Where Is HDTV From ntl.....when?
 

is there any news of ntl broadcasting high def. i am seriously considering switching to SKY! Sky has atleast addressed high def. and supposed broadcasting this year. ntl seems to have "head buried in sand" policy. i have spoken to various sales and technical people from ntl and some denied knowing what high def tv is about. Strange i think!

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

If you search in these forums you'll find this question asked often.
The word I got from CS staff is that a 3 tuner PVR with HDTV will be introduced within a year.

The Telewest part of NTL is already broadcasting some HD content- $ky aren't yet.

There would be more to HDTV than just renting out a few STBs and flicking a switch!!

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

November apparantly so my contacts tell me, apparantly a one off fee for the STB (which you still rent) and no increase on subscription.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Interesting information there - I wonder whether that one off fee would just be for the PVR functionality or also include full access to channels such as Sky One HD or National Geographic HD? If thats the case than they may be onto a better deal than the SkyHD pricing model is indicating for their HD service.

However, we've had many false dawns for PVR/HDTV on ntl: so far, I'll be amazed if this actually happens this year - it just shows how better organised the ex-TW areas have been in actually getting their version of TV Drive to market before Sky has, even allowing for the lack of HD content at present.

Having said that, the specifications for the MPEG4 version do sound fantastic - the usual issue will be getting the temperamental Liberate software to work properly on them without reboots being regularly needed.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Although I'm sure I read somewhere that NTL will be using C rather than javascript

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

The PVR better have at least a 500gig HDD included :p

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

will most likely be 160gb

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Very unlikely. 160 or maybe 250, no more.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I think 160Gig will be the norm, and more than enough to be honest:sleep:

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

BAd news regarding HD from ntl:

The new CTO is the ex Telewest CTO, he has just binned all mpeg4 Hi-Def tests and binned the fecken excellent mpeg4 box that SA had built especially for ntl:. Guess what they will be using. yep you got it right, mpeg2 through Telewest's huge mother of a pvr.....:(

A sad day for ntl's advancement....

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I hope thats not true. Whats your source ?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Cant reveal my source... But I know it is true...

Believe me i was truly ****ed off when i heard that, and so were plenty of others...

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Sigh, I'll live in hope. Maybe the grand plan from ntl is to run the HD channels on the leaving analogue tv space.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

It's true.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

fekin eejits.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Does this mean NTL will be getting the PVR earlier than planned as it is already launched in Telewest areas? ;)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Major development is still required to allow the 8300 to work on either ntl network. I can't give any timescales though.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Oh man, the 8300 looks absolutely the suxor compared to the 8450. Was looking forward to the Multiroom over Ethernet. Burn in hell Telewest.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Ah well at least someone will be getting a bonus in Ntl/Telewest land this year. You can just imagine the board meetings.

CTO - "And I've managed to save some money by scrapping some trials we were running, next we will be going back to analogue and putting some valve technology into the street cabs to stop having to use these expensive digital decoders."

Good call from the new guy :td:

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

To be fair to the CTO he had to decide to scrap either Telewest's or NTL's system as it would be stupid to start rolling out two different systems in the merged company. It is just that we were all hoping it would be the Telewest system that would be scrapped.

However, Telewest have already launced their system (whereas NTL were still only in trial) and the STBs should be slightly cheaper (and hopefully that saving will be passed on).

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I'm no expert when it comes to the finer points of different MPEG streaming technologies but from what I've read the MPEG2 standard needs significantly more bandwidth than other, newer, standards.

So the actual STB's will be cheaper but less channels etc. will be able to be squirted down the cable than if a more advanced codec was used. If it comes down to it going with a more advanced solution from the beginning would be more cost effective in the long run rather than making wholesale changes once TVDrive and it's 'pure' Ntl equivalent are installed in a significant number of homes.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Does Sky's HD service use Mpeg4 or Mpg2 ?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I believe Sky HD is MPEG4.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I *think* it's MPEG4 as there have been a couple of rumours that getting this working the way they want is holding up the rollout of Sky HD.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Sky/the BBC/world+dog will be using MPEG4 for HD, and the kit for converting MPEG4 to MPEG2 is very hard to get hold of and costs a bundle - plus there'll be some quality loss.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

From press reports, Sky will be using MPEG4 not 2. meaning its definetly more efficent use of bandwidth. Don't see personally how going fron forward thinking MPEG4 to not so efficent MPEG 2 is an improvement though.
So why on earth are ntl:Telewest going backwards and potentially having to spend more money to do the job when they could have saved in the long run by using MPEG4?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Thanks, looks like yet another NTL rubbish management decision then, I can just see the reviews when all the various HDTV services are launched - Sky with about 50 channels, NTL with about 20 (Heh, I guess thats kinda like it is now - perhaps NTL are destined to always be in Skys shadow) and maybe even with the Sky HD channels (which are already compressed - recompressed again into MPG2) - great service NTL :(

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Either they are pushing *very* hard to get a PVR out across the network and want to run with the simpler technology just now rather than wait for the MPEG4 PVR to be ready (although as Quadplay has said there is a lot of work to be done to get the TVDrive working on Ntl networks) or the new CTO has made a snap decision (Heads = Mpeg2 / Tails = Mpeg 4?)

Thats about the only 2 reasons I can think of.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Ive just spoken to my man,

Whilst the information posted is true it isnt the entire truth.

The TVDrive service will work pretty much out of the box on the Langley platform, this means NTL can also launch HD services like Telewest have.

NTL are still working on the MPEG4 trials, eventually all services will move to MPEG4, they cannot ignore this as the bandwidth it will save is astronomical.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Completely wrong, for numerous reasons. Sorry.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

MPEG-2 quality it much better than MPEG-4.
The purpose of MPEG-4 is to create a watchable image at extremely low bandiwdth....

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Maybe the costs involved in introducing MPEG-4 tech outweigh the costs of increasing bandwidth on the network. Which I doubt.

From personal experience, compressing a 15mbps CBR MPEG-2 sample of BBC content with Mainconcept's h.264 encoder, it was ~half the size and bit rate whilst retaining similar quality to the original. Obviously I'm guessing broadcaster's much more efficient hardware encoders and compressing from an uncompressed source would produce a better result but along the same lines.

For just jamming on MPEG-2 HD, as far as the network goes as it is now, I doubt the entire spectrum of ntl's coax network is being used; all 2gbps of it. It all depends on how much of it is useable, less for the crappy parts and whether the STBs can take it. On face value of official ntl propaganda, there should be oodles of bandwidth left for HD. Otherwise, changing to EuroDOCSIS and varying modulation as far as an operational network will allow are the only upgrade paths I can see.

Mails Crushed, that is not true. I would question if you ever actually have seen an HD MPEG-4 stream.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well this is very disappointing news.

Whilst on the one hand I can see why Telewest wanted to get TVDrive out there, it's pretty clear that the future of HD broadcasting is going to be in MPEG4. The current TVDrive box will be fine for HD VOD, but in three years time, it's not going to be able to show you the HD version of BBC1 -- or at least not at the same quality as Sky++.

Let's hope they have a rethink sooner rather than later.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well according to my source the Langley Network and the Telewest network are pretty much twins.

If you have numerous reasons please post them and I will put them to my man @ ntl.

he's a senior network tech for what its worth.

Also Telewest STB's that have been security circumvented work on NTL's network and vice versa.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I am under the impression that the Bromley side of things is much more like Telewest - hence the reason they both have Pace 2000 and 4000 boxes which don't work on Langley :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Sorry my mistake, it is the Bromley network he was talking about.

Dont know why I kept going on about Langley, i'm connected to the Bromley network myself.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

LOL not to worry :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

That's more like it. ;)

Although there's still plenty of differences which would stop the 8300 being rolled out on Bromley as it is - I can't discuss them though, I'm afraid.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

They also both have the 1000 and 1000+ boxes too (although Telewest call the latter the 1010).

Apparently, with an eye on a future merger/takeover, Telewest hired all the CWC engineers to put together their digital product. NTL, meanwhile, came up with a completely different and incompatible product.

And in the end, of course, it was NTL rather than TW who snapped up CWC, and the next 5 years or so were spent trying to come to terms with all the incompatibilties between the platforms.

I can't help but wonder how different digital cable would be in Britain today if NTL had also adopted the CWC system back in 99/2000....

---------- Post added at 21:54 ---------- Previous post was at 21:50 ----------

But I can ;)

A semi-educated guess says that the PVR needs different SI/PSI to that which is sent to the standard STBs. And you've got to work out some way of getting the 8-day EPG to the box, if it's not downloaded onto the hard disk via the CM.

Am I close?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

This whole HD lark is a joke. asian countries have had it for nearly 10 years.

(I saw a programme a few years back and they had a guy in Hong Kong that had a home media centre that that had a several terabyte hard drive that could record 17 channels simultaneously 3 of which could be HD, I reckon that gone up in spec.)

I reckon the way the NON 10 Mb has been rolled out we will still be waiting for HD long after 2012 when the analogue gets turned off.

At this moment I am thingking of ditching NTL TV/BB/Phone and going to sky for TV there EPG/red button works, and I've never heard any of the people I known saying that it falls over. BB thats a different thing will have to think about going back to BT and get ASDL+.
/moan off

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Why is it that NTL shoots itself in the foot again and again?

We get a true return path, but poor interactive content compared to Sky.

We get 10MB broadband which for some people, is slower then 2MB.

Then we get VOD (well, some of us) †“ only to have a very nice MPEG 4 PVR solution replaced by a MPEG 2 box which will double the bandwidth used for HDTV, and double the disk space used by recordings.

I guess theyââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re doing this to get PVR functionality to us ASAP. I canââ‚Âà ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢t blame them in a way. Telewest, Freeview, Sky, and BT Vision/Freebox †“ all have/will have PVR functionality. NTL? Erm, †œComing soonââ‚ ¬Ã‚¦.until then, enjoy your 3-day EPG.ââ‚ ¬Ã‚ÂÂÂ�

But as others have said, I think they would have been better off in the long run going down the MPEG 4 route.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Very good point.

It would appear minus the leap backwards, maybe this time ntl won't write the software for the boxes in a language it will crawl and won't have technically crap hardware to write for.

Am I right in saying the epg is fetched and stored in the ram each switch on / updated at 01:10 GMT+1? If so, the harddrive would now be used for storing the EPG data? I think thats along the lines of what the new Sky HD box (not sure if Sky+ already does this) is doing; the new box has another 160gb just reserved for Sky's use as it is.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well i think that ntl need a new software update for starters....use the sky software...this software is fuc*ing rubbish and ntl need a good slap for it lol.. well mby the merge will sort this out. but hey thumbs uf for bb and phone

:P


-

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

IIRC the main reason the HD has been held back in this country is that a few years ago (about 1994), when the government started looking at licencing the digital frequencies, they offered the various companies an option to broadcast channels in HD or SD (standard definition). The BBC just went ahead and started installing HD equipment, but the independant TV companies (and in particular, Sky*) said they didn't want it as it was too expensive,

The TV companies in America were more receptive as they can use a lot of the same equipment in film making (most people can't spot the difference between HD video and film even on a large screen), so the cost for them is effectively lower than Standard definition.


*Traditionally, Sky haven't been interested in a technology unless they can use it as a unique selling point. Until a couple of years ago, they didn't broadcast widescreen transmissions on their own channels.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well tbh, it isn't like there has been many native 1080i screens around anyway and as it is, LCD and plasma as a solution for HD is really just a stepping stone between CRT and SED, OLED and FLCD displays.

Also do remember that our SD transmissions on the 'main' channels are of a very high quality, so much so that some stateside peeps are fooled into thinking some DVB-S stream rips are actually HD because they just aren't used to it.

Our broadcasts surpass DVD specs, however it looks like the US's broadcasts will fall short of the quality on the new stored mediums.

Personally I think many, if not most of the HD in the US is actually quite ****ty in quality, I don't think its just down to bad transfers as Sin City which was shot in HD on a video, whilst good in quality doesn't match the likes of the demos manufacturers show or the likes of Euro1080i's HD1.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I thought, "oh dear" when I read that ntl were dumping the Mpeg 4 boxes. Then I had a few other thoughts as one does at 3.30 in the morning:

- customers want a pvr. Customers SHOUTING/DEMANDING a pvr.

- competitors have pvrs.

- telewest has a working pvr and launched it, ntl doesn't.

- telewest network and ex-cwc network broadly the same, so easier to launch tv drive on at least one part of ntl's network.

- world cup soon...according to rumours ntl are going to offer matches in HD via VOD. What a good marketing opportunity.

- mpeg4 chips in short supply, technology not as proven as mpeg2.

- mpeg4 capacity much more efficient than mpeg2. But analogue networks are going to be switched off. Telewest's by the end of this year and ntl's by end of next year. Meaning LOTs of capacity. MPEG4 not such an isssue anymore...

Good call by new "ntl" boss. More to come from him soon, me thinks.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

The mpeg 4 dvb-c2 will come out later mpeg4 than mpeg2 i dont think it matters with ntls network there is loads of unused freq bandwidth

With satellite the broadcaster has to pay the satellite op e,g astra eutesat etc a fee per each transponder they rent , with cable they do not its not limited in this way yes mpeg 4 use's less band width but this doe's not matter on cable,

Plus for for ntl & telewest cable tv head end encoders are much cheaper to buy then mpeg4 Also the mpeg4 chipsets are in short supply thats why the thomson sky hd satellite receiver is in short supply and independant satellite shops are now haveing to put a pre order in the the trade warehouses as supplys are going to be low for a bit, I run a satellite & eletronics shop and this is what is have to do

Also the thomson sky hd receiver was ship to a few trade warehouses a few weeks back but was recalled back due to another fault found, The trade warehouse where i buy alot of my satellite stock had a delivery of thomsons ready for pre order the guys i know there very well had one pluged in on a live feed on 28.2 east and found the receiver very loud due to it haveing 2 fans in it and found it got very hot and crashed if you played about with it alot the qulity of hd on it was good as the hd channels are testing in soft videoguard also i have been told there have been over 20 sets of firmware made for it since xmas but there still haveing problems with it, Sky picked thomson to make there hd receiver as they could make it cheaper than any one else, I will be stocking sky hd in my shop and have it on display but will not be buying it myself just yet,

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Couple of points to this one:

Some of us have been waiting patiently for the fabled PVR, and holding on a bit longer for a better specified machine would have been no hardship to us - what you haven't got you don't miss.

With the TW box there are major issues already alluded to by Quadplay and others as to it's compatability with the Bromley/Langley networks. The MPEG4 version was being designed to be used on our networks without so many problems.

The TW box that is being rolled out is already showing up bugs in its software and operability to users after the beta testing and national rollout, and is evidenced by threads over in the TW section of this site and over on the Digital Spy cable forums section. Thanks, but we'll wait for them being fixed before ringing in and asking for one when rollout does come to ntl areas.

World Cup has been confirmed this morning by the BBC Press Office as being in full HD along with Wimbledon as part of their HD trial service starting from the 15th May. They do mention there that it will be available to both D-Sat and D-Cable users, but are very vague on details - however this will presumably be only available to the TW TV Drive users, and will be a part time service. As to it being on VOD - probably not Bromley areas, unless ntl want to be downconverting full HD signals to "normal" SD as we're still on the old NVOD software round here?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...true re World Cup. Plus if the Beeb show the World Cup in HD for free on satellite, it would be a bit rich for ntl to charge for the same.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Come on Ntl where is your hd tv drive:dozey: as you can order sky hd today from the sky hd web site:shocked: come on ntl get a move on ntl;)

http://www.sky.com/hd/thankyou

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

preorder

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

You'll still get it installed to watch the World Cup/Wimbledon/24/Premiership Footy/Planet Earth etc in HD by May-let's just see if you'll be able to do that with an ntl 'service'....?

[Edit]

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....266&highlight=

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03...ch_for_sky_hd/

Now-what are all the ntl customers that want HDTV going to do, how are they going to watch The World Cup etc in HD?

Not through an (MPEG2) ntl TV box, that's for sure. :nono:

As usual, ntl have been caught napping. :rolleyes:

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I know that:o:

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Spot on assessment as usual Neil:tu: . I've been thinking the same for quite a while, what with all the merger discussions/management jobs being carved up amongst the companies they totally took their eyes off the ball and have left Sky an open goal into which they've kicked the ball today. The announcement may just prove to be the tipping point for some customers who may be fed up of waiting with total silence from ntl on the subject, apart from those vague press releases from last October, which now ring very hollow.

Couple that with the shortsighted decision to drop MPEG4 boxes which had already been ordered, which were more bandwidth and hard drive efficent than the MPEG2 boxes being rolled out to TW areas and you can see another walkover victory by Sky happening again. So much for the PVR being a "killer application" for cable - the silence from ntl:Telewest on rollout to our side in light of the developments in the last 48 hours is deafening.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Just think how long ntl customers waited for Sky Sports Extra, some still can't get the full red button interactivity. :td:

How long has Sky + been out now (& where's is ntl's offering)? :nono:

ntl-where others lead, they (try to) follow. :rolleyes:

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I'd really like some kind of official confirmation about ntl dropping the mpeg4 boxes before i believe that story. So far all i've found on the web is some dodgy blogg that somebodys written - hardly official. NTL had already ordered the boxes so why bother dropping them ? It makes no sense at all.

What I see as a more likely version of the story is that NTL will release the MPEG2 PVR to keep customers happy until the MPEG4 PVR is ready.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...I agree, good point.

Re the comment made that the world cup in hd can't be watched on a mpeg 2 box. Why not?

The beeb only made their HD annoucement yesterday and Sky confirmed their HD prices and launch date today. So, perhaps people should give ntl a bit of time to see if they're gonna launch HD in time for the world cup. Say by next Wednesday... and if no announcement by then, mass calls to Sky cs:)

Seriously, Sky have always been ahead with product launches and probably always will be. Although I think BT might give both ntl and Sky a run for their money soon.

Just don't complain on here folks when your watching your HD matches on Sky and the picture stops because of a few drops of rain on your satellite dish...

EDIT::o: :dunce: err... I forgot for a second that Telewest have launched a HD service before anyone...so cable not always so slow.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

no problem with my satellite dish here i have a 43cm dish for sky and never has a problem with it in the rain you will only get problems is the rain is the dish is not correctly lined up or its dented or there is a lnb fault,
I also have a 1.8m andrews (channel master)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

To be fair to ntl it was sky blocking the access to extra as they saw it as a unique selling point.

Trouble with ntl is they have the technical superiority. They have a closed network for getting the media to the customer. They have a return path to scare sky but they lack the vision and cash to realise their potential.

If things had stayed analogue longer the ntl system would have won over sky given the time as it provided a better picture and was cheaper. Sky took a bold decsion and changed to digital and this is why they now have the upper hand.
Had ntl jumped to digital throughout as well we would now maybe have a much more mature offering from ntl.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I wasn't debating the reasons M8 ;) ntl will always follow Sky in terms of technology, after all-all they really are is a reseller of Sky's channels when it comes to TV.

Really?? In terms of DTV?? Sorry dude, but there's no way I can agree with that.

They lack any kind of idea of how to look after customers is what they lack m8.

But it didn't.

It's all about offering a superior service & Sky's is superior to ntl's-in much the same way as ntl's phone 'service' is inferior to BT's in almost every way imaginable.

Had ntl done a lot of things differently we may well have been speaking about them differently, as it is they haven't changed or moved with the times & will continue to be a 2 bob company offering 2nd rate products & 2nd rate service to back it up (which you will soon have to pay for on your phpne bill :angel: )

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well, thats a bit of generalisation. Lets see the channels that ntl:telewest own, wholly or partly.

Trouble
Trouble Reload
Bravo
Bravo+1
LivingTV
LivingTV +1
Living 2
Challenge
Challenge +1
Ftn
UK Gold +1
UK Gold 2
UK Style
UK Style +1
UK Horizons
UK Horizons +1
UK Drama
UK Food
UK History
UK Bright Ideas

They are really among the premier channels. Sky don't own the other big channels on pay tv from itv, BBC and Viacom. So apart from the Sky branded channels and maybe a couple of horse**** shopping channels theres not much to shout about is there?


Thats all subjective to what you belive constitutes superiority.

In your case Neil, that is as many channels of crap (I mean its hard enough on ntl to find something decent to watch half the time) as can be put on the platform and broadcasting comparable channels at a lower bitrate then ntl.

Yeah, so red button may be fully functional / faster, but as for that, I couldn't really care.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Not too sure about the UKTV channels I thought that was BBc + another (random) company, but regarding flextec, Ntl got hold of them by buying another company (well merging but it amount to the same thing). What a surprise with a company history like theirs!

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

UKTV is owned partly by Flextech and the BBC. Hence why I said 'wholly or partly' ;)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

However Sky is own by Fox Networks, so they do have some massive programs behind them i.e 24, The simpsons and NIP/tuck just to mention a few.

Which on my op will give Sjy the advanatage of NTL when it comes down to HD

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Like I said, not too sure about the others but it's still a case of more luck than judgement. Like most of their other "businesses" Ntl just happened to come into ownership of them by accident when they splashed the (non existent or so we're told) cash (or share options etc.)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...and to complete the channel list....:

Player
UKTV Gold
UKTV G2+1
UKTV Food+1
UKTV Documentaries
UKTV Documentaries +1
UKTV People
UKTV People +1
UKTV History +1

and to finish off with the crap:

Screenshop
bid tv
Price drop tv
Speed auction tv

31 Channels in total! The largest channel provider to all tv plaforms in the UK.

UK Horizons got renamed into UKTV Docs, I think, a while ago.

Ps: Who want to bet that some of these will be renamed Five.2, Five3, RTL1, RTL2, by the end of the year?

Now back to HDTV, or the lack of it on ntl!

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

While I'm sure my next TV set will be a HD TV set, I'm beginning to wonder if its worth the potential cost.

Sure, you get the HDTV STB box free, but then (if Telewest are anything to go by), you're talking £10 to £15 to rent the box per month, PLUS whatever Sky are going to charge for their HD channels package - assuming they actually allow NTL Telewest to have that package.

For Sky customers, that HD package is £10 per month.

So, that's at least £20 to £25 extra on my bill per month, to watch HDTV on NTL??

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I am still waiting, ntl cant even finish rolling PDTV digital out yet.

Telewest did it with less money.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Two points:

1) Telewest haven't completed digital rollout. They still have numerous analogue-only areas (more than ntl, I believe).
2) Less money perhaps - but they have a smaller network, and we don't know the quality of the work.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

ntl can't even persuade people to take digital so this news is hardly a surprise. ntl really has got elft behind and nothing seems to work. I can't even watch BBc channels without PRESS RED appearing every 10 minutes or so with now ay to switch it off, there's no video-on-demand, I can't use a certian type of TV, we are told that low energy lightbulbs interfere with it, the box is once again randomly changing channels and ntl has chosen not to put through a vast number of channels. Not very encouraging is it.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Well I'm intrigued, just which types of TV don't work with NTL?

ASAIK the Press Red problem isn't the fault of NTL but rather the program originators who decide when the Red Dot appears. The energy saving lightbulbs is a real pain I'm sure although I have two of them in my living room and they have never given me any problems (just lucky I guess). But if the bulbs radiate IR on the ame frequencies as the remotes use then is that NTL's fault or the light bulb makers?

Quite agree about the lack of VOD though and even more concerned about the total lack of hard info on when we can expect HDTV and a PVR. I'm afraid I can't get too excited about vague 'coming soon' or 'November time-maybe'

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I doubt very much that NTL/Telewest will charge more than Sky for the HDTV service, i.e. that £10 charge will be included in the box rental charge.

Edit: I just noticed that Sky are charging £300 for the STB on top of the £10 per month, so NTL probably will charge extra per month than Sky but that has to be compared against the up-front £330 cost:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03...ch_for_sky_hd/

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

NTL are apparantly going for a 1 off fee for the STB (which you will still rent) but no extra subscription fee.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

So the reports that state telewest will be fully digitalised by a certian date are wrong?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I thought it was the other way round.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I don't know, I'm not party to that information. But you used the past tense, and they haven't completed rollout yet - and we all know how plans to upgrade networks can be delayed, just look at London.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

yes but they have plans and schedules to complete rollout.

ntl dont, and when I asked all I got was not viable, so their is a clear difference.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Both companies have stated in their financial presentations when their analogue networks will be switched off. Telewest said by the end of this year, and ntl said by the end of next year at the very latest.

Re red dot appearing every 10 mins. It doesn't happen on my Sky box... So it is ntl's problem. Their software I assume, not the broadcasters.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

How do you know? Are you privy to this information? If so, please share it with the rest of us!

And who did you ask in ntl about analogue switchoff?

---------- Post added at 18:33 ---------- Previous post was at 18:32 ----------

No, the broadcasters specify when the 'red dot' appears. So it's not ntl's problem.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...then why doesn't it appear every 10 mins on Sky or Freeview?

Does it really sound right that the broadcasters would say, "oh yes, we'll have the red dot appearing every 10 minutes to annoy viewers." I don't think so.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I don't know, I don't have as much knowledge about those platforms.

Can I ask on which channel you are seeing this 'red dot'?

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Sure, I tend to find it pops up a lot on BBC1.

Personally, I'd be happy when there's no red dot anyway. Very annoying. Good call by Ch4 to ditch it.

---------- Post added at 21:22 ---------- Previous post was at 21:14 ----------

That's contradictory. Either you pay a one-off fee for the box, or pay monthly rental for it. Plus, ntl could charge extra to use PVR features and/or to access the HDTV channels - if they ever appear.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I think what he means is that any faults with the STB will still be dealt with by NTL and you won't have to pay :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...but they'll charge us to report a fault with THEIR service. So either way, we're screwed!:) Roll on Sky HD, and by the end of the year, possibly, BT HD too...

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Who will coincidently charge you for reporting a fault to their service :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Telewest - not priviledged they have made the information public a while back a link was pasted with a eta for digital in the analogue areas.

NTL - I have rang up ntl and asked the chief exec's pa directly about digital, got told unviable and then asked what happens when analogue is switched off, got told if ntl will cease service they will ensure 6 months written notice.
Also asked head engineer for my area, he laughed said no chance, roads would need ripping up to relay cables.
Also asked CS and retentions simply got told no plans.
Asked on this forum people could only confirm no plans.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I'll bet the analogue -> digital plans will be changed post-merger.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

ntl.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Sky

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

As do Sky, your little crusade against NTL is laughable neil.

As for Neptune, what is contradictory? it's a great plan by NTL imo.

You rent the STB yes but it's included in the package price, you will just pay a 1 off fee for Administration and due to the higher cost of the STB.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Whoa....

Slow down people....

I was replying to a question posted asking who the poster before was referring to: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...2&postcount=85

This discussion is about ntl not Sky, so I was merely answering the question.

It's got nothing to with me & ntl at all gooner4life.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

:LOL:


I stand corrected :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I think the difference is when we all know NTL have a long list of faults with their service, we all know some areas have ongoing faults.

Sky generally have little faults and have a record of fixing faults fast when reports.

I wouldnt mind paying for the latter but certianly would for the first.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Obviously you don't have an Amstrad Sky+ box :dozey:

That said mine has been fine but my Ntl pace box was also fine for about 4 years.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

I am not talking hardware faults I mean service faults.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Yes its just because like satellites don't tend to fall to earth.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Got mine swapped for a Pace and it;s rock solid, bit like I had my Ntl box swapped for a Samsung and it was great - well for a while.

Horses for courses!

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

Thats already been established.

My post was a statement not a question. I was pointing out that he will be waiting for Sky's HD service because NTL will be charging to make a call to them ala Sky. Hence why I stopped quoting at Sky HD :)

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

...I understood at least and it was in reply to my comment.

Still don't understand what you mean when you say a "administration fee". What's being administered?

I think you may be mixing two things into each other. The up-front cost (or not) for the stb and the monthly rental cost to use the pvr features of the stb like Sky does with Sky+. Or, like Sky, if you subscribe to certain tv packages, the pvr functions are thrown in for free. We're most likely agreeing but using different language. If you can explain what the administration fee is about, I might be able to understand what you're saying.

Re: Where Is Hdtv From Ntl.....when?
 

The old argument by NTL is that your monthly subscription pays for the channels but also the the STB rental and anysubsequent repairs that maybe require.

In the above case, you will own the STB but the current subscription rates will cover the repairs as well as the channels available.

I think this is what gooner4life means :)