TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Finally persuaded the wife to get rid of Sky and get TiVo, being installed on Wednesday.

What are the benefits of TiVo over the Sky +plus box, l have been told many different stories, such as red button is poor and the HD quality isn't good, can someone clarify.

Also what is the difference between the two boxes. I am getting the 250 hours record box.

Re: TiVo Optical Out Problem - holds the channel even when on standby
 

You've persuaded the wife to change from Sky and you haven't researched the differences? Good luck pal...

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Posts split from other thread as it was :notopic: and confusing in there.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Here is a brilliant and very detailed comparison of the major players' DVRs. For a PDF version, click here.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Why is there no reference made in that comparison to the fact Sky also have two versions of its PVR one being the Sky+HD (500gb , 250gb personal , 250 gb Anytime) 60 hrs HD recording , anybody would think reading that the 1TB box is the only offering from Sky.

Also we're it says Non-Premium HD channels cost it says £10.25 with no mention that you can actually receive some HD channels FTA or FTV with a Sky viewing card , it also states 50+ High Definition channels when Sky have 60+. It also states Sky has no catchup HD granted they don't have terrestrial however they do have Sky One , Sky Atlantic HD catchup content available.

No mention of setting up a reminder/series link from an advert for a show which Sky clearly does and the others don't.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I used to believe that comparison. But since I ditched TiVo and moved to Sky I have realised something.

I'm not interested in a who is better than who as that's personal choice but what I will say is. I doubt I will EVER go back to Virginmedia.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Yep my views mirror yours , to me content is king however it's personal preference as each user has different requirements.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Exactly as your requirements are suited by Sky but l myself like many others requirements are suited by Virgin.:)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Ok, I'll give you a short summery as I have had both recently.

Sky+ mainly records the thing you already know you like/love. Tivo helps you find things that you'll love. There is a great feature where you can search for shows on a certain topic. Just type in a keyword..for example I searched for "Heroin" and "Hookers"....and within a blink of an eye Tivo found me shows on these topics. You can also search for upcoming shows with your fave actors. Tivo's main feature is that you can rate shows you have watched and judging by your ratings it'll find other shows you might like.

Tivo also acts like a mini pc. You can tweet, youtube, spotify on it too.

HD both in quality and number of channels is better on Sky+. I see no difference in SD picture quality on the main channels. Better quality on the more obscure channels. Plus the quality of the picture is not affected by weather. Heavy rain or snow sometimes makes the picture break up on Sky...not so with cable.

Maybe someone else can answer your red button question. I never used it on Sky.

Catch up and On Demand is just AMAZING. Great service...and catch up is free! Many times people tweet or talk about something amazing that was on tv the day before. With this service you can go back and watch it.

For me personally, SKY+ HD only beats Tivo in that it's free (for the pvr service) and it has more HD channels. The majority of the other channels it has you don't want to watch or are FTA anyway.

One last thing. The youtube app is pretty cool (although can be improved so much). You can watch so many great videos on you home movie center rather than on your laptop/pc/smartphone. So many goodies uploaded up there you can enjoy.

I think your wife will love tivo! Please report back how you get on with it. What you like/dislike. Maybe you find a feature I'm not aware of yet :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Exactly, I had TiVo and Sky in my home just 1 day ago but the TiVo was unplugged. I can also have 100mb Virginmedia internet but choose a 16mb Sky connection.

I think that says it all.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I thought Virgin was best...until i realised that having a Virgin isn't that great :D
Sky high for me

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Each to their own?

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

That is not how the internet works :nono: :D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

It is in my own world (have you seen what it says under my name):erm::D:D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

But you are here and your words are as eloquent as always.:D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

How can you switch from 100mb to 16mb and think that is better?
I have just switched to 100mb from 20mb and have found it is much faster and have had no wireless problems with the superhub in other parts of the house.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

But that comparison is basically the tech. spec. and hard facts about each product and, as such, does not contain any of the author's personal opinions. :confused:


---------- Post added at 19:51 ---------- Previous post was at 19:50 ----------

Well it "says it all" about your personal opinion. Nothing more.

---------- Post added at 21:04 ---------- Previous post was at 19:51 ----------

And, just to satisfy the muppetman.... ;)
Fair points. It's not my document so I can't say why these things were not included :( Perhaps email the guy and ask.

Because it's a comparison of DVRs from Pay TV services. You cannot receive any channels from VM or BTV without paying for them :)

I said it was "brilliant and detailed". I didn't say it was 100% accurate or up-to-date :p:

Plus... I "reached the bronze age" too :D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I suppose if it was biased towards Sky, you (or other virgin advocates/devotees) would point out the flaws, and mm is merely doing the same

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Nothing wrong with that at all but Sky advocates/devotees also have to stop being so delicate when likewise we point out the flaws on Sky.:).

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Thank goodness that TiVo has no flaws then........:rolleyes:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

We never said that the TiVo did not have any flaws but when people give a opinion without actually using it then their comments and analysis simply cannot be taken very seriously can it.:)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I will blow everything out of the water, I had TiVo installed yesterday after all the hype with the adverts going, gave up Sky for it.

Biggest mistake l have ever made, TiVo is totally rubbish, and the worst move l have made, the VM engineer was in the house five minutes, didn't explain anything to us.

This is a major fault with VM, you get everything from the top BUT the engineers let it down, We are getting our original VM box back on Wednesday.

Its Sky for me, if l can get it back.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

If I were you I would wait a week or 2 and get familiar with TiVo's features before deciding its "rubbish". It can be great fun exploring new tech and finding out how it ticks.

Once you're familiar with it features then maybe give an opinion? Although in my opinion TiVo is not very good.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

So you're writing-off Tivo because you can't be bothered to work things out for yourself? Seems a little odd :confused: (But then look who's posting. Hardly a surprise :))

I completely agree that the tech. should have at least shown you the basics, though I think it is fairly instinctive myself, but to dismiss the whole thing as "Biggest mistake l have ever made, TiVo is totally rubbish" after just one day? :eek::rolleyes:

Did they not leave an instruction manual? (I have heard that they don't sometimes :() You can download the PDF version directly from here or call CS and I'm sure they'll send you one.

Then come back in a week or two and I may value your opinion a little more.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

It takes a few days for TiVo to bed in so as others have said I would give it a week or 2 to get used to it.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Tivo is great the engineer offered to show my how to use it but i declined to PLAY with it and what an expereince this bit of kit is don't listen to these people about Sky they only have more channels. The Tivo box has lots of things but it will take you a few days to suse it it but it is worth it i am very happy with mine and will never go back to sky

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I am still amused that each camp seems to want to extol virtues and benefits of their system, as if choosing one or other is the only right choice

My right choice is the one I am on now..and when (or if) I move..it will be the right choice for me then

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Thats fine if thats what you want. But alot of people would say they subscribe to pay tv for the channels and not the STB.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Well l think we can dispute that as more and more people are realising that the TiVo is a cut above other STB's as is revealed by the latest figures and thats only go to increase as time go's on and when you see that generally it has most of Sky's content as well then l think there is absolutely no contest.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

If Tivo is the only PVR STB available on VM then would its numbers not increase by default
:confused:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Well l think these figures will tell you how much of a impression that the TiVo has made on customers of all persuasions.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

You have a point, I suppose, but the point is how fast the user-base has increased. 18% of VM's TV subscribers now have Tivo; in around one year (give or take!)

As well, of course, as the other facts and quote mentioned by den, above.

I'd say that was pretty impressive :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I'm not dusputing the fact that Tivo is an impressive or in demand product. But the sales would be expected to increase in light of the fact that it is now the standard PVR. Of those figures 40% are new to VM meaning that only 60% of those additions can be said to definately be a user that saw Tivo as the superior. The 40% new customers could be here just for the Tivo or they could be here for VM and have a Tivo by default.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I admit that l am wrong, l have now had the Tivo box in for a couple of days, and l am being turned round.

If l am wrong, then l say so, other members have put me right, and this is what l like.

I just hope when the football starts, l can get the red button.

My only argument is that there is supposed to be Text on the Tivo, but it doesn't work.

And if you want to record a series of a prog it records the series on a daily basis such as three at a time ie Little House etc etc is on three times per day, it records the whole lot. We don't want the same Prog being recorded.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Change the series link so that it only records new episodes Arthur. That way you won't get duplicates, triplicates etc.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

You could always RTFM, Arthur.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

As it has already been said, you can change the settings for this. You can pretty much make Tivo to record anything how you want. While Sky+ only has one series link option.

When I first got Tivo it was a bit overwhelming and it took me time to figure things out. People told me to stick with it. Now I would never change it. Took me about 6 weeks to really get to know it well. Yet I was still finding out new features after 8-10 weeks!

Can you please sir tell me what the deal is with the "red button" on the football. I'm a football lover too but I don't get what's so special about it. From what I can remember on the bbc you can change commentary to 5 live or no commentary and that's about it. With tennis you can watch other matches...so I can see why that's important (to tennis fans, not me). But for a football fan? Is it really a must-have feature?

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

There was supposed to be 'text ' on the V+ too but there wasn't :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Here Arthur this should help you regarding text articles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-17655000

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Bentex, the red button on Sky Sports give you the option of watching additional streams, e.g. on a CL night you can watch games other than the one that is advertised.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

What kind of text are you expecting, Arthur? There are red button services on several channels.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Ah, yes. Of course.

I knew this already. Also football first.

But I knew these were Sky exclusives. I don't think they'll ever get on VM. It's one of the things I weighed up switching to VM and tivo.

I think certainly if CL games selection and/or football first is important to you then stick to Sky (unless someone knows something I don't).

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Not Sky exclusive mate. VM already have this on the V+. VM will have this on Tivo soon too.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

When did they get it? I don't remember having it when I had my v+ box v (2009/2010).

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

VM had it for all of last season in the EPL. I think it arrived on V+ around Easter last year.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Helpppppppppppp, does anyone know the code for volume control etc for an LG Plasma telly 42'

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

We'll need the model no. of the LG Arthur. It'll be easier to find the correct code mate :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

According to this list (PDF) it could be any of these:

LG(GOLDSTAR) 0011 0025 0049 0050 0054 0055 0101 0107 0110 0119 0152 0165 0166 0168 0181 0182 0195 0235 0250 0303 0379 0380 0414 0421 0433 0460 0465 0611 0613 0658

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Which, Carl, is why we need the model no. is it not? Random 42 inch LG isn't very helpful, agreed? Your diligence in tracking down the myriad models is commendable though. You're not bored are you? :D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

He could just do this?

http://help.virginmedia.com/system/s...oller#types_13

NUMBER 13

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

No as there are no model numbers in the list to match it with. Which you would have known had you bothered to look at the PDF as I did.

Nope. Just needed a quick search with the right keywords :)

---------- Post added at 18:07 ---------- Previous post was at 18:06 ----------

Quicker to do it with the numbers I listed rather than going 1-by-1 through the hundreds available :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

:DThat's how I paint:erm:

Yes but just giving another option mate

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I couldn't even get that right :p:
Fair enough.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

To anyone that can't get a particular brands code to work with their model try the listed one's for Phillips as well, seeing as they invented / manufactured a lot of modern TV technology sometimes their codes work.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Could it be thanks to the new interactive dance app :)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Such a eloquent choice of words master.:)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

MM have you been away a while mate:confused:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

He has been away educating his dark servants.:)

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I was under the impression that with the Tivo box you could get everything, l tried getting local news and info, such as the old box, but found you cannot get it.

And last night trying to get the red button for the football was a no goer, what was wrong with it.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

But on the plus side..you have a TIVO..you can brag to friends :D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Next year it wont just be Virgin, BT and Sky there wil be a company entering the market with more aggressively. That company is Microsoft. They will be pushing there new Xbox as the entertainment hub for all your viewing. Look at the Xbox in its present form how many things are in that and they are building the next one from the ground up. Look whats coming in the autumn with Smartglass and the way it integrates with TV shows and movies. Its an exciting time we are living in and I said it once and I said it again Virgin should of stayed in the content business as content is king as the way we watch TV is becoming platform agnostic.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Yep couldn't agree more , also factor in the rise of connected TV's , Youview , PS3 , Roku , Apple TV etc.

I believe this was the main reason behind BT's purchase of the football rights it also gives them bargaining power when trying to strike a deal for carrying the Sky channels on its Vision platform. BSKYB bought into HBO content for Atlantic to offer its customers , even Netflix have now started to commision some of its own content.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

If BT and SKY were to enter an alliance on EPL..it might not bode well for Virgin

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

The doomsayers strikes again it seems.:D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

More a happy thought thread type of comment..potatoes potatoes :D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Such eloquent words from the masters hatchet man.:D

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

How desperate are people to see the 38 Premiership games that BT will be showing? 18 of them will be of a top quality, as BT will have first pick of the fixtures, however the other 20 could easily be Wigan Vs. Stoke or West Brom Vs. QPR, no offence meant to fans of these clubs. Alternatively say you're a Norwich City fan or a Swansea fan, how often do you think your team will feature live as part of the 38 games? Maybe once, twice if you are lucky.

Seems BT are in the same position as Setanta Sports back in 2004 when Setanta landed their first football TV deal with the SPL to show 38 games per season:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...em/3489216.stm

SPL football was the only live coverage of football Setanta had. They had 2 separate subscription models. You could subscribe to all 38 games by buying a "season ticket" for £99.99 or alternatively pay £6.00 per game on a PPV basis. I remember buying all 4 Old Firm games. You had to phone Setanta with your debit card and they would sell you a pin number. You had 5 minutes to enter the pin number through your TV remote to access the game.

Would people be interested in buying a £99.99 "season ticket" with BT?

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

What £100 for just 38 matches.:nono:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Crazy I know however that's how Setanta started with their SPL coverage, and people up here in Scotland snapped it up. I'll see if I can find Setanta's old advertising campaign from back in 2004.

Here is an interesting article from the Guardian 18 months after the SPL deal:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005...ball.newsstory

At this point Setanta is still not a seven-days-a-week channel yet now manages to charge £14.00 per month subscription. According to the article only 70,000 took up the SPL season ticket package in it's launch year. At the point of the article being written, 18 months after the launch of Setanta, they have added the Dutch, French, German and Italian premier leagues rights too.

So BT launching with only 38 live English games per season, and nothing else, might not be too far fetched.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Yes a interesting read Chad but as we all know Setanta's business model was flawed from the start and BT will have to make sure they don't overplay their hand because if they do they might find that it might backfire on them quite considerably and as a Virgin customer one hopes it is added to the XL pack as one this in turn will help both BT and Virgin in the long run.

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

Which is why Den i think VM will try and do a "wholesale" deal with BT in my view sports subs are high now,and Sky sports is a racing certainty to go up this year,my view is if BT try to sell the 38 games on a standalone basis to VM their sub takers would not amount to a bag of beans even at say £7 a month.

Which is what setanta/ESPN realised with their deal better to have some subs coming in then have hardly any takers.

But back on topic both boxes have their good and bad points.! :erm::erm:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

I actually thought this was the "ESPN may lose EPL Football" thread:shocked:

Re: TiVo vs Sky+ Benefits
 

:shocked::shocked::shocked: Me too !!!!!!!!


Still at least you can get ESPN/EPL on both Sky/TiVo boxes.:D:D:D