Interaction via RED Button

Wilson · 24-01-2007, 14:46

Hello this is first post!

I've just moved into a new home which has a cable connection and I've decided to take go with NTL/Virgin Media. I'm particularly swayed by the idea of having one bill for all of my services, however the only drawback I can see is that cable does not have the full inactive services that are available for SKY viewers.

My question is; does one know when the full option will be available? I watch a lot of American Football and SKY sports seem have more match options available 'via the RED button.'

Or does anyone if I can contact someone about startign the ball rolling to get SKY to play fair for cable customers.

Cheers!

**Jefferson T** · 24-01-2007, 14:49

Welcome to the site

I don't see ntl:telewest/virgin sorting this out any time soon

Nine times out of ten when I press the red button on my ntl box I end up having to restart it.

Mind you I could be wrong.

I'm sure someone will be along to correct me.

Mick Fisher · 24-01-2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

Nine times out of ten when I press the red button on my ntl box I end up having to restart it.

Just the same for me..

Nikesh · 24-01-2007, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

Nine times out of ten when I press the red button on my ntl box I end up having to restart it.

LOL me too.

**Maggy J** · 24-01-2007, 15:48

Never works with the BBC 24 hour news either.Also going by the state of relations between ntl/telewest/virgin and sky http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...f-crap-service
I don't imagine that it would be fixed anytime soon.Indeed if Sky do remove their programmes from ntl's line up as they have threatened then never is probably the best answer because apart from the BEEB no one else is bothering with the red button.

Chris Howell · 24-01-2007, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Never works with the BBC 24 hour news either.Also going by the state of relations between ntl/telewest/virgin and sky http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...f-crap-service
I don't imagine that it would be fixed anytime soon.Indeed if Sky do remove their programmes from ntl's line up as they have threatened then never is probably the best answer because apart from the BEEB no one else is bothering with the red button.

Urm, ITV and Five are (but then its all games, X-Factor info and other crap designed to make them Â£Â£Â£).

The Beeb HAVE to provide interactive to the best of their ability because they have an obligation to provide their services to as many people as possible, regardless of what platform people are using to watch digital TV (Sky, Cable, Freeview etc). AFAIK, its not impossible to do News 24 Multiscreens on the current software - Telewest users have enjoyed News 24 Multiscreens for eons now - not sure what's holding up NTL on this.

IMO, Interactive applications are far more reliable on the TV Drives/V+ boxes, which have extra processing power and more memory to cope with such applications, without crashing the box or requiring constant reboots.

Having said that, the BBC Multiscreens apps on my old PACE box worked OK for big events like the World Cup, I probably had to reset the box 2 or 3 times a week back then, they just don't have enough memory to cope.

**Maggy J** · 24-01-2007, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Howell

Urm, ITV and Five are (but then its all games, X-Factor info and other crap designed to make them Â£Â£Â£).

The Beeb HAVE to provide interactive to the best of their ability because they have an obligation to provide their services to as many people as possible, regardless of what platform people are using to watch digital TV (Sky, Cable, Freeview etc). AFAIK, its not impossible to do News 24 Multiscreens on the current software - Telewest users have enjoyed News 24 Multiscreens for eons now - not sure what's holding up NTL on this.

IMO, Interactive applications are far more reliable on the TV Drives/V+ boxes, which have extra processing power and more memory to cope with such applications, without crashing the box or requiring constant reboots.

Having said that, the BBC Multiscreens apps on my old PACE box worked OK for big events like the World Cup, I probably had to reset the box 2 or 3 times a week back then, they just don't have enough memory to cope.

ah yes it works for Wimbledon just fine..just forget the rest of the year when I might like to 'just press the red button to catch up with more on THAT story' brings an instant lock up.

pachelbel · 24-01-2007, 17:32

I must admit the TV side is the one failing of the NTL package. The issues regarding the red interactive button, picture lock up, etc should be resolved by NTL. Perhaps new STB replacements (Not Pace) should be a high priority for the future.

bmxbandit · 24-01-2007, 17:40

In my experience, no interactive is the norm! The last three houses I've lived in (all in Nottingham), the red button has never worked. Surprisingly, I don't have NTL TV any more...

Nikesh · 24-01-2007, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by pachelbel

Perhaps new STB replacements (Not Pace) should be a high priority for the future.

I thought that, but when I got my Pace box swapped for a brand new Samsung one, it still freezes when I click the red button.

pachelbel · 24-01-2007, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

I thought that, but when I got my Pace box swapped for a brand new Samsung one, it still freezes when I click the red button.

That raises the question are all the tv issues mainly because of the STB or is there a wider transmission problem from the source or network. Do people have the same problems with SKY boxes. Is this more a digital problem than when analogue was the norm. One thing I noticed of late is that I seemed to get more lock ups and freezes during the gales of late. Is any part of the TV service carried by non cable source which can be affected by the weather.

Wilson · 25-01-2007, 13:01

Does anyone have any good experiences with the RED button?!

I use it a lot on freeview and was expectign the same from NTL.

Rone · 25-01-2007, 13:11

Its pretty interactive, you have to get up and down pretty frequently to reboot the set top box.
Now thats pretty interactive imo.

Bob · 25-01-2007, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilson

Does anyone have any good experiences with the RED button?!

I use it a lot on freeview and was expecting the same from NTL.

The BBC's service hasn't failed on me in a long time. It is still dreadfully slow most of the time, which is my major gripe

Wouldn't mind the News 24 multiscreen service, and that must be one of the many things being worked on for the unification of NTL and TW as TW have had it for years.

Don't really use any of the other eTV applications because they rarely offer useful information - they are about making more money for the channel.

QVC's works well - my Mum has ordered a good few things with it

**Maggy J** · 25-01-2007, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

The BBC's service hasn't failed on me in a long time. It is still dreadfully slow most of the time, which is my major gripe

Wouldn't mind the News 24 multiscreen service, and that must be one of the many things being worked on for the unification of NTL and TW as TW have had it for years.

Don't really use any of the other eTV applications because they rarely offer useful information - they are about making more money for the channel.

QVC's works well - my Mum has ordered a good few things with it

Oh yes the VOD and everything that makes money works very well indeed.Anything that's free doesn't.Well that's always been the explanation for the non functioning red button and the useless guide and EPG.It's free and we should be grateful for it, working or not.