Tivo troubles
 

Had TiVo now for a while, my parents can't get on with it! I've got a tech coming on Wednesday as have signal issues with On Demand. Would I be charged if he took out the TiVo and put a V+ back in?

Re: Tivo troubles
 

They won't charge you. But they won't do it either. V+ is discontinued except for swap outs.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Although if the engineer has some old stock in his van you might, MIGHT, get a V+ box installed again. I was told that the V+ was out of stock, but when he came to install TiVo he put a V+ box in the second room as he had one in the van.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I'm in contact with someone at head office who has authorised my account to have a V+ added instead of a TiVo. Also, will it affect my contract?

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Oh good effort! In that case I guess you'll need to ask your contact.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Ill give him a call and ask tomorrow. V+ was so much user friendly. TiVo is awful at recording In my opinion, programmes getting clipped etc. the only thing which is good is the hard drive space. I don't use suggestions or any other features. Also it looks a bit nicer than the v+ menus.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

You can turn clipping off though.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

This is another classic case of if the TiVo box is set-up correctly, it can be an excellent piece of technology.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I've had it for over a year now. None of the features are much use to me accept the hard drive space. I've turned clipping on and off, still messes up. For example last night I had this -

19:58 - 21:03 BBC1 recording
19:58 - 21:03 ITV1 recording
20:58 - 22:03 BBC2 recording

the v + would have just clipped automatically and all 3 recorded without trouble. On TiVo I get a message when the 3rd programme is starting to record saying that I have to change to one of the channels for it to record. Very annoying, also if clipping is on, it clips the start of the 3rd recording, not the end.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Just having a little trouble understanding your example, every program you show would have recorded in full on TiVo regardless of whether overlap protection is on or off. However on the V+ it would have to clip two of your programs as it drops the padding from the end of one and the start of the third recording.

Your example makes it a no brainer, 3 full recordings on TiVo or 1 full and 2 clipped recordings on V+!

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I think the issue is that TiVo doesn't dedicate a tuner to live TV meaning that in the example given all the tuners were in use whereas v+ would have allowed you to carry on without asking to change channels. Of course, as you rightly point out, the benefit is that TiVo actually does the job its supposed to do ie. deliver three full recordings, whereas v+ would have clipped two of them.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

V+ automatically droped padding if a recording channel change was required so you didn"t get the situation that you get with tivo, where a tuner is sometimes taken up just because of padding.

In practice i found with V+, that the although it droped padding, because only a small percentage of shows actually need padding, combined with the fact that only a percentage tuner/recording/channel allocations needed padding to be droped, everything worked really well with my default 5 min before and 10 min after default padding.

Because of the way Tivo handles padding, my defaults are zero and I add a little padding to only a very few specific shows. And again, it works really well. But I prefer the V+ method and think that padding is one area where V+ is better than Tivo.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I don't often have three things recording but I don't usually see that message when I do.

I have a theory that you will only see that message if you have watched #live tv' on that third tuner within the last... I don't know... 30 mins or so. So it's really just a 'safety' feature.

That said, I have three things set to record tonight at 9pm so I'll let you know what happens. (And I'll try to to go to 'live tv' within the preceding hour.)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

YES! YES! YES! Welcome back Carl, nice to see you back here.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Your theory is correct. If there has been any activity on a tuner recently, it assumes you are using it. I think the timeout is an hour.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Calm down, dear. It's only a Forum ;)
Wow! So I do know what I'm talking about sometimes? :D (Some people should take note. Unfortunately, they're the one's currently ignoring me :p:)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Even a clock that has stopped is correct twice a day....;)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

:p:

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Oh no it's Carl! I'm not going to win this now am i!! Just joking Carl, you're a great poster on here :) I've got a tech coming tomorrow with a V+ replacement, it's not going to affect my contract either, spoken with the CEO Office again today

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I wasn't aware there was anything to win :confused: :D

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:rolleyes:

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Yes. I was "only joking" too; hence the smileys.

Too subtle, perhaps? ;):D

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It's quite strange actually, most people I have spoken too, prefer V+ to TiVo.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I never thought I would like TiVo over V+, but am pleased to say that apart from rebooting the box twice, in a month of having TiVo I'm wondering why I didn't take the plunge earlier.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Yeah, I guess it's just a matter of opinion. I just enjoy the simplicity of the V+ as like I have said, the only feature which I really use is the good storage space as I have the 1TB box at the moment.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I think TiVo can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Just want it to record and retain shows? It does that. Want a sophisticated search function, wishlists, youtube, I player and suggestions? It does all that as well, but you don't have to use it. If storage space is important to you I think you're going to miss your TiVo.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I doubt I will miss it that much. I rarely go above 5% of my box anyway!

Re: Tivo troubles
 

???

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What I meant was that this is the only feature which can be use for me, knowing the space is there, not filling the box.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Only glad that I am not paying a premium for the TiVo. Agree it is for the most part its what you make of it. Pity some of the simple things on V+ are too complicated for TiVo.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Such as? :confused:

Other than archiving to DVD, which Tivo cannot do and possibly some red button services, I don't think there's anything that the V+ can do that the Tivo can't; and certainly nothing in a 'more complicated' way.

Also, don't forget that there was also a 'premium' on the V+ for years.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Really as thats news to me.:rolleyes:

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I've heard others say that VM's Tivo makes the simple seem complicated.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Yet another untruth courtesy of the Sky marketing department...

Re: Tivo troubles
 

"heard"?

Course you did - bless.......;)

Did you "hear it" from a "friend"?:D

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No. Probably not :)

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Are any of us allowed to say negative things about TiVo on here anymore?

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Of course as constructive criticisms are perfectly fine but when the negativity come from Skys loyal advertising department then you have to be a touch wary.:)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

As already said, if it is a genuine criticism of TiVo with some evidence to back it up, or has happened to others then negative things will be treated kinder than those who keep posting about how it is crap without anything to back it up, mostly those who are SKY customers who are jealous that Virgin customers can get the TiVo box.

Oh, and another person to add to my ignore list as well. :p::D

Re: Tivo troubles
 

No.

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Nothing is complicated, it just requires a few more button presses than it used to. It explains everything so it's probably better for not very tech-savvy folk.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

referring back.

The Red button as it was( Down to BBC I suspect) , a simple reminder ( I JUST want a reminder not a record if you do not respond,sorry). Sure TiVo can do things but it makes you work for them.

Premium yes & I was happy to pay for those extra services .
What TiVo offers no, As I have no use for them . I understand others think its great, great for them. Please do not get so upset that some people still prefer to cut their own bread:D Why o Why do some people get so upset if anything Virgin is questioned :cool:

---------- Post added at 10:40 ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 ----------

It makes you run around. One touch buttons would be good ;)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Don't be silly, TiVo is amazing and we all need to love it! < sarcasm :rolleyes:

Re: Tivo troubles
 

"As was"? What about now? And yes, just like the iPlayer, red buttoon content is under the BBC's control; not VM's.

That was the only way it could be implemented. If you are in front of the TV to see the reminder, you can cancel the recording. If (for whatever reason) you are not, then isn't it good that it records it as it's better than you missing it, isn't it?

So you don't want to find content from your fave director or starring your fave actor, or on a paticular subject? Well, okay :confused:

And you don't want clashes that can't be solved by having an extra tuner resolved automatically for you? Well, okay :confused:

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Fave director - do not have a clue who directed anything :shocked:
Clashes - +1 is easy to use. Honestly with 2 boxes in the house & a Sender its not a problem :D

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You not even heard of Steven Spielberg then? :eek: :D

Yes. and with a Tivo wishlist for the show you wouldn't have to spend time sorting them out yourself.

That's my main point; and one of the reasons for my sig ;)

You obviously have the time then. I don't :)

Re: Tivo troubles
 

You have the time and patience to type via remote . I don`t :erm:

Just checked what I have "backed up" after hols, 13 shows ( 13 hours - ads ) Really do not want or need more !!!
However I understand that some people need more than that.
In a normal week I have a maximum of 4 shows ( One finished prior to going so not part of whats left ) As these are on different days. Number of tuners has not enter the equation.
Also it takes no time to set record on different boxes. Tuning to sender is also only a button ( or two) away . Saying that I have never used it as such. As the problem has not arisen. Only used when TiVo failed !!!! & could not be bothered to change boxes again.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I admit I have a slight advantage with having the slide remote with a qwerty keyboard, but even if I didn't, the time it takes to enter data is time saved when it finds stuff :)

True enough :p

It's not "needing more" more than it is "having something to watch when I have time".

I concede I probably do watch more TV than you.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I was watching something and I had two things recording yesterday evening, one of which was due to finish at 9, and then another one was due to start from 9. There was three minutes padding at the end of the programme finishing at 9.

When it got to one minute to 9, TiVo asked me if I wanted to change the channel to allow the recording or cancel it.

Why couldn't it ask me if I wanted the programme clipped and not interfere with my viewing? I have got the clip programmes setting on. Just seemed a bit silly that it didn't clip automatically or give me the option to clip. It only offered a channel change or a recording cancel, neither of which I wanted.

In order to appease some of the forum's thought police, I have decided to try to say something positive about TiVo on each occasion I criticise it.... so here goes.

I like the fact that Kaley Cuoco's picture is frequently displayed in the advertising section at the top of the My Shows page.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I don't have any experience of clipping as I have that feature switched off but I would assume that it asked you if you wanted the recording to go ahead because it needed to change channel on the tuner you were watching live.

If it hadn't have done so I'm sure you would have complained that "it switched over without warning when I was in the middle of watching something".

I would have assumed that it would apply clipping as pre-programmed.

:rolleyes:

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Just off the phone to CEO Office, he said that after much persuasion to my area manager he has managed to get me a V+ box fitted and to get rid of my TiVo. Happy days for me :)
The best bit was that he said he prefers the V+ and hasn't upgraded himself yet!

Re: Tivo troubles
 

That says it all.:D

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Really Itshim you should not believe everything you hear or read.:rolleyes:

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Especially on here! ;)

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Was that the 'main man'? :D I'd actually find it quite funny if it was. At least he's not on a Sky box! :D

Re: Tivo troubles
 

No, it really doesn't :rolleyes:

Re: Tivo troubles
 

It was someone from Neil Berkett's office

But he said it to me :D

Re: Tivo troubles
 

If that was said, it may be that the person who was dealing with the complaint was trying to be empathetic or sympathetic (take your pick) and basically made that up to help with the flow of the call.

Although really, they shouldn't ever be negative about their own products so I'm glad I don't work there!

Is someone on this thread a Sky spy then?

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Did you have to spoil a good story.:D

I have always ( perhaps stupidly) Trusted people until proved different. Companies the complete opposite !

Re: Tivo troubles
 

So basically you're prepared to believe ChunkMunkey's statement that the man from the company said he himself preferred the V+, but also that the company man was probably lying when he did so?

I think we're all on the same page here.:D

Re: Tivo troubles
 

YES,why would chunkmunkey make it up it serves no purpose. How ever it would calm the customer down.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I have no need to make it up. Also, I wasn't shouting aand sceaming either, or wasnt angry so I didn't needed to be calm down.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

No, but you were left with the impression that the agent understood where you were coming from. You feel better than you would have done had you achieved the same result but it felt like a struggle to get there. If the agent was begrudging about it you would still have got your v+, but I doubt your impression of the agent or the service would have been quite the same. You have no reason to lie, but he does.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

I was thinking metaphorically not literally. Sorry for any offense caused. :dozey:

The agreement that a customer is right & the company is wrong is a well used tactic, to be onside with the customer. Helping to ( sorry can think of no other word) defuse the complaint/situation.:cool:

---------- Post added at 16:16 ---------- Previous post was at 16:15 ----------


Thankyou. well & clearly explained :D

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Here's a good final point. Who gives a ****? I post a few quotes from a bloke down the phone and I get it analysed.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Just had an issue on my parents TIVO , when going into Search and Browse then search all tv wasn't allowing me to search YT , in the search and browse section the Search MOD and YouTube were both missing a reboot seems to have sorted it now.

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Very annoyed today, set the TiVo box to record NFL last night on Channel 4, checked it was still set to record before going to bed last night, came down this morning and found it hadn't recorded the NFL at all. Tried a reboot in case it would help, but nothing. Not in recently deleted either, and not on catchup either. Was there a problem with the NFL on Channel 4 last night which meant it didn't record?

Re: Tivo troubles
 

It should be on 4OD at some point.

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Thanks, phew. I only taped it as it was the Broncos, was looking forward to watching it today. Now to look every 10 minutes on 4OD!

Re: Tivo troubles
 

Have you had a look in recording hiccups to see if there any reason given there?