Re: TiVo
 

Virgin Media don't do automated prize calls, Matt. More likely someone else. :)

Re: TiVo
 

ah ok thanks DF :)

Re: TiVo
 

Hello everyone. Been standing on the sidelines for the last few months, thought I'd sign up to post this to say I agree with Parlyboy. My main gripe with the V+ is the lack of recording space, especially as most of the stuff I watch is available in HD. I don't seem to watch much live TV anymore (except the BBC News Channel), I just record and watch when I want. Does anyone think the 3rd tuner will be activated before TiVo is rolled out to those of us who pre-registered (i.e. before it's on general release)? I don't want to refuse a box when I finally get the call, but I couldn't manage with just the 2 tuners.

Re: TiVo
 

Hi and :welcome: to the forum :waving:

3rd tuner will be activated in March :)

Re: TiVo
 

Thanks for the Welcome and the quick reply DF. Looks like I can carry on getting excited for the end of March! :)

Re: TiVo
 

I have to say that the lack of a third tuner is really noticeable on our Tivo. It's not a massive problem and I'm certainly complaining about it but the third tuner on our V+ box was obviously used a hell of a lot more than we realised. We've had the tivo in for 4 days now and when I was setting up all my series links again I came across 4 clashes.

The third tuner activation will be a welcome addition that's for sure :)

Re: TiVo
 

My question about the third tuner is this: The V+ 3rd tuner is never used for recording, only live TV. So when you're not watching TV, you're as likely to have a recording clash with TiVO as you are V+ (except you aren't, with the intelligent recording engine).

So, will the TiVO 3rd tuner be locked for Live TV only (like the V+) or will it (hopefully!) be part of the tuner 'pool' thus enabling you to have *three* concurrent recordings?

Re: TiVo
 

I'm still looking forward to getting mine teething problems will be ironed out via software updates not a new box, so will still be worth getting from launch. Plus the 3rd tuner will be active when they launch in April and they have time between now and then to sort of problems and introduce new features.

Re: TiVo
 

Could somebody explain how Sky are able to block there channels from appearing in the mini TV whilst browsing the Tivo guide?

Is it a purely contractual issue or some form of Sky voodoo magic? If it's contractual then why do they allow it on the current V+ platform?

Re: TiVo
 

So are those clashes because it wants to record 3 things at once? (Presuming it doesn't know whether you'll be watching Lie TV or not at the time of those set recordings).

Re: TiVo
 

Those clashes came as a result of two things recording between 9pm and 10pm and wanting to record something between 10pm and 11pm. Because of the padding either side it requires the third tuner to start recording the programme that starts at 10.

The 3rd tuner in the V+ box is used for recordings. You can't actually set three things up to record but in the scenario I've just described the third tuner will start recording the 3rd programme whilst the other two recordings finish.

Re: TiVo
 

Should of pushed the boat out and had 4 tuners that would of been something that the current V+ boxes didn't have....

Re: TiVo
 

I find it very rare to have a recording clash with three programmes.

I love the suggestions Tivo is making for us. We've had it since Tuesday and it has already recorded two films from the Sky Movie channels that our right up our street. And the discovery bar is definitely getting more and more personalised for us. Really excellent feature. It might cost an extra £3 a month but I bet there are things it suggests for us that we would never have known were even on! Excellent stuff and worth £3 a month!

Re: TiVo
 

OK, fair enough....

Seems a bit harsh that the padding is 'compulsory' rather than 'used if tuner available', IYSWIM.

So were there not alternative showings available for any of those three programmes?

(BTW, I'm not disputing your claims, I'm justing getting a feel for how the TiVo works in practice)

---------- Post added at 13:49 ---------- Previous post was at 13:46 ----------

That is, indeed, what TiVo is all about.

This is what Joe Public needs to get their head round to understand the 'real-world' advantage of TiVo.

Re: TiVo
 

If you want 2 TIVO boxes will it be £6 a month?

Re: TiVo
 

The padding isn't compulsory no. I have chosen to add two minutes at the beginning and end of each program. There's nothing more annoying than missing the final minutes of an episode of something!

When you set the recording it asks you how you want to deal with the clash, cut one programme at the end, the other at the beginning or not record it at all. Perhaps I will not add any padding and see if I keep missing bits from programmes.

Re: TiVo
 

That's good to know.

so at least one can make a judgement call when setting the recordings.... i.e. lose the padding on the channel with ad breaks, for example.

Re: TiVo
 

Something I'd be interested to know too

Re: TiVo
 

.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/02...e_says_report/


Google is reportedly planning to launch an unlimited movie subscription service in the UK.

The company is still desperately searching for ways to make money out of its online video-sharing website YouTube, which – despite various content deals with big name record companies – remains something of a pet project at Mountain View.


According to a report from the New York Post, Google is looking to offer a service similar to that provided by US-based Netflix and Amazon, which has been fiddling with its own film streaming service, after buying LoveFilm in January this year.

The YouTube brand will be wrapped around the UK launch of Google's own movie subscription service. If successful it will expand into Europe and the US, said the newspaper, which cited execs briefed on the proposal.

Google is understood to have set aside $100m for deals with Hollywood studios and other content providers to get such a service off the ground.

The Register has asked Google to comment on the story, but hadn't heard back at time of writing. ®




New York post story. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/busines...jy3ueJyRkKlk6O


Wonder if this would work under the TiVo YouTube app.


Would be amazing if it did as would make TiVo even more desirable :D

Re: TiVo
 

The V+ doesn't use three tuners to do this. It simply drops the padding. (Otherwise it would have to hijack your live TV tuner)

You can set the TiVo to clip the lower priority programme instead of cancelling it - look in the Recording settings page.

Re: TiVo
 

That would be awesome!

---------- Post added at 14:46 ---------- Previous post was at 14:44 ----------

I stand corrected, the third tuner still makes a massive difference though. And it does do some form of recording as it will allow you to pause and rewind live TV whilst the other two tuners are recording. I guess it must be a choice VM have made to not allow users to record three things together.

I have set the recordings to clip as you've said.

Are you one of the lucky Tivo owners too?

Re: TiVo
 

Yes the 3rd Tuner on Tivo will be used for recordings, so in theory you will be able to record 3 live TV sohws and still watch a previously recorded show. ;) Or record 2 shows and watch a VOD show.

Re: TiVo
 

Now that is an excellent way of distinguishing Tivo from the V+. Fantastic stuff :) I look forward to it being activated even more now!

Re: TiVo
 

If you are correct on this. it's a massive feature over the V+. It's the "in theory" part of your reply that concerns me :).

Also, the V+ handled removing padding automatically when it needed to be removed. Do you hve to do it manually on TIVO?

Re: TiVo
 

Stephen will be spot on with this, I'm sure. :)

Re: TiVo
 

They'll probably bring out a 1.5TB later in the year around xmas no doubt.

Re: TiVo
 

You could say that ;)

In reality too. Or record three and watch YouTube.

TiVo works a bit differently. It clips (or cancels) the lower priority programme rather than dropping padding from both.

Re: TiVo
 

Whats the remote like?

VM engineer told me it's more clicks of the remote do get into menus etc.

Re: TiVo
 

That is great news. I almost never watch live TV and the ability to record 3 channels is brilliant.


That, not so good news (possibly). I'd rather it remove padding from both, rather than leave padding on one and cut the other programme.

I guess I should reserve judgment until I've used it in practice though.

Re: TiVo
 

They should have it in Black and White versions as well, personally I'd always go for black but some people would like white.

Also have a 1tb version which we know is going to be £149, then a 1.5tb version for £189.

Re: TiVo
 

Not sure what the engineer meant by that comment.

The remote is nice. It looks really similar to the US TivO 'peanut remote' with just a few changes to the button layout.

Here is the box and remote for the VM TiVo
[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]

Re: TiVo
 

The remote is really lovely to hold as well. I think because of it's peanut shape it sits well in your hand and allows you to access most of the buttons without having to shuffle it about in one hand. I know that sounds a bit strange but I always found with the new black VHD remote that it was way to long and far to rectangular.

Re: TiVo
 

Has the draw finshed yet just wondering as i did not reccive anything , only
a email to say tvio is almost here, i did pre reg , i have ask cs twice about launched date and price for vip50 package each time , answer different. hope
some one on here knows the date.And those who have tvio give me some feedback on how the are finding it . good or bad

Re: TiVo
 

Iam on TV XL and the closing date for that will be the 27th of this month so we will wait and see after that.:)

Re: TiVo
 

I would imagine it will the latter, being able to record 3 channels with each tuner ;) Padding could still cause an issue if you had a lot of padded recordings set, even if it does have 3 tuners... there will be times when the extra 3 minutes padding at the end cause the 3rd tuner to be required to tune in and start recording.

The Cisco box seems to have 4 tuners lights, or is the 4th LED in the row different?

Re: TiVo
 

thanks for that info

Re: TiVo
 

Stephen I have always respected your opinions but can you really stand over this one. If it's correct it is a massive feature and places the Tivo at the top of the PVR tree.:erm:

Re: TiVo
 

Why don't you believe him? :)

Re: TiVo
 

I'm certain what Stephen has said is correct ;)

Re: TiVo
 

There are now a couple of other people who have said I am correct. So you should believe me now ;)

Re: TiVo
 

Isn't the recording the same as the v+ record 2 and watch live TV on the 3rd tuner.

Re: TiVo
 

You are also correct according to this comparison of TiVo v VM Tivo http://tivo.virginmedia.com/tivoupgrade/features
It states VM Tivo can record 3 shows at once.

Check where it lists tuners.

Re: TiVo
 

Well spotted!

This is definately what the doubters have been looking for... Another one up on the V+

Edit: Just noticed it also says 'Record two channels while watching a third' in the Introduction section so a little confusing

Re: TiVo
 

No it doesn't. The two programmes where the padding overlaps drop the padding. The third tuner is the buffer which is always recording live tv.

Re: TiVo
 

No you will be able to record 3 at the same time. Although will have to watch one of them or a previous recording.

Re: TiVo
 

Or put the box in standby?

Re: TiVo
 

It doesn't have to be on standby, you can just leave the room, turn the tv off, if your tv has a DVB tuner flick over and watch a fourth show on that... whatever :)

Re: TiVo
 

Please don't misunderstand me Stephen! I did not disbelieve you but expressed my view that you may not have had 100% confirmation. I now stand corrected. To be able to use three tuners to record simultaneously is truly a major leap forward.

Apologies, but no offence intended.:luv:

However we still have to wait to see if the third tuner is activated as planned.:)

Re: TiVo
 

So.....there's no reminders on TiVo?

:erm:

Re: TiVo
 

If I didnt know any different I would swear you already had 3 tuners activated:devsmoke:

Regards

John.

Re: TiVo
 

Well, someone, somewhere must be testing the new firmware if it's due to be released this coming month :naughty:

Re: TiVo
 

I actually like the V+ restriction of always using 1 tuner for Live TV. I don't think my mother could handle having to switch to something else when all 3 tuners are in use, especially when the Live thing she wants to watch is on a channel not on Freeview.

I assume that when all 3 tuners are in use the box will be forced to switch to one of them? Hopefully there will be some warning when setting recordings that Live TV won't be possible when recording 3 things at once.

The idea of having 4 tuners is a good one, something that would leverage an advantage that VM have over Sky.

Re: TiVo
 

The idea is that TiVo just records your shows and you watch them whenever. With the extra storage space I am finding that I record loads more than I ever could before and tend to watch recordings the vast majority of the time (whizzing past the adverts). Paul.

---------- Post added at 22:27 ---------- Previous post was at 22:18 ----------

It is contractual - Sky refused to have their content shown in the mini TV whilst using interactive services. I assume they don't want to be linked with what is a much superior piece of kit to theirs :-) Paul

Re: TiVo
 

And if you want to watch the programme live? And be reminded of it? Like you can on V+ HD?

Bugger it, I'll link to this thread over at TCF, I'm not repeating myself on here :):
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...67#post8399167
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...62#post8399262

Re: TiVo
 

With 3 tuners enabled you can record two channels at once and watch a third live channel but you won't be able to record three channels at one time.

---------- Post added at 23:28 ---------- Previous post was at 23:24 ----------

If this is the case I stand corrected however I imagined it would work on the same premise as the V+.

Re: TiVo
 

Does Virgin Tivo support 'TiVo Desktop Plus'??

Re: TiVo
 

Not just yet, but may well do. VM want it to be close to the US model, but with the added VM stuff.

Re: TiVo
 

Major problem with my Tivo:

As of today I am getting "channel not authorised" when trying to watch most channels e.g. any sky Movie channels or sports, Sky News, Disney channel. BBC1 is ok though.

Any ideas?

Re: TiVo
 

Man, if you can record 3 things at one time that would be awesome, I was seriously doubting whether or not I will get TiVo but with this bomshell I have done a complete 180 :)

---------- Post added at 03:23 ---------- Previous post was at 03:19 ----------

I can understand where you are coming from but think about all those poor sky subscribers who only have two tuners that can both record. I love the 3 tuners as they work on V+ but if they could all record then that would be revolutionary IMO. Vary rarely do I need to record more than 3 things at the same time but it does happen, and It annoys the hell out of me.

---------- Post added at 04:18 ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 ----------

I don't understand why you feel so strongly about this. I am a huge sport fan and I watch the apprentice, X-factor etc and I have never used reminders. I set all of the above to record via series link. THe, because it is an event I remind myself to watch it live. If I forget to remind myself I have a recording to watch when I sit down in front of the TV. The thing is, unless I am sitting down to watch something specific, I always start my viewing experiance by checking what is recording, I also check recordings page between every progromm I watch so the only reason I would miss something life that I want to watch live is if I have something else I really want to watch ;)

Re: TiVo
 

Still no set release date for existing customers very poor as far as l am concerned.

Re: TiVo
 

They are showcasing it at the Ideal Homes Show at the end of March so expect an announcement around that time.

http://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/ticket-info/

Re: TiVo
 

Oh, you mean like last year when it didn't show up... :rolleyes:

Re: TiVo
 

It will be showcased at the show along with broadband so probably released afterwards.

Re: TiVo
 

As I said over at TCF.....I give up and will respectfully disagree with anyone who feels differently. :)

Re: TiVo
 

Reminders will be introduced at some stage, but it's not a priority.

Re: TiVo
 

Is it correct that Tivo gives no indication (like the V+) as to whether or not you have partially, or indeed fully, watched a recording. Or indeed whether a programme was fully, or only partially recorded. I just read something along those lines but cannot validate it personally.

Not a major issue I suppose but the indication is something I find useful on the V+ especially with a block of series linked recorded shows.

Re: TiVo
 

It will tell you if it's partially recorded, but doesn't currently advise if it's been watched. This is how TiVo do it, it may change with VM's at a later date.

Re: TiVo
 

Thanks, the partical record issue is very unlikely to happen I guess but still useful I suppose.

Whether a programme has been watched or not is something I feel should be looked at in future though, it may well not be an indicator that is common in the US but i'm pretty certain it is here though.

If you have time can you answer one more question. When recording a live event from remote record are you given the option of extending the live event (i.e. a football game).

Ta.

Re: TiVo
 

yeah, I agree it will be useful if/when added.

Live programme remote record... not tried it for a live programme, so I'll have a look now and see... post back in a min. :)

No, it doesn't ask if you want to extend the recording via remote record at the moment.

Re: TiVo
 

If I am right in thinking Tivo dosen't appear to have a realtime dynamic EPG that is a huge hole that definitely needs looking at.

Re: TiVo
 

Just checked and it's something that's already been fed back. :)

Re: TiVo
 

I'm sure they'll sort that out, I would imagine there will be some unhappy chappies if it isn't quicksmart!

Re: TiVo
 

Have they released an app for remote recording on your mobile?

Re: TiVo
 

Re: TiVo
 

Cheers you can't sign in at the moment, technical difficulties.

Re: TiVo
 

I like reminders so l can set sporting and horse racing events and films well in advance of when they are on tv

Re: TiVo
 

I know, a few people do. It's a legacy feature that TiVo doesn't have. VM will have to develop with TiVo to add the feature.

Re: TiVo
 

Although l am looking forward to getting a tivo l still will miss certain things with my V plus box l suspect.

Re: TiVo
 

That's how I feel but you never get all you desire in life! I'm sure I will miss my V+ if and when I get a TiVo. :bigcry:

Re: TiVo
 

With 3 recordable tuners, and a big recording capacity, I suspect the need for a reminder function will become redundant; instead of setting a reminder, set it to record. Simple.

Re: TiVo
 

Yeah but they have insisted that it will launch to all in early April, so everyone expected it be launched sooner to existing, pre-reg customers.

Re: TiVo
 

Pre-reg customers are still being called for installations. It's still February, so there's still plenty of time before the official launch, if indeed it does get launched in April, they might hold it back until all existing customers have had the opportunity to get their hands on one.


A.

Re: TiVo
 

indeed, there will be a big push to get all Pre-regs called before end of March.

Late April is when new customers will get a chance to sign up with May onwards for installs

Re: TiVo
 

So if I've been following this thread correctly, the current list of missing features which may be provided at some point in the future is:

1. 3rd Tuner
2. Reminders
3. Copy to DVD in background
4. TIVO Desktop Plus
5. Indicator when a recording has been watched
6. Realtime dynamic EPG
7. Ethernet connection activation
8. USB connection activation

and these are only the ones I can remember.

Given VM's track record on delivery of "coming soon" items, and bearing in mind that we have little official info from VM on these items, just the views of people posting on here, am I the only one who is a little sceptical about whether we will ever see some of these things?

Re: TiVo
 

According to a poster on avf he had Tivo installed yesterday, never had S1 Tivo and wasn't a VM customer.:confused:

Re: TiVo
 

It's terrible isn't it... VM should just scrap the whole thing... don't know why they bother. ;)

Re: TiVo
 

You are not alone. Welcome to the sceptic team!:gpoint:

Re: TiVo
 

You are thinking of NTL and Telewest. Generally, in my experience, since they merged and licenced the name "Virgin Media", they have delivered on any promises made.

Re: TiVo
 

:LOL:

Re: TiVo
 

I don't think it's terrible at all, in fact I think a whole lot of it is rather good and I'm tempted........but there seems to have been a little too much effort expended in removing some of the functionality apparently available in TIVO in the US, and rather too little in including some of the good things we already have in V+.

I may decide to get the best of both worlds by retaining my V+ as a second box, but it would have been much easier to convince my wife of the benefits if the features she uses, such as background DVD transfer and reminders, had been there from the start.

Re: TiVo
 

There's two things pulling in different directions.

1. Get VM Tivo released as quickly as possible - customers want this.

2. Get everything added that customers want.

There has to be a compromise here, so some things will be added later in the year.

If anyone is a Doubting Thomas..... then you should wait if they are worried :)

Re: TiVo
 

Maybe the reminders might come with the third tuner activation.

Re: TiVo
 

There's nothing there worth holding back a full launch other than the third tuner though, and that will be the first to come and it's close. The Ethernet port will be active (well it already is, people have been able to ping the TiVo from another PC on the network) once multiroom and content sharing is ready. One thing at a time though...

The VM TiVo already has features requested by VM going beyond the US software which is why development may seem slow. No other TiVo has 3 tuners for instance so that's all code written from scratch.

One feature people seem to have missed which I think is great is the fact all tuners keep a buffer. You can pop up the info screen and see what the other tuner is "watching". If the show sounds interesting you press OK to change to that tuner and you can rewind or hit record and get the entire show. Now imagine 3 tuners all keeping a buffer of the channel they are tuned to... can any other PVR do this? I think not.


A.

Re: TiVo
 

That is another new one that I have missed. Can that be verified, that all tuners carry their individual buffer? DF or Stephen are you in a position to verify please?

Re: TiVo
 

I would be able to verify that for you but I'm not sure where to look on my Tivo box, there are just so many features and options :)

Re: TiVo
 

So what channel number is Sky Arts HD on then he he! ;)

Re: TiVo
 

I have the VM TiVo and it already does it on the two tuners we have now. Press info on a channel, go down to the bottom pane and press OK to switch tuner (it tells you what channel and show it's tuned to), you'll see it's kept a buffer. No reason to think it would be different with three ;)


A.

Re: TiVo
 

I must try that!...............Oh! Bother, I don't actually have a TiVo. :mad:

Re: TiVo
 

You seem to be forgetting there is another party involved in those negotiations.....;)

Re: TiVo
 

They might have delivered on some of their promises but they have took time doing it and we are still waiting for quite a bit to be delivered at the present time, roll on the new financial year as this seems to be a time when things happen.