NTL PVR - How much???

[HDFootyMan]

Getting back onto topic...

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

Let's not forget I reckon at least 2007 before NTL get their PVR out on the market, by then there will be better DVD recorders on the market that cost less than there is now!

You're probably right.

I would guess that NTL have to write two versions of their PVR software, one for Bromley, one for Langley. That software would have to include all the standard digital recording options (Chase play, time shifting, multiple recordings etc), along with a new EPG which would have to allow at least eight days worth of program info.

Plus †“ they would have to carry out any necessary work on upgrading the network to support HDTV (I think MPEG 4 requires around 10 Meg per second for HDTV). Not to mention all the software testing to making sure that existing apps (BBCi, NTL VOD) work on the new box †“ and securing enough of the new PVR boxes for the customers.

That's a lot of work to done between now and the end of December.

I would be surprised if by the end of this year, every NTL customer would be able to ring up customer services and order a PVR installation. Of course, Iâ₠¬ÃƒÆ’¢â€žÂ¢m speculating based on the available info we have from NTL about PVR availability, which is †œComing soon in 2006.ââ‚ƚ¬Ã‚ÂÂÂ� We have no idea how far along NTL are in terms of writing the software; upgrading the network; or even securing HD content.

One thingââ‚ƚ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s for sure: Before the end of this year, the Sky+ HDTV box will be out (alongside with various Sky HD channels), alongside with BTââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s Freeview Hard-Drive PVR which also offers VOD via broadband (dunno if you have to download the content or if it streams it).

Add all the NTL customers like myself, who have already got a DVR - and by the time NTL release their PVR, there might not be a such of a market for it.

Why on earth have they taken so long to release a PVR???? Then again, I could say the same for VOD in my area, or even BBCi News Multiscreens.

[BBKing]

I would guess that NTL have to write two versions of their PVR software, one for Bromley, one for Langley.

Why? There's a lot less difference between the areas these days.

Plus †“ they would have to carry out any necessary work on upgrading the network to support HDTV (I think MPEG 4 requires around 10 Meg per second for HDTV). Not to mention all the software testing to making sure that existing apps (BBCi, NTL VOD) work on the new box †“ and securing enough of the new PVR boxes for the customers.

This is broadly true - there's a hell of a lot of work involved in any new box, let alone one with more stringent requirements for monitoring and reliability. Hence why I'm not going to put a date on it.

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I just called sky on this number 08702 404040 and i got through to CS rep in approx 2 mins....
Don't believe me call it now and choose option four then option 1!

At the time you posted that i am sure you will get in touch with them at that speed. However i just tried that now and its a different story. I have sky and am now wishing i never signed up with them. I have on average taken 30 to 50 mins to get trough to the dept i need. I have been lied to, i have had to say i would leave to get them to sort out the horrendous install they did on the first install. I have now had a reinstall which has fixed the problem with the service, However i am not willing to stay after 12 months not matter what they offer. As far as i am concerned they lost me when they completed the crap install they did and then lied.

---------- Post added at 12:32 ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 ----------

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

Ohhhh and just to add to this thread one last time I just called sky again this time I chose option four then option two which is to downgrade your packages and I got through straight away and both times tonight the call was answered by British people! So for those who say your waiting for anything up to an hour 24 hours a day to speak to anyone this is total bull! (Don't believe me then call 08702 40 40 40 and choose option 4 then option 1 or option 2 now.) I have not tried this in the day so I can't comment on that!

So to get them quickly i have to phone after midnight, You are having me on.

Try it now and see where you get. And what country as well.

As i have said i am a Sky subscriber and i am now stuck with them for 12 months. And i do not work for NTL any more so its not a I love NTL thing.

[HDFootyMan]

Originally Posted by BBKing

Why? There's a lot less difference between the areas these days.

Well, they still needed to write two different versions of the CR3 software, didn't they? Bromley only got upgraded a few months ago to the 'blue screens' software.

Originally Posted by BBKing

This is broadly true - there's a hell of a lot of work involved in any new box, let alone one with more stringent requirements for monitoring and reliability. Hence why I'm not going to put a date on it.

I can't say I blame you.

I was responding to what a poster had said, and he said it takes up to an hour to get through to anybody at sky 24 hours a day! This is not true!

I have not tried them in the day so as I said I can't comment on sky on that score, however I will try in a bit and let you know how I get on.

My point being though is if sky are that bad in the day I would simply wait until late at night or the early hours before calling so I get through almost straight away!

I also said that the tech support dept are slow to answer the phone, the ones who deal with repairs and exchanges, I accept that but as I have had sky before I am responsible for my own equiptment and that is where ebay will come in!

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:46 ----------

Just to add I called them again and they answered in under a min!

I picked option 4 then option 1, What dept are you calling?

Ohhhh and I had a UK call center.

And just to add, When I do cancel my NTL TV & Telco I am not going to have sky just freeview so I have nothing to gain by telling porkies! I just tried sky's tech support by picking option 2 but gave up after five mins.

[Fedz]

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I was responding to what a poster had said, and he said it takes up to an hour to get through to anybody at sky 24 hours a day! This is not true!

For some reason you deliberarely fail to accept what someone says is true!

I should know, I've been a customer of Sky for 7 years and still am for the next 2 weeks!. I (and thousands of other SkY customers) was/are on hold several times over numberous days for over 67 minutes.

Employees of Sky on other forums have said yes it's true and the reason being is due to a move of software at Sky CS which will take around 6 months to complete hence why customers are experiencing excessive call waiting times! Customers aren't told this when they call however.

So for you to say we're lying is rubbish!

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

My point being though is if sky are that bad in the day I would simply wait until late at night or the early hours before calling so I get through almost straight away!

As I have pointed out twice in this thread calling at 1am is early hours - what's the point of 24 hour customer service!

Originally Posted by Fedz

For some reason you deliberarely fail to accept what someone says is true!

I can say the same thing though!

[Fedz]

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I can say the same thing though!

Nothing would surprise me!

What you can give people your opinion but you can't accept anyone elses?

Let me guess what you say's goes!

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

I was responding to what a poster had said, and he said it takes up to an hour to get through to anybody at sky 24 hours a day! This is not true!

I have not tried them in the day so as I said I can't comment on sky on that score, however I will try in a bit and let you know how I get on.

My point being though is if sky are that bad in the day I would simply wait until late at night or the early hours before calling so I get through almost straight away!

I also said that the tech support dept are slow to answer the phone, the ones who deal with repairs and exchanges, I accept that but as I have had sky before I am responsible for my own equipment and that is where eBay will come in!

---------- Post added at 13:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:46 ----------

Just to add I called them again and they answered in under a min!

I picked option 4 then option 1, What dept are you calling?

Ohhhh and I had a UK call center.

And just to add, When I do cancel my NTL TV & Telco I am not going to have sky just freeview so I have nothing to gain by telling porkies! I just tried sky's tech support by picking option 2 but gave up after five mins.

I have been calling technical support trying to get this sorry excuse of a system to work . I have had no reason to phone the other dept's yet. I might do next week, The dept will be called disconnections.


Problem is that every time i call them they tell me to do a full reset which then fixes the fault for about 6 hours, Then when i try to rewind tv or stop it it lock's the box up again. It has been twice as bad since the new software they put on the box the other week.

I honestly wish i had stuck with boring old NTL. At least it did not lock up for me every few hours. My honest opinion of SKY+ at this moment in time. IT SUCKS BIG TIME

[Fedz]

I had my ex-gf on the phone a few days ago (Friday Night) asking what was wrong with the Sky guide!

I said why does it say always 'searching for listing' she said no but it did for about 2 solid weeks solid but since last week it's come back but, her gripe was the listings now have big gaps in them and she hates it!

She tried calling Sky also but gave up after been told she'd be in the queue for 48 minutes!

She said she's going to cancel and move to NTL so I gave her the Sky 0800 number to call

If it's any consolation I understand from other Sky specific forums that this new Sky software upgrade is causing no end of problems for them too!

[Fedz]

Originally Posted by acoolwelshbloke

Just to add I called them again and they answered in under a min!

I picked option 4 then option 1, What dept are you calling?

Ohhhh and I had a UK call center.

Just to add consistancy - I just called Sky CS via the 0800 number to get my final bill amount & they answered instantly (no waiting). I did get India however.

This is a large improvement on my (and the thousands of other effected Sky customers) several previous calls to Sky CS (over the past few months) as they were certainly stated (over an hour waiting).

Hope this isn't just a 'good luck' chance of getting through to Sky CS so quick, as according to the other Sky customers posts, they are leaving Sky over the lack of information from Sky about this, if it isn't sorted soonner rather thanl ater.

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by Fedz

I had my ex-gf on the phone a few days ago (Friday Night) asking what was wrong with the Sky guide!

I said why does it say always 'searching for listing' she said no but it did for about 2 solid weeks solid but since last week it's come back but, her gripe was the listings now have big gaps in them and she hates it!

She tried calling Sky also but gave up after been told she'd be in the queue for 48 minutes!

She said she's going to cancel and move to NTL so I gave her the Sky 0800 number to call

If it's any consolation I understand from other Sky specific forums that this new Sky software upgrade is causing no end of problems for them too!

The gaps in the listings should vanish when the next software update covering renumbering channels takes place next week. I would imagine that call waiting times will increase horrendously when the renumbering has taken place and customers can't find their channels.

[Neil]

And getting back on topic to the subject of ntl's PVR & it's pricing......

[invisibleboy]

bet its about £100


and as has been pointed out, will be to little to late as it will be about 2 years behind everything else and we will all be here complaining that everyone else has bigger and more flashy STB's