Why is the EPG so bad?

lynx2oo2 · 27-08-2003, 01:41

Ok, so i know this has been discussed a few times here, but i am really getting fed up with my box's epg, on the odd occasions that it does work, it is so slow as to be un-useable.

Yesterday, i went out for the day so decided to do a little test, 9.30am, press guide, go into all channels, oh look - gathering data, left it on that screen, got back at 7.30pm, guess what - yes - gathering data.

what is the point of an epg that clearly does not work.

My sister has sky, you press tv-guide on her remote and the epg updates almost instantaniously, so why is it so difficult for ntl to do the same.

I know the epg is not the only service ntl operate through the boxes but apart from the red button interactive which is just about useable as-long as you are on the correct channels, this is just not even worth having.

Come on ntl, pull your finger out and give us an interactive experience that for the price we pay you each month, we deserve.

There, thats my ranting over with.

**Mick** · 27-08-2003, 08:39

Know the feeling very well.

I know the programme descriptions on EPG have changed a great deal, especially films, it used to tell you who starred in the film and what year it was released this information seems to have dissapeared, to some this might not bother some but you tend to always get the odd person who asks, whats that actor called and if you had forgotten you could just look at the programme description. I kinda like police drama and watch old episodes of The Bill on UKGOLD, it used to tell what the plot was now it just says 'Police Drama'. NTL really gone to town on that description...

allanprg · 27-08-2003, 12:16

Yes I agree with you about the EPG. It's not as good as it was previously. I liked the info about the date of films and who were in them. Now nothing. NTL should go back to the old style.

Shaun · 27-08-2003, 13:51

I miss being able to set it for a week, go on holiday and come back to your programs.

Now its crap. Money problems I guess (again)

Oh and

lynx2oo2

swanny · 02-09-2003, 21:39

TIVO EPG

Shaun · 02-09-2003, 22:01

Quote:

Originally posted by swanny
TIVO EPG

B@stard.

Oh and hello, Swanny

swanny · 02-09-2003, 22:43

Hi

I

my TIVO

Shaun · 02-09-2003, 22:48

Double B@stard

**Maggy** · 02-09-2003, 23:05

More like SMUG B@stard!!

Incog

Stuart · 02-09-2003, 23:29

Quote:

Originally posted by swanny
TIVO EPG

Ditto

Stuart · 02-09-2003, 23:31

Quote:

Originally posted by dellwear
I miss being able to set it for a week, go on holiday and come back to your programs.

Now its crap. Money problems I guess (again)

Oh and lynx2oo2

As I understand it Dell, the STBs don't have enough memory for more days. 'spose the money to upgrade the boxes come into it though.

Shaun · 02-09-2003, 23:46

Quote:

Originally posted by scastle
As I understand it Dell, the STBs don't have enough memory for more days. 'spose the money to upgrade the boxes come into it though.

Mine should, its a 4010.

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

Saying that I'm still waiting for Liberate 1.2!!

Stuart · 02-09-2003, 23:49

Quote:

Originally posted by dellwear
Mine should, its a 4010.

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

Saying that I'm still waiting for Liberate 1.2!!

Yeah, but they send the same epg data to everyone, The old 1000 boxes (like mine) apparently can't handle it.

Anyway, you are right. The data does not need to be in memory all the time.

C_Cube · 03-09-2003, 09:35

Quote:

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

How would not having the info pre cached in the STB make the EPG perform better???? When the delay comes from gathering the data off the stream?????

Stuart · 03-09-2003, 09:52

Quote:

Originally posted by C_Cube
How would not having the info pre cached in the STB make the EPG perform better???? When the delay comes from gathering the data off the stream?????

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.