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-   -   [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* Telewest VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=19977)

bigitup_j 11-11-2004 16:48
[Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* Telewest VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Telewest plan to roll out a VOD service during H1 2005, and a PVR service in H2 2005.
all according to their results
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...ss_Release.pdf

:)
plus, VOD deal between Sony, Disney and ONDemand group will see a direct competitor to BSkyB, on cable:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11...okays_movieco/

zerolight 08-12-2004 16:20
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
where does it say anything about PVR?

I've read rumours about video on demand, but nothing about a HDD PVR.

rnb14 08-12-2004 16:25
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zerolight
where does it say anything about PVR?

I've read rumours about video on demand, but nothing about a HDD PVR.
They're not rumours, both developments will go ahead during 2005 - look towards bottom of page 4

eshaq786 08-12-2004 18:43
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
do u think they will upgrade the set top boxes to PVR for free?

but anyway 2005 is very early from what ive heard. some people have said that its 2006-2008 but one thing is that this can only mean better service as a result of competition.

Lakin 10-12-2004 17:38
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eshaq786
do u think they will upgrade the set top boxes to PVR for free?

but anyway 2005 is very early from what ive heard. some people have said that its 2006-2008 but one thing is that this can only mean better service as a result of competition.
I doubt it. They are probably looking to mirror Sky+, by charging extra for a PVR stb. But who knows? This is the first ive heard about it, not that i follow telewest much.

andrew_wallasey 08-01-2005 17:30
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
There is a couple of working PVR boxes on Telewest, they are absolutely brilliant. The boxes can deal with multiple (4 I think) streams and it in general is a much better setup than sky+. The picture quality on Telewest is also must better as I personally dont think Amstrad boxes give good pic quality.

Tristan 09-01-2005 18:09
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
There is a couple of working PVR boxes on Telewest, they are absolutely brilliant. The boxes can deal with multiple (4 I think) streams and it in general is a much better setup than sky+. The picture quality on Telewest is also must better as I personally dont think Amstrad boxes give good pic quality.
Um... that's not true.

Neil 09-01-2005 23:32
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
There is a couple of working PVR boxes on Telewest, they are absolutely brilliant. The boxes can deal with multiple (4 I think) streams and it in general is a much better setup than sky+. The picture quality on Telewest is also must better as I personally dont think Amstrad boxes give good pic quality.
1) Are you speaking from experience (I.E. do you have one?)?

2) If not, how you you be so certain of what you are saying?

3) Do you have a link to a reputable source/site to support your claims?

eshaq786 10-01-2005 09:22
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Im guessing that he might've seen some boxes being being tested. But as i said thats a guess.

Neil 10-01-2005 19:55
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eshaq786
Im guessing that he might've seen some boxes being being tested. But as i said thats a guess.
How do you "see boxes being tested"? :confused: :shrug:

andrew_wallasey 10-01-2005 23:34
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil
1) Are you speaking from experience (I.E. do you have one?)?
I don't live in a Telewest area and am unsure what headends the software has been installed on for testing of the PVR boxes. As far as I know the testing is yet to have started outside employees.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil
2) If not, how you you be so certain of what you are saying?
There are some employees who have the boxes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil
3) Do you have a link to a reputable source/site to support your claims?
What claims?

andrew_wallasey 10-01-2005 23:35
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan
Um... that's not true.
What is not true?

rnb14 10-01-2005 23:43
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
There is a couple of working PVR boxes on Telewest, they are absolutely brilliant. The boxes can deal with multiple (4 I think) streams and it in general is a much better setup than sky+. The picture quality on Telewest is also must better as I personally dont think Amstrad boxes give good pic quality.
Are these the Scitnific Atlanta PVR's TW are supposed to be testing? Page 15- http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...UBS_061204.pdf
.
.

andrew_wallasey 11-01-2005 00:24
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Yes!

Neil 11-01-2005 13:28
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
I don't live in a Telewest area and am unsure what headends the software has been installed on for testing of the PVR boxes. As far as I know the testing is yet to have started outside employees.
Ok, but how do you *know* how "brilliant" TW's PVR offering is?

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
There are some employees who have the boxes.
Right, but have you spoken to them about these tests?


Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
What claims?
These ones you made a few posts up....

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
There is a couple of working PVR boxes on Telewest
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
they are absolutely brilliant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
The boxes can deal with multiple (4 I think) streams
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
and it in general is a much better setup than sky+
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
The picture quality on Telewest is also must better as I personally dont think Amstrad boxes give good pic quality.

andrew_wallasey 11-01-2005 15:48
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil
Ok, but how do you *know* how "brilliant" TW's PVR offering is?
I don't know I have been told by people who have also had Sky+


Quote:
Right, but have you spoken to them about these tests?
Well I would not say anything otherwise would I?

Tristan 11-01-2005 16:00
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
I've heard that Telewest have chosen a PVR box from Scientific Atlanta, but that's all we really know at the moment.

It won't support 4 streams, either, but two, just like Sky Plus. Picture quality will be the same as cable is now -- no better, no worse.

It's possible that the device is on staff trial now, but personally I doubt it. Telewest are only just starting staff VOD trials this week, and I think they'll want to get that working first, and get the PVR integrated well with it.

Neil 11-01-2005 16:02
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
I don't know I have been told by people who have also had Sky+
Then don't make claims to that effect (& don't make out you never made any claims! ;) )

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
Well I would not say anything otherwise would I?
Who knows?

andrew_wallasey 11-01-2005 16:59
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan
I've heard that Telewest have chosen a PVR box from Scientific Atlanta, but that's all we really know at the moment.

It won't support 4 streams, either, but two, just like Sky Plus. Picture quality will be the same as cable is now -- no better, no worse.

It's possible that the device is on staff trial now, but personally I doubt it. Telewest are only just starting staff VOD trials this week, and I think they'll want to get that working first, and get the PVR integrated well with it.
No they are supporting 4 streams not 2.

Neil 11-01-2005 17:05
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
No they are supporting 4 streams not 2.
Where is your evidence to support this bold claim?

No offence, but my money is firmly with Tristan. :)

ian@huth 11-01-2005 17:14
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Who is right?

Tristan says two streams.

Andrew says 4 streams.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...UBS_061204.pdf page 15 says that the box has 3 tuners.

Tristan 11-01-2005 17:17
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ianathuth
Who is right?

Tristan says two streams.

Andrew says 4 streams.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...UBS_061204.pdf page 15 says that the box has 3 tuners.
Which is what Tristan was using... one tuner is for interactive (existing cable boxes have two tuners).

ian@huth 11-01-2005 17:23
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan
Which is what Tristan was using... one tuner is for interactive (existing cable boxes have two tuners).
Hmmm. TW say that having 3 tuners differentiates their proposed box from the Sky+ box. Is there a difference in the way satellite handle interactive? :confused:

SMHarman 11-01-2005 17:40
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
A link indicating what the US PVR equivilants are like
http://www.timewarnercable.com/centr...cable/dvr.html

SMHarman 11-01-2005 17:46
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ianathuth
Hmmm. TW say that having 3 tuners differentiates their proposed box from the Sky+ box. Is there a difference in the way satellite handle interactive? :confused:
I believe so, NTL is interactive in that the return path sends requests back to the interactive server and the server responds (bit like the web), Sky having more bandwidth blast all the information down this and the box picks the page it needs (more like teletext).
The 4 stream thing may be to do with the three tuners all being able to record at one point and then in addition you can play back a recording already made? 3+1=4

andrew_wallasey 12-01-2005 08:28
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
I am just going on what I have been told. You will be able to record up to two things at the same time and watch something else but obviously you require an extra tuner for interactive.

HDTV looks cool though.

Ignition 15-01-2005 21:03
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
4 tuner box will be used as 2 tuners for TV, one for 'out of band' communication, and one for 2 way DOCSIS communication, broadband and interactive.

If it's a 3 tuner box drop the 'out of band' bit.

bigitup_j 18-01-2005 11:37
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Telewest have now roll-out their VOD service in the Bristol area
LINK:
http://ir.telewest.co.uk/phoenix.zht...lar&id=663415&

telewest are definately working together with ntl, using the same film company (filmflex) and it launches on the same day
:)

eshaq786 18-01-2005 14:16
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Looks like a merger isnt too far away...

Tristan 18-01-2005 14:30
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigitup_j
Telewest have now roll-out their VOD service in the Bristol area
LINK:
http://ir.telewest.co.uk/phoenix.zht...lar&id=663415&

telewest are definately working together with ntl, using the same film company (filmflex) and it launches on the same day
:)
I think it's just an employee trial or something actually -- there will be far more than 2,100 cable TV subscribers in Bristol.

I hope they do "fully" launch it in Bristol soon though -- I'm pretty sure I run off the same headend...

Tristan 18-01-2005 15:31
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Actually, it's more likely to be an area trial than an employee trial, thinking about it.

Not that it really matters. I just want it. Now!

andrew_wallasey 18-01-2005 21:15
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eshaq786
Looks like a merger isnt too far away...
How do you reach that sweaping statement?

Frank 18-01-2005 23:49
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_wallasey
How do you reach that sweaping statement?
Hmm, perhaps something to do with a wide range of indicators, including industry analysts and both company's own shareholders?

Quote:
Investors in Britain's two leading cable companies expect NTL and Telewest to start merger negotiations early in the new year. American shareholders in both companies told the Guardian that they expected talks to start as soon as Telewest completed its £1.7bn refinancing and NTL finalised the £1.2bn sale of its masts business during the first three months of next year.

One investor, who declined to be named, said: "It makes perfect business sense for them to merge. The only reason it wouldn't get done is ego."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...368697,00.html
http://networks.silicon.com/telecoms...9126643,00.htm
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...p?story=600048

SMHarman 19-01-2005 09:45
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
However as quoted in the FT today
Quote:
Originally Posted by FT 19-01-05
However, they insisted the move did not indicate the beginnings of joint operations. "This is not about Telewest and NTL getting closer together," said Simon Duffy, NTL's chief executive. "It's a logical and sensible progression of our TV services and a big move towards [video] on demand with our existing partners."
But the article also mentions
Quote:
Originally Posted by FT 19-01-05
Yesterday's simultaneous launches underlined the two companies' shared priorities following their respective debt restructurings last year that left them both listed on Nasdaq and sharing the same trio of main stakeholders.
and also Tveter and Duffy highlight nicely
Quote:
Originally Posted by FT 19-01-05
Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer of Telewest, "For the first time in the history of cable we will be able to demonstrate a competitive advantage over BSkyB," he added.
Mr Duffy said: "This is one of the reasons why we built our network in the first place. It's one of the reasons why we spent the £9bn."
Note: unless you subscribe to FT.com this link is only good for today.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/6d5f6b0e-69...00e2511c8.html

rnb14 19-01-2005 11:13
Re: Telewest: 2005 for VOD and PVR
 
Screenshots of Telewest VOD here: http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/moviesondemand.shtml

Bonzo 20-01-2005 18:17
Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Sorry to start another thread but the moderator seemed to misread my previous post when he kindly replied with an answer to whatever it was he thought I had asked then promptly closed the thread so I can't reply! :)

What I was asking is that although the trial has been announced, what evidence do we have that it isn't all simply made up? And I would like to know how Telewest's interface is different from the screenshots I've seen of NTL while you're actually watching the film.

JohnHorb 20-01-2005 18:20
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
I think he wanted you to post in the existing Telewest VOD thread - but it would have been better if he'd merged the threads! Like you, I haven't seen anything posted by actual Telewest VOD users.

Tristan 20-01-2005 18:44
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Actually, I think you're right with some of what you posted in the other thread. I think Telewest's hand was forced by NTL to some extent. Their "launch" actually looks like just a test. Only 2,100 users, and only for movies -- considerably less impressive than NTL's offering.

However, I think you're wrong about the screens being mock-ups. They look pretty much like the screens I use now, but with a couple of new options, obviously.

JohnHorb 20-01-2005 18:50
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Don't want to start a Telewest vs NTL argument, but, out of interest, anyone know how many NTL users have VOD to date? I thought the Glasgow roll-out was partly a trial, though, from the sound of it, with more content than Telewest.

Tristan 20-01-2005 19:00
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHorb
Don't want to start a Telewest vs NTL argument, but, out of interest, anyone know how many NTL users have VOD to date? I thought the Glasgow roll-out was partly a trial, though, from the sound of it, with more content than Telewest.
There are 18,000 users in Glasgow.

And a NTL/TW war would be fun. I could be a double agent!

Bonzo 20-01-2005 19:08
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan
However, I think you're wrong about the screens being mock-ups. They look pretty much like the screens I use now, but with a couple of new options, obviously.
I agree they look like the design of the current Telewest UI. What I meant is that they could be just that - designs, straight out of photoshop. They're very clean images, not from a living room. And they don't show what you see while you're watching a film (unless there are some I've missed).

Tristan 20-01-2005 19:32
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Well they're supplied by Telewest, so you imagine the quality would be as good as they can make it. And if you have a look on the NTL VOD thread, there are some amazingly good screens captured by a user called Currie (do a quick search).

I agree it's a bit strange that Telewest haven't provided any "in use" pictures yet. Maybe they don't do an overlay like NTL do (and if they did, it would be different to NTL's, as Telewest's terrible remote has the VOD controls on the coloured buttons rather than the arrow keys).

Bob 20-01-2005 19:36
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Using a tuner card in your PC would give you clear screen grabs like the ones used on the VoD thread in the ntl: forums :)

Bonzo 20-01-2005 20:18
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob
Using a tuner card in your PC would give you clear screen grabs like the ones used on the VoD thread in the ntl: forums :)
Are they this clear on the ntl forum? I thought I'd only seen digital camera photos of peoples TVs of the ntl service. Ok, sorry, I'll check again in a minute.

Indeed I agree with you Bob it would be very clear pictures through a tuner card. If you did that, though, you'd expect that the small TV picture would be different on every screen grab, since they'd be grabbed at different times, and TV pictures are mostly changing all the time. Mostly.

So in these pictures I'm talking about (are there others?) .... http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/moviesondemand.shtml

Maybe the girl was just enjoying holding that pineapple so much she decided to stand motionless for several seconds while this Bristol triallist did 3 of the captures. Actually the time on all of them is 11:11 so they were all done within a minute, so that makes sense. And the date of Fri 1st December PROVES that Telewest had all this VOD stuff working back in 2000 (that's the last time 1st December fell on a friday). So it's actually strange of them to wait for 4 years for NTL to launch their trial, before launching their own on the very same day.

Yep, I got it wrong. Sorry everyone! My silly incredulity is based on nothing!

;)

Or maybe those are mock-ups and we've yet to see screen grabs of the real thing. Seriously, I'm not suggesting they were intended to be taken as real screen shots, but I'm just dying to see the real thing in action, and these shots aren't doing it for me as I don't think they're taken from the trial.

Tristan 20-01-2005 20:37
Re: Is anyone here on the VOD trial?
 
Ah, I'd only seen the two screenshots they've got on Digitalspy. You're quite right.

Also quite suspicious is the fact that 18,000 users in Glasgow have got VOD, and there are many people -- certainly more than nine -- people posting about it on boards like this. But I haven't seen a single post from a TW subscriber in Bristol saying "I've got it", even though you'd imagine that, statistically, it would happen. It's almost like people have been asked not to talk about it.

But then if it was a full roll out, wouldn't TW want every man and his dog discussing it?

What was that, Lassie? Employee Trial?

Bob 20-01-2005 22:22
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Carl @ telewestinfo.co.uk has used a media service that stores all of Telewest's images and I'm assuming this is where he got them from because they are referred at the end of the article :)

rnb14 20-01-2005 23:40
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Scientific-Atlanta Selected by Telewest Broadband to Supply New Personal Video Recorder

Press release here: http://www.scientificatlanta.com/new.../05Jan20-1.htm

Bigger pic of Telewest PVR: http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s...iew&tr=1&row=1

ian@huth 21-01-2005 01:16
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnb14
Scientific-Atlanta Selected by Telewest Broadband to Supply New Personal Video Recorder

Press release here: http://www.scientificatlanta.com/new.../05Jan20-1.htm

Bigger pic of Telewest PVR: http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s...iew&tr=1&row=1
That STB looks very good and will be a great threat to Sky+.

Why merge a PVR thread with a VOD thread? Two completely different types of technology I would have thought?

rnb14 21-01-2005 11:06
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Picture of the remote - http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/news.asp

Tristan 21-01-2005 14:36
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
I agree that the STB specs look fantastic, trumping even the latest Sky Plus boxes. The only worry is that it's made by Scientific Atlanta. From what I've heard, the boxes they currently make for Telewest (the Explorer 4000) are not so good -- in fact, Telewest subs regard the Pace 4000 as the one to have.

Also, this is definitely not something they're working on with NTL. If/when NTL do a PVR box, they'll most likely go with Samsung.

I just hope Telewest do something about the remote between now and the launch. The regular TV one is bad enough, and the PVR one looks even worse...

SMHarman 21-01-2005 17:09
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* Telewest VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
My Mother in Law has the SA8000 on Time Warner Cable, Fantastic box. Has coax digital audio on the HBO channels too.

Toto 21-01-2005 17:10
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ianathuth
That STB looks very good and will be a great threat to Sky+.

Why merge a PVR thread with a VOD thread? Two completely different types of technology I would have thought?
Yeh, odd why they merged it............and boy, that box looks like the poodles undershafting :)

Frank 21-01-2005 20:35
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ianathuth
That STB looks very good and will be a great threat to Sky+.
Check out these Photos then ;)

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...-challenge-sky

gary_580 24-01-2005 12:28
Telewest Challenge Sky+
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4194357.stm

gimpymoo 26-01-2005 11:02
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tristan
I agree that the STB specs look fantastic, trumping even the latest Sky Plus boxes. The only worry is that it's made by Scientific Atlanta. From what I've heard, the boxes they currently make for Telewest (the Explorer 4000) are not so good -- in fact, Telewest subs regard the Pace 4000 as the one to have.

Also, this is definitely not something they're working on with NTL. If/when NTL do a PVR box, they'll most likely go with Samsung.

I just hope Telewest do something about the remote between now and the launch. The regular TV one is bad enough, and the PVR one looks even worse...
Scientific Atlanta have been making quality Set top boxes longer than any of the other manufacturers. I was surprised when Pace won the NTL contract when they first started digital. Pace really are bad. The build quality is poor as well. IMHO.

stevengray2005 22-04-2005 19:24
Re: [Merged] VOD & PVR-*ALL* Telewest VOD/PVR Posts In Here Please
 
I wonder how far on they are with the PVR's now?


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