full of surprises!

Rorschach

Re: PVR release dates
 

this may sound like a stupid question:dozey: but do you only see the bbc hd channels on the EPG if you have a tvdrive???

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yes, the BBC HD channel is currently hidden from view on non-HD STBs (i.e., everything except the TVDrive)

Re: PVR release dates
 

so if you have a tv drive do you see sky`s hd channels but they are unavailable??

Re: PVR release dates
 

I can only imagine so, they would maybe be a lighter shade in colour, the listings, than the channels you are getting, only a guess, maybe someone who knows better can answer definitively? ;)

---------- Post added at 10:37 ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 ----------

Hope the neighbours shared your delight! :Yikes: :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

No, BBC HD (108) is the only HD channel shown.

Re: PVR release dates
 

As much as it is their right, why are they insisting you take the phoneline?
When you are paying out a lot of money per month I would wait and see what happens over whether sky give NTL their channels before committing to a tv drive, others may feel different thats fine, but the tv drive is not just for christmas ;) sorry, couldnt resist :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

thanks for that. do you have tvdrive? if so can you list all the hd channels that you currently receive? thanks

Re: PVR release dates
 

There you go ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

LOL, wow can`t wait for the tv drive then;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

And even if you have an HD TV connected via HDMI, BBC HD (108) is currently audio only - only bit of HD content you can access currently is the movie Pride from BBC via on Demand (which worked for me via HDMI but not component).

Re: PVR release dates
 

No it's not - I've got the video and audio here. Check your settings on both the TVDrive and your HDTV.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Oh, that's a bit worrying! What settings do you have and where are you based? Sure other Glasgow punters had this issue.

Currently got mine set to HDMI 1080i wide, will try other settings.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I've also got audio only on the BBC HD channel - currently the only HD channel listed in the TV guide - and I've tried every setting on both the TV Drive and my HD TV! At the moment there is a menu available to select On Demand from Filmflex HD, Channel 4 HD, Music HD, The History Channel HD, and BBC HD, however there is 'no content yet available' when any of these options are selected - except as previously posted, the BBC HD Film 'Pride'.

On a more positive note, standard Filmflex VOD became available for the first time via the TV Drive overnight in the Glasgow area :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks - was beginning to panic a bit - wonder if anyone in Glasgow area can view 108? Also when would it be acceptable to start phoning customer services to complain that 108 is audio only!

Re: PVR release dates
 

I did phone CS on Friday about this - I was told they were aware of the problem and it should be fixed 'in the next week or so'. Also asked about Sky Sports and got the 'still in negotiations with Sky' line...

Re: PVR release dates
 

Oh well, guess I'll just need to watch Pride again! Thanks for the heads up drouthy

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm using 720p via HDMI with a Samsung LCD TV. I'm not in Glasgow at the moment, though.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks quadplay, I've tried all the settings on the TVDrive with no joy - including 720p (normal and wide). Get a picture from every other station except 108.

Sounds like it's a problem in the Glasgow area,..

Re: PVR release dates
 

Got it installed on Saturday and I'm very impressed. Even BBC HD works via scart which is amusing :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Do you get a popup warning you that you're watching a HD channel via a SD connection? You should...

Re: PVR release dates
 

Nore sure about the launch date for the Coventry area being December as I called on Friday, and was told early January......... :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

I was told to ring back in December. Then again, I was also told that the TV Drive installs are for Glasgow only at the moment - a quick search through Cable Forum reveals that statement as......false. :p:

I'm gonna ring back tomorrow and see what they say then.

Re: PVR release dates
 

What's this about 5.1? I haven't heard that one before. Is this true? Also anyone know a date more specific than 2007 for Wirral?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Last i heard was January for Warrington and the Wirral "thats not me giving out a official date btw". That's when i am hoping to be installed. I spoke to a couple of the techs for those areas who have told me they have been trained up ready. Only time will tell.

Oh and that's 2007 before someone ask's. :angel:

Re: PVR release dates
 

wirral seems right as you got vod sametime as staffordshire we get tv drive 26th jan;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

would be good if NTL would update their website and actually mention this.. had a look round over the weekend and couldn't find anything just a mention of VOD

they have something better than Sky but they aren't promoting it

Re: PVR release dates
 

Well the one only fault i've seen and it might be through that total tit of a tech guy, my mum tried recording holby city, recorded ok or so i she thought then late last night she tried to watch it but this error popped up and said to try and fix this please reset the TVD, needless to say it didn't fix it but lucky for her it was back on last night.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Was it error 1056?

Re: PVR release dates
 

No I didn't. Will it appear everytime you tune to the channel or just for the first few occasions? :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I think you've left the plastic film on the front of the display ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Whips off the plastic film.. much better now I can see the channel number from across the room:tu:

Re: PVR release dates
 

I think it should be every time, but since I'm watching through HDMI at home I'm not sure.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Rang NTL this morning to book a TVDrive install. Told to ring back in 6 weeks. I am in Guildford area.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Sorry, meant error 2056. If so, it might be a tuning error. Are you getting blocking/freezing on different channels? You might need your signal level checking.

Re: PVR release dates
 

a bit off subject here but i am wondering how the tv drive connects to a hdtv i know its thru hdmi but with hardly any hd content does the unit automatically switch between scart and hdmi when needed or is it a manual setting?

Re: PVR release dates
 

having read a comment from someone else.. think it is further down this thread. they said it didn't do HDMI swithing but wasn't sure of that was down to the TV

Re: PVR release dates
 

does the skyhd unit automatically switch????

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just to let you know that the pvr box has no analogue pass through :td:

Re: PVR release dates
 

The TVD will output the regular SD channels upscaled via HDMI. If you want to switch to SCART output for some reason you have to do that manually.

The previous poster was referring to the TV not automatically switching to HDMI when the TVD is turned on.


A.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Can anyone confirm 5.1?

Re: PVR release dates
 

woo hoo BBC HD 108 now working in Glasgow

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yes working ok now.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Have only just checked BBC HD and i'm only getting PCM through my (albiet old) sony AV amp - might only be certain programs - I've only checked the trailers not the actual programs.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Does anyone know when HD is coming to Derby way. ~~
DE55 area.??

Re: PVR release dates
 

According to the first post in this thread it's early 2007.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Anyone know when it is due to be released in Hampshire? I am right on the border of Surrey... Anyone on Telewest here that uses it and has a review?

Re: PVR release dates
 

heres an early review i found....
http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2005/12/telewest_tvdriv.html
hope it helps

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hmmm, seems like there are still a few issues to sort out... Great to see that NTL has finally come out with something to compete with Sky and also have the ability to record from the NTL source whilst watching... About Time..

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 ----------

Thanks for that dranny69..... Most useful. Just have to think now if I want to take the plunge and upgrade.

Re: PVR release dates
 

me too i`m stuck on the hd matter, whether to move to sky hd or wait for ntl to get theyre fingers out and stop buying up companies and start looking after the customer.

Re: PVR release dates
 

How are you connected Garry Boy?

I've connected with an optical digital connection, and I can confirm 5.1.

I was watching the trailers. The little BBCHD ident between trailers really gets the sub rumbling!:D

Rorschach

Re: PVR release dates
 

I had forgotten to switch off the HDMI override - was getting 5.1 but it was really crackly - and fine on other channels via PCM - will try again tonight might be dodgy connection

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just on with sales, told me that Belfast was the second phase and the start date is the 16th December 2006. Said he would callback before that date to arrange install..

Re: PVR release dates
 

Has anyone in farnborough area got a date yet?

Re: PVR release dates
 

First post here so a hearty hello to everyone.

I've just booked an installation for one of these bad boys for 1st December. I'm still not too certain I'm making the correct decision though. Can anyone answer this - will it play non HD channels through the HDMI output? I don't particularly want multiple connections. A one size fits all would be nice. Does it come with an HDMI cable? I currently use component for my 360 so that isn't an option. Thanks in advance. :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

It will upscale SD channels to either 720p or 1080i via HDMI and the installer will bring an HDMI cable with him.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ah. Thanks for the info Rank. Here's hoping the upscale will improve the SD quality a smidgen. It's currently ok, certain cannels are absolutely minging as you'd expect but not as bad as I may have feared when I upgraded to 42. Watching football on it though, ugh. Could be my new plasma is crap of course. It is a Phillips after all. I just didn't have the dough for a Panny. :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just had mine installed but they have ran out of HDMI cables :rolleyes: . Have been promised that I will receive it as soon as they have some.

In the meantime I have connected via component as my TV supports HD over this. Picture quality is superb on channel 108 (have set tvdrive to output 720p over component).

PS , engineer was superb :tu: . I think he is doing a lot of installs in Clydebank area. Credit where credit is due.

Customer services take note.......

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ok, so I had my TVDrive installed yesterday:)
I went for the option of moving the existing stb to my bedroom.
All seemed to be OK. The existing stb in the bedroom was up and running with all channels available (Family pack + Sky Sports).
The technician advised that it would take and hour or two for the channels to come through on the TVDrive.
No problem I though.
12 hours later and all I'm getting on the TVDrive is BBC1/2, ITV and Channel 4
The guide on the Drive suggests the other channels are available, but All I get is a blank screen.
The second stb is still working fine, with all channels.
I have re-booted, checked connections etc.
I called the fault line and they want to send someone out next week. This is all very well, but it means I'll have to be in for another day, and more importantly miss the cricket (the wife won't let me watch it in the bedroom after midnight!)

Does anyone have any idea of how to resolve this without a visit??

Re: PVR release dates
 

Make her sleep on the couch downstairs :p:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Anybody know what the latest with VOD is on TVDrive?

I had my original STB relocated upstairs with my TVDrive install yesterday and now VOD isn't working on that either. I assume that this STB should be fully independent of the TVDrive, so I will need to call CS about it?

Re: PVR release dates
 

thanks - I would try but she is 6 months pregnant so it probably wouldn't go down too well;)