Re: PVR release dates
 

Channel 108 - who has it and what area are you in?
I had it this morning - then I lost the picture - then i was told I'm not subscribed - Now I'm subscribed again apparantly - but can still only get sound! Is it an intermittent channel or is there something wrong with my subscription?
I can get the one free film on ON DEMAND with a picture but thats it!

Re: PVR release dates
 

Had it - as of last night anyway - did have this problem at first in Glasgow (sound only) but was working fine last night and in lovely 5.1 surround too.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I dont yet have a HDTV(new year before that happens) so will engineer still leave a HDMI cable
If I go for keeping the STB and installing upstairs do I have the same program packs on both or does the upstairs one revert to basic package

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just spoke with NTL CS.

Gave my postcode (Leicester) to a very nice you8ng lady who said that Dec 12th was the programmed launch date.

No booking being taken for TV drive installations until they have that date confirmed.

As soon as they know any more they are flagging definite interested parties accounts to get a call back from them as soon as they are certain of the date.

You might just get the drop on the folks who are waiting for the mailshots.

We shall seeeeeeeee.......

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm looking forward to getting the TVdrive as I already have an HD TV. I was wondering what lengths the HDMI cables come in. Are they all the same length or can you request a 3 metre one if needed ?

Thanks in advance. :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

i live in forest gate east London and looking forward to TV drive I've waited years for it. but i know sometime early next year but is there any more proper date.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ons supplied is 1m, don't think they will supply anything else - if you want longer you'll need to buy one - better to replace the HDMI calble anyway with a good quality cable such as QED Qunex HDMI-P - particulary over longer lengths like 3m.

Re: PVR release dates
 

i asked today about luton and they said in january its coming here

Re: PVR release dates
 

the end dates to seem to be jan.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

We rang up last week and they said that Belfast people should ring at the beginning of December to order the box. ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

my earlier post re the missing channels.
I had the engineer round yesterday. After about 20 seconds he found that the card had not been matched to the stb. He made a call and it was sorted after 10 minutes (surely there must have been an easier way to do this??).
Anyway, it all seems to be wording OK now.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I called CS about the costing for PVR and was told "We don't offer one yet"

Re: PVR release dates
 

Given the number of "broken" sky+ boxes - do you think that NTL`s will be that much better?:Yikes:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just rang CS and told after doing a post code check, Swindon launches on December the 12th. The lady I spoke to was fully aware of the TVdrive, and had information at hand to tell me all about it and what the cost's were going to be.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Maybe, maybe not. But I do know one thing. If your NTL box breaks (no matter how old it is), NTL will repair or replace it for free.

Re: PVR release dates
 

that is a good driveing force the replacement box for free thats what swayed us to leave sky in the end.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just how out of date are the Teleport / On Demand previews on ch109?

Look closely at the Keane music competition which is part of the loop, the closing date is 31st July 2006. :erm:

Re: PVR release dates
 

I've just been told the same for Welwyn Garden City - although I had been told December previously

Re: PVR release dates
 

Well I am SUPPOSED to be getting it installed tomorrow and I am just down the road from you! :p:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Ok quick question what are the advantages of this over a dvd recorder?

Re: PVR release dates
 

The main advantage is that you can record/watch up to 3 NTL channels, in digital quality, all at once. It also lets you watch HD channels.

With a DVD recorder you can only record the one NTL channel you are watching, in analogue - just like a standard VCR.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks for that KOF :tu:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Will give them another ring and try & get a proper answer

Re: PVR release dates
 

Dunno if the December availability date for Coventry is accurate - after spending 20 minutes on the phone, I've been told that I had been 'misinformed' and that TV Drive won't be available in Coventry until January.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just been told by sales that you can preorder from Dec 12th for Belfast :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

I spoke to CS on Saturday and they also said January for Coventry :(
Spoke to the roadshow in town last week, who gave so much incorrect information I didn't know whether to laugh?!
He said:
1. Telewest are launching it at the moment, NTL will be launching it next year
2. It will only cost an extra fiver a month
3. It will record over 300 hours worth of programmes
When I corrected him on point 1, he admitted that I probably knew more about it than him :confused:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi All,
Just rang NTL customer services, and asked for a pre-release booking for Northampton. They said that the release date had moved from 12th to 14th Dec and that I should call back to book a visit a couple of days after that. Oh well seems I wont have this in before Christmas, as by then I will have used all my holiday up.

Gazzaaa

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just spoke to cs and my installation has been booked in for 12th december, cant bloody wait:tu:

Re: PVR release dates
 

whats this all about?
http://www.whycable.co.uk/pricechang...Price_List.pdf

Re: PVR release dates
 

That is the new prices from Feb 07 when the company is rebranded under the Virgin Media name.

The TV Drive will be changing its name to V+ Box as well.

Re: PVR release dates
 

maybe time to switch over to ntl phone as well then.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I notice that the price list includes "Setanta sports" pack. When will that be available from?

Re: PVR release dates
 

speaking of pricing I always thought it was a shame NTL didn't say to all it's customers that had been with them 2 years or more that as a valued customer they got access to all the sports and movies channels over xmas if they didn't already have them.. get them hooked on the extra content then they might want to add them to their package and it's a nice way to treat the loyal customers

Re: PVR release dates
 

It looks like the pack will be available from the 1st Feb 07. Its certainly a lot cheeaper than the £40 at least, it will cost you now it you take all the channels in the package.

Re: PVR release dates
 

so does this mean the v+ box won't be only 10 quid with the family pack??????

Re: PVR release dates
 

No, it says V+ box is £10 with the TV Size: XL (family) pack.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks

Didnt know xl was family pack, god my bills are hard enough to read at the best of times

could someone please tell me what this costs

Family pack v+ box and extra v box in bedroom
Calls unlimited weekend and evenings local and national
also 2mb broadband tinternet

Thanks

Re: PVR release dates
 

From http://www.whycable.co.uk/pricechang...Price_List.pdf
TV Size: XL - £20.50
V+ box - £10.00
Additional V box - £5.00

From http://www.whycable.co.uk/pricechang...Price_List.pdf
Talk Evenings & Weekends - £16.50

From http://www.whycable.co.uk/pricechang...Price_List.pdf
Broadband Size: M - £18.00

Therefore a total of £70 per month.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks guys:)

Re: PVR release dates
 

They've already done this over a year ago - I had Sky Sports free for a whole year :). Of course, this sneaky tactic worked well for NTL because when the free year ended, I was hooked on Premiership footy and was willing to pay extra to keep the channels.

Re: PVR release dates
 

anyone on when it will be release in essex i was told by cs and faults that it will be release in mid jen in essex anyone got anymore release dates thanks

Re: PVR release dates
 

well in staffs last month i was told 26th jan when i payed our bill yesterday was told been brought forward ill find the new date he said,only three days early to 23rd jan getting closer.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Did you get it installed? I'd like to know as I'm in the same area.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just phoned sales for St.Albans area and they said to call back on 14th Dec to arrange installation.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Mine is supposed to be booked in for installation on the 12th december, next tuesday

i might nring to confirm the booking

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just had my phone call to confirm my installation for tuesday, cant fudging wait:tu:

Re: PVR release dates
 

I am in exactly the same boat......I have 10mb NTL bb and use vonage. I called CS today and they said I did not need to have the phone line to receive TV drive !!!!

Can anyone please confirm ???

Thanks

Mike

Re: PVR release dates
 

Had a msg left by NTL CS to call sales yesterday....
YIPEEEEEE


Guess what ...?

3 calls 3 different replies varying from delayed till 15th Dec to delayed till feb 07.

Id say this is like banging me head against a brick wall but you get relief from that.

Why is it always so imposible to get consistant information out of NTL?????
Now not even sure if its worth the aggro and frustration of this.


Asked to be transfered to Disconnections and now you cant get to speak to them unless u know what billing system you need... Like i know what billing system im on .. Hello ntl whats this all about !

Cant get products

Cant get information

And now cant even leave NTL

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just phoned Sales. Preordering for Belfast is tomorrow :Yikes:
If anybody else from Northern Ireland would like to call and see if they are singing from the same hymn sheet and report back

Re: PVR release dates
 

does anyone know if this has been rollout out on the Bromley side of the network or just Langley ?

Any news on Bromley or London getting this in Jan ?

Re: PVR release dates
 

I don't know the exact dates but as far as I am aware Bromley is due to get the TV Drive sometime in Jan/Feb 07.

Re: PVR release dates
 

In response to vodcoke's post, I'm in the Newtownabbey area. I'd phoned a few weeks ago to be told that the TVDrive would be available in my area in February. I've just phoned CS again. This time I wasn't given a date. Was told that they would be rolling this out to other areas from January.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi,
I have been eagerly awaiting for today to arrive, having phoned NTL several times over the last couple of weeks and having been told you cant order till the 12th Dec. (I live in the Northampton area). So at one second past 8.00 this morning I got through to Sales, only to be told the roll out has been delayed due to problems in the pilot areas. When asked if they knew when my area would be taking orders, I was told "wait till you get a letter through the post - but the roll out may not be for another month at least". I note from some of the replys above that some people 'think' that they will be getting a Tdrive in the next day or so (out side of the pilot areas). I wonder if they actually do?


Very disappointed,
Gazzaaa

Re: PVR release dates
 

My Tv Drive has been installed this afternoon and i am very impressed so far

Great engineer and fantastic service

Re: PVR release dates
 

where are you based,in the country???

Re: PVR release dates
 

I was ment to be having an install this morning but knowing NTL I called them early to be told it was cancelled yesterday.I said thank you for not bothering to let me know but im not surprised.To be honest if its not working properly I dont want it anyway so roll on a working system

Re: PVR release dates
 

Leics Poshie- Where abouts in Leicestershire are you ? As my brother was booked to have his fitted today but had a call at 9 this morning from a manager to say couldnt do it today as been told by network dept cant happen as still bugs in system on network in Leicester, so sounds like you have done well. Brother has got the unit for free though now with no other box and 1 months free viewing . Has got managers number and been told to call back on Fri for an update.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Leicester, supposedley i was only the second person in liecester to get it installed.

The only thing is i am not getting all my channells, how long does it normally take to recieve all channells, ie 5 and Skyone sky sports news

Re: PVR release dates
 

Well Leicester Poshie- Got my brother to ring the install manager after hearing of your install he said at present there is 10 people in Leicesrer with TV drive and 5 are engineers so you are fortunate. Does the HD content work as thats biggest problem at min. Do you know if your connected to Oswin road or Northfields Hub ?

Re: PVR release dates
 

how does it sound like he has done well??? If there are bugs in the system do you really want it till there fixed??? Im quite happy they have not fitted a flawed product in my house as this would have given me more of a headache than NTL not telling they were not coming yesterday? Thank God for small mercies ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi, I'm in Belfast and just called sales - was told that TVDrive had been delayed until "early next year". Then called CS and was told that installation is available from today - was taken through the sign up process and given an installation date of next Wednesday.

Am a little concerned about all the negative comments regarding the TVDrive box - as a long standing Tivo user I'm used to well, the Tivo experience. Should I be concerned? Also not sure whether or not to hang on to the existing box (in case I want to go back to my current setup).

Oh and to add to the worries, the CS guy apologized in advance for technical problems regarding On Demand features. No big deal since I don't use them much, but it doesn't bode well for the reliability in general:rolleyes:

Anyway if you're in N. Ireland try CS today. Will report back next Wednesday...

Re: PVR release dates
 

all the the north west areas manchester and surrounding areas,stoke on trent (me) 23rd jan have been told as it stands at the moment ring in january anytime to book an install.
i tend to belive her as she was quite adament.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just called CS and told TV drive IS now available for booking in Swindon, was put through to sales who gave me all the prices and options, and made a booking for Wed 20th. Lets see what happens now, will I get a call cancelling? Only time will tell.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Good news!

TVDrive is now available to all Langley franchise customers! If you get a CSR/Salesperson who isn't sure, tell them to check the intranet - it's only just been announced. ;)

If you're not sure whether you're Langley or Bromley, press the On Demand key on your remote. If you see 4 categories, or have a red button icon at the bottom left of the screen, the TVDrive isn't available in your area yet - pilot and rollout are coming in Bromley areas in early 2007.

Re: PVR release dates
 

thats good news then here in staffs bromley 23rd jan.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

confused.com im langley (so they say anyway lol )and my install was cancelled for yesterday?????? just on hold to see if i can rebook

bit tight there blocking pms Quad dude but I understand why ;)

Rebooked for Jan 2nd AM.I happy with that :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I had my install today in Farnborough (Guildford area).

It took a while to get going as the signal levels here are really high. Although I can still appear to use the 3 tuners, the dianostic screen was showing no signal for Tuner A (B & C where fine) so the tech is coming out again Friday to swap the box, just incase.

Looks like a nice system, although it'll take a bit of getting used to as I've been using TiVo for so long!


A.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Okay, you've got me excited now.

Just tried to order in Woking and apparently the customer management system is down. Boo! Was hoping we might get it before Christmas, will keep trying.

---------- Post added at 19:32 ---------- Previous post was at 18:32 ----------

Install booked for 3rd Jan in Woking, Surrey.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Any initial thoughts on it vs the mighty TIVO sir?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Long time reader first time poster

I had my TVDrive installed on Tuesday. I'm in Nottinghamshire area. First impressions are great, BBC HD looks really good on my HD projector and can't wait for more HD content.

Just wondered if anyone else has the TVDrive in Nottinghamshire and do they have the ondemand working? Have contacted NTL to get my pin unlocked and they said that the ondemand should start working soon?

I have had my existing box moved upstairs and that is working fine, ondemand and all. Just wondered if anyone else is having the same problem.

Re: PVR release dates
 

It all depends on whethere the Nottinghamshire area has had the new VoD servers installed that the TVDrive uses for VoD. Your other STB is running older software that uses the servers that are already installed, hence why they are working.

Eventually, all STBs will use the new VoD servers :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just rang again, and have been told my area (Northampton) has a fault so they are not taking bookings yet. Advised me to ring back Monday 18th. Oh well, at least that may be better than "at least another month"

Gazzaaa.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Mates wife just rang CS here in Belfast. They said that nothing is happening until January and wont be taking any orders until after each area has been leafleted

Re: PVR release dates
 

I live in Glasgow and got TV Drive installed on 7th Dec, i've had no end of problems...am i sneakily being used as a tester, although i'm forking out for it? as you say they are looking for testers in Glasgow? They're not making it common knowledge that they're looking for guinea pigs

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yay! Installation booked for December 22nd, should have my HDTV well before then!

Re: PVR release dates
 

Booked mine too, 6th of Jan tho :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

got a call from installs my install date is now brough forward to the 23rd of december

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hmm, to be honest if you're happy with a single tuner then I'd stick with the TiVo right now, at least until there's a few more bug fixes.

Don't get me wrong, when the TVD is playing nice it's a great bit of kit, however it can be bloody fustrating when it isn't.

The most annoying thing is the box appearing to lock up causing the remote to be unresponsive until the box comes back to life. It happens A LOT when playing back recordings, almost every 10 minutes. The counter on the front of the box also freezes, so don't bother pressing any buttons until the counter is running again. I was watching a recording of Stargate last night and I started to fast forward the ads 30 mins into the show, by the time I could use the remote again I had watched the rest of the show whizz by.

The guide data needs a bit of work. I have a series record for Greys Anatomy which airs on Thursday night, but TVD also wants to record a repeat on Sunday causing a clash with Lost and Torchwood. You can get around this by giving Greys a lower priority than the other two shows though. Some shows such as Standoff (Sky One), Click (BBC NEWS 24) and some others I can't remember off hand wont currently allow you to set a series record. I think there's a a number you can call to request these though.

Finally, as others have said, it would be nice if there was a way to search for shows by keying in the start of the title and have it list upcoming episodes. It would make sorting out clases and setting up series records much easier.

Still, it is a nice bit of kit and once the bugs are sorted it'll be great.

Oh, and it does work nicely with TiVo using the Pace 20020 codes. Handy if you're going away to still record things remotely. However each morning my TVD has tuned to channel 0 and the miniguide is on screen. The miniguide being there prevents TiVo changing channels, so I'm hoping if I turn the miniguide off when away it should be ok.


A.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Try again, Terry - that's what they initially said to me too, but I'm in Belfast too and - fingers crossed - am booked in for an installation next Wednesday.

Re: PVR release dates
 

FYI

I got an install booked for Sat Jan 6th in the Reading area. Guy seemed really knowledable. Thought I'd have to tell them what a TV Drive is. :)

Does anyone know if they will install an additional point in the bedroom or if they are going to route cable all round the house from the master TV point?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Cheers Andy for info. :)

I think I will wait for the software to get sorted and a few bugs killed. Couldn't put up with the wife moaning about faulty tech. :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

I thought I should add to my post as it may have sounded quite negative, which wasn't meant to be the case, so to clarify... If anyone has a TiVo and is perfectly happy which just a single tuner setup then yes, stick with it for another couple of months until the remote bug is squashed - that's the only thing I've found annoying so far. However if you haven't got a PVR, or if you find programme clashes a pain, then go ahead and order yourself a TVDrive! Some of the good points....

- 3 tuners! This is a godsend. This is a huge bonus over any UK TiVo. Once you've got them they're addictive, hell I've already had times where I want to record three shows at once! ;)

- Recordings and Series Links are working well. I've got 15 series links and have recorded 20 or more shows so far, often using both tuners. Nothing as yet has failed. A couple of hour long recordings have ended at 58 minutes chopping the end of the shows which is a bit odd, but only twice and I believe this is a known bug.

- Picture quality. I have a 37" standard def. plasma and the picture quality from the TVDrive using RGB over SCART is excellent. Recordings are just the same as the original broadcast, much sharper than the re-encoded TiVo video.

- The EPG is fast and responsive compared to the current STB code. Guide data for channels and VOD loads quicker also.

- Did I mention 3 tuners?


Cheers,

A.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Cheers Andy.

Think I may line up an install early in the New Year.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi,
booked mine for the 13th Jan. (apprently the first to be booked in Northampton). Hopefully the various mods to the software will have been sorted by then.

Gazzaaa

Re: PVR release dates
 

Sorry mate, don't want to burst your bubble but mine was install in NN2 on Monday morning (18th) :) Its a great bit of kit, well it will be when my smartcard gets paired to the box!!

Some advice, don't let the installer go until you have all your channels.

Jonathan

Re: PVR release dates
 

TV drive PVR installed this morning in Cambridge - everything working except for "On demand". It is unclear yet whether this is a temporary local problem, or a more serious issue.

On high-def over HDMI, the internally-generated menu text and graphics look quite poor at 1080i, but good at 720p. No difference in broadcast programme quality can be seen, however, between 1080i and 720p output selections on normal programme material - it's a pity no-one broadcasts test patterns any more.

It's unfortunate that, if you select HDMI, the box insists on rescaling everything to the fixed preconfigured 720p or 1080i format, since source material could be either (or SD). It would have been better, surely, to pass through to HDMI whatever format the source material is, to avoid unnecessary processing or rescaling in the box. Let the TV do the only rescaling that is necessary - to the pixels on the screen.

As others have noted: if you select HDMI output, the analog outputs shut down.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Had my install this afternoon in NG24, the first install for the engineer concerned and the second for a second engineer who came to help him through his first one.
Everything seemed to go really smoothly and everything works well apart from VOD which seems to be empty at the moment.
Chatting with the engineers it seems that a cose drop in Feb is going to enable a few new features, the eSata will be enabled alond with the ethernet port to enable copying of recordings and control of the box via your PC
Anyone else missing the VOD content?
Fishpie

---------- Post added at 18:32 ---------- Previous post was at 18:30 ----------

forgot to say that the engineers reckoned that NTL would have the full roster of HD channels in Feb too.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yep, I was told that there are quite a few problems with it (quelle surprise) so it's not an option for the time being.

Also had my installation today (Belfast) and like you it was the engineer's first ever install aside from the one day's training he said he'd had. Up and running in an hour or so, leaving my trusty Tivo disconnected...:(

First thoughts - even the SD picture quality is so much better than the reprocessed Tivo output, however as I expected from reading this forum the system needs a LOT of improvement. Only ten minutes after the engineer left, the channel change started locking for five minutes at a time, then the entire TV guide switched to data from the middle of the night.

I'll perservere. As with you, the engineer promised more HD channels for "early next year", presumably when the big ad campaign starts. So far am suitably impressed with the BBC channel.

In a sentence - nice pictures, shame it's not Tivo.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just had my TVDrive installed this afternoon. Enginerr admitted he did not know much about it, but had the install done and fully working as well as running a cable outside for my old box to be installed upstairs in under an hour.

So far no problems, and just in time for christmas.:)

Re: PVR release dates
 

anyone managed to order tvdrive, or even better had it installed yet in the leeds area? just wondering whether its worth a 30 minute wait on hold to C.S. to try and book ?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Sorry, it's not available in Leeds yet - the current software isn't fully compatible with the Bromley network. It should be launched in remaining areas in Q1 2007.

Re: PVR release dates
 

when would be the best time to book an instalation its out here in staffs on 23rd jan?

Re: PVR release dates
 

thanks...do you think its best to hang on until i receive a flyer about the tvdrive?

Re: PVR release dates
 

When it's available in Bromley areas, I'm sure this forum will soon find out! ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

true!! just out of interest can you post a link or explain to me why there are 2 different platforms and also what the differences are. thanks:cool:

Re: PVR release dates
 

Something to do with NTL and the old C&W network, which NTL subsequently bought.

NTL orginal areas use the Langley Headend and C&W original areas use the Bromley headend.

Re: PVR release dates
 

i sent an email to cs yesterday regarding the tvdrive in leeds, just got a reply and it says 23rd january for my area..... roll on!!!!

Re: PVR release dates
 

I would be very surprised if Leeds (which is Bromley) got it as soon as that. Still, you never know.

I'm in Manchester (also Bromley) but they could say January 2008 for all I care, it's not a service I shall need. I can barely justify the two boxes I already have, there is roundly nothing on. Not NTL's fault but the channels aren't providing anything other than celebrity-related reality TV dross at the moment, oh and premium rate quiz shows. I certainly don't need a TV drive for that!

Re: PVR release dates
 

yes it is 23rd of jan fingers crossed ringing next week to try and book an install.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

each to their own????