Interactive and the Red Button
 

Sorry guys if this has been included elsewhere but I wasnt able to find anything else.

Just noticed last night that the "Red Button" has now appeared in the top right hand corner of the television screen on some channels (Ch4, E4, E4+1).

OK, fine and well, we have now got some kind of interactivity with our ntl service. The only thing is, it kinda distracts you when you're trying to watch a programme. Personaly, it was somewhat annoying whilst attempting to watch Friends!!! :dozey:

My query is, is there anyway that we can opt to make this icon disappear after so many seconds, or not to appear at all (like the mini-guide). It's brilliant that NTL are beginning to improve the services available to their customers but does the button have to appear 24hrs a day????

James

:Yikes:

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

tap the "back" button

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Tried tapping the back button as you said NTLROCKS, but that just changed the channel to the previously viewed one. Have just tapped TV and that appears to have gotten rid of the icon though!!

Thanks


James

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

The 'back' button works on Sky. The 'TV' button works on ntl.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Also back button works on ntl

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Yep, the back button does work if you tap it once, it comes back though when you change channel, just noticed it as I wasn't watching C4 last night.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

But how do you disable it completely? I rarely watch anything live, so it's not exactly useful!

Thanks,

Foddy

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

It's easy to remove the red dot or 'ETV Trigger' as it's also known.. simply press the 'Guide' button on your remote,
then from the menu choose 'Settings', then 'Display Settings', then scroll down to 'Enhanced Programming', and choose 'Off'. Don't forget to save the changes before going back to tv mode. (The settings are stored even if the power cable is removed from the box.)

And that's it! No more annoying red dot's or 'Press Red' prompts - ever!

(This guide is correct for Bromley platform.. I think it's the same for the updated Langley areas... but feell free to correct!) ;)

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

There is no way for removing the red dot in Langley areas. (Unless you just press the tv button)

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Seeing I'm already finding the red dot a little annoying, I tried that. (langley cr3 here)

I don't get 'display settings' under settings. I get 'visual settings' (amongst others), but there's no 'enhanced programming' entry. I browsed the menu for a bit, but I can't see any other menu items that look relevant either...

Edit: I see someone posted while I was playing with the menus :)

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

So what triggers the red dot appearing? I'm getting it on C4 right now, but frankly the only 'interactive content' is two 60p a pop games...

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

So, who do we complain to?

Foddy

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Is it me or does the red dot come back at random intervals? I've noticed this a couple of times now. You switch to a channel that 'features' the red dot, hit tv to make it go away, but half an hour later or so the red dot mysteriously reappears? :confused:

Edit: this is without touching the remote...

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

If you dont like it call CS.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I assume that's a joke!

Foddy

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

:D :pp :D :pp

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Channel 4. It's their eTV app.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

you certainley do not complain because of a red dot, less than a cm in diameter..........COME ON............we've been waiting for this dot...and you want to take it away?.....someone should take you away:angel: :D :pp

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

No. We've been waiting for interactive. Not for a red dot that keeps appearing on the screen. I don't want to get rid of interactive. I want to get rid of the red dot...

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

When I've used $ky, I've found that if you press back to get rid of the red dot, it appears again after adverts etc. Yes, it's annoying, but it's just one of those things we'll all have to get used to.

Also, the red dot is used very, very little at the mo. Give it a few months, until broadcasters and advertisers realise that it now works on ntl:, and you'll have prompts for it all over the place! Imagine how many complaints will be on the board then!!!! :rolleyes:

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I couldnt care less if the red dot shows up - if we are going to get a good, solid interactive then put whatever up on the screen.

You have all the channel logos on the screen but you dont complain about that?

Anyway if you can get rid of it i dont see the problem, i mean im forever turning the volume up and down so i dont see what difference it makes with that.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Now you mention it ... but the DOGs AREN'T under the control of NTL, the red dot is! If one NTL area is allowed to turn it off, why can't the rest of us?
I watch television through a TiVo, which means the television is delayed by about a second. If the TV has been paused, it's delayed longer. I have absolutely no use for the red button at all. If I want interactive content, I'll go looking for it - I don't want it shoved in my face.

If you're watching delayed you can't use the TV or backup button to cancel the red dot. If you do, you run the risk of the the buttons doing something else (when the red dot isn't there the backup button changes channel and the TV button brings the mini guide up! These double-uses aren't exactly intuitive!)

What really ****es me off is that the red dot is nothing but an advert. Compare it to having banner-ads in the black bars on widescreen programmes (or tower adverts in the black bars on 4:3 programmes on a widescreen TV). There would be LOTS of complaints then!

But because this advert is dressed up as a "feature" people don't see it for what it is - a way of tempting us to pay ridiculous rates for content which we're already paying for.

I really do feel there's reason for complaint.

Foddy

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Each viewer should have the choice as to whether their viewing is vandalised by a stupid red dot. I left sky to escape the dot - I do not want it . That does not mean there should be no interactive content, although most of it is rubbish- and I do not miss it. But if it is there I know which button to press, and I should be able to choose.

To complain- head here http://dvdfever.co.uk/pressrel/pressred.shtml

keep your insults to yourself ntlrocks

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

No we don't - we should make our views clear and vote with our subscriptions-
I left sky because the red dot was intollerable

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Oh yes we do see http://logofreetv.org. If you have to hit back after every break (six or more times an hour during a cricket match) you will soon get p1ssed off, as you will when it sits on a video

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Ah . . . . .


But the real question is : How Do You Get the Red Button the *Stay ON* All The Time On All Channels

. . . . . . . . . . . . . So you can access the Enhanced Content which is Out There - it's just I can't seem to get it . . . . . . .

Ramjet

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

At present, RamJet, the only channels which have interactive contect (in langley areas) are Channel 4/E4 and Channel ntl:. Pressing red on BBC takes you to their walled garden site.

I expect that ntl: will be in discussions with $ky about providing the Sky Sports/News services to ntl: users, and the BBCi bridge was being tested last week so there should be BBC content soon. Give it a few months and you'll be in Red Button heaven! :D:D:Yikes:

Personally, I can make do with pressing back or TV when I don't want to see it. Broadcasters use it as an important tool for advertising their services and, as much as people may campiegn against the use of and red button advertising, I believe it is here to stay. I actually didin't notice it on E4 until one of my house-mates said "What's that in the corner of the screen?"!

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Fair point. But, like others have argued, on the Bromley platform it is possible to disable it. Why didn't NTL put such an option in CR3 seeing that it is possible to do so? (and seeing that the red dot clearly annoys some people?)

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Isnt that being removed from the update to the bromley system?

I dontmind the red dot -at least its not big like the BB one on Sky!
Its becoming aprt of TV Life.. along with the Ads that will have interactive content!

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

calm down, it wasn't an insult...you blew that way out of proportion....did you not see my sarcastic smiley ...:p ? or my joking angel smiley..:angel: ?

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

You are joking arn't you? I can not see how a small red dot can be intollerable!

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I have to agree with Tod. Remember, I didn't even see it until my house-mate pointed it out to me!

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

On sky, is it not more like an irritating lozenge shape that also says 'press red' next to it?

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

does anyone have any screenshot s of any of sky's red dots...i know the sky sports one is just a wee small one...but what about the Channel 4 BB one...or wimbledon...or world cup or summin?

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Depends on the Broadcaster. On Sky sports, it is just a small red dot in the corner of the screen, similar to C4/E4 now. On BBC it is a large prompt in the top right corner of the screen that says "BBCi - Press Red" in a similar style to the BBC Choice (as was) DOG, but with a red background.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

this Link leads to images of the stinking dot on sky sports- a huge intusive blob which blocks the corner of the screen
YUCK

http://logofreetv.org/?mode=logofree...l_zone=&order=

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Well not sure how good the eyesight is of some of the people in this thread but I find the red dot annoying and would love to be able to disable it when I do not require it.
I suppose we should remember that we, the customer, only pay their wages so must put up with unwarranted advertising.
I hate it when somebody says "you have to put up with it" as where has the freedom of choice gone and before somebody says ditch digital please remember that analogue is soon to be switched off forever.
I know if a channel has red button ability but do not want to be constantly reminded of it.
I agree that it is a small dot but how would those that say ignore it would feel if they had no choice but watch the screen with the signing for deaf person permanently displayed in the bottom right corner.
At least for the programs which cater exceptionaly well for the hard of hearing the programs can normally be watched at a different time without the person showing on the screen.
It would appear with the red dot the viewer has no choice in the matter.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

You can press TV to remove the red dot.. but it does come back after breaks etc (as the channel sends the trigger to the box)

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I'm sorry to argue with (almost) everyone else on this thread, but I do not find the red dot on Sky Sports annoying. In fact, it is one of the least annoying interactive prompts there is!

Much more annoying is the BBCi prompt here. However, it can be taken away using 'back' or 'tv'. I personally do not mind doing this, and find the red dot a useful tool for finding out about services which I may want to use (Wimbledon Multi-screens and the like)

There is, however, no reason why broadcasters could not make the red dot semi-transparent, such as the BBC logos used on some of their channels, and I would welcome a change such as this.

~Jon

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Yes

If I had my way *ALL* channels should be made by Law to have a red Spot or Dot so that when we all press it and it doesn't give us the Enhanced Service which we in effect pay for - eg Sky News and Sky Sports etc - we will all COMPLAIN LOUDLY that we are getting short changed ( which we most certainly are! ) and demand of NTL/SKY we get ALL we actually pay for . . . .


Where is the harm in Sky giving us what we pay for ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

If they don't want to give us the Full Enhanced News and Sports Interactive why don'gt we get a discount til they do ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

A Very Confused Ramjet :confused: :confused:

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Where is the harm in allowing people who do find the dot annoying the option to remove it without it returning?

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

there is no harm in allowing people to remove it. I feel that there are some people participating in this discussion that would prefer if all red dot prompts are removed permanently by the broadcaster, in the same way as there are some people who find channel logos annoying, and wish to stop them being broadcasted.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I have no problem with a broadcaster displaying a red dot but it would be nice to be able to remove the dot for the full duration of the programme being displayed if it is not required.
To some it may not be irritating but I soon get fed up having to keep pressing the TV button to remove it when it keeps popping back up during the same programme.
As JonSav1 has said why cannot it be semi-transparent so being less intrusive if you cannot disable it completely.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

You prove my point... you know where the good "interactive " content is (it is not really interactive - it is just more content)

Ie

Wimbedon
playcam (pah)
fanzone
champions league
multiscreen news 24 and sky news

There is no reason why pressing the red button should not open these services without a stupid dot on the screen all the time

I know i can get useful content by pressing the teletext button I don't need an on screen prompt to tell me

In truth the broadcasters could be more effective in the way they did this
eg for Wimbledon they could have bbc1a bbc1b bbc1c etc for the different courts with navigation via the epg.

The red button is only there to point to the **** "interactive" content which costs us money and lines Ruperts pockets quizes and games etc. It is unjustified to spoil our viewing to flog this rubbish. In truth most interactivity is **** and we are better off without it. Sorry RamJet I will complain if it is inflicted on NTL customers

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I think the Red dot should be shown if there is some related interactive content available (for example extra feeds/camera angles for BBC sport), but think it should disappear after a while like it does on freeview on the bbc.
Channel 4 are just having a laugh with their red dot coming up with content completely unrelated to the programs being shown - this I think is wrong, but it is channel 4 who are at fault, not NTL.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Good point. And that is why it annoys me. The only 'interactive' content on C4 is two silly games. And in order to flog this, the red dot is there on all their programs. So, you have to hit 'tv' after every break regardless of the program or put up with the red dot. This I find very annoying.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

There are red spot zappers on the market which send a repeated "clear" signal to the STB.

One advantage of Sky+ is that you can briefly enter live pause and then play and you do not get the red spot.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Unfortunatly, regardless of whether ntl: have done it before or not, this cannot be done. If the BBC did this, it would mean that they are broadcasting extra channels without permission of the government.

The way that they get round this, is to provide the extra feeds through an "Interactive" service.

With regard to ntl: viewers getting Sky multiscreens, I believe it will be a while until this happens as, IMHO, sky see them as a lucrative tool for getting viewers to choose Sky over their competitiors. However, people said the same about ntl getting Sky sports Extra. So we shall just have to wait and see.

~Jon

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I don't have any problem with red button prompts, provided:

a) they disappear after a little while of their own accord so as not to spoil recordings, and;

b) I can press a button to get rid of them, and it won't reappear until I switch channels, and;

c) I have an option to switch them all off forever.

The current B3.1 software gets it exactly right in all these cases. Sadly the new Langley software seems to have taken a couple of BIG steps back.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

After another night of annoyance. Do you have a link for those zappers? I'll probably be disappointed in thinking I can pick one up for a couple of quid, but I live in hope...

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I have only seen them for Sky but no doubt they will become available for NTL if a market for them develops. Some people have manufactured their own zappers with all sorts of Heath Robinson gadgets.

There are possibly none available for NTL systems because they are so far behind with interactive that there was no need for them. The red spot will increasingly appear on NTL as they develop their interactive (wonder what the few who used to say that NTL was far better than Sky because it didn't have the pesky red dot will have to say then?) . It will be there because it will generate revenue for NTL with some of its uses and advertisers will want to take advantage of it (even more revenue for NTL from them). They will probably remove any opportunity to turn it off that they can in order to protect the possible revenue streams.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I doubt you'll have much luck - these work by repeatedly sending the same IR code to the STB. Unfortunately, if you do that with NTL it won't work as if there is no red dot on the screen, it'll either bring up the mini guide menu (when you press TV) or switch channels (when you hit back).

It seems to me that NTL have done this intentionally to stop people cancelling the red button automatically. I can't see any other reason for it (e.g. the blue button could be used to cancel it.)

Let's face it, NTL must get a cut from these adverts, they're not going to stop blasting them out for our benefit and their loss.

Foddy

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

Why do they need permission from government?? Its not a new channel its different content on the same channel. like regional variations- there is no reason why they could not deliver in the way suggested

Totally agree so would http://www.logofreetv.org This is the choice which customers should demand

Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

Tonight a stupid text message bar has started to appear on the E4 live coverage. It takes up far too much of the screen and is distracting! :grind: Have ntl started using a different feed from before or have E4 suddenly decided to inflict it upon us?

Re: Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

That must be so annoying.....you settle down to a few wasted hours of mind numbing space wasting, only to be confronted with distractions like that. Shocking.

Re: Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

Yes, I can only cope with so much mind-numbingness at once ;)

Re: Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

I'm surprised you haven't posted in here

Same thing really...

Re: Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

I did spot that thread before posting, but as it was mainly about the red dot rather than the text bar I thought it deserved a different thread. I get your point though so maybe this can be merged.

Re: Big Brother Texting bar on E4
 

Makes sense to me to, so....

Done. Threads merged.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

The dot is there permanently on Ch4. Although it never bothered me at first, now it's becoming annoying and we should have the option of either turning it off completely or having it disappear after a set delay.

Being a TiVo user I find it more annoying as the ntl: remote has been sat in a drawer for over a year as all channel changes are done via the TiVo remote. Now I have to grab the ntl: remote just for one button.


Andy.

Re: Interactive and the Red Button
 

I agree - I particularly like the way the Red Dot and Press Red message appear when you fits change to a BBC channel on Freeview but then disappear after a few seconds. In fact, I would not mind if it appeared at the start of each program as long as it disappeared soon after. But having it constantly displayed on Channel 4 on NTL makes me worry about screen burn and does annoy me.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Sometimes when you are viewing one channel and it is showing something like sporting events originally broadcast by Sky with interactive content the red spot is an integral part of the picture , doesn't work and cannot be removed.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

when you hit TV on langley the red dot doesnt reappear!...so this will be the same on bromley

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

:erm: Well it does for me! (I am in a Langley area)

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

It will sometimes reappear depending on the broadcaster.

An example of this would on Channel4 if you remove the dot when the next program appears after a break it will re-appear.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

After extensive tests (while having half an eye on Big Brother - Yes, I know i'm sad!) I have found that the red dot does not reappear until you change channel. Even after adverts or a programme change.

~Jon

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Hmmm, it reappears for me if I press TV to show the Mini Guide. For example, I'm watching C4 with no red dot displayed, I press TV to see what's on C4 later (and possibly some other channels as well), I press TV again to hide the Mini Guide and the red dot reappears.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Sorry, didn't test that one! oops:

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

yes if you just get rid of the red dot...and then dont touch the remote the red dot will not appear...i really don't see the big deal....can you turn it off on sky?

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

until the next adverts are over.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

On Sky+ you can enter live pause and then play straight away and you don't get the red dot.

Have you ever noticed though that you quite often don't take any notice of the red dot or channel logo but as soon as someone mentions it it appears to fill the screen and you can't focus on anything else.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

i like the dot.....but for some its just somethin else to moan about...leave it alone!

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

I'm keeping an eye on this, but last night (when you posted this), I did get the impression it was occurring less often than before. Perhaps someone in C4 has been reading this thread? :)

Edit: I've gone through two breaks on C4 now without the dot reappearing. This definitely was not the case before yesterday. If it stays like this, I am happy...

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

is there anyfootball on BBC2?.....as langley dont actually have that bridge

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

No Euro 2004 on 2.

All on ONE or interactive - IF it turns up on Langley!

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

it will turn up on langley!1

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

No you can't turm it off on sky- thats why I am no longer a sky customer.

It sounds like the ntl one is a bit better ---but it will still screw videos

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Yes you can turn it off on Sky if you have Sky+ , enter live pause and then play. Result no red dot and only a fraction of a second behind normal broadcast.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

I thought you could turn off the red dot on sky, by using the backup button?

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

You can, but it reappears after ad breaks if done this way.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

The red dot will soon become a feature on all Digital TV households.. I dont find it a problem - I know i can press the TV button and it will go. most of the time I dont even notice it!

ntl & Sky will not want us to be able to stop the dot - so to speak - as they can charge more for interacive advetising. It costs nearly twice as much for an interacive advert - and they will want as many people to see that as possable.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

<Insults removed> - Steve H


This stuff is so bad that I watched all my TV on terrestrial analogue -- footie cos it was widescreen - BB cos no red button

MAD

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Excuse me, less of the insults. :mad:

I do understand, the same happens with NTL.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

So are you honestly saying that the prompt in the pic below (which disappears after about a minute) is really that distracting? :rolleyes:

[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

The BBC are leading the way with red button. There red button prompt comes up when there is relevant interactive and vanishes after about a minute. This is how it should be, unlike channel 4 who keep it there permanently with non-relevant content.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

And of course if operated in that way the dot could appear on relevant adverts and dissapear afterwards.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

NOTHING is in widescreen on analogue (bar some movies, which are very occasionly shown in letterbox). Football is ALWAYS a 4:3 crop on analogue - Euro 2004 is in fact 4:3 on digital as well (except for the studio parts).

(sorry to go off topic - I just felt that should be pointed out!)

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Just to clarify - presumably the channel is including some flag in the programme data stream to say 'digital content is available'. Then, the NTL box responds by showing the red dot permanently while freeview etc are more intelligent and only show their 'press red' for a moment or two??

Is this correct?? I can't see how the broadcaster can control this - how can they know when you have just turned to the channel to display the info.

The problem is definitely with NTL - why blame the broadcasters??

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

So if the problem is with Ntl why does the BBC 'Press Red' icon disappear after a few seconds?

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

because Ionnny is wrong , lol

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Do we have an answer to the question of why the interactive service is not availabe outside the matches? According to the BBC web site there should be highlights available through the service.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

just watching the footie on itv through sky digi , they are deffo taking the p!ss now , has anyone seen the size of the red dot , sorry it aint a dot anymore it is f@cking huge :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

When I looked, they were showing the goal highlights.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

any screens of this almost satinistic soundin red dot?

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

here you go , not very good quality but you will see what i mean :erm: :mad:

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

I see what you mean. It makes the CH4 one look tiny.

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

bludddy annoying i would say :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Well i certainly can't access the interactive service outside the BBC matches.
Are you ex C&W or Original NTL? Perhaps that has something to do with it??

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

i am on langley.and there is no interactive content OUTSIDE of the matches on B.B.C. However i dont care about content outside of the match all i care about is the Interactivity with the program that is being aired at that very second. :D ...... ive waited a while and am very satisfied.
I can however understand why some people need the highlights if you either

1) miss the match live
2) miss the highlights at night on B.B.C 1 if you work late shifts
3) But to be honest the highlights on BBC i are very short..VERY short

Re: [Merged]Interactive and the Red Button
 

Ex-cwc. It's not there now, but the goal highlights were definitely there. I couldn't say when they were taken off.

:notopic: What is like? The way they are describing it, it sounds only like match stats and news. Nothing like what the BBC have done.