Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

My amateur belief is that it's down to the CPU that can't handle what's being asked of it, others who know more about such things blame it on poorly written software.

That seems like a sensible strategy for those out of contract.

Those still in contract are currently faced with the stark choice of leaving VM whilst they can (due to the get out clause due to the price rise) or hoping that the new box works and is reasonably priced. If they take this risk and it doesn't work out, they will have to see out their remaining contract with a barely useable box or break their contract and deal with any problems that doing so creates.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

It's not so much that it was poorly written software, more like they took software that wasn't specifically written for the hardware and just added patches here there and everywhere so they could rush the item to market, remember the third tuner didn't work on launch.
Once you launched the device with all these workarounds there isn't really any going back, all you do is try to write better patches.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

It's a perfect illustration of the maxim: Do NOT do at run time that you can do at compile time.

I would hazard a guess that the software is highly abstracted from the actual hardware and the processor is wasting most of its time on abstraction layers rather than actualy delivering to the user.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I wonder if the new TiVo software has been rewritten from scratch??

If so, perhaps it could be sent to the old boxes to overwrite all the problematic software??

Perhaps the V6 will be better because it has more processing power, but whilst VM drag their feet as usual in providing infirmation, we simply don't know.

Being afraid of Sky stealing a march with Sky Q is now a moot point.

I actually suspect that they are doing this on purpose to keep customers still in contract hanging on until they can no longer leave without them trying to impose a penalty.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I am 100% certain that the software will not have been rewritten at all.

More like the original hardware was picked when the TiVo software was in a totally different state where as now they have the software or UI the way they want they will do be aable to pick the best hardware to make it work.

Also as Sky are now pushing Q as their main system I think they have a winner.

---------- Post added at 21:28 ---------- Previous post was at 21:26 ----------

I am sure that it is not the case, it is more than likely that the STB isn't finalised or finished testing yet, so they will be doing the right thing and waiting till they are sure it will be great before officially releasing details.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

If they are choosing the hardware to cope with the software that sounds sensible, but won't help those with existing boxes.

I wonder what will happen to all the existing boxes that are running so slow.

When TiVo started, they let people site their existing V+ in another room at no extra charge.

Maybe they will offer to resite the old box if customers take a new one.

They could be useful for a bedroom for example, as having to wait for one programme to start that you want to watch before bed isn't too bad as opposed to having it as a main box.

Having said that, if the new box can stream it's recordings like Sky Q, will there be any need?

http://cableforum.co.uk/board/showth...8#post35862718

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Additional TiVo appears in my tv anywhere but I only have two but it listing three

---------- Post added at 18:07 ---------- Previous post was at 17:46 ----------

Ok I have some news on new TiVo

1. It will launch within next 2 months and working pro type in head office, final version is testing.

2. Price is guaranteed to be competitive to sky tv

3. Existing customers will get first chance on new box before new customers

4. Box can connect to internet via wifi or Ethernet

5. Possible one main box and smaller hub

6. New feature confirmed if you lose your remote you can press button on box to find remote

7. Box might be self install option for £49.99 and £99.99, manual £99 and £149

4 hidden features from the top brass revealed only at launch

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Hmmmmmmmm...

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Exactly I found it interesting

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

l gather you must have been talking to a mole inside Virgin Media??.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Well all I can say to protect the identity of the member of staff, I have seen evidence to support this apart from the one TiVo or a need for more than one

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

That doesn't make sense mate, should it not read "existing customers will get first chance of new box ahead of new customers"?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Thanks for pointing that out I have amended it

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Any staff caught revealing very private important company information would be instantly fired for revealed NDA information as its written into their contract unless SP or Ben can tell me otherwise.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I do get what you mean but the info I have heard will either be dismissed or be correct when the box launches

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Any release date?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I have been told before end of the year, I think it's in case we are skint in the new year

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Nothing to do with some being skint in the New Year my dear chap.:)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

It'll be released when it is ready. There is no magic date set far in advance.

Think about it. If you were making new product, when would you sell it?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

l know SP but perhaps you need to have a word in the dear chaps ear just to put his mind at rest.;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I know they are just being lazy

---------- Post added at 08:55 ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 ----------

They can't use sky as an excuse any more

---------- Post added at 08:56 ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 ----------

Well Christmas is always a optimum time, especially when people talk about the new must have gadget for Christmas so If it was me end of november

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

So even if it was ready now, you'd wait until the end of November instead of getting some immediate return on your development costs? Or if at the end of November it still wasn't finished, you'd release it anyway?

I won't be investing in your business!

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Well no what I mean is you need to pick the optimum time when you can compete. I'd make sure it's ready on time and bring Christmas as the time to be the time for a fast new box

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

How?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Easier said than done, mate.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Over the weekend, sister and brother-in-law moved into their new house and had Sky Q installed. I must admit it's a pretty fancy box and the UI is really smooth.

Virgin have a lot to live up to if they want to at least match Sky Q box, but we really want them to do better lol. The little mini boxes were pretty cool, but didn't see them in action.

Wonder if VM will have the same kind of set-up with their own multi-room boxes...has there been any word on that?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Nothing not a word

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Er, what's Sky got to do with the new Tivo box? :confused::banghead:

Except that the new box will be better and cheaper than Sky Q!

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

It's always useful to benchmark similar products from different companies for comparison.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Well Im having the sky Q silver box installed on Wednesday next week so I will be able to compare and contrast Sky and tivo side by side in the same system. Was hoping to compare the new Tivo box but it doesn't look like I will get one soon.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Are you going to keep both?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

He may have given notice already but it may still be on.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Think you'll be impressed. Couple of niggles with Sky Q (different way of doing things) but all in all it's head and shoulder above TiVo.


BT line being installed tomorrow and by this time next week my 30 days notice is up so that's that.


I've seen the new V6 box in Poland and it looks OK. I just hope VM learn their lesson from the current TiVo box issues and in future resist the temptation to fiddle so much they break an otherwise good/working product.


Cheers


Grim

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Ill run both until I get a chance to replace the Tivo for a V6 and then i'll decide which I'm keeping.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

All sounds a bit underwhelming if the new VM box is based on technology already available elsewhere.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Especially in Poland! lol (no offence meant to any Polish on here) :-)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I think they are moving to common hardware across their entire footprint but with different software running on it i.e. Tivo for the UK and Horizon for other countries.

Wasn't aware that it had launched anywhere though, maybe it was a test unit that was seen in Poland?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Liberty have already said the new box will run both the TiVo and Horizon software so I suppose it should be no surprise they're using the box in other countries they operate in. Anyway here's the Horizon brochure - in Polish so I've no idea what it's saying! - but it's full of pretty pictures including the qwerty handset you can get on the Horizon platform. I can't say for sure it's the same as the V6 but from the little VM have shown us it certainly looks very similar!


---------- Post added at 10:41 ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 ----------

It was for openly on offer at the UPC stand in the main shopping centre in Krakow a few weeks ago.

Cheers

Grim

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

That's one of the existing Horizon boxes. UPC have only recently announced that they plan to use the same hardware as VM.

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/...n-horizon-box/

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I see it's been released in Austria too. Record 4 channels, 500GB drive and apps like YouTube Wowee! :rolleyes:
Really hope VM have something up their sleeve to match the Sky Q Mini boxes but wouldn't they already be available in the countries where the box has already been released?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

500 gb is not impressive when we currently have up to 1tb that's a step backwards

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

This is not the new V6 box it's the existing Horizon box. The new V6 box is not available to any customers in any countries yet.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

That article says it's the new EOS box which is the same as the one to be released in the UK?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

That's not what we are getting, though. It looks like ours will be 2TB and at least six tuners.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

A new 500GB conventional HDD model, in what will soon be 2017 is ridiculous. You're not going to be putting UHD on that! At retail the difference between 1TB and 500GB is about £9 (less than 20%). In bulk I'm sure it is far less.

Good job that is not coming here.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Yes that is the word on the grapevine OB but remember that is all it is at the moment.;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

If you look at the V6 it IS the same box that is used in Europe as a Horizon box. LG want to save money so are using the same STBs and Superhub models in various regions.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Oops, sorry if I've mislead anyone or raised/dashed their hopes! I did try and discuss the Polish TV offering with the guy and whilst we tried to have a full and frank discussion it soon became obvious we were both fluent in different languages!

Cheers

Grim

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

The original Horizon box is not the same as the V6, and the original horizon software will be changed.


Are you saying that there are V6 boxes out in some countries with the new horizon software?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Will the new box even have a hard disc of any size or will it go along with the modem?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

No there aren't. VM are the first to use that hardware.

As an aside, "V6" is a VM name. The generic name for the hardware is Eos.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Which is what I thought and why I asked Stephen to clarify.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Sorry, I did mean that it will be used soon everywhere.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Different thing entirely, but it's worth pointing out that one recent game (the last Tony Hawks game IIRC) was released on disc with over 3/4s of the game left unfinished and available as a "patch" on the day of release.

OK, so the discs would have been pressed weeks earlier, but even the current Tivo was released with one tuner disabled.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Is there any update on likely launch date of the new STB yet? I am remembering back to mid August when someone in VM Customer Service said it would be launching in a month or two.... and that timeframe has passed...

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Sign up here https://keepup.virginmedia.com/befirst and you'll know as soon as there is news.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Ben - I signed up ages ago and haven't heard anything....not sure if actually works?
I didn't even get an email to say thanks for registering :-(

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Yes l tried the link and it does not work.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I put in the details needed, it just says thanks and we'll be in touch...but I 've never received anything.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

l put in my details and it said "Sorry we couldn't find you in the system"

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Only official thing I read was "at the turn of the year" suggesting late December/early January.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I'd prefer them to release a polished final box that works smoothly rather than a half-ass attempt just to release "something".

It would also be nice to hear if VM have any plans on 4K content, or will it just be Netflix/You Tube...etc apps to start off with...sorry maybe this is for the "Coming soon Thread"...apologies...there are too many threads lol

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Good luck with that , I'm yet to be an early adopter of anything that's been smooth sailing , if that's what you want leave it 12 months.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I just meant in terms of the dates of the release of the box as some people have conflicting dates in mind.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Do we know where this name came from? V2 I could understand :confused: (unless it relates to the 6 tuners).

Oh no, I was working towards November time- at this rate I'll be out of contract anyway!

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Don't worry, Richard, another price rise will be not far away. :D

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Rather pessimistic today l see old chap.;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

VM have got all guns blazing at the moment with their marketing for Virgin TV - I doubt they would be doing that if the V6 was launching imminently, so I think it's unlikely we will see a consumer launch this quarter now. There could be a PR launch in the coming weeks, then installs from Q1 perhaps.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Agreed. They may have taken advantage of the launch of Sky Q to add additional functionality which may delay its launch a little.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Oh Andrew you do love to speculate old boy.;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Ha ha! As long as people realise it's speculation and not anything more than that. ;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

What's to speculate is pretty much a given it will have more tuners than the current box , be faster , allow streaming to tablets , allow recordings across rooms isn't it.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Some revered posters take things as gospel although l won't mention any names.;):D

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

The new functionality is nice, but pretty insignificant IMHO, and the speed issue is getting worse. They need to get the new box out ASAP, or address the speed issue; actually they need to do both.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Is it known that it will stream to tablets?

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

There's not many products in the pay tv world coming out now that can't in the home.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Agreed. Just not seen this feature mentioned in connection with the V6 until your post.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

If it doesn't unlike sky q, it will be a nail in the V6

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Good grief l would hate to have you by my side in the trench.;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Streaming to tablets was available on the Tivo Bolt a couple of years ago; I would be surprised if that is not incorporated into the new software.


And Ddonald2016 is right; lack of that functionality could send some people in the direction of Sky Q

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

So you believe what he says then PB? as surely you don't think Virgin are that naive regarding future functionality.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I don't believe they are, so I expect streaming to tablet functionality, which is already on the Bolt (that doesn't mean it will be there; I have no advanced knowledge).


The question was about them not including it. If they don't, then they will lose some customers to Sky Q IMHO

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Exactly if it is available in the United States years ago and sky q now, if not on the v6 that would be a bad decision

---------- Post added at 17:53 ---------- Previous post was at 17:50 ----------

Defo if they can't include such a basic feature why would we want to remain with virgin

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Has anybody heard about a new budget brand called 'Red', that provides basic TV & 20meg Broadband?

After what the CEO said about VM TV being more about being an enabler rather than neccesarily providing the content themselves, I wonder if the future for VM TV could be the basic Freeview service with the ability to record and apps for people to subscribe to Netflix, Now TV, Amazon etc??

Far less carriage costs and much fewer negotiations for VM and a commission on any subscriptions taken out via their STB may make this appealing to VM.

For customers, there's no more missing channels like SA and they can choose what channels they want to pay for a la carte.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Until at least 2020, you will only get Atlantic (at least the HBO and probably Showtime content) by subscribing to a Sky service; Satellite or Now TV.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Red is a brand used by Vodafone. Do you have a link to give the context to the service you are referring to?
In the meantime, here's the Vodafone link http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/pric.../zqy/aents/lcc

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

But it would be available if VM threw the towel in with pay channels and provided apps like Now TV.

http://www.seenit.co.uk/why-are-virg...-reverse-this/

All about how Virgin Media are the only pay-TV provider out of Sky, BT TV and Talk Talk TV to be losing customers.

They consider Virgin Media's high prices and missing channels to be key factors.

They've always said that the TV side doesn't make any money and is only provided for triple play reasons, whilst commission from apps would make a little money.

Missing channel complaints could simply be directed to Amazon, Now TV etc.

From a thread asking why VM are the only company to be losing TV customers:

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I am sure that this is the general direction of travel, Richard, as envisaged on the linear channels thread. What you describe here is one of the medium term developments that will lead to a general reduction of linear broadcast TV viewing, which in turn will see a reduction, and quite possibly a total extinction of the TV channels that we currently watch in great numbers.

Pay channels will probably be the first to decline as people stop subscribing to them, in favour of paying into the quality on demand services, which will grow in number. Freeview channels will be more resilient, but they too will eventually succumb to reducing advertising revenues as audiences decline.

There are growing signs that these predictions are coming to pass, and it shouldn't be long now before the most ardent 'deniers' finally acknowledge what is happening to the broadcasting industry.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I don't see advertising on TV declining any time soon, over the last ten years TV advertising has been at a consistent 50% of ad spending, the only area of advertising that has seen a shift is a decline in print and a subsequent rise in online

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

No doubt the old boy will dispute that as well as he seems to have a propensity for that even though the clear facts are in front of his eyes.:)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

It will be interesting to see how 2016 and 2017 turn out; 2015 was a record year for TV advertising. https://www.thinkbox.tv/News-and-opi...for-first-time

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

I am talking about the future, not the present, toady. Once on demand viewing becomes more mainstream, declining audiences experienced by the broadcast channels will lead to falling revenue. It is pretty obvious where that will lead.

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:04 ----------

If you have any clear facts to enlighten me otherwise, Den, I would be pleased to hear from you! ;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

However people decide to watch their TV/Films the advertisers will follow. There never used to be ads On-Demand, but they have slowly crept their way there. Even Sky has advertising on Sky Go programming too.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

Advertising on the players was always going to happen. Otherwise, how was the programming to be paid for?

Netflix and Amazon rely on subscription money for their funding and I cannot see them ever interrupting their content with unskippable advertisements.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

If subscriptions reach a peak level, would Netflix and Amazon turn down advertising revenue? Like yourself, I can't imagine them having ads during the shows/films people are watching, but they could bring them in before they start. Only time will tell :-) ;)

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

If, contrary to the confirmation by Netflix's CEO that Netflix will not screen advertisements, they then decide to do so, my subscription with that company would cease. Simples. I am sure that a huge number would do the same.

Surely, if they wanted to draw in more money from advertising, they could offer an alternative subscription free service (or maybe a reduced subscription offer) with unskippable ads. This would have the attraction of bringing on board excluded customers who cannot afford to pay current subscription prices and make more money for them. That would be acceptable. Putting on ads for a full subscription service would not be.

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

still no concrete information on the V6 box release or price. Very frustrating

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

The link does work. In my case it said, "Our new V6 box is coming to a living room near you soon. We'll let you know when it's ready for launch!"


-A

Re: Virgin Media V6 - Powered by TiVo(new STB)
 

The position is, the new box will be available in around December or January (I expect the latter is more likely. They will not announce the price much ahead of launch as this would give Sky the opportunity to steal a march on them.

You should not be frustrated because the current position has been known for some time. Late November is likely to be the very earliest time that any more information will be released. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was no information until early January.