Why is the EPG so bad? - Page 2

C_Cube · 03-09-2003, 10:40

The data is already compressed when it is stored in the STB for the langley platform, but had to give up space when liberate was introduced.

Shaun · 03-09-2003, 13:35

Quote:

Originally posted by scastle
It wouldn't. The EPG would be able to have more than 3 days of data in it though.

Of course, they could probably compress the data more, which would also allow more to be stored.

Or if they booked the one brain cell Ntl have for the day, they may be able to come up with a way of transmitting the info more often - bringing down the time you have to wait for the box to 'gather data'.

Sky manage it, why shouldn't NTL their system is supose to be better than Skys.

03-09-2003, 14:00

I'm still on analogue & we don't get an EPG, so I use Digiguide

http://www.digiguide.com/

ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£6.99 a year subscription, searchable & printable listings, decent program summaries & lists the major actors/actresses.

I can't post an example listing due to copyright, but it's well worth a look.

C_Cube · 03-09-2003, 14:07

Quote:

Sky manage it, why shouldn't NTL their system is supose to be better than Skys.

But Sky transmitt's far less information. i.e. When using browse you can only get more information for the current event on that channel. You can not get any other programme information without going to the main guide screen. So it is not a fair comparison.

Shaun · 03-09-2003, 14:17

Quote:

Originally posted by C_Cube
But Sky transmitt's far less information. i.e. When using browse you can only get more information for the current event on that channel. You can not get any other programme information without going to the main guide screen. So it is not a fair comparison.

Even that would be better than the **** I get at the moment, most of the time it doesn't work and when It does its the wrong info. Not that I watch it but QVC hasn't bee right in the last year.

Come on People **** Microsoft off right left and centre for their programing but at lease their programs do what they say on the tin.

If Ntl's programmers worked for me and came up with the **** software we have on our STB at the moment they would have been sacked years ago.

Last October we were promised that the interactive would be rearranged and updated, were still waiting, how long does it take to redo a few HTML pages?? Let us do it, there are people on this forum that could do it in a night and then go to their day job in the morning.

The gravy train at Ntl has to stop soon or the company is going to crash like a lead balloon (again) Because People are not going to continue to put up with it.

Tod · 04-09-2003, 09:35

What I don't understand is that NTL seem to be able to transmit broadband through the same cable that is used for digital TV - so why can't the epg be sent in much the same way??

Tristan · 04-09-2003, 17:38

Quote:

Originally posted by dellwear
If Ntl's programmers worked for me and came up with the **** software we have on our STB at the moment they would have been sacked years ago..

You do realise that C_Cube worked on the current Langley software, right?

Just want to make sure that you realise who you're insulting...

Shaun · 04-09-2003, 19:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Tristan
You do realise that C_Cube worked on the current Langley software, right?

Just want to make sure that you realise who you're insulting...

I still stand by my observations that the software is not what it should be.

Bob · 04-09-2003, 20:26

Quote:

Originally posted by C_Cube
But Sky transmitt's far less information. i.e. When using browse you can only get more information for the current event on that channel. You can not get any other programme information without going to the main guide screen. So it is not a fair comparison.

Plus with ntl: you can pick a time and then scroll along to see what is on another channel at that time

With Sky you have to scroll to the channels and the all the way to the time

Shaun · 04-09-2003, 20:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob
Plus with ntl: you can pick a time and then scroll along to see what is on another channel at that time

With Sky you have to scroll to the channels and the all the way to the time

Not so long ago it was jsut like that on NTL

What gets me is the fact that it just doesn't work most of the time, it sits there with noting in th browse bar, and nothing in the guide, it says 'gathering data'. Great.

Bob · 04-09-2003, 20:45

Lucky you! Its says nothing at all here

C_Cube · 05-09-2003, 09:16

Quote:

Even that would be better than the **** I get at the moment, most of the time it doesn't work and when It does its the wrong info. Not that I watch it but QVC hasn't bee right in the last year.

I think you need to understand a bit more about what you are talking about before you directly blame the software.

You are talking about the quality of the content which is nothing to do with the EPG software. BDSI supply the content and the epg purley displays what is supplied. If the supplied data is incorrect then it will appear incorrect on the screen.

What do you mean most of the time it doesn't work? What bit?

Quote:

What gets me is the fact that it just doesn't work most of the time, it sits there with noting in th browse bar, and nothing in the guide, it says 'gathering data'. Great.

Again nothing to do with the EPG software. This is because the SI data is not being transmitted correctly. If the data to build the schedule is not complete on the stream then the EPG software can not just 'make it up'.

Dave Stones · 05-09-2003, 10:28

Quote:

Originally posted by C_Cube
What do you mean most of the time it doesn't work? What bit?

well on mine for the past week or so there has been NO programme information AT all. i havent been able to scroll down on browse past the "next" programme either. and in the guide it sits and says gathering data until i press the tv button and stop it. stupid epg... at least with sky you can see what programme is going to be on in a couple of hours time

C_Cube · 05-09-2003, 11:58

Quote:

well on mine for the past week or so there has been NO programme information AT all. i havent been able to scroll down on browse past the "next" programme either. and in the guide it sits and says gathering data until i press the tv button and stop it.

Again I repeat, this is nothing to do with the EPG software. It is the SI data supplied to it not being complete. If a web page fails to load fully is that the browsers fault!!!

**Maggy** · 05-09-2003, 14:22

Who cares why it doesn't work.I just want it to work whatever the bl**dy reason.

Incidentally at 12.50 this pm it updated all by itself.Normally I have to reboot(take the plug out)to achieve this.Is the system finally working the way it should? I guess only time will tell.

Incog.