Re: TiVo
 

So, if you've got 2 programmes back to back on different chanels, both with 5 minutes padding before and after (what I currently use), what happens?

The V+ will drop the padding and switch at start of the second programme. What will TIVO do, assuming the other two tuners are tied up recording something else?

Re: TiVo
 

Is be interested to know that .

Re: TiVo
 

From what i have read it will use the padding on both?

Re: TiVo
 

You would have to watch one or cancel one or let both record and watch a show already recorded, that is until we get three tuners.

Regards

John.

Re: TiVo
 

the third tuner isn't the point; I'm assuming 3 tuners.

Re: TiVo
 

Yes it is 3 tuners and the third one has just been activated for a small few users?

Re: TiVo
 

Theres an option in setting s to cut one short, I cant remember if its the padding on the end of the first or the start of the second I'll look.

regards

John.

Re: TiVo
 

So, this mean's manual intervention to choose? When are you alerted to make that choice?

Re: TiVo
 

Its a global setting. heres the option.

Re: TiVo
 

You can set priorities on recordings so that the highest priority will cut short a lower priority if there is a clash or the lower priority will wait till the higher one finishes before starting to record.

Re: TiVo
 

So has the third tuner activation started rolling out to certain users?

Re: TiVo
 

That's talking about overlapping programmes; does this include padding? It seems to me that the V+ box is more advanced than TIVO in this area.

It is true that having 3 recordable tuners will lower the frequency of this happening in reality, but I still think dropping padding automatically when necesarry is the better option.

Re: TiVo
 

Yes it has. Check out the 3rd of SQUARE EYES posts here:

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blo...03374405297133

Re: TiVo
 

That assumes that one programme has a higher prioity. The V+ box handles this situation far better; if the TV channels are running on time, you don't lose any part of either programme.

Re: TiVo
 

Is there any people on here including myself that did the raffle but didnt get a call still?

What are your thoughts...would you consider purchasing one knowing you have lost... I would when I get the money.

Re: TiVo
 

I didn't get a call is there still a chance we might get one yet or is it all over. I might purchase one though.

Re: TiVo
 

No call here. I do not plan to get Tivo however I registered on the off chance I'd get it free.

I think anyone who doesn't purchase Tivo because they didn't get drawn in the free raffle needs to grown up and get a life. If you want something, and you can afford it, then go get it. Don't let a missed opportunity to get it for free turn you into a sour dejected wreck. Go on, treat yourself for heavens sake.

Nothing like a Sunday rant to clear between the ears before another great week at work:D

P.S. Good on you Matty, I hope your one of the first in this thread to get Tivo when it launches.

Re: TiVo
 

But some dont want to pay , but would have it for free nothing wrong with that.

Re: TiVo
 

That's my person preference. I'll take it for free, but don't want it enough to pay.

The point I was trying to make is anyone who really wants it, and can afford it, but doesn't get it purely on the basis they didn't get it for free in the draw needs to get a grip. Reading back on my earlier post, it's clear I didn't really explain that fully.

Sorry for any confusion.

Re: TiVo
 

Entered Raffle - no call as yet.

Would like TIVO, but can't afford the £140 as yet for installation - so if no call, then no install for me for a good while.

Re: TiVo
 

No worries mate. Easy done.

Re: TiVo
 

No it hasn't. I assume though that if it's due out this month then it will currently be with the trialists.

Re: TiVo
 

Thats welcome news. :D

Re: TiVo
 

As what i posted earlier as it has been released just over 10 days ago ( thanks to SQUARE EYES who posted over on WWW.VMHD.BLOGSPOT.COM ). Should have made clear?

Re: TiVo
 

Nice to hear all of your thoughts. :)

I will buy one once I have saved up enough money as I think the raffle is now over.

Re: TiVo
 

Does the reported 149 pounds inc the HD actuation cost?
(Assuming I don't get included in the freebi draw, will have to shell out the redies)

Re: TiVo
 

What services have you got already? As if you have got a HD activated box and you are swapping it for the Tivo box you will not have to pay again.

Re: TiVo
 

XL TV plus 10meg BB and phone.

Re: TiVo
 

Yes but have you got the HD channels with the XL tv pack? As if you have you will not have to pay the HD activation charge.

Re: TiVo
 

Nope, just tight with my money.
Got the XL TV to satisfy my young grand daughter when she came over christmas, now got used to progs after being on basic TV.

Re: TiVo
 

So with that you will need to pay the HD activation charge ( somone will be along to prove me wrong? ). What happens if you go to channel 530, 310 ( does it say that you are not subscribed to the channel? ).

Re: TiVo
 

£149 includes hd

Re: TiVo
 

Correct, no sub to any HD channels, although I have TV with HDMI inputs.

Re: TiVo
 

Tend to agree. The main issue is that let's say you have 2 high priority series links start at 21:00 with 5mins padding and then a lower priority series link comes up at 22:00. On the V+ it would just drop the padding off one of the previous recordings. On Tivo it wont drop the padding so could miss the first 5 mins of the 22:00 show. If the Tivo automatically brings in the 3rd tuner after 1 minute then I guess at worst you lose the first minute of the 22:00 show. I guess you could always add a 1minute pad at the start to minimise that risk, but then I guess you may end up creating more overlaps. ??

We'll have to see how it works in practise... I found the V+ dealt with this very well and rarely had a problem with it. Hopefully with the 3 recordable tuners this wont come up very often though !

Re: TiVo
 

Got my TiVo installed yesterday to replace a silver SA V+ and there is a difference in SD programming with the TiVo looking somewhat worse.

It really brought home just how good the upscaler was in the SA box.

Adjusted the output settings on TiVo to auto select from 576p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p and it always chooses to feed the TV at 1080i irrespective of channel.

Display devices used are a Samsung 40 inch LCD and a Panasonic PT-AE3000 projector.

Re: TiVo
 

hd channels are free on virgin media,except sports and movies which you pay an extra £7 per month for to watch in hd

Re: TiVo
 

Unless he has the HD channels already he would be charged a £49 activation fee.

Re: TiVo
 

Certainly a mixed view on SD picture quality using the Tivo box. Seen other posts where it has been said the PQ is just the same as the old box Tivo replaced yet there are others as in this case where PQ seems to be worse.

The only crumb of con for for me personally is that I’ve seen 2 posts here from people with Sony TVs (which is what I have) and they have said the PQ is fine or just as good as their former V+.

Aim to go to the Nottingham VM shop next weekend and will make sure I watch a SD channel to compare to my own setup right now.

Re: TiVo
 

I entered the raffle - as yet, no call. I'm quite happy to pay for it but they need to catch me in the week-long window after pay-day when I actually have some money... ;)

Re: TiVo
 

Press left on the keypad to exit the video.

Re: TiVo
 

Not seen anyone on here saying theyve received a call and paid for their TIVO in a long while.

Re: TiVo
 

Just out of interest did you pay for it and where you a customer who pre registered ? When did you get your call for it ? And were you an existing VM subscriber ?

Re: TiVo
 

Thanks for that and congratulations , I was just trying to see if there have been any pre reg customers had orders took , but it seems only customers receiving it free have been rang.

Re: TiVo
 

I've been told that pre regs will recieve a special email with ordering details, you will then order online before any other customers.

Once all pre regs have install dates, then it will be opened up to other customers and then new customers after that.

You should get your email towards the end of the month.

Re: TiVo
 

I knew they would do that , it will be organised chaos. But at least we can order.

Re: TiVo
 

Sounds great. Looking forward!

Re: TiVo
 

Instead of staring at my phone checking the signal for another few months I can stair at my inbox (which I do anyway). Much better from me anyway.

Thanks for the info DF. ;)

Re: TiVo
 

People still seem to be getting phone calls from the TIVO team, though they seem to be getting fewer; will these still be going on, or is the email the only contact from now on?

Re: TiVo
 

It will be winners or VIP customers getting TIVO free who are getting calls probably.

Re: TiVo
 

This is correct.

---------- Post added at 12:15 ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 ----------

It's going to be quicker than calling everyone and you should have an install in April.

Re: TiVo
 

Will it not cause issues with VM website with 50000 pre reg customers all trying to be first for install.

Re: TiVo
 

I'm assuming they will be done in batches, so it should be ok.

Re: TiVo
 

Oh ohhh... Here we go again!!

If I'm not in the first batch I'm cancelling VM and going to prostitute myself to Rupert Murdoch! Oh, wait a minute... :D

Re: TiVo
 

lol

I think it will be better than calling everyone.

Re: TiVo
 

I just called Virgin to ask how long I will need to wait for Tivo.... I explained I'm a series 1 Tivo owner and pre-registered in December which they noted on my account - they said they were not installing until April (boo-hoo).

They then immediately sent me 2 odd emails - the first started "thanks for your call today" and then went on to explain how to pay bills by Direct debit, the second explaining about the online help pages. Bizarre!!

Re: TiVo
 

Then there's me who is going to send it back! I've had my TiVo for just over a week and really the picture quality on SD is just so awful I can't stand it any more. Even the HD channels are only just OK. I'm just talking to VM asking for a Samsung V+ box instead.

Re: TiVo
 

I believe you've got a tech booked to have a look at that haven't you?

Re: TiVo
 

Yes, but I know enough about these things to know they won't find a fault. I would put money on it. The SD picture on the new TiVo is just poor. I'm not the only one who thinks so.

I am trying to convert the tech visit to a box-swap instead.

Re: TiVo
 

While I appreciate you are knowledgable about set ups etc, there could be a signal issue to the box or it could be something wrong with it.

Why am I and many others not seeing your picture issues? :confused: Some have seen TiVo in action in the VM shops and have said it looked fine on SD?

If it was me, then i'd allow the tech to do some checks and then decide if you want to downgrade to V+HD again.. but it's obviously up to you.

Re: TiVo
 

I'll swap ya! ;)

Re: TiVo
 

Mine is set to use all options and it selects 720p for SD and 1080i for HD.

Difficult for me to give a good judgement on SD quality a) because in my view on a 46inch panel SD looked pretty shoddy on V+ too; and b) 90% of what I watch is on HD these days...

If anything I would say poor quality (low bit rate) SD looks a bit softer but decent SD such as BBC1 isn't really any different.

Re: TiVo
 

If you're going into the TV via separate input, have you tried tweaking the picture settings on the TV for that input? This can make a big difference ---- turning off all the 'enhancment' settings is a good place to start.

Re: TiVo
 

I watched Universal Channel the other day , it was awful PQ , that the problem with low bit rate channels.

Re: TiVo
 

There has been no pricing announced; I assume it will be the 149 pounds and free install for pre-regs (the price people have been currently paying). I think here will be a lot of anger if it's more.

Re: TiVo
 

I can't see any problems with the SD picture quality on my Tivo box. Although I do seem to have extremely sluggish menus for which a technician is booked to look at on Friday. I am praying for it not to be a box swap as there are loads of programmes on the box now!

Re: TiVo
 

I wouldnt expect the menus to be lightning as there are still a lot of TIVO Premiere users unhappy with the menu sped.

---------- Post added at 13:53 ---------- Previous post was at 13:51 ----------

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-03/...uner-sluggish/

Re: TiVo
 

Well is that a possible source of the TIVO PQ problem? As stated below by Rankrotten, if Tivo only auto selects 1080i for a SD feed when 720p is selected for SD in your case, then I suggest the engineer needs to find out why 720p is not being used for Rankrotten's Tivo installation. Would this be limited by the TV? Wouldn't expect it myself but that is the job of the engineer!

"Adjusted the output settings on TiVo to auto select from 576p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p and it always chooses to feed the TV at 1080i irrespective of channel."

Re: TiVo
 

I have read that it is slow to use however mine can be incredibly slow. For example, last night I pressed the My Shows button and was waiting probably about a minute for the red spinning circle to stop and my recordings to be shown!

I've just watched that video. My Tivo box is a lot slower than that navigating through menus.

Re: TiVo
 

At least it gives you chance to make a brew LOL :D

Re: TiVo
 

Cheers, passingbat. I always turn off any digital processing and have sharpness set to 0. The SD picture is very soft and looks like it is quite low bitrate - no amount of playing with settings is going to improve it.

Re: TiVo
 

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=466134

Few problems with the TIVO box.

Re: TiVo
 

The bitrate doesn't change between boxes (SA V+/S V+ /VHD) though.

Re: TiVo
 

With A TiVo box ;)

Re: TiVo
 

If you read the thread properly Ben you'll see it's more than one TIVO box.

Re: TiVo
 

Ok then 'some'. As Virgin TiVo is a new platform there are always going to be issues.

Remember TVDrive was not adverse to technical gremlins when it was introduced http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...-may-23rd.html

Re: TiVo
 

That's better LOL :rolleyes:

Re: TiVo
 

One suspicion I have right now is that the Tivo software is being written for function at the moment not for speed. The priority is to get all the features working and at some stage I suspect their will be a “performance improvement” code drop.

See it all the time with software updates where the words “performance enhancements” are included in the list of items being introduced by the update.

It better be anyway since as well as menu delays, I’ve seen posts saying Tivo also slows down when the HDD storage gets higher e.g. 25%.

Looks like a code optimisation release looks required at some stage, not saying this isn’t the case at each minor update, the but the priority on developers right now may be the fix feature issues only.

Re: TiVo
 

So its a case of push it out and fix it later? I always take the view wait for mark 2 !!:D

Re: TiVo
 

Exactly, only my personal opinion but gut feeling says this is the case. Used to be the case with new Microsoft OS releases, that everybody said wait for the issue of service pack 1 or even 2 before buying (think they are much better these days with Windows 7 by the way).

Re: TiVo
 

I agree. The difference in the SD picture hit me in the face as soon as the TiVo was first booted up. The SD picture is very soft whereas with the SA V+ is was crisp and some higher bitrate shows on the likes on the BBC almost looked HD in quality. Infact with the V+ some people could hardly tell the difference between SD and HD on my set. I currently have Panasonics flagship 42" plasma so it's not like I've got a cheap, inferior TV.

Even watching downloaded xvids streamed via the PS3 which it upscales to 1080p are so much sharper than the SD on TiVo.

It's the only downside of the box, otherwise it's a great bit of kit.


A.

Re: TiVo
 

Am I right in thinking the people who didnt win the raffle have been screwed over and wont get early access to the TiVO and will have to wait until it goes public?

Re: TiVo
 

No you will get an email at the end of March telling you how you can order it.

Re: TiVo
 

Has anybody determined whether the Tivo box has the chip set to upscaling and it is activated in the software? I really do wonder about this since I used to read here that VM pushed the upscaling of V+ and how good it was when there was only BBC HD on VM.

With Tivo, there is evidence that this advantage has gone and VM have shot themselves in the foot, as there are plenty of SD channels with good programmes out there so it will be very clear to new Tivo users. Like Andy, BBC1 SD looks very high quality on my SA V+ box that my wife doesn't see what all the fuss is about with HD. That view will soon change when I get a Tivo box but that is hardly positive on VM!!

This doesn’t seem to be an issue of the TV as wasn't there with the SA/Samsung V+ boxes, but something seems to just not be there with the Tivo? There have just been too many posts saying the SD PQ is not as good on the Tivo.

Re: TiVo
 

I don't think the TiVo does any internal upscaling no, it just leaves it to the TV. To me it appears it's just being zoomed to the desired resolution as even the SD menus are soft with no defined edges on text.

I watch the repeat of The Wright Stuff on Fiver (erm, Five Star) so there's no HD option unless I record the HD airing on Five earlier. The SD showing on the V+ was sharp, not it's very, very soft.

Re: TiVo
 

To be fair on TIVO , the Sky+HD box is poor on SD however this isn't a major problem when you have access to over 50 HD channels.

Re: TiVo
 

The other things that may perhaps enhance the view of SD being inferior is that the menus are now all HD. Therefore, when selecting an SD programme the contrast between the UI and the programme is now a lot greater.

I'm not saying there aren't people with issues (I personally don't have the issue) but it may be more obvious because of the UI quality.

Re: TiVo
 

Well let ask the question another way, do the SA/Samsung V+ boxes have the chip set to upscale on the box before transmitting to the TV? I believe the answer of that is yes, so what the TV can do is less critical since it will receive an upscaled signal from the box?

But with Tivo, it does seem this is not the case unless anybody who has detailed knowledge of the Tivo specification can confirm otherwise, so it is down to the capability of your TV to do the job your V+ box previously did? I suspect some TVs may not be so good as others on doing this and so the issue some people are seeing and too many IMHO. Big mistake if that is the case since no amount of features will replace a less than acceptable picture and it will take at least 2 or 3 years for VM to build up their HD channel list, which in some cases is down to the channel provider anyway e.g. we enjoy watching Being Human on BBC3 but I don't think it is available on the BBC HD 187 channel (never bothered to check but might have to now!).

Re: TiVo
 

Ah ok thanks, thought that was just for Pre-registers who did not do the raffle.

Re: TiVo
 

Then it could be a problem for all those people with lower end sets.

Re: TiVo
 

Except it isn't, the poster above has a Panasonic flagship 42" plasma and I've seen the same comment from owners of good Samsung TVs. That is what worries me as I do have a good quality TV and was hoping this issue was due to lower quality TVs who may not have the capability or best chip set for upscaling. My TV is a Sony HX803 and the only comfort I've had is that I've seen 2 posts by Sony TV owners who said they did not see a deterioration of SD PQ when the Tivo was installed. Perhaps Sony just happens to be good at auto upscaling or that is my hope at least.

Re: TiVo
 

Being Human is indeed shown on BBC HD. Monday night though, quite late.

Re: TiVo
 

Will agree mate I'm seeing a lot of posts on forums about how poor the TIVO SD PQ is which is a bit worrying when we only get 17 HD channels on XL.

Re: TiVo
 

I do find this question mark over SD picture quality a big concern; the SA V+ box was excellent on SD.

But with only 20 hours of HD recording on the V+ box, replacing it with a Tivo with much more space is the only option to resolve lack of space issues.

The other tivo functionality is also desirable, and should be good as they add more apps over time (we need a good music service app such as We7, LastFM, spotify or Npster + plus somthing like Lovefilm)

It's a shame they didn't look at what was good on V+ --- upscaling and the way it hndles padding and incorporate it into the new box.

Re: TiVo
 

"Being Human is indeed shown on BBC HD. Monday night though, quite late."

Well that is good except one of the current issues with Tivo I've read is that it seems to default to SD programme recording if you select series links, otherwise recording the series using the HD channel at whatever time (we never watch live time these days with the V+ and even less with Tivo) would be just what I am looking for when I finally do get Tivo (I think still!). Thanks.

---------- Post added at 16:08 ---------- Previous post was at 16:03 ----------

Agree, I have the SA V+ as well and its upscaling is excellent on SD, so have VM lost focus here and dropped a clanger with Tivo?

I would still like to know if the Cisco box has (1) the chip set (2) activated in Tivo software, but that is not an easy question to ask here I suspect.

Re: TiVo
 

Its shown on Sunday nights at the same time its on BBC Three.

I don't have any issues with SD on my TiVo unless is something like Challenge TV that seem to be lower quality anyway. Things like BBC1 look great in SD.

At the end of the day though with HD versions of the main channels I watch there is no real need for me to watch the SD versions any more.

Re: TiVo
 

I have had TiVo for a couple of weeks now and I have found SD channels the same if not better than the Samsung it replaced, I have a Sony 46ex503. I have had to reboot a couple of times and the menus are a little sluggish but I would expect that as an early adopter but so far I Like.:)

Re: TiVo
 

Well not sure if you were one of the Sony TV posters I spotted before but good to hear from my perspective at least!

There will certainly be some channels with low bitrates and so not so good PQ as per comment above about Challenge. Its the better SD quality channels I am concerned about and when I eventually do have Tivo, I will move to HD channels by default (nice if the EPG was like that at some stage as Sky have implemented I've read) to mimimise the impact and just hope my Sony TV shows good SD channels like others have posted.

Re: TiVo
 

[QUOTE=Perfect Choice;35188749]Well is that a possible source of the TIVO PQ problem? As stated below by Rankrotten, if Tivo only auto selects 1080i for a SD feed when 720p is selected for SD in your case, then I suggest the engineer needs to find out why 720p is not being used for Rankrotten's Tivo installation. Would this be limited by the TV? Wouldn't expect it myself but that is the job of the engineer!

Well today it decided to output everything at 576p and only a hard reboot made it change it's mind. :td:

Re: TiVo
 

If you set up a series link on a HD channel it will record the show in HD on that channel.

Its suggestions that will sometimes default to recording the SD version.

Re: TiVo
 

Thanks, that issue is sorted for me then since I will setup deliberate series recordings rather than relying on suggestions, sure VM will address that issue in the fullness of time.