Cablevision Rolls New Guide Feature; Web DVR Scheduling Next?
The users forums over at BroadbandReports.com are abuzz with news that Cablevision has deployed a new interactive program guide features as well as the suggestion that it’s soon going to introduce Web-based access to DVR scheduling.
There’s no official word from Cablevision on either of these new features yet. But a subscriber in Piscataway, N.J., has posted images of the new IPG “shortcuts” menu, accessed by pressing the “C” button on the Cablevision remote.
Cablevision’s main IPG is still the same, but the new shortcuts feature takes on the (cleaner) menu design of the VOD app.
The shortcuts bar provides five options: Updates (general info), Local (which pops up three-day weather, links to News12 traffic and news clips), Top Picks (links to the VOD movies), Coming Soon (promotes upcoming PPV events and VOD titles), and Showcase (which telescopes to different VOD sections).
I’ll have more info on these features as they roll out. Web DVR management would make Cablevision the first major MSO to introduce the feature, after Verizon, AT&T, DirecTV, TiVo and others already tout the capability as something cable doesn’t offer (see Cable Trails On Remote DVR).
cvfinest commented:
wont be avail. till october my friends!
JasonB commented:
The new popup guide is essentially a useless bit of coding. It's prime focus is to market on-demand movies. The entire online guide was built by them...in-house...supposedly to give the user a much better...and faster interface. That has proven to be completely NOT the case. Most will tell you that the CV guide is the worst anywhere.
Lunchbox commented:
It's already available in some areas. From their support site:
"Cablevision is adding a Web-based tool to control your DVR online. To see if it's been launched in your area, visit tvlistings.optimum.net and sign in with your Optimum ID. If the DVR tab appears at the top of your TV Listings, you can begin using it.
The online DVR tool will be available in all service areas by September 9, 2009."
Jay commented:
Charter launched the capability for users to manage their Digeo Moxi DVRs from charter.net in 2007. Synacor in conjunction with Digeo developed the service and has provided demos at the last 3 NCTA conferences.
Jeff Henry commented:
It will be intesting to see how Cablevision offers the DVR service. Will it be a straight up subscription similar to the current standalone offering? Or will it be a hybrid with certain features included with the digital television service ie pause? Will a tv anywhere feature be offered where recorded content can be accessed via computer, wireless handsets, etc.? How can the service be leveraged to gain share back from RBocs and satellite? Clearly the broader it is offered, the more value can be leveraged.
Rosalie Rogers commented:
So Cablevision is finally getting out of the dark ages huh? Well, traditionally their follow-through with implementing new technologies is pretty weak so I am not going to be holding my breath.
I'm actually pretty skeptical that the forums are "a buzz." Who are these internet users that actually still subscribe to Cablevision. I thought only senior citizens were uninformed enough to stick with Cablevision.
Is the buzz coming hired Cablevision PR hacks? hmm...
TerryT commented:
Good to see Cablevision's finally catching up here..bad to see they were so far behind to begin with!
