Any further Time-Warner "Navigator" software news?

[Jack 1000]

Thanks for your help, Jack 1000 in advance.
You know, I do like their RR and DPhone service, but always disliked the cableTV part until the HD DVRs came out vs. the HD box and SD DVR separately as it started out a few years ago.
Back then, the dish providers had DVRs, but the HD/DVR  combo box just either didn't exist or they didn't offer an inexpensive way to get it, by rental, like TWC did.

Lately, however, TWC here has had frequent price increases, but few if any, HD channel additions, as other TWC locations get more and more every month.
Any subscriber would likely see what other TWC locations are getting and comparitively, TWC here offers a lot less in HD channels for approx. the same pricing as other locations. Does TWC here think their subscribers are that ignorant? Everyone with access can find out what other TWC locations get or thru avs.

The attitude in the installs or consulting I do is :
"Do we HAVE to get cable for HD?"
The answer is no, not necessarily, but outside of dish services and U-verse, there is no more competition, unfortunately here in Wisconsin.

Now Navigator is rolling out, it is untested, poorly managed and slow as crap:
This could be the "final straw" for everyone with a DVR in Wisconsin, after the price increases and the few HD channel additions, before they try to switch to another payTV provider.

Good points,

You know what?  I don't have HD yet because TWC-Wisconsin doesn't offer enough channels in HD format, and I am surrounded by about a million trees in my community, so Dish is not an option for me.

Jack

[Tom Snyder]

Does TWC have a development community like DirecTV does to test beta versions of their software before it rolls out to the masses?

A weekend doesn't go by where there isn't an updated test version of DirecTV's software avialable for forced download, testing and feedback to D* to a group of volunteer testers. It's not uncommon for a version to undergo 9 or 10 bug fixes and re-releases before it's sent down to the general public. We've been testing D*'s Video on Demand for a couple months.

[kevbeck122]

I don't know if they had anything before the public beta test last year.  I don't know how they picked the public test either.. maybe those with HDTVs got it, but they forced us into the test sometime last year on a standard HD box.  I think on the bill they told us they were "upgrading" our box and we were supposed to test the new software and give feedback.  We gave them negative feedback because it didn't work well at all, but they didn't listen and said that this was going to be deployed to everyone eventually.

[Bebop]

The beta testers are usually their employees.

[Kenoman]

Thought I would share this reply from TWC when I e-mailed them to ask when Navigator would be forced on us here in Kenosha.

Thank you for writing to Time Warner Cable.

Time Warner Cable is upgrading the software in all of our converters to the new Navigator system which will enhance your television viewing. This upgrade is being performed one converter model at a time to insure its completion without any problems. While the upgrade is taking longer than expected, our programmers are working as quickly as possible to bring this new service to all of our Customers. You will not need to exchange your cable converter to receive the upgraded software. The upgrade is slated to be completed before 12/31/07. Your patience in the mean time is greatly appreciated.

[Tom Snyder]

The beta testers are usually their employees.

In the software world, that's Alpha testing. An internal team simply CAN'T test software the way the masses use it... so they do some well-intentioned but incomplete testing, and release a Beta version as final product.  Nice.

Just another reason for this:

[gparris]

SO....we TWC HD subs are about to be "Beta Dumped" a software programme that is not completely tested, runs slow, forgets/dumps recorded programmes?
All this "fun" for our HD DVRs, whether or not it is necessary for more HD channels, by the end of the year in SE Wisconsin?

You know, the word "Navigator" is not found in many TWC sites (I checked all of them)
-that DO have 30+ HD channels (vs. our so called 23 per TWC, 20 actual full time).
All this Navigator crap, so that TWC can "do its thing" and dump Passport, a operating system that DOES work fine?

That stinks and we just got a 6.9% increase in our DVR fees...ugh!:bang:
This, of course, in addition to the average +5% increase in cable rates on the now "Digital Standard" (formerly Digipic 1000).

With the lack of HD channel additions as compared to many other TWC locations
This Navigator crap being dumped on us
Now the price increases:

It stinks to have TWC for payTV, won't it?

[Jack 1000]

AN IMPORTANT TIP ON THE NAVIGATOR SOFTWARE:

I found this out from someone who had Navigator problems and spoke to a supervisor tech.  If you are having Navigator problems when you call, HAVE THEM CHECK THE SIGNAL COMING INTO YOUR HOME.  He said that a lot of Navigator's issues that aren't box related are coming from weak signals being transmitted to the home.  Have them bring a reader, and if necessary replace any cables that show evidence of weak signal strength.

Jack

[Jack 1000]

You guys will like this!

I have this vision of TWC releasing this just before Christmas to thousands of people. (Gee, what perfect timing!!!! hahahaha!) So I wrote this little jingle that maybe some "disgruntled" TWC employees could put inside of Christmas cards:

(Sung to "Holly Jolly Christmas")

HAVE A NAVIGATOR (A.K.A CRAPIGATOR) CHRISTMAS

Have a "Crapigator" Christmas
It's the season's biggest fear
We don't know if it will load
On boxes we hold dear!

Have a "Crapigator" Christmas
And remember what was neat
Say goodbye to Passport's Guide
It was so very sweet!!!!

F**K Crapigator Sucks!
As everyone will see
Somebody keep a box
With Passport just for me!

(Crapigator, Crapigator, Crapigator.........Ohhhh!)

Have a Crapigator Christmas
It is coming out this year
No way jolly
It's a "Crapigator" Christmas.........this year!!!

Jack

[gparris]

Jack 1000:

YOU are a mind-reader!

Honestly, I was just thinking of a tune for the holidays that would rhyme for Crapagator and TWC Wisconsin, but you got one first.:rof:

But I was going add something about naughty and nice and mix in a routine about the few HD channel additions we got (missing presents) and the Bah Humbug 2008 Price Increase with it (the coal in the stocking)!

[Jack 1000]

On a more serious note,  (Navigator Recording of a DVR Series.)

I was told by a member of the AVS forum who offered a tip about saving series recordings.  Navigator's default is to save 3 recordings of each series show selected.  More than 3 will NOT SAVE the recording unless you change series options. He said that people may think that they are saving more than 3 episodes when they are not, and thinking that their shows are being deleted or erased.  If you don't want a series recording to be erased, you should select "Record Series With Options" (and there are several options.)  Selecting "Keep All" on each series, or something similar to that prompt will keep each recorded series intact until you actually change the options for that series in the Series Manager.

Jack

[gparris]

So outside of a poor cable signal that would create a poor load response time (assumed), the missing or lost recordings depend on a setup command?
For me, I watch my recordings within a week's time and then erase them.

It's just the setup for season pass and getting the original (new) recordings recorded and the setup process not taking any longer than the current Passport time now problem that were reported...ugh.
...thanks for the input once again!

[Jack 1000]

So outside of a poor cable signal that would create a poor load response time (assumed), the missing or lost recordings depend on a setup command?
For me, I watch my recordings within a week's time and then erase them.

It's just the setup for season pass and getting the original (new) recordings recorded and the setup process not taking any longer than the current Passport time now problem that were reported...ugh.
...thanks for the input once again!

I do the same thing that you do Gparris,

In fact, on Passport, I don't use the Series Manager because I like to have individual control over each recording.  But different people have different needs for the Series Manager.  I don't really want to comment too much about a specific function of Navigator or Navigator with DVR as this issue relates. (Because my box hasn't been changed over.)  However, I do think that there should be something in the literature about Navigator that the default for recording series episodes is 3 per series. and you have to select "Record Series With Options" to change the default from 3 episodes to your selected choice per series.

Jack

[gparris]

Jack 1000:
I think once Navigator for the DVRs starts coming out, that song you wrote will not be the only thing said out of subscriber's mouths:
-It won't sound like Christmas Carols, that's for certain.

But your reporting and information has been great, keep it up!

[Jack 1000]

For those of you who live near Milwaukee or Wauwatosa,

Do you remember when TWC had training classes on how to use DVR when it first came out?  You could go to the Mayfair Mall and take them.  They should consider doing the same for Navigator when it gets rolled out to all of the Wisconsin area.  The Answers on Demand Channel (Channel 1999) has good information on the basic features of the current guide system, (still Passport here.)  But it doesn't go far enough into detail to satisfy the user who may be looking at more intermediate operation or troubleshooting help.

A Getting Started With Navigator Guide may also help.  TWC does offer a Navigator section at its SE Wisconsin Website:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/milwaukee/

Click on where it says, "Navigator New!" and you will be taken to several screens that you can print.  It's OK, but could be better.

Speaking of the Answers on Demand (AOD) channel, (1999 in TWC Milwaukee areas,)  am I correct that ALL of the information on this channel will be changing when Navigator gets downloaded onto the boxes?

It may be a good idea to E-mail TWC asking if they plan to offer training classes for Navigator and/or a flier that goes into more detail about the functions and features of the new Program Guide.

Jack