Whenever Virgin Media raises its prices it's a confusing time as we all have different deals and I can only really comment on how the rise affects me. I'm on the VIP package and have just renewed it for a further twelve months to get the Netflix deal, and I've had the email saying that my monthly charge from February will be up by £4.95. Elsewhere I've seen it reported that prices are going up by an average of 6.7%, but it really does vary depending on what deal you've got - my increase is actually 4.3%.
That'll be affordable for me but some may say enough's enough. Virgin Media has sweetened the pill slightly by upping broadband speeds around the same time with the top tier of 130mbps being elevated to a BT-thumping 152mbps.
(It would be nice if they'd throw in Sky Atlantic and the missing Sky HD channels to sweeten it further, but I still have no news on that front to offer.)
November 30, 2013
November 28, 2013
November 27, 2013
TV Anywhere on Android
Apparently still not arrived. Latest news on VM's own blog http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/TV-Anywhere/Android-App-for-TV-anywhere/td-p/1982554/page/23
(I don't have any Android devices so can't keep track on this one. Sorry)
(I don't have any Android devices so can't keep track on this one. Sorry)
November 23, 2013
Discovering Netflix
Still playing with Netflix? I think I'm watching nothing but at the moment. I've just finished the final season of Breaking Bad (I was already on season 4 via my laptop's Netflix before it turned up on TiVo) and I can't rate that show highly enough - it really does live up to the hype. How UK broadcasters ignored this after season 2 is beyond me - better than anything on Sky Atlantic or anywhere if you ask me.
My family are also enjoying Firefly and I think we'll be dipping in to the Spacey House of Cards before long. And the temptation to re-visit the entire run of Battlestar Galatica in HD is probably too great for lil' ol' me. The TV back catalogues available really are first class, and most of the recent ones are in Super HD, full 1080p. The series from BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are great too, although I haven't noticed many in HD yet. Not bad for a free service for the next six months if you're on VIP or Premier.
But I can't pretend to understand which studios have signed up to provide films to Netflix in the UK. For example, I'm not aware of any of the following appearing on Sky Movies yet: The Hobbit, Unexpected Journey; The Raid; Seven Psychopaths; The Woman in Black; Hansel & Gretel; Magic Mike; Lawless; Gambit; Amour and even the Hunger Games, yet they're all on Netflix UK. Also, why all the great Pixar movies...except the three Toy Stories? Very odd. Does anyone know how this works?
BTW, the quickest way to launch Netflix: go to channel 204 and press the red button.
My family are also enjoying Firefly and I think we'll be dipping in to the Spacey House of Cards before long. And the temptation to re-visit the entire run of Battlestar Galatica in HD is probably too great for lil' ol' me. The TV back catalogues available really are first class, and most of the recent ones are in Super HD, full 1080p. The series from BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are great too, although I haven't noticed many in HD yet. Not bad for a free service for the next six months if you're on VIP or Premier.
But I can't pretend to understand which studios have signed up to provide films to Netflix in the UK. For example, I'm not aware of any of the following appearing on Sky Movies yet: The Hobbit, Unexpected Journey; The Raid; Seven Psychopaths; The Woman in Black; Hansel & Gretel; Magic Mike; Lawless; Gambit; Amour and even the Hunger Games, yet they're all on Netflix UK. Also, why all the great Pixar movies...except the three Toy Stories? Very odd. Does anyone know how this works?
BTW, the quickest way to launch Netflix: go to channel 204 and press the red button.
November 22, 2013
Calling Virgin Media
If you dial 150 from a VM landline it's free, but it can prove expensive from a mobile if you're on hold for a while. Android or Apple mobile users though can use the Smart Call App to dial 150 and it's free.
Also, if you don't like dealing with the offshore support team it's best to call VM during off hours and you get the UK call centre for TV and account queries in my experience.
http://my.virginmedia.com/my-apps/smartcall/overview.html
http://my.virginmedia.com/my-apps/smartcall/overview.html
November 18, 2013
US Netflix on TV gets a major update
I doubt we'll see this immediately on TiVo, but here's what we can expect next...
Netflix On TV Gets A Major Makeover
(From Netflix)
Around the world our members stream a lot of programmes and films via their televisions, through a Smart TV app or through internet-connected devices such as game consoles, set-top boxes and Blu-ray players. In fact, the majority of the more than one billion hours our members watch each month is done on a TV.
Today we are excited to unveil the biggest update to our TV experience in Netflix history. This update improves the Netflix TV experience for Netflix members around the world, and for the first time extends rich features to platforms such as Roku, Smart TV and Blu-ray players as well as PlayStation and Xbox 360.
More than a year and half in the making, this new experience evolved through a process of design exploration, iteration and testing that extended throughout all parts of the Netflix TV experience. We set out to deliver an update that would make it even easier to discover something great to watch and we think we succeeded.
After starting Netflix, you’ll immediately notice the cinematic and rich visual experience. As you navigate, three large images for each programme and film provide much more context about a title. We also added a shorter, more descriptive synopsis as well as personalised information to provide more detail about why you should watch a specific title. This personalised information can be based on your social network, viewing history or taste preferences.
As you look at the details of a particular title, you’ll see a broader synopsis and more detail on the cast. For TV shows we have added a refined episode selector that uses images for each episode along with a synopsis.
Searching for something specific? Search is now much more visual, designed for use on TV screens and providing results for titles as well as for actors and directors.
Our popular section for kids also has the new design. The kids area also uses a subtle blue background and subtle “kids” label so parents can see from a distance that kids are using the appropriate part of Netflix. This update also extends the kids experience to Roku and some Smart TVs for the first time.
A few other notable aspects of this major TV experience update:
We hope you enjoy the update. For us, this has been one of our biggest and most exciting projects and we are thrilled to finally share it with you!
Chris and the Netflix TV team.
Chris Jaffe is vice president of product innovation at Netflix
Today we are excited to unveil the biggest update to our TV experience in Netflix history. This update improves the Netflix TV experience for Netflix members around the world, and for the first time extends rich features to platforms such as Roku, Smart TV and Blu-ray players as well as PlayStation and Xbox 360.
More than a year and half in the making, this new experience evolved through a process of design exploration, iteration and testing that extended throughout all parts of the Netflix TV experience. We set out to deliver an update that would make it even easier to discover something great to watch and we think we succeeded.
After starting Netflix, you’ll immediately notice the cinematic and rich visual experience. As you navigate, three large images for each programme and film provide much more context about a title. We also added a shorter, more descriptive synopsis as well as personalised information to provide more detail about why you should watch a specific title. This personalised information can be based on your social network, viewing history or taste preferences.
As you look at the details of a particular title, you’ll see a broader synopsis and more detail on the cast. For TV shows we have added a refined episode selector that uses images for each episode along with a synopsis.
Searching for something specific? Search is now much more visual, designed for use on TV screens and providing results for titles as well as for actors and directors.
Our popular section for kids also has the new design. The kids area also uses a subtle blue background and subtle “kids” label so parents can see from a distance that kids are using the appropriate part of Netflix. This update also extends the kids experience to Roku and some Smart TVs for the first time.
A few other notable aspects of this major TV experience update:
- Support for Netflix Profiles across all devices
- Support for voice on Xbox 360
- Support for pointer-based navigation on Smart TVs
- A redesign of post-play, the feature that automatically starts the next episode of a TV programme or displays recommendations after watching a film
We hope you enjoy the update. For us, this has been one of our biggest and most exciting projects and we are thrilled to finally share it with you!
Chris and the Netflix TV team.
Chris Jaffe is vice president of product innovation at Netflix
What's new on Netflix
It's not the prettiest site I've seen, but this site has the latest content added to Netflix each week: http://uk.istreamguide.com/
Does anyone know if content is removed from Netflix on a regular basis, or does it stay there indefinitely?
Does anyone know if content is removed from Netflix on a regular basis, or does it stay there indefinitely?
November 17, 2013
Netflix Super HD
So what is this "Super HD" that I can get on most movies and TV series on my TiVo's Netflix App?
BLOODY AWESOME PICTURE QUALITY is what I see! Here's some background from the Netflix official blog:
BLOODY AWESOME PICTURE QUALITY is what I see! Here's some background from the Netflix official blog:
Highest Quality HD Now Available To All Netflix Members
All Netflix members, regardless of their Internet service provider (ISP), now have access to the highest quality HD streams available on Netflix.
This means that the great TV shows and movies on Netflix will look even better on HD screens with a higher bit rate stream, Super HD, that applies less compression to the 1080p image.
We initially rolled out Super HD in January only through ISPs with a direct connection to Netflix. Based on the performance data we’ve seen, and in response to member requests, we are now expanding availability to give all our members the ability to enjoy Netflix in the best possible quality.
Netflix uses “adaptive streaming” to dynamically adjust the video quality based on the available bandwidth. This means that the ability to receive Super HD depends on broadband quality and performance. Netflix members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience. Find out more about ISP performance by consulting the Netflix ISP Speed Index.
Note that HD and Super HD are only available on certain titles and can only be displayed on devices that support HD. More detail is available in the Netflix Help Center.
This means that the great TV shows and movies on Netflix will look even better on HD screens with a higher bit rate stream, Super HD, that applies less compression to the 1080p image.
We initially rolled out Super HD in January only through ISPs with a direct connection to Netflix. Based on the performance data we’ve seen, and in response to member requests, we are now expanding availability to give all our members the ability to enjoy Netflix in the best possible quality.
Netflix uses “adaptive streaming” to dynamically adjust the video quality based on the available bandwidth. This means that the ability to receive Super HD depends on broadband quality and performance. Netflix members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience. Find out more about ISP performance by consulting the Netflix ISP Speed Index.
Note that HD and Super HD are only available on certain titles and can only be displayed on devices that support HD. More detail is available in the Netflix Help Center.
VMHD blog adds Netflix content
I did think of creating a separate Netflix blog but frankly just don't have the time. Instead, there'll be increased Netflix posting on VMHD for the foreseeable future as I learn more about the service via TiVo. Let me know what you think.
Nialli
Nialli
November 15, 2013
Netflix remote shortcut?
Still playing with Netflix and the updated TiVo software (that SuperHD is AWESOME!) but one question for you guys and gals - has anyone found a shortcut on the TiVo remote to jump straight to the Netflix screen? I can't find one. Failing that, a short cut to the Apps or Favourite Apps screen?
At the moment it's a fair few presses to launch (albeit quick to load after the first time). Browsing through the selections is a little tedious on the TiVo - Search capability is nice and prompt though.
At the moment it's a fair few presses to launch (albeit quick to load after the first time). Browsing through the selections is a little tedious on the TiVo - Search capability is nice and prompt though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)