Begun, this Virginercation Has [Firmware Review!]

HDFootyMan · 18-01-2007, 19:36

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

Nikesh · 18-01-2007, 19:47

Another great review from you. Keep it up.

I look forward to getting the new firmware.

quadplay · 18-01-2007, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

Why does the firmware assume that my Langley remote has a ‘i’ button which I can use to get more info?

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!

Quote:

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.

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.

HDFootyMan · 18-01-2007, 20:46

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

Derek · 18-01-2007, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

[*]Heh! BUG!!!! Pressing Mute button on remote displays Mute logo on TV, but doesnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t mute the sound! DoÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢h!

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.

HDFootyMan · 18-01-2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

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.

Nope, composite.

RS100 · 18-01-2007, 21:35

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

gooner4life · 18-01-2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

Nope, composite.

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

RS100 · 18-01-2007, 21:37

Via the scart composite or RGB

Quote:

Originally Posted by gooner4life

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

gooner4life · 18-01-2007, 21:39

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.

spiderplant · 18-01-2007, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

[*]Heh! BUG!!!! Pressing Mute button on remote displays Mute logo on TV, but doesnÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢t mute the sound! DoÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢h!

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

Nikesh · 18-01-2007, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS100

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

Yep, here you go:

HDFootyMan · 18-01-2007, 22:20

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.

..... · 18-01-2007, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

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.

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

spiderplant · 18-01-2007, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

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.

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)