BT Vision - The Big Picture

stevettt781 · 07-07-2009, 19:56

So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox. But is anyone looking at the bigger picture?
While some of the problems described in this forum and hundreds of other forums may be solved with a TV2 Client Upgrade; has anyone considered the obvious??

The VBox is essentially a computer with Windows CE 5.0.1400 as the Operating System running Microsoft MediaRoom software. Have another look at the OS and you might eventually understand what I am talking about, the VersionWinCE 5.0.1400 is seriously outdated and has been supercedded several times with
Windows CE 5.1
5.2
5.3
those versions also have subversions as well. Of Course those have all now been replaced with the new Windows Embedded Mobile (new name) 6.0 and 6.1 beta
Surely Microsoft would only release new versions if they fixed issues with previous versions or added new features??
So perhaps BT has been looking at the wrong item to upgrade, stop worrying about the client worry about the Operating System.

wwwebber · 07-07-2009, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevettt781

So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox.

Not me mate. My box works just fine thank you. And you havent told us anything new either.

Matterhorn · 07-07-2009, 21:16

Lol, nice and constructive, www.!

to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream)

BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have.

Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune..

lowebb · 08-07-2009, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matterhorn

Lol, nice and constructive, www.!

to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream)

BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have.

Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune..

I'd be happy with the OS upgrade. I'm not a huge MS fan but I think the user-look is pleasant. My issues are with speed and functionality. To watch a recording its like 20 button presses. If I want to watch a series for eg. 'Big Bang Theory' every episode I watch it's 20 presses. I know if its the last oD item you've watched it quicker, but usually its not. Why not be able to 'star' it or something, and adding a 'starred' option to the main oD menu. That is a real simple example of a huge user-feel improvement

alan1302 · 08-07-2009, 09:38

Updating the OS won't magically get rid of any bugs though.

Alan

wwwebber · 08-07-2009, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan1302

Updating the OS won't magically get rid of any bugs though.

Alan

You couldnt possibly know that.

Also, there maybe new versions of WinCE knocking about but what about Mediaroom which is based upon WinCE ?, has that kept pace ? or have they become separate entities altogther ?. If they have seperated then all this talk about WinCE is pointless.

Mediaroom itself has certainly had some upgrades but we wont see any of these without new hardware imho. That also goes for any large GUI changes.

alan1302 · 08-07-2009, 10:05

With the box being the same hardware for everyone I can't see updating the OS would help in the slightest as any problems/bugs are in the software the Vision box uses rather than in the OS itself. Just like updating an XP computer to Vista won't make a piece of software run better.

Of course an updated or different OS could help with getting different features on to the box.

Alan

Ayce · 08-07-2009, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevettt781

So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox. But is anyone looking at the bigger picture?
While some of the problems described in this forum and hundreds of other forums may be solved with a TV2 Client Upgrade; has anyone considered the obvious??

The VBox is essentially a computer with Windows CE 5.0.1400 as the Operating System running Microsoft MediaRoom software. Have another look at the OS and you might eventually understand what I am talking about, the VersionWinCE 5.0.1400 is seriously outdated and has been supercedded several times with
Windows CE 5.1
5.2
5.3
those versions also have subversions as well. Of Course those have all now been replaced with the new Windows Embedded Mobile (new name) 6.0 and 6.1 beta
Surely Microsoft would only release new versions if they fixed issues with previous versions or added new features??
So perhaps BT has been looking at the wrong item to upgrade, stop worrying about the client worry about the Operating System.

Techincally CE & WM are not the same OS although they look the same.

Also ( and this link is now dead http://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/18475...aahaaaaaa.html ) the fact that it ran CE had not been missed by certain 'enthusiasts' as they managed to make it work with out the 'server' end.

Terran

scotty2808 · 10-07-2009, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matterhorn

Lol, nice and constructive, www.!

to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream)

BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have.

Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune..

Doubt it.

Vision client development is tied in with Microsoft so MS will provide patching as required.

Are there many problems with BTV ? Still a few but not enough to make wholesale changes like the OS. Like others I have a stable box. HDMI sometimes takes a few secs to kick in. Sound over HDMI sometimes goes funny but turning on/off the telly resets the link.

Back to the proposed changes in OS - I believe that would be unlikely. The development cost and associated costs of rollout/helpdesk costs for problems would outweigh the cost to fix current bugs.

BTV being pulled - unlikely. There is a lot invested into the Canvas project. The proposed ADSL2 upgrade over the next 12-24months makes streaming tv a possibility too.

wwwebber · 10-07-2009, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty2808

Doubt it.

Vision client development is tied in with Microsoft so MS will provide patching as required.

Are there many problems with BTV ? Still a few but not enough to make wholesale changes like the OS. Like others I have a stable box. HDMI sometimes takes a few secs to kick in. Sound over HDMI sometimes goes funny but turning on/off the telly resets the link.

Back to the proposed changes in OS - I believe that would be unlikely. The development cost and associated costs of rollout/helpdesk costs for problems would outweigh the cost to fix current bugs.

BTV being pulled - unlikely. There is a lot invested into the Canvas project. The proposed ADSL2 upgrade over the next 12-24months makes streaming tv a possibility too.

Correct - not many bugs and there's new update due that addresses most of them and provides additional features.

Also, ADSL2 is not a factor for streaming TV as it can already be done it's just that BT chooses not to at this time.

ADSL2 will do nothing for BTVision unless it is in combination with FTTC in which case HD streaming TV will be possible.

DeanDS · 10-07-2009, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty2808

Are there many problems with BTV ?

No, certainly not major ones. If a new box is due out this year, then I would guess that most of the time and resource is being put into that. This box may well have the latest OS.

07-07-2009, 19:56	#1
stevettt781 Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 7	BT Vision - The Big Picture So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox. But is anyone looking at the bigger picture? While some of the problems described in this forum and hundreds of other forums may be solved with a TV2 Client Upgrade; has anyone considered the obvious?? The VBox is essentially a computer with Windows CE 5.0.1400 as the Operating System running Microsoft MediaRoom software. Have another look at the OS and you might eventually understand what I am talking about, the VersionWinCE 5.0.1400 is seriously outdated and has been supercedded several times with Windows CE 5.1 5.2 5.3 those versions also have subversions as well. Of Course those have all now been replaced with the new Windows Embedded Mobile (new name) 6.0 and 6.1 beta Surely Microsoft would only release new versions if they fixed issues with previous versions or added new features?? So perhaps BT has been looking at the wrong item to upgrade, stop worrying about the client worry about the Operating System.

07-07-2009, 20:34	#2
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by stevettt781 So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox. Not me mate. My box works just fine thank you. And you havent told us anything new either.

07-07-2009, 21:16	#3
Matterhorn Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 729	Lol, nice and constructive, www.! to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream) BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have. Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune..

08-07-2009, 08:51	#4
lowebb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 451	Quote: Originally Posted by Matterhorn Lol, nice and constructive, www.! to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream) BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have. Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune.. I'd be happy with the OS upgrade. I'm not a huge MS fan but I think the user-look is pleasant. My issues are with speed and functionality. To watch a recording its like 20 button presses. If I want to watch a series for eg. 'Big Bang Theory' every episode I watch it's 20 presses. I know if its the last oD item you've watched it quicker, but usually its not. Why not be able to 'star' it or something, and adding a 'starred' option to the main oD menu. That is a real simple example of a huge user-feel improvement

08-07-2009, 09:38	#5
alan1302 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Yorks Posts: 6,180	Updating the OS won't magically get rid of any bugs though. Alan

08-07-2009, 09:48	#6
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by alan1302 Updating the OS won't magically get rid of any bugs though. Alan You couldnt possibly know that. Also, there maybe new versions of WinCE knocking about but what about Mediaroom which is based upon WinCE ?, has that kept pace ? or have they become separate entities altogther ?. If they have seperated then all this talk about WinCE is pointless. Mediaroom itself has certainly had some upgrades but we wont see any of these without new hardware imho. That also goes for any large GUI changes.

08-07-2009, 10:05	#7
alan1302 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Yorks Posts: 6,180	With the box being the same hardware for everyone I can't see updating the OS would help in the slightest as any problems/bugs are in the software the Vision box uses rather than in the OS itself. Just like updating an XP computer to Vista won't make a piece of software run better. Of course an updated or different OS could help with getting different features on to the box. Alan

08-07-2009, 10:39	#8
Ayce Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Morecambe, Lancs, UK Posts: 1,525	Quote: Originally Posted by stevettt781 So okay, everyone has a problem or issue of some description with the Bt Vision Box or VBox. But is anyone looking at the bigger picture? While some of the problems described in this forum and hundreds of other forums may be solved with a TV2 Client Upgrade; has anyone considered the obvious?? The VBox is essentially a computer with Windows CE 5.0.1400 as the Operating System running Microsoft MediaRoom software. Have another look at the OS and you might eventually understand what I am talking about, the VersionWinCE 5.0.1400 is seriously outdated and has been supercedded several times with Windows CE 5.1 5.2 5.3 those versions also have subversions as well. Of Course those have all now been replaced with the new Windows Embedded Mobile (new name) 6.0 and 6.1 beta Surely Microsoft would only release new versions if they fixed issues with previous versions or added new features?? So perhaps BT has been looking at the wrong item to upgrade, stop worrying about the client worry about the Operating System. Techincally CE & WM are not the same OS although they look the same. Also ( and this link is now dead http://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/18475...aahaaaaaa.html ) the fact that it ran CE had not been missed by certain 'enthusiasts' as they managed to make it work with out the 'server' end. Terran

10-07-2009, 09:42	#9
scotty2808 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 435	Quote: Originally Posted by Matterhorn Lol, nice and constructive, www.! to the OP, yes the software is awful and yes it needs updating, preferably with something non MS embedded... ( I can dream) BT don't have a pot to p!ss in at the moment so investment in new stuff won't be high on the agenda considering how many subscribers they don't have. Wonder if any of the bean counters at BT want to pull the plug on Vision? Must be losing them a fortune.. Doubt it. Vision client development is tied in with Microsoft so MS will provide patching as required. Are there many problems with BTV ? Still a few but not enough to make wholesale changes like the OS. Like others I have a stable box. HDMI sometimes takes a few secs to kick in. Sound over HDMI sometimes goes funny but turning on/off the telly resets the link. Back to the proposed changes in OS - I believe that would be unlikely. The development cost and associated costs of rollout/helpdesk costs for problems would outweigh the cost to fix current bugs. BTV being pulled - unlikely. There is a lot invested into the Canvas project. The proposed ADSL2 upgrade over the next 12-24months makes streaming tv a possibility too.

10-07-2009, 10:30	#10
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by scotty2808 Doubt it. Vision client development is tied in with Microsoft so MS will provide patching as required. Are there many problems with BTV ? Still a few but not enough to make wholesale changes like the OS. Like others I have a stable box. HDMI sometimes takes a few secs to kick in. Sound over HDMI sometimes goes funny but turning on/off the telly resets the link. Back to the proposed changes in OS - I believe that would be unlikely. The development cost and associated costs of rollout/helpdesk costs for problems would outweigh the cost to fix current bugs. BTV being pulled - unlikely. There is a lot invested into the Canvas project. The proposed ADSL2 upgrade over the next 12-24months makes streaming tv a possibility too. Correct - not many bugs and there's new update due that addresses most of them and provides additional features. Also, ADSL2 is not a factor for streaming TV as it can already be done it's just that BT chooses not to at this time. ADSL2 will do nothing for BTVision unless it is in combination with FTTC in which case HD streaming TV will be possible.

10-07-2009, 11:33	#11
DeanDS Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 1,564	Quote: Originally Posted by scotty2808 Are there many problems with BTV ? No, certainly not major ones. If a new box is due out this year, then I would guess that most of the time and resource is being put into that. This box may well have the latest OS.

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BT Vision - The Big Picture