Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

surely that is a mis quote or a mistake !!!!

the V+ HD box othe than the Samung is the Scientific Atlanta box and that struggles with the current EPG we have.

i think it was ment to be V HD box as the quote also says the NON DVR but all V+ HD boxes have the DVR its the new V HD box that doesnt have the DVR features.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Spoke to CS last night and my scource also confirmed this.

Sky sports red button = To arrive in January 2011, thats 100% btw
ITV 2/3/4 HD will launch in the first quarter of next year
Sky Atlantic will launch the same time as on the Sky platform
CBS Drama will launch in the first quarter


There are no more exclusives for Sky anymore, The basic HD channels are in the process of arriving.

I know people have doubted what I have posted but I can only go on what people (working for virgin) tell me.

Tivo will launch in January aswell.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

So basically if you have a Samsung V+ what happens ?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Nothing, Were stuck in the past

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

thanks SP :tu:

---------- Post added at 10:04 ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 ----------

You'll need to upgrade to VM TiVo if you want it. V+HD will continue for now as is.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Sounds good Winkle, really looking forward to the Red Button function for the footy on Saturdays nights and for next seasons Champion League nights.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I hope the Red button isnt as pixilated as BBC Multiscreen

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/3683...ivo-box-teased

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

As someone who has had a TiVo unit for 10 years I can guarantee you'll be impressed.

The features, usability and feel of the UI still blow away todays other PVR offerings on cable, sky and freeview. Hell even the series links (or season passes as TiVo call it) that I set 10 years ago still work, not only that but if there is a recording clash it searches the EPG for any future repeats and automatically sets them to record instead.

I'd love to get my hands on one of these for Christmas... *fingers crossed*


Andy.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I have ask my insiders to confrim this info and I got the following back:

15:50 UPDATE: An other insider has got back saying this:

ITV 2/3/4 HD and Sky Atlantic - talks are still ongoing.
CBS Drama - no news


---------- Post added at 14:49 ---------- Previous post was at 14:32 ----------

ITV confirms Ashes highlights deal

ITV has announced a deal with Cricket Australia to broadcast highlights of England's 2010/11 Ashes series in Australia, safeguarding the coverage for free-to-air TV.

One hour of Highlights will be on at 10pm (When playing) on ITV4 from November 24th.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcas...ghts-deal.html

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Same here, that would be a great xmas prezzi!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Ah damn that tivo menu system is so clunky and awkward I had high hopes that Virgin would have done something to improve the situation and not just turn the damn thing red.

Well that's me sticking with sky then

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Dont be so negative. Tivo is better than Sky. The options available will be great and should only really range between £100-£200.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Don't knock it until you've seen and used it, Skys UI (I've not seen the HD UI) is like a ZX Spectrum next to a TiVo powered box and the menu layout is very intuitive.


Andy.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I was expecting Virgin to do something with tivo's awful menu system which it seems like they haven't.

I'm not negative because anything Virgin do will be better than what we have now anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I honestly hope I am in the minority but Tivo dosen't appeal to me purely because it dosen't sound like it will provide me with content that I cannot already get with a V+ or a PC. Obviously it will be connected so you can view websites and there will be a great UI and 1TB HDD but to me TV is about content, Sky prove this time and time again, as far back as BSB they have had inferior technology but hold the rights to content people will clearly pay for.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Saying that you can already get the content to me is erelevant, it's the ease (and speed) of accessing that content. Using your logic it's just as good to have thousands of VHS tapes with said content on, which I'm sure you would agree would be horrid. It's all about ease.

On a side note you can't view websites on the TiVo, what it does it consolidate all the content in one place under one search scheme.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Have you ever used the TiVo service? there is nothing awful about the menu system.

Its fantastic.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Its not about accessing more content, but about making that content easier to discover - its has content discovery at its heart.

Sure, you could find trailers for the next episode of Chuck on YouTube via your PC - but I'll prefer to have Tivo find that YouTube trailer along with all episodes of Chuck on the Virgin EPG, plus in Catch-Up VOD, in TV Choice VOD and in any other sources internet sources VM add to Tivo....in a single search via the TV:
http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/howto/get...chbytitle.html

God knows how much time I waste checking the EPG and various VOD menus to see if there's anything interesting on - with Tivo I'll spend less time searching for content and more time watching it.

As for content compared to Sky - we have most of the Sky HD channels and Red button and Sky VOD content is coming soon. There isn't that much significant content which is exclusive to Sky these days unless you count the as yet-launched Sky Atlantic and HD exclusives like the missing Sky Sports HD channels.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yes I have not so long ago infact and I found it to be cluttered, clunky and awkward. It's a step backward (menu wise) and I was expecting something more tbh but that's just me.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I have no problems currenty accessing the content available on V+ which is fast and simple, I don't understand your comparison to VHS as I am talking about VM on demand content which will be the same content on Tivo as we have now. By websites I mean the likes of YouTube which by all accounts (from a VM member of staff on DS) you will be able to access, I don't mean using Tivo as a web browser, I use a PC for that.

---------- Post added at 16:38 ---------- Previous post was at 16:37 ----------

Horses for courses I suppose, it dosen't appeal to me as I find the V+ excellent and easy to use as it is.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I think that must be where our experiences differ, my V+ is slow and painful to use. Good old SA!

I can kind of see your point if your current box isn't dreadful, unfortunately mine is, and the UI and process isn't great on the current implementation.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

But it's not fast and simple is it.

If you want to watch a program you currently have 3 places to look for it, the EPG, catch up on demand, tv choice on demand.

Fine if you know which of those you'll find it under, but if you don't? Welcome to the hell of scrolling through countless lists.

Tivo = search and you'll find it wherever it is. Have you tried using the epg search on the V+? Slow isn't a word I'd use to describe it, barely moving is far more apt.

People always moan about missed recordings as well, if something changes channel your season record on V+ won't pick it up (how many people's season records were messed up when BBC 1 HD launched moving programs from BBC HD onto that?) but your TIVO will, because it's season passes aren't just a case of "we'll keep checking this channel" it checks EVERYWHERE to find episodes for you.
You don't even need to find somewhere it's on, if you want to record all of a show, it'll find every single episode it can, on whatever channel it can, and record them for you. Try doing that with your "easy to use" V+.

It's not a matter of Tivo doing a ton of things that V+ can't, it just does a ton of things far better and quicker. If you're happy with how the V+ does it that's simply because you haven't experienced how Tivo does it. It completely removes the concept of channels and differing on demand sections.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I see, I find the V+ fine but it is a Samsung, maybe me saying it is excellent was going a bit far though, it normally works which is the important thing. Sometimes it is a little bit slow but it's very easy to find content with the search function which is why I doubt I will invest in Tivo as it just dosen't appear it will offer enough for me to justify another set up fee and possible ongoing monthly sub.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

:p: When tivo was announced you said that VM would mess it up. Link here. Now your not happy because they haven't meddled with it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Forgive me but I do find it fast and simple, don't you use the search function? I do and it finds content in either TV Choice, Movies OD, TV Guide, Catch Up, Music or All OD. Type in the title and toggle between categories, it couldn't be simpler to me.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Do you not find it incredibly slow? Also I hate using the remote for text input, that one thing the TiVo is miles ahead in, the peanut remote has a fold out Qwerty keyboard. That feature alone is enough for me to change (although it does mess up my Harmony One setup).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The V+ is a perfectly good box (I have one) and while the Tivo sounds like it has a much better interface, excellent search anywhere facility and 1Tb storage at last for HD, it is a matter of whether you want to pay for the upgrade. I hope many don't yet on the basis I want to be first in the queue for a Tivo, as I do like "what is says on the tin"

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Strange, after trying V+, Sky HD and the old Tivo myself, I find Tivo easiest to use, then VM, and Sky is the worst of the lot by a long way

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

No I really don't, it's just the same as sending a text message.

Having seen the picture of the remote on the VM website it must be a tiny querty keyboard.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Actually it's the slide that has the slide out keyboard not the standard remote (the one shown on the Virgin Media TiVo page). Anyone have any insider knowledge about that? :angel:

---------- Post added at 17:39 ---------- Previous post was at 17:36 ----------

Yeah I get how someone could be much faster at typing on the remote than me that's fine, but do you not find the actual time it takes to return results very slow? I haven't tried it lately, maybe it's improved - goes off to search for something.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I find it slow to get into all the OD screens, but once that has launched the search is pretty fast for me. I find it very handy when trying to work around recording clashes etc.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

You can a get a TiVO BOX from the internet for about £.100. I believe thats the price you shoud be paying to VM.
Now it the price is not right (at least not right to me) can anyone tell me if I buy it online, can I then use it with my Virgin subscription? :juggle:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I am beginning to sound like a VM fanboy which I am certainly not but I genuinely find the search function quick and simple, quite possibly because I have the Samsung V+ and not the older SA.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Right just did a test - discounting my ineptitude at typing on the remote - it's MUCH faster than it once was. Only problem is it took 10 seconds for the search page to render, I'm guessing that's a factor of me having an SA and you a Samsung.

Side point, it also searches against the descriptions too, which is nice.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

It does and that is a great feature, really useful.

It can also depend on your remote, at least one of them has what I call 'spongey' buttons which are hard to use, I think it's the one that was originally supplied with the TV Drive as I know someone with this and it's quite tricky in my opinion .

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Home

Catch up on demand

"Just a moment"

Search

"Just a moment"

Finally get to search.

"Just a moment"

Ok nothing there lets check a different category

"Just a moment"

Lets change category again...

"Just a moment"

I'm struggling to see how it's fast and simple, especially considering the search option is hidden away. You'd think something that had an option to search the epg would actually be available from the tv guide menu right? Yet it's not, it's hidden away in the on demand options.

How is this not completely clunky, slow, and above all unintuitive? How many people are going to go into on demand to search the epg?

(Incidently, I'm pretty sure that this search is here BECAUSE of the tivo platform)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Am I right in thinking that with the TiVo box, if I "Like" or "Thumbs Up" a programme, the box will automatically find content from On Demand, the Internet and EPG listings and suggest them to me to watch?

For example if I "Thumbs Up" Chuck, it will suggest me watching the Behind the Scenes or Interviews of the show from YouTube.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

That is your experience, not mine. I don't get 'just a moment' (apart from entering on demand) it is nigh on instant. Also I guess until it is available we don't know how responsive and fast Tivo will be.

Again just my opinion, I think it's fine.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yes.

If you look at the screenshot a few pages back the bar at the top showing different shows is recommendations based on your viewing habits.
It can also automatically record recommendations for you without you having to bother to look for when they're on.

---------- Post added at 18:04 ---------- Previous post was at 17:58 ----------

It's fine to have an epg search hidden away on the on demand menus? And not somewhere where, you know, people might actually look for it?

If it wasn't posted about on this forum I'd be willing to guess most people on here wouldn't have a clue it was there. I bet 90%+ of VM customers don't know about it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Most customers use On Demand and have used the search function. Is there room on the main HOME screen for the search function?

I guess it could be included in the TV Guide screens. :cool:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I agree it could be easier to find the search function, I assumed it needs to be within the on demand menus to be able to search the OD content and is a limitation of the legacy liberate middleware, who knows but it works ok for me so I can live with it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I've had my V+ for 18 months, & did not know about this search option, thanks for the info. I will be using it in future. Used to have Humax 9200 & used it all the time, mind you it wasn't a hidden feature on the Humax.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

i think search only been thre about 6 months or so and its only in on demand i think#

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I was right tho they have messed it up by not capitalising on what Tivo can actually do and sticking with their awkward menu system, still have plenty more time to balls up installation and the actual running of the boxes etc.

Suppose what I was after was a nice clean menu system that's not cluttered and not full of images added to make up the blank space. I remember a few people on here that did mock-ups of a menu that looked awesome.

Edit:- Btw I am hoping to be proved wrong by Virgin and I hope the Tivo actually blows the other boxes out the water.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The information from RTÉ that I posted previously would suggest that this is off the table now, probably until after digital switch over is completed in the Republic of Ireland at the earliest and more likely until long after the economic recovery. Anyone care to predict when that might be? :(

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Remove from list.

Also I was told today by an insider that an channel that broadcast on Virgin is getting new broadcasting hours in early 2011.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

probably at least 2018 i say more liek 2025

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Looks like Tivo may have an answer for this already.

From
http://www.tivo.com/products/tivo-pr...uestions.html#

Can you add an expandable drive to TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL?
Yes. You can connect an external hard drive via e-Sata. The 1 terabyte My Book AV DVR Expander from Western Digital can be purchased on tivo.com for $149.99.


OK, That's info for the States. Does anyone know if the VM Tivo will have the eSATA port enabled?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I doubt anybody does but I think it is supposed to have a good back up facility so personally I would rather use that than keep hundreds of hours of recordings in one place.
Edit: Silly me, you are talking about an external drive as opposed to upgrading the internal drive. Even then if it does have a good back up facility to computer or dvd/bluray, perhaps it wouldn't need an external hard drive.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

It is illegal for someone to sell a Virgin box as it is the property of Virgin and it will NOT work as it is paired to your card subscription.

The only way to get 1 is via Virgin. :)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The Holy Box, revealed?
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...3&postcount=33

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

If only it was illegal to not read the OP properly...

To answer the question, the TiVo boxes that used to be available in the UK didn't integrate with cable networks, they just had an input and a free to air terrestrial tuner.

You could connect a cable box or a Sky box to it and record that input but the guide only handles the free to air signal. So you would still need a VM box to get the cable channels but you could watch them via the TiVo box.

The new TiVo box has integrated cable tuners so you'll only need the one box but as always you'll only be able to get it from VM.

---------- Post added at 20:06 ---------- Previous post was at 20:00 ----------

It's definitely something new, doesn't have the same shape on the left hand side that the picture of the preview box has, just find that a bit odd that's all!

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/11/38.jpg

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/11/39.jpg

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/11/40.jpg

The EXIF data in the images seems to show they were taken on the 13/10/2010 by an iPhone 3G in the Sheffield area. So they're relatively recent, maybe someone with access to the testing hardware?

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

That's one ugly looking box, doesn't look very premium, trust the Americans to come up with something like this. It looks like they've done away with the LCD, for channel number/clock, all other cable boxes have.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

All good news on here today :cleader::cleader:

That new box looks proper sick i want 1 of them :blah::hyper:

---------- Post added at 20:53 ---------- Previous post was at 20:52 ----------

Good to here about this :dunce::dunce:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

That looks a quality box.. Cant wait for one or Two (one for my room aswell)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Init man :dunce::dunce::tu:

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The shape on the left is the end of the box, it's the same.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

And the other thing it ant got the channel number showing

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/21076...confusing.html Dont like Tivos US pricing model.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

It does seem to be different in style to the one shown on the VM website. I also find it strange there is no LCD display for channels etc!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Probably because TiVo pulls the content from wherever it needs to, what channel it's on becomes less relevent.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

You didint understand me... You can buy a TiVO box even on tivo site or even ebay if you want to... ?

---------- Post added at 21:59 ---------- Previous post was at 21:57 ----------

[QUOTE=indie1982;35123695]If only it was illegal to not read the OP properly...

To answer the question, the TiVo boxes that used to be available in the UK didn't integrate with cable networks, they just had an input and a free to air terrestrial tuner.

You could connect a cable box or a Sky box to it and record that input but the guide only handles the free to air signal. So you would still need a VM box to get the cable channels but you could watch them via the TiVo box.

The new TiVo box has integrated cable tuners so you'll only need the one box but as always you'll only be able to get it from VM.[COLOR="Silver"]

OK cheers mate! Clear now.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The less lights the better! The SA V+ box I have at the moment is insane in standby mode, I've had to cover the buttons with card so it doesn't look like Blackpool Illuminations at night when I'm trying to sleep. I've always felt the channel display cheapened the boxes look anyway.

And I think it looks okay, its a similar style to the V HD and 50 Meg modems by the looks of it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I got used to that :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

With the increasing number of DOGs on channels (for better or worse), that's won't be an huge issue.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

It looks pretty much exactly the same as the one on the VM website.
The shape, layout of the front, it's all the same.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

No LED screen, this is due to the TiVo firmware. error messages will be displayed on screen and by a light sequence. and remember, the box is built by cisco :) based on the new VHD and 50Mb modem

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I thought that when I first saw it - but looking again at the VM picture, I think it is the same. They have taken a three-quarter length shot from the left hand side, so the bit peaking out under the sheet nearest the camera is the side of the box and not the front.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

As this month Virgin Media bills comes in here is some info on new prices for the Asian package on Virgin TV

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

A friend in America has had a update recently to his box and I got him to youtube a few commands (less than 10 mins ago) so if virgin can capitalise on this fast menu then yes I will buy a Tivo box on release and will forgive the awkward menu!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Just a clarification on that - there are some customers on the £24 Asian bundle, they will get the reduction to the £10 price

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Had another look, I see what you mean now!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I have the V HD box and I am very pleased with it, so much quicker and reliable than the old boxes. I do hope they drop the Tivo software into my box, which I have seen discussed in the media.:)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Not true. I have it on good authority that the MoD always test their chemical weapons there first! :D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Personally I have never seen much point in having LCD channel numbers on the fascia of the box, I don't think the Sky Digital boxes have them even with their endless channels. The box looks very sturdy like the other cable boxes SA/Motorola have made over the years and have an american rather than european look but I guess it's the UI and programmes you will be looking at.

The Tivo remote looks smart though.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I note somebody posted that the pictures of that Tivo box were taken in October so sounds like this was a pre-production box under test?

One thing I notice and hope is not the case is that black plastic looks very cheap and rough. I would expect VM to produce in the same high quality “gloss like” black as used for the 50MB modem as would look so good together. Any views on this?

The lack of a LCD display does not concern me and as others have stated who have V+ units in their bedrooms, it would actually help.

Definitely looking forward to getting one of these as soon as we are able to register an interest. Have a 3D TV and 2 children who will be happy to test every feature they can find (if they can force the remote control out of the hands of dad!).

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The case looks similar to the V HD box to me, the fascia isn't piano black like the V HD but it dosen't appear to have an LCD display so maybe that's why. I can understand them wanting to make it sturdy though as it may end up doing the rounds with several customers over the years.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Will VM introduce a new V+ box that runs TIVO software as it seems crazy to have a VHD box and a premium TIVO box that costs the earth. Sky have a 1tb PVR that costs but also offer a free Sky+ HD box.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I would guess releasing a V+ that runs Tivo would defeat the object of launching the new STB. It would be nice if the existing V+ became the standard box, at least to XL customers as the V+ subscription is included with XL anyway.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Not really a new V+ would just have the software and not all the internet connectivity.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I hope the Tivo wont cost too much £150 max if its going to be another "rent" the box situation.

I just hope they offer a self-install as I cant justify wasting money and technician time to simply unplug 3 wires then plug them back in.

---------- Post added at 10:19 ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 ----------

Any upgrade to the current Virgin software would be welcome

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Am sure the existing epg and stbs will still be around. TiVo will be a premium service over and above the normal Virgin TV service so not everyone will want it.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

You would think they would want everyone on the same EPG otherwise it becomes a nightmare for support.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Surely it would make sense to put the new Tivo software on the VHD box as it has an Ethernet connection and does support Tivo.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Not really as it will be TiVo that will be supporting and looking after the TiVo service.

If it has a monthly cost just like the american service then not everyone will want TiVo, and the old boxes presumably won't be able to support the new TiVo epg.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

As the Liberate contract is due to end within the next couple of years I'm sure there is probably a plan to do something at somepoint

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I bought a remote keyboard for my Pace Di4000-N V Box on eBay a few months ago (£0.01 + £4.99 p&p) which works as expected with e-mail and other text based features of the STB but the Search facility uses a different, incompatible interface, an inconsistency that I have raised elsewhere on the forum previously. It strikes me that using separate middle-ware routines for the Search interface wastes precious memory in the box and is annoyingly counter-intuitive as the arrow keys and coloured buttons, for example, don't function as they do normally.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Thanks for that Ben , Im desperate to get one and will shell out an upfront cost but wouldn't be to happy with a monthly charge on top especially when the box is never mine.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

They certanly know how to tease us. Just wish they would come out and say how much and when.
Don't they know Santa will be busy!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I've had XL (and its predecessors on NTL) from day one but, even when my old Pace V Box failed, I was not issued with a V+ Box.

I'm in a quandary now because I don't have a HD TV yet but I would like to have a PVR with, at least, an eight day EPG. However I don't want to have the problems associated with the ageing SA boxes (I also want my Pace compatible £5 remote keyboard to still work!) and I can't justify having a TiVo just now although ultimately I'll probably want one.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Isn't Tivo usually based around some sort of a subscription though. I know the Sky Tivo kit that customers owned could be supported by a one off lifetime sub but being loaned kit isn't it likely to be a monthly subscription. All guesswork I suppose but given VM directly charge for V+ to non XL customers I personally doubt it will be a free service which in my eyes is fair enough.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

TiVos have a subscription but what we are getting is "V+HD with TiVo Inside", It's not a TiVo TiVo (if that makes sense). TiVo have a contract with VM, not it's customers. Now if VM decide to put a surcharge on the box to start off with (as in the long term TiVo will be the only middleware and they will have to drop it at some point) that's up to them.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

According to this it was only extended until Jan 2011...

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/...rate-contract/

Unless more has been done after this (quick google didnt find anything more recent than this)

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Even with the V+ HD there is a subcription - it just happens that for XL the cost of the subscription is £0

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I see what you mean but the kit appears to be over and above what a customer needs to receive the standard VM services so unless it is offered with an extended new contract, lets say 24 months just as an example I wouldn't be surprised if it attracts a monthly surcharge but we will just have to wait and see.

Although it dosen't really appeal to me I would have no objection to paying extra for it if I subsequently decide to get it, within reason!

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

itv 1 +1 news

itv + 1 is going 2 start soon on freeview

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yeah I noticed that last night, channel 35.

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 ----------

Baffling.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

On the ex-NTL platform we used to get a 3-day EPG and more information on the i-button (e.g. year and actors for films) but when the platforms merged VM opted for a lowest common denominator EPG for all of the standard V Box STBs as some older models did not have the resources to support the better one. There was presumably a cost saving in having only one EPG for all standard boxes and one for + and HD boxes. There may even have been more than one EPG supplier involved previously necessitating multiple contracts (experts to confirm please).

The situation will likely be similar in the future with TiVo middle-ware boxes having a far more advanced EPG but + and HD boxes having a sub-set of the features. There will also likely be a (not too) gradual ageing out of older standard boxes leaving just two main middle-ware / EPG combinations to support.

<OT>
Speaking of EPG, why does Living never have anything on the i-button for CSI (standard V Box)? You can't tell what episode it is.
</OT>

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Great point , that's what I was trying to say wouldn't it be better to have standard issue box as VHD with TIVo , then V+ HD (new build Cisco box say) with TIVO £75 then a Premium TIVO with all bells and whistles £150.

Many people want a PVR but don't want to pay £150 for the pleasure. Cable could lose customers here as Sky offer a free Sky+HD box now.