Which is the better set top box
 

Which is the better set top box and why do you think that.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Haven't used anything Sky other than a basic box so I couldn't answer.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I like this box, but I also like that box? But there is only one way to find out FIGHT:D:D:D:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I have a mate who has just had sky HD box upgrade and i must say i was impressed changed channels quickly and the picture quality is good,he does not have anytime though as he has no phoneline and if he did 1MB may not be enough to do much.

Have had TiVo installed today as an upgrade myself seems a good box easy to use and set up express series links on,on demand seems to work better then my V+ and it has a good UI,although TiVo woud work better for me due to the MB problem on the phoneline (for on demand ) i could not in all honesty say which is the better box overall.Though am missing reminders already hint hint..

As skys is loosely based on TiVo technology also.;)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I've can't comment on Sky+ HD as only ever had a basic Sky box but for me the TiVo is the best box I've ever used due to it's intuitive nature, i.e. rescheduling recordings due to clashes, search, wishlists, etc. The fact that it has it's own dedicated 10Mb broadband connection also gives it great potential for future even if the current apps leave a little to be desired!

Superblade7

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I wonder how this vote will go , we may as well ask which team has the best squad Man Utd or Man City on a United forum :rolleyes:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Wait and see:)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I don't need to wait its pretty obvious on a Cable forum in VM section :D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I do not know what you mean as I voted for the SA V+ BOX as it is the best box out there:erm:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Its no different to the Sky polls we have here and there and it will just represent a opinion of what people actually think in regards to the different set top boxes.:D

---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:23 ----------

But is there not a sky section where you are free to conduct your own poll unbiasedly.:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

My sentiments entirely MM..........:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Yes a Sky section on a cable forum Den :D you haven't even listed the Sky boxes correctly were do I vote for a Sky+HD box , you've listed a SkyHD box which is a non PVR HD box and a Sky+ box which isn't even HD nevermind god loves a tryer :D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Yes one must admit to a slight mistake with the listings but as god moves in mysterious ways perhaps one of the mods can rectify that please.:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Man i love my TiVo :D:D

but strange things are a going on wooooooooooooo :angel::angel::angel:



i can remember laughing :D :D :D and reading :shocked: :shocked: ''yes i can actually read'' ages ago before i got my TiVo that they can develop a mind of their own lol



and yes this is true... ah bless :p: my TiVo has a good old time just recording loads of random stuff.. :D



i was watching some Scottish golf and thought yay i will have more of this.so i gave it the 3 green thumbs :erm: up = sorted.



now i get every golf program recorded and every car program that has anything to do with golf cars,and every program that includes the word golf,every cartoon,every shopping channel program that includes the sale of any golf related stuff 'the game and the car' :p::p:



so for giving one Scottish golf program the 3 green thumbs :rolleyes: i now have 67 unrelated programs about golf.:D


and are any of them worth watching or keeping on the TiVo hdd ??


lol you no the answer to that one,i don't need to tell you :) :) :)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Does it really matter?

will sky customers quit to virgin because of the box? Or vice versa?

Not the main criteria for me..and i suspect both boxes are good (at least top box on each system)

My criteria is content..price...they come first for me

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Lol :D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Whos voting vhd?

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

one major thing to consider is that no matter how long you have a Virgin Media Set Top Box any engineer visit will always be free as will any replacement equipment, plus the wait for an engineer on average is a lot shorter.

Now with SKY you own the box and after a year you have to pay an insurance premium to cover for any technician visits or replacement boxes or go to their version of retentions and try threatening to leave.

Now which is the better option.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

My lease forbids any external aerial or dish, so my options are limited - I've never been able to get a half decent signal from an indoor aerial. That only leaves the V+ and TiVo; I have both, but the TiVo is the better of the two IMHO.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Could have swore the thread was which is the better set top box not who has the best repair policy.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Its Tivo by the proverbial country mile.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

What a surprise :rolleyes::D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

:) :D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

It works both ways when you think about it, no good having what you think is a great box the finding out you need to pay exorbitant repair bills is it.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Spot on.:tu:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

After a year..if box breaks down, I say..replace or I switch to virgin (I've switched for a year, and went back when it suited me)

I've done both....so best break down policy is the one I choose.

My choice is still based content. And, I treat both companies the same as they treat me...if it suits my purposes, I move or stay..not their purposes. I suspect both companies do the same (though they never have told me that :) ).

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Why do that when your Virgin Media set top box or modem is under permanent warranty and will be replaced free of charge, why go through the rigmarole of constantly changing provider, I can understand that with electricity and gas as the equipment stays the same.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Masque,

Even after the £7.80 a month warranty I pay (that covers both my Sky+ HD box's and dish etc) I am still paying less than I would for Virgin Media TV,and in my opinion I think the Sky box does the job well,the SD picture quality is good and more importantly I get Sky Atlantic included in my package. And yes before you ask I have had TiVo and found it to be slower,less responsive,poorer picture (both HD and SD) and over complicated even to do the "basics",I must add I had it before the software upgrade so my comments are based on this and from what I have heard on here there has been a vast improvement,so,who knows maybe next time I will switch to a TiVo,that is if Virgin get Sky Atlantic.....................

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

It is personal choice I know.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Tivo FTW. Sky box cant touch it at the moment

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I have a Samsung V+HD box but that`s not a poll option.:erm::rolleyes::confused:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Same here - any chance of getting it added :rolleyes:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Can one of the mods please add the Sky+HD box and the Samsung V+HD box to the poll please.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Why bother :rolleyes:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I have only had the Samsung V+, so can't realy comment on the others

I will upgrade to a Tivo when the red button services are fully operational

andrewlutonuk

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

In the interests of inclusivity and because I want to vote for the V+HD box ;)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

With the vote being so close it could tip it one way or the other.:D:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

There could be a late rush :rolleyes:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Yes i will give you that one an influx of sky subs from D/S most likely.:D:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Someone had to vote Sky :)

With the SKy box I get to see the programmes I want, with any VM type I don't.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

TIVO is better than better overall then any VM Set Top Box to say and SKY+ HD, all we need is more content and VM will be ahead of Sky!

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I shall be reporting this poll to the Electoral Commission as undemocratic. Only 'selected' candidates have been put on the ballot and there is no 'None of the above' option. My Pace Di4000-N has been excluded as have many other valid representatives. It's a travesty! :td:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I think this vote is about "Recent" Set Top Boxes!

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I agree, but until VM get that content I'm with Sky.

As I said to the three different VM employees who called me for feedback on why I left, if VM get Sky Atlantic I'd go back to them.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Where's the BT Vision box , Smallworld box , freesat box , freeview box and how is Sky+ a new STB.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

There is no pleasing you master is there.:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I was talking post Sky+ and V+ (formerly TVDrive) STBs

There are many diffrent Freeview and Freesat STB's

Not sure about Smallworld, BT Vision and BT Vision+ though (Smallworld does only cover fairly area compaired to others)

Smallworld's STB is rather good!

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Which is your opinion and judging by most of your past posts your opinion means absolutely nothing to me.:rolleyes:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Whichever box is provided by a company that can provide me with streaming versions of the vast majority of their channels on iOS.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

That will be the Apple HDTV then!

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

When I had digital cable TV I was unfortunate enough, over time, to experience the performance of both a Pace and a Samsung SD STB. Both were as slow and clunky as can be, both needed to be rebooted at least once a day, both went into a coma at midnight, the Samsung frequently changed channels on it's own, the Samsung used to display a screen sized black box several times a day to inform me "my remote would not work while VM were performing important upgrades to my service and I should press any button to remove this message" :rolleyes:

I persevered with this dreadful service for a long time with seemingly pointless fortnightly engineer visits until one engineer snapped at me that "this is the same service that anyone gets on cable, you will just have to put up with it."

Well that made up my mind, I decided not to put up with it. With the help of a Sky special heights installer I got a dish erected and Sky+ box installed and for years now I have been very satisfied with them.

The sky service has proved ultra reliable as has the box which super responsive and almost never requires rebooting. I only briefly lose my signal during very heavy snowfall or really bad thunderstorms.

I suppose I should be considering upgrading to Sky+HD but as I discern only a trifle more sharpness from HD on my 32" Panny and the ageing Sky+ continues to perform faultlessly I can't really see any point.

I'll close by saying I would not go back to cable based TV even if it was provided to me FOC.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Then don't! :p:

BTW, is 'Jameseh' ...

• James E-H: a double barrelled surname
• James E. H.: a middle initial and surname
• James, eh?: a Canadian interjection
• Or something else

... ?

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

To be honest I just want to watch the shows my hard earned cash allows me to at the time I want , realistically all those PVR boxes allow you to do that so really it's more down to the content you want to watch unless you want to spend all night playing around with your STB. CONTENT IS KING.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

And apart from Sky Atlantic Virgin and Sky's content is generally the same.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I've had (what is now) Virgin Media cable TV for many years, going back to the pre-digital days. I have had my Pace digital box replaced once in that time due to a hardware failure but in general the daily use of the service is uneventful and performance is more than adequate with any delays in response being attributable to the simultaneous download of the EPG at 06:00 or a periodic update of the box software.

Other than the make, you haven't said what model boxes you had (mine is a Pace Di4000-N non-PVR, non-HD basic box) but I suspect that there was a period when the cable network's facilities overtook the capacity of some older boxes. I also believe that successive updates to the software have improved the performance of some sluggish boxes, possibly including the Samsung units.

I think that you should review your options and reconsider cable TV again some time in the near future. We are expecting exciting developments in the Virgin Media service during 2012 and 2013.

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 17:10 ----------

All true which suggests that all VM STBs should be called V+ for value-added! :tu:

... and I'm not on commission either!

Actually, "The postings on this site are ..." those of a number of people so perhaps you might want to reword that to be more specific to yourself.

Sorry for the recent spate of Masque bashing. :rolleyes: It's just fun. :) You are a very valuable resource and helpful member of the team. :tu:

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:39 ----------

One common theme so far has been "content is king" and it doesn't matter which box or, indeed, medium delivers it. However, I think the features of the box, such as search, scheduling, additional internet content, IMDb lookup etc. are value added features as is the bandwidth and reliability and viability of the delivery medium as well as the support for the equipment.

All part of the scoring process I'd say!

---------- Post added at 20:48 ---------- Previous post was at 18:58 ----------

Why bother posting "Why bother"? :confused:

If you're not interested, don't say so! :p:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I hope there is more to come to the tivo box :)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I didn't see a rule to that effect! It just asked "Which is the better set top box" but limited the choice of answers. :td:

Did I mention it's a travesty of democracy? :(

---------- Post added at 20:55 ---------- Previous post was at 20:54 ----------

Have a long good Friday 13th and a great weekend all.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

You need to get out more mate:D:D:D:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

My Silver V+ with tv drive on it is still going strong only had to wipe it once :)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

It's a shame, MM, that you've been so quick to rubbish this thread. Since you're a Sky+ hd customer AND have used Tivo, your's is one of the opinions that would be worth listening to on this subject.

And fwiw, I know one or two United fans who are prepared to accept that Citeh have the better players.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

It's not so much the thread as the poll , we are on a cable forum do you seriously believe a product from anyone other than VM would finish top plus half the options were wrong to start with. I'll openly tell you my feelings on any STB I've used which include V+ , Sky+ , BT Vision box , an original 2006 Sky+HD box , the current Sky+HD box which believe me is light years better than my original Thomson , TIVO.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Newcastle and West Ham ?:D:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I am also unable to vote as i only had a standard Sky box.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

There was a similar post to this on the Skyuser forums.

The Virginmedia TiVo got about 17 votes as the best set top box, The Sky+HD box got over 3000, Go figure eh.

This is a "cableforum" Cable products will win , simple.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Someone should ask on a Freeview forum.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Amusing really because underneath it all apart from a few differences reminders being one and the use of MPEG4 (which is what VM will move to in the end),they are very probably essentially similar boxes underneath as sky had a deal with TiVo first many will have forgotten,which i think is what their box descended from.;)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Tivo isn't core PVR functionality though. It is a monthly subscription service.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Sky+ is based on XTV DVR technology I believe
http://www.nds.com/Software_Solution...VR_Technology/

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

There are a number of issues to consider here including but not limited to the following:-

• Functionality
• Operability and reliability
• Picture quality (SD or HD)
• Recording capacity
• Number of tuners
• Supplemental content

If you have only had experience with one type of digital service (i.e. cable, satellite, terrestrial, internet) and one type of STB then your viewpoint may be limited but your opinion is still welcome. Those who have had a wider range of experience will be able to separate the features of the box from those of the service provider and make a more objective comparison.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Functionality Sky+
Operability and reliability Sky+
Picture Quality SD V+ HD pretty much similar on all
Recording capacity TiVo 500gb and Sky+HD both record 60 hrs HD at 1TB Sky+HD records 240hrs HD to TIVOs 120 hrs HD
Number of tuners TiVo
Supplemental Content TIVO

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Functionality Sky+:nono:
Operability and reliability Sky+ - Not so sure about that
Picture Quality SD V+ HD pretty much similar on all - l agree
Recording capacity TiVo 500gb and Sky+HD both record 60 hrs HD at 1TB Sky+HD records 240hrs HD to TIVOs 120 hrs HD - l will give you that one
Number of tuners TiVo:tu:
Supplemental Content TIVO:tu:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Does that make it a draw?

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

That depends on your point of view.:D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

TiVo is a subscription service i agree,but to me its core fuction is as a PVR,exactly the same as skys box is core PVR,its just the software thats costing the subscription, where sky do not charge seperately for their software or am i missing something.?:dunce:

---------- Post added at 14:24 ---------- Previous post was at 14:21 ----------

Thanks for that muppetman.:)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

I thought the core functionality of a PVR is to be able to record using its internal tuners from an epg. You don't really need a Tivo to do that. The Tivo part of the stb is an additional subscription service as the V+ can is a PVR too but the cost of the EPG for this is included in the tv sub by VM.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

The VHD gets my vote. TiVo would have done if it was bug free and the PQ quality was sorted out, the V+ I'm very fond of too. Ok so the VHD doesn't record, but its got catch up etc. It's certainly the quickest box and also the quietest. I like the way it auto powers off if you haven't used it for a while, don't think any of the other boxes do this.

It really will come into its own when it gets TIVo software and you can stream recordings to it. Then you can have recordings without hard drive noise in the bedroom.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

So V+ is better for SD but anything will do for HD. Is that correct? Are you talking up-scaled SD on a HD TV? Also, surely there must be some difference in HD quality between boxes. Perhaps it only becomes apparent with certain physical sizes or types (CRT, LCD, LED, Plasma etc.) of TV screen.
That's quite significant. Is it because of the use of MPEG-4 by Sky vs. MPEG-2 by VM (for now)?

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Indeed it is.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

But remember there is more then one factor in choosing a STB.:)

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Like if you are a customer of a Cable or Satellite network!

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

If I'm honest Den I don't choose a STB more a platform what offers me the content I want at the right price be it VM , Sky , BT Vision etc.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Every box has different functionalities and some like Sky's boxes and some like Virgin's boxes.

---------- Post added at 13:05 ---------- Previous post was at 13:03 ----------

For my self content is important but there are other factors as well in choosing a STB to suit my needs.

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

Which are:-

a) It has to be supplied by Virgin Media
b) It can not be anything to do with Sky
c) It has to be called TiVo

:D:D:D:D:angel:

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

LOL :D I think you've summed the situation up pretty well :D hope your not trying to imply that Den has a very one sided approach to this matter :D

Re: Which is the better set top box
 

A gold star awaits you.:D

---------- Post added at 13:40 ---------- Previous post was at 13:39 ----------

Damn its the master calling me to attention again.:D