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Still on Foxtel’s “To Do” list

The dream of an iQ in every subscriber home echoes Herbert Hoover's 1928 election promise of "A chicken in every pot." But what was left of the next generation launch yesterday?

to-do-listYesterday’s Foxtel news may have been the height of excitement for Kim Williams and Foxtel executives. The dream of every subscriber home having an iQ is reminiscent of Herbert Hoover’s 1928 election promise of “A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage,” or Bob Hawke’s promise that “By 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty.” At least this one will be realised.

The iQ, like many PVRs, does revolutionise personal viewing. Foxtel’s push to free up access to content and allow consumers to build their own programming is to be applauded.

But the splashy affair left a number of other issues unanswered, many of which had been expected with the launch of the Optus Satellite.

Satellite subscribers in a number of cities are still waiting for the Seven Network to be made available to them, which is currently enjoyed by cable viewers, and satellite viewers in Sydney. They continue to be frustrated at switching platforms between Foxtel and Seven just to be able to enjoy some of their favourite shows.

ONE is also only available to cable viewers.

There was no confirmation of GO! which Nine says is due in late October to Channel 129.

So did Foxtel simply not want to acknowledge the Free to Airs on their big day? Perhaps.

But there were other issues in Pay Television that were also left unanswered.

Subscribers are still waiting for some channels to go from 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen.

In its Download Service, Mac users who don’t have Windows are left out.of the pitcure. It works with Windows only.

As far back as November 2008 Kim Williams flagged the iQ2GO USB stick, that would allow subscribers to transfer content between the iQ2 and PCs and it would allow users to avoid hefty download limits with ISPs. It was promised for the first part of 2009 in place of a PSP-type mobile television device.

“Why would you have a little player when you can have a stick that can go into any device?” Mr Williams said.

Indeed.

The USB connection port remains inactive on the iQ2.

iPhone users remain frustrated that they cannot use the iPhone in conjunction with the Remote Record facility to programme shows. No iPhone application has been offered by Foxtel and the iPhone is incompatible with websites using Flash.

The iQ Guide is getting a snazzy makeover with lots of sexy search and personalisation functions (software rolls out to iQ2 from October 1, and iQ from November 1 -completed by November 15). But there was also no indication the Guide would match the 14 day programming that is available on the Foxtel website.

It would also be nice if Box Office movies weren’t automatically deleted off the iQ at such a rapid speed. Some viewers have a change in plans between ordering the movie and watching it. It can mean they end up paying for a movie they don’t even get to see…

And presumably no sign of Foxtel returning some of its customer support from overseas back to Australia….

But let’s not spoil the party. Foxtel still leaves most of the Free to Airs for dead when it comes to technology. As they say, you get what you pay for.

Corrected.

28 Responses

  1. @JM – I’m with you, I have a LG that work fine with it’s HDD and DVD why should I pay more for IQ/MyStar just to get HD?

    @mac – it’s almost 2010 and CNN can’t get it together to join BBC and others in the wide screen world? Even SkyNews is 16×9!

  2. The following email was recieved from FOXTEl RE: FTA HD Channels on Satellite –

    Thank you for your recent email to FOXTEL customer service.

    Due to retransmission agreements between FOXTEL and the Open Broadcast television providers, some channels are unavailable to be provided in certain areas. The retransmission agreements also differ between cable and satellite.

    Unfortunately there is no agreement in place to allow us to rebroadcast any of the Open Broadcast HD channels via the FOXTEL satellite service. Currently there is no indication if or when these agreements will change.

    FOXTEL is always looking for ways to improve the service however, and your comments have been forwarded to the appropriate departments.

    For all your FAQs, billing information, troubleshooting, tips and more visit foxtel.com.au/support/default.htm

    Yours sincerely

    Lorien
    FOXTEL Customer Service

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