Home News Forum Articles
  Welcome back Join CF
You are here You are here: Home | Forum | Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most of the discussions, articles and other free features. By joining our Virgin Media community you will have full access to all discussions, be able to view and post threads, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own images/photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please join our community today.


Welcome to Cable Forum
Go Back   Cable Forum > Alternatives to Virgin Media > Freesat & Freeview

Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?
Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-12-2019, 09:03   #1
RWCable
cf.member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Services: Virgin Media TiVo / Broadband / Somehow still the landline
Posts: 39
RWCable is an unknown quantity at this point
Question Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Since the BBC's digital equivalent to Ceefax is due to close next month, I'm wondering how popular it actually is?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthe...7-98930425302a

I still do actually use the Red Button text service about 4 times daily to quickly scan through the news without picking up my phone or computer... It's much more convenient. It's certainly nice to have interactive internet-style information in the air, "free" (as part of license fee), but without an actual internet connection or the complexity of today's alternatives. No analytics modules, no tracking and loads instantly.

Why would this service even cost anything to maintain? The only thing that changes is 4 lines of each most popular story copied from the BBC website/feed... And that's easily automated, or have they not figured that out? (Last week I wrote a tiny 145-line pure JavaScript proof of concept in 1 hour that largely mirrors the Red Button experience and always has the most up-to-date news direct from BBC.... I know I'm oversimplifying a little bit.... But I still can't imagine any real "significant technical effort" required as mentioned. Please correct me if wrong.)

So who still uses the service?

Last edited by RWCable; 09-12-2019 at 09:06.
RWCable is offline   Reply With Quote
Advertisement
Old 09-12-2019, 12:01   #2
cheekyangus
cf.mega poster
 
cheekyangus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,526
cheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quads
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

I believe it already is automated.

The bandwidth and equipment it takes to transmit costs. If they view it as not enough people using it to justify those costs, as they seem to, then it is liable to being axed.
cheekyangus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 12:38   #3
nodrogd
cf.mega poster
 
nodrogd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Herts
Services: Maxit + Movies/Sports HD (V6x2), BB350, Anytime Chatter. Freeview/Freesat HD, ASDA/Tesco PAYG
Posts: 1,848
nodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful onenodrogd is the helpful one
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Yes, we do use it. We have 2 small screen TVs, one is only a year old, that have no internet connectivity.

I also wonder what all the people living in caravans & boats will think with them now being forced to use data allowances to use any of the BBCs apps.
nodrogd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 13:44   #4
RWCable
cf.member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Services: Virgin Media TiVo / Broadband / Somehow still the landline
Posts: 39
RWCable is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cheekyangus View Post
I believe it already is automated.

The bandwidth and equipment it takes to transmit costs. If they view it as not enough people using it to justify those costs, as they seem to, then it is liable to being axed.
But.... is the cost not negligible in the grand scheme of things? Especially considering they will continue to broadcast MHEG onscreen information + graphics on many radio channels throughout the country, Red Button live events and also TV subtitles on all channels.... wouldn't it be squeezing some extra value for money out of the existing engineering/maintenance to keep this (essentially 45-year old and now automated) useful service going?

Last edited by RWCable; 09-12-2019 at 13:50.
RWCable is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 14:22   #5
cheekyangus
cf.mega poster
 
cheekyangus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,526
cheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quads
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RWCable View Post
But.... is the cost not negligible in the grand scheme of things? Especially considering they will continue to broadcast MHEG onscreen information + graphics on many radio channels throughout the country, Red Button live events and also TV subtitles on all channels.... wouldn't it be squeezing some extra value for money out of the existing engineering/maintenance to keep this (essentially 45-year old and now automated) useful service going?
You'd think. Don't get me wrong, I like the old-fashioned digital text. I'd keep it.

I was under the impression some of the radio MHEG info was going too, there's none on Virgin Media and it's years since they switched it off, you just get a blank screen and a Connected Red Button prompt which takes you to iPlayer.

There are multiple things the space could benefit, assuming the space is not vacated permanently.

- They could increase the picture quality of either BBC Parliament and/or the Red Button 1 feed to equal those of the other BBC streams on the PSB1 multiplex.

- They could increase the audio quality on the BBC Local radio stations carried on PSB1 across the country.

- they could allow the radio stations on PSB1 that come off-air in the evenings in Scotland to allow for BBC Alba to restore full service.

- they could keep the space handy for a 2nd pop-up (i.e. not full-time, only used occasionally) Red Button feed for when big events are on and/or events overlap.

Note: BBC cannot do all of these, some of these are mutually exclusive due to the limited space freed up.

Also note: these are just my ideas, there has been no suggestion that anything is going to happen.
cheekyangus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 14:32   #6
RWCable
cf.member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Services: Virgin Media TiVo / Broadband / Somehow still the landline
Posts: 39
RWCable is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cheekyangus View Post
You'd think. Don't get me wrong, I like the old-fashioned digital text. I'd keep it.

I was under the impression some of the radio MHEG info was going too, there's none on Virgin Media and it's years since they switched it off, you just get a blank screen and a Connected Red Button prompt which takes you to iPlayer.

There are multiple things the space could benefit, assuming the space is not vacated permanently
....
Those are pretty interesting possibilities!

Since you mention it, was there ever a proper MHEG display on Virgin Media on the radio channels? I remember that on the old Samsung and PACE boxes ("Liberate" platform), in my area (ex-NTL), radio channels would only show a black screen with white text with the name of the radio station. (As I understand, possibly wrong, the TiVo platform isn't necessarily DVB-compliant and apps + UI rely on an HTML5 renderer and sometimes Adobe Flash).

Quote:
Originally Posted by nodrogd View Post
Yes, we do use it. We have 2 small screen TVs, one is only a year old, that have no internet connectivity.

I also wonder what all the people living in caravans & boats will think with them now being forced to use data allowances to use any of the BBCs apps.
I also have a fairly recent TV from 2015 with no internet or Freeview HD... The implications of discontinuing this are quite interesting when you consider the varied user base and equipment.

Last edited by RWCable; 09-12-2019 at 14:40.
RWCable is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 14:42   #7
spiderplant
cf.mega poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,888
spiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny stars
spiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny starsspiderplant has a pair of shiny stars
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RWCable View Post
TSince you mention it, was there ever a proper MHEG display on Virgin Media on the radio channels? I remember that on the old Samsung and PACE boxes ("Liberate" platform), in my area (ex-NTL), radio channels would only show a black screen with white text with the name of the radio station. (As I understand, possibly wrong, the TiVo platform isn't necessarily DVB-compliant and apps + UI rely on an HTML5 renderer and sometimes Adobe Flash).
VM boxes have never supported MHEG. The Liberate apps are HTML+JavaScript, and you are correct about TiVo.
spiderplant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 15:16   #8
Mr K
Woke and proud !
 
Mr K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Services: TV, Phone, BB, a wife
Posts: 9,106
Mr K has a nice shiny star
Mr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny starMr K has a nice shiny star
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

I accidently sometimes hit the red button, and swear as it takes ages to do anything, or let me exit/cancel and get back to the TV...
Bring back CEEFAX, it was much quicker!
Mr K is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2019, 15:19   #9
cheekyangus
cf.mega poster
 
cheekyangus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,526
cheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quads
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

It wasn't MHEG, but the pre-Tivo boxes used to have a similar looking screen on the radio stations to what Freeview still has with the logos on the BBC stations.
cheekyangus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-01-2020, 09:11   #10
RWCable
cf.member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Services: Virgin Media TiVo / Broadband / Somehow still the landline
Posts: 39
RWCable is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Update: NFBUK (National Federation of the Blind UK) has support of 100+ other organisations in a petition calling for the postponement of the Red Button service closure.

Petition has been given to both government and the BBC on Monday 27/01/2020.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51263169
RWCable is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28-01-2020, 14:54   #11
Paul
Dr Pepper Addict
Cable Forum Team
 
Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Nottingham
Age: 61
Services: Flextel SIP : Sky Mobile : Sky Q TV : VM BB (1000 Mbps) : Aquiss FTTP (330 Mbps)
Posts: 27,612
Paul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered stars
Paul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered starsPaul is seeing silvered stars
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Never used it, ever.
__________________

Baby, I was born this way.
Paul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-01-2020, 14:53   #12
cheekyangus
cf.mega poster
 
cheekyangus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,526
cheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quadscheekyangus has a fine set of Quads
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Apparently the BBC have just announced they have postponed the closure of the Red Button Text Service.

Last edited by cheekyangus; 29-01-2020 at 15:59. Reason: Spelling
cheekyangus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-01-2020, 15:10   #13
RWCable
cf.member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Services: Virgin Media TiVo / Broadband / Somehow still the landline
Posts: 39
RWCable is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Beat me to it @cheekyangus!! Wonderful. This is the right move.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51295430
RWCable is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-01-2020, 17:37   #14
denphone
Still alive and fighting
 
denphone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: In the land of beyond and beyond.
Services: XL BB, 3 360 boxes , XL TV.
Posts: 56,296
denphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden aura
denphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden auradenphone has a golden aura
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RWCable View Post
Beat me to it @cheekyangus!! Wonderful. This is the right move.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51295430
l know several people who use this service so its a decision that l agree with.
__________________
“The only lesson you can learn from history is that it repeats itself”
denphone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-01-2020, 18:08   #15
Ken W
cf.mega poster
 
Ken W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Winnersh UK
Services: LL Phone, TiVo, M+ VM mobile, BBand 150M tier Superhub, TIVO 500 M+
Posts: 2,112
Ken W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful oneKen W is the helpful one
Re: Does anyone use the BBC Red Button text service?

I still use it
Ken W is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:07.


Server: osmium.zmnt.uk
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.