Ntl recordable stb - a possibility ?

[Jason1]

Have read this on digital spy great new for ntl customers: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds14399.html

ntl and set-top-box middleware provider Liberate have signed a new long-term licensing deal.

The new agreement will see Liberate continuing to provide its TV Navigator middleware for use in ntl's digital cable set-top-boxes.

"We are pleased to renew our commitment to Liberate," said ntl's Director of TV, David Thatcherson. "With Liberate, we are positioned to effectively compete with satellite in multiple services across multiple platforms."

The middleware provides software support for interactive services, an interactive EPG, and digital video recorder (DVR) capabilities. ntl does not use the DVR functionality at this time.

"We are excited that ntl, the UK leader in digital cable services, has selected our technology platform," said David Lockwood, Chairman and CEO of Liberate. "The partnership between ntl and Liberate is an important step in our drive to establish Liberate as the leader in software for digital cable systems."

[MovedGoalPosts]

Well it's nice to see that ntl are at least considering an answer to Sky+. Well overdue in my book. In fact I wonder how many customers are being lost from ntl digi TV to Sky +? I for one would be very interested in a workable, cost efective solution, as Sky + looks more and more atractive to me any day (and if I go down that route ntl loose me for BB and phone too, and I doubt I'm the only one thinking like that).

The big problem is how long would this take. Another "coming soon" I fear.

[etccarmageddon]

I dont see anywhere in that press release where they say they are considering an answer to sky +.

So where does it say they are going to do a DVR ?

[etccarmageddon]

this thread title is extremely misinforming/misleading.

[ian@huth]

It is one thing to have middleware with DVR functionality and another to have the facility available to customers.

Two things that immediately spring to mind are the STBs and the EPG.

How would NTL customers react if they had to buy the STB with DVR functionality and what would the cost be? I would presume that there would not be sufficient cash in NTLs coffers to provide these boxes free.

Can you imagine trying to record programs with only a three day EPG available.

I would imagine that DVR functionality will not be available to NTL customers until after any merger with Telewest and after all parts of the new company are running the same software.

[Shaun]

They should have changes software suppliers, the Liberate stuff has been nothing but trouble since they started DTV. Just look how far advanced Sky's platform is compared with NTLs!

[MovedGoalPosts]

Ok, so I got sucked in by the title of the thread without reading the linked article

I recall being told the EPG was only three days long as the STBs couldn't handle more data.

Any DVR facility needs to have at least a fortnight ahead. So while ntl need to keep the existing STBs going there is a major problem, and I can't see them wanting to replace those for nothing. However the 3 day EPG now is already a problem as today you can't set you VCR to record stuff for the weekend, autoswitching the STB channel, and that is pants when VCRs for years have had 28 days ahead programming.

So ntl are not committing to a Sky+ equivalent. If I recall correctly, Sky+ costs more than standard Sky. Surely ntl could do the same?

Thread title changed as it was clearly misleading.

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by Pem

Thread title changed as it was clearly misleading.

[nidave]

Originally Posted by MovedGoalPosts

Any DVR facility needs to have at least a fortnight ahead.

the Main 5 Channels only have to provide lisiting for a week ahead - other channels the min is a month.

Not sure if this is still the case.

Originally Posted by MovedGoalPosts

Ok, so I got sucked in by the title of the thread without reading the linked article

I recall being told the EPG was only three days long as the STBs couldn't handle more data.

Any DVR facility needs to have at least a fortnight ahead. So while ntl need to keep the existing STBs going there is a major problem, and I can't see them wanting to replace those for nothing. However the 3 day EPG now is already a problem as today you can't set you VCR to record stuff for the weekend, autoswitching the STB channel, and that is pants when VCRs for years have had 28 days ahead programming.

So ntl are not committing to a Sky+ equivalent. If I recall correctly, Sky+ costs more than standard Sky. Surely ntl could do the same?

We had a thread on this not so long ago. I personally think it is unlikely that ntl will go for any kind of Sky+ equivalent in the forseeable future. The cost of getting this service from Sky is the clue - Sky needs to charge a certain amount for Sky+ in order to cover development cost and move towards profit, but Sky's potential subscriber base is always going to be much bigger than ntl's, so they can afford to charge less per unit. Ntl would always have to charge a lot more, rendering itself uncompetitive. Perhaps a merger with Telewest would make the proposition more attractive though.

[MovedGoalPosts]

As we know, ntl don't seem to react that well to meeting public demand for services. The danger is that customers will leave to seek suppliers that can meet that expectation. Sky+ may not be the "must have" technology of today, but next year it could be, especially with Skys heavy promotion of it.

Cable should have been the better technology, with permanent high speed two way connections. Unfortunately recordable STBs, is just another example of how the technology has been poorly implemented with so many incompatibilities, between different networks. Rahter than creating greater economies if there is a merger with Telewest, I fear further incompatibilities and even less standardisation would become apparent.

The problem for ntl, but also faced perhaps to a slightly lesser extent by Sky, is the funds available for investment to keep up with technology developments. Customer expectations will increase. 15 years ago we just had cable TV or analogue Sky as ground breaking stuff. By 5 years ago Digital TV was making waves. Now we see it's Sky+ recordable technology.

As with broadband pricing and speeds, ntl may not have the money to invest to remain competetive, but if they cannot invest they fall behind and see loss of market share and revenue. A vicious circle to which I doubt ntl have a practical answer.

[Andy C]

I have to say that although I have zero problems with my TV service from ntl, if I wasn't in an apartment block I would have got Sky+ a long time ago. Even if ntl didn't incorporate hdd recording, with the number of channels available today a dual-tuner is a must have. All I can say is thank god for the various +1 channels and Sky One Mix!

Originally Posted by nidave

the Main 5 Channels only have to provide lisiting for a week ahead - other channels the min is a month.

Not sure if this is still the case.

The main channels provide 14 days worth of data - but last minute changes can always happen. The Satellite channels often provide 1 or 2 months of advanced listings. (see the sig )