The software used in ntl's "original" franchises is known as the ntl Platform. This consists of:
  • An underlying real-time operating system layer, VxWorks
  • An EPG system written in C
  • A java-based interactive application provided by Liberate Technologies
"Platform" version numbers
Since launch, the ntl Platform has gone through a variety of small point upgrades, with two larger ones; the emergence of version 4.xx software saw interactivity launch, while version 5 software concentrates on improvements to the EPG application. Future updates are expected to include version 1.2 of a middleware application by Liberate Technologies, enabling the transmission of enhanced interactive services synchronised with live TV.

The dates listed below are those of the initial release in one or more franchises.

v3.28: launch version, March 2000. All regions.
- basic EPG and browse functionality
- basic reminder system
- composite-only output

v3.32: July 2000. All regions.
- improved EPG data caching
- support for widescreen display options
- support for S-Video/RGB output
- reminder management screen
- auto-tune reminders

v3.34: August 2000. All regions.
- improved return path re-connection

v3.36: October 2000. All non-v4 regions.
- widescreen TV display fixes

v3.37: November 2000. All non-v4 regions.
- improved SI processing

v4.05: September 2000. Selected regions.
- first interactive version
- TV email, selected interactive sites

v4.06: October 2000. Selected regions.
- as 3.36, widescreen TV display fixes

v4.07: November 2000. Selected regions.
- as 3.37, improved SI processing

v5.13: February 2001. All regions.
- interactive link available by pressing red while watching TV
- EPG remodelled
- new colour scheme
- page up/down to jump channels in 100s in browse
- functionality included for ntl Ireland
- subtitles support enabled

v5.14: February 2001. Selected regions.
- Open internet access. Revision A boxes

v5.16: February 2001. Selected regions.
- As 5.14, open internet access. Revision B boxes

v5.20: June 2001. All regions.
- new ntl corporate colour scheme
- volume controls
- favourites feature
- channel locking via PIN
- remodelled EPG
- enhanced TV
- widescreen switching fixes
- improved return-path connectivity
- improved reminder facility

v5.26: January 2002. All regions.
- as v5.20, for Di4010 boxes
- support for audio-only channels added

v5.30: January 2002. All regions.
- browse functionality improvement: when a time is selected, browsing channels shows programmes at that time of day
- on demand UI improvement: STB tunes to PPV channel after purchase
- widescreen switching fixes

v5.32: April 2002. All regions.
- EPG reduced to three days in advance

v5.35: July 2002. All regions.
- Support for World Teletext added to service, enabling 888 subtitles on some channels.

Updates
Updates usually occur sometime in the early morning. To check that you have the latest version available in your franchise, you can power cycle the box. If you find that your box has been updated, please let us know by email or by posting in our forums.