FYI : Aptiv 3.5

FYI : Aptiv 3.5
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rcnman @ 14th Oct 04:27PM:
FYI : Aptiv 3.5

»www.broadcastingcable.com/articl···Rovi.php

We are excited a about a pending upgrade to Aptiv 3.5 that will enhance the guide on the Motorola boxes :)
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Video Operations
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alanisrox69 @ 14th Oct 09:31PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

"the ability to recover previously deleted DVR recordings with a new “Lost & Found” feature"

That's pretty nifty!

I've often deleted stuff by accident and then was like oh crap!

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!
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at18289 @ 15th Oct 12:40AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

said by alanisrox69 :

"the ability to recover previously deleted DVR recordings with a new “Lost & Found” feature"

I've often deleted stuff by accident and then was like oh crap!

Me too I would love to have the undelete feature
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kentonet @ 15th Oct 01:14AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

"automatic tuning to an HD channel when a consumer is tuned to a standard-definition channel and an HD channel is available"

I'm very happy to see this feature on the planned list. The LV crush layout will be intuitive enough for daily use, but this will make things very seamless for HD viewers.

Thanks in advance for the updates, RCN.
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alanisrox69 @ 15th Oct 03:17AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

I do foresee a problem with the auto-tuning to HD ...

I know my grandparents don't really care about HD, so they set their programs to record on SD which uses FAR FAR less space than HD. If the unit would be recording their programs in HD all the time, they'll be out of space in no time and I know that will be an issue.

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!
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tigrzeye @ 15th Oct 06:17AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

This line confuses me:

"including new high-resolution graphics for Motorola DCT2500 and DCT700 set-tops;"

The DCT700 is the basic non-HD STB right?? Why would it get high-resolutions graphics? Not a complaint mind you as any thing in the way of better picture is good but ... a Mercedes in the garage doesn't make the house worth more! ;)
--
If you don't know ask. I ask a lot, know a little.
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cypherstream @ 15th Oct 07:45AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

I pretty much suggested this to Cablevision to (they already map HD channels to SD numbers, but they have an issue when ESPN SD shows a different game than ESPN HD, or the DVR recording space dilemma)...

In countless public places, be it restaurants or bar's that have these really nice flat screen TV's, I see the HD cable boxes connected up, which they are obviously paying more for, but they are tuned to the SD channel. Not only that, but it's really tough to educate wives and girlfriends across america to utilize the HD number, unless you use parental controls and lock out the SD counterparts with a PIN.

This would be a great idea, but provisions need to be in place to grab the SD feed just in case of HD feed problems, or desire to record a program in SD to save precious hard drive space.

So a toggle button (A, B, C, ?) would work great in live mode, but what about scheduling DVR recordings? Maybe all of the SD feeds need to be placed on channels 1000+. For example typing 3 get's you the HD version of channel 3, but typing 1003 get's you the SD version. This way it's also listed in the guide so you can pick and choose for SD material for DVRing. SD signals are still easily accessible this way, but HD signals come first which please the masses.

HD box on SDTV? Then of course you would see the HD feed downconverted to 480i. The HD feed looks better this way anyway, plus you get OAR with letterboxing and don't miss the side area's of the broadcast. Your seeing this on more SD channels now anyway, like SNL or The Office for example are letterboxed on the SD channel.

Regarding tigrzeye's post about high resolution graphics... It's likely that the rendering engine is upgraded to allow for nicer looking graphics, even on SD boxes. Think how different a Playstation looks compared to a Super Nintendo (both SD only consoles). Perhaps the old guide rendered in 320x244, and the new version could render in 744x480 or something that still fits within the guidelines of NTSC Standard Definition.
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srr2 @ 15th Oct 08:14AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

cypherstream sez: "For example typing 3 get's you the HD version of channel 3, but typing 1003 get's you the SD version. This way it's also listed in the guide so you can pick and choose for SD material for DVRing. SD signals are still easily accessible this way, but HD signals come first which please the masses."

It doesn't please *this* mass. I don't have HD. I'm not interested in HD. I really really don't want to have to jump all over creation to avoid HD channels in the guide.

This is an awful idea for those of us in this situation. RCN, if you feel compelled to do something like this, then PLEASE, send the SD boxes their own HD-free guide.
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cypherstream @ 15th Oct 08:21AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

With the new DAC software release, multiple channel maps can be pushed out per hub. In Laymens terms, this means a seperate channel map can be created for SD boxes, and HD boxes. All SD boxes can just see the SD channel on the normal number. HD boxes would get the HD channel on the normal number, but additional access to the SD feeds on the 1000+ channel range. SD boxes wouldn't see the 1000+ because it wouldn't need to.

Seems pretty flawless execution to me. SD people won't know the difference. The only situation is if you have an HD-DVR or HD Box connected to an SDTV, you would get the letterboxed HD feed downconverted to 480i on the normal channel number. 9 times out of 10 this looks better even on an SDTV due to less aggressive compression. Additionally, many primetime shows and movies are letterboxed on their SD feeds anyway. If it really bothers you, then you could use the channels in the 1000+, or perhaps change a setting in the guide to turn off this default feature.
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machpost @ 15th Oct 08:48AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

said by cypherstream :

I pretty much suggested this to Cablevision to (they already map HD channels to SD numbers, but they have an issue when ESPN SD shows a different game than ESPN HD, or the DVR recording space dilemma)...

This is one of the few (and albeit rare) instances where it would be necessary for HD-capable customers to receive the SD feed of a channel instead. As far as I know, this only occurs with college football games, and only in certain regions during certain Saturdays. It's a bit confusing, but this is the best explanation of ESPN's Reverse Mirror situation that I could find: »www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=105788
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jonbrach @ 16th Oct 11:16AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

i have the motorola dct-6416...would that be included in this upgrade or would i have to get a different box?
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st89jebn @ 16th Oct 02:20PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

I would love to have the ability to "hide" channels in the guide that I do not get.
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mets18 @ 16th Oct 02:51PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

You can. There is a function called skipped channels in the DVR features menu.
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st89jebn @ 17th Oct 08:05PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

"Skipped Channels" does not remove a channel from the guide. It just removes it when you are channel surfing with channel up or down.
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jonbrach @ 18th Oct 01:20AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

go into the menu listings to favorites and put a check mark next to only the stations you want to see in the guide...then go into the guide and go to section A and set it to show only favorite channels and presto you will only see the channels you want to see listed!
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mets18 @ 18th Oct 08:45AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

It does on my box.
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benjamin @ 18th Oct 09:54AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

said by st89jebn :

"Skipped Channels" does not remove a channel from the guide. It just removes it when you are channel surfing with channel up or down.

That's correct, until you tell the guide to hide skipped channels. Do this by pressing the "A" button while in the guide and then changing the view options to "always hide skipped channels."
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Laurie @ 19th Oct 04:55PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

Do you guys have some fancy version of the guide or something? I have no "guide options." All the "A" button does within my guide is show programs by time; in other words, what you get when you just press "Guide." I can't tell it to hide anything, and there's no guide or view options/preferences within the menu settings, either. I hated TWC, but I had way more control over my guide/view options.

I have just standard service, no HD or DVR. The remote they gave me is a cheap, generic universal remote. If that makes any difference.
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benjamin @ 19th Oct 09:48PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

said by Laurie :

Do you guys have some fancy version of the guide or something?

Hehe. I didn't realize we were special but I guess we are. :)

said by Laurie :

I have just standard service, no HD or DVR.

I guess maybe "standard" boxes don't have the same Aptiv software as DVRs. However, I had assumed they did as, back when Time Warner used Aptiv, they had the same guide on their standard boxes.

said by Laurie :

I hated TWC, but I had way more control over my guide/view options.

By the way, TW has switched to some downgraded guide/software, according to my NYC friends who have service through the company...
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Laurie @ 20th Oct 02:06PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

They had "upgraded" to that Navigator thing, but it was horrible.

TWC had guide options on the standard boxes. You could even choose what color you wanted it to be. This RCN guide is very bare bones.
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benjamin @ 20th Oct 05:19PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

I know you don't have a DVR but if you want lots of options, you might consider the TiVO RCN boxes coming in 2010...
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Laurie @ 21st Oct 01:11PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

Hey Benjamin,

They're just a bit pricey for me these days. :) The standard boxes are only $5.95, and I came to RCN to escape the insanely high bills of TWC... I get MLB Extra Innings every year, so every little bit helps to offset that cost!!

All I really want as far as options is at least what I had with the TWC standard boxes. And I'd love the ability to remove all those channels from the guide view that I never watch or don't get! Would definitely cut down on "channel surfing" time!
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DanD @ 21st Oct 03:13PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

Is there a way for us to see what version of the Aptiv software that we have loaded on our STB's?

I have 2 HD boxes (DCX-3200, non-DVR), and the guide looks identical to those of the DCT-700's (none of the fancy skip/favorite channel stuff).

I'm wondering if a different version of the guide is available for the DVR's, or if it is the same software version, with the enhanced features "unlocked" ?
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tigrzeye @ 21st Oct 04:13PM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

on the remote hit:

menu
down arrow
b
up arrow
b

Magic menu appears :D
--
If you don't know ask. I ask a lot, know a little.
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cypherstream @ 27th Oct 11:43AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

ROVI UNVEILS PRODUCT ROADMAP FOR ITS PASSPORT GUIDE

»itvt.com/story/5902/rovi-unveils···rt-guide
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BackStJoe @ 28th Oct 09:22AM:
Re: FYI : Aptiv 3.5

Wow...sounds like a lot of great features...but I'm still planning to switch to the TiVo box when available!
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