New VoD Hardware Being Implemented

[grabbi]

According to a recent email I recieved from the VoD dept. at Virgin Media, some new Technology is being implemented in the network, however, it is still to come online.

Our VoD service remains very much in its nascency, and has been affected by the logistics of bringing two large networks together following the ntl/Telewest merger last year. In the short-term we are reliant, to some degree, on manual rather than automated processes and this in itself can lead to problems caused simply by human error. We have also commissioned some new technology which will help us identify swiftly the sort of problems you have experienced. Regrettably, until that new kit comes on line we are to some extent reliant on feedback from users. There is, after all, a huge volume of changing content on the VoD platform.

I hope that the issue you have identified will soon be resolved, but if you experience further problems of this sort it would be helpful to know.

I appreciate how frustrating these technical problems can be, and hope you'll bear with us while we endeavour to sort them out.

Many VoD Problems could be because of this very improvement in the Technology...

[Mick Fisher]

In the short-term we are reliant, to some degree, on manual rather than automated processes and this in itself can lead to problems caused simply by human error.

Hmmm I had a feeling updating VOD might be down to a chap on a push-bike racing round the head-ends with a couple of bootleg DVD's to upload.

Seriously though my Catch-Up OD has sprang back to life again today after yet another week off which is encouraging. Sadly though, minus last weeks 2 eps of Dalziel and Pascoe which was the only thing of any note worth watching that I missed.

Oh well.

It would sure be nice if VOD got more reliable and started to live up to all the hype we have been fed about it. As usual, it's coming soon I guess.

[mertle]

Now the way I read this info and I may be off mark.

would this mean catch up content would automatically be captured from the channel and uploaded to VOD. Instead of being manually set to record the program and then uploading to the VOD system.

If I am correct could this mean every program transmitted on all channels could find its way to catch up at some point.

[windy]

Mine seems a lot faster and quicker to respond....very good virgin.

[grabbi]

Originally Posted by mertle

If I am correct could this mean every program transmitted on all channels could find its way to catch up at some point.

Id say its possible, but contracts state different.

You have to say in a contract that you are going to used On Demand for the program, and some shows/owners charge more for that.

I think it is recorded and then put onto the oD server within a couple of Hours... even more so now that they include Adverts on stuff like Football Factories and Britains Toughest Jail, et al.

[HDFootyMan]

I'm not sure if content is being uploaded manually to the servers - for me, content is usually available within an hour of it being on (BBC1's excellent Trawlermen is up now after finishing at 7.30). Much improved compared to 3 months ago.

What they really did to sort out is more capacity for the content on ex-NTL servers.

[Web-Junkie]

Does this kit mean to improve the picture quality of the VOD programs themselves, or will they be left in their rather poor and obviously over compressed state?

[KenK]

I read it an alerting system to tell them when something is not right, so the guy on the push-bike can be sent back to try again, not anything to improve the basic process.

[chickendippers]

Channel 4 give the impression on their website that 4OD content has to be manually tweaked (adverts removed etc) before being uploaded. Assuming Channel 4 provide the OD content to Virgin I guess they might be somewhat limited by that.

[ShadowTD]

This is excellent news, as the ntl/telewest On Demand 'divide' has been my biggest annoyance with the service.

Any timescale? Do they want to be more specific as to what they are actually doing? Also, a simple vod email address to help them correct things like incorrect program titles, aspect ratios would be a great idea...

[McMav]

Catchup TV is all well and good if you could actually get it to play. Over a week down now can see all the listing but when I go to view VOD is unavailable.

[Nedkelly]

Does it give a errror code

[McMav]

1058 and 1086

[spankysmagicpian]

Originally Posted by McMav

1058 and 1086

Same here.

[Nedkelly]

Have you keep trying i got those a couple of days ago after 4 time i got the program .I forgot what they are i think its a local headend issue not sure