[sammyjayuk]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Which was a decision by ITV

Why did they make that decision, though? Why, when it came time to "launch" ITV HD, did they choose not to return to VM?

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Blame the old STBs for that - hopefully once they have all gone, then it can be increased again.

Return path? It's not as if a non-recorder needs to hold the whole thing in memory, is it?

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Commercial decision by a 3rd part company - nothing to do with Virgin

A decision made, perhaps, because the platform was slow, clunky and unstable.

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Maybe you should talk to the BBC about that then - as they provide the Red Button content NOT Virgin

I'm aware of the fact that VM aren't responsible for what the BBC do, but it's a little telling that while the MHEG and OpenTV versions have gone through quite a number of revisions, tweaks and enhancements, the vast majority of the Liberate version looks much the same as it always did.

I had hoped that the Sport Multiscreen's more modern style would be applied to the rest of Red Button, but I'm actually glad it wasn't - it's dog slow, as is iPlayer. They're both very well done, don't get me wrong, but on my two SAs they feel like... like jewellery, almost. You show them to people because they look good, but they serve little practical purpose.

By the way, did you know that there's a red button app on ITV1? I thought I knew what slow was...

[QUOTE=BenMcr;34754805]So the menus look the same. I always though it was about the content provided - not how good the menus look?
Yes, of course - but if menus and such weren't considered important we wouldn't have things like EPGs.

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Never used it TBH so didn't know it was there!

Well it was before my time, but apparently awareness of the feature was about as low as that of the help button on the remote!

Originally Posted by BenMcr

On their way
AFAIK also on their way

That's good to hear, but seeing as both BBC HD and VOD have been around for rather a while now, I'm afraid that sounds like "coming soon" to me...

Originally Posted by BenMcr

AFAIK it is something they have planned to issue a single remote. Slight problem is the Pace and the non-V+ SA boxes don't like normal remote codes (which is why you have the different coloured remotes)

Also which remote are you on about. The ex-tw or ex-ntl ones?

I think it's an ex-tw - it's got a big blue home button about half a million miles above where my thumb wants to be, the one where the back and i buttons are so close together that if I'm not careful I'll hit the other by accident, the one with not enough grip, the one with the tiny domes of hard plastic for the d-pad buttons which need about a ton of pressure and actually *hurt* my thumb to use.

I *love* the V+ remote because it's got those enormous d-pad buttons and the so-raised-it's-impossible-to-miss ok button, home and back and stuff are so close to where I want them to be, it's a nice weight and it's got a rubberised back.

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Increased content from most broadcasters for all customers - only place to access iPlayer content on the TV, 4oD and now ITV Net Player,
Improved reliability of the STBs,
Improved access to subtitles,
Increase inclusive content for XL tv customers

I know there is still room for improvement. But to call the TV service the same is wrong

You've got me on improved reliability of STBs, and the XL inclusive content - a few years ago I couldn't go near a cable box without it hanging...

iPlayer is the same as catch-up, basically, and I'm think that 4oD was on Teleport so any enhancements to those services is just incremental. ITV Player is definitely a good thing, but until HD appears it's just bog standard catchup.

I'm not sure why, because my hearing and that of the rest of my family's is, I think, ok, but I grew up with subtitles turned firmly on, and that's a habit that's just continued. I find it especially difficult to watch comedy (laughter and applause) and HD (wide dynamic range or something) without them, so I find it frustrating that VM haven't implemented them on VOD *or* HD after all this time.

I didn't mean to come across as argumentative, though, so I'm sorry about that!

Sam