Is there an NTL PVR?

[clayts]

Where does one sign up to be a customer triallist ? As an experienced Tivo/NTL user, etc etc...

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by clayts

Where does one sign up to be a customer triallist ? As an experienced Tivo/NTL user, etc etc...

I don't know if they would have a customer trial as such. Just that one area would get it first to make sure everything is fine. Majority of trials are done by staff.

[Druchii]

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

I don't know if they would have a customer trial as such. Just that one area would get it first to make sure everything is fine. Majority of trials are done by staff.

Plus, a customer trial may lead to too much information being leaked.

[clayts]

Oh well, it was worth a try....

[popper]

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

I don't know if they would have a customer trial as such. Just that one area would get it first to make sure everything is fine. Majority of trials are done by staff.

i wonder..., if staff are the main trialists ,do they read this board for instance to see what the end users are saying they would like to see in the new STB or whatever is being trialed at the time?.

perhaps they also look to DS for comments
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds37281.html

if you assume they do take note and are reporting their/users findings/wishes to the hardware tech people so as to produce a major (in this case a) STB inovation that they can mass produce and easly sell to the users then someone seems to be thinking the short term gains ,rather than the long term game.......

"As such the addition of new functionality to the box, such as enabling the SATA interface, is currently taking a back seat to the focus on stability and rollout."

[Stephen]

The trialists usually get given a set of tasks to carry out to make sure every conceivable scenario can be tested then report the results. Or just have to use the product as they normally would and report back any problems or errors.

[welwynrose]

spoke to customer service today as hubby had been on about ditching NTL and getting SKY+ and asked when we could expect their box & was told by the end of the year - I don't know if that is all areas though or just my area

[ntl.wotcha]

Talking of VoD. "Summer 2006" is rapdily turning into "Winter 2006". I don't hold out much hope for a PVR.

I really do wish that NTL would reward those of us without VoD, by releasing PVR in our areas first. Would only be fair right ? I'm dreaming of course...

[matty125]

your right they should have done them all together

[Stephen]

They need to stagger the activation of VOD to ensure there are no problems. They can't release the TV Drive on NTL until it has been fuly tested with the NTL EPG software which will probably take a few months.

I know NTL have taken a long time to get VOD and the PVR to everyone but I am sure you'd rather wait a little longer to ensue that it all works properly. Cause otherwise you would just moan about it being rubbish!

[lostandconfused]

just got some info on this, not sure if its been posted before, please can someone delete it if it has

There's no one-off cost to get the box. There are a few different prices for
TVDrive, but you won't need to commit them to memory straight away, you'll
get trained on all the details before the launch.

Monthly subscription costs
* Customers taking Family Pack will pay only £10 per month for their
TVDrive subscription
* Customers on Free TV, Select Pack or Base Pack will pay £15 per
month for TVDrive
* TVDrive is not available with any analogue service

Second boxes
* Customers with a TVDrive can take a second set top box for just £5
extra per month - bargain!
* There's no option to take two TVDrive boxes on one account

New digital TV customers
* TVDrive installation is free to all new digital TV customers, this
includes:
o brand new customers installed for the first
time
o existing customers taking digital TV as a
new service
o analogue customers migrating to digital

Existing digital TV customers
* Existing digital TV customers swapping their normal STB for a
TVDrive will pay a £75 call out fee
* However, if the customer keeps their normal STB as a second service
for £5 a month, they get the TVDrive installed for free


How does TVDrive differ to On Demand?

TVDrive is a clever video recorder - it lets you record programmes that are
broadcast on your digital TV service and lets you pause and rewind live TV.

On Demand is a huge library of programmes, music videos and movies that that
can be accessed at any time simply by pressing the On Demand button on your
remote. You don't have to record anything - the programmes are available
when you are. Sky and Freeview can't offer the same service, because they
don't have a state-of-the-art cable that can deliver digital TV right into
people's homes like we have.


Will On Demand be the same with TVDrive?

No, but we think it's going to be even better. The new code (UK1) that comes
with TVDrive means that there will be some differences to the way the On
Demand service works. Eventually On Demand will change for everyone, but
for the time being you only need to know about it for TVDrive customers.

Originally Posted by lostandconfused

Snip

Sounds good so far. As i have said before if this is as good as i have been informed then i will switch to this when its available.

[Stephen]

Should you have posted that info as it appears to the the staff info.

[monkey2468]

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

Should you have posted that info as it appears to the the staff info.

...less the estimated dates.

[captain747480]

Originally Posted by lostandconfused

* However, if the customer keeps their normal STB as a second service
for £5 a month, they get the TVDrive installed for free

I assume there is minimum period of 12 months on this. Even so you'd be better off keeping your old box for the 12 months and spreading the cost whilst saving yourself £15.