Unless DS know something we don't about BT's future plans I don't think a BT forum in Cable & Satellite is justified. Threads about BT Sport on satellite or cable would be better off in the Sky or Virgin platform forums. BT Vision doesn't look like it has a long term future, but as it's a terrestrial/IPTV hybrid anyway it's not related to cable or satellite either.
Although YouView is the new/current standard for DTT/IPTV hybrid receivers there are other legacy hybrids like BT Vision and smart TV's to confuse things. Perhaps a Connected TV forum with YouView and BT Vision sub-forums might be a better arrangement to cover all DTT/IPTV hybrid equipment and services.
I'd be happy to see the Freesat/Freeview Recorders forums merged into Freesat and Freeview respectively but I'd like to see a Freetime sub-forum in Freesat since new services exclusive to Freetime currently end up being posted as new "Freesat" services.
Perhaps a Connected TV forum with YouView and BT Vision sub-forums might be a better arrangement to cover all DTT/IPTV hybrid equipment and services.
Now I can see the term Connected TV being a good top level forum to include BT Vision / Youview / Freetime etc and perhaps should envelop Online Entertainment too?
why are YouViews days numbered?
The box may need some improvements, like enabling IPTV freeview HD channels ect, as Im sure it could cope with them, but I dont think its days are numbered!
It's just an interface for people who forget to set up their PVRs for the programmes they want.
It's the sort of thing that could be usefully incorporated into 'smart' TVs as a matter of course, with no need for a hard disk. (You can't record YouView-ed programmes anyway.) Also should include LOVEFiLM, Netflix, YouTube and the rest.
Now a PVR that records every programme on every channel (and keeps them for a week or so) so you can pick an choose what you want to watch after it's shown - that would be useful! (Didn't the BBC toy with that idea a couple of years back?)
Satellite
.... (subforums unchanged)
Terrestrial
.... Freeview
.... Freeview+ (all subforums merged)
.... Top Up Removed
.... Technical
Connected TV
.... BT TV
.... Youview
.... Virgin
.... Netflix
.... etc
Broadband (and Mobile?)
.... BT Broadband
.... Sky Broadband
.... Virgin Broadband
.... Other Broadband
I agree with AngusMast totally (apart from his satellite section, where I would combine the Sky and Sky+HD forums, which I would just call Sky TV. To that end, I would call Virgin above Virgin TV as well).
Satellite
.... (subforums unchanged)
Terrestrial
.... Freeview
.... Freeview+ (all subforums merged)
.... Top Up Removed
.... Technical
Connected TV
.... BT TV
.... Youview
.... Virgin
.... Netflix
.... etc
Broadband (and Mobile?)
.... BT Broadband
.... Sky Broadband
.... Virgin Broadband
.... Other Broadband
Sat forums need condensing to just 3 sub forums Sky, Freesat and other non platform specific, however merging cable TV with receivers that are internet connceted is a good idea. I would still surgest a link from the terrestrial forum to YouView though, so making the Youview forum in both terestrial and connected TV forums at once!
We've taken your feedback on board and agree it is time to look at how the Digital Entertainment Services forums are organised and have proposed the following changes. It would be extremely helpful to us to hear your thoughts on this before we made changes.
The biggest changes would be merging the HD forums into the general forums, adding BT forums as well as a YouView forum and removing a few desolate forums.
Please let us know your thoughts.
What about any other broadband provider? You have missed out TalkTalk and EE for example.
We've taken your feedback on board and agree it is time to look at how the Digital Entertainment Services forums are organised and have proposed the following changes. It would be extremely helpful to us to hear your thoughts on this before we made changes.
Entertainment Services Broadband Internet
Virgin Media Broadband
Sky Broadband
BT Broadband
Landline and VOIP Services (duplicated VOIP services forum is deleted)
Cable & Satellite become one forum:
Virgin Media TV, Phone and V+ HD
Sky and Sky HD
BT (BT Vision forum merged into here)
TiVo
Freesat
Freesat+ Recorders
Technical
Non-platform specific TV
Terrestrial
Freeview
Freeview+ Recorders
YouView
Top Up TV
Technical
Online Entertainment Services
The biggest changes would be merging the HD forums into the general forums, adding BT forums as well as a YouView forum and removing a few desolate forums.
Please let us know your thoughts.
Yes that's an improvement, excellent, though there are still a few overlaps due to increasing divergence of linear TV services (same channels, several platforms) and convergence of receiving equipment (internet enabled TV).
Personally I would take a wider view, and would stick all TV forums in one section irrespective of the platform. Forums would be provider based, and within each provider, sub-forums could be added as necessary.
Similarly, I'd stick all broadband internet (non-TV) services in one section, with the forums again provider based.
And again, I'd put landline phone forums in their own section, once again provider based.
All three of the above sections could then have the same basic set of popular providers i.e. VM, Sky, BT, and perhaps TT. Additionally, each of the other TV platforms (Freeview etc.) would have a forum in the TV section.
My fourth section would be for Online Entertainment such as Netflix. Here's how it would all look:
Entertainment Services
Broadband Internet (& fibre)
Virgin Media
Sky
BT
Talk Talk
Other broadband
Television (cable satellite terrestrial & catch-up)
Virgin Media
Sky
BT
Talk Talk
Freesat
Freeview
Youview
Non-platform satellite
Other TV [perhaps]
Technical TV [perhaps]
Landline Phone Services (not mobile)
Virgin Media
Sky
BT
Talk Talk
Other landline phone
Online Entertainment Services (not live TV)
Netflix
Lovefilm
Other online entertainment
Just throwing something different into the mix here, it may be a bit too revolutionary for some though. Also, I'm not sure if landline phones belongs in here at all, unless we count, how shall I put it, certain "personal" phone services!
I'm a fan of that d@ve. It makes more sense grouping the TV providers/platforms in to one section as there is so much crossover it's hard to define which should be where.
I don't understand why Landline and Broadband need to be different considering they are sold together hence any issues I've every had with broadband has effected homephone and vis versa!
Also what about Terrestrial that isn't Freeview! And the very few other Cable providers would be bizarre to group they together in other tv!
Also with online entertainment services it seems like Netflix and BBC Iplayer gets the most posts.
And going to the earlier one I don't think an EE broadband forum is needed considering the lower number on subscribers, but a TalkTalk one is needed as they are just as big as Sky Broadband (Even though Sky took over O2 Broadband a lot of people have left so)
Technically Top Up TV is not part of Freeview but is Terrestrial service but I think it no longer warrants it's own forum.
With mobiles I think having they separately would be better as I think quite a few people would be confused why it was in the same section as Broadband and Landlines and It would already be a big change moving it from the Gadget forum to here is DS were to do that, but I think I the same forums as TV, Broadband and Landlines makes sense.
Im not 100% sure but I think back in the day Broadband may have been in the Tech/Gadget forums too!
The few people that do post on the top up forum are happy with it merging with Freeview. But I think we should go one further and put a sub forum in the freeview forum for recorders. It will only be a single forum and will merge to Freeview forum if doesn't get any posts after a month.
So that would mean:
Freeview: Sub forum Freeview Recorders
Technical
Youview: Will give about a year as I not sure what will happen with this
I think Freesat and Freesat+ should be merged and a separate forum for <freetime>. That way, any new features or discussions will only concern those users and stop any confusion with people walking about features or services they can't receive.
I find problems are not just platform specific but provider as well. For example TT Youview has many different issues too BT. BTW TT has mobile phones as well.
I find problems are not just platform specific but provider as well. For example TT Youview has many different issues too BT. BTW TT has mobile phones as well.
I missed TT having a moblie service, but I did knock it out on the fly so it could be added to. The idea is there though so any other bits like that just need the relivent sub catergories.
I missed TT having a moblie service, but I did knock it out on the fly so it could be added to. The idea is there though so any other bits like that just need the relivent sub catergories.
But does TalkTalk Mobile and Virgin Mobile really justify separate forums? They are not large mobile operators the forums would hardly be used.
Along with TV issues yes a lot of issues do overlap true, but a lot are still very platform specific.
I really don't think putting everything into one is a good idea, it needs to be split under clear sections otherwise it will just confuse many people.
Also the reasoning for youview being part of Terrestrial forums is the main part of of is the Terrestrial "Freeview" network so all youview users do have freeview. where people who use Netflix, Lovefilm ect have a range of things (and isn't platform specific) where youview mainly relies on freeview also many new freeview receivers are internet connected and have BBC Iplayer on and also IPTV channels that have popped on on freeview over the last year.
So I think putting youview in connected Tv/online entertainment or such like isn't the best thing to do! (As it's basically just a freeview+ box with a bit extra)
But does TalkTalk Mobile and Virgin Mobile really justify separate forums? They are not large mobile operators the forums would hardly be used.
Along with TV issues yes a lot of issues do overlap true, but a lot are still very platform specific.
I really don't think putting everything into one is a good idea, it needs to be split under clear sections otherwise it will just confuse many people.
Also the reasoning for youview being part of Terrestrial forums is the main part of of is the Terrestrial "Freeview" network so all youview users do have freeview. where people who use Netflix, Lovefilm ect have a range of things (and isn't platform specific) where youview mainly relies on freeview also many new freeview receivers are internet connected and have BBC Iplayer on and also IPTV channels that have popped on on freeview over the last year.
So I think putting youview in connected Tv/online entertainment or such like isn't the best thing to do! (As it's basically just a freeview+ box with a bit extra)
well in that case there needs to be a sorting system where the user can choose which way they want to sort the forums; ether by Platform, manufacturer, Type( TV: cable, sat, terrestrial ect, online ent, moblies, broadband ect).
This way forums could be got to by different routes and apear in 2 or more places at once!
Comments
Although YouView is the new/current standard for DTT/IPTV hybrid receivers there are other legacy hybrids like BT Vision and smart TV's to confuse things. Perhaps a Connected TV forum with YouView and BT Vision sub-forums might be a better arrangement to cover all DTT/IPTV hybrid equipment and services.
I'd be happy to see the Freesat/Freeview Recorders forums merged into Freesat and Freeview respectively but I'd like to see a Freetime sub-forum in Freesat since new services exclusive to Freetime currently end up being posted as new "Freesat" services.
Connected TV
- BT Vision
- Youview
- Freetime
- Netflix
- Lovefilm
etc
Less clinical and less prescriptive than the term Hybrid TV.
It's the sort of thing that could be usefully incorporated into 'smart' TVs as a matter of course, with no need for a hard disk. (You can't record YouView-ed programmes anyway.) Also should include LOVEFiLM, Netflix, YouTube and the rest.
Now a PVR that records every programme on every channel (and keeps them for a week or so) so you can pick an choose what you want to watch after it's shown - that would be useful! (Didn't the BBC toy with that idea a couple of years back?)
Satellite
.... (subforums unchanged)
Terrestrial
.... Freeview
.... Freeview+ (all subforums merged)
.... Top Up Removed
.... Technical
Connected TV
.... BT TV
.... Youview
.... Virgin
.... Netflix
.... etc
Broadband (and Mobile?)
.... BT Broadband
.... Sky Broadband
.... Virgin Broadband
.... Other Broadband
Thanks for that Max. I hadn't picked up on this - I thought the point of Youview was that you could.
Sat forums need condensing to just 3 sub forums Sky, Freesat and other non platform specific, however merging cable TV with receivers that are internet connceted is a good idea. I would still surgest a link from the terrestrial forum to YouView though, so making the Youview forum in both terestrial and connected TV forums at once!
What about any other broadband provider? You have missed out TalkTalk and EE for example.
Yes that's an improvement, excellent, though there are still a few overlaps due to increasing divergence of linear TV services (same channels, several platforms) and convergence of receiving equipment (internet enabled TV).
Personally I would take a wider view, and would stick all TV forums in one section irrespective of the platform. Forums would be provider based, and within each provider, sub-forums could be added as necessary.
Similarly, I'd stick all broadband internet (non-TV) services in one section, with the forums again provider based.
And again, I'd put landline phone forums in their own section, once again provider based.
All three of the above sections could then have the same basic set of popular providers i.e. VM, Sky, BT, and perhaps TT. Additionally, each of the other TV platforms (Freeview etc.) would have a forum in the TV section.
My fourth section would be for Online Entertainment such as Netflix. Here's how it would all look:
Just throwing something different into the mix here, it may be a bit too revolutionary for some though. Also, I'm not sure if landline phones belongs in here at all, unless we count, how shall I put it, certain "personal" phone services!
Also what about Terrestrial that isn't Freeview! And the very few other Cable providers would be bizarre to group they together in other tv!
Also with online entertainment services it seems like Netflix and BBC Iplayer gets the most posts.
And going to the earlier one I don't think an EE broadband forum is needed considering the lower number on subscribers, but a TalkTalk one is needed as they are just as big as Sky Broadband (Even though Sky took over O2 Broadband a lot of people have left so)
Entertainment Services:
[*]Virgin Media
[*]Lovefilm
[*]O2
[*]EE
[*]Vodaphone
[*]Other Moblie Phone companies
[*]Other online entertainment
[*]Other broadband
oh yea I did sory
Edit: Fixed now.
The few people that do post on the top up forum are happy with it merging with Freeview. But I think we should go one further and put a sub forum in the freeview forum for recorders. It will only be a single forum and will merge to Freeview forum if doesn't get any posts after a month.
So that would mean:
Freeview: Sub forum Freeview Recorders
Technical
Youview: Will give about a year as I not sure what will happen with this
I was thinking exactly this!! But wasnt quite sure how it could be structured.
I missed TT having a moblie service, but I did knock it out on the fly so it could be added to. The idea is there though so any other bits like that just need the relivent sub catergories.
But does TalkTalk Mobile and Virgin Mobile really justify separate forums? They are not large mobile operators the forums would hardly be used.
Along with TV issues yes a lot of issues do overlap true, but a lot are still very platform specific.
I really don't think putting everything into one is a good idea, it needs to be split under clear sections otherwise it will just confuse many people.
Also the reasoning for youview being part of Terrestrial forums is the main part of of is the Terrestrial "Freeview" network so all youview users do have freeview. where people who use Netflix, Lovefilm ect have a range of things (and isn't platform specific) where youview mainly relies on freeview also many new freeview receivers are internet connected and have BBC Iplayer on and also IPTV channels that have popped on on freeview over the last year.
So I think putting youview in connected Tv/online entertainment or such like isn't the best thing to do! (As it's basically just a freeview+ box with a bit extra)
well in that case there needs to be a sorting system where the user can choose which way they want to sort the forums; ether by Platform, manufacturer, Type( TV: cable, sat, terrestrial ect, online ent, moblies, broadband ect).
This way forums could be got to by different routes and apear in 2 or more places at once!