Voice Remote Won't Fast Forward Past Hourly Scroll Bar

[Paul330]

I've been having trouble for around a year now, on my main and all mini boxes. I thought that eventually an update would resolve the issue.

What's happening is, after pausing live/recorded TV, I can fast forward using the voice control on the remote control, but I can't use the voice control to fast forward to past the scroll bar - whereby the scroll bar completes the scroll and begins again from the LH side. I can fast forward using the button, and the scroll bar will reset and begin on the LH side, but it will not do this with my voice. It simply pauses the screen with the scroll indicator on the furthest RH side of the scroll bar. Using the back button then continues the video from where the command was attempted.

It must be a bug that hasn't been reported yet!!

[nigea99]

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@Paul330 wrote:

I've been having trouble for around a year now, on my main and all mini boxes. I thought that eventually an update would resolve the issue.

What's happening is, after pausing live/recorded TV, I can fast forward using the voice control on the remote control, but I can't use the voice control to fast forward to past the scroll bar - whereby the scroll bar completes the scroll and begins again from the LH side. I can fast forward using the button, and the scroll bar will reset and begin on the LH side, but it will not do this with my voice. It simply pauses the screen with the scroll indicator on the furthest RH side of the scroll bar. Using the back button then continues the video from where the command was attempted.

It must be a bug that hasn't been reported yet!!

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hi @Paul330 

If I understand you correctly using the Fast forward command it pauses before you get back to love - am I correct ?

What specific voice command are you using ?

Have you tried using other commands such as Skip 10 minutes  ?

I tend to use the Skip command (over adverts) or the remote's physical buttons for the other odd  advance when using the pause live function (othewise mainly Skip xx minutes  or Go To xx mins within recordings)

[Paul330]

Thanks for your support. I have tried using 'skip', and 'go to end', and these both have the same issue........once the scroll reaches the end of the bar, it will not continue, and the video continues from when the command was initiated. Any command up to the end of the scroll will work without issue. Any command that progresses past will not. Only using the fast forward button will cause the play back to continue past the end of the scroll bar as expected. Though in this case, the scroll bar does not reset to the beginning, and the video continues fast forwarding. After this, any future command works as expected with a correctly refreshed scroll bar.

[oldfella]

Hi @Paul330 

To what scroll bar are you referring?

If it is currently live TV you have paused there is a red record bar.  Are you trying to reach the end of this?

[Paul330]

I've never passed the end of the scroll bar when it's red (recording) so I can't confirm if this is also within the scope of the issue., but the blue scroll bar (live or recorded) is the issue I'm noticing.

[Paul330]

When I try to use the voice command to pass the end of the scroll bar (blue, 'fast forward', 'skip' etc), it will not pass and the video freezes. Only using the fast forward button will pass the end of the scroll bar. However, all commands work great if the result it within the range of the scroll bar.

[oldfella]

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@Paul330 wrote:

When I try to use the voice command to pass the end of the scroll bar (blue, 'fast forward', 'skip' etc), it will not pass and the video freezes. Only using the fast forward button will pass the end of the scroll bar. However, all commands work great if the result it within the range of the scroll bar.

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Hi @Paul330 

Still more than a bit confused by your issue.

Just to clarify are you watching recorded content from the Continue section or the Most recent section?

[Paul330]

Thanks for your patience. I'm watching either paused content, or recorded content. Whilst pausing live TV, the scroll bar is divided into daily hours, aligned along the scroll bar to the current time of day. If watching recorded content, the scroll bar is divided into 60mins. In either case, the skip through the content is beyond the length of the scroll bar.

When using the voice command, the fast forward will not pass the end of the scroll bar. Example - live TV, 5 minutes remaining on the scroll bar, but 45mins behind live TV. I say, 'Skip 15 minutes', the scroll bar proceeds 5 mins to the end of the scroll bar, and then all actions cease. Pressing backup on the remote returns back to where I initiated the action. Fast forwarding >5mins (using the buttons) allows me to pass the end of the scroll bar and I begin watching tv from a different moment in time. This overcomes the issue and I get another 60mins (scroll bar length) of voice commands to use.

In summary, no voice commands will proceed further ahead than the current scroll bar. However, button commands will proceed further ahead than the current scroll bar.

When using the remote after pausing live tv I have to voice command to the end of the scroll bar, then using the button fast forward beyond the end of the scroll bar, then voice command to the place in time I was to continue viewing live tv once more. I’m sure the programmers’ intended purpose is for the user to say ‘skip 35mins’ and then box will move ahead 35mins irrespective to where or when the action was initiated.

[oldfella]

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@Paul330 wrote:

Thanks for your patience. I'm watching either paused content, or recorded content. Whilst pausing live TV, the scroll bar is divided into daily hours, aligned along the scroll bar to the current time of day. If watching recorded content, the scroll bar is divided into 60mins. In either case, the skip through the content is beyond the length of the scroll bar.

When using the voice command, the fast forward will not pass the end of the scroll bar. Example - live TV, 5 minutes remaining on the scroll bar, but 45mins behind live TV. I say, 'Skip 15 minutes', the scroll bar proceeds 5 mins to the end of the scroll bar, and then all actions cease. Pressing backup on the remote returns back to where I initiated the action. Fast forwarding >5mins (using the buttons) allows me to pass the end of the scroll bar and I begin watching tv from a different moment in time. This overcomes the issue and I get another 60mins (scroll bar length) of voice commands to use.

In summary, no voice commands will proceed further ahead than the current scroll bar. However, button commands will proceed further ahead than the current scroll bar.

When using the remote after pausing live tv I have to voice command to the end of the scroll bar, then using the button fast forward beyond the end of the scroll bar, then voice command to the place in time I was to continue viewing live tv once more. I’m sure the programmers’ intended purpose is for the user to say ‘skip 35mins’ and then box will move ahead 35mins irrespective to where or when the action was initiated.

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Hi @Paul330 

Mmm.

Never Watch much paused live TV.

I will have to try it to check your observations.

Just one point.  If you are watching paused live TV and need to go to current live time you can just press the dismiss button which sends you directly to the live channel point.

The play bar in recordings has no divisions (60 min or otherwise) and runs the length of the recording.

For example I am currently watching a recording of the tennis which stated at 9:00 am.

The play bar shows that the total program length is 8hrs 4min.

I am currently 30 mins into the recording along the red portion which extends to current time.

Can you explain any issues you get when watching such  recordings ?

[Paul330]

@oddfella, very interesting. I often pause live TV to skip through the adverts and such. I can only pause 60mins of live TV, after which, the play back begins automatically.  In this picture, you can see I paused live TV at 5.25pm. The current time is 5.29pm, which is also represented on the scroll bar as a thick white line. I'll wait until the current time is 5.40pm. By this time the white line has grown up to the end of the scroll bar. Using voice command, 'skip 10 munites', the Sky Q box should move 'live TV' to 5.35pm, which is beyong the scroll bar. This fails to occur. I can use the voice command to go to any point before 5.30pm, but not after. My only option is to use the fast forward button to move 'live TV' beyong 5.30pm. Surely this is a problem (bug) with the scroll bar not refreshing when moving beyond it's upper limit.

[Paul330]

[oldfella]

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@Paul330 wrote:

@oddfella, very interesting. I often pause live TV to skip through the adverts and such. I can only pause 60mins of live TV, after which, the play back begins automatically.  In this picture, you can see I paused live TV at 5.25pm. The current time is 5.29pm, which is also represented on the scroll bar as a thick white line. I'll wait until the current time is 5.40pm. By this time the white line has grown up to the end of the scroll bar. Using voice command, 'skip 10 munites', the Sky Q box should move 'live TV' to 5.35pm, which is beyong the scroll bar. This fails to occur. I can use the voice command to go to any point before 5.30pm, but not after. My only option is to use the fast forward button to move 'live TV' beyong 5.30pm. Surely this is a problem (bug) with the scroll bar not refreshing when moving beyond it's upper limit.

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Lol 

Old as well as Odd @Paul330 

I think your issue is because you are trying to use Voice control over two running live programs.

In your photo the current program ends at 5:30 and no automated commands would go past the current program end.  As you will find the playbar will reset at each program

Manual forward advance does not consider each program end point and will advance for as long as you hold fast forward until you reach live time

[Paul330]

@oldfella, thank you for your reply. I've tested your reply by pausing a live movie (which I've never done 😄 ), and you are correct. I've never noticed that the scroll bar does end when the current program ends as indicated in the EPG.

Still, why should the voice command 'skip xx minutes' align within anything. Surely the voice command feature is substitution for the buttons to improve the user experience?

Having ‘lost’ a few programs whilst pausing live TV, I distinctly record individual programs, and only pause live TV. To me, pausing live TV, is just that, pausing live TV.

Maybe Sky can relish us with their reasoning as to why we can only fast forward through live TV with our fingers?

[oldfella]

Hi @Paul330 

Afraid it is logical to me that some voice commands will only work in one program at a time when watching paused live TV.

In most cases Voice control will mimic manual playback manipulation.

For example when watching paused TV and the current time has moved to the next program,  you can see the end of the program you are watching on the playbar.

Press x2 fast forward once and the cursor will move at x2 speed.   You will see that when it reaches the end it also cannot go past the end point  (Same as voice control) and just bounces.

However if you leave it bouncing long enough it will finally pass into the next playbar.

At x6 speed it will only bounce a couple of times.

At x12 speed it just momentarily pauses.

At x30 speed it pushes through without much difficulty.

These same characteristics can be duplicated with Voice control.

During playback of paused TV Fast forward voice control will advance at x2 speed.

Fast forward again will increase speed to x6.   As will Faster.

The above commands can be used multiple times to reach X30 speed.

There is no button command for x6, x12 or x30.  Multiple presses are required as are multiple voice commands.

To fast forward above x30  with the remote you need to press and hold the buttons as there is no single button press for high variable speed manipulation.

No button no Voice command. 
So Voice commands do mimic the button ones in many ways.
High speed button presses are far more convenient then trying to use multiple Voice commands.

If there is a long time left in the playbar then it can skipped to near the end with voice control and then Fast forward into the next playbar with the button.

Voice control is easier in recordings as there is only one playbar (per recording) and you can skip to any time in the recording.   You can also use Voice commands to play next Episode.

[simon194]

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@Paul330 wrote:

@oddfella, very interesting. I often pause live TV to skip through the adverts and such. I can only pause 60mins of live TV, after which, the play back begins automatically.

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That's because you can only pause a maximum of 60 minutes. It's been the case on all recordable Sky boxes since Sky+.