YouView, and alternatives

[Paul ™]

Its the way people are watching TV that is changing. I don't really watch much "live" TV these days. Its either something off iPlayer or Netflix.

Edited October 4, 2012 by Paul ™

[eFestivals]

Would you be as well served by buying a hdmi out video card and a hard drive and just hooking a pc up to the telly and using that?

I'm looking for a nice straightforwards solution for the front room, rather than an infinitely adaptable one.

And on top of that I'm trying desperately not to have a computer on in that room, partly as an escape from what I'm in front of all day, partly cos it's just not needed, and partly cos of the annoyance factor of the hum.

With the backup solution I've just put in place I've now got all my mp3s hooked up to my stereo from the NAS, so I really can avoid looking at a computer in that room entirely now.

[LondonTom]

I can't ever see some form live of channels going away atm sure for your favourite shows you will download and choose when to watch but....People like the simplicity....you come home of an evening sit down, and just want to be entertained by what ever is on the box, you don't want to have to sit there thinking "what do i want to search for or look for tonight!"

and the channels certainty don't want you to be helpful in providing ways of you findin your own stuff

Edited October 4, 2012 by LondonTom

[Spindles]

I can relate to that, particularly the hum I now use SSDs and a passive cooled PSU simply to make it a zero noise solution (still have CPU/GPU fans, but they aren't noticable really).

[kaosmark2]

I'm surprised internet tv isn't bigger really.. 10-15 years ago I'd have thought it would much more common by now, but it seems regular tv is marching on.

[rug568]

Would you be as well served by buying a hdmi out video card and a hard drive and just hooking a pc up to the telly and using that? (my own weapon of choice, I don't have a TV license or watch live broadcast, but all the major channels actually have links so you can watch live if you want to, there's plenty of windows software of linux distros that do set top box style functions out there)

Most of my tv is torrented or occasionally streamed as the programmes I enjoy are mostly US tv series or footie which you'd need a sky/virgin subscription to watch.

[fred quimby]

(I gave in and got one a couple of weeks ago as Mrs Abdoujaparov is expecting a mini-Abdoujaparov in January)

[eFestivals]

I think the fact that the 3 distinct broadband companies over here (as most smaller ones run off BT), all sell TV subscriptions has to have an impact. It's not in their interest to make the internet fully able to replace traditional TV channels.

who are the "the 3 distinct broadband companies" you're talking about? I presume you're including Sky within it?

Sky runs on BT's lines - at a poorer rate than the BT service runs (for various technical reasons, not because BT are stitching them up).

[TalkShow Bob]

Talktalk do TV and have their own infastrcutre don't they? That said the only two companys with anything near national infastrucutre are BT and Vergin. And its a strech with Vergin.

[kaosmark2]

who are the "the 3 distinct broadband companies" you're talking about? I presume you're including Sky within it?

Sky runs on BT's lines - at a poorer rate than the BT service runs (for various technical reasons, not because BT are stitching them up).

[eFestivals]

Talktalk do TV and have their own infastrcutre don't they?

I don't know, but strongly suspect that it's run over BT lines line just about everything is outside of Virgin (there's some London exceptions).

[eFestivals]

Still, point remains, and makes it even more ridiculous. A duopoly of companies with interests in not providing the best service is disgraceful.

that only applies to Virgin actually.

BT has a ream of regulations that they have to work to, to ensure that their own consumer services are not given preferential treatment over others who might sell the same consumer services.

[Paul ™]

Once BT have their FTTC rolled out over most of the UK, I wonder if VirginMedia might open up their cable network to wholesale competition?

[eFestivals]

Once BT have their FTTC rolled out over most of the UK, I wonder if VirginMedia might open up their cable network to wholesale competition?

I doubt it. BT only do it because they're legally required to, it's not something they'd have freely chosen to do.