Re: BBC Red Button
 

Have you ever tried texting on you telly:D:D

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Nothing, but it's 1970s technology and modern tech is capable of so much more.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

True but lets hope that some of it arrives quicker then the seemingly snails pace that is prevalent at the moment.:)

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Just a query do Sky carry the BBC red button, do they get the same service? Also do Sky cary anything like the text service availiable on V+ box and if they do is it across all of their hardware platforms?
thanks

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes Sky carry the BBC red button and yes its the same service, its availible on all boxes even a 10 year old Sky box. As for text I never use it so no idea but to test I just pressed text on my Sky control on BBC1 but it went to the red button service.

I'm not even sure it Ceefax/Teletext are even still used lol, people tend to use their phone/tablets/PC's for the info they once got of Teletext these days these days.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Again so true - worrying

---------- Post added at 09:00 ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 ----------

If only we got it :dozey: Seems at the moment to be the worst of both worlds.Still "its coming", or so the great & the good would have us believe. Till then there's always Freeview to take up the slack :D

Re: BBC Red Button
 

VM's text service on the RB is not the same as the old Ceefax/Telefax service ( so far as I know), VM controls also have a text button but it does not work.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

That's cause the software that runs Sky's boxes is 10 years old so the sevices originally still work

For TiVo, it's a complete break from the existing platform so the BBC have had to start from scratch - but as it's got a net connection have decided to base it on their 'Connected TV' version

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Thats all well and fine Ben but what people want is the same depth and information of services that many customers had on their old boxes and and presently all we have is two sports and plenty of video clips on there and not much else.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I'm not arguing against that - but end of the day, what content is available is the BBC's choice, not Virgin's

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Sorry Ben ,
Virgin is the supplier & therefore should have "created" a work around. It seems that "buck & pass" sum up the managements business plan :rolleyes:( if in fact one exists)

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes l understand that but l can't help feeling because of the considerable cuts the BBC are making there is a suspicion that corners are being cut in all departments including sport and that all we will get is a much watered down version then what we had before even though we get plenty of video clips and not much else presently.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

If its sports you're after just use the Skysports redbutton, its much more feature rich and informative than the BBC's is these days.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

If you have it:dozey:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Virgin are the platform, the BBC is the supplier of the content.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

But the BBC has enabled fairly comprhensive text articals on the news Red Button channel so why not carry over to the sports output

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Virgin are the supplier of the services.Something that for the most part they are failing to do. Free view offer more than Virgin in the basic`s department.
Hang on ( if you pardon the pun) Virgin have apps with Hang man. That really makes up for the failures in other services,does it not :p: .
Horse before cart perhaps!

If I did not have Virgin I would not take it today. Fed up with them playing "catch up" on basics.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

And the TV services which Virgin provide is TiVo, not the BBC apps on TiVo.

What is provided on Freeview, Sky and both Virgin platforms is the BBC's choice - as can be seen from the fact that post Olympics the BBC are reducing the scope of the Red Button services on the older platforms.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

So the TiVo red button is the same as the service I have on my connected TV?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Probably, and that's by the BBC's design - they want their services to be consistent across as many devices as possible

Re: BBC Red Button
 

That does not negate the failure of Virgin to supply via TiVo the basic services that ( Wait for Carl to play semantics) everyone/someone/the bloke next door, & I.Have been using & expect to get. If and when the BBC change all services on Free view & the like.Then you would have a case,as it is TiVo/Virgin are not providing the services offered free to air. therefore playing at catch up. Sorry blaming everyone else really is not good enough.

I have noted that more & more I can find the programmes I like on Freeview channels Ok later but still. Virgin TiVo as a TV platform ( not a Google site / Games m/c) is to me looking weaker by the month. IT could be so much better:shocked:

Pity they could have not upgraded the V+. Still its to late to worry about that any more.

---------- Post added at 15:14 ---------- Previous post was at 15:12 ----------

since when ?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Since always. The BBC News App that launched on TiVo is the same as in on Connected TVs and the Sports app will also be the same across multiple devices http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/4566...droid-hands-on

Re: BBC Red Button
 

But the caveat in that is its probably being done to cut costs and the upshot is at the end of it all we will probably get a watered down red button version then we had before although we will get a lots of video clips judging by early experiences so far.:)

Re: BBC Red Button
 

In the short term, it's possible that it will rely more on clips than the existing service does.

Long term though, I see no reason why it couldn't have more live streams - any existing streams the BBC run are feasable - for instance all the studio cams for the Radio channels etc and can be added to the apps much more easily and cheaply than they ever could using the broadcast streams.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

When I upgraded to TiVo I did so in the full knowledge that at the time it didn't have red button. If I'd been bothered I wouldn't have upgraded, what we have now is a bonus as far as I'm concerned. The BBC are really only currently bringing us f1 and euro 2012 as far as sport is concerned, and the red button as it stands is a really good companion app for both of those sports. Yes, Den, there's a lot of video clips, but there are also some really good features which accompany live broadcasts.

I first remember multiple live streams appearing on the BBC red button a few years ago with their Wimbledon coverage-only a week to wait-who's to say we won't have a nice little surprise waiting?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

l do see the points you are making Andy but there is a lot of people out there who like the detailed text articles and up to date information in which we had on the old BBC home page and at the moment apart from the news app they are missing from the sports app and also this is not a criticism of Virgin as this fault wholly lies at the feet of the BBC.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

i am not sure that I agree with "its the BBC fault" as much as I would like to.
Virgin must have been well aware of what was on offer,and how it could or could not be accessed/ delivered. Still they choose to supply the only box that could not offer that service. Then say its the BBC`s fault we cant use it.
Just imagine if Ford only made cars with a special petrol filler opening & said its BP`s fault you can`t use it because they don`t have the pumps with that will fit that opening -really pathetic :D

Re: BBC Red Button
 

TiVo can access all the same streams that the V boxes can - as is proved by the way the Sky Sports interactive coverage works.

The fact that the BBC's apps don't do so is a choice made by the BBC - likely because there isn't much point building in access to streams that won't be there after the Olympics

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I didn't rent a tivo for an upgrade but because my analogue VCR became obsolete. As Virgin emailed me recently and said the red button was on its way I'm trusting it is, as having used Teletext for 30 years or so to keep up with the news I am suddenly (although quite irrelevant to my life in most cases) totally unaware of it. I don't often buy papers (they often pile up unread for ages) and rarely bother to watch the news on TV unless there already. I've relied on Teletext which unlike the papers also updates constantly and now can only hope it's a temporary loss. Otherwise a campaign for a fee reduction will be in place as it's not Freeview so contract terms or not we are morally entitled to what a jury would consider a reasonable service for the money, and text has been freely available for all since the 80s so set a national standard.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Just a quick point the BBC red button does not have many apps as yet on TiVo,but having spent a few days in hospital last week and yesterday i wish they had TiVo ! My bedside TV was £10 a day and the bbc red buton did not work either.:(:shocked:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

No part of the fees charged by Virgin are for the BBC services - they are part of the licence fee.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

So we finally have BBC red button for Wimbledon this year - hurrah !

Have to say I am completely underwhelmed with the quality though, it's like a dodgy camcorder picture, very stuttery. Is this because it is an internet streaming type service ? It doesn't really cut it in this day and age of HD services.

Will the Olypics be like this as well ?

9/10 for content, 2/10 for quality.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Couldn't agree more , I've used the exact same app on my ps3 and the PQ doesn't even match the red button feeds on TV in quality it's trully awful.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I am watching Ivanovic v Sanchez. I startted by using the red button on the BBC 1 HD channel and its very stuttery. I have now switched to the BBC 1 SD channel and there is no stuttering.

The olympics shouldnt be a problem as they will be linear channels.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes l have to agree that its pretty poor.:td:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Gotta say, I'm mighty impressed. The Sports app on TiVo offers better picture quality than the SD satellite feeds which are more washed out and slightly blurry. There is no doubt that red button content/implementation on TiVo has been getting better and better while others are now falling behind.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Totally agree with you I cant fail the quality of the picture, my only problem was the stuttering when using the HD channel and dissapeared about an hour later.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Tried to watch tennis last night on the red button Djokovic v Harrison. All I can say is I have seen better pictures taken on a phone half way up Snowdon Out of sync completely, stuttering picture ( makes slow-motion look quick) sound no were near the picture, you hear the score before the point was played .
With a picture quality that makes etch- a- sketch look like a Rembrandt. If this what is is going to be like with only one live feed I dread to think what the Olympics will be like.
If this is it then in future perhaps I will look to setup the TV to use Freeview again

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I'm peeved about all this.It took AAAAAGGGGGEEEESSSSS for the red button to finally work and I have been happy enough with it.It was great for getting a good look at the weather and miles better than the text version of the weather.

Now I'm back to the crappy service I got back in the 80s.:mad::fit:
:fit:
Of course I can get the BBC iPlayer through the red button but it doesn't get me the weather report.:fit::fit:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Steady on Maggy! Think about your blood pressure lol. I agree though, it is pretty poor given how long it's been "coming soon".

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Actually I am really peeved at the freezing of the licence fee causing the BBC to find ways to make cuts..I suppose it is a small price to pay but it is not the first cut I've had to observe.They had to sell off my favourite hangout(h2g2) at the BBC online site and I'm not certain that it's done it any good..

Plus I can't help feeling that the news coverage at BBC News channel has suffered badly.It's not at it's usual standards recently and a lot of it's daytime programmes are dreadful..worse than they used to be.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

l have to agree with you Maggy because as a avid supporter of the BBC for a considerable amount of years there is no doubt in my mind that the BBC's quality threshold in the last year has become much worse in my mind and l can only see it getting worse with the worst of the cuts yet to come.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

^^^ What you both said, it really is pathetic given that we have no choice but to pay for a licence whilst they, seemingly arbitrarily, decide what to cut/change etc. I am in complete agreement.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

The changes are being done via the Delivering Quality First plan - which was out for public consultation last year.

This bit is specifically about the Red button services http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/abouttheb...uturemedia.pdf

So to say it's being done arbitrarily isn't accurate.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Its alright consulting the public Ben but the trouble is th BBC just pay lip service to anything the public says and just does its own thing no matter what the public say.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Again I wouldn't say that's completely true look at Six Music.

However with the amount of cash the BBC won't have, they have had to do something - it's just not possible to keep everything as it is and whatever they do is going to annoy some percentage or other.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Personally I would wish that they scrapped somethings so providing a good service on what was left. Instead of a lot of half baked , poor quality services. As the topic is Red button I wont list them here:rolleyes:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes whatever they do will annoy some people but l have my doubts about some of the people they actually employ to do some of these jobs because in my mind they just don't listen to the public enough and after all its us who are paying the LF.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Am I right in thinking that Virgin Media will be axing the Red Button Feature for non-Tivo customers in the near future?

I currently use a V+ box with a CRT TV capable of receiving High Definition channels and find the Red Button Multi-Screen feature quite useful.

Any info would be greatly appreciated please.TIA.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Sound correct to me . You want it we scrap it. Virgins motto ( bring it on Carl & Den:p:)

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Thanks for that but I think their motto is "Coming Soon"!! LOL!!

Shame about the red button. Looks like it's a case of buy a new TV and get a Tivo.

Then again I could just do without it!!

Re: BBC Red Button
 

But isn't it the BBC who control Red button services? Surely it is they that are to blame if red button services are reduced or removed from the V+?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Exactly but some seem not not to realise that.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

You could well be right. Just wondering why the BBC would want to reduce their viewer base. Maybe they are thinking of scrapping the TV licence fee and selling access to their channels for a commercial price.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

It is but again you could argue that as Virgin supply, its there problem how they deliver.
Seems to be a case as always "its not my fault" is the virgin mantra.

Clearly the plan is to get rid of all boxes other than TiVo . Not that I think from a business point view that would not be a bad idea.

Question sorry its not really for this part of the forum but fits in the topic.
Any idea what is happening to it on Freeview :confused:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

It's in the Delivering Qualify First documentation I linked to earlier

Re: BBC Red Button
 

You could, but you'd be wrong. What do you expect VM to do? Somehow force the BBC to keep the extra streams?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

No strangely I was thinking along these lines. We supply like this to everyone , you sort out your kit to pick it up.

Every one had to get Freeview boxes to get a signal.
Not a case of you only have an CRT Tv no worries we will setup just for you.:dozey:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I'm not sure quite what your point is

The BBC offered different interactive services on analogue TV (Ceefax) than it does on Freeview (Red Button).

Same as they are offering different interactive services on Connected TVs, of which TiVo is one, than they will be on the less capable platforms.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

At present through the red button on BBC I get the text rubbish and iPlayer and access to Catch Up...However what I actually miss is the recorded weather report.

Yes I can get it online BUT I don't always want to flash up my PC just to do that.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

And it's coming

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcintern...ment_112343312

Re: BBC Red Button
 

SEE post 238
Had another go last night & it was the same again. Who at the BBC do I contact to complain about this fault.
The fact that on Sky it was fine, the I pad it was fine & even the Wii works
Clearly shows that the BBC have not set it up correctly for TiVo
Because that could not be a fault could it .

---------- Post added at 09:06 ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 ----------

My point is & this should apply to all platforms. This is how we will broadcast it. You set up YOUR kit to accept it . Not the other way round.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

The BBC are already aware. See http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...2/td-p/1271781

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Thank for that. Will try it next time. Good to know people are on the case.
Sad its yet again a TiVo (Ill use the word) hiccup. The boss wants the boxes swapped around again, Does it work still on the V+? not a dig just could not bother last night to try it. If plan" A " fails then I guess it will be swapping time :monkey:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

That's exactly what they are doing.

The BBC apps are what the BBC will be taking forward, it's the V box service that's the legacy one.

So if you don't have a Connected device of some description going foward, you won't get the full BBC experience. TiVo will allow you to get the full BBC content available in the future with your existing TV.

The BBC's plan is to offer the same content across as may devices as possible - all via IPTV

Re: BBC Red Button
 

It is on V+, but you only get a choice of three sets of rain-covers to view, rather than the five on TiVo.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I understand what you are saying. Others seem to "blame" the BBC for it not working on TiVo & that its up to them The BBC to fix that.
I follow it will be the same on all platforms & that Tivo will support it. Pity the BBC have chosen to supply a poorer service ( picture / speed were I am at any rate)
Crazy but the picture seems better when streamed via a Wii onto a CRTV :shocked:

---------- Post added at 15:10 ---------- Previous post was at 15:08 ----------

She wanted to watch Rafa when BBC showed the engilsh girl losing :p:
He came back on later so it was then "forgotten" :dozey:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Well here we are two days before the start of the football season and the BBC sports app has absolutely nothing on there.:(:td:

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Also there is a comedy marathon for BBC3 tonight on the 'normal' red button :(

Re: BBC Red Button
 

So much for this supposed to be better BBC red button on TiVo .

Re: BBC Red Button
 

BBC sport website advertising the Diamond League athletics ( first chance to see many of the Olympic medallists ) is on Red Button tonight at 7pm.

But, surprise, surprise, not onTivo - sod all, just Olympic and F1 highlights.

Utter p*sh :(

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes l just went on the BBC website and it just said Red button and online but to my increasing annoyance its not on the BBC's Tivo red button/Sports app and to put it bluntly its simply not good enough.:td::(

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I wanted to watch the comedy marathon but I can't as its not on Tivo red button. I'm not sure what the holdup is now, they proved with the Olympics that they are able to show channel streams through the sports app, not just online content.

Surely some of the Olympics channels could have been used to show Red button content now it is over.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

There would be no need to do that. The red button feeds exist on Virgin for the moment, it's just that the BBC haven't written the apps to use them.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

And long is that going to take Ben because frankly this should have been done by now.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

That would be a question for the BBC

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Yes l know its not Virgin's fault Ben as BBC have had plenty of time to do these things but it seems they do not see as a priority one thinks.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Surely Ben this is a question VM should be asking of the BBC with respect.

Would be nice to see a cricket app as the BBC have the rights to Radio commentry on England matches for stats scores ect ect..

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I have no doubt that VM discuss the apps with BBC, however my reply was to suggest that denphone ask the BBC and not me.

---------- Post added at 10:28 ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 ----------

Honestly, no I don't think they (the BBC) do - mainly due to the Red Button services being reconsidered.

So the BBC don't want to commit to adding stuff to the app that is temporary.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

No i see your point i was rather suggesting not you but people like Cindy Rose if she is still about,should be taking the BBC to task over the apps not yourself.

Yes no doubt you are right about that VM do have some sort of conversation with the BBC.:)

Re: BBC Red Button
 

And yet we were told the app was permanent as such.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

The app is - it's the existing red button streams that aren't.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

As much as I love you Ben (and please do;t take this that I'm having a go at you directly but through you) that answer simply isn't good enough!

We are supposed to be watching our TV through 'the bet way' i.e TIVO. It's VM flagship product and we can't even get basic red button streams.

I suggest two thing.

1) VM get on to the BBC and Have a go at them for not sorting it out yet.

2) As we seem to now have capacity (and until the BBC pull their finger out) add the red button streams we are not getting to one of the channels we used to have for the Olympics.

Either way we SHOULD be getting the red button streams and VM have the capability to make it happen!

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I'm sure VM are impressing on the BBC the need to sort this out one way or another. However as soon as the BBC detail what exact reductions they will be making to the red button services on the V boxes (and Sky) this may all become academic

As far as I know that wouldn't be possible - not from a technical point of view but from a regulatory point.

Except they cannot take any action without the agreement of the BBC.

---------- Post added at 14:00 ---------- Previous post was at 13:49 ----------

Additionally, I'd possibly think the reason for the delay is because they want to wait until there is only the same single red button stream across all the platforms. It then fits in with the 'consistent' experience the BBC want.

Remember, the TiVo apps are part of the 'Connected TV' app set across Smart TVs, the PS3 etc, so the BBC will want to deviate as little as possible with the app experience

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Re: BBC Red Button
 

It all seems a bit "nothing to do with me guv" attitude to me :(

Maybe I'm being silly but us TIVO users should really be at the head of any priority as far as VM TV goes. It makes it look like a second class service to normal VM boxes!

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I know we've gone over this before but in part TiVo is an app platform. The BBC apps are created by and owned by the BBC.

If a BBC app on Android or the iPhone didn't do what you expected, who would have a go at? The BBC or Google/Apple?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Especially when you are paying £5 extra for a supposed enhanced service.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

The £5 isn't for the BBC services - those would be covered by your licence fee.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

l know that Ben but the promised land of hundreds of apps plus supposed OTT apps plus a superior enhanced Red button service that were going to be added to the TiVo have not really materialised apart from the two week Olympics jamboree.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Well if the BBC aren't willing to work on the app or make a service available then it is nothing to do with VM.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Oh yes it is. It's VM responsibility to get everything onto it's flagship product. "The best way to watch TV" apparently... unless you want watch red button streams....

VM should be pressuring the BBC to sort this out of find an alternative i.e another channel like on freeview!

Just to say "nothing to do with us" is unacceptable.

Knowing this is an issue, if VM are in talks to sort it out, maybe they should let us know!

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Never said it's nothing to do with VM, however the FINAL decision rests with the BBC.

VM can pressure as much as they like, but if the BBC don't want to do it, it won't happen.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

VM can't pressure the BBC into anything. They provided the platform to them and its then their choice of what to provide on that platform. Getting heavy handed wouldn't be a good idea.

Personally I don't bother with 'Red button' features so I am not so bothered.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

I agree with you , I hate how the red button detracts from what your watching and generally takes you from HD to a substandard SD picture , Sky's match choice red button PQ was woeful on Saturday night , I can personally see more companies taking their extra content , text/news , stats etc to companion devices ie Smartphone/tablets which allow you to continue watching the action on the main screen (TV).

Re: BBC Red Button
 

Can't the programming from the V+ box be written onto the TIVO box then?

It would be a retrospective code drop as the TIVO box is much better and more clever than the V+ box

---------- Post added at 15:16 ---------- Previous post was at 15:15 ----------

Not directed at u mate, but VM!

Re: BBC Red Button
 

TiVo can already pick up the interactive streams as is shown by the Sky Sports apps. The fact the BBC apps don't is a choice by the BBC.

But code can't be shared between the V boxes and TiVo as run completely different firmware.

Re: BBC Red Button
 

So what you're saying is that although VM have the written code for streams on the V+ box (as well as BBc permission for them) they can't write those same codes onto the TIVO box?

Re: BBC Red Button
 

It has nothing to do with code.

TiVo will be able to see the BBC streams today and if the BBC wrote the apps to switch to them, could show them. But because the BBC haven't, TiVo can't