Auto change to HD channels

[Cobote]

Would it be possible to have an option to automatically change to HD channels? For example, if I go to Channel 4 (104) the box changes it to Channel 4 HD (142) unless it's cancelled.

I tend to go via the EGP to the SD channels then have to find the HD channel for what I'm already watching.

[Peter_]

Set all the HD channels up as Favourites that what I did with my box.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by Cobote

Would it be possible to have an option to automatically change to HD channels? For example, if I go to Channel 4 (104) the box changes it to Channel 4 HD (142) unless it's cancelled.

I tend to go via the EGP to the SD channels then have to find the HD channel for what I'm already watching.

It would be a good idea, Sky recently announced that from February HD channel operators will have the option of swapping EPG position with their SD simulcast for customers with Sky HD. Hopefully VM will so something similar.

[jamiec21]

Don't know if the Blue Button option can detect if you could access the HD channels, but that could be a decent option if it could.

"This channel is available in High Definition (HD) on Channel xxx. Press Blue to retune to this channel."

[Cobote]

That's the kind of thing I was thinking of. It would be harder to for non-simulcast channels like BBC HD, when it would have to check each program.

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by Cobote

That's the kind of thing I was thinking of. It would be harder to for non-simulcast channels like BBC HD, when it would have to check each program.

why would you need it for non simulcast chsnnel? instead of blue button wha be better is iuf the channel has a simulcast that it auto matically selects hd version if your box is in hd mode

[jamiec21]

Originally Posted by Andrewcrawford23

why would you need it for non simulcast chsnnel? instead of blue button wha be better is iuf the channel has a simulcast that it auto matically selects hd version if your box is in hd mode

Not too keen on the box automatically changing, there might be a reason to watch the SD version, say if the HD version had technical issues which weren't affecting the SD version.

A Blue Button prompt could get people used to always switching to the HD version, and getting used to the alternative channel number.

---------- Post added at 19:51 ---------- Previous post was at 19:50 ----------

Originally Posted by Cobote

That's the kind of thing I was thinking of. It would be harder to for non-simulcast channels like BBC HD, when it would have to check each program.

BBC could link to the HD versions through the Red Button.

[nomadking]

The 'Blue button' pop-up message is already annoying enough as it is, when used to indicate when channels that you already pay for(ie on XL), are free for a period of time(eg Ailbi, FX).

[Andrewcrawford23]

Originally Posted by jamiec21

Not too keen on the box automatically changing, there might be a reason to watch the SD version, say if the HD version had technical issues which weren't affecting the SD version.

A Blue Button prompt could get people used to always switching to the HD version, and getting used to the alternative channel number.

---------- Post added at 19:51 ---------- Previous post was at 19:50 ----------



BBC could link to the HD versions through the Red Button.

if they wen the blue button route there be no point in having epg number differnet form hd version because when you go to channels 4 104 you ge the ptiosn for for hd with blue button so no need ot have it on 144ish it be mroe like red button a hidden strea,

---------- Post added at 20:53 ---------- Previous post was at 20:51 ----------

Originally Posted by nomadking

The 'Blue button' pop-up message is already annoying enough as it is, when used to indicate when channels that you already pay for(ie on XL), are free for a period of time(eg Ailbi, FX).

that aint blue button pop up, that jsut hopw virgin advertising freebeies, it would woul;d liek the red button you have a bit in the top hd avaiable next to the blue buttonj

[jamiec21]

Originally Posted by Andrewcrawford23

if they wen the blue button route there be no point in having epg number differnet form hd version because when you go to channels 4 104 you ge the ptiosn for for hd with blue button so no need ot have it on 144ish it be mroe like red button a hidden strea,

I suppose the reason they don't replace the SD channel with the HD channel at launch is because far more people will still be watching the SD version. This is an easier problem for Sky to resolve, as they have dedicated HD boxes with a dedicated HD EPG, any changes they make their wont affect the SD audience using the old boxes. With the Virgin EPG any changes affect everyone. Channel 4 for example, wouldn't want the prized 104 slot going to a relatively minuscule audience, it could affect advertising income.

that aint blue button pop up, that jsut hopw virgin advertising freebeies, it would woul;d liek the red button you have a bit in the top hd avaiable next to the blue buttonj

My thinking here was that the Red Button is generated by the channel provider, but the Blue Button is generated by Virgin themselves. I was hoping this would me this could be tied into each users box settings meaning that people who hadn't got their HD switched or, or weren't subscribed to the HD variant (in the case of SS1 and 2) wouldn't get the message. But I guess the aforementioned example of Blue Button promotions going out to everyone makes this a moot point. Unless it's just not been coded efficiently.

[mhatter67]

I wonder how many years it will be before SD channels are relegated to these obscure EPG slots and the HD ones promoted?