BT's 360 TV service on-demand only, over the air live TV not possible [update]

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 9th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Upon reading a BBC article published today, it seems that British Telecom's planned IPTV service is much less attractive than we had hoped. It turns out that the service does not support live TV or digital video recorder (DVR) functionality, but will be entirely on-demand. In other words, 360 owners will have access to BT's programming library, but won't be flipping channels or recording their favorite shows to watch later. Looking through the CES press release again, the only advantage we can see over the standard set-top box service (which offers live TV and DVR) is that gamers can stay connected to Xbox Live while watching on-demand programming through their 360s, allowing them to send messages and receive game invites among other things. We're not sure that alone justifies a 12-month contract. Of course, if you're interested in nabbing a BT set-top box and you just happen to have a 360 as well, it makes some sense.

Perhaps the most interesting quote in the BBC article is from a BT spokesman: "The reason for streaming only on the Xbox is because currently the console does not have the capability for live TV ...." Now, we know the 360 is capable of live TV, as it was demonstrated at last year's CES. Furthermore, all IPTV is streaming, which makes the quote a bit odd. As far as we know, the only thing keeping the 360 from streaming IPTV is a firmware update. For now, we'll give BT the benefit of the doubt and assume that's what the spokesperson was referring to. We've got a call in to Microsoft for clarification.

Update: After a helpful comment and some digging, we've figured out the basis for British Telecom's claim that the 360 couldn't support live TV. It turns out that BT's live TV offerings are all made over the air. In other words, live TV is received via an antenna, something the 360 currently can't do. The on-demand services, on the other hand, are offered through IPTV. Still, as the first official IPTV offering on the 360, it seems a bit lacking. (Thanks for the insight, mike.)

[Thanks, Scotty Turbo]

Tags: british-telecom, bt, iptv

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mike @ Jan 9th 2008 5:10PM

Actually guys please do research first BTVision is based on two services in one box a 'freeview' box with PVR HDD (over the air aerial digital tv, available for free from a $40 box or $150 pvr box) and on demand services (the IPTV part)

When you subscribe to BTVision you get the box for both, so you will get a BTVision box as a
part of the service you can then use a 360 to access the ondemand services in a different room

By the all this is over broadband ADSL not cable which is where you are getting confused

Project Ekim @ Jan 9th 2008 5:16PM

O use media center extender to watch and record live TV

NitroFrost @ Jan 9th 2008 5:25PM

Stop working on the whole TV thing and WORK ON THE DAMN WEB BROWSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NitroFrost @ Jan 9th 2008 5:26PM

Wow not only is xboxlive hurting but this site just double posted me wierd??

NitroFrost @ Jan 9th 2008 5:26PM

Stop working on the whole TV thing and WORK ON THE DAMN WEB BROWSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

useapc @ Jan 9th 2008 7:17PM

Use a PC

NitroFrost @ Jan 10th 2008 7:18AM

Use a tv

CharleyTony @ Jan 9th 2008 5:29PM

This is stupid, all those features dont mean a thing since youcan watch shows ou download as divX files now .... I might even cancel my normal cable subscription...

BananaBoat @ Jan 9th 2008 5:33PM

Web browser is useless. There is a web browser on my wii and on my PS3, and I never use either of them. (That's not exactly true. I use the PS3 browser to download themes. That doesn't require any "Browsing" though).

I already have a DVR, so I'd much rather they spent more energy on busting cheaters, and on getting the mod support for Unreal Tournament 3

Bravo6 @ Jan 9th 2008 5:58PM

agreed

OBM @ Jan 9th 2008 5:51PM

The reason I see for not streaming live TV, I suspect is TV licensing fees. This was the 1st problem I thought of when they announced the IPTV service for UK. We pay licensing fees for public sector channels(i.e BBC which you got your info from), every time you buy a TV they make sure you pay the fee.
So I'm thinking to avoid all the hassle of having to sign up for a TV license fee every time someone buys an xbox 360, they opted for the 'on-demand' service just.
Also a contributing factor, I would say, is that in the UK (and I think all UK people on here will agree), we get raped by ISPs and funnily enough, who owns most of the telephone lines? Yes, BT. So, with bullshit fair usage policies (FUP) in place everywhere, I'm sure they just wanted to look after their precious land lines and screw over the end users once again.

jcarpio @ Jan 9th 2008 6:38PM

to the person that asked for a web browser on the 360.. you do we'd be getting a version of internet explorer if it were to happen.

Do you really want IE infecting your box?

john paul @ Jan 9th 2008 7:01PM

Lol well said
firefox maybe?
ok that will never happen

todd @ Jan 9th 2008 6:59PM

So bring it to ATT Uverse instead. I'm waiting.

iRoy @ Jan 9th 2008 8:38PM

BT is banned by law from carrying "live tv" this is their second attempt at the market after throwing away tons of cash at an earlier attempt with Oracle.

Meanwhile here in the UK Virginmedia (was Telewest and NTL) cable companies can rent a "V+" box and record off the BBC HD channel, and stream HD content off their servers. Sky offer similar systems for their sat tv customers, with more HD channels but no streams to my knowledge.

Sacredleader @ Jan 9th 2008 9:42PM

Well, Channel 10 had a video http://on10.net/blogs/tina/You-heard-it-People-Carbon-is-real/Default.aspx of a demo last year of what the IPTV experience should be like once it hits. BT may not support every function of what was spec'd out for the 360, so we may have to what until something like FIOS is usable for this instead to see what it's supposed to be.

Grant @ Jan 9th 2008 11:02PM

OTA only broadcasting?
what is this? the 1960s?

Jez @ Jan 10th 2008 2:44AM

They should of used Virgin media then would of have live tv but only for people who use a cable internet connection. At a time i thought MS was going with Virgin media when i got halo 3 because there was a little card in the saying "got halo 3 now join Virgin Media, get superfast broadband at half price etc" Normaly that would be BT but oh well
Just thought i add my view on this

Boff @ Jan 10th 2008 5:02AM

Usual story - they promise the earth and it turns out to be a bucket of shit.

I agree with other posters, MS should've gone with Virgin or even Sky for the TV side of things...

WTF do BT know about delivering TV content, over-the- air or otherwise?

Kane @ Jan 10th 2008 8:57AM

Sooo, you can't flip channels or record shows to watch later, but you can watch any of the shows anytime you want on-demand?

Where is the downside again?

Kane @ Jan 10th 2008 8:59AM

Sooo, you can't flip channels or record shows to watch later, but you can watch them anytime you want on-demand?

Where is the downside again?

Nick @ Jan 10th 2008 3:37PM

I don't see the problem with TV shows, but it must suck for those people who watch Sporting Events or other live events?

I only have TV service at home during the NFL season... Once the Superbowl is over I'll be canceling it... Everything else I'll find online.

Cerixus @ Jan 10th 2008 11:46AM

Wait, so you're saying you are disappointed because it's on-demand and not off-air? WTF?

"Oh damn, I have to watch the shows when I want instead of checking schedules and making sure I catch the beginning of each episode on time. This IPTV thing sucks!!!"

Makes sense to me. :?