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.

[A-B]

So assuming you're using the AppleTV remote, I checked online and it appears that the bundled remote doesn't have a previous channel button, however double tapping the 'Siri remote play/pause' button may do the trick? We're asking our team if they're aware of a definitive answer in case that doesn't do the trick.

[viperdiablo1]

Thanks for the reply. Yes the Siri Remote doesn’t have a previous button. In the android tv app on Sony tv or the Telus digital tv box while watching a Channel when you press the directional pad up or down you will see the progress bar and option for previous channel, record, restart tv. On Apple TV there is no previous channel option .

[A-B]

We confirmed with our team that there's no button, but that it's been added to our team's log for assessment. We'll update when/if we get any news from our dev team!

[Rocky3]

Not saying it is not possible to repurpose the amount of uses for a button on the basic remote, but really, how many functions can one button perform and then how many of these functions must the user remember. 

Like the long press on rec takes you to the recorded shows, but don't press long enough records the watched show. The go back button also has multi function, yes go back but long press to clear the screen.

The current remote has a go back and also a prev button, perhaps the prev button can be used for previous views. Each goes to a different screen.

Is there an upgrade remote on the horizon with more buttons to reduce multi use functions.

[Rocky3]

So while watching one channel, go to guide or channel up/down and pick another channel. Now press PREV and it will show the previous channel you were watching, click and you are back. 

[rocking23nf]

anything other then live sports without a 45 second delay is a waste of time. 

[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.