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New EPG coming to Sky+HD - Beta about to launch

  • 12-04-2012 10:54pm
    #1
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭


    Following the release of new EPG's for sky itilia and sky deutchland (excuse spelling). sky UK are launching a beta test of a new EPG software. The following boxes that users have are going to be part of the beta test.

    Update – New release for 1TB & DRX890

    The entry period for beta tester application is over unfortunatly....I was late to post it here - apologies. The actual beta software has yet to launch due to higher demand (i can only guess) but it should be soon.

    http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-HD/Update-New-release-for-1TB-amp-DRX890/td-p/365299

    More to come hopefully - Ill post what i can when its released (im not sure if beta testers are allowed to post pics or details but ill check that out - I dont work for sky by the way)

    Do ye like the new epg beta? 83 votes

    Hell Yeah
    0% 0 votes
    God Almighty No!!
    100% 83 votes


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Comments

  • #2
    thebrush
    Registered Users Posts: 71 ✭✭thebrush


    Hi,

    Hope this won't affect the"card Trick" ?

    Cheers
    Damo


  • #3
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    aye - was reading that thread earlier - not sure as of yet. sky havent sent the beta to any beta tester as of yet so we just dont know. personally i think the new epg wont affect it but cant say for certain until i test the baby out :P so to speak


  • #4
    thebrush
    Registered Users Posts: 71 ✭✭thebrush


    Cheers, Keep us posted(pardon the pun:D) Please.


  • #5
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    No problem - the release of this new software has been delayed for the next 7-10 days due to high demand so we wont have much news here for a short while :(


  • #6
    simonckenyon
    Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭simonckenyon


    does that mean they will stop referring to the current epg as "new"?


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  • #7
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    simonckenyon wrote: »
    does that mean they will stop referring to the current epg as "new"?

    It might - all depends on how successful it will be....i wont have it until the end of the week or the start of next - its a complete cosmetic upgrade anyways plus a few new or altered features which we wont know until the beta has been downloaded to the box :(


  • #8
    gtg60
    Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭gtg60


    The enhanced Sky Guide will be gradually rolled out to all of the Sky+HD boxes with the exception of Sky+HD boxes manufactured by Thomson

    Interesting, was it just the very first HD models that were Thomsons or were some later models made by Thomson too?


  • #9
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    It could be down to hardware - we cant tell as of yet. the epg will be a new look from what i am told. with semi transparent elements to its graphics - it is an epg face lift with added features so it will be interesting to see if it runs well on boxes or if its too resource heavy for the older ones....

    thomson did the earlier models - the first models to be tested are the 890 amstrad and the 1tb amstrad (1TB & DRX890 - this brand is actually owned and produced by sky)

    id wish they would release the damn update though so i can see if it is any good :P


  • #10
    Kurn
    Registered Users Posts: 874 ✭✭✭Kurn


    Is there any screenshots around, or too early?


  • #11
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    None as of yet - the beta has been delayed for 7-10 days due to high demand and that delay was announced last friday so - waiting i am - ill post screenshots once i get it and its ok to do so :)


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  • #12
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    Got the final PM today folks so I should receive it tonight....Ill post a basic review of it tommrow and ill see about getting permission to post pics of it up as well :)


  • #13
    gtg60
    Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭gtg60


    warlikedave wrote: »
    Got the final PM today folks so I should receive it tonight....Ill post a basic review of it tommrow and ill see about getting permission to post pics of it up as well :)

    Great stuff, I assume you have a UK card to try out the 'Card Trick' on it?


  • #14
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭[Deleted User]


    Well I have the old Thomson model, guess as usual Sky will leave me behind.


  • #15
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    irishfreeview wrote: »
    Well I have the old Thomson model, guess as usual Sky will leave me behind.

    Its looking that way but there could be a later release for it its the drx 890 and the 1tb box from amstrad who get this beta anyways.... as for the card trick - ive lost my uk tv card so thats put a spanner in the works :( ill see if i can find it in the mean time


  • #16
    gtg60
    Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭gtg60


    Whereabouts in the South East are you? PM me if you don't want it on a public forum.


  • #17
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    gtg60 wrote: »
    Whereabouts in the South East are you? PM me if you don't want it on a public forum.

    North east wexford :) Near Arklow


  • #18
    1dave
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭1dave


    so it wont affect any sky + hd box that is out there now at any time. the reason i ask is i have an irish blue recording card. :D


  • #19
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    1dave wrote: »
    so it wont affect any sky + hd box that is out there now at any time. the reason i ask is i have an irish blue recording card. :D


    Ye have to sign up to the beta in order to receive it so no it wont affect anyone who didnt volenteer for it on the sky.com forums


  • #20
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    Many thanks to gtg60 for prepping a FTV card to be sent to me by the way. Thank You and hopefully the card trick will work :)


  • #21
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/015.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/016.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/017.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/018.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/019.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/020.jpg

    Camera doesnt do it justice - since its an old iphone 3g lol anyways they are the basic pics. Only recieved this in the last 5 minutes :)

    - It runs well...no lag so far
    - Very crisp
    - Transparent mini epg when viewing the channel in big screen

    - One small bug found so far is that when mini tv is off it is supposed to show 13 channels on the guide however it remains at 8

    I have to delve into it a bit more....:P


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  • #22
    energy1942
    Registered Users Posts: 296 ✭✭energy1942


    Two things I would like to know does it affect the card trick & I am getting the knew Sky+HD 1TB box installed early next week will this new epg be there allready?


  • #23
    metron
    Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭metron


    Any new options in the new EPG?

    Would be great to be able to pillar-box 4:3 content into a 16:9 frame so when using 1080i in the display settings it doesn't stretch 4:3 content. Anyone know if this has been added?


  • #24
    gtg60
    Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭gtg60


    metron wrote: »
    Any new options in the new EPG?

    Good point, is it just a new pretty interface? Or will have some new useful features?


  • #25
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    The beta is not available to anyone - only to people who have already signed up. It is possible that this epg will be available by august but that is a small educated guess

    not much new options in terms of setup and epg interaction so far....it centainly leans towards more cosmetic and fewer new functions. am still playing around with it so apologies if i dont have all your answers :P

    - so far it doesnt appear it was changed in regards to settings and viewing 4:3
    - epg sections like entertainment plus others have thumbnails when first selected in epg
    - there are less details in the system area - probably because it is a beta
    - recording/series link/reminders seem to be the same
    - live pause/rewind/fast forward logos have changed and look the better for it
    - am yet to test the card trick with this new beta...hopefully ill have an answer for ye tommrow :)


  • #26
    energy1942
    Registered Users Posts: 296 ✭✭energy1942


    warlikedave wrote: »
    The beta is not available to anyone - only to people who have already signed up. It is possible that this epg will be available by august but that is a small educated guess

    not much new options in terms of setup and epg interaction so far....it centainly leans towards more cosmetic and fewer new functions. am still playing around with it so apologies if i dont have all your answers :P

    - so far it doesnt appear it was changed in regards to settings and viewing 4:3
    - epg sections like entertainment plus others have thumbnails when first selected in epg
    - there are less details in the system area - probably because it is a beta
    - recording/series link/reminders seem to be the same
    - live pause/rewind/fast forward logos have changed and look the better for it
    - am yet to test the card trick with this new beta...hopefully ill have an answer for ye tommrow :)
    That sounds like it will not be available on my new Sky+HD 1TB box when I haved it installed next week, however the most importent thing I need to know is whether the card trick will work are not.


  • #27
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    energy1942 wrote: »
    That sounds like it will not be available on my new Sky+HD 1TB box when I haved it installed next week, however the most importent thing I need to know is whether the card trick will work are not.

    It wont be available to the general public - only beta testers who signed up so you will have the normal epg :) and I cant test the card trick as of yet


  • #28
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    Just an FYI - If ye want - ye can request pics of any particular element of the new epg and ill post them up :)


  • #29
    Omar C
    Registered Users Posts: 32 ✭Omar C


    warlikedave wrote: »
    Just an FYI - If ye want - ye can request pics of any particular element of the new epg and ill post them up :)

    Hey dave,

    Would you please put up the following Pics for me thanks, any idea's when it going to be rolled out fully.. :):):)

    Please can we have a screenshot of the settings menu? Also, the options menu pages.

    You have given us the main menu - now I would like to see the others. Also, what is in the 0/0/1/select part now?

    I am also interested to know if the SR can be chagned from either 22.0 or 27.5 or is it now expanded properly?

    If you would not mind putting more screenshots up of the other menus that would be most appreciated.

    Many Thanks

    Omar :pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:


  • #30
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    Omar C wrote: »
    Hey dave,

    Would you please put up the following Pics for me thanks, any idea's when it going to be rolled out fully.. :):):)

    Please can we have a screenshot of the settings menu? Also, the options menu pages.

    You have given us the main menu - now I would like to see the others. Also, what is in the 0/0/1/select part now?

    I am also interested to know if the SR can be chagned from either 22.0 or 27.5 or is it now expanded properly?

    If you would not mind putting more screenshots up of the other menus that would be most appreciated.

    Many Thanks

    Omar :pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

    http://www.irishupandcomingmusicscene.tk/wordpressgaming/?p=201

    All pics and some details are there - the SR is stuck at either 22.0 or 27.5 :( Ill be posting more imagery up - what other facets did you have in mind? :) The box setup menu is still accessed by Select settings and then 0/1/select


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  • #31
    warlikedave
    Registered Users Posts: 1,529 ✭✭✭warlikedave


    Hi - Using a guide and a card and loads of advice from gtg60 (thank you very much :) ) I have tested out the card trick using a Scottish UK FTV viewing card. Using the guide I added the relevant channels which are partially determined by the region your viewing card covers to the "other channels section" and proceeded to step 2

    Step 2 from gtg60's guide:
    Plug out your Sky HD box.
    Remove your normal Sky card and insert the UK card.
    Plug back in the box and turn it on.
    Once the channels have loaded up remove the UK card and insert your normal one.



    WHAT WORKS

    It worked: EPG showed the channels as it would some sharing epg numbers but all viewable - please see pics.

    Series link works well.

    Live Pause works for the most part - it froze the box on the first occasion and i had to do a hard reset but after that it is working although it can be a bit sluggish to respond on channels that we added to the epg using above method.

    Red button seems to work on added channels

    Full 7 day epg as well



    ISSUES

    Recording wont work. When i set a recording to start now or the next program even - it prompts for a clash even though there is no clash. this only happens for the channels added via the FTV card - even added channels that dont share an epg number - gtg60 has shared that the new boxes (1TB and DRX890 amstrad boxes) may take a day to rectify this problem within itself :)



    OVERALL

    Im still testing all aspects so hopefully i can get it working completely. Please feel free to ask any questions :)

    EPG PICS

    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick01.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick02.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick03.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick04.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick05.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick06.jpg
    http://mythen.ie/newskyhdepg/cardtrick07.jpg

    A lot of Credit goes to:

    gtg60 for the thorough guide, the ftv card and all the pm's and advice without which i would not have been able to complete this experiment.

    Overall Review so far: http://www.irishupandcomingmusicscene.tk/wordpressgaming/?p=201


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