Anything like Sky's Remote record in the pipline? - V+ HD

ShaneC · 07-04-2007, 11:06

I see Sky have created a webpage that allows you to remotely record on your Sky+/HD box, that's pretty cool. Anynone know if Virgin have anything in the pipeline? In theory it should be easier for Virgin to do this??

07-04-2007, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaneC

Anyone know if Virgin have anything in the pipeline?

I'm certain they'll be watching the use of Sky's service quite closely. If it's a success (primarily the remote record by mobile 'phone rather than PC), then Virgin will doubtless follow suit. There is nothing imminent planned , though.

JethroUK · 07-04-2007, 11:56

I have heard this 'proposed' by Virgin as part of the feedback/improvement on V+ box

Although personally i wish they would set their sights higher than simply 'copying sky' - I think it's about time VM Director should be fired ifn they can't see the immense advantages of cable and failure to realise them

How about a search facility for EPG?

How about an intelligent EPG (that records what we like)? - then we wont need to programme it at all

How about internet access via V+ box? So i can surf the web on my 42" plasma and play internet games via Xbox

How about challenging Microsoft Media weapons? or at least not falling to sleep on the job

VM have a fibre optic which is capable of pouring the whole world into my house ON Demand - what are thet messing around at?

Pingu's Dad · 07-04-2007, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroUK

How about an intelligent EPG (that records what we like)? - then we wont need to programme it at all

Didn't this exist at some point? I'm getting faint memories of an EPG that you could give genres to, ie Comedy, Drama and it would record a selection of programmes for you. I think it might have been Sky+ doing this but it may have been Tivo...

Of course it may have been that I misunderstood the concept of series recording when I heard about this.

Anyone help me out here?

sodafountain · 07-04-2007, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pingu's Dad

Didn't this exist at some point? I'm getting faint memories of an EPG that you could give genres to, ie Comedy, Drama and it would record a selection of programmes for you. I think it might have been Sky+ doing this but it may have been Tivo...

Of course it may have been that I misunderstood the concept of series recording when I heard about this.

Anyone help me out here?

I seem to remember when Sky+ came out, it was advertised that it took note of what you recorded, then it would record similar kinds of things, don't know if it ever did, but remember them saying it.

apwheeler · 07-04-2007, 13:39

That is what a Tivo does. I think TIVO holds the patents to a lot of these cleaver functions, so they will never be on V+ or Sky+

JethroUK · 07-04-2007, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by apwheeler

That is what a Tivo does. I think TIVO holds the patents to a lot of these cleaver functions, so they will never be on V+ or Sky+

That does explain why everyone else still programs the old fashioned way

but there are usually gaping holes in patents - for instance, using a slightly different methodology

stuart62 · 07-04-2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sskywatcher

I'm certain they'll be watching the use of Sky's service quite closely. If it's a success (primarily the remote record by mobile 'phone rather than PC), then Virgin will doubtless follow suit. There is nothing imminent planned , though.

Well nothing has been announced, anyway. If there is anything in the pipeline they haven't told annybody about it so only the people at VM would know whether anything has been planned or not.

jauh · 07-04-2007, 20:25

It's very difficult to implement remote record feature properly, esp. if it is for something other than a web browser...

intheknow · 07-04-2007, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauh

It's very difficult to implement remote record feature properly, esp. if it is for something other than a web browser...

Really? how so? surely if it works through HTTP you could write code to understand a text message and convert into a language a browser would understand. I don't think that part of it is the issue.

The issues could be patents, or whether the boxes have that feature or can be re-programmed to do that. Virgin's boxes are off the shelf cable boxes that run on networks throughout the world.

jauh · 07-04-2007, 20:55

You need to be able to resolve clashes for starters...

SMS is a non-reliable protocol, yes, you can request delivery report, but that doesn't work if you've gone out of reception, and it's noting but report of delivery status - it doesn't make the delivery any more guaranteed. Besides, there is no warranty that SMS is delivered within a guaranteed timeframe.

intheknow · 07-04-2007, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauh

You need to be able to resolve clashes for starters...

SMS is a non-reliable protocol, yes, you can request delivery report, but that doesn't work if you've gone out of reception, and it's noting but report of delivery status - it doesn't make the delivery any more guaranteed. Besides, there is no warranty that SMS is delivered within a guaranteed timeframe.

But you wouldn't be able to send the text if YOU weren't in signal range, the other end will be received as it's going to your network, who then send it to the server. The networks offer this service.

Sky do it already and they don't have any major issues with it.

jauh · 07-04-2007, 21:50

The point is that no network guarantees a delivery of an SMS message, esp. within a specified timeframe (I looked into this when I was looking at SMS alerts for burglar alarms).

Just because Sky don't have a problem with it yet, it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. The lack of any significant problems could be attributed to lack of usage. For example, if you send one text a day, the chances of it getting to the destination are much higher than if you sent 100 texts a day and all of them reaching their destinations...

From my experience, I am still getting (cross-network) messages that were sent to me back in July. Is it the failure of the operators or the failure of the protocol? I don't know...

Mr Cable · 07-04-2007, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by apwheeler

That is what a Tivo does. I think TIVO holds the patents to a lot of these cleaver functions, so they will never be on V+ or Sky+

Dear Mr Branson,

Please licence TiVo software and intergrate it as the Virgin EPG. Yes, V+ is very good (better than I suspected) but I miss me plunk, plunk, plink sound effects and the Fab searching functions.

That is all.

Lots of love (and well done in knocking Sky One out of the Top Five);

Mr Cable

ShaneC · 08-04-2007, 06:18

For me a web page option would be the best, most mobiles can run proper browsers nowadays so that should work for them as well as long as the screen is scaleable. I have no idea how the Sky+ version, the thing is they don't have a very good feeb back from the box, the modem may not be plugged in etc whereas Virgin have full access to their box. It seems they need to exploit that advantage and do one up on Sky.

I agree about the Tivo-esq features, that would be nice. Again, Sky haven't implemented them (maybe for good reason) but Virgin could leapfrog them by implementing it.

They could of course licence something like the excellent digiguide, or allow it to be used as a portal. That would reduce their development time.

davidredge · 08-04-2007, 14:28

Now, correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Sky and TiVo have some kind of agreement? I sure TiVo effectively dropped out of the UK market due to Sky+'s launch. I may of course be wrong, since they do have some UK presence.

Having looked through their website, the only things missing from Sky+ V+ functionality are:

View Upcoming Episodes - Any time you highlight the title of an unrecorded programme, you can display a list of upcoming episodes on all channels and determine which of these will be recorded
Search Using WishListsTM - lets you search for programmes by your favourite actor/actress or director, programme title, or even by keyword. You can even automatically record programmes based on WishList criteria.
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - the more you use TiVo the more it understands your viewing preferences. TiVo learns your favourite shows and will suggest and even automatically record others you'll enjoy - so it's like your best friend watching TV for you! TiVo even has unique Thumbs UpTM and Thumbs DownTM buttons so you can tell TiVo what you like and perhaps more importantly, what you don't.

Back on subject, i think phone browser would prove the best option (since SMS is quirky technology - does anyone know why on occasions i can get the same text many, many times?)

Gwilligog · 08-04-2007, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaneC

They could of course licence something like the excellent digiguide, or allow it to be used as a portal. That would reduce their development time.

That would be a very good idea.

littlehope · 08-04-2007, 15:55

i Know that VM are researching this and have sent a questionaire to some tvdrive users asking if they think this would be a good idea, the link to the questionaire is on another thread.

jauh · 08-04-2007, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlehope

i Know that VM are researching this and have sent a questionaire to some tvdrive users asking if they think this would be a good idea

eSATA expansion!!! oh, and multiroom!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlehope

the link to the questionaire is on another thread.

and the other thread is?..

jauh · 08-04-2007, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauh

and the other thread is?..

Do you mean this one:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beer_Monster

https://survey.confirmit.com/wix/p445372980.aspx

?

Kotori · 08-04-2007, 20:03

Quote:

The issues could be patents

Seeing as recording features would no doubt lie in the EPG, I am almost certain that the EU doesn't accept software patents (thank goodness!) so patent-wise, Virgin and Sky should be in the clear to implement such features in their own software.

intheknow · 08-04-2007, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kotori

Seeing as recording features would no doubt lie in the EPG, I am almost certain that the EU doesn't accept software patents (thank goodness!) so patent-wise, Virgin and Sky should be in the clear to implement such features in their own software.

So what's the difference between the Tivo having patents on their software, the thumbs up / prediction recordings etc and programming by text?

jauh · 09-04-2007, 10:49

I think TiVo had patented ideas that involve the user and their viewing habits, which is very different to computer-implemented innovation. The latter is not recognised by the EPO but the former is and hence software implementation is just that - implementation of TiVo's patents it is still covered by the EPO...

Chris123 · 10-04-2009, 22:42

Digging up an old thread here........

Are we any closer to remote recording with the Virgin box?

I see that Sky now have an iPhone app that allows you to set these up.

I'm sure this is a feature that I think I would never use but as soon as I have used it there would be no going back!

Skylover4life · 10-04-2009, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris123

Digging up an old thread here........

Are we any closer to remote recording with the Virgin box?

I see that Sky now have an iPhone app that allows you to set these up.

I'm sure this is a feature that I think I would never use but as soon as I have used it there would be no going back!

I use the feature all the time on the Sky box, so will have to learn to live without it when V+ replaces the Sky+ box

07-04-2007, 11:06	#1
ShaneC Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Paignton, Devon Services: VM10Mb, V+ Posts: 283	Anything like Sky's Remote record in the pipline? I see Sky have created a webpage that allows you to remotely record on your Sky+/HD box, that's pretty cool. Anynone know if Virgin have anything in the pipeline? In theory it should be easier for Virgin to do this??

07-04-2007, 20:55	#11
jauh Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Services: Virgin Media cable stuff... Posts: 1,835	You need to be able to resolve clashes for starters... SMS is a non-reliable protocol, yes, you can request delivery report, but that doesn't work if you've gone out of reception, and it's noting but report of delivery status - it doesn't make the delivery any more guaranteed. Besides, there is no warranty that SMS is delivered within a guaranteed timeframe. Last edited by jauh : 07-04-2007 at 21:01.

08-04-2007, 14:28	#16
davidredge Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: Sky+, Orange Broadband with Livebox, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DSi Posts: 678	Now, correct me if i'm wrong but didn't Sky and TiVo have some kind of agreement? I sure TiVo effectively dropped out of the UK market due to Sky+'s launch. I may of course be wrong, since they do have some UK presence. Having looked through their website, the only things missing from Sky+ V+ functionality are: View Upcoming Episodes - Any time you highlight the title of an unrecorded programme, you can display a list of upcoming episodes on all channels and determine which of these will be recorded Search Using WishListsTM - lets you search for programmes by your favourite actor/actress or director, programme title, or even by keyword. You can even automatically record programmes based on WishList criteria. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - the more you use TiVo the more it understands your viewing preferences. TiVo learns your favourite shows and will suggest and even automatically record others you'll enjoy - so it's like your best friend watching TV for you! TiVo even has unique Thumbs UpTM and Thumbs DownTM buttons so you can tell TiVo what you like and perhaps more importantly, what you don't. Back on subject, i think phone browser would prove the best option (since SMS is quirky technology - does anyone know why on occasions i can get the same text many, many times?) Last edited by davidredge : 08-04-2007 at 14:31.

07-04-2007, 11:56	#3
JethroUK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Loughboro', Leicester (ex NTL) Services: Philips 42" Plasma +V+ Box +XLTV +10 meg B.B.+LPhone £36 +Xbox 360 60 gig Posts: 3,706	I have heard this 'proposed' by Virgin as part of the feedback/improvement on V+ box Although personally i wish they would set their sights higher than simply 'copying sky' - I think it's about time VM Director should be fired ifn they can't see the immense advantages of cable and failure to realise them How about a search facility for EPG? How about an intelligent EPG (that records what we like)? - then we wont need to programme it at all How about internet access via V+ box? So i can surf the web on my 42" plasma and play internet games via Xbox How about challenging Microsoft Media weapons? or at least not falling to sleep on the job VM have a fibre optic which is capable of pouring the whole world into my house ON Demand - what are thet messing around at?

07-04-2007, 13:39	#6
apwheeler Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sittingbourne - Kent Services: SKY HD / Virgin Broadband 10MB Service Posts: 132	That is what a Tivo does. I think TIVO holds the patents to a lot of these cleaver functions, so they will never be on V+ or Sky+

07-04-2007, 20:25	#9
jauh Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Services: Virgin Media cable stuff... Posts: 1,835	It's very difficult to implement remote record feature properly, esp. if it is for something other than a web browser...

07-04-2007, 21:50	#13
jauh Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Services: Virgin Media cable stuff... Posts: 1,835	The point is that no network guarantees a delivery of an SMS message, esp. within a specified timeframe (I looked into this when I was looking at SMS alerts for burglar alarms). Just because Sky don't have a problem with it yet, it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. The lack of any significant problems could be attributed to lack of usage. For example, if you send one text a day, the chances of it getting to the destination are much higher than if you sent 100 texts a day and all of them reaching their destinations... From my experience, I am still getting (cross-network) messages that were sent to me back in July. Is it the failure of the operators or the failure of the protocol? I don't know...

08-04-2007, 06:18	#15
ShaneC Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Paignton, Devon Services: VM10Mb, V+ Posts: 283	For me a web page option would be the best, most mobiles can run proper browsers nowadays so that should work for them as well as long as the screen is scaleable. I have no idea how the Sky+ version, the thing is they don't have a very good feeb back from the box, the modem may not be plugged in etc whereas Virgin have full access to their box. It seems they need to exploit that advantage and do one up on Sky. I agree about the Tivo-esq features, that would be nice. Again, Sky haven't implemented them (maybe for good reason) but Virgin could leapfrog them by implementing it. They could of course licence something like the excellent digiguide, or allow it to be used as a portal. That would reduce their development time.

08-04-2007, 15:55	#18
littlehope Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere from the blue lagoon Services: Virgin Media VIP Package Posts: 1,039	i Know that VM are researching this and have sent a questionaire to some tvdrive users asking if they think this would be a good idea, the link to the questionaire is on another thread.

09-04-2007, 10:49	#23
jauh Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Services: Virgin Media cable stuff... Posts: 1,835	I think TiVo had patented ideas that involve the user and their viewing habits, which is very different to computer-implemented innovation. The latter is not recognised by the EPO but the former is and hence software implementation is just that - implementation of TiVo's patents it is still covered by the EPO...

10-04-2009, 22:42	#24
Chris123 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Devon Services: Virgin V+ Posts: 2,090	Digging up an old thread here........ Are we any closer to remote recording with the Virgin box? I see that Sky now have an iPhone app that allows you to set these up. I'm sure this is a feature that I think I would never use but as soon as I have used it there would be no going back!