Why is the EPG so bad? [Archive]

lynx2oo2

27-08-2003, 01:41

Ok, so i know this has been discussed a few times here, but i am really getting fed up with my box's epg, on the odd occasions that it does work, it is so slow as to be un-useable.

Yesterday, i went out for the day so decided to do a little test, 9.30am, press guide, go into all channels, oh look - gathering data, left it on that screen, got back at 7.30pm, guess what - yes - gathering data.

what is the point of an epg that clearly does not work.

My sister has sky, you press tv-guide on her remote and the epg updates almost instantaniously, so why is it so difficult for ntl to do the same.

I know the epg is not the only service ntl operate through the boxes but apart from the red button interactive which is just about useable as-long as you are on the correct channels, this is just not even worth having.

Come on ntl, pull your finger out and give us an interactive experience that for the price we pay you each month, we deserve.

There, thats my ranting over with. :grind: :afire: :mad:

Mick

27-08-2003, 08:39

Know the feeling very well.

I know the programme descriptions on EPG have changed a great deal, especially films, it used to tell you who starred in the film and what year it was released this information seems to have dissapeared, to some this might not bother some but you tend to always get the odd person who asks, whats that actor called and if you had forgotten you could just look at the programme description. I kinda like police drama and watch old episodes of The Bill on UKGOLD, it used to tell what the plot was now it just says 'Police Drama'. NTL really gone to town on that description... :rolleyes:

allanprg

27-08-2003, 12:16

Yes I agree with you about the EPG. It's not as good as it was previously. I liked the info about the date of films and who were in them. Now nothing. NTL should go back to the old style.:wavey: :wavey:

Shaun

27-08-2003, 13:51

I miss being able to set it for a week, go on holiday and come back to your programs.

Now its crap. Money problems I guess (again)

Oh and :welcome: lynx2oo2:)

swanny

02-09-2003, 21:39

TIVO EPG

:smokin:

Shaun

02-09-2003, 22:01

Originally posted by swanny
TIVO EPG

:smokin:

B@stard.

Oh and hello, Swanny:wavey: :wavey:

swanny

02-09-2003, 22:43

Hi

I :luv: my TIVO

Shaun

02-09-2003, 22:48

Double B@stard;)

Maggy

02-09-2003, 23:05

More like SMUG B@stard!!

Incog;)

Stuart

02-09-2003, 23:29

Originally posted by swanny
TIVO EPG

:smokin:

Ditto

Stuart

02-09-2003, 23:31

Originally posted by dellwear
I miss being able to set it for a week, go on holiday and come back to your programs.

Now its crap. Money problems I guess (again)

Oh and :welcome: lynx2oo2:)

As I understand it Dell, the STBs don't have enough memory for more days. 'spose the money to upgrade the boxes come into it though.

Shaun

02-09-2003, 23:46

Originally posted by scastle
As I understand it Dell, the STBs don't have enough memory for more days. 'spose the money to upgrade the boxes come into it though.

Mine should, its a 4010.

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

Saying that I'm still waiting for Liberate 1.2!!:rolleyes:

Stuart

02-09-2003, 23:49

Originally posted by dellwear
Mine should, its a 4010.

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

Saying that I'm still waiting for Liberate 1.2!!:rolleyes: Yeah, but they send the same epg data to everyone, The old 1000 boxes (like mine) apparently can't handle it.

Anyway, you are right. The data does not need to be in memory all the time.

C_Cube

03-09-2003, 09:35

But if they had any decent programmers there would be no need for all the info to be n memory all the time.

How would not having the info pre cached in the STB make the EPG perform better???? When the delay comes from gathering the data off the stream?????

Stuart

03-09-2003, 09:52

Originally posted by C_Cube
How would not having the info pre cached in the STB make the EPG perform better???? When the delay comes from gathering the data off the stream?????

It wouldn't. The EPG would be able to have more than 3 days of data in it though.

Of course, they could probably compress the data more, which would also allow more to be stored.

C_Cube

03-09-2003, 10:40

The data is already compressed when it is stored in the STB for the langley platform, but had to give up space when liberate was introduced. :rolleyes:

Shaun

03-09-2003, 13:35

Originally posted by scastle
It wouldn't. The EPG would be able to have more than 3 days of data in it though.

Of course, they could probably compress the data more, which would also allow more to be stored.

Or if they booked the one brain cell Ntl have for the day, they may be able to come up with a way of transmitting the info more often - bringing down the time you have to wait for the box to 'gather data'.

Sky manage it, why shouldn't NTL their system is supose to be better than Skys.:rolleyes:

homealone

03-09-2003, 14:00

I'm still on analogue & we don't get an EPG, so I use Digiguide

http://www.digiguide.com/

ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£6.99 a year subscription, searchable & printable listings, decent program summaries & lists the major actors/actresses.

I can't post an example listing due to copyright, but it's well worth a look.:)

C_Cube

03-09-2003, 14:07

Sky manage it, why shouldn't NTL their system is supose to be better than Skys.

But Sky transmitt's far less information. i.e. When using browse you can only get more information for the current event on that channel. You can not get any other programme information without going to the main guide screen. So it is not a fair comparison.:confused:

Shaun

03-09-2003, 14:17

Originally posted by C_Cube
But Sky transmitt's far less information. i.e. When using browse you can only get more information for the current event on that channel. You can not get any other programme information without going to the main guide screen. So it is not a fair comparison.:confused:

Even that would be better than the **** I get at the moment, most of the time it doesn't work and when It does its the wrong info. Not that I watch it but QVC hasn't bee right in the last year.

Come on People **** Microsoft off right left and centre for their programing but at lease their programs do what they say on the tin.

If Ntl's programmers worked for me and came up with the **** software we have on our STB at the moment they would have been sacked years ago.

Last October we were promised that the interactive would be rearranged and updated, were still waiting, how long does it take to redo a few HTML pages?? Let us do it, there are people on this forum that could do it in a night and then go to their day job in the morning.

The gravy train at Ntl has to stop soon or the company is going to crash like a lead balloon (again) Because People are not going to continue to put up with it.

Tod

04-09-2003, 09:35

What I don't understand is that NTL seem to be able to transmit broadband through the same cable that is used for digital TV - so why can't the epg be sent in much the same way??

Tristan

04-09-2003, 17:38

Originally posted by dellwear
If Ntl's programmers worked for me and came up with the **** software we have on our STB at the moment they would have been sacked years ago..

You do realise that C_Cube worked on the current Langley software, right?

Just want to make sure that you realise who you're insulting...

Shaun

04-09-2003, 19:41

Originally posted by Tristan
You do realise that C_Cube worked on the current Langley software, right?

Just want to make sure that you realise who you're insulting...

I still stand by my observations that the software is not what it should be.

Bob

04-09-2003, 20:26

Shaun

04-09-2003, 20:39

Originally posted by Bob
Plus with ntl: you can pick a time and then scroll along to see what is on another channel at that time

With Sky you have to scroll to the channels and the all the way to the time :)

Not so long ago it was jsut like that on NTL

What gets me is the fact that it just doesn't work most of the time, it sits there with noting in th browse bar, and nothing in the guide, it says 'gathering data'. Great.

Bob

04-09-2003, 20:45

Lucky you! Its says nothing at all here ;)

C_Cube

05-09-2003, 09:16

Even that would be better than the **** I get at the moment, most of the time it doesn't work and when It does its the wrong info. Not that I watch it but QVC hasn't bee right in the last year.

I think you need to understand a bit more about what you are talking about before you directly blame the software. :rolleyes:

You are talking about the quality of the content which is nothing to do with the EPG software. BDSI supply the content and the epg purley displays what is supplied. If the supplied data is incorrect then it will appear incorrect on the screen.

What do you mean most of the time it doesn't work? What bit?

What gets me is the fact that it just doesn't work most of the time, it sits there with noting in th browse bar, and nothing in the guide, it says 'gathering data'. Great.

Again nothing to do with the EPG software. This is because the SI data is not being transmitted correctly. If the data to build the schedule is not complete on the stream then the EPG software can not just 'make it up'.

Dave Stones

05-09-2003, 10:28

Originally posted by C_Cube
What do you mean most of the time it doesn't work? What bit?

well on mine for the past week or so there has been NO programme information AT all. i havent been able to scroll down on browse past the "next" programme either. and in the guide it sits and says gathering data until i press the tv button and stop it. stupid epg... at least with sky you can see what programme is going to be on in a couple of hours time :rolleyes:

C_Cube

05-09-2003, 11:58

well on mine for the past week or so there has been NO programme information AT all. i havent been able to scroll down on browse past the "next" programme either. and in the guide it sits and says gathering data until i press the tv button and stop it.

Again I repeat, this is nothing to do with the EPG software. It is the SI data supplied to it not being complete. If a web page fails to load fully is that the browsers fault!!!

Maggy

05-09-2003, 14:22

Who cares why it doesn't work.I just want it to work whatever the bl**dy reason.

Incidentally at 12.50 this pm it updated all by itself.Normally I have to reboot(take the plug out)to achieve this.Is the system finally working the way it should? I guess only time will tell.

Incog.

Shaun

05-09-2003, 15:27

Originally posted by Incognitas
Who cares why it doesn't work.I just want it to work whatever the bl**dy reason.

Trust Incog to bring a little sense to the thread.;)

lynx2oo2

05-09-2003, 16:31

ok, i started this, and over the last week there have been some developments regarding my relationship with ntl. have all but decided to give up ntl tv and go for sky. (landlord permission pending).

this came about after a couple of very rude disscussions with a cs rep (he was rude, i stayed suprisingly calm), which resulted in him hanging up on me twice.

anyhow, been looking into the ntl/sky differences.

http://www.ntlhome.com/ntl_tv/family.html#

133 tv channells inc radio

telephone line rental included

http://www.sky.com/skycom/allpackages (sky premier family pack)

192 tv inc radio and all 5 sky premier movie chans

Now to the question, is it worth putting up with c**p cs and less channels or do i go for more channels and better service with sky.?

Help, what to do????????????

Shaun

05-09-2003, 17:35

Originally posted by lynx2oo2
ok, i started this, and over the last week there have been some developments regarding my relationship with ntl. have all but decided to give up ntl tv and go for sky. (landlord permission pending).

this came about after a couple of very rude disscussions with a cs rep (he was rude, i stayed suprisingly calm), which resulted in him hanging up on me twice.

anyhow, been looking into the ntl/sky differences.

http://www.ntlhome.com/ntl_tv/family.html#

133 tv channells inc radio

telephone line rental included

http://www.sky.com/skycom/allpackages (sky premier family pack)

192 tv inc radio and all 5 sky premier movie chans

Now to the question, is it worth putting up with c**p cs and less channels or do i go for more channels and better service with sky.?

Help, what to do????????????

Good on you mate, if my L/L would let us get a minidish then I'd be joining you.

GO SKY.:D

trentsteel

06-09-2003, 00:20

CS good for me, no charges either for repairs etc. with ntl

bt phone line extra tenner too with sky, and loss of signal in bad weather, although i think this depends on where you are

i would say ntl good unless your watching tv all the time, with the extra channels sky better though for this

jemnery

09-09-2003, 13:04

Originally posted by C_Cube
Again I repeat, this is nothing to do with the EPG software. It is the SI data supplied to it not being complete. If a web page fails to load fully is that the browsers fault!!!

Sorry, but that's at best a half-truth.

If a web-page fails to load it could be:

The server's fault
The data is corrupt or incorrect
Your ISP's fault
Your network card is broken
Your modem is broken
Faulty browser software
...
...
etc.

I think the EPG software *is* crap, even when it does load. My biggest gripe is that you can only program it 3 days in advance, which is bloody useless.

I don't *need* the listings - why can't I set a schedule even if there is no programme data?

Paul K

09-09-2003, 13:10

Originally posted by Incognitas
Who cares why it doesn't work.I just want it to work whatever the bl**dy reason.
Incog.
Think that just about sums it up for a lot of people, all we want is a properly working service. No point promising "all new amazing features" if your basic service doesn't work:rolleyes:

DeKurver

09-09-2003, 13:35

I typically use the 'Browse' feature when channel hopping, although all too often I run into the same problems as described by others:

The list of programmes is empty.
The list of programmes is available, but pressing More shows a blank page.

The only way to fix this is to unplug and reboot the STB, which makes me think that it isn't a problem with the content provider but rather a problem with the EPG not requesting the correct content.

lynx2oo2

09-09-2003, 14:23

So, is my problem with the epg in part caused by my channels start at 101, ie, i am on the dreaded langley side, would things be better on the bromley area.

Or does that not make any difference???

SMHarman

09-09-2003, 15:51

Called to report a damaged green box today and the recorded announcement said the epg had problems due to software faults.

TigaSefi

09-09-2003, 20:28

What really really ****es me off is when i do a channel flick thru all the numbers, it VERY VERY odd... I do wish they re sort it out so all the movies are together, all children together and all music together like Sky

Maggy

09-09-2003, 20:37

Hang on I just finally learned where all the channels are.Please don't make me have to learn it all over again!! ;)

Incog:)

The Watcher

24-11-2003, 00:13

BDSI supply the content and the epg purley displays what is supplied. If the supplied data is incorrect then it will appear incorrect on the screen.

Who/what is BDSI where can I go to hassle them/it? :)

zendawn

28-11-2003, 15:47

Hi all, new here, been with NTL for 2yrs tho.

I was wondering if anyone else thinks the EPG reminder (channel changer) should be time and channel based rather than program based?

i.e. I'd rather use the reminder as a channel changer, (especially for recording when out) than as a reminder for a certain program, so all I need is to change to a CHANNEL (say 3 ITV) at (16:00pm).

Example CHANNEL ??? TIME ??:??

At the moment if you want to change channels for a block program like the UKGOLDs Dr Who @ 40 weekend, you can only do it at the beginning of the show. as the EPG only shows the WHOLE block not individual programs within.
Also with the EPG being wrong 10%? of the time, some programs can be missed, but a time based CHANNEL CHANGE wouldn't make a difference.

Anyone agree?

Zendawn

bigboab5

28-11-2003, 16:20

Hi there Guys,

I have been on digital NTL since it was first launched in the Glasgow area. At the time a big deal was made of the fact that as it was cable, it would be "FASTER", "BETTER", and there would be great "Interactivity". We would be able to take part in TV Polls, LIVE. There would be a world of information at our fingertips. In those early days, the EPG had 1 weeks info available. And they made a big deal about it being better than SKY. Now look at it!!!!! I have given up waiting for the full interactivity. From memory the last update to the EPG is over a year ago (writing this from work!!).

As for the above idea, yes, anything would be better than it is. WHY does it have to load in the complete listing at the same time. Surely you can just load down the listing for the channel you want. I really don't care why it don't work, that it is the fault of x, y or z. It is the fault of NTL, it is their network, it is their cables (I think!!) it is their settop boxes and it is their engineers and software specialists who are given the job of providing the service that we pay for. I do not care that they have no money, I do not care that they narrowly avoided going bust. If they did/do go bust , someone will prob take them over at a fraction of the cost. (well maybe not!!!). I pay about ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£70 a month before I make a phone call. For that I get a phone service, that is ok, A TV service, that is ok, A cable service, that is ok , but getting worse. and an interactive service that is non existant. ok they provide that free, but it was a big selling point way back then. So it was sold under false pretences!!!

Phewww!!! rant over!!!!

Sorry guys, just had to get that outa my system

Take care ,a nd I do appreciate all you do!!!

Bigboab