[Merged] PVR for NTL

[quadplay]

It wasn't a priority - VoD was, as that's a unique selling point over satellite/freeview. However, now that VoD's gone live, the PVR project is gathering momentum.

I can't discuss exact release dates for obvious reasons.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by garyparson

Surely you meant 2016? We are talking about NTL here.

Coming soon.

Yep like the VOD rollout (which is progressing nicely) oh and the 3MB cable upgrades (done) and the new software for the STB's (again being rolled out)

Yep Ntl haven't been able to do anything right for a long time

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by jimbo

I'm not sure how many details have been publicly released on the ntl PVR, but from what I've seen, it could be awesome, and leave the current Sky+ standing - although I'm sure Sky have got something new in development!

There's a mix of content currently available via ntl on demand - including the pick of the last week's BBC programmes (chosen by the BBC), which is free. There's a wide selection of movies, from classics for £1.95 to the latest releases (often before they're on Sky Box Office) mostly priced at £3.50. There's also a wide range of Adult content, at £5.00 each, music videos at 20-50p each and kids shows at 25-75p each. Also recently launched is 'TV Hits', which has a number of series of programmes like Red Dwarf, Two Pints..., Cracker, Cutting It, Blue Planet and Walking With Dinosaurs - with episodes generally priced at 50p, or two or three episodes for 75p. Most series have one free episode (usually the first in the series). There's also weekly special offers, where programmes/files/music videos are offered free or at a discount.

I have just had my second Sky+ box installed at a cost of £49 with free installation. That means that I can now record up to four programmes simultaneously and watch them at leisure at a time to suit myself. I can select what I want to record from all the channel in the Sky Family pack, Sky Movies and Sky Sports, not from just a very restricted list such as is available on NTL VOD. All of this content that I can record is FREE if it is part of the very extensive package that I subscribe to. I can record a dozen movies from Sky Box Office and have them available to view at a time suitable for me and don't have to pay a penny for them unless I actually go in and watch them. I can select what programmes go in my On Demand list, not have to accept a very limited selection of programmes that I may not have any interest in at all. Today I can go into the Sky EPG and set up recordings for all of the coming weekends sports programmes that I wish to watch and not even be bothered by the fact that four of these may be broadcast at the same time. With NTL I couldn't go into their EPG and select even a single programme to record for this coming weekend. Let's face it, the NTL VOD system is a joke at the side of Sky+. The sooner that NTL get a PVR system off the ground the better the chance that they will win new customers and retain existing customers. NTL VOD in itself is not a customer winning/retaining feature.

[lippy]

Now i know why there is a record button on my new keyboard from ntl.

Originally Posted by lippy

Now i know why there is a record button on my new keyboard from ntl.

you got it

[dextercat]

Is this going to be the new PVR from NTL?

http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/TWPVR.shtml

Multi-room?

HDTV Ready?

3 Tuners?

160GB HD?

Sounds Fantastic!!

[testcard]

PVR or DVR with all its features is the future.
The only solid info I can find is--
"NTL said it had not ruled out the possibility of offering a PVR but for the moment is concentrating on video-on-demand. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4184479.stm

VOD is a complimentary product to PVR not a substitute for it.

The longer ntl keeps us in the dark about pvr, the more customers will leave to the services which have it.

[quadplay]

That's old info. If you look at recent investor briefings, they show timescales for TV development, including a PVR for 2006.

I completely agree that VoD is complimentary to PVR, rather than a replacement though.

[testcard]

Originally Posted by jimbo

That's old info. If you look at recent investor briefings, they show timescales for TV development, including a PVR for 2006.

That's good but not in the mainstream of news. Mr J Public will not be aware.

The main question is -- For ntl to provide a service as good as/better than Sky+ are the systems in place to do this or does it need an big infra-structure change?

[quadplay]

Mr Public won't be aware because we can't be sure of the shipping date yet. Once the product is finalised, then the marketing will begin.

A lot of work will be taking place to enable the PVR product to be an attractive offering.

[testcard]

I going to make some assumptions about ntl pvr

1. It will be a 'free' upgrade'
2. Subs will be low <£5.0 0
3. There will deals to make it free.
4. It will do something that sky can't

The deal has to right, pvr is not unique to ntl but essential for its future.

[quadplay]

Pricing details have yet to be finalised.

[KenK]

Originally Posted by jimbo

If you look at recent investor briefings, they show timescales for TV development, including a PVR for 2006.

If you looked at older investor briefings, they showed a PVR for 2H2005! So, the pvr has slipped already, and "for 2006" could mean it's still 14 months away; with ntl's coming soon record, is there much confidence that it won't slip again, into 2007.

Anyway, us Mr Publics don't receive investor briefings; we see heavy sky+ advertising everywhere, and high street retailers flogging Freeview pvrs for £120. Meanwhile, there's not the slightest public suggestion that ntl are even thinking about providing something similar. It may be awesome if it finally does appear; it may also be too late.

Edit: found a cheaper freeview pvr

[dextercat]

Well Said,
I think NTL need to react quickly on this one.

[quadplay]

I would very much like them to react quickly. The problem is that quick throwing together of projects causes far too many issues. I'd rather we got it half-right than got a practically unusable box out next month.