Ability to record programmes going?

Oscar_Madison

Just saw this article today - I’ve an “old” TV package well it’s a couple of years old now- I can record all stations provided - are we really moving away from being able to record shows? A backwards step if it is.

I’ll have to try and hang on to my current package for as long as possible so

PS- not up on Tv providers and packages so happy to be educated

https://m.independent.ie/business/technology/ask-adrian-would-a-dodgy-box-solve-my-mothers-problems-with-her-tv-provider/a1479929272.html

NIMAN

Are you talking about recording satellite boxes like Sky? If so, I would say the ability to record will be around for a few years yet.

Thing is, with a lot of content going on demand, it means you cab stream it anytime you want, which I assume negates the need for it to be recorded to a set top box anyway.

Plus, a lot of new tvs will also allow you to record to a usb stick, which is a handy feature.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122428769#Comment_122428769

I have a new TV - must explore if that’s an option on it - my reference above is to the standard recording box supplied by virgin media - I assume Sky have similar - really just recording programmes on BBC RTÉ and even channels like Dave or whatever - I can record all these but in the article it looks like this ability to record won’t be available in future or am I taking that up wrong? Ie that virgin sky etc won’t provide such recording boxes?

loyatemu

in the long term, yes probably. I think Virgin have already removed the ability to record locally on their new box - it's in the cloud and restricted to certain channels. Sky Stream doesn't record and it's possible Sky will move off satellite eventually.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122428910#Comment_122428910

ah ok - might as well enjoy while I have it so - it’s just handy for things like live shows and also very handy for skipping through adds or skipping to a particular section - streaming tends to come with forced adds and sometimes depending on the station or programme no navigation - a backward step for the user

icdg

Okay, first things first. If you have an existing PVR system, like Sky Q or Virgin TV360, it’s unlikely recording will be switched off on your existing equipment any time soon.

The bad news: the four main pay TV providers are all moving to new generation streaming services, away from DVB-S/DVB-C, and if you sign up as a new customer or are moving providers, it will be this type of service you will likely be offered. On these services hard drive based PVRs are a thing of the past. Instead when you “record” you are typically really accessing a recording on a server. (Sky works a bit differently).There are restrictions surrounding this. The biggest is that RTE and VMTV do not allow recording on any of the new platforms. You may not also be able to record the BBC.

Of the new platforms, eir TV is the longest around, having been around five years, you can record virtually every channel other than RTE/VMTV/BBC. Vodafone and Sky are newer, and Virgin is the new kid on the block. All have recording restrictions of some kind or another.

The good news is you usually wont be forced to switch unless you take up a new package. But down the road you may. Virgin is rolling out a new fibre network and when that comes to your door you may have to move to streaming TV. Sky will have satellite around for another five years or so but again the time will come when that will eventually be switched off.

ejmaztec

We should go back to the good old days when you could record the likes of Sky on VHS tapes. 😛

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122429186#Comment_122429186

brilliant - thanks to you and others for the education !!! 👍

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122429419#Comment_122429419

And if you were really posh you just had to tap in the Video+code onto your remote to set the recording 🤪

Kalimah

Thanks ICDG,

I moved to Sky Stream because it was half the price of Virgin. I regretted it more or less immediately, as I can't access very many BBC programs after they've been shown. Thinking strongly of trying to record via a USB.

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122429531#Comment_122429531

get a VPN and use the iPlayer

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122428961#Comment_122428961

On Sky Stream, you can skip the ads. There is a small additional fee for this after the first year.

You can also jump back or forward when watching. With the voice control, you can say "forward 30 minutes" and it will work.

It's great that you don't need to worry about what channel or service your program is on. Apple, Netflix, Sky - just search for the show by name and play it.

The BBC thing is a mild inconvenience.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122428961#Comment_122428961

On Sky Stream, you can skip the ads. There is a small additional fee for this after the first year.

You can also jump back or forward when watching. With the voice control, you can say "forward 30 minutes" and it will work.

It's great that you don't need to worry about what channel or service your program is on. Apple, Netflix, Sky - just search for the show by name and play it.

The BBC thing is a mild inconvenience.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122428961#Comment_122428961

On Sky Stream, you can skip the ads. There is a small additional fee for this after the first year.

You can also jump back or forward when watching. With the voice control, you can say "forward 30 minutes" and it will work.

It's great that you don't need to worry about what channel or service your program is on. Apple, Netflix, Sky - just search for the show by name and play it.

The BBC thing is a mild inconvenience.

Oscar_Madison

thanks again everyone a great education - need to figure out the vpn thing if accessing bbc player along with recording to usb stick on the tv - but short term I’m fine with what I have - thanks for all the contributions I appreciate it