Re: PVR release dates
 

Any news on when Warrington will be wired up.
As we are all ex C&W does that mean Bromley and therefore near the end.

ranf CS up and they didn't have a realease date for here.:rolleyes:

Re: PVR release dates
 

If you have two boxes and are on the family pack, TV Drive should cost you no more per month as the rental on the second box goes down to £5/month. This can be applied even if you already have the second box, including waiving the install charge.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm going to be a pain in the rear (nothing unusual there so I've been told).

Is there any news on when the Flitwick area of Bedfordshire will be getting the PVR? I am currently using the Sky+ but as I'm back using NTL for my broadband I'd like to use NTL for everything again. Another reason is that NTL rent the box so if it goes wrong they'll repair or replace free of charge which IMO is better than Sky where you'd need to buy a new box.

Kevin

Re: PVR release dates
 

Flitwick, I believe, comes under the Luton franchise, so you should be able to get it now. Try calling Customer Services free on 150 from an ntl phone, or Sales on 0800 183 1234.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I to live in Warrington and i WILL be ordering my TV Drive on the 23 jan ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

same here dude were bromley also may try to get an order in early i was told ring first week of jan because of maybe a backlog.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

will be good if we can get a few reports of people on the Bromley platform getting installs booked..

not even heard of anyone testing this on Bromley yet.. hopefully there won't be any bugs on our side

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm on Bromley in the Solent area of Hampshire (Portsmouth to be exact). I phoned ntl on the 27th December and was told by sales that tvdrive wouldn't be available til February but CS told me the end of Jan. Neither could give me an exact date or take advanced booking.

Would be good to hear what other Bromley people are being told, no offence to Langley lot but I'm so jealous that you got to have it over Christmas. :(

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi,
I'am in Leeds(Bromley)and was told today by cs that it would be available in Leeds by end of january.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in BT36. Contacted CS this morning about TV Drive. Was told that it may be May 2007 before the TV Drive is available in my area. At this I informed them that I would probably want to cancel my phone & TV.

I took a few minutes to calm down and then phoned Sales who said that they could probably have it installed in a couple of weeks time.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks Bill - I've had an email this morning from CS saying it will be available from the 23rd Jan.

I'm going to try to pre-book.

Cheers

Re: PVR release dates
 

You are able to get it now in BT36 (Newtownabbey direction?) The only delay would be for the next available install crew. HTH.

Re: PVR release dates
 

can you let us know how you get on pre-booking ?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks for the info and Flitwick does come under Luton.

Kevin

Re: PVR release dates
 

Has anyone in the BN12 region had one of these installed ? If not, does anyone know when this area will be 'ready' to have them installed ?

Thanks in advance.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevieb
Thanks Bill - I've had an email this morning from CS saying it will be available from the 23rd Jan.

I'm going to try to pre-book.

Cheers


Not well I'm afraid (but not surprised).

I rang CS and the nice lady confirmed Warrington for 23rd Jan and went through the price etc with me; she even wanted to go through the features but I declined and just wanted to get on with pre-booking an instalation.
She went to speak to a colleague who said that they couldn't do that but "Sales" could - they would put me through to sales.

A young guy called "mark" seemed quite excited by the prospect of a sale until I mentioned the TV Drive. Ah he said, "we have had no training for that" and their IT had not been upgraded to accept orders of the TV Drive.
He said he would put me back to - you guessed it - CS.
The line at CS rang once, they picked up the phone and then hung up. This was after 25 minutes of waiting.

I rang back only to be told by that pre-recorded Geordie t*sser (apologies to Geordies) that "oh dear, we appear to be very busy at present, suggest I ring back later" and then it disconnects me.

I decided to email the customer care guy who gave me the date in the first place as per the following:

"Thank you for your reply.
I have telephoned customer services today to book an appointment to install a TV Drive but the lady (Katherine) said she would have to put me through to sales. I then spoke to "Mark" in sales who said that they had not been trained on how to subscibe me or how to arrange an instalation as they were on a different I.T. system which had not been upgraded!!

He then said he would have to transfer me to customer services but then they cut me off. This was after 25 mins waiting. I rang back but was advised by the automated reply that waiting times were in excess of 30 minutes. I know this is new technology but this lack of service is inexcusable.

Would you please provide a direct telephone number (OTHER than the 0845 454 0000 number) that will put me through to someone who can take my order and who can book an instalation date for me.

I look forward to hearing from you"

which I thought was pretty polite considering.
I've also tried at least 10 times tonight to get through but keep getting disconnected by that Geordie t*sser.

Watch this space.

Re: PVR release dates
 

best of luck:)

Re: PVR release dates
 

spoke to CS again at 8 am this morning and was told because of "problems" they had had, they were not taking any pre-bookings, so I would have to ring back on the 23rd Jan.

Suppose thats it then.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Damn....I tried a tactic of booking my install online (I'm a new customer) and then ringing up sales with my order number to get the TV drive added. I booked the install for 29th Jan (I live in London)...

Spoke to Sales....ummm....errr....TV Drive...I'll have to get back to you. They took my name and number. Have I had a call....have I heck. They haven't even called me back just to confirm my online booking. I really want to get the TV Drive so I'm not going to be put off, but NTL are pretty shoddy when it comes to their customer facing departments. It could be so much smoother....I didn't even get an auto-generated email to say that my order had been recieved. Poor, very poor.

I'll keep chasing them though! :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

I e-mailed today to find out when it would be available in my area, they replied within a few hours (good!) saying from the 23rd so I will put my order in a little nearer the time.

Re: PVR release dates
 

NG10 may well be taking orders within days

Re: PVR release dates
 

I emailed ntl today asking about the release date for the TVdrive. I recieved a very speedy reply that for once was not the standard 'early 2007' fob off they said they'd checked my Postcode (which is PO9) and that the release date for my area was 23rd January. They suggested that i phone sales and I should be able to pre book :) . So ever hopeful I rang sales and spoke to a man who was very friendly but wasn't really able to help. He was surprised I'd been told about a release date and said that he hadn't been trained yet and that the software wasn't capable of taking bookings yet. He did take my phone number and promised to phone me when booking became avaliable, so I will have to wait and see if he does :rolleyes:

If anybody on the bromley platform manages to make a booking for the tvdrive, please post and let us know ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

On 28/12/06 they quoted me 05/01/07 as the earliest install for BT15 area so May'07 doesn't sound right.
Mine will be 06/01/07.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'd gotten the May 2007 date from CS who, it would seem, don't really know much about the actual availability of the TV drive. I phone Sales who've scheduled 20 Jan as my TV Drive installation date.

Re: PVR release dates
 

well update time .....

Spoke to Sales before Christmas who ordered TV drive for Installation 3rd January !

Now installed ...
Working - touch wood
NO VOD/INTERACTIVE but hey !
And yeah id say its good
Airbus is once again a happy bunny and even happier since the nice lady in retentions has done him a right good bunny deal !!!!:cleader:

Re: PVR release dates
 

What email address did you send to?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi

Go here http://www.ntl.com/home/contact/generic/customer.asp which will take you to their generic email enquires and send them an email requesting info on the tvdrive release dates in your area. They'll probably send you the fob off email saying 'early 2007'. :mad:

If you then reply directly to this email saying that you want more info and that your thinking of going over to Sky+ (even if you not) then hopefully you'll get a more personal reply. This worked for me :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks for the tip. I'd already used the online form - got a reponse back saying that due to the data protection act they can't call me back....well, thanks. I just asked for some info via email. I've now let them now that, and mentioned I'll be off to get Sky+ if they don't get back to me ASAP. :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

just mailed them and got a reply back saying that it will be available from the 23rd Jan.. will try ringing sales next week.

Re: PVR release dates
 

any new on romford with TV drive

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi all,

I've got my TVDrive install date :-)

I live in nottingham (NG2 postcode)... The install date 13th Jan :-)

thingi

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm presuming Nottingham is Langley?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Indeed it is.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi Quadplay

You seem to be a man in the know! Does 23rd Jan seem like the likely launch date for tvdrive on the Bromley platform and any news on when/if we'll be able to pre book an install :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

All I can say is what I've said above - that TVDrive will be available in Bromley areas before the end of the first quarter of 2007.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm BN14 and was advised on Wednesday to ring back on 6th Jan... just rung and been told "provisionally available from 23rd Jan".

Also emailed CS Wednesday and received following reply:

23rd of January 2007
Regards
NTL Customer Concern

...so looks like just a couple of weeks to wait before we can order :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Cool - thanks mate.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Those in M45 Area will get it on 22nd of Jan 2007.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I live in Aylesbury, HP21 area and have 3 NTL pace boxes at the moment, does anyone know if I could get a TVDrive now?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Is the TV Drive available in the Solent area yet (namely Gosport/Portsmouth) ?

If not, when will it be available, even a rough date will be of help.

Many Thanks.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I live in the solent area - Havant PO9 to be exact. I've had an email fron ntl saying that the expected release date for my postcode is the 23rd of January and that I should be able to prebook.

However when I rang sales the guy I spoke to said that he hadn't been trained on tvdrive yet and that he couldn't take a booking yet. So fingers crossed that is is the 23rd Jan.

I will be ringing them again at the end of the week to try again. If you manage to book anything please post and let me know :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in Peterborough area - had exactly the same, and when I tried to call up and book an engineer for that week (I already have leave booked from work), the sales person didn't know about it.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I rang CCS today - told me TV drive available in Waltham Forest In February ! Fingers crossed...

so amazingly I can BB, VOD, PVR ... but still no Caller Display aaggghhhh

Re: PVR release dates
 

I just called and have booked my install for the 27th Jan (Sandy - Bedfordshire)....

But what's odd is that I got a discount - and NO I didn't ask for one. So I'm keeping my box that I already have upstairs and only have to pay and extra £5 a month for the TV drive.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Did you have two STBs before (i.e. were you paying £15 pcm for the second STB)?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Nope - I am paying 1.50 a month for my ntl base pack tv box upstairs. I have sky+ downstairs.

The 1.50 a month was offered the last time I called them up about something.

I called today just to order the tv drive expecting it to be a further 15 a month and they said i could have it for an extra 5.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Im in Stafford and have just subcribed..

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in Leicester (LE3). Is it definitely available in my area?

Re: PVR release dates
 

Mine was installed on December 12th last year and am well pleased with everything, iam in le4

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just thought I'd give an update on my last post. Rang NTL today and it is definately confirmed (or so the lady told me) that the tvdrive is going to be released for my postcode (PO9) on the 23rd January, although they are not taking any bookings before that date. So if your in the Portsmouth/Solent area next tuesday is tvdrive day- i'll certainly be on the phone to sales at 8am :D

Re: PVR release dates
 

Told me the same - I'll be on the phone at that time as well!

Re: PVR release dates
 

I too shall be on the phone to them on the 23rd.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hey, nice to find another poster from that oh so wonderful town of Havant.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in Leatherhead, Surrey (KT22). Just spoken to NTL 150 and have been advised that KT22 subscribers can commence ordering from 23rd January as well. Also told that the TVDrive name is changing to V Plus and that Virgin have changed a lot of the screens.

Re: PVR release dates
 

If anyone has any screen shots of the new screens, that would be nice.........

Re: PVR release dates
 

ref Havant posters:
I'm only ten miles from you and am aiming to get the TVdrive ASAP as I bought a new TV for Christmas with HD.
It would be useful to post updates regularly to compare 'Hampshire NTL + TVdrive' notes as to functionality, working and usefulness of the TVdrive.
To start : I've just phoned NTL an hour ago and they have said the release date for Solent is now Tuesday January 30th !!

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi Blueview

sounds like a great idea to compare notes :) especially as most of the posters on here seem to be in the North of England, but I'm hoping your wrong about the date being moved back to the 30th :( . I spoke to NTL on Monday and it was still the 23rd then - will have to give them a ring tomorrow and see what they say. Will report back

Re: PVR release dates
 

Last week, an ntl cust serv rep told me over the phone, in between saying "DUHHH" a lot, that my area (NW Surrey, TW20) is projected to go live for the TV-Drive HD service on Jan 23rd. This tallies with some of the other posts I think.

I then asked him if it used the intended mpeg4 standard, or had that been abdandoned in favour of the cheaper/easier mpeg2 like I've heard - it sounded like his head then imploded, so I never found out. :Yikes:

Re: PVR release dates
 

I am also in the TW20 area, and have been told that I can book an installation on the Jan 23rd

It took a few attempts to get through to someone who knew what I was talking about tho ...

Re: PVR release dates
 

It's worth looking at today's thread - "TV Drive Installed Yesterday" to prepare ourselves for the usual disasters that come with NTL and new installations.
My experiences include -
"Sorry, mate, I need someone to hold my ladder - not you as you're not employed by NTL. Two of us will be back another day."
"They didn't tell me you had a drive."
"It's not working now, but it will an hour after I've left."
"I've only got twenty minutes allotted to the job, so you'll have to make do."
Yet I want one of these PVRs so am prepared to have the associated problems as long as they last no more than 24 hours and are resolved.
At least I'm not dealing with TalkTalk !!

Re: PVR release dates
 

any news about Bromley when ppr go live

Re: PVR release dates
 

I was informed last night that a limited number (50) TV Drive boxes are available in this area. Just spent 40 minutes on phone to CS, passed on three times only to be told that there will be none available until Feb 1st.:(

Anyone have a definative answer to this?

Jim.

Re: PVR release dates
 

just been told that the rm3 in romford areas will go live with TVdrive all so on 23th January :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just been told I can get the V+ on 23rd (Dover, Kent). Very Very limited stock and it's first come first serve. CS advised me to ring the second they open on 23rd which I will.

Just to add, the bloke was extremely knowledgable and answered any questions I had.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Solent Update:
Just phoned NTL and the release date is back to next Tuesday.
So I'll be on the phone at 8.00 am
Dial 150 and press the button number for 'Sales'

Re: PVR release dates
 

Yep, thats what they told me too blueview. Definately the 23rd, although they were trying to get me to wait til i had something through the post ;). I don't think so

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just walked past a NTL van. Spoke to the engineer and asked when he expected to be putting in the TV drives.
He said in a couple of weeks - we should receive a pamphlet through the post to let us know about them.
So Tuesday's phone call will start :
"Just received my pamphlet in the post and would like to arrange installation of the new box............etc."

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this has been covered already.

I'm getting ntl installed on 3rd February. I live in London SE19. I'm guessing this means I'll be on the Bromley platform. Would it be worth me calling on 23rd and asking for TV Drive to be installed instead of a normal box?

Thanks!

Re: PVR release dates
 

i a lot of cs dont know whats happening yet as some havent been trained the 23rd of jan was the date i was given and was told by the gentleman to ring about 12pm to make sure the booking system is up and running and he knew everything about the tv drive and i would imagine theres plenty to go round.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Exactly 50 for our area ATM, or so my informant tells me. :)

Jim.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in Manchester.

I don't really care when the date is, however as soon as they notify they are available in this area I shall be ordering one. No rush, but I shall be having one nonetheless.

Re: PVR release dates
 

They won't notify you! The ntl guy said its being purposly not advertised at the moment and they have limited stock. You have to ring up and ask! If you have an ntl phone line ring 150 and press 2 for sales. Nothing to lose!

Re: PVR release dates
 

I have been informed that 50 are available for the Oldham/Stockport area. Apparently staff shortages mean that they have no one to fit them, hence the stonewalling until the end of the month.:(

Jim.

Re: PVR release dates
 

I don't think it's been launched here.

Sooner or later if the product is to succeed they'll have to advertise it, until they do I won't bother.

I remember it was like that when broadband first launched round here, it was available for a while before the adverts started, but you had to ask.

Re: PVR release dates
 

TV Drive is available in Swindon now but you have to ask as not officially released. Even the engineer who installed said they havent been sent on a course yet to fully understand the system, just been given basic instructions. He even left me a book and said read that, it will tell you all you need to know how to operate it! :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Do you lot reckon that if we wait for Virgin to ring us to try and get us to sign up to the V+ box they will offer better deals like free fitting and reduced subs , rather than ringing up and asking for it fitting ? This happened when I was on NTL Dial up and they rang to offer me free BB installation and 512k BB for £9 a month for a year(which i`m still paying now for 4meg;) )

Re: PVR release dates
 

From a News release yesterday (in the Telegraph) -
"Sir Richard Branson is poised to launch Virgin Media on St Valentine's Day offering a brand new set-top box recorder and total UK population coverage by the middle of next year.

The entrepreneur will spearhead a £20m marketing blitz at several glitzy events as the company, formed from the mergers of NTL, Telewest and Virgin Mobile, throws down the gauntlet to BSkyB in the battle for the nation's living rooms.

At the centre of Virgin Media's plan is a new set-top box intended to rival the popular Sky+ recorder. The box, which has a secret codename, is based on Telewest's TVDrive which decodes digital television signals and allows users to pause and rewind live television. The new box is expected to be able to carry high-definition pictures."

If this is therefore a NEW set-top box, and is not being shown by Branson till February 14th, is it sensible to get the older Telewest's box a couple of weeks earlier?
Or is the box available on Tuesday actually the newer version?

Re: PVR release dates
 

I was told today by an engineer that the new V+box was slimmer than the tvdrive and was not made by scientific atlanta. i showed him the picture of the black v+ box(posted on here) and he said that that box looked like a photoshopped picture of the original telewest box. so either he was making it up or who knows:confused:

Re: PVR release dates
 

i be phoneing on the 23 for v+ boxs

Re: PVR release dates
 

make sure you post back n let us know how you get on!!

Re: PVR release dates
 

ok will do

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just received a nice little glossy brochure in the post promoting the new V+. Nice picture:) . Also promises to install V+ withins 2 weeks.

Rang the number on the brochure which is a normal Ntl number 0845 454 0000, although it calls it the V+ hotline.:rolleyes:

Was passed to sales, then to CS, then back to sales, then to somewhere else, passed on five time in total. The upshot is that a new V+ box is due for installation on the 1st Feb AM.:cool: :)

Jim.

Re: PVR release dates
 

well phone today just about my bb but ended up booking v+ boxs haveing all done on 15th feb so i got my v+ boxs book today :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I have just spoken to CS and they have informed me that for my area (TW20) the TV drive will be available from the end of February and that I will get a leaflet in the mail when I can order it.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Interesting - I'm told that I can call from tomorrow (23rd Jan), and I was hoping to be able to have the drive fitted sometime this week, as I have the week off work. Otherwise it will have to be a Saturday.

Re: PVR release dates
 

WARNING to those people told they could phone on the 23rd January to get the V+/tvdrive. I live in the solent region (PO9) I just phoned sales today and was told that I wouldn't be able to get it till February. Was so stunned by this response (as I phoned them 3 times last week and was told 23rd Jan on each occasion) I phoned back and spoke to someone else. He claimed that no areas on the Bromley platform were getting it till February and that Manchester would be the first place.

I get the feeling I'm being fob off - Its not like their saying that theres been a problem and they've had to delay it, there just pretending that they never told me the 23rd in the first place. I'll still be phoning tomorrow and if I get the same response again I'll be kicking up a fuss.

Would be great to hear if anyone else has heard the same, or are they just telling me a load of s**t :mad:

P.S Hi Blueview - as your in the same region as me would be great to hear what you've been told + plus if you manage to book please let me know- I of course will do likewise

Re: PVR release dates
 

I was also told the 23rd by two people. Although a CS team leader said that no official dates had been given. Have a new install booked for Feb 10th, so I'm going to be ****ed if it's not available by then. I don't want to get a normal box installed then, only to then have to pay another £75 a few weeks later to swap it for a V+HD box!!

I'll be calling them tomorrow morning, but I have a horrible feeling I'm going to be told it's not going to be available :rolleyes:

Re: PVR release dates
 

I would also like to ask those people who have received promotional leaflets for the V+ in the last few days where you are and are any of you on the Bromley platform

Thanks :)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Update for ecw199
I have just phoned NTL on 0845 4540000 this afternoon.
The V Box is being installed at the end of next week :)
The cost is an additional £15 a month if I keep the old box (which I do not want and will not have installed) but since I have the family pack there is a £5 monthly discount leaving me £10 to pay.
The altenative is to hand the box back and just pay £10 a month but in addition pay £75 for the installation of the V box !
I shall, of course, be keeping the box - it may come in handy if the V Box becomes faulty !
I'll keep you up to date with the installation and functionality next week.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Thanks Blueview

Right I'm phoning them as soon as I get home, and I'm not getting off the phone till I've got an installation date. You're just down the road from me, so if you can get it so can I. Thanks very, very much for the info. will post back and let you know how I get on

Re: PVR release dates
 

I have an email from CS saying 23rd January.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Question For Blueview

Did you employ any particular strategy to get your installation date? Was it fairly straight forward or did you really have to push for it? Would you mind telling me the first part of your postcode ie i'm PO9

Thanks ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

I'm in Fareham = postcode PO16
I phoned the number, pressed 5, waited 1 minute and spoke to Customer Services who moved me on to the dedicated V Box team.
The guy was very helpful and explained all the advantages of the box and the saving of the installation fee if I kept the box even tho I didn't want it to be installed ("just say to the engineer you'll heve it fitted later")
My forceful argumentative rating was probably 1 out of 10 !
His helpful kindly friendly rating was 9 out of 10

Re: PVR release dates
 

HHHmmm I wonder if I'll get a v+ thingy or a TV drive on Saturday...

Re: PVR release dates
 

postcode st5 got mine booked for the 1st feb;) ;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

My Mummy darling has just rung up NTL.

We live in the waterlooville area (PO8 Portsmouth)

They will not accept any orders untill 1st Feb, there will be a waiting list.
£30 installation fee, they had no idea of the costing.

Thats another few details flunk in to the works.

Re: PVR release dates
 

Hi all,

first post, I live in PO and have just booked my install for the 6th Feb, this is the first available slot.

Seems like the word is getting around!

You need to phone 0845 454 0000 and ask about the TV Drive, you will then be passed to a team member who actually knows what they are talking about.

Re: PVR release dates
 

supriesd how easy it was asked the usual questions do you have an hd telly do you want the cables he did say though they would send me the cables incase we had an hd tv later on. were haveing the box upstairs taken away so the box downstairs will replace the one upstairs and the tv drive will go downstairs so he had the card number for the upstairs box i suppose to deactivate when were installed been waiting months for this cant wait now.;)

Re: PVR release dates
 

Just phoned NTL, I live in the PO12 area (Gosport). Ordered V+ with no problems at all. No gumpf about not being available at all. Seems to be who you talk too!!

Re: PVR release dates
 

Moi,:cool: Brochure this morning, install booked for 1st Feb before lunch, :)

I should have taped my conversation, I have two STB's and will be keeping the Samsung, that runs my BB as well as the bedroom TV, the old Pace2000+ is dying on its feet so that will have to go. I was told that there would be no installation charge if I was keeping one box, monthly increase £10 as I am on XL size package. Also told that cost of the second box would then be £5.00??? If that is the case then I would be getting the V+ at no extra charge because I am currently paying £15 PM for second box.