NTL to Go High Def in June

Kevo · 31-03-2006, 9:56 AM

Just been on the phone to NTL to cancel my TV package as I'll be going on Sky HD soon

They said they will be going HD in June (cutting it fine for the World Cup!) BUT there will still be NO hard disk record facility

'You won't need one' they said as you'll have 'Video on Demand' where you just select programmes from the previous week(s), so there's no need to to set any timers or users to record programmes as 'it'll be done for you' ....Yeah at a price!

They just obsesessed with this 'VOD' which is NO substitute for hard disk rercording, live programme pausing etc.

They just don't get this PVR stuff do they

Even more glad I changed over to Sky

Attu · 31-03-2006, 10:00 AM

I think it will still be the same issues as with Telewest though, unless Sky let them use their HD channels there wont be much HD content on NTL.
OK they will have films, either subscription or PPV but unless they get Sky1 for me its a non starter.
So far SkyHD still seems to be the strongest package even though you have to pay more to get it.

Andy

Azzin · 31-03-2006, 11:06 AM

ntl won't be going HD in June.

When they do eventually offer it, it will be based on Telewest's MPEG2 TV Drive box, as opposed to Sky's MPEG 4 box.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=45201

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=44778

sprattgraham · 31-03-2006, 12:27 PM

Wrong NTL Will be using a MPEG4 PVR 8450DVB from Scientific Atlanta

There looking at the end of 2006 Start of 2007 last I was told

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds25412.html

Azzin · 31-03-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprattgraham

Wrong NTL Will be using a MPEG4 PVR 8450DVB from Scientific Atlanta

There looking at the end of 2006 Start of 2007 last I was told

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds25412.html

That article is 6 months old and out of date I'm afraid.

Attu · 31-03-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprattgraham

Wrong NTL Will be using a MPEG4 PVR 8450DVB from Scientific Atlanta

There looking at the end of 2006 Start of 2007 last I was told

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds25412.html

I heard that they had now decided to use the telewest MPEG2 system instead of MPEG4 as they had originaly intended now the NTL and Telewest merger had gone through.

happyhomer · 31-03-2006, 12:44 PM

The last I heard was that ntl will be using the (lesser quality) Telewest system rather than the Scientific Atlanta box that was originally touted. This apparently is based purely on cost, as the MPEG4 box is still a long way from being ready for release and would take a lot more time (and cash) to develop than the system which is already available.

Azzin · 31-03-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyhomer

The last I heard was that ntl will be using the (lesser quality) Telewest system rather than the Scientific Atlanta box that was originally touted. This apparently is based purely on cost, as the MPEG4 box is still a long way from being ready for release and would take a lot more time (and cash) to develop than the system which is already available.

And cash is something that ntl don't have much (any) of.

sprattgraham · 31-03-2006, 12:53 PM

I See no confirmation from NTL and my Contact at Scientific Atlanta still says they are making the MPEG4 STB For NTL

happyhomer · 31-03-2006, 1:02 PM

My contact is currently working on the HD rollout project for NTL. Apparently the ntl staff aren't too impressed by the decision, but can't do anything about it.

Kevo · 31-03-2006, 1:29 PM

Only going off whatthe girl on the phone said...

New HD stbs to be rolled out in June.
NO hard disk recording facilty...'Video On Demand' instead (not that the two have any similarities what so ever!)
Staff are currently being trained on the new system

That's all she said.

Azzin · 31-03-2006, 1:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

Only going off whatthe girl on the phone said...

New HD stbs to be rolled out in June.
NO hard disk recording facilty...'Video On Demand' instead (not that the two have any similarities what so ever!)
Staff are currently being trained on the new system

That's all she said.

Nick_UK · 31-03-2006, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

.......there will still be NO hard disk record facility

'You won't need one' they said as you'll have 'Video on Demand' where you just select programmes from the previous week(s), so there's no need to to set any timers or users to record programmes as 'it'll be done for you' ....

Jeez, I've got recordings on my Sky+ box which are 9 months old..... I bet you can't VOD that far back

ailean · 31-03-2006, 3:39 PM

You also can't VOD anything other then films (PPV) and BBC content.... when they start offering channels I actually watch it'll be 'something' like a PVR.

In the mean time I'm keeping an eye on SkyHD, if it's vaguely reliable I'll switch.

Roger G Cam · 31-03-2006, 3:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

Only going off whatthe girl on the phone said...

New HD stbs to be rolled out in June.
NO hard disk recording facilty...'Video On Demand' instead (not that the two have any similarities what so ever!)
Staff are currently being trained on the new system

That's all she said.

Please could someone delete this post before the Sky HD Team see it? I am particularly worried about them hurting themselves when they fall over after laughing too much. They might get some nasty bruises - or even rupture themselves!

HD box with no PVR facility - just VOD - days before the World Cup - so that no-one can get an install in time anyway?

I thought we were going to see some competition from Cable - If this is true their churn will accelerate - they would have been better to keep delaying than do this.

Roger

31-03-2006, 7:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevo

Just been on the phone to NTL to cancel my TV package as I'll be going on Sky HD soon

They said they will be going HD in June (cutting it fine for the World Cup!) BUT there will still be NO hard disk record facility

'You won't need one' they said as you'll have 'Video on Demand' where you just select programmes from the previous week(s), so there's no need to to set any timers or users to record programmes as 'it'll be done for you' ....Yeah at a price!

They just obsesessed with this 'VOD' which is NO substitute for hard disk rercording, live programme pausing etc.

They just don't get this PVR stuff do they

Even more glad I changed over to Sky

That sounds like that person is spouting the biggest load of bull ever. NTL employees didn't even know I was a customer until half an hour into the conversation after repeated department switching. There are the good one or two, but they all don't know jack. NTL will have a pvr, and it will do HD and VOD, just it will come out for 2009/2010.