TELUS Optik TV Thread

[Robbob]

I was wondering if you could record a show and then use the feature to start from the beginning. Sucks that you can't. The show would have to be running on another channel at the same time to be able to do that.

[Vulcan]

The more I hear about other PVR receivers the happier I am with my two old Bell sat 9242s which automatically store up to an hour of playback on the same channel. I can pause one tuner and watch another tuner at the same time. When I go back to the first tuner, I skip the commercials easily or if I'm recording the program such as a hockey game, I can go to the start and skip all the commercials as well. The thing is Bell stopped selling this PVR years ago.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Yeah the restart feature has some major drawbacks. So much so I'm not sure it is worth it.

I used to be able to retroactively record a program if I was already tuned to that channel. As long as the program hadn't ended I could just hit record and it would start as far back as I'd been tuned in or the function allows (I believe mine does 2 hours of "live" tv).

Now it rejects my record request and if I rewind I seem to be stuck with the restart feature, which starts at the beginning and doesn't allow skip/fast forwarding. I'm gonna have to test this again. Make sure it wasn't a one off glitch.

[Mike F]

^^^

I just tried it with the Canadiens game... I hit record at 6:30 (BC time) and when I started watching the recording it started at ~5:30 (when I turned to that channel).

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by Mike F

^^^

I just tried it with the Canadiens game... I hit record at 6:30 (BC time) and when I started watching the recording it started at ~5:30 (when I turned to that channel).

Interesting. Were you able to skip the commercials? If so, was the recording complete by the time you started watching or was it still recording? I am eager to find a way to use the new feature without losing the old feature (skipping ahead) which is one of the main reasons to use a PVR.

[Galakanokis]

Anybody else's Optik system become very slow and sluggish to respond recently? Hitting a button on the remote and the response from the system can take 5 to 10 seconds to respond. It hasn't always been like this, I remember really liking the response and fluidity of Telus but now it is brutal. I only use it for sports so it is not used often but man it is bad.

Just thought I would check in before I go through the hassle of support.

[Fuzz]

Did you try rebooting? My Shaw box needs that when it gets slow.

[psyang]

Interesting. Telus just launched their new PikTV platform - their pay-for-each channel service using an Android box. Currently available only in Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Victoria, Saanich, and Prince George. If it hits major centres, it could make some noise.

Initial offer is:

• 23 free basic (local) channels + 5 "specialty channels" (like Food Network or Bravo) for $20/month + $120 up front for the PikTV box. Additional specialty channels are $4/month.
• Another $20/month gives you all TSN and Sportsnet channels.
• Another $20/month gives you HBO + Movie Network + CraveTV.
• Includes access to internet services like Netflix, Youtube, etc.
• Ability to watch content on tablet/phones.
• Ability to rent movies on-demand.
• No PVR ability.
• Bluetooth remote control with voice recognition.
• Need to buy a box for each TV.
• Watching channel content at home does not count towards internet usage.

Total channel selection is much smaller than Optik, but looks like you have access to the major ones.

I think it really wins on price point - $60/month to get all sports, HBO, CraveTV, plus your local channels and 5 specialty channels is a great deal.

If you could add a PVR feature, it could really take off.

More info here.

[ken0042]

I wonder how much more it costs to add extra boxes? I would need multiple TVs and PVR before I could consider that as an option.

[psyang]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I wonder how much more it costs to add extra boxes? I would need multiple TVs and PVR before I could consider that as an option.

Yup, missing PVR is a big step backwards, but intentional. I bet not being able to record (and thus skip commercials) is why they can offer the plan so cheaply.

I'd assume you can buy a box for as many TVs as you need. They get registered like current Telus boxes, so they get tied to your account. Your only limit is bandwidth.

Even though the FAQ says that you can take your box to another house and watch, it does say you can only watch "select channels". I'm sure that's like how only certain channels on the Optik on the Go app are available unless you are on your home wifi.

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Did you try rebooting? My Shaw box needs that when it gets slow.

That's my go to line.

[Madman]

When I moved, my tech mentioned Telus would be coming out with wireless 4K boxes - anyone know anything about this?

[zzibradleyizz]

Originally Posted by Madman

When I moved, my tech mentioned Telus would be coming out with wireless 4K boxes - anyone know anything about this?

They are out already. Noticed this the other day.

https://www.telus.com/en/ab/tv/new/h...ang=en&prov=ab

[Galakanokis]

I have had one for a year now and it is pretty cool. Can easily move it around and I have not had any issues with it yet.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by psyang

I'd assume you can buy a box for as many TVs as you need.

I guess I'm wondering more if the price is just the initial $100 per box, or does the $20 per month go up as well? Might be a good alternative for $20 per month, but not at $40-50 for the basic package.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Yeah the restart feature has some major drawbacks. So much so I'm not sure it is worth it.

I used to be able to retroactively record a program if I was already tuned to that channel. As long as the program hadn't ended I could just hit record and it would start as far back as I'd been tuned in or the function allows (I believe mine does 2 hours of "live" tv).

Now it rejects my record request and if I rewind I seem to be stuck with the restart feature, which starts at the beginning and doesn't allow skip/fast forwarding. I'm gonna have to test this again. Make sure it wasn't a one off glitch.

I now get a message saying "due to rights, rewinding further will restrict your use of fast forward".

But it appears I can rewind what I've watched and record it retroactively. The message only appears if the restart feature is available and I rewind past what I've watched (the amount of time it's been on that channel).

[oilfan69]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

Anybody else's Optik system become very slow and sluggish to respond recently? Hitting a button on the remote and the response from the system can take 5 to 10 seconds to respond. It hasn't always been like this, I remember really liking the response and fluidity of Telus but now it is brutal. I only use it for sports so it is not used often but man it is bad.

Just thought I would check in before I go through the hassle of support.

I have this issue with my 4k box as well, works better if I aim the remote right at the box from 3-4' away, it is kinda annoying though.

[Diemenz]

Can someone please explain the benefit of having a 4k box?

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

Can someone please explain the benefit of having a 4k box?

So you can watch 4k cable content on your 4k TV. Not that it's true 4k, but I assume you would see the difference from 1080p, which is not true 1080p...

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Fire

So you can watch 4k cable content on your 4k TV. Not that it's true 4k, but I assume you would see the difference from 1080p, which is not true 1080p...

I feel as if my life is all a lie.