Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

I often wonder this

When I visited my brother and he showed me how fast his SkyTV service was, I was amazed
Opening the equivalent of our "Tv Guide" button, was instant, where as on NTL it sits a "Processing...." (or please wait? can't remember which) for what seems like 30 seconds or more sometimes

I would've thought Fiber optic/digital would be superior in speed compared to satellite TV

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Basically, everything on Sky works whereas on ntl it does not. After all, have you heard of STB's changing channels on their own with Sky? Na didn't think so.

Also, Sky produces an EPG which works and goes seven days in advance. Also, you can programme boxes to change channels so you can video record (or get Sky+ to do it for you). On ntl you can't.

Oh, and that's before we even thnk of the fact that Sky offers far more channels for far less than ntl.

Need I go on...?

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Hehe true true

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

No, but I have heard of Sky boxes rebooting themselves, going into standby, locking up, and PVRs that randomly lose recordings - or just don't record programmes in the first place. All digital TV services have their bugs - it's the nature of computers and software that things will go wrong occasionally. Learn to live with it or go back to analogue. I'm not saying it should be this way, but that's life.

Yes you can. Select a program from the guide, set a reminder, and set it to Autotune via the diary. Easy. In fact, in the blue software (CR3 for Langley/BU2 for Bromley), the default is to automatically tune to reminders.

On ntl, you can get more information about programmes in the future and on different channels by pressing the i or Browse button from the Miniguide. On Sky's "Search & Scan Banner", pressing the i button gets you information about the programme you're watching right now, whatever you've highlighted.

Most of the channels available via the Astra 2 range of digital satellites that aren't available on ntl are either shopping channels (big whoop) or FTA channels that have nothing to do with Sky. It has also already been confirmed that a number of new channels are launching on ntl next month, so that will reduce the discepancy even further.

As for the "far less" bit, the price of the ntl Family Pack (excluding phone line) is exactly the same as the price of the Sky Family Pack. The cost of basic phone line rental is the same as BT.

No, I really don't think you do. If you don't like the service, don't use it. Simple.
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Sorry, neglected to answer the OP's questions!

Very little of the speed of the service is related to the speed of the delivery method. In fact, the bandwidth available per transport stream is very similar on ntl to Sky (in many cases, the same). The reason the software differs in speed is due to a number of factors, including the architecture the software runs on. My parents have had Sky digital since 1998 - and the current Sky software on that original Pace box runs much slower than the current ntl software on my original Pace box.

ntl's software is based on middleware called Liberate. This is mainly JavaScript and HTML based which means that whilst it makes it easier to display web pages on the TV screen, the software is interpreted instead of pre-compiled. This is intrinsically slower. Sky's STBs are based on middleware called OpenTV, which is compiled but, like any computing platform, has its own issues. Swings and roundabouts really.

The good news is that there is currently a major programme of development underway within ntl to improve the speed and usability of the digital TV service, which should hopefully come to fruition in the near future.

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Thanks for the info Jimbo :)

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Hi Jimbo!

Thank you for replying.

The trouble is is that I pay £45.50 per month or £1.50 per day for something which basically doesn't work as far as I can tell. I am sure that things go wrong occasionally with Sky but every experience of Sky I have had have been a system which works. I appreciate that you tell us that there is a major development underway to improve the digital TV service but nothing seems to get better. In fact it gets worse, hence the problems I have been experiencing through August.

As for setting the reminders, on the occasions I have tried, I have, the box has never gone what it had been programmed to do - such as the programme going blank mid way through, the picture hidden by the graphic saying "Do you really want to view this programme", the box moving to a different channel etc etc. It ahs never worke donce. However, my old On Digital box, six years old, goes to whatever channel I tell it to and all I do is say go to x channels between y times on z date. Simple. Works every time. ntl won't allow me to do this, hence me being unable to record from ntl.

As for prices, I am happy with BT and I resent being forced to pay for a telephone line which I have no need for. That has always annoyed me and still does as I feel I am being ripped off.

Channels? Yes I appreciate that some of the missing channels are FTA but there are many channels I can get on Sky which ntl do not offer and probably never will.

Finally, I am unable to have Sky where I live because I live in a multi-occupancy building.

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Well, it basically works - but as I'm sure you'll agree, that's the problem! It is being worked on, and I'm sorry I can't go into further detail, but there are interesting times ahead. It's not going to happen overnight, but things are going to improve.

The problems you've had since the second week of August are caused by an issue which we now understand and of which have traced the cause. A resolution is being worked on as a top priority. In fact, you should have seen some improvement over the last few days - but all involved recognise that the issue still exists.

Interesting - that's not behaviour I'm aware of. I'm not saying it's not happening, obviously, but I am wondering what the cause may be. I'll do some investigation tomorrow and see what I can find out. I take it you're still using the Purple software?

I can appreciate your frustation at this. Unfortunately, it comes down to simple economics. My understanding of it is, as others on this forum have said, that phone lines are basically much more profitable than TV for ntl. The chances of recouping the investment of installing services to a property when that subscriber is DTV only are very low compared to a DTV+Telco subscriber.

Can I ask why you haven't migrated your phone line to ntl? Is it purely because you're happy with what you've got, or does your ntl phone line lack something you require?

Can you give me some examples of channels you'd like to see on the service - I imagine they're similar to my list, but if there's anything new there I'll pass them on to the appropriate people.

Ahh, that's the kicker. I can quite understand your frustration at the lack of choice in that case. I hope you will forgive my rather curt reply earlier, but having seen your previous posts attacking ntl without having seen this qualification, I was somewhat annoyed - as I'm sure you would be if someone attacked your employer without you seeing a justification!

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Yay more crap channels filling up the spectrum. Jimbo are these going to be replacing old channels or wasting some more bandwidth that could be used for useful purposes?

In my case sadly I'm contracted. To be honest in my experience Sky was a far superior product, major complaint for me the subtitles actually work on Sky.

Quite horrifically overdue to be fair, glad that your presence there is meaning that services are actually being tested before they are released ;) (CR3 bloatware being a prime example of garbage ntl have thrown on custs in the past) hopefully ntl will catch up with Sky soon.

Oh and FIX THE BLOODY SUBTITLES THEY ARE A JOKE

:D

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Can't say, sorry!

BU2 is much better. A lot of memory and code optimisation has been done, and subtitles are much improved over BMR1. :)

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

So you think just because SKY offers far more channels, and lets not forget what the majority of those channels are: Aution programmes, Religious programmes, competion channels i.e guess what the numbers make and phone in ect, if you think thats worth paying for, (and yes i'm one of those that do) well your easily pleased. By the way the NTL programme guides do work, and belive me SKY have had there problems with there STB's over the years, (again i've experienced the Amstrad STB, which most people i knew that had one failed within or just outside the warranty period). So there not perfect either!

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Was, it seems the ondemand update changed this.Chetnet had a trials team which I was on for this, the speed and reliability difference between the original cr3 roll out and the test one was suprising. i imgine that optimisation can go a lot further.

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Ah, "coming soon". Now, where have I read that before?

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Or, to put it another way, version 3.2 is better than version 3.1 :rolleyes:
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Yeah. The first version of the Langley "blue" software wasn't that much of an advance over Bromley 3.1. Version 3.2, currently rolling out for both platforms, is reportedly much better

In that case, you probably shouldn't talk about it ;)

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Yes, but to quite a high degree. It's really more 3.5 than 3.2, given the amount of work that's gone into it.

Re: Why is NTL so slow compared to Sky TV?
 

Hi again Jimbo!

Of course I will forgive your curt reply. I can see why you would have made it. As I say, I cannot have Sky or I would have. After all, who would pay neck end of £50 for something if you can get more for almost half that amount somewhere else if you had the choice? I think I am being ripped off - simple as - and I think others would in the same situation.

The reason I have stuck with BT is several. First, and foremost, the BT line is overground the ntl line is not so if the box on the side of the building was damaged by the local chavs I'd be without telephone and internet. Also, BT offers a free telephone bill with calls logged, free call display and free 1571 as part of the line rental. I know the latter is now free but it wasn;t until very recently. Also, I trust BT to get the bill right. I do not trust ntl and I am happy with my ISP which is NOT ntl.

Yes, it's the purple software and I have never got a successful recording out of the reminder thing and I have tried on a few occasions. Granted I haven't tried on the newer boxes but one tends to video programems for a reason and how is one supposed to rely on something which has never worked in the past? I am fortunate enough to have a DTT box so I use that whenever I can as even if it DID work your EPG won;t go any further ahead than the day after tomorrow and that annoys me as Sky's goes 7, possibly 14, days and the Freeview boxes do also compared to ntl's 2 and a bit. Also, I always get "searching for programme" when I try to see what's on more than a couple of hours ahead and then when it finally appears, I get the same "searching for programme" message again. To find out what is on six hours in advance can take several minutes. I would be grateful if you can find anything out about why I can't programme the box to successfully change channel for programme recording purposes.

I take note of what you say about things going to improve but, as I said, sitting here at this moment, it does not work and in fact is getting worse and I think many would be annoyed when they are having to pay £1.50 for something which is not working. I somehow don't invisage any money off my next bill even though what you are providing is not working? I do expect thingsa to work. My computer does, my internet works, my BT line works but the ntl does not. I can't trust the box to stay on a channel and I can't programme the box to go to a certain channel at a certain time which emans I can't video any programmes and I;m suppsoed to pay £45.50 for this.

I think I'm well within my rights to be really peeved off and that's before the 12 hours I have had to sit around for an engineer to maybe turn up and not make anything work any better as wella s having to spend at elast two hours on the telephone waiting for the faults to answer the call and for me to tell them far more than they know.

I really AM experiencing ntHell right now but you still expect me to pay the £45.50 per month the day the bill arrives.
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Oh, and as for new channels, I'd personally like to view the following which ntl is currently not providing:

Faze TV (when it launches next week) and Gaydar Radio. Gaydate TV would be nice too given that you already put through its heterosexual sister channel but not its gay brother.
I'd also like to see the Chart Show channels, esp Chart Show TV and Video Vault. As a news junkie, I;d like to see Euronews and News 24 interactive, given that I pay the licence fee plus Travel Channel too. I think others resent not having Artsworld and/or Performance.
Finally, as for radio stations, I've mentioned Gaydar Radio (which is getting big audiences given it only broadcasts on DAB to 1/6 of the country), also Music Choice, Capital Life, Heart Digital (not Heart London) and Pure Dance.