TELUS TV Feature Updates - Ongoing

[Optik-Kate]

Dear Neighbours, 

We’re experimenting with different formats to assure you we’re listening and working on improvements to the TELUS TV platforms. We have frequent releases designed to tackle the platform's immediate and long-term stability, and we’ll do our best to keep this thread up to date with each new release to celebrate our wins together.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list; minor customer-facing fixes and non-customer-facing backend work are not included. 

Q4 2024: (note: had to remove previous updates due to character limits on post)

• Zoetrope Previews: See exactly where you're skipping on Live TV, recordings, and On-Demand. Enjoy fullscreen previews when fast-forwarding or rewinding, so you never lose your place. (Thumbnail preview coming soon)
• Fast Forward and Rewind Speeds: Control your scrolling speed with ease:
  • 1x: Scroll at 2x speed.
  • 2x: Scroll at 8x speed.
  • 3x: Scroll at 24x speed.
• Picture Quality Improvements: Most non-sports channels now stream in 1080p (high-definition) for sharper images, with a backup at 720p. Sports channels now uses 720p at 60 frames per second (fps) to keep fast-moving content smooth and prevent display issues—further picture quality improvements to come.
• Recovery After Internet Outage: Your digital box will now automatically resume live TV content as soon as the internet connection is restored.
• Improved Guide on Apple TV: Navigate your TV Guide effortlessly with enhanced performance and no freezing issues.
• Automatic Playback for Recordings: Binge-watch your recorded content with ease as the next recording in your playlist automatically starts playing—no need to press a button!
• Enhanced Restart and Lookback Logic: Enjoy seamless transitions between Restart and Lookback programs for uninterrupted viewing.

Q3 2024:

• Bulk Delete for Recordings: You can now delete multiple recorded episodes simultaneously, making managing your recordings easier.
• Episode List Access: When playing a recorded episode, you can see a list of all other episodes from the same series directly in the player.
• Binge-Watching Made Easy: Enjoy seamless binge-watching of recorded episodes, as they now play sequentially without any interruptions.
• Order Cloud PVR Directly: You can now order Cloud PVR service directly from your set-top box for added convenience.
• Start from the Beginning: Easily start recordings and VOD (Video on Demand) content from the beginning, even if you joined late!

Regards,

Your Friendly Neighbourhood TV Product Development Team.

[Canucks]

Hey TELUS Team, in my personal opinion, the new android platform is a great step in the right direction, and I can see the vision for a completely unified platform that will function across a variety of different device and OS ecosystems. Kudos to your efforts so far! To my fellow community members: This is not easy, and for telco providers who started in the previous generation of broadcast standards - the "struggle street" is real when rolling out new features. But I hear all of you, you're paying for a service and expect the same or better quality when getting a hardware upgrade...

TELUS, I think your main focus should be on picture quality with this new platform. Your current offering both HD and 4K is definitely limited on bitrate (and sometimes framerate - I experienced dropped frames during the playoffs)... I have my android box hooked up via Gigabit ethernet so it's not my network.

It's very easy to see when comparing and live broadcast channels vs watching something via the Netflix app (be that HD or 4K on the same android box). The effect of poor video bitrate is further exacerbated with the advent of TV manufactures offering larger screens, at higher resolutions (even though they try use fancy techniques to try "up-scale"). The problem is only going to get worse, and your efforts in picture quality should be top on your list.

[PaulB_]

Adding ARC compatibility for Sony HTA-3000 soundbar hooked up Sony TV ARC port and Optik PVR HDMI to TV support?   When?

[paulbracehome]

Ok that was February. Still not able to FF and view as it plays. Can not extend the recording time on sports games, in fact tonight the recording stopped before the game was even over. It seems like a lot of talk and no action.

[paulbracehome]

I also dislike the fact that the box shuts down after 4 hours, I leave the tv on to keep my dog company and 6 hours later come home to a silent house. Called three times for support...told me they fixed it but still happens. this box sucks!!!!

[broadcastguy]

When you’re right, you’re right.

[Kwallz]

I do the same, come home to a quiet house. Silly time out. . . . If I wanted it off I would turn it off.

Really frustrated lately that some of my recordings are not recording. I have games and races recorded come home to watch and nothing saved. I even double checked on my phone while I was out on the app and it showed scheduled to record, but there was nothing there when i got home. These glitches and drops outs are starting to become something I can't have any more patience with.
Not to mention the features and options I used daily that are lacking from this setup really bugs me.
All said, this Telus system really is a disappointment and making me rethink my choice to switch over from shaw / Rogers 😥

[Rocky3]

My current TV has a built in turn off after 4 hours have passed with no interaction. Unlike others it does not bother me. 

Did not know Telus box also has a time out.

[RCrow]

Please add standard IR remote codes so universal remotes can be used. In our house with one person with a disability having only one remote is really frustrating.

[Rocky3]

@Optik-Kate 

Hi Kate. Have you abandoned us? Where is the Q2 report. I am waiting as well for the July update promised to fix many issues. 

[Dave68]

When are more updates coming out? Looking forward to more exciting features!

[Rocky3]

Has the July update occurred?

[Grimmt]

What is the version number for the Q2-2024 update?

The original post was updated on Tuesday, July 30th, with the new version info, and It's now Monday, Aug 5th and I'm sitting at version 1.24.6_900, on both of my T21 boxes.  Isn't this the Q1 update?

Is there a reason for the delay in transmitting the update?

[broadcastguy]

This isn’t at all helpful, but one can only assume they gave up on the platform, much like I did. Such a frustrating experience with TELUS and their Self-Install TV product. 

[Rocky3]

Yes you are showing the January update.

Crickets on the promised July update. 

Actually later this week I will see if there is a manual update to check for it. I know originally I was talked thru the update as the original shipped 21T was not auto updating. I forget if January came in on its own.

[Grimmt]

In another thread started by @Rocky3, Telus Support responded with a brief description of the version numbering.

It appears that 1.24.6_900 is the latest version (i.e. Q2).  The "24.6" represents YY.M  [not sure why they don't use YY.MM for sorting purposes] and, I'm guessing, the "_900" is likely the build number.

Edit: updated Rocky3 reference to a link

[Pattydee3]

Is there an update on the following features, which I believe are being worked on?

1. Ability to delete multiple recording at a time. For instance on Shaw/Rogers you can delete all episodes in a series, or delete all and cancel future recordings.

2. Ability to disable and/or skip the Home menu and go directly to the guide. 

3. Ability to exit all menus at once rather than press the back button multiple times. 

[Myoptic1]

There appears to be two reported completed items that are not correct at least with my setup as follows:

(1) The message in Q2 2024 the problem with recording is completed:

• Eliminated the skipping of the first episode when scheduling recording series

This problem still exists with our Android TV setup.  It is very aggravating as it erodes user confidence in the entire recording reliability. We basically have to re-examine the scheduled recordings every day so we do not miss any of our  desired recordings.

(2) Likewise the Q1 2024 completion of "Favorites" problem is not the case in our system:

• Guide filter selection such as “My Favorite channel” remains after turning the TV off and on

There was no problem with "My Favorites" changing when we first got the system.

However, it now changes to "Subscribed" for no reason while watching the TV. It does not have to be turned OFF and then turned ON to occur.

Hope there are some existing solutions or the need is recognized in future software development.

[assia]

Myoptic1, we would like to troubleshoot the skipped episode issues you are still experiencing to determine whether the fix is not taking effect or another problem is being manifested. I have reached out to you with a direct message. 

[Myoptic1]

Telus:

We would appreciate the opportunity to cooperate with you to troubleshoot the recording problem.

Thanks

Cameron Palmer

[Rocky3]

Q2 is launched? Then why is there no difference, and why did we lose the gains of the January release?

[hansolo]

New customer here, may not have me for long. Netflix and other apps look as they should, 4K, UHD, the remote is a really nice, but your main player - Telus TV+ is simply awful. How are we getting picture quality like this in 2024? Everyone in our household thinks it looks pixelated. Text on screen during news or sports is all bitty, was crisp before. Picture is also washed out. I have top tier TVs and a home cinema set up. I feel like I've taken a huge leap backwards.