Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

If they are available on demand, there’s nothing to worry about.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Guess it's typical virgin, make a bit of a song and dance about what is a cheap selection of old that.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

If you really want to keep the FAST channels, they are available elsewhere for free, no need to lose the TiVo software if you don't want to.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Wonder what the viewing figures are for these channels, I thought at the time they were brought to virgin to inflate the number of channels they carry. :shocked:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

There's 2 types of FAST channels. There's the non-VM ones, eg Rakuten TV, Wedo Movies and the VM ones. Both types are going.
The non-VM ones are available elsewhere, and the VM ones are just bundling of on-demand content and is available anyway.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Exactly right. They don't cost Virgin anything to carry and are there to make it look like there are more channels than there actually is, as more and more proper channels are removed for various reasons.

Virgin 360 - how much of a downgrade is it from the V6?
 

Starting to resign myself to the fact that downgrading to the 360 is going to have to happen at some point when Virgin finally lose their licence to operate the TiVo software. This will no doubt reduce their licencing costs - which presumably they will be passing on to customers via lower bills? Or maybe not. :( Is there any final date known for when this might finally be forced?

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the recordings on our V6 box are minimal at the moment so this might be the best time to bite the bullet if we are really going to have to do it. I'm fully aware any existing recordings (and sadly Series Links too) will definitely be lost, but that has been the case for a long time ever since Virgin broke the very handy Series Link backup facility on their website. I also know that I won't be able to recreate all 200+ of our current historical Series Links until such time as each programme in turn becomes available again in the upcoming Channel Guide. Grrr.

I know the downgrade will unavoidably lose the undelete functionality, the lovely reaction-time rollback when exiting from FFwd or Rewind (which is a TiVo copyright functionality), older Series Link reviewing/editing, ability to switch to a different tuner that you know already has an hour's delay cached on a different channel, single-button access to things like My Shows/Recordings, subtitles, delete item, etc. Hence my statement about it being mostly a functional downgrade not an upgrade.

I've been having play with a friend's 360, and a few questions arose, although there will probably be more. To preface, I'm not in the slightest bit interested in silly voice commands, pretty icons/graphical interfaces, or streaming channels. At all. This is just about using the box for watching and recording broadcast TV, while using a tactile remote control. We rarely use On-Demand/Catchup services if we can help it, as apart from the BBC iPlayer (which itself has an annoying added BBC logo in the upper-left) it is not possible to spool through adverts.

1. When Fast-Forwarding or Rewinding though a long programme, how do you jump by 15 minute increments to quickly get to (for example) the last quarter-of-an-hour of a two or three hour show? On the V6 you just tap the ">|" or "|<" buttons while winding.
   
2. Is there any way to stop the incredibly annoying action when pressing the >> or << buttons multiple times that it incrementally speeds up but then reverts back to slow winding? Currently to get to the fastest speed I just rapidly jab the >> button several times, and I certainly don't expect the scrubbing speed to drop back to very slow again if I press the button once too often. I found this dreadful logic really annoying when testing our friend's 360 remote.
   
3. When you are spooled back to watching an earlier point in a live program, how do we get back to the live broadcast again with a single action? I can't see a Stop button. In fact, the transport controls seem rather lacking all round.
   
4. Is there now any simple way to get to Shows/Recordings using a single button on the supplied remote (not some silly voice command nonsense) as that is probably the single most used operation for us?
   
5. When we have multiple episodes of a show recorded, we only ever list the show as a simple flat scrollable text list, ordered by original broadcast order (such as s01e01, s01e02, etc), with the oldest seasons/episodes at the bottom of the list and newest at the top (not by recent recording date, but broadcast series order - with the original first-broadcast date available in the info details). Can this be done with the 360, as I could only see a cumbersome list with the series numbers shown down the left hand side, and oldest stuff at the top.
   
6. We use two remote controls for our V6. My wife uses the supplied Virgin one, while I use a programmable universal IR remote with macros - the excellent XSight Touch, which hasn't been available for years but still hasn't been bettered in the meantime. My remote also controls my local file-streaming box, surround amp, BluRay player, TV, and even some room lighting, etc. I would absolutely need to program this remote with complete IR codes to control the 360, has anyone successfully done this themselves (e.g. using a "Ziggo" codeset I believe?) such as the advice in this thread https://www.avforums.com/threads/vir...-them.2347467/ . That thread also seems to imply that Recordings could be available via a single learned IR code, which would be a bonus. What about discrete power-on and power-off IR codes, which are immensely useful when programming universal macros which cannot know the current state of the equipment (everything else I own has hidden discrete on/off IR codes available).
   
7. Finally, I don't think there's a video "pass-through" option which would avoid deinterlacing 1080i or SD material, thus allowing my rather better 4K TV to do the job itself? Do Virgin actually broadcast anything in native 1080p anyway? Other than perhaps Sports or Movie channels, neither of which we watch.

Anyway, that's quite enough for now! Hopefully someone can comment on at least some of the above. Thanks.

Andre

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I don't know if they will work for you or not, but the attached picture shows Harmony codes that were posted on the Ziggo forums. See thread https://community.vodafoneziggo.nl/t...to/td-p/114252 which needs translating to English.

I use my LG Smart remote (set up as Ziggo Media box next) and also the 'One for All' 1240 which has 4 selects (tv/sat/amp/dvd) as an additional remote. The 1240 recognises the code 1582 to control the box. It need direct line of sight when setting it up.

The 'OneForAll' URC7125 also works using the SimpleSet setup process and Ziggo as the manufacturer.

I realise you aren't "interested in silly voice commands", but I prefer the voice control as I find it to be the easiest method of controlling the 360.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I won't copy Andrews post but with the exception of the remote, l totally think he sums up the question \ concerns l have. Thank you for taking the time to write them .

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

When you are spooled back to watching an earlier point in a live program, how do we get back to the live broadcast again with a single action?
Press the TV button

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thanks for the confirmation, that's roughly what I'd gathered from Google searches but the results were a bit old. I'm sure my remote will be able to accept the Ziggo codes, there's good community support for an excellent third-party code editor package for it. I think I'll program Ziggo into a spare slot and take it round to our friend's house to try it out.

I expect a lot of people like using voice commands, but the only time I think they are sensible is for in-car use where your hands are occupied, or for a phone while you are using a headset. Disturbing other people by constantly talking to the TV seems a bit counter-productive to me. But then I also turn off any confirmation beeps etc, and would be much happier if turning the TV volume up or down didn't bring up unnecessary flashy indicator overlays on the screen, so it's probably just me. :)

Andre

---------- Post added at 09:17 ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 ----------

Thanks, I guess that's obvious when you think about it.

Andre

Re: Virgin 360 - how much of a downgrade is it from the V6?
 

Hi again Andre.

Dave

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Regarding subtitles, just set up a profile with subs permanently on for convenience

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Well that's an idea I guess, but I'm not sure whether that's any easier than pressing one button labelled "Subtitles" to quickly toggle them on and off in order to check an odd line of dialogue that you can't quite catch. :)

Andre

---------- Post added at 16:52 ---------- Previous post was at 16:44 ----------

Thanks, I realise you can change the spooling speed, but still not pleased about the way it illogically jumps back from x64 down to x2 again when you press the >> button one too many times - it should stick on the max speed once you get there, regardless of how many extra button jabs, and only be reduced via the << button or returning to Play.

Still not quite sure how you quickly jump to, for example, 2h30 in a 3 hour movie using the buttons only. Very easy on the V6 as you can increment 15 extra minutes with one press during spooling. Does the long-press feature move very quickly through the whole timeline to allow really fast access into long programmes?

Thanks too for the -10/+30 tip with the D-pad arrows; I had manged find that one myself after a lot of messing around with the remote. Otherwise that would have been on my list of missing features too.

Andre

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Hi again Andre,

Keep your finger on the >> fast forward button to bring up the time bar and release it when it reaches your desired time.

See the youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTCc0oVXUOQ around the 50 second mark.

Dave

Re: Virgin 360 - how much of a downgrade is it from the V6?
 

Why downgrade to 360 till you have to, which may or may not happen ?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thanks for everyone's help, at least there seem to be partial workarounds for some of the issues I'm anticipating.

One other quicky has just come to mind. I know you can't create Series Links for programmes that are not currently in the Guide, and you can only assign a Series Link for one specific channel not for any channel. But can you change that defined channel later?

For example, when I try to set everything up again, if I find a 2010 "Doctor Who" repeat on BBC4, can I create a Series Link using that broadcast and then adjust it so in future it only looks for New Episodes on BBC1? Or switch a "Midsomer Murders" Series Link created on ITV3 over to fetch only New Episodes that are broadcast on ITV1. That would make restoring some of our historical Series Links a bit less painful than Virgin want to make it.

At the moment, our V6 has almost no recordings on it, so if an enforced switchover is coming relatively soon due to expiring licences, it would make sense to bite the bullet and do it when it's convenient for us rather than for Virgin.

Andre

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

To be honest that was the reason I decided to change recently. Nothing to do with Apps or channels. It was simply just a convenient time for me to do it.

Do I regret it - no. I can still watch - live or on demand - and record. Took a bit of getting used to the remote - probably would have helped if I read all the info that came with it as it took a while before I noticed the go back 10 seconds / fast forward 30 seconds buttons :) :)

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Who's said that it is?

How SL are prioritised when more than 6 programmes are scheduled to record at the same time, is something I've never seen an answer to.

One obvious point from your list is that one-touch-key-access between recordings & live TV, is not available on TV360. You can voice-control it, but if memory serves me correctly, it's about 6 or 7 keypresses.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just be sure that you're happy to lose the extra functionality of tivo, as there's no way back.

I'm not so sure there will be an 'enforced switchover'. More likely they'll do what they have already, withdrawing certain channels. Currently Sky Atlantic and fast channels, neither of which bother me. The risk for VM is that they lose customers, thats why they are treading gently, and desperately to get the punters to 'opt in'. Anything 'enforced' might mean customers opt out of VM entirely.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I took my temporarily reprogrammed Universal Remote round to our friend's house for testing, and can confirm that the "Ziggo" codeset does work perfectly on the 360 - including some extra hidden/extended IR codes which provide one-press access to Recordings, Help/Settings, and a few other things that the Virgin-supplied RF remote does not. That'll work fine for me.

I also tested the Series Link editing, and it's even more basic than I was expecting. :( Once you've set up a Series Link for a programme from the current Guide you cannot even edit the channel that it is assigned to (e.g. change it from a BBC4 repeat to the main BBC1 broadcast). Nor (as far as I can tell) can you even see that a Series Link exists at all, or what channel it will record from, once that programme is no longer showing in the active upcoming list.

While I was at it, I tried to find the radio stations in the Guide (the ones normally in channels 900-960) and noticed they've completely screwed that up too. You can only see generic icons to listen live to any given radio station, with no programme information or schedule details, and no way to record, rewind, series link, etc. Another mess that I hadn't even considered would have been broken.

Our V6 currently has zero recorded shows (it's not been that way since it was first installed!) so it would be the perfect time to switch, but I think holding out to the bitter end would be a better option. I simply cannot see one single practical "feature" that is better on the 360 - unless you count a voice-command button or more convenient access to streaming services with non-skippable adverts (all of which I have on my TV anyway). Are there actually any pros to the thing at all, apart from it costing Virgin less in licencing fees?

Andre

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thank for doing this ,you have confirmed what I thought. I will also hold out as long as l can. Can not see one reason to change. Have voice control on other things , hate it. Sky Atlantic have via virgin TV go. Don't bother with it , have couple of part watched shows, so boring. I repeat show me the money :shocked:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

So the review you thanked, which you admitted showed no real negatives with the 360 box, has convinced you to… hold out as long as possible, use workaround methods for exclusive 360 content, ignore the upgrade savings, and then call the tv box which only shows tv shows boring anyway? That’s quite the sales pitch against your own argument

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I was referring to sky Atlantic,as boring tried it via TV go. Yes on my main TV not a phone or tablet. What upgrade saving ? Repeat have voice control on TV and tablet, I hate it on both. I assume you refer to the crazy way you have do what is a simple adjustment on TiVo as exclusive to it. some upgrade. :shocked: when force l will wait out end of contract and get a freely tv + now TV if that is still around. Or even if I am:D l am so glad you are happy, I repeat l can see no reason to change . If it ain't broke and it's not , don't fix it.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I recently renewed my VM contract, got a great deal in my eyes anyway.

I asked if the renewal meant I had to move to 360 software, I was told no but given the sales pitch of the benefits (Atlantic) and we'd rather you sign up to 360 but not forced to. I politely declined but said I'd keep an eye out for any updates that might persuade me to switch to 360.

To be fair, the CS representative was the best I'd spoken to in a long time. Not pushy, just took his time to find the best deal for me. So, on the off chance he reads this then a hat tip to Scott (with a Geordie accent) :)

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I think most people use their TV programmes to watch programmes, not to obsess about functions you don’t really need.

However, those that prefer the TiVo don’t need to worry at this stage. While the TV channels continue to be broadcast as now, I believe the Virgin will allow people to keep their TiVos. However, when the channels move to IPTV (probably on demand), everyone will be migrated to Virgin Flex boxes.

At least that’s what I think, I haven’t seen anything from VM to confirm that.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Pretty sure Channels on a EPG will still exist

TV channels on Virgin Stream/Flex EPG are streamed over broadband.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

A minor point in the grand scheme of things but Virgin appears to have shifted their language slightly when nudging to upgrade from V6. It is now alluding to it 'eventually stopping working altogether'.

Still no dates etc. but will be interesting to see what happens next but have accepted it is coming :) (for the second time as mine is a rare story of rolling back from TV360 - I wonder if that will break the upgrade)



"Your current Virgin TV box won’t be supported for much longer. This means it will lose functionality soon and eventually stop working altogether.

The good news is we can upgrade you to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost. But you'll need to take action to make this happen."

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I'm still stuck in no mans land. My contract expired and they are giving me a recurring credit to keep it the same as the in contract price. They, as yet, are unable to confirm that, if I sign up for another two years, that I won't be forced onto the 360, so I am refusing to commit myself. If I do end up signing, I may have to 'move house' to terminate the contract early as i'm thinking of moving to Sky Q.

From what you say it looks like the end is coming, which is probably why they won't give me any reassurances. There again, as they are such a sky & manipulative company, it may just be designed to worry people and to get them to change over.

I think that they will remove premium channels first, which I don't subscribe to, but we will then know that the end for the V6 is coming some months later.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

As you say, the end is coming. Are you aware that Sky Q, like VM's TV 360, is not available to new customers online? You may be able to get these boxes for a while by calling Sales, but they are being phased out.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes - there have been more channels leaving Sky than usual over the past few months. The end is coming to Sky satellite and VirginMedia's linear services. Maybe a few years yet but the services are already seeing channels leave.

Sky's stream service has a lot less channels than SkyQ - Virgin has two less channels on their stream service when compared to their V6/360 platform.

VirginMedia has more UHD channels in their EPG over Sky.

The tv services isn't really that big in difference - the broadband services are quite different to many. I have a choice of 1Gbps with VirginMedia and 60Mpbs with any other wired ISP.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Been trying to get me to ditch my V6 and go for the 360, currently not in contract and ignored the numerous calls trying to get me to swop.
Last night my bookmarked programs + couple of films decided to leave my V6?
Maybe its time to go for the 360?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes, it's telephone only now so that they can try to persuade people to get Sky Stream.

---------- Post added at 17:49 ---------- Previous post was at 17:47 ----------

Tbh I don't think this will be down to Virgin doing anything to the box. The V6 deletes older recordings if it needs the space, could it be down to this?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Bookmarks suggest a VoD shortcut, so most likely the underlying asset expired.

Nothing to do with V6/TV360, everything to do with recording versus streaming/OD availability.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I'd been with "Virgin" since the Telecential days in the late 90s and used to own a Thompson Mk 1 TiVo which went when Virgin rolled it into their boxes. Been thinking for some time of getting rid and this year, given we thought that Virgin might eventually just switch us over, we made a concerted effort to watch/delete the 80% full recordings and ditching it. I found a new rather tech solution (Channels DVR) which has similar functionality and set that all up on a Pi 4, got a shiny new 1Gb internet, and cancelled Virgin.

During the cancellation phase and with something between AI slop and pure bad luck the Pi crashed the database which took me over a week to diagnose and repair and suddenly Virgin didn't look so bad, so after a negotiation we are back on Virgin, with the 360 box which is probably sightly better than expected.

Anyway there is a question here. We were trying to set a pass for The Hairdresser Mysteries from the Virgin Android app TV Go and can't see how to do it. We can set for other things but I'm sure there are others we might not be able to. I have looked around here but not managed to find anything. She prefers to record rather than watchlist or play from streaming.

Any ideas anyone? TIA.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The record facility on the app is I believe heavily restricted, so do it with the TV 360.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thanks, guessed it might be. I think she's managed to do it on some programmes, just not all though. So not a lot of use then as a mobile app is it!! :-)

While on the whole I'm happy with the 360, it's certainly missing some of the features we used on the old one. I guess they are pushing everyone towards streaming as it costs so much less for them - so we'll need to get over the need to store stuff locally - it doesn't really make much sense when it's all available online anyway...

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

My TiVo 500GB died yesterday. It now just shows a black screen and occasionally makes the error sound. Tried restarting it, etc. It'll show Starting Up for a bit and then go back to the black screen.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The TiVo's hard drive is almost certainly failing. It's obsolete and won't be replaced, so you'll be offered a TV 360 or a Stream box. In both cases you'll need VM's broadband. Do report back on what happens.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It's a second box, main box is a V6 which we don't want to convert to 360 which means very few options.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I explicitly asked when I signed up again recently whether they would still replace a broken recording box with a recording box and they said yes. YMMV

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It entirely relies on local stocks of Arris boxes with the TiVO firmware pre-loaded. If the tech has one in their van you will get it. If not then there is no option but to take one pre-loaded with the Horizon UI. I got lucky 3 months ago when one of my V6s failed, but it's now a lottery as to whether you have to migrate or not.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I am looking after my V6 so it doesn't die. Deleted series links i'll never watch, let it power down when inactive. Plus I've given it 30 days annual leave a year with access to mental health support, and an index linked pension. Its agreed to keep going. I'm a good employer :)

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I think powering disks up and down all the time can actually shorten their life.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I think you would have trouble beating the amount of times the TiVO firmware fires up the hard drive in standby. It can be 2 or 3 times in any one hour period. If you switch it to always on, it would be permanently buffering 6 channels. Using the off switch is by far the best idea to stop wear and tear.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Probably a silly question (she controls the TV and associated gubbins) so I've not taken much interest, but . . is it still actual HDD in these boxes, and would/could SSD perform better or am I well behind the times here? :dunce:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Nope. When the box shuts down in standby, it does a controlled unloading of the hard drive. If you just pull the plug, it can't do that.

Plus by powering it off, you are putting it through thermal cycles that can cause damage long term.

It's an actual HDD. It is fast enough to do everything that is required of it, so putting in an SSD would just be a waste of money.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Best practice is to simply put the box into standby when you're not watching TV as this is designed to do a graceful power down of the hard drive to unload and park its heads. (I put my TV 360 into eco mode.) Even when it needs to come out of standby, e.g. for EPG updates, this is managed and not multiple times an hour. Keeping it always on means constant buffering which generates unwanted heat which degrades the box. And you certainly shouldn't just pull the plug repeatedly as this risks a catastrophic head crash.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

So is it advisable to put the box into standby on occasion rather than just leaving it on all the time?

I have read that putting STB's into standby simply kills the audio & video output and thus saves hardly any power at all.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

We still have a Plasma TV, so no concerns about the extra power from an STB in standby :D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It's said that plasma TV's are better than the LED/LCD screens that we use today.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thats generally true, they had better picture contrast and could be viewed from more obscure angles (not sure why you would want to).
They were sometimes noisy and also easier to damage. I had one for about 8 years, I think its almost 10 years now since anyone (major) made them.

OLED is generally considered to be better than plasma was.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

OLED will use less power too. My next TV will be OLED, apparently Sony are the best manufacturer.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I think you are referring to early US TiVos where standby did not spin down the hard drive at all. However I believe all of VM's current boxes do a graceful shutdown when you select standby with read/write heads parked, actuator locked and platters spun down gradually until completely stopped.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Oh right, i'll put it into standby when not using it then.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The Donald's a big Tivo fan, not sure he'd be 'upgrading' to 360 :D
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b3028030.html

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Report that some customers have received the following email:

I imagine that this is a prelude to either premium sport or films being removed as they seek to wind down the TiVo and push people onto the 360.

As I don't take either premium service through Virgin, I will remain as I currently am.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

"stop working altogether" seems pretty clear.
Not just removing a few services, they will become dead boxes.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

When decommissioning boxes they usually gradually remove services, before crippling them altogether.

Bearing in mind the usual vague Virgin way of saying things, perhaps erroneously, I took it to mean that it would lose some functionality soon and then eventually stop working altogether.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Depends on the TV box in question. After all, V6 with TiVo can run TV360 software, so there's no hardware issues.
With 2m customers still with V6/TiVo, far from being a simple matter.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Unless you know different, this relates to the TiVo box (pre V6) ..... They been weaning customers off it over the last year or two. They are going to be recycling centre fodder only very soon.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Good point. Someone called Virgin and was told that there isn't a deadline for the V6 to end, but of course what Virgin say and what Virgin do are two different things.

---------- Post added at 19:05 ---------- Previous post was at 19:05 ----------

Recycling centre fodder??

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I'd like to see the email as this quote doesn't look what I'd expect as it has no deadline date, not like the one which informed the TiVo users that BBC iPlayer would no longer be available from 23 July.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

But that's Virgin all over, wishy washy, no commitment slop. Then they can make it into whatever is convenient for them retrospectively ie they gave some customers a 'deal for life'. Some years later they put the price up and justified it by saying that 'life' meant the life of the offer.

Hopefully this is for the original TiVo boxes & not the V6.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I haven't received the email (am already on 360 and stream) however the following screenshot, and additional info was posted on facebook by a V6 user.

"You need to upgrade your TV box
It only takes a couple of minutes
Upgrade now
Hello XXXXX,
Your current Virgin TV box won’t be supported for much longer. This means it will lose functionality soon and eventually stop working altogether.
The good news is we can upgrade you to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost. But you'll need to take action to make this happen.
You've got two ways to upgrade....."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It clearly states it won't be supported much longer. It will lose functionality soon and eventually stop working altogether.
So you don’t have to update immediately/right this second to keep it working in the short term.

The losing functionality may refer to apps no longer being updated/supported (for instance the removal from tivo boxes of netflix and iPlayer due to system incompatability as the actual vendors stopped supporting older models) or newer apps only being added to the horizon based boxes.

A lot of people don't need VM's set top boxes to access apps as they may have smart TV's/roku's/firesticks etc which already carry most apps they may want to access.

The loss of functionality may align with the recent removal of F.A.S.T channels from the EPG on the V6, for example those in the 200 range. Again a lot of these are available via other methods, smart TV's, android boxes, streaming sticks etc.

It may be that in the long term (when VM do declare an actual cut off date) that people will be moved directly from V6 to VM Stream/Flex boxes. So possibly having the option to currently regrade/swap from V6 to TV360 would be a "smart" move for people wanting to retain the ability to record programs.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The same user posted this information on Facebook which he got from VM:

"Thank you for clarifying, and I do understand what you're saying.
I appreciate that you do not wish to move to TV 360 and that you were advised at the time of renewing your contract that an upgrade wouldn’t be required.
The email you've received has been sent because the V6 box is part of our older TV platform, and upgrades to TV 360 are currently being encouraged. However, I completely understand your concerns and preference to remain with your existing setup.
If you're happy with your current V6 box and do not wish to upgrade to TV 360, you can continue using your existing box for the time being. There is nothing on the account to suggest that your services will be affected because of this.
I've checked the account, and I can reassure you that there is currently no date showing on the account for your V6 box to be switched off or for your TV services to be disconnected.
While Virgin Media is encouraging customers to upgrade to TV 360, there is nothing on your account indicating that you must upgrade by a specific date or that your services will stop if you choose to continue using your V6 box."

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just renewed my contract, and there was no mention during the conversation of changing my V6 boxes. Apart from YouTube & Radioline, I do not use any of the apps on the boxes. The game changer would be if the Sky Sports Red Button streams were removed as these are in use regularly during the football season.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Current V6 user not wanting to change over to a 360, guided by current feedback here and noted the problems quoted by new users.
90+year old neighbour recently changed over to a 360, nothing but problems once installed.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just got the email about “upgrading”. It will be interesting to see how persistent they will be with their dire warnings about losing functionality.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Ok stupid question, I believe they can "force" the 360 on customers wondering if they would also offer cancellation as it's possible that these customers would leave when they can . Of cause "we" might just love it:rolleyes:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

All boxes eventually get replaced regardless of whether anyone is willing. My V6 was migrated to a TV 360 (my choice and it works well) and I'm quite aware that this is VM's last set-top box, so we'll all be migrated to Stream boxes - it's a matter of when, not if.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It's not a hardware issue, so need to replace anything. If I "upgraded", all that is replaced is the remote.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The following has been given to me by a Virgin Media source:

There seems to be a lot of confusion about forced updates to 360, Tivo will still be available until at least june/july next year. - 35-40k migrations to newer boxes each month..

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Stay calm, do nothing. Never bad advice.

They really want you to volunteer for the 'upgrade' , as it wipes recordings, and customers would create merry hell if forced.

I suspect this will be my last tv contract with VM. Paying for a streaming box is daft.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Can't see why anyone would disagree with your last point but I am sure someone will :rolleyes:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

They will be forced, similar to everyone being persuaded/forced off PSTN and onto VoIP. And you can't escape to Sky who will not keep a contract with SES forever for the satellites, with the focus now on Sky Stream and Sky Glass.

As for a streaming box: you have to pay for VM's Stream (and Sky's Stream) which provide a full range of live TV channels and VoD compared with the lesser offerings of all the other boxes.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Freely TV or box , and your "stick" of choice. Perhaps? If you need that at all ie smart TV

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Think of apples (like VM and Sky) and pears (like Freely and Freeview). These are not the same, so it makes perfect sense to subscribe to Pay TV provided by VM and Sky if that is what you want.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Sorry don't really see it. However I guess it will depend on what you want from what will be a streaming provider, between a freely TV and using it's other smart choices for me it's all covered in fact when my box went down my smart TV provided everything I needed , more of a faff agreed, but I doubt virgin will make it simple :monkey:. Thinking it will be well worth it at a way lower price.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

This is the key phrase: Pay TV. It's for those who pay to watch the premium content whilst Freely is free.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Hence perhaps and a stick. Ie now

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Looked at my LG TV ignoring that it's able to get all the free apps I would ever use , can see Netflix , Disney+, prime , rokuten what ever that is :D . As I still have sometime on my contract it won't be soon but the more I think I guess a freely box (for ease) now TV by some form or an other . Will more than cover my needs . Repeat can't see why I would chose virgin :cool:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

For some, Freely plus Now's Entertainment and/or Sports membership will be suitable. This is one middle ground option, another is Virgin Media's Flex on a monthly 30-day rolling TV add-on for VM's broadband customers costing £5 a month. These options suit those who want more than Freely but don't want to commit to 24-month Pay TV contract.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Does it record?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Short answer: no.

Longer answer: the BT/EE Box Pro can record live PSB streams to its hard drive, but BBC stopped this in August 2024 by diverting all live streams to its iPlayer app and although the others (ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) still allow live recordings, they impose restrictions such as no ad skipping. This kind of recording is a relic of the past and will be gone with the Box Pro, won't ever happen again and all streaming since then, e.g. Freely, is non-recordable.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Oh right.
Sounds like a bucket full of 'we need to do this for your own good'

I'm already good thanks, I don't watch TV.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I have seen freely recordable boxes , but didn't bother to find out what it can record

---------- Post added at 12:05 ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 ----------

When the times comes it's something to look into :D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just come here to mention the email as got it in the last 30 mins.
We have 2 V6 still on Tivo and both 90+ % full (I know we struggle to watch stuff without it being replaced) so we really wouldn't want to wipe everything for a lesser product.

My dad was semi forced from what I can tell to change to 360 as they came to replace his hub so he could still use his landline as he's classed as vulnerable and has this telephone alerting system thing linked to a bracelet he wears.
Admittedly he doesn't have a lot recorded if anything but they are definitely putting more pressure on moving to 360

Action required: Your TV box needs an upgrade - was the subject of the email
Hello trickytree,

Your current Virgin TV box won’t be supported for much longer. This means it will lose functionality soon and eventually stop working altogether.


The good news is we can upgrade you to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost. But you'll need to take action to make this happen

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

So if you're happy as your are, just do nothing.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Dearest customer,

Although the equipment you are currently using is perfectly fine for your needs, in this changing world it no longer meets the requirements to allow us to make even more money from you.

We are therefore pleased to be able to offer you a FREE replacement/upgrade to equipment that, although possibly inferior in some aspects, does allow us further scope by which to fleece you.

:D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

You pay VM to support you. If their service stops working, then stop paying. Contract law is on your side.