Re: TiVo
 

I disagree muppetman (sorry i dont know your real name).

I am afraid this isnt going to make Sky blink because its a) too expensive for new customers and b) too expensive for new customers which if anything will play into Sky's hands

http://www.sky.com/shop/boxes/

Now i know the old argument but there are all these kewl new features on Tivo that aren't on the V+ but everyone i know is reigning in their spending and aren't going to spend almost £200 on a box.

I think they got this very very wrong and if the early adopters wont pay it then the general punters wont either Luxury TV or not.

Re: TiVo
 

They are sent in batches, Matt.

Re: TiVo
 

Unfortunately just got the email as well, so seems to be no different for VIP customers.

Re: TiVo
 

189 for a box with more bugs than the Amazon and you never own does seem excessive , although Dean maybe happy to pay it.

Re: TiVo
 

Wonder if dean is taking up the offer lol

Re: TiVo
 

Not a good offer in my opinion but at least now Dean can pay my bills in future. You would think they would get our names correct.

Re: TiVo
 

Reminds me a bit of the "Tell Sid" campaign for British Gas shares. VM TIVO "Oi Tell Dean".

Re: TiVo
 

LOL I'm a Sky customer mate it was a hint of sarcasm LOL :D Sky won't be to worried.

Re: TiVo
 

Can i just say one thing is that if you look at the VM website all the new customers are getting 18 month contracts and all the existing customers that have been sent a email are been offered a 12 month contract?

So can i say that if you do not like it then do not get it and if you want it you will enjoy it?

Rant over

Re: TiVo
 

@ Digital Fanatic. - try and take it on the chin mate, I don't think anyone REALLY thinks you've got any control over pricing, they're just venting. We'll all be friends again when something good comes along - whenever that may be. :D

Re: TiVo
 

they are sent in batches, dean.

Re: TiVo
 

It would be interesting to read take up figures probably confidential VM i read at one stage had well in excess of over 50,000 pre registers,so have no real incentive to offer better deals then they have announced, as i would think demand is outstripping any supply for the immediate future.

I would think outside of this forum many people are quite happily or will be having the installation on the terms offered,the only way it will eventually become lower price is when the early surge has been fulfilled and vm are looking for a higher take up,but that will not be yet.:)

Re: TiVo
 

That's totally uncalled for. It's not bug ridden at all.. sure we have some issues but the box works very well.

Re: TiVo
 

What i suggest to everyone on here who doesn't agree with the TiVo pricing is too send an e-mail to the CEO'S office neil.berkett@virginmedia.co.uk - they maybe able to give you an even better deal.

Re: TiVo
 

I am ALLOWED to vent my anger and disgust at the latest development in this on going saga!!

Re: TiVo
 

Why not take your head out of that dark place that you have secreted it into and take a look at what you have said here.

We the members of staff on here can only tell you facts that are in the public domain and that are not business sensitive otherwise we might as well just hand our notices in at the same time that we post such information.

We try to give you as much up to date information as we can and in many cases ahead of other forums.

We offer our help and advice in our own time and as per our signatures we are not acting in an official capacity because believe this or not this is not an official Virginmedia forum.

If you feel so strongly then send an email to the CEO's office and they may be able to help you instead of venting childish vitriol on a public forum.

No one lies to you on here because if the team thought that we were doing so I doubt they would allow it to continue.

remember that SKY will welcome you with open arms and that no one on here will try to stop you in any way whatsoever.

Re: TiVo
 

Cool.. I just got the email, and my name *is* Dean. :D

The 11th April isn't far away, and it's not like my V+ isn't going to disappear before then, so I'm glad they've sent an email to let me know what's going on.

Dean

Re: TiVo
 

Just got my email, and it helped me decide not to go ahead with Tivo at this time.

I see Tivo as a luxury, not a necessity, so I will probably get it at my birthday/Christmas.

Not upset, as it's just a piece of kit, not a kidney transplant....

YMMV

Re: TiVo
 

try not to blame someone that is only here to help and aim it elsewhere such as the CEO's office as above.

Re: TiVo
 

Make sure you sign it Dean :D

Re: TiVo
 

I knew we'd get at least 1 email right! lol

Re: TiVo
 

But not allowed to be abusive....

Re: TiVo
 

LOL, I really do suggest people vent their anger to them and not on this forum people who vent the anger here won't get any where but if you do it to the CEOs office they may get fed up in the end and re think there pricing.

Re: TiVo
 

What you dont agree with what I say? You cant even comment on it or agree that addressing your issues towards the people in the company that make a difference is worthwhile compared to ranting on a forum and personally attacking other members?

Re: TiVo
 

This is the first communication I got! I registered interest as soon as the reg page went live ages ago - didn't hear anything about no raffle!

Re: TiVo
 

Good call.

Re: TiVo
 

Well, If that price on the email is correct I wont be getting it - I mean I was on the fense about getting it if it was just £149 plus £3 a month.

But with £40 install WTF :(

I think I will wait until the price drops not sure yet.

Re: TiVo
 

Have to admit, it's a shame that VM seem to have sent a stock email to everyone, yep received my email to Dean as well.

I've already stated previously way back that I couldn't afford the current install price, but was hoping that some kind of special deal would have been offered to those who pre-registered. And this deal, although seemingly better than the official release price, I feel will not attract the customers the service deserves.

After all of the dissapointment with regards to the TIVO and how it has been handled, I'll just sit back and use my Samsung V+ box, and hope that sometime in the near future Virgin will come up with an attractive pricing policy. I'm hoping that the rumours about the 500gb box and pricing is true and happens sometime soon.

I do feel that Virgin could have handled this so much better, and as other posters have mentioned, in todays current climate, I think the pricing is way off.

I would also like to say that ultimately, the virgin staff who post here, do so willingly and post good tid bits of information. They may get it wrong occasionally, but it's not like they own the company! Give'em a break...

Re: TiVo
 

And ask for more HD Channels please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)

Re: TiVo
 

You are right you can vent your frustration at Virgin Media the company, as they priced the TIVO, but not at individuals on this forum.

Re: TiVo
 

Yeah like no Box Office , no sky sports red button , no proper iplayer service , only records SD suggestions to name just a few all for the bargain price of 189 and 3.00 a month.

Re: TiVo
 

Virgin have got this so wrong.......£189 is way too much. And who in their right mind will pay £239!! Not to mention the extra
£36 per year making it £225 and £275!!

It looked like Virgin were doing things right with Tivo, but at these prices, this will surely fail.

Re: TiVo
 

Total Shambles

and to be quite frank I am disgusted by that poor offer .... if thats how VM want to treat customers then I will most likely vote with my feet and return to the rotten side but at least they have content and add more consistently.

Sorry VM you dropped a huge clanger on this one as far as I am concerned.

:td:

Re: TiVo
 

VM are going to milk this sacred cow all they can:D

Re: TiVo
 

Calm down people. Its a brand new luxury VM STB its not the bog standard normal box so why do you all think you would have been getting it really cheap or free.

If you don't like the pricing wait till it gets cheaper, its simple really. Stop being angry and abusive its totally uncalled for. You would think that the world just ended the way some of you have been posting.

Re: TiVo
 

There is more VoD content on Tivo than any other box on VM.

Recording SD suggestions isn't a bug, but something VM are going to change.. nothings set in stone.

Everything else will come in due course.

Re: TiVo
 

At least you all got your emails (including Dean)

I did not get it as its sent in batches -

and im at the back of the que as always with Virgin Media :(

Re: TiVo
 

They are not bugs though! They are extra features that will be added eventually.

it is a proper iPlayer service, accessed with its own specially created app.

Remember people any new piece of tech usually carries a premium price, that drops over time. Sky's 1TB was mightly highly priced when it was launched too.

Chances are the emails that got sent were meant to have everyone's name but something probably went wrong with the system that was meant to update the emails.

Matt stop worrying you will get an email.

Re: TiVo
 

But youve just stated its a luxury item. doesnt sound it.

Re: TiVo
 

Sod the cost, I will be ordering one when the next email arrives on (or around ;) ) 11th April

Re: TiVo
 

At least we get the full I-PLAYER on the box:erm:

Also a box that will record suggestions and not having to watch what they want you to watch:erm:

Re: TiVo
 

Hope you enjoy it :D

Re: TiVo
 

It still has a lot of development to be done by the sounds of things, so its not even the finished article.

Re: TiVo
 

Hallo.

Speaking as someone who has to wait until things electrical actually fail before getting anything new I thought I'd add an observation.

I wanted a V+ for ages BUT didn't want to pay the £149 price tag for installation.So I waited and waited,waited some more.Carried on waiting and eventually as my TV was crocked and I needed a new one so we went HD..At this point I decided to get the V+ box as the installation fee had dropped to £49.I also got the HD version for far less than I would have paid way back when.

So those of you who don't want to pay well why not just wait until the price comes down as it inevitably will.No consolation for the I want the very latest gadget yesterday brigade but then they are usually the ones who pay the upfront price anyway.;)

Re: TiVo
 

Agreed with that 189 to be a guinea pig seems excessive.

Re: TiVo
 

I already have my Tivo, had it installed in February, but have to say that I can easily appreciate the frustration that the email has caused. The price for the box of £149 and the £3 a month cost is fair but I do hope that when people come to order VM will waive the £40 install charge. It does seem rather excessive and unfair to charge people some pre-reg people more than those of us who got it earlier in the year.

If you have put that money aside though and are willing to pay the install charge I cannot see you being disappointed in the least. My suggestion would be for people to email the CEO's office and raise their concerns there.

Re: TiVo
 

The thing I find insulting to our inteligence is the "special offer" £149 activation.......oh....and by the way theres a £40 "installation fee"!!

What is the difference between "activation" and "installation" - they are one and the same thing!?

Re: TiVo
 

Where was it announced that there was a draw to win a Tivo at reduced price? I've not heard of it.

The Draw for a thousand winners was announced and I didn't win one. I have no complaints about that; it's the way draws work; some win and the vast majority don't.

Are you making up competitions to fit every scenario now?

Re: TiVo
 

Re: TiVo
 

Got the e-mail.

Having waited this long I can wait a little longer. £199 beer tokens set aside.

PB

Re: TiVo
 

Not at all. Its been well tested by VM and TiVo internally before it even gets to this stage.

Yes there are features to be added, but the core function of TiVo is all there and working without any problems.

If you don't like the price don't pay it. It really is simple and straight forward.

Stop bitching about the fact you think it should be cheaper, we get that point. However it is a premium product hence the cost. If you don't want to pay for TiVo there is always V+.

Re: TiVo
 

Well said

Re: TiVo
 

Apparently it's being launched on the 11th of April to all customers for £200. Pre-registerers get get their box for £150!

Re: TiVo
 

Everyone should wait until the box drops in price and then buy one. Why pay that much money on something that could only cost £49 for the box and £3 PER MONTH and no install next year...

Re: TiVo
 

Do you have a link for that or is that just guesswork or rumour.

Re: TiVo
 

I think he has rounded up the prices but not menioned the install price. Technically, the box is £149. Just there is another £40 on top of that!

Re: TiVo
 

Im an M customer pal with Sky+HD well until TIVO kills it off LOL :D I couldnt care less what price it is, im just making my point its to dear as many others are saying.

50000 pre reg , bet thats dropped a good few thousand now LOL .

Re: TiVo
 

He also stated the 11th of April as a launch date.;)

Re: TiVo
 

I wonder if they are planning another software drop before it goes out publically then?

Re: TiVo
 

It is not actually that dear considering what it is capable of and in real terms it is cheaper than the original TV Drive was at at launch.

It is a case of do you want it then here is the price so just sign here please.

Re: TiVo
 

By having the TiVo service and/or by using it you are providing your consent for us to use your viewing information to personalise your experience of the TiVo service (in addition to the other purposes set out in our privacy policy). We may share with third parties information about your use of the TiVo service in an aggregated form which will not personally identify you. This aggregated data may be used by those third parties for their marketing purposes (e.g. to improve their targeting of advertising based on user preferences).


Targeted Ads possibly ?

Re: TiVo
 

I don't think its too dear at all. Its a new high end product and new high end products always carry a premium price at first.

Re: TiVo
 

Here's the full wording in my e-mail although I should point out that my name isn't Dean and I have no idea where they got that from!!

Hello Dean,

Now here’s something you don’t see everyday. You’ve got the chance to be one of the first to order our amazing 1TB TiVo® box before everyone else because you’re a Virgin Media customer and you pre-registered your interest in our TiVo service.

During the week beginning 11th April, we’ll be opening an exclusive pre-sale event just for you, so you can order Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo. We’ll email you the details on the day and you can be one of the first to get your hands on our latest kit before it goes on general sale.

Here’s the deal:
• 1TB TiVo box
• £149.95 one-off activation fee exclusively for existing customers (everyone else pays £199.95)
• £3 additional monthly fee with TV XL
Our exclusive pre-sale event for the 1TB box is only available to you. Think of it as a little ‘thank you’ from us for being a Virgin Media customer and for being one of the very first to register your interest in our TiVo service.

We’ll email you again during the week of 11th April to tell you more. If you’d like to take another look at what our TiVo service can do, head over to our Discover TiVo site for all the details.

Keep your eyes peeled on your inbox

The Virgin Media team

General: £40 installation fee applies. TiVo box remains property of Virgin Media. New 12-month minimum term contract applies. 1TB TiVo box: you must take, or upgrade to, TV XL to be eligible. If you cease to be an XL TV customer, we reserve the right to charge you the then applicable monthly TiVo charge (currently £8 for TV L or M+). TiVo is not available on TV M. Information about your TiVo use: By having the TiVo service and/or by using it you are providing your consent for us to use your viewing information to personalise your experience of the TiVo service (in addition to the other purposes set out in our privacy policy). We may share with third parties information about your use of the TiVo service in an aggregated form which will not personally identify you. This aggregated data may be used by those third parties for their marketing purposes (e.g. to improve their targeting of advertising based on user preferences).

Re: TiVo
 

As long as it's not going to Rupert though eh! ;)

Have to say thought the Install cost would have been waved for the pre-regers, ah well.... Still getting one. :cool:

Re: TiVo
 

The blunt fact is early adopters of new products in the technology market always pay a high premium its no different with TiVo,if you want it cheaper you will have to be patient but as the old queen song goes "i want it all,and i want it now" canny buyers will wait until demand drops and prices come down simples really.:)

Re: TiVo
 

But what happens if you find the Virgin TV service doesn't meet your needs a year down the line , what happens to the box then ?

We'll agree to disagree.

Re: TiVo
 

That is choice that you would have to make at that time as no one has a crystal ball.

Re: TiVo
 

Some of your XL sub already does LOL :D

Re: TiVo
 

Is there just me on this forum now that has not got the email?

Re: TiVo
 

the key words "are capable of" .... its not yet capable of them and there is no new content to show of these new capabilities ....

the offer is an insult IMHO especially when a lot of the proposed features are just that .. proposed and not yet ready or signed and sealed deals ... the TiVo product is not finished and will not be finished in time for its launch and yet they still expect existing customers to be excited and jump for joy at the 'Special Offer' deal that they cant even address as Dear Sir/Madam but instead picked a random name 'Dean'.

All that and they have still failed to put any information out about the VIP revamp which they promised us at the beginning of the year ... sorry VM have simply failed to deliver to me personally and to the wider public with a pretty rotten (thats an understatement) special offer for its loyal customers.

:td:

Re: TiVo
 

What happens if your service still meets your needs but your box has decided to die a year down the line.....

Sorry, I'm throwing the cat in amongst the pigeons. I shall go back to sleep!!:angel:

Re: TiVo
 

To be honest I was happy when we lost the Sky basics, never watch them. Personally I would have been happy for the money to go else where, I guess I'm in the minority there though so hay-ho.

Re: TiVo
 

Sounds like it from those currently "on line" others on later may not have recieved it though if vm are sending in batches as has been said.

Re: TiVo
 

Did you pre-register or just enter a draw?

Re: TiVo
 

PM me your email address and I will forward a copy to so that you do not feel left out. LOL

Re: TiVo
 

It is a state of the art premium box that no one else can offer you so the choice is yours, do you pay the asking price and get one and enjoy what it can do, or do you stay with your existing box or look towards SKY instead, the choice is yours.

If you honestly thought you were ever going to get this box for buttons then I have no idea why you would think that way at all as it was always going to cost you money.

Re: TiVo
 

Woohoo!! I got the email, I got the email!! Though I'm confused why they think I'm Dean, since no one in our house is Dean and I'm female LOL. (it said 'Hello Dean') Then again the VM email I got the other day that was nowt to do with TiVo said Hello Peter! Go figure!

But at least they DO have my info in spite of not receiving anything else to this point after I pre-registered.

Phew - looking forward to the 11th!

Re: TiVo
 

Hi Dean

I'm Dean and so's my wife.

Dean

Re: TiVo
 

The week beginning the 11th. ;)

Re: TiVo
 

As long as it has Catherine Tate, Doctor Who Series 2 and Balamory on there I'll be happy :p:

Re: TiVo
 

You ring up threaten to leave and hey presto a free service call is arranged , the beauty of being able to change.

Re: TiVo
 

What happens if they call your bluff?

Re: TiVo
 

Seems a lot of stress and hassle :dunce:

Re: TiVo
 

Ive had the email but im not willing to pay £190 for it... ill wait 6 months or so until the demand dies down and the price comes down..

I'll live with my V+ box till then.

Re: TiVo
 

Hello Dean. I'm Dean too.

Dean

Re: TiVo
 

Oh god, what have I started! :dozey:

Re: TiVo
 

Well all I can say is with my 6 years Sky service before i came to VM i never once payed for a service call , they simply wont let you leave for the price of a service call.

Re: TiVo
 

For the people that don't like the price (and that's understandable) why not just wait for the small (and cheaper) TiVo to come out. It's in there mag so it's been confirmed as coming.

Re: TiVo
 

It will be £239 after this price for a while, just so you know.

Re: TiVo
 

No dont expect it for buttons ... dont even want it until its a fully working 100% finished product (maybe in 2012 by the speed of VM) ...

BUT i did expect an offer a damn site better than what they have made & I expected to have some sort of connection between TiVo offer and being a VIP customer and their promise of a reworked , revamped , better VIP package announcement which they promised in early 2011... we are now entering April which cannot be seen as early 2011 even by VM's standards

As a company VM have dropped way down in my recommendations to others & even the one thing they had right (broadband) has been a let down with all the reports of the Hub are to go by ... personal rating of VM used to be 9/10 but over the last 6 months i would now only rate them as 5/10 .. not good

:erm:

Re: TiVo
 

DF Is the reason I did not get the email because I only entered the raffle?

If it is I thought you said I would get the same email? Kind of wrong really if it is the reason because I didnt pre-register because of the raffle. The raffle stopped me pre-registering.

Re: TiVo
 

My name has changed to Dean too. I don't mind being called Dean as long as you pay for the privilege. I'll wear a pink dress and be called Lucy for the right amount. ;)

Re: TiVo
 

You should contact VM and voice your opinion.

Re: TiVo
 

So it's just so the frail and infirm pay the service charges to cover the people that threaten to leave? That Rupert such a scamp. ;)

Re: TiVo
 

I had an email too addressed to some chap called Dean. Maybe they might send the bill to him as well?

I know this is prob somewhere on the forum, but when will you be able to record two channels and watch a third channel on the TiVo box?

Re: TiVo
 

You didn't pre reg? I thought you said you pre reg'd and entered the comp?

Re: TiVo
 

The last couple of weeks

Re: TiVo
 

Yes, Dean :D

You can record 3 channels at the same time and watch a recording or use BBC iplayer.

Re: TiVo
 

nope i don't have a mail either, dam these batches...

Re: TiVo
 

ha ha :D