Now that my second cable box has been “upgraded” by Time Warner with new software I can declare the offering an all-time bust. I held out hope that perhaps the software would look better in HD. Nope. It actually looks worse.
In fact, it looks like the pixelated 8-bit graphics of a PCjr. For you 30-somethings and under, that is bad indeed.
The new channel guide software is a downgrade in every imaginable way from the previous Passport software. It looks worse, conveys less information, and actually removes functionality. Previously when fast-forwarding or reversing thru a DVRd program you could blip ahead or back 15 minutes with the directional keys. Not anymore. Gee, thanks Time Warner.
TW did add something to the software. If you have their bundled phone service, a Caller ID box now pops up on your screen to tell you who is calling. Yippee! Has anyone on Planet Earth ever wanted such a thing? Everyone has their wireless phones right next to them if they are expecting a call. If they are not, they let the machine get it. Talk about a dubious “feature.”
Nationwide there have been complaints about the software, which TW has steadfastly ignored. Ignored because I’ll wager TW is saving a boatload of licensing fees by ditching perfectly functional third-party ware for some home brew crap it built in-house.
I have never seriously contemplated all the mess and trouble of a dish system. After seeing how horrible TW’s new channel guide software truly is, I am now.
Update: The AV geeks have more on the new Navigator software’s shortcomings here.
Update II: Better ear to bend. The city of Charlotte employs Doris Boris as its full-time “cable administrator” at a salary of $86,085. She also evidently still runs a consulting biz on the side by the name of Cabltrac. It has contracted with jurisdictions like Mooresville to handle their cable complaints. The contact info for that outfit is: [email protected] and (704) 541-5972. We are paying too much money — to all kinds of people — to have to put up with this.
Update III: A very nice and helpful lady from TW called me at about noon today to relate that they have their engineers working on the issue. I thanked her and told her my preferred fix would be rolling back to the previous software. As I know that is probably impossible, I am not sure the call did any good, but I appreciate the effort.
