Is the i.TV app using shows recorded directly off of cable/satellite?

[sseelman]

Beyond the very hit/miss of shows available on i.TV, I get the distinct impression that they are just recording shows straight off cable or satellite. I am so used to the high quality of shows/movies available on Netflix Instant Watch that when I try to watch i.TV, it just seems that the content is being handled so unprofessionally. Some examples:

• NCIS - has Asian writing scrolling across the top of screen.
• Some shows have the TV Land logo in the lower right
• One show had "SunTV" in the lower right area.
• The naming convention and multi-part strategy is crazy. Some shows have one episode split into anywhere between 2 and 5 parts. Each of these lists as a separate episode. Others have all the parts under one multi-part listing. These last examples correctly show as one episode.
• 'I Love Lucy' has about 13 low-quality, early shows listed. It also has one epidode of 'Here's Lucy' and one 'I Love Lucy' special listed under 'I Love Lucy'. The latter is of such horrible quality that it is unwatchable.
• The randomness of available shows is ridiculous. Why would I want to watch some random episode from some random season? How about adding all of Season 1 and then eventually Season 2, etc...?

In a previous post, I mentioned the silly way that they list shows. You have to happen upon 'I Love Lucy' in the daily tv guide-type grid and then see if it has any episodes available. The ability to actually find something to watch is very painful. And, no, I do not buy the argument that it is still early in development and it will evolve. Plain and simple - they picked the wrong model. Netflix, Hulu, CBS, ABC, NBC all have relatively simple list methods. Netflix is the best and has the most complete content (by far). Hulu is pretty good and the others have somewhat limited content and are OK. I think he problem is that i.TV started as a tv guide-type app and slaped the streamable stuff into that metaphor. It is awful. I spend more time trying to figure out what is available than I do watching anything.

If only Netflix would create an app to view all their Instant Watch content. I would be in seventh heaven. They do it for Roku, xbox and Tivo. Why not iPhone????

i.TV - go back to the drawing board and spend more time on developing a usable metaphor and quality content. Even if you add moe content (which I know you are doing), the way it is being done is being handled very poorly. How about adding a Netflix hook to get their content and bag the way you are doing it?

p.s. I would be willing to pay a monthly fee (as I do with Netflix) for high quality content and presentation.

Are you listening i.TV?

 

[Daremo]

You should try contacting i.tv directly, instead of an open forum here. There's a much chance you would be "heard" that way.

 

[sseelman]

You should try contacting i.tv directly, instead of an open forum here. There's a much chance you would be "heard" that way.

I think contacting them is a good idea, and I also think the open post is relevant. Thanks.

 

[WPeterson]

good to let us know how i.TV is now.
kinda streaming service still needs more optimization for us.
make the good use of our 3g network.
and i think i'll wait for slingbox for iphone this year.

 

[TechJunky]

Hold up, there's streaming video on i.tv?

 

[Daremo]

I think contacting them is a good idea, and I also think the open post is relevant. Thanks.

Not trying to be a dick, but with over 200 views of this thread, and only 3 reply's, your best bet it contacting them directly as it may go unseen by them.

 

[sseelman]

Hold up, there's streaming video on i.tv?

Yes. It stinks, but it is there to some degree.

 

[sseelman]

Not trying to be a dick, but with over 200 views of this thread, and only 3 reply's, your best bet it contacting them directly as it may go unseen by them.

You're not being one. I agree. I used their contact form and sent them a link to this forum. We'll see.

 

[Justinthewhitt]

Hi from i.TV

So, someone alerted me to your post. Just wanted to chime in with a quick response and if you have any questions, please let me know.

We are currently working on improving the quality of content in our application, as well as how you can more easily find content. Like we said when we made the announcement about streaming content in our application, it will be limited for a time. We're hard at work on solutions we think you are going to like though. It shouldn't be too long from now that you see something new from us.

Again, let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer--without giving too much away

 

[sseelman]

So, someone alerted me to your post. Just wanted to chime in with a quick response and if you have any questions, please let me know.

We are currently working on improving the quality of content in our application, as well as how you can more easily find content. Like we said when we made the announcement about streaming content in our application, it will be limited for a time. We're hard at work on solutions we think you are going to like though. It shouldn't be too long from now that you see something new from us.

Again, let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer--without giving too much away

Justin..... I greatly appreciate you taking the time to contribute to this post. As negative as I have sounded above, I am actually one o your biggest supporters. I really want you to succeed. If I can help in any way to tes or provide feedback - please email me at sseelman@gmail.com. I'll be the first one to trumpet your successes.

 

[Justinthewhitt]

Thanks!

Justin..... I greatly appreciate you taking the time to contribute to this post. As negative as I have sounded above, I am actually one o your biggest supporters. I really want you to succeed. If I can help in any way to tes or provide feedback - please email me at sseelman@gmail.com. I'll be the first one to trumpet your successes.

Thanks for your support and I'm really glad you made the effort to reach out to us. We always appreciate feedback.

We'd love to have you take place in our next beta test fest. If I understand correctly from our dev team, that should start pretty soon. Just send an email to beta@i.tv and they'll put you on the list.