Compatiability - can VM carry Sky's HD/red button features?

[Wilson]

Hello,

I think this is the right area for this query, I was wondering if any could tell if VM can handle HD from Sky and if the red button features are compatiable. Because I've seen the differences between pressing the red button on Sky, Freeview & VM but could VM carry the interactive features from Sky Sports? The V+ broadcasts BBC HD but can i assume it could handle Sky broadcasts?

And if not why? Are the technologies used by both companies that different? I don't really want this to descend into a VM vs. Sky thread or who's at fault for not allowing Sky basics or any their red button features on VM, I'm simply curious to know if in theory VM could handle what Sky can offer!

[handyman]

VM can handle HD on it's HD box's (TVdrive).

Sky tv and Virgin both use different technologies for interactive programming. Sky use open and Virgin use Liberate.

Typically they are not compatible however since they are very simple systems it 'should' not be a huge issue to port applications between the two.

However in the real world sky is very proud that it has so much red button content and blocks at every chance Virgins access to it. Sky sports is 1 example.

[GuestUK]

However in the real world sky is very proud that it has so much red button content and blocks at every chance Virgins access to it. Sky sports is 1 example.

I'm sure interactive content is a matter just like HD content and VOD content, VM would have to pay extra money for it, and just like when they turned down the Sky channels (+some HD content, + some VOD content) they don't believe that the amount being asked for is worthwhile.

If you can get away without offering extra things and still make a lot of money and have to pay less, that's probably what Virgin will do (and have done), unless there is an overly significant demand (e.g. If HD becomes more popular, they may start seeking out more HD).

[grabbi]

Or, restrict Virgin from having it, so you get more customers?

If they arent obligated, then they wont do it.

Originally Posted by Wilson

...I was wondering if any could tell if VM can handle HD from Sky and if the red button features are compatiable...

i haven't got any Sky premium channels but i understand cable is not compatable with Sky interactivity

what i'm not sure about is whether it's the two technologies that aren't compatable or whether it's the two managers (dicky branson & rupert murdoch) that aren't compatable - maybe when VM are bought out things might be different

[starsailor123uk]

Originally Posted by GuestUK

I'm sure interactive content is a matter just like HD content and VOD content, VM would have to pay extra money for it, and just like when they turned down the Sky channels (+some HD content, + some VOD content) they don't believe that the amount being asked for is worthwhile.

If you can get away without offering extra things and still make a lot of money and have to pay less, that's probably what Virgin will do (and have done), unless there is an overly significant demand (e.g. If HD becomes more popular, they may start seeking out more HD).

Except that the interactive extra versus HD extra falls down on the basis that its integral to the product. Sky Customers don't pay extra for the interactive services whereas they pay a £10 additional subscription for HD

The reason it is excluded is probably either

a) The rate card made little or no reference to it as it was in its infancy when the rate card was created and its needs refinement. Hopefully this may be addressed as part of OFCOM current review of PayTV

b) The reasons are a combination of a) , technical issues and capacity

[on in an hour!]

Originally Posted by starsailor123uk

Except that the interactive extra versus HD extra falls down on the basis that its integral to the product. Sky Customers don't pay extra for the interactive services whereas they pay a £10 additional subscription for HD

The reason it is excluded is probably either

a) The rate card made little or no reference to it as it was in its infancy when the rate card was created and its needs refinement. Hopefully this may be addressed as part of OFCOM current review of PayTV

b) The reasons are a combination of a) , technical issues and capacity

or put simply its an ace up sky's sleeve,why release such good offerings to competitors when youre not forced to.

[KenK]

Originally Posted by handyman

Sky tv and Virgin both use different technologies for interactive programming <snip> Typically they are not compatible however since they are very simple systems it 'should' not be a huge issue to port applications between the two.

Technically, you're no doubt correct. The real question is, which company pays for the porting work?

Originally Posted by GuestUK

I'm sure interactive content is a matter just like HD content and VOD content, VM would have to pay extra money for it <snip>. If you can get away without offering extra things and still make a lot of money and have to pay less, that's probably what Virgin will do (and have done), unless there is an overly significant demand (e.g. If HD becomes more popular, they may start seeking out more HD).

Since HD Ready kit is flying out the retailers, sooner or later there's going to be a demand. Cable's historic response of "Coming Soon" is not going to be good enough. If/when I upgrade to HD capable hardware, I'll want HD content available straight away: and I don't mean 3 pay-per-view movies.

Originally Posted by JethroUK

what i'm not sure about is whether it's the two technologies that aren't compatable or whether it's the two managers (dicky branson & rupert murdoch) that aren't compatable - maybe when VM are bought out things might be different

This started long before Mr B appeared on the scene. This says it all:

Originally Posted by on in an hour!

or put simply its an ace up sky's sleeve,why release such good offerings to competitors when youre not forced to.

[mdean]

The lack of red button crap on Sky sports remains the key advantage of Vm over $ky.

Cricket is almost unwatchable on $ky with the red pest reappearing after the regular short ad breaks and requiring back up to get rid

Keep it red button free please

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by mdean

The lack of red button crap on Sky sports remains the key advantage of Vm over $ky.

Cricket is almost unwatchable on $ky with the red pest reappearing after the regular short ad breaks and requiring back up to get rid

Keep it red button free please

There is a setting to remove the red button after a set number of seconds to there's no need for you to lean over and pickup the remote

[GuestUK]

or put simply its an ace up sky's sleeve,why release such good offerings to competitors when youre not forced to.

If you agree that it is a good offering, and Sky probably put a lot of work into it, surely it is reasonable to expect other providers to pay for it (which enhances their service), rather than it being given away for free?

-

what i'm not sure about is whether it's the two technologies that aren't compatable or whether it's the two managers (dicky branson & rupert murdoch) that aren't compatable - maybe when VM are bought out things might be different

From what I've read, it's the technology and apparently it's quite a lot of work to develop interactive applications on VM to match what Sky offer, an undertaking which VM would have to do (as its their software) and might not find cost beneficical, at least while they can do fine without providing it. (e.g. Like the News 24 News Screens on the NTL side which aren't available - it's not that the BBC wont provide them)

[starsailor123uk]

Originally Posted by GuestUK

From what I've read, it's the technology and apparently it's quite a lot of work to develop interactive applications on VM to match what Sky offer, an undertaking which VM would have to do (as its their software) and might not find cost beneficical, at least while they can do fine without providing it. (e.g. Like the News 24 News Screens on the NTL side which aren't available - it's not that the BBC wont provide them)

If that is the case ( I dont know I'm not that technical minded of DTV but sounds reasonable) I suspect that is another reason for the problems with pricing. Why pay extra for services you wont be able to use. Sky, to their credit, thats quite a good ploy! Its like selling the iraqis missiles and keeping the destruct codes to yourself!

[KenK]

Originally Posted by GuestUK

From what I've read, it's the technology and apparently it's quite a lot of work to develop interactive applications on VM to match what Sky offer, an undertaking which VM would have to do (as its their software) and might not find cost beneficical, at least while they can do fine without providing it.

In view of the latest customer number figures from both VM and Sky, maybe VM should think again about their definition of "doing fine".

[mdean]

Originally Posted by Shaun

There is a setting to remove the red button after a set number of seconds to there's no need for you to lean over and pickup the remote

There is no such setting on $ky - you have to press back up

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by mdean

There is no such setting on $ky - you have to press back up

There is if you press "Services" then 4 then 1 then set "On screen icon Timeout" to on.

Has been there for over a year.