Multi-room and other questions

[rstubbs1]

I live in Luton area (but MK post code) and my V+ box is being installed on 19th Feb. (My TV is HD compatible, but no HDMI connector, so hoping at least some HD content will work over component connection! )

My question is about multi-room capability. I understand NTL haven't enabled the Sci-Atl multi-room functionality - true? Seems NTL's multi-room means installing a standard digibox in another room.

According to 8300 spec, it can output a cable channel on the RF output, which I can then distribute around the house. Can I choose which of the three tuners to do this with? In other words, can I watch one channel, record another, and send a third over the RF?

Any idea if the Ethernet port can be used for anything? Like streaming video/audio/photos from my PC?

[RUSTY]

rstubbs1 if you find an answer let us know please been trying for ages to find out, my samsung stb is the latest and does output on rf but whatever channel you choose degrades the normal freeview channels by around 20%. video ect work ok on the same output rf used as a check. waiting for the new pvr to see before splashing out on a digsender. thanks in advance.

[rdhw]

Originally Posted by rstubbs1

My TV is HD compatible, but no HDMI connector, so hoping at least some HD content will work over component connection!

You will be able to view HD content from broadcast channels (of which there is only one at present), but you will not be able to view any Filmflex on-demand content that is tagged "HDMI-only", whether SD or HD.

Seems NTL's multi-room means installing a standard digibox in another room.

Correct, if you want to watch different channels in each room.

According to 8300 spec, it can output a cable channel on the RF output, which I can then distribute around the house. Can I choose which of the three tuners to do this with? In other words, can I watch one channel, record another, and send a third over the RF?

No. The programme output over RF is the one you have selected to view. Along with all analog outputs, the RF output is disabled if you have selected the HDMI conenction to the TV. I do not know for sure whether the RF output is also disabled if you select Component output at 720p or 1080i, but I would not be surprised because the box would otherwise have to scale to two different output standards simultaneously

Any idea if the Ethernet port can be used for anything? Like streaming video/audio/photos from my PC?

The ethernet port is not enabled with current firmware. If it were to be enabled, it would be for the broadband service in certain areas, not for TV content, and not for use as an output device. If you want to use your TV as a PC monitor, you should be looking for a TV with VGA or DVI inputs.

[Andy C]

The 8450 STB that ntl originally chose had a media server built in that would allow multi-room streaming to small boxes in other rooms. You could not only watch different channels in other rooms, but each room could also watch a different recording on the main PVR. There's a demo here.

It appears to be available on the 8300, but whether the spec we have has the multi-room option, or if it will ever be enabled is anyones guess - but it would be one hell of a selling point.


A.

[Meatball]

Originally Posted by rstubbs1

I live in Luton area (but MK post code) and my V+ box is being installed on 19th Feb. (My TV is HD compatible, but no HDMI connector, so hoping at least some HD content will work over component connection! )

Exactly the same as our tv. The HD movies don't work (they require HDMI connection due to the HDCP protection) However all the HD channels work fine

Originally Posted by rdhw

You will be able to view HD content from broadcast channels (of which there is only one at present), but you will not be able to view any Filmflex on-demand content that is tagged "HDMI-only", whether SD or HD.

We can watch SD filmflex films fine over component

[swissle]

Originally Posted by Andy C

The 8450 STB that ntl originally chose had a media server built in that would allow multi-room streaming to small boxes in other rooms. You could not only watch different channels in other rooms, but each room could also watch a different recording on the main PVR. There's a demo here.

It appears to be available on the 8300, but whether the spec we have has the multi-room option, or if it will ever be enabled is anyones guess - but it would be one hell of a selling point.


A.

The 8300 multiroom would also require a SA cable box in each other room. It would mean replacing the current cable boxes with SA ones, ditching the pace/samsung ones - more expensive for Virgin and no doubt this cost will be passed onto the consumer. An extra box with the TVDrive is cheaper, because its using an old box so very little expense to ntl. If they had to put a new box in, the price would rise.

[mg2959]

Originally Posted by rdhw

No. The programme output over RF is the one you have selected to view. Along with all analog outputs, the RF output is disabled if you have selected the HDMI conenction to the TV. I do not know for sure whether the RF output is also disabled if you select Component output at 720p or 1080i, but I would not be surprised because the box would otherwise have to scale to two different output standards simultaneously

Forgive my stupidity on this one....

I currently have a Samsung STB which I run a RF cable from to a TV in my kitchen. I subsequently get the five standard analogue channels on this and what ever is on the STB.

I have booked in my V+ installation for 14 Feb (Romantic or what??), anyway the samsung is going upstairs to the bedroom.

So can I still run an aerial cable from the V+ box to my Kitchen TV and still have the five ana;logue channels and whatever is on the main V+????

Please help. Cheers

[swissle]

If you are going to use the HDMI settings on the box it disables all outputs apart from the digital optical audio out and the HDMI port. This means the scart will not function unless you are backing up to DVD and the RF port will not function.

You can still run an RF cable from the old Samsung box to the kitchen. The analogue service is being closed in the close future, so it might be worth searching for another option now.

[mg2959]

Damm that sucks. Oh well cheers for the answer.