This topic

Why is BTTV so out of date ?

jas20001978 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 16:25:36 GMT

Wondering if BT care at all about their YouView tv platform. Take the new pro box for example, the voice search does not work, the remote finder feature as never been activated, ghost recordings and hardly any good streaming apps. Also the multi room box is painful slow and runs very warm and does not even have WiFi in 2022.

Not a complaining post just trying to figure BT out. Their TV service against Sky looks so unloved. Where is Disney, Paramount, Apple TV, discovery plus, Spotify and YouTube for example. I know these apps are all on SmartTVs and streaming sticks so why can’t BT develop something more akin to 2022 than 2012.

Does not bother me we have Sky Q and only have BTTV for BT sport as it’s cheaper than having it on Sky. Just wonder if it’s a service that’s being wound down slowly and if not it needs a massive upgrade.

Also why don’t BT offer any WiFi 6 capable routers on their broadband deals. My local internet company as offered WiFi 6 capable Mesh systems with all Full Fibre deals using their own infrastructure and are easily cheaper than BT for over a year.

Always thought of BT as a bit of a leader especially in their network equipment.

We have had COVID but that doesn’t seem to effect all other companies providing internet.

Anyway keep doing what your doing BT, your nailing it.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

NigelB72 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 16:35:25 GMT

Our Pro Box works exactly as expected and delivers what we need at a cheaper price that the equivalent Sky package.

We use Roku's for all the other streaming platforms that aren't available on BT TV and the Roku's also give us the full flexibility of taking a little stick with us if we holiday in the UK so we can still watch the various streaming services inc NowTV and BT Sport...

BT TV isn't marketed as competition for Sky or Virgin Media but an alternative competitively priced product for those that want everything with BT.

I think your expectations are set too high...

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

FC12 — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 08:13:16 GMT

why would they be winding it down if they are making new subscribers sign up to 24 months?

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

ney — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 10:32:30 GMT

I don't have the pro box. I have an older version of the Youview box but hardly use the apps on the box now. I use the Amazon Firestick for all the apps.

I now tend to only use the BT Youview box if I want to record a TV show or watch a Freeview channel.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

tweetSP0RT — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 10:36:38 GMT

They appear to be changing their strategy away from BT TV as anything more than just a reseller of NOW TV and certainly away from BT Sport in terms of what it was initially intended. Yes it's a joint venture with WB Discovery but I've worked in a JV myself and everyone knew it would end up being a full takeover and that was exactly what happened. I'm fairly sure that with the 4 years stipulated in the deal BT will have sold up.

The Pro Box is a massive disappointment buggy, unreliable and with features that just don't work. My current plan remains to switch to Sky's puck when that launches standalone but like you keep BT TV for BT Sport (and hopefully be able to save some cash when Discovery+ gets added in).

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

FC12 — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 12:44:22 GMT

I’d expect after the sport merger that BTTV would carry on in the same way Virgin TV do by integrating everyone’s services within their Box. i.e Now, Discovery, WB , Sport etc.

be very strange if they’d simply ditch their TV service and the box they just made.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

PJCORNELLY — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 13:17:20 GMT

In fairness BT TV is offering a budget service using dated transmitter technology with bolt on platforms. It is disjointed and because of youview looks somewhat dated and therefore also glitchy at best.

Sky is a different kettle of fish altogether and does provide a glossier experience but at a cost unless you negotiate hard for a package deal. Sky though still also has issues. No watchlist on Q is a big issue for me.

Virgin I've never used, they cabled every home in my village except our street, but that's another story. I've seen their offering through family and again it's not a patch on Sky in my opinion, seems expensive too!

The Pro box is not good and I'm pretty sure BT are going crazy with Sagemcom to get it right!

I use Apple TV too but that's far from ideal for the UK, no EPG, no direct link with Netflix and surprisingly often programs available via some apps turn up some days later than they do with Sky, I just don't understand why that may be.

I'd have kept BT if the Pro Box functioned correctly and if HD was more available, why buy an OLED to watch SD content.

So take your choice.

Easyjet or BA Business Class 😊

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

tweetSP0RT — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 16:59:57 GMT

@FC12Yeah I don't expect BTTV to be ditched it'll continue but merely as a platform reselling other's content without much new and exciting. The focus has switched to 5G/Fibre rollout which is why they looked for buyers/partners for BT Sport.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

scharter — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 06:52:13 GMT

@PJCORNELLY To be fair, you comment sums everything perfectly. THe Pro Box is pretty much under par, and doesnt do what it says on the tin. Only use BT to get the Big Sport package at a reasonable price.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

DarrenDev — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 08:33:20 GMT

We're working on almost every one of the features mentioned as missing. There are no plans to ditch BT TV - in fact there are BIG things coming, starting next month, with lots more to come over the next couple of years.

The Pro box is the enabler - it allows us to do a lot more than we've ever been capable of before. We had to start completely from scratch though, with new hardware and a new operating system. We're now working though a prioritised list of features and bug fixes.

p.s. some of the things in the list we're not allowed to do. E.g. Disney+ exclusive contract with Sky.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

scharter — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 08:33:28 GMT

Hi @DarrenDev I don't suppose you can give an insight to fixes/feature in the next release?

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 08:35:29 GMT

@jas20001978wrote:
Also why don’t BT offer any WiFi 6 capable routers on their broadband deals. My local internet company as offered WiFi 6 capable Mesh systems with all Full Fibre deals using their own infrastructure and are easily cheaper than BT for over a year.

They will be but they build their own kit so can’t be as nimble as a small ISP and just offer an off the shelf solution.

Various factors are rumoured to have contributed to the delay, more detail here: https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/01/bt-uk-set-to-launch-smart-hub-3-broadband-router-in-july.html

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

DarrenDev — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 08:37:42 GMT

Someone else has already pointed out on a different thread that find-my-remote has now been released. There are also other threads on here about Freeview over IP, and a new wireless multi room box.

I can't give any specifics though - announcements will be made on here and on the YouView forums when they're ready.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

Weerab1983 — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 09:14:00 GMT

This all sounds promising Darren.

Took the decision due to cost of living to ditch sky for BT TV Entertainment with Netflix and paying for Discovery+, Disney+ and Paramount+.

Not regretting it so far and looking forward to watch the future holds.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

jas20001978 — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 09:30:02 GMT

Our multi room box is very slow. The EPG navigation is fine but Prime Video is desperately slow.

Does anyone know if the new multiroom box will be an upgrade for current customers.

Someone noted that CEX have lots of BT Pro boxes for sale that have been refurbished for £120. If I buy one of those to replace my current multiroom box will it work. Basically will all the EPG channels work and can they be recorded.

Thanks.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

jas20001978 — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 09:32:40 GMT

To @DarrenDev

How does find my remote work if it’s been released. Pressing the relevant button on the Pro box does nothing at all for me.

Cheers.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 09:44:56 GMT

@jas20001978

I doubt you'll get an official response as all Pro Boxes belong to BT, so shouldn't really be sold by anyone else. There's also the possibility that at some point in the future BT could decide to disable any box it ses connected that hasn't been supplied by them.

Having said that, you should be fine. Many years ago I subscribed to BT TV & was only sent one of those awful puck boxes. When I upgraded to Sport BT refused to supply a recordable box, so I bought a DTR-T2100 from Ebay & that worked fine. It's a while ago now but I seem to recall when it was first connected it complained because it was seen as an additional box, so I had to make it the primary box & disable the puck. So I suspect you'll have to do similar to remove your puck. But unless you're desperate, probably best to wait & see what the next move from BT is.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

Weerab1983 — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 11:34:34 GMT

I have the multiroom box.

I agree it is not the fastest, especially with the apps.

I have a firestick for the catch up and other apps

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

zulu17 — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 20:40:17 GMT

Well someone asked me today why Youview/BT TV is delivering new apps such as PLAY.Works rather than apps such as YouTube ? Prioritisation seems a bit adrift.

Re: Why is BTTV so out of date ?

ney — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 21:24:36 GMT

Due to trying to make a saving. Also partly due to the cost of living crisis. I cancelled BT TV a good few months ago and went direct with Now for the same packages I was on with BT for Now.Entertainment, Sky Cinema and HD Boost, I saving £4 a months going direct with Now for HD Boost till October and got a discount on Sky Cinema till December. Saving me another £2 a month compared to being with BT TV.
I also still have Prime, Netflix and Disney +. All direct with them.