In train entertainment.

[Airline Man]

I read somewhere that First Great Western had seat back videos and a GPS locator similar to the moving map display on airliners.

Does anyone know anymore about this? Was it a trial and how did it do or does? Does any other rail company offer airliner style in train entertainment?

Thanks

 

[Temple Meads]

FGW offered them at all seats in Coach D on their HST's for a few years but recently removed them. It was originally a paid-for service, but after poor revenue the decision was taken to make them free, however even then, they weren't particularly well used - most people seem to prefer using their phone/tablet/laptop etc, for on train entertainment.

Something of a shame as the moving map was a nice touch (okay, it was probably the only thing on there I bothered with), plus coach D was always warmer with the screens running, very nice in winter

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Was called volo TV. There was never really much worth watching on them and the GPS whilst good would keep returning to the homepage after 1min of no activity so pain in the backside to actually follow it along.

 

[Greenback]

In my view it was rubbish, and several years too late, as by the time it was rolled out increasing numbers of people had access tot heir own entertainment through personal devices.

 

[ainsworth74]

I quite liked it on the Sleeper service (watching an episode of Fawlty Towers in my berth before going to sleep was very nice) but on the day service it was a waste of time apart from the moving map. It also took up a lot of room and those seats felt quite cramped and it was hard to fit a laptop in (which usually isn't a problem thanks to those handy pull out bits on the seat back table).

I must admit though I do wish we'd deploy screens overhead in the carriage showing information like what coach this is, what service, if we're on time, connections at the next station and a map showing where we are. Rotate through them and that would be both useful and interesting. I believe a number of trains on the continent have such screens, for instance, Railjet in Austria.

 

[Greenback]

I agree - TV on a sleeper is a different kettle of fish!

 

[jon0844]

A TV showing real-time information, perhaps offering some smart-TV like services (like Netflix, Facebook, Twitter or whatever) that you log in to use, or a connection so you can hook up your own phone (or share your display wirelessly even) would be great on a sleeper. Indeed it might be good on some long-distant Intercity trains too, but only if the screens were big enough to make it worthwhile (otherwise I'll just use my phone or tablet screen, and will only want a means to charge them).

I was in a hotel recently that let me log in to Netflix. Indeed, I could actually connect to my 55-inch TV via the Netflix app on my phone to cast films to it, making it even easier. No cost, and so much better than hoping to find a good choice of films on the hotel TV system - and paying through the nose for them.

A 'dumb' entertainment system is not going anywhere, and airlines seem to have realised this too. Airlines might not be able to let hundreds of people stream their own Netflix films to individual screens, but they have caught on about letting people connect their devices to play their own locally stored content.

 

[physics34]

does the entertainment on pendolinos still work?

 

[Clip]

Nah they pulled that a while back I think.

 

[Greenback]

Indeed it might be good on some long-distant Intercity trains too, but only if the screens were big enough to make it worthwhile (otherwise I'll just use my phone or tablet screen, and will only want a means to charge them).

Being able to view a bigger screen would be useful, especially if you can connect a device to it. The Volo screens were much the same size as my tablet, but to be honest, I can't see how you could have a much bigger screen in the back of a seat. Not without a lot of expense and difficulty, anyway.

 

[Clip]

Being able to view a bigger screen would be useful, especially if you can connect a device to it. The Volo screens were much the same size as my tablet, but to be honest, I can't see how you could have a much bigger screen in the back of a seat. Not without a lot of expense and difficulty, anyway.

Im sure you could fashion some sort of cradle that could go round the headrest without it annoying the person in the seat in front they do them for cars now so shouldn't be much struggle for a train seat if its built into it

 

[jon0844]

Being able to view a bigger screen would be useful, especially if you can connect a device to it. The Volo screens were much the same size as my tablet, but to be honest, I can't see how you could have a much bigger screen in the back of a seat. Not without a lot of expense and difficulty, anyway.

Without checking a photo, I can't be sure how big the screen was - but I don't recall it being as big as it could have been. A large unit, with a large bezel. I know some airlines have fitted on far bigger screens (albeit usually premium economy or business/first class) and now panels are so thin - you can make it part of the seat, not added on.

But, I do think on a normal train it's probably not necessary as most people aren't on the train for as long as they might be on a plane, or sleeper.

The fact that various trials have all failed suggests this is the case, and now screens are getting larger on smartphones (and people are not only accepting this, but demanding it) there's probably even less benefit of faffing about hooking/pairing up a second screen. I think a 5 or 6 inch phone screen, or a 7/8/10 inch tablet, is probably just fine.

 

[stut]

Norwegian Air Shuttle (on short-haul as well as long-) have a good scheme. As well as free internet, the wireless connection also offers streaming films and programmes. This must be very doable for longer train journeys if the will is there.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nah they pulled that a while back I think.

Indeed, the racks were reused for the wi-fi equipment.

I don't think there's a lot of point, anyone wanting such a facility can bring their own tablet, and with things like the Tesco Hudl and a large used market they are available to most people who make long-distance train journeys with any frequency.

 

[jon0844]

The Hudl is now £99 (half that with suitable Clubcard points) and a pretty amazing device. 8.3 inch full HD display and excellent audio (but please use headphones on a train!).

 

[Airline Man]

I haven't been on the Heathrow Express for a while but that's got TV screens in the carriages, again it's a different kettle of fish to normal trains.

 

[TheEdge]

I haven't been on the Heathrow Express for a while but that's got TV screens in the carriages, again it's a different kettle of fish to normal trains.

They are more like digital photo frames, they just cycle round adverts. The few times I used voloTV I was really disappointed by it. Poor choice, awful screen.

Its not easy to compare it IFE on aircraft when those systems are both many magnitudes more expensive and are in a different environment where wi-fi and personal devices are not as accessible.

 

[jon0844]

I didn't think the screens were that bad on FGW, rather it just wasn't needed by most people who now have their own source of entertainment.

Hence why I think IFE systems on planes will actually get more dumb in time, especially as Internet access improves and people could potentially one day stream content (or at least download and then watch) in the air.

It will then reduce the cost to the airline, who provides the service almost as a loss leader to offer something over the rest. Like Wi-Fi, which was once charged and is now generally free, but now often has a charge for faster Internet, I expect a charge could be introduced for faster speeds or streaming on planes one day, creating a new revenue stream.

 

[Pigeon]

In-train entertainment is best provided by means of great big screens down both sides of the carriage. Modern stock does tend to be suboptimal as regards both the size and visibility of these.

 

[Mikey C]

In-train entertainment is best provided by means of great big screens down both sides of the carriage. Modern stock does tend to be suboptimal as regards both the size and visibility of these.

As I go to work on the Tube, I find those screens down the side don't work very well, most of the time they're just black

 

[JaJaWa]

Hull Trains apparently have the information screens now, not that I've seen one on-board.

Hull Trains passengers to benefit from UK-first on-board information screens
Passengers will be fully informed of any journey changes in an industry-leading development
Passengers travelling with First Hull Trains will now have access to the UK’s very-first on-board information screens fed by live real-time train running information thanks to the launch of a new trial that could help pave the way for the development of a wider roll-out across other operators.
The unique on-board information system uses the National Rail Enquiries’ live train running information known as ‘Darwin’, which takes in a number of industry data feeds and uses these to predict arrival and departure times.
In addition to current train running information, passengers will be shown supplementary information via new on-board High Definition colour display screens including departure boards when approaching interchange stations, underground status updates and even the weather at their destination.
Throughout the journey, passengers will be given up-to-date information about stopping patterns, expected arrival times, delays and delay reasons. There will also be access to Live Departure Board information at the next station (for planning onward journeys).
First Hull Trains is the host for the project as the company was eager to further improve its on-board passenger information.
Will Dunnett, Managing Director at First Hull Trains says: “We’ve listened to our passengers to understand their preferences for how and when they want to receive information. The project will mean that passengers with First Hull Trains will be fully informed about all aspects of their journey both prior to departure, on-board the train and also on arrival at their station for planning onward journeys.”
Passengers were interviewed before the trial to understand their requirements and will be interviewed as the trial progresses. The results will then be fed into the build of the production system that could be rolled out more widely across other routes.
The trial project is a collaborative scheme involving various partners including First Hull Trains, ATOC, Angel Trains, Alstom, KeTech and Icomera.
Their input has ensured a system design which is fit for purpose – delivering reliable and up to date information to rail passengers throughout their journey. A number of additional features are already in development.
By making it easier for people and organisations to use live train-running information from National Rail Enquiries, the rail industry hopes to help ensure that more passengers consistently get the highest quality information about their services.
KeTech’s Principal Technical Consultant Mike Dixon says: “Key advantages of the system are its ease of installation and efficient architecture, which is based upon KeTech’s highly successful CIS products.”
Alstom Transport is the original manufacturer of the Class 180 Trains. Sean Graham, Projects Director at Alstom Transport says: “As the original manufacturer of the Class 180 Trains, we provided the vehicles integration design and installation to support First Hull Trains to bring a new experience for the customers of their services.
“We’re very pleased to be involved in this Digital Technology launch and as a major provider of services to the rail industry, we are keen to develop a broad range of new products to help modernise existing rolling stock and, where we do not have the expertise, to work with suppliers and our partners to find the best solution.”
Angel Trains are another major partner in the project to deliver the new system. Andrew Hicks, Fleet Engineer at Angel Trains says: “Angel Trains is excited to be launching this initiative in partnership with Hull Trains, Ketech and Alstom.
“The new on-board train information screens will provide real time travel information to passengers to improve their travel experience. This innovative system is testament to our partnership successfully moving forward with technology for the good of the passenger.”

http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/about-us/news/2015/03/hull-trains-passengers-to-benefit-from-uk-first-on-board-information-screens/#.VaTpDc6762w

 

[jon0844]

Another photo and perhaps a bit more info;

http://www.ketech.com/index.php/med...ger-information-system-with-first-hull-trains

Nice to see this sort of thing happening. I'm hopeful the information on the 700s will be as good as it is meant to be - and will always be working!

Sure, many people can get all this information on their smartphone but sometimes even people like us can benefit from just looking at a display! For ordinary passengers, this will be really useful.

 

[telstarbox]

When will designers realise that light text on a dark background is easier to read than vice versa?

 

[jon0844]

If the contrast is good enough, I think dark text on a white background is okay.

You could perhaps switch based on ambient lighting levels, although given the lighting is likely on all the time I doubt that's really necessary and would just add extra cost.