Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Quick review of new firmware (App Version 11.1.8_ukcable, for PACE STB)



The good

• Firmware feels a bit faster than LCR3.
• Superior use of colours to create a distinctive EPG.
• Lack of advert banners in firmware results in a classier look for the firmware.
• Volume can be set from Display & Audio menu.
• Much better menu system than LCR3 or current TV Drive firmware.
• Much better information for VOD content – includes remaining number of days left for content on the server, and rental period.
• VOD Movies A-Z menu is now a lot easier to use.
• You can now view content for Catch Up on Demand (formerly Pick of the Week on NTL) on a day by day basis – for instance, view everything on the server from Monday.
• The Fast-Forward/Rewind/Stop/Pause image uses for VOD content looks nice – each on-screen option is now colour coded to match the button on your remote – so now you can use blue for FF, Yellow for Rewind, Green for Pause/Play and Red for Stop – as well the existing arrow buttons. In addition, you get little FF/Rewind/Pause icons above the image.
• New Troubleshooting/FAQ section addeds for TV services and Bills, should prevent a few calls to CS.

The bad

• 1 Day EPG!!!! Whatta mean you’re going on holiday???!
• Why does the firmware assume that my Langley remote has a ‘i’ button which I can use to get more info?
• Software tells you to use Red Button for page down and Green for Page Up – but you can also use existing page up/down buttons on remote.
• Maybe this is temporary, but no trailers for New VOD movies (I’ve seen a few for the TV Drive).

More later, Dinner awaits. Yum Yum

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Another great review from you. Keep it up. ;) :tu:

I look forward to getting the new firmware.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

All remotes apart from the original Langley remote have the i button. The original Langley remote (approx 15% of total customer base) has Browse. It's simply down to screen real estate!
ex-Telewest Silver and Blue remotes, and the TVDrive/V+ remotes do not have Page Up/Down. As the software can't tell what type of remote you've got, the Red/Green options are shown on all boxes.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

In short, if you have a TV Drive, a lot of stuff in this firmware release is very similar.

And as promised....more:

• High Definition VOD menu available on PACE STB not capable of HD. Eh?
• Entering channel number on remote also displays entered number at top left of screen.
• VOD ‘Your Rentals’ menu now contains sub categories for Movies; Music; Other.
• Like LCR3 software, you can press number on remote to get to menu options.
• Separate categories for VOD (Catch Up on Demand; Movies on Demand etc) are now on the main/Home menu.
• When in Home Menu, TV Guide etc, the name of the current channel and programme are displayed under the Live TV window for the current channel.
• You can no longer change the current channel while in TV Guide, Home Menu etc.
• So far, no ‘Searching…’ or ‘Loading…’ in EPG. And considering it only contains 1 day, this is as it should be.
• Like current TV Drive software, you can no longer re-order channels to your liking.
• No option in EPG to jump ahead 12 hours or so – would be nice.
• When setting reminders, reminder won’t be set if it clashes with another reminder. Unlike LCR3 software, you don’t get the chance to set the reminder anyway, V Box reports that “reminder not set – it clashes with previously set reminder, [Name of programme for previous reminder] on [Related channel name].
• 3 choices when setting reminders: Done, Change Channel at Start, Cancel.
• Loads of categories for TV Guide:
  • All Channels
  • Kids
  • Music
  • Movies
  • News
  • Sport
  • High Definition (again, WHY on a Pace STB? Having said that, all programs on BBC HD are greyed-out. Attempting to watch it via a Pace STB (or, V Box I should call it), popus up a message saying you’re not subscribed, call 150 or see ‘Help & Info’ on your bill).
  • Your Favourites (as in the current, pre-Viginzied TV Drive firmware, this displays a EPG which is filtered to display your favourites. Unlike current TV Drive software, this filtered EPG fills the screen and isn't a pop-up).
  • More – which leads to another menu….
    • Shop & Play
    • LifeStyle
    • Radio
    • Factual
    • International
    • Adult
    • Your Reminders
    • Customer Info (leads to filtered EPG which just contains info for Virgin ID Channel)
• Viewing content in VOD Movies categories is somewhat better, you can for instance, view Horror Movies starting with A/B/C, or D/E/F, or G/H/I etc.
• Entering VOD Movies section results in FilmFlex logo at top of screen.
• Audio button on remote now does bugger all! Sorry Radio lovers! You now have to press Guide to get to Home Menu >> More >> Radio.
• At times, navigation controls seems a bit inconsistent. Sometimes you are told to press red button to go back one page, but back button on remote does this anyway.
• Heh! BUG!!!! Pressing Mute button on remote displays Mute logo on TV, but doesn’t mute the sound! Do’h!
• New ‘progress bar’ style on-screen display when changing volume from remote. Nice.
• Internet button now goes to Interactive menu.
• Email button now goes to Home menu. Eh???
• Paternal controls can now be set for Games; Rated programmes; Voting; Chat and Mobile.
• Info which was previously available via pressing Channel Up, Channel Down and then Blue Button on Langley remote – is now available in Home >> Settings >>> Technical Stuff

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Are you connected using the VCR scart socket?
I seem to remember this was a 'feature' rather than a bug where the TV scart was muted but the VCR one was always kept with the sound on.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Nope, composite.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Any of you guys got any screen shots of the new firmware,

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

from the pace stb? didnt realise they had composite out,

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Via the scart composite or RGB

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

indeed mr 100, hence Derek S comment is valid, the vcr socket of the 2 scart sockets on the stb's do not mute the volume so that you can still record a program while muting the tv.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

How have you got the TV connected to the STB? If SCART, which socket?
And which model STB do you have?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Yep, here you go:

http://knowfirst.co.uk/html/i/faq_tv_epg2.jpg

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I think its one of 4000 boxes - but its connected via composite - there a 'TV' connection on the Pace box (not SCART) which is connected to my telly.

---------- Post added at 22:20 ---------- Previous post was at 22:14 ----------

BTW, just like to say thanks to the Virgin Media/NTL coding team for their continuing efforts. I'm a Developer myself so I know that putting something together like this is not as easy to develop and test as some people may think.

The new firmware looks great on my 14" Portable and it will look even better on my 32" Toshiba. Its a world apart from the nice but boring-looking (in comparison) LCR3 firmware.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

What's your day 1 score out of ten then Chris?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Ok, with you now. You mean the RF (UHF) connection. It doesn't mute because most people use the RF either for a VCR or to feed to a second TV.

(You are right that it's composite, but you can also get composite on SCART)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

8 out of 10. I want to leave some room for improvement.:)

I think that score would be lower if I didn't have a 8 day EPG on the TV Drive in the living room, and the Pace box (now in the bedroom) was still my only Cable box.

There's no way I could have done with a 1 day EPG up until now (not with the TV recording I was doing last year) and I can't see people with the current 3-day EPG being :) when the new and improved firmware robs them of 2 days. Still, Telewest users have dealt with this for a while I think, now NTL users will have to too.

Is the TV Drive worth upgrading to, to get the extra days in the EPG (and all the other fancy features)? IMO, yes. But now the entry-level TV service from Virgin only has 1 day in the EPG, while everyone else (including Freeview) offers at least 7. :erm:

---------- Post added at 22:46 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------

Ah, Ok. :)

Heck, that 'feature' is not gonna ruin my life or anything :p:, and most TV remotes have a mute button anyway.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

v+hd box (tv drive) is worth it as it has full 7/8 day epg and has three tuners so you can record two programms at the same time while watching another and if you have a HDTV you will get bbc HD in high def and be able to watch some movies on filmflex in HD aswell,

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I'm also in Coventry and got this new firmware yesterday, it's definitely faster than the old firmware - less lag when pressing buttons, switching channels seems a bit quicker than before, and redrawing the selection boxes and so on in the menus isn't noticeable any more. Plus, no more "Please wait" for 20-30 seconds when entering the TV guide is a great improvement. I wish I could reorder channels again though - I don't need to see BBC HD in the list as neither the box nor my TV are capable of showing it.

There does seem to be a bug in the VOD system. If I choose Catch Up TV On Demand > BBC, then select Th18 as the day, six programmes are listed, and the first one is highlighted by default, and I can watch it by pressing OK. However, pressing Down, which you assume would highlight the second programme in the list, actually advances forward one day - I can't figure out how to view any programme except the first one listed! This bug also happens on Mo15, but if I go back to Su14, I can select either of the programmes. Very strange.

Also, on some of the VOD pages, the page number display says "Pg1/1" and on others it says "Pg1/0". This doesn't seem to correspond with the selection bug though.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Works fine for me. The only time pressing DOWN goes to the next day, is when you're on the last programme in the list for the day currently selected.

Likewise, when pressing UP, if you're on the first programme of the day, it will display the list for the previous day.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

So..... the all important question..... Is the new firmware better than the old one? ;)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Am I seeing this right? You can't re-order channels?
I don't bloomin' want it then.
:td:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I don't understand why they got rid of that feature. :(

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Last thing want is all the unsubscribed channels dotted through my list. I have all my channels just how I like them.
Meh. Not happy.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Me too :(

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

If you can live with a 1-day EPG (which, right now, only has info up to 5.30am Sunday morning and features 'No programme information' all over the place :erm:) - then Yes.

If you can't live with a 1-day EPG - well....yes-maybe no-ish.

A couple of things I've just noticed about the EPG:

• If you press RIGHT to jump ahead a few hours, then you can press RIGHT again without having to wait for the STB to display the EPG info for that time of day. Ditto when pressing LEFT to go back through the day. Because of this, its very quick to goto a hour in the day, a lot quicker than the old software.

• ALSO - the EPG seems to remember what 'page' your on.
  
  For example, I'm listening to TalkSport on 927 now. I can goto Home Menu >>> TV Guide >>> All Channels, and page down the EPG until I see info for Trouble (Channel 140) at the top, and Challenge (Channel 152) at the bottom.
  
  I can then press TV to quit the guide. And then go back into it, Home Menu >>> TV Guide >>> All Channels - and it will display the same page of the EPG as before, Trouble (Channel 140) at the top, and Challenge (Channel 152) at the bottom.
  
  Hell - it even remembers what CHANNEL you have selected in the EPG. :shocked:. I can 'select' into Zone Reality (Channel 146), quit the guide, come back in via Home Menu >>> TV Guide >>> All Channels...and Zone Reality is automatically selected!

Nice. :tu:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Cool :) Are there any dates for this firmware release?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

But with the favourites feature, you can do exactly that - define the channels you're only interested in. Then you can goto Home Menu >>> TV Guide >>> Your favourites (or even just activate the mini-guide and press red to get to your favourites).

But yes - there's no way to re-order your favourites.

---------- Post added at 12:43 ---------- Previous post was at 12:34 ----------

On second thoughts....that 'cool' feature could be kinda confusing - I think some people would expect the guide to automatically 'select' the channel they're currently watching. I'm watching BBC 1 now, but the guide has 'remembered' that I've 'selected' the Sci-Fi Channel.

Still, I think I'll sit on the 'cool' side of the fence for now. :)

Due to be rolled out to all areas by June I think. Looks like each headend/area will get updated one at a time.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I understand..
I think. :erm:

See, I don't have a lot of channels subscribed to. I have them all at the top of the faves list so I can lazily flick through, and all the kids channels at the bottom - so I cant type 101 and down channel twice to get to Cbeebies quickly ;)
As I understand it, I'm not gonna be bale to do this anymore?
Might sound petty to some I suppose. *shrug*

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

If you don't like it upgrade :D

I think that is the idea of removing re-ordering. Sky always have it this way.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Ahhh, right! I'm with ya! Not petty at all.

The answer to your question: No. :(

I've set up BBC 1 (Channel 101) and Five (105) as my favourites. I goto BBC 1. Pressing the Channel Up button goes to.......BBC 2 (Channel 102).

Looks like the channel re-ordering feature has gone out the window in more ways then one.

But then again, you can just enter 702 and goto Cbeebies.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Upgrade? To what?
:confused:

Fecksocks - gutted.
Yeah, 702's ingrained in my memory.
I'll miss the 'flick' though, and I'll bet I'll not be the only one.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

XL + Movies + Sports, if you don't want to see ANY unsubscribed channels ...

Would be nice to have a 'flick' through equiv. to the blue button on Sky.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

:dozey: .............
I don't see any now the way it's set up - that was my point.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Chris, the EPG will remember where you are for half and hour before it refreshes :)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Very good. :tu::)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

You could upgrade to the V+HD box, I think that lets you re-order channels...? :confused:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Does it?
I'll consider it. Not sure I'd want to pay £15 just for that feature though. I don't think I'd use it much you see.
I must say I'm surprised no-one else is miffed other than you and I.
Maybe there'll be more when it actually happens?
Or maybe everyone else isn't really that bothered - lol.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I *think* it lets you re-order channels. I would make sure you find out first before you get it. I've put my channels back in the default order lol so I will get used to it for when I get the new firmware. It is a bit of a pain though. I've got the XL TV package so the V+HD box would cost me an extra tenner a month. The other features like being able to record does sound tempting though. :)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Oh aye - it'd definitely be a plus to have one.
Guess we'll have to wait and see bud.
:)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

No, it doesn't. Favourites on TV Drive/V+ Box work in exactly the same way as the new Virgin firmware on my Pace STB.

IMO, its worth getting one for all the features it provides. 3 tuners; 8 Day EPG; Delay TV; Series links etc.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

What?!!!! That's crazy. So now there's no way we can re-order channels. Damn.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

The TVDRIVE (V+HD) has never been able to let you reorder channels.

Telewest does'nt let you re-order channels, has'nt for some time, this is because people phone up saying "Channel 721 Don't Work" and makes the people on the phone confused as they dont know what the customer is watching.

half of the features on the list is already on telewests old platform!

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Lemme get this straight.
You are saying the re-ordering of channels has been disabled/not included in new firmware due to CS being confused when customers call??

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

But how does this effect NTL?

The channels keep their numbers even when you reorder them.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

:mad: That would seem to be what has happened in the UK2 code drop, and its not a welcome change for us ntl siders to lose both 2 days from the EPG, but also the ability to reorder the channels in a sequence where we *want* them - including dumping rubbish to the bottom of the EPG out of the way - simply because *some* muppets in CS can't work out their own channel numbers, and Virgin want to push (force?) customers across to the TV Drive in order just to get the same level of service they've had on the standard boxes up till now.

The number change excuse hasn't been a valid one for years anyway here on Bromley platform since CR3.1 was released anyway - so thats hogwash.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

No, they want you to see what is on the other channels to try and tempt you to upgrade. It's considered a good idea to sort childrens channels after movies so the kids then nag the parents to get the movie channels etc. If they are at the bottom of the list, you rarely see them and wouldn't be tempted to upgrade.

It makes good marketing sense to be there and is this way on every platform.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

So is it considered a good idea to have the Porn channels between the Movies and Children channels? :confused:

"Dad, what's Playboy Channel?"
"Sssshh! I'm trying to page down to CBeebies."

It also makes good marketing sense to keep your customers happy.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

You can delete the adult channels from the guide with the new software - go to the channel locking settings and press yellow.

---------- Post added at 23:29 ---------- Previous post was at 23:19 ----------

You weren't wrong.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Fair enough. :)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I wouldn't say this makes anyone so unhappy they would cancel. Let's go through that conversation:

Customer : 'Hi I am going to cancel because I can't re-order my channels. I am moving to sky'

Virgin : 'I am sorry to hear that Sir. You are unable to re-order the channels on Sky'

Customer : 'I am moving to telewest then'

Virgin : 'You have never been able to move the channels on telewest and you have to be in a Telewest area which will also have the same software'

Customer : 'Oh, how do I upgrade to a full channel package then please?'

Virgin : 'One moment while I transfer you back to Mumbai'

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

And what would that gain?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Why are you assuming that everyone wants or can afford to upgrade to a full channel package? :confused:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I am being facetious. You don't like the fact that you see unsubscribed channels within your subscribed ones, so its an easy answer to upgrade.

I am not forcing you to upgrade, just telling you a logical reason why the 'feature' has been removed. Hopefully it will lead to higher profits for the ntl group and therefore more investment in crtical services and further network expansion.

I think a 1 day EPG is of more concern and is lacking compared to other providers. The modification of the favourites layout doesn't compare in a negative light to other platforms.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I think it was me who had said I didn't like seeing un-sub'd channels, and I stand by that. I know you were being facetious, but let's not dwell on that.
I'd still like to say though, upgrading would not be an easy answer.
I don't want to see certain channels, and that's why I don't subscribe to them & move them all down to the bottom.
I see your point about why this feature has been disabled - though I can't help but feel it's a cynical opinion rather than what is the truth?
If I'm wrong about that I apologise in advance. It just seems a very hard-edged way of potentially forced marketing.
Yes, higher profits/more investment etc would be nice for the company, but not at the sacrifice of some of the digital TV's user friendly features.
All my opinion of course.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Agreed - I'm mildly surprised that there haven't been more negative comments about the loss of 2 days from the EPG.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Looks like NTL are now adopting Telewest's version of the software as we on Telewest (in the time i've had it) haven't been able change the order of the channels and push unwatched channels at the bottom of the EPG and we've always had a 1 day EPG on the standard STB only!
These are really useful features in my book and it's a shame they will be lost in the rebranding :(

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

For some reason I can't even see beyond the next programme on the TV Guide.. And Movies 24 still says "Searching for Programmes..." despite a reboot or three.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

EPG always shows, and always has, about 3-4 hours in front, that is all.
Always been like that for me.
Anyhitng after is 'searching'.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

This is like 30mins in advance.

It's just started - hopefully changing the Pace for a nice shiny V+ box will solve all my problems

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Yep same for me. To be able to see the 24 hours that you are all concerned about would be an improvement for me.
Lets see, if they are cutting it from 3 days to 1 day then I will likely only see about 1 hour now.
As it stands the EPG has always been a joke and looks to be staying that way.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Unless of course you get the TV Drive(V+HD Box) as that has an 8 day guide and the mini guide lets you look through near enough 24hrs.:D

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I never bother with EPGs any way, I prefer to use the Now and Next bar.

I preferred the old version of the now an next bar which allowed you to scroll through most of the day, press info and find out about stuff on, now I can only see whats now and next for anything else I have to go into guide which is annoying.

There has to be a better way of obtaining the guide data. My Media Centre PC gets it from the web. They could almost do with a download text files or something into the RAM of the boxes, which the EPG reads from. I wouldnt expect it to take up too much memory.

I Suppose it can not be that simple! else you would hope it would have been done.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

If you use the Channel Up and Channel Down buttons on the remote, you will skip any channels you're not subscribed to. You only see unsubscribed channels in the Miniguide if you use the Left and Right buttons to see what's on other channels.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

So, in the new firmware, if I'm flicking about, unsubscribed channels will be skipped? :confused:
Doesn't sound right to me, that? They aren't skipped at the moment? I get the black screen with "You are not susbcribed...." message.
Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.
Sorry if so.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

No, that's right - Channel Up and Channel Down buttons will skip unsubscribed channels.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Oh. :)
Well, that's good news then.
Cheers.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Is this new firmware on all platforms, or just former Telewest?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

All platforms :)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I'm pleased to report that Coventry's Virginercation is now complete - the new Virgin firmware code has been downloaded to my TV Drive/V+ Box. :shocked:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

wonders when bromley gets it

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

The Ashford area already has the new code, and that's on the Bromley platform. It got it at the same time as Coventry (Langley) and Brentwood (Knowsley). Future rollout dates will be determined depending on how successful the pilot is in these areas.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Bromley is always last.... :cry:

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Heh, not always. I remember the days when Bromley got new software and channels first.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

When????
I remember I was last with broadband - my brother in Langley area had it long before me..

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I can't remember what platform I'm on..
lol.
How does one know?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

It's difficult for customers to tell these days! Manchester is a Bromley region (well, three Bromley regions actually!)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Ah. Thanks for that.
:)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

ta. :)

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Is Peterborough under Bromley? Coz Cambridge (not that far from Peterborought) is Langley.

Was just wondering.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

meh so the only feature i really used (changing order of channels) has gone, i hope i get the update as late as possible :(

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Yes, Peterborough is Bromley despite Cambridge being Langley!

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Historically cos we were a Cable and Wireless area before being NTL

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

UK2 code downloaded to my Samsung 2100C STB this morning.

As already mentioned Coventry (Langley), Ashford (Bromley), and Basildon (Knowsley - Telewest) are being used as the pilot areas for each platform.

The code is generally faster. It uses ex-Telewest menus and I believe I am correct in saying that the underneath code (the code that does all the processing and is not visible to the user) is ntl software because a lot of work was done on the 3.2 version of the software to speed it up. Because it is using ex-Telewest code for the user 'front end' there is only 1 days TV Guide information. I am guessing that this may also be because under ntl CR3 software, when you wanted to view more than 24hours in advance, the STB would automatically switch to channel 400 previously channel 7 (TV On Demand preview) because the Guide data was stored on the same multiplex as the On Demand service. There was only enough room for the current day's information on the normal multiplex for it. I hope I have explained that OK.

I am a bit disappointed because I thought that the TV Guide would be a rolling 24hours eg. if one was view it at 7pm, it would show the information to 7pm the following day, but it only goes up to 5.30 am the following day.


I have played around with the favourites and one can select the channels they want to be in their favourites selection and by choosing option 8 under the Guide (Home?) menu, you will only get the programme information for your favourite channels. I tried setting the channels in an order that I would like eg 101 BBC One, 105 Five, 922 Classic FM, 927 talkSPORT, 521 British Eurosport, 602 Sky News, but it orders them in strict numerical order. It is a pity that when one is watching TV and pressing Channel Up/Down it will go through all the channels rather than just those in your favourites menu, but has already mentioned by quadplay etc, it will skip unsubscribed channels and also when you set your favourite channels, any unsubscribed channels are not shown.

I suspect we will have to wait some time for a revision to this code (Version 3.5) to have the favourites as we want them.

One thing I found slightly confusing - if you select the favourites option on the remote or press red when the Mini-Guide is displayed, you get the list of your favourite channels plus the programme information for the channel that is highlighted at the same time next to it - ie. you dont have to right arrow to display the information. The first time I did this, I thought that it was showing the wrong information. :dunce:

I won't comment further because Chris Howell has already given an excellent review.


Michael

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Sorry - just clarifying a point here. At the moment, my favourites are sorted into the order I like. This means that using the Channel up and down scrolls through the channels in my chosen order. It also means that the TV Guide and Mini-Guide is in the same order.
Are you saying that this is not the case on the new software?

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Yes, I am. I am afraid you are going to be disappointed. :td:

Michael

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

for once i would like the actual bromley to test something as to me it seems ashford always gets it.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Well - not too bad. I tend to use the mini guide rather than the tv guide anyway, but certainly it would make senses for this revision to be done as soon as technically possible. If you have carefully sorted the order - you want the programmes to appear in the same order whereever.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

Aah, i see. Didn't even think about that

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

I must say the new firmware is totally crap. I'm not impressed one bit by it, I would rather have the old blue one back.

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

it is dire isnt it especialy now we only have free chanels on that box ( i got sky ;) ) the kids have to trawl through chanels they dont want all the time with it and its so slow

they are now so fed up that i might get multi room

Re: Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]
 

well what a load of rubbish that site is!! erm no im not!!

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/images/page_exch_info.gif


http://www.dslzoneuk.net/images/arrow_sub.gif You are on the Bromley (ex. Cable & Wireless) platform.



You appear to be on a Virgin Media ConnectionYour IP address is Host cpc1-seve7-0-0-cust539.popl.cable.ntl.com